PLAB vs. SMTC
PLAB (Photronics, Inc.) and SMTC (Semtech Corporation) are both stocks. Both are in the Technology sector — PLAB in Semiconductor Equipment & Materials, SMTC in Semiconductors. Over the past 10 years, PLAB returned 14.29%/yr vs 22.39%/yr for SMTC. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
PLAB vs. SMTC - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PLAB achieves a 6.44% return, which is significantly lower than SMTC's 137.11% return. Over the past 10 years, PLAB has underperformed SMTC with an annualized return of 14.29%, while SMTC has yielded a comparatively higher 22.39% annualized return.
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%
SMTC
- 1D
- 10.43%
- 1M
- 11.45%
- YTD
- 137.11%
- 6M
- 132.05%
- 1Y
- 317.22%
- 3Y*
- 93.49%
- 5Y*
- 22.09%
- 10Y*
- 22.39%
PLAB vs. SMTC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLAB Photronics, Inc. | 6.44% | 35.82% | -24.90% | 86.39% | -10.72% | 68.91% | -29.19% | 62.81% | 13.55% | -24.56% |
SMTC Semtech Corporation | 137.11% | 19.14% | 182.29% | -23.63% | -67.74% | 23.36% | 36.28% | 15.33% | 34.12% | 8.40% |
Correlation
The correlation between PLAB and SMTC is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.59 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 17, 1992 | 0.44 |
The correlation between PLAB and SMTC shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (all time) to 0.59 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
PLAB:
$2.70
SMTC:
-$0.45
PLAB:
2.33
SMTC:
14.81
PLAB:
$861.17M
SMTC:
$1.05B
PLAB:
$290.85M
SMTC:
$541.32M
PLAB:
$268.43M
SMTC:
$172.00M
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
PLAB vs. SMTC — Risk / Return Rank
PLAB
SMTC
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.
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.
| PLAB | SMTC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.82 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.53 | -0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.83 | 11.98 | -10.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.07 | 42.35 | -36.28 |
Loading charts...
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 -85.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLAB and SMTC.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| PLAB | SMTC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -99.22% | -85.40% | -13.82% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -47.91% | -26.68% | -21.23% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -50.62% | -68.45% | +17.83% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -38.03% | 0.00% | -38.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -56.35% | -47.86% | -8.49% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 14.39% | 7.53% | +6.86% |
Volatility
PLAB vs. SMTC - Volatility Comparison
Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) has a higher volatility of 49.73% compared to Semtech Corporation (SMTC) at 28.57%. This indicates that PLAB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMTC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| PLAB | SMTC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 49.73% | 28.57% | +21.16% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 65.74% | 50.83% | +14.91% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 82.72% | 65.63% | +17.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 57.94% | 63.38% | -5.44% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 51.06% | 54.05% | -2.99% |
Dividends
PLAB vs. SMTC - Dividend Comparison
Neither PLAB nor SMTC has paid dividends to shareholders.
Financials
PLAB vs. SMTC - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Photronics, Inc. and Semtech Corporation. 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
PLAB vs. SMTC - Profitability Comparison
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%.
SMTC - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Semtech Corporation reported a gross profit of 138.10M and revenue of 274.40M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 50.3%.
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%.
SMTC - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Semtech Corporation reported an operating income of 30.80M and revenue of 274.40M, resulting in an operating margin of 11.2%.
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%.
SMTC - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Semtech Corporation reported a net income of -29.80M and revenue of 274.40M, resulting in a net margin of -10.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions
PLAB and SMTC have a correlation of 0.54, 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 SMTC (28.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLAB dropped -99.22% vs SMTC's -85.40%.
SMTC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.88 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.
Find the right allocation for PLAB and SMTC
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer