PLAB vs. SMTC

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) and Semtech Corporation (SMTC).

Performance

PLAB vs. SMTC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) and Semtech Corporation (SMTC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

PLAB vs. SMTC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLAB Photronics, Inc.	26.28%	35.82%	-24.90%	86.39%	-10.72%	68.91%	-29.19%	62.81%	13.55%	-24.56%
SMTC Semtech Corporation	4.34%	19.14%	182.29%	-23.63%	-67.74%	23.36%	36.28%	15.33%	34.12%	8.40%

Fundamentals

EPS PLAB : $2.29 SMTC : $0.32
PE Ratio PLAB : 17.61 SMTC : 237.23
PEG Ratio PLAB : 0.53 SMTC : 9.30
PS Ratio PLAB : 2.79 SMTC : 6.59
Total Revenue (TTM) PLAB : $862.22M SMTC : $1.03B
Gross Profit (TTM) PLAB : $303.00M SMTC : $533.62M
EBITDA (TTM) PLAB : $295.73M SMTC : $172.81M

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLAB achieves a 26.28% return, which is significantly higher than SMTC's 4.34% return. Over the past 10 years, PLAB has outperformed SMTC with an annualized return of 14.37%, while SMTC has yielded a comparatively lower 13.04% annualized return.

PLAB

• 1D: 9.28%
• 1M: 7.96%
• YTD: 26.28%
• 6M: 76.08%
• 1Y: 94.65%
• 3Y*: 34.58%
• 5Y*: 25.33%
• 10Y*: 14.37%

SMTC

• 1D: 8.89%
• 1M: -14.77%
• YTD: 4.34%
• 6M: 7.61%
• 1Y: 123.52%
• 3Y*: 47.13%
• 5Y*: 1.48%
• 10Y*: 13.04%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Return for Risk

PLAB vs. SMTC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

PLAB

PLAB Risk / Return Rank: 85
PLAB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
PLAB Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
PLAB Omega Ratio Rank: 83
PLAB Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
PLAB Martin Ratio Rank: 87

SMTC

SMTC Risk / Return Rank: 88
SMTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
SMTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
SMTC Omega Ratio Rank: 84
SMTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
SMTC Martin Ratio Rank: 92

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

PLAB vs. SMTC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) and Semtech Corporation (SMTC). 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.

	PLAB	SMTC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	1.89	-0.62
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	2.42	-0.14
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.32	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.89	3.56	+0.33
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.03	12.19	-3.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLAB vs. SMTC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLAB Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is lower than the SMTC Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLAB and SMTC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PLAB	SMTC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.27	1.89	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.02	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.25	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	0.15	-0.03

Correlation

The correlation between PLAB and SMTC is 0.44, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

PLAB vs. SMTC - Dividend Comparison

Neither PLAB nor SMTC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

PLAB vs. SMTC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLAB drawdown since its inception was -99.22%, which is greater than SMTC's maximum drawdown of -92.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLAB and SMTC.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLAB	SMTC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.22%	-92.82%	-6.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.72%	-33.53%	+8.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.62%	-85.40%	+34.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.62%	-85.40%	+34.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.46%	-20.16%	+9.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-56.61%	-48.15%	-8.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.65%	9.79%	+0.86%

Volatility

PLAB vs. SMTC - Volatility Comparison

Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) and Semtech Corporation (SMTC) have volatilities of 24.60% and 24.45%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLAB	SMTC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	24.60%	24.45%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	59.79%	44.55%	+15.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	74.70%	65.62%	+9.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	54.69%	61.21%	-6.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.08%	52.75%	-3.67%

Financials

PLAB vs. SMTC - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Photronics, Inc. and Semtech Corporation over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

PLAB - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Photronics, Inc. reported a gross profit of 78.70M and revenue of 225.07M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 35.0%.

SMTC - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Semtech Corporation reported a gross profit of 138.12M and revenue of 266.97M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 51.7%.

PLAB - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Photronics, Inc. reported an operating income of 54.86M and revenue of 225.07M, resulting in an operating margin of 24.4%.

SMTC - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Semtech Corporation reported an operating income of 31.81M and revenue of 266.97M, resulting in an operating margin of 11.9%.

PLAB - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Photronics, Inc. reported a net income of 42.94M and revenue of 225.07M, resulting in a net margin of 19.1%.

SMTC - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Semtech Corporation reported a net income of -2.86M and revenue of 266.97M, resulting in a net margin of -1.1%.