KL
KLAC
Sep 30, 2024
Quarter ended Sep 30, 2024 · FY2025 Q1

KLA Corporation stock research

KLA (KLAC) Free Cash Flow — Quarter Ended Sep 30, 2024

Revenue, operating cash flow, and free cash flow all increased compared to both the prior quarter and the same quarter last year. The free cash flow margin improved sequentially but was slightly lower than the year-ago level.

Free cash flow takeaway

A quick read on the company's cash generation and what it means for investors.

Revenue, operating cash flow, and free cash flow all increased compared to both the prior quarter and the same quarter last year. The free cash flow margin improved sequentially but was slightly lower than the year-ago level.

  • Operating cash flow as a proportion of revenue was higher than the prior quarter and the year-ago quarter, supporting a free cash flow margin that improved sequentially. Capital expenditure remained relatively stable across all periods.
  • Compared to the immediately preceding quarter, revenue, operating cash flow, and free cash flow were higher, and the free cash flow margin improved. Versus the same quarter one year earlier, revenue and cash flows were higher, but the free cash flow margin weakened slightly.

FCF snapshot

Quarterly and TTM cash-flow metrics with the minimum valuation context.

TTM free cash flow

$3.2B

Trailing twelve-month free cash flow.

Quarter free cash flow

$934.8M

Free cash flow in the selected fiscal quarter.

Operating cash flow

$995.2M

Cash generated by operations before capital spending.

CapEx

$60.4M

Capital spending and related asset purchases.

FCF margin

32.9%

The share of revenue converted into free cash flow.

Cash flow trend

A short quarterly history shows whether FCF is scaling with revenue or only spiking for one period.

PeriodRevenueOperating CFCapExFCFFCF margin
2023-12-31$2.5B$622.2M$76.8M$545.4M21.9%
2024-03-31$2.4B$910.0M$71.8M$838.2M35.5%
2024-06-30$2.6B$892.6M$60.7M$831.9M32.4%
2024-09-30$2.8B$995.2M$60.4M$934.8M32.9%

Cash conversion quality

Checks that separate high-quality free cash flow from accounting noise or working-capital timing.

FCF / net income98.8%Shows whether accounting earnings convert into cash.
CapEx / revenue2.1%Lower capital intensity usually supports FCF margin.
Net cash-$3.9BCash and equivalents minus total debt.

Recent events shaping cash flow

Near-term business events that help explain the free cash flow result.

Supportive

Operating Cash Flow Growth

Operating cash flow increased sequentially and year-over-year, outpacing the growth in revenue. This was the strongest observable driver of the free cash flow improvement.

Higher operating cash flow directly lifted free cash flow despite stable capital expenditure.

What the cash flow says

How to interpret the company's free cash flow beyond the headline number.

Operating cash flow as a proportion of revenue was higher than the prior quarter and the year-ago quarter, supporting a free cash flow margin that improved sequentially. Capital expenditure remained relatively stable across all periods.

Compared to the immediately preceding quarter, revenue, operating cash flow, and free cash flow were higher, and the free cash flow margin improved. Versus the same quarter one year earlier, revenue and cash flows were higher, but the free cash flow margin weakened slightly.

Monitor the trend in accounts receivable, which increased from the prior quarter end, as it may affect future operating cash flow conversion.

KLAC Free Cash Flow — Quarter Ended Sep 30, 2024