What caused KLAC's expense fluctuations in 2023?

KLA Corporation's operating expenses, including research and development (R&D) and selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses, experienced fluctuations in 2023 due to several factors: 1. **Increase in R&D Expenses**: KLA's R&D expenses grew by 0.17% in 2023, reflecting the company's continued investment in next-generation products and technologies, particularly in AI and high-performance computing. This increase is consistent with KLA's strategy to maintain technology leadership and support customer technology roadmaps. |code|Ticker|Name|Date|R&D Expenses|R&D Expenses YoY|market_code| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |KLAC|KLAC.O|KLA|2023 Q1|3.18515E8|23.38225780835396|185| |KLAC|KLAC.O|KLA|2023 Q2|3.32826E8|25.580026487467507|185| |KLAC|KLAC.O|KLA|2023 Q3|3.28276E8|15.108226474373135|185| |KLAC|KLAC.O|KLA|2023 Q4|3.1711E8|6.813841236050807|185| 2. **Increase in SG&A Expenses**: The SG&A expenses of KLA also increased by 0.15% in 2023. This growth can be attributed to higher employee-related and facility expenses, which often accompany business expansion and operational growth. KLA's increased SG&A expenses may also stem from strategic initiatives to expand its service offerings and support its growing revenue base. 3. **Strategic Investments**: KLA's increased expenses can be seen as strategic investments in preparing for future growth. The company is positioning itself to capitalize on the growing demand for semiconductor technologies, particularly in AI and high-performance computing applications. In summary, KLA's expense fluctuations in 2023 are primarily driven by strategic investments in R&D and SG&A, reflecting the company's commitment to innovation, operational expansion, and positioning for future semiconductor market growth.