KLA
Scores out of 100 · Ranks within the 50-company cohort
Target date 2026-09-18
Target date 2027-09-18
Target date 2030-09-18
Our power thesis
Yield and process control remain consequential Compute bottlenecks. We expect gradual strengthening, while limiting Alignment credit to its own control systems rather than general AI governance.
Four Forces breakdown
Each force uses the same fixed 0–100 scale. The strongest force and breadth of control determine the Power Score.
| Force | 2026 | 2027 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compute | 80 | 85 | 85 |
| Interface | 15 | 15 | 20 |
| Alignment | 20 | 20 | 25 |
| Energy | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Our forecast
Across our 2026–2030 view, the Power Score rises from 54.4 to 58.8; the rank holds at #49.
Compute 80 → 85; Interface 15 → 20; Alignment 20 → 25.
The thesis above explains our call. Rank can fall even when power grows if other companies gain faster.
What would change our mind
Manufacturing changes reduce dependence on its inspection and process-control tools.
Research behind the judgment
KLA’s July release reports its latest fiscal-year and quarterly operating results.
- FY2026 Q4 results2026-07-28 · Accessed 2026-09-18
Sources inform the factual premises. Force scores, ranks, and forecasts are exmxc’s judgments as of this edition.