KLA Tencor results at high end of own forecast

SAN FRANCISCO, July 31 (Reuters) - Chip-equipment maker KLA Tencor Corp (KLAC.O) posted a lower quarterly profit at the top of its own forecast range as revenue beat its expectations despite a persistent industry-wide slump.

Net income for its fiscal fourth quarter declined to $76.0 million, or 43 cents per share, from $147.3 million, or 75 cents per share, a year ago.

Revenue at the company, which makes systems that monitor and analyze silicon wafers at various stages of production, fell to $590.7 million from $736.4 million, it said on Thursday.

Earnings including stock-based compensation and excluding one-time charges in the quarter were 60 cents per share.

That compares with KLA's forecast in April for earnings per share on that basis of 56 cents to 60 cents on revenue of $560 million to $580 million. (Reporting by Duncan Martell; Editing by Braden Reddall)