Photronics (NASDAQ:PLAB) Cut to “Hold” at Zacks Research

Zacks Research downgraded shares of Photronics (NASDAQ:PLAB) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently commented on the company. DA Davidson lifted their price objective on Photronics from $30.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Photronics in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Craig Hallum upped their price target on Photronics from $36.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $43.50.

Photronics Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:PLAB opened at $37.30 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $2.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.29 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a 50 day moving average of $34.17 and a 200-day moving average of $26.58. Photronics has a one year low of $16.46 and a one year high of $39.80.

Photronics (NASDAQ:PLAB) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, December 10th. The semiconductor company reported $0.60 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.47 by $0.13. Photronics had a net margin of 16.06% and a return on equity of 7.87%. The business had revenue of $215.77 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $204.54 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.59 earnings per share. Photronics’s revenue was down 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Photronics has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.510-0.590 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Photronics will post 2.3 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Christopher J. Progler sold 25,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.78, for a total value of $894,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 165,591 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,924,845.98. The trade was a 13.12% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Kang Jyh Lee sold 20,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.53, for a total transaction of $770,600.00. Following the sale, the director owned 493,350 shares in the company, valued at $19,008,775.50. This trade represents a 3.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 181,250 shares of company stock worth $6,317,150. Company insiders own 3.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Photronics

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Torren Management LLC bought a new position in Photronics during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Larson Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Photronics during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Photronics by 723.8% during the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,417 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 1,245 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its position in Photronics by 673.4% in the 3rd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,485 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 1,293 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clearstead Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Photronics by 195.8% in the 4th quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 1,603 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $51,000 after acquiring an additional 1,061 shares in the last quarter. 88.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Photronics

Photronics, Inc is a leading global supplier of photomask products used in the manufacture of integrated circuits, flat panel displays, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and advanced packaging applications. Photomasks, also known as reticles, are critical templates that carry the precise circuit patterns required for semiconductor lithography processes. The company offers a comprehensive range of mask solutions, including binary masks, attenuated phase-shift masks, reticles for micro-optics, and specialized products for high‐resolution applications.

Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Brookfield, Connecticut, Photronics has grown through organic expansion and strategic investments in high‐end lithography technology.