River Global Investors LLP Has $18.34 Million Stock Holdings in KLA Co. (NASDAQ:KLAC)

River Global Investors LLP grew its stake in shares of KLA Co. (NASDAQ:KLAC - Free Report) by 497.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 23,692 shares of the semiconductor company's stock after buying an additional 19,728 shares during the period. KLA accounts for approximately 3.9% of River Global Investors LLP's portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest holding. River Global Investors LLP's holdings in KLA were worth $18,340,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of KLAC. Cedar Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of KLA by 77.3% during the first quarter. Cedar Wealth Management LLC now owns 39 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Family Firm Inc. purchased a new stake in KLA in the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in KLA in the third quarter worth approximately $38,000. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in KLA in the second quarter worth approximately $44,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC purchased a new stake in KLA in the first quarter worth approximately $45,000. 86.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

KLA Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of KLA stock traded up $1.26 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $687.41. 1,278,083 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,220,755. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $731.06 and a 200-day moving average of $764.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a current ratio of 2.13. The company has a market cap of $91.95 billion, a PE ratio of 31.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.29. KLA Co. has a 12 month low of $505.50 and a 12 month high of $896.32.

KLA (NASDAQ:KLAC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 30th. The semiconductor company reported $7.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $7.03 by $0.30. The business had revenue of $2.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.75 billion. KLA had a return on equity of 105.16% and a net margin of 28.92%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 18.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $5.74 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that KLA Co. will post 30.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

KLA Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th will be issued a $1.70 dividend. This is an increase from KLA's previous quarterly dividend of $1.45. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 18th. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.99%. KLA's dividend payout ratio is 26.48%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have issued reports on KLAC. Susquehanna cut their target price on KLA from $680.00 to $675.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 11th. Evercore ISI upped their target price on KLA from $800.00 to $900.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on KLA from $960.00 to $900.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 16th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on KLA from $900.00 to $765.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reissued a "hold" rating on shares of KLA in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, KLA presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $802.90.

KLA Profile

KLA Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of process control, process-enabling, and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and related electronics industries worldwide. It operates through three segments: Semiconductor Process Control; Specialty Semiconductor Process; and PCB and Component Inspection.