NTCT vs. PLAB
NTCT (NetScout Systems, Inc.) and PLAB (Photronics, Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Technology sector — NTCT in Software - Infrastructure, PLAB in Semiconductor Equipment & Materials. Over the past 10 years, NTCT returned 5.67%/yr vs 14.29%/yr for PLAB. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
NTCT vs. PLAB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NTCT achieves a 49.11% return, which is significantly higher than PLAB's 6.44% return. Over the past 10 years, NTCT has underperformed PLAB with an annualized return of 5.67%, while PLAB has yielded a comparatively higher 14.29% annualized return.
NTCT
- 1D
- 1.71%
- 1M
- -1.61%
- YTD
- 49.11%
- 6M
- 44.83%
- 1Y
- 71.05%
- 3Y*
- 11.18%
- 5Y*
- 7.08%
- 10Y*
- 5.67%
PLAB
- 1D
- 1.28%
- 1M
- -33.81%
- YTD
- 6.44%
- 6M
- -1.05%
- 1Y
- 87.04%
- 3Y*
- 13.92%
- 5Y*
- 20.73%
- 10Y*
- 14.29%
NTCT vs. PLAB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NTCT NetScout Systems, Inc. | 49.11% | 24.93% | -1.32% | -32.48% | -1.72% | 20.64% | 13.92% | 1.86% | -22.40% | -3.33% |
PLAB Photronics, Inc. | 6.44% | 35.82% | -24.90% | 86.39% | -10.72% | 68.91% | -29.19% | 62.81% | 13.55% | -24.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between NTCT and PLAB is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 12, 1999 | 0.34 |
Fundamentals
NTCT:
$1.78
PLAB:
$2.70
NTCT:
22.72
PLAB:
12.61
NTCT:
0.60
PLAB:
0.38
NTCT:
2.53
PLAB:
2.33
NTCT:
$859.48M
PLAB:
$861.17M
NTCT:
$682.49M
PLAB:
$290.85M
NTCT:
$83.36M
PLAB:
$268.43M
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Return for Risk
NTCT vs. PLAB — Risk / Return Rank
NTCT
PLAB
NTCT vs. PLAB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NetScout Systems, Inc. (NTCT) and Photronics, Inc. (PLAB). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| NTCT | PLAB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.29 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.11 | 1.83 | +2.28 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.22 | 6.07 | +6.15 |
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Drawdowns
NTCT vs. PLAB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NTCT drawdown since its inception was -92.88%, smaller than the maximum PLAB drawdown of -99.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NTCT and PLAB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NTCT | PLAB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -92.88% | -99.22% | +6.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -17.38% | -47.91% | +30.53% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -43.27% | -50.62% | +7.35% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -53.43% | -50.62% | -2.81% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -53.98% | -50.62% | -3.36% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -14.75% | -38.03% | +23.28% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -52.44% | -56.35% | +3.91% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.83% | 14.39% | -8.56% |
Volatility
NTCT vs. PLAB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for NetScout Systems, Inc. (NTCT) is 10.53%, while Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) has a volatility of 49.73%. This indicates that NTCT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PLAB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NTCT | PLAB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.53% | 49.73% | -39.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 22.89% | 65.74% | -42.85% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 31.32% | 82.72% | -51.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 33.04% | 57.94% | -24.90% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 33.98% | 51.06% | -17.08% |
Dividends
NTCT vs. PLAB - Dividend Comparison
Neither NTCT nor PLAB has paid dividends to shareholders.
Financials
NTCT vs. PLAB - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between NetScout Systems, Inc. and Photronics, Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
NTCT vs. PLAB - Profitability Comparison
NTCT - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, NetScout Systems, Inc. reported a gross profit of 159.11M and revenue of 203.04M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 78.4%.
PLAB - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Photronics, Inc. reported a gross profit of 65.76M and revenue of 209.94M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 31.3%.
NTCT - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, NetScout Systems, Inc. reported an operating income of 19.59M and revenue of 203.04M, resulting in an operating margin of 9.7%.
PLAB - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Photronics, Inc. reported an operating income of -54.80M and revenue of 209.94M, resulting in an operating margin of -26.1%.
NTCT - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, NetScout Systems, Inc. reported a net income of 18.24M and revenue of 203.04M, resulting in a net margin of 9.0%.
PLAB - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Photronics, Inc. reported a net income of 31.43M and revenue of 209.94M, resulting in a net margin of 15.0%.
Frequently Asked Questions
NTCT and PLAB have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PLAB has higher volatility (49.73%) compared to NTCT (10.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NTCT dropped -92.88% vs PLAB's -99.22%.
NTCT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.06), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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