PLAB
TechnologyPhotronics, Inc. · Semiconductors · $3B
What is Photronics, Inc.?
Photronics, Inc. is a global manufacturer of photomasks — the precision templates used to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers and flat panel display substrates. Headquartered in Brookfield, Connecticut, the company serves customers across the US, Asia, and Europe.
Photronics generates revenue by manufacturing and selling photomask products to semiconductor and flat panel display manufacturers, designers, and foundries. Photomasks are essential tools in chip fabrication — each one carries the precise circuit pattern that gets etched onto a wafer. The company reaches customers through its own sales personnel and customer service teams, operating facilities across the United States, Taiwan, Korea, China, and Europe.
Incorporated in 1969 and operating under its current name since 1990, Photronics is based in Brookfield, Connecticut.
- Photomasks for integrated circuit manufacturing
- Photomasks for flat panel display fabrication
- Custom photomask services for foundries and designers
- High-performance electronics photomask solutions
Is PLAB a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates PLAB as Below Average overall.
The standout pillar for Photronics is Risk, which scores Strong — suggesting the company carries a relatively conservative financial structure compared to many peers in the semiconductor supply chain. Valuation comes in at Neutral, meaning the stock is neither clearly cheap nor stretched by the model's assessment.
Quality, Moat, and Growth all register as Weak, indicating that Photronics faces meaningful headwinds in competitive differentiation, earnings quality, and near-term expansion prospects.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does PLAB pay dividends?
No — Photronics, Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.
Photronics does not currently pay a dividend. For a capital-intensive manufacturer operating in the semiconductor supply chain, retaining cash to fund equipment upgrades, facility investments, and working capital needs is a common strategic choice. Income-focused investors should factor this into their assessment of PLAB.
When does PLAB report earnings?
Photronics reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.
Given the Weak Growth pillar rating, recent results appear to reflect a challenging demand environment for photomask products. Revenue trajectory and profitability trends are best evaluated in the context of broader semiconductor cycle conditions.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Photronics's investor relations page directly.
PLAB Price History
+265.9% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Photronics, Inc.?
Based on Photronics, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
PLAB Long-term Outlook
The combination of a Weak Growth pillar and a Strong Risk pillar paints a picture of a company that is financially stable but not currently on an accelerating trajectory. Photronics operates in a cyclical industry where demand for photomasks tracks closely with semiconductor capital spending cycles. A recovery in chip demand could provide a tailwind, but the Weak Moat rating suggests limited pricing power to capitalize on any upturn.
Growth drivers
- Recovery in global semiconductor capital expenditure cycles
- Expansion of advanced node chip manufacturing requiring precision photomasks
- Growing flat panel display demand in consumer and industrial markets
Key risks
- Cyclical downturns in semiconductor and FPD end markets
- Limited competitive differentiation given a Weak Moat rating
- Customer concentration among a relatively small pool of large chip manufacturers
PLAB vs Peers
Photronics operates in the broader semiconductor equipment and materials space alongside several other specialized mid-cap and small-cap technology companies.
Navitas focuses on next-generation power semiconductor chips using gallium nitride and silicon carbide technology, targeting energy-efficient applications rather than photomask manufacturing.
Aehr Test Systems specializes in semiconductor wafer-level burn-in and test equipment, serving a different stage of the chip production process than Photronics.
Veeco provides advanced deposition and etch equipment used in semiconductor and compound semiconductor manufacturing, competing for similar customer budgets in the chip supply chain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Photronics do?
Photronics manufactures photomasks — precision tools used to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers and flat panel display substrates. The company sells these products to chip manufacturers, display makers, foundries, and electronics designers worldwide.
Does PLAB pay dividends?
Photronics does not currently pay a dividend. The company retains capital to support its manufacturing operations and facility investments. Investors seeking regular income should note this absence when evaluating PLAB.
When does PLAB report earnings?
Photronics reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. For exact upcoming report dates, check the investor relations section of the Photronics website or a financial calendar service.
Is PLAB a good stock to buy?
The UQS Score rates PLAB as Below Average, driven by Weak readings across Quality, Moat, and Growth pillars. The Risk pillar is Strong, which provides some stability context. Investors should weigh these factors against their own risk tolerance and time horizon.
Is PLAB overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for PLAB is rated Neutral, suggesting the stock is not clearly expensive or cheap relative to the model's assessment. A Neutral valuation alongside weak growth and quality signals warrants careful consideration.
How does PLAB compare to its competitors?
Photronics occupies a specialized niche in photomask manufacturing, while peers like Navitas Semiconductor, Aehr Test Systems, and Veeco Instruments focus on different segments of the semiconductor supply chain. Each company carries a distinct product focus and risk profile.
What is PLAB's market cap bracket?
Photronics is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that can offer more growth potential than large-caps but typically with greater volatility than the largest semiconductor names.
Who founded Photronics?
Photronics was incorporated in 1969 and operated under the name Photronic Labs, Inc. before changing to its current name in 1990. Detailed founding history is available through the company's official corporate disclosures.
Is PLAB a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, the UQS Score rates PLAB as Below Average. The Weak Moat and Weak Quality pillars suggest limited durable competitive advantages at this time. Long-term investors may want to monitor whether the company's fundamentals improve before committing capital.
What is the main competitive advantage of Photronics?
Photronics has established long-standing relationships with major semiconductor and display manufacturers and operates specialized facilities across key global chip-making regions. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, indicating limited pricing power or structural differentiation relative to peers.
What sector does PLAB belong to?
Photronics is classified in the Technology sector, specifically within the semiconductor materials and equipment supply chain. The company's fortunes are closely tied to the broader capital spending cycles of chip manufacturers and display producers.
Is PLAB a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, PLAB does not fit neatly into either category. The Growth pillar is Weak, suggesting limited near-term expansion momentum, while the Valuation pillar is Neutral — neither clearly value-priced nor growth-premium territory.
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Pro Analysis
PLAB — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 41.6 | 37.9 | 36.0 | 12.0 | 100.0 | 38.1 | -0.2 |
| May 7, 2026 | 41.8 | 38.6 | 36.0 | 12.0 | 100.0 | 38.4 | -0.2 |
| May 3, 2026 | 42.0 | 38.6 | 36.0 | 12.0 | 100.0 | 39.8 | +0.2 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 41.8 | 38.6 | 36.0 | 12.0 | 100.0 | 38.2 | -0.5 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 42.3 | 38.6 | 36.0 | 12.0 | 100.0 | 41.3 | -0.3 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 42.6 | 38.6 | 36.0 | 12.0 | 100.0 | 43.8 | +2.1 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 40.5 | 38.6 | 36.0 | 12.0 | 100.0 | 29.7 | -0.1 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 40.6 | 38.6 | 36.0 | 12.0 | 100.0 | 30.1 | -1.1 |
| Apr 9, 2026 | 41.7 | 38.6 | 36.0 | 12.0 | 100.0 | 37.7 | -0.1 |
| Apr 4, 2026 | 41.8 | 38.9 | 36.0 | 12.0 | 100.0 | 37.7 | +0.2 |
PLAB — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 38.0/100 (25%)Photronics, Inc. has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 12.0/100 (20%)Photronics, Inc. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 100.0/100 (15%)Photronics, Inc. carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 38.1/100 (15%)Photronics, Inc. has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 36/100 (25%)Photronics, Inc. possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for PLAB.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the PLAB UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Photronics, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Photronics, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Photronics, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.