NEW YORK, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of  Photronics, Inc. (“Photronics” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PLAB).  Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Photronics and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.  [Click here for information about joining the class action] On May 2 ...

Photronics (PLAB) Q2 2025 Earnings Call May 28, 2025 08:30 AM ET Company Participants Ted Moreau - VP - Investor RelationsFrank Lee - Chief Executive OfficerGeorge Macricostas - Executive ChairmanEric Rivera - CFOTom Diffely - Director Of Institutional ResearchChristopher Progler - Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Strategic Planning Conference Call Participants Gowshi Sriharan - Analyst Operator Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Photronics Second Quarter Fiscal twent ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved second quarter sales of $211 million, which was in the middle of the guidance range, representing a 3% year-over-year decline [7][16] - Non-GAAP diluted EPS was reported at $0.40, while diluted GAAP EPS attributable to shareholders was $0.15 [20] - Gross margin was 37%, in line with the quarterly average over the past three years, and operating margin improved to 26%, above guidance [19][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Integrated Circuit (IC) revenue was $156 million, down 3% year-over-year, with high-end revenue increasing 2% year-over-year, representing 38% of IC revenue [16][19] - Flat Panel Display (FPD) revenue was $55 million, declining 2% year-over-year, with seasonal demand expected to uplift later in the quarter [18][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue from IC joint ventures in China and Taiwan remained healthy, while revenue from the U.S. declined sequentially due to lower-end design node weakness [19] - The company noted a broad-based weakness in mainstream markets, particularly in Europe, which is heavily reliant on automotive and industrial microcontrollers [30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on capacity expansion in the U.S. to support reshoring semiconductor production and is strategically positioned to benefit from the transition to higher-end nodes [8][11] - The management emphasized the importance of geographic footprint as a strategic asset to mitigate tariff costs and support global customers [12][19] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed caution regarding near-term demand due to macroeconomic uncertainties and tariff dynamics, expecting third quarter revenue to be in the range of $200 million to $208 million [23][47] - The company remains optimistic about the long-term health and growth potential, as indicated by the $72 million spent on share repurchases [22][48] Other Important Information - The CEO announced retirement after three years, with George Makrokastas appointed as the new CEO, focusing on operational execution and profitable growth [12][14] - The company plans to spend $200 million in CapEx for fiscal 2025, with a focus on capacity, capability, and end-of-life tool initiatives [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on mainstream business and supply-demand dynamics - Management noted that the mainstream market remains weak due to low wafer fab utilization among aged fab customers, particularly in power, industrial, and consumer sectors [25][26] Question: Weakness in Asia and its impact - The weakness is not confined to Asia; it is broad-based, with Europe showing significant weakness due to its reliance on automotive and industrial applications [30] Question: Year-over-year earnings impact - The largest impact on earnings year-over-year is attributed to pricing pressures in the mainstream market, although product mix strategies are being employed to mitigate this [32][33] Question: Priorities for the new CEO - The new CEO indicated a focus on cost structure, driving revenue, and gaining market share, emphasizing an orderly transition rather than a wholesale change [39][40] Question: Capacity expansion versus regionalization - The company will evaluate opportunities in the U.S. while balancing growth in Asia, particularly in response to geopolitical issues and reshoring efforts [46] Question: Share repurchase strategy - The company will remain opportunistic with the existing share repurchase authorization and will consider future expansions based on investment opportunities [48]

Investor Presentation May 2025 PHOTRONICS, INC. Safe Harbor Statement This presentation and some of our comments during this presentation may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events, our future financial performance, and/or the future performance of the industry. These statements are predictions and contain risks and uncertainties. We refer you to the risk factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024 and other subsequent filings ...

Revenue Performance - Revenue for Q2 FY2025 was $211.0 million, a decrease of 3% year-over-year and 1% sequentially[3]. - Integrated Circuit (IC) revenue was $155.9 million, down 3% year-over-year but up 1% sequentially[3]. - Flat Panel Display (FPD) revenue was $55.1 million, down 2% year-over-year and 5% sequentially[3]. - For Q3 FY2025, revenue guidance is expected to be between $200 million and $208 million, with non-GAAP net income per diluted share between $0.35 and $0.41[4]. Net Income and Earnings Per Share - GAAP net income attributable to shareholders was $8.9 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared to $36.3 million, or $0.58 per diluted share in Q2 FY2024[3]. - Non-GAAP net income attributable to shareholders was $24.3 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, down from $28.7 million, or $0.46 per diluted share in Q2 FY2024[3]. - GAAP net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders for the three months ended May 4, 2025, was $8.861 million, a decrease from $42.851 million in the previous quarter[18]. - Non-GAAP net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders was $24.259 million, compared to $32.383 million in the previous quarter[18]. - GAAP diluted earnings per share attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders decreased to $0.15 from $0.68 in the previous quarter[18]. - Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders was $0.40, down from $0.52 in the previous quarter[18]. Cash Flow and Investments - Cash generated from operating activities was $31.5 million, with $60.5 million invested in organic growth and $72.1 million returned to shareholders through stock repurchases[9]. - Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments at the end of the quarter totaled $558.4 million[9]. - The company repurchased $72 million of its stock during the quarter as part of its strategy to return cash to shareholders[2]. Foreign Exchange Impact - Foreign exchange (FX) gain/loss for the quarter was a loss of $31.111 million, compared to a gain of $18.443 million in the previous quarter[18]. - Estimated tax effects of FX gain/loss were $(8.337) million, compared to $5.152 million in the previous quarter[18]. - Estimated noncontrolling interest effects related to FX were $(7.376) million, compared to $2.823 million in the previous quarter[18]. Management Changes - The transition of CEO from Dr. Frank Lee to Mr. George Macricostas was announced, with Dr. Lee remaining involved in Asia operations[1]. Overall Financial Performance - The company experienced a decrease in non-GAAP adjustments, with effects of $(0.25) per share compared to $(0.16) in the previous quarter[18]. - Overall, the financial performance indicates a significant decline in both net income and earnings per share compared to the previous quarter[18].

BROOKFIELD, Conn., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Photronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAB), a worldwide leader in photomask technologies and solutions, today reported financial results for its second quarter of fiscal year 2025 ended May 4, 2025 and also announced that Dr. Frank Lee has informed Photronics of his plans to retire in the next year or two. In order to prepare for this transition, effective immediately, Dr. Lee has stepped down from his role as CEO of Photronics, but will continue to focus on the compa ...

We initiate coverage on Photronics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLAB ) at Strong Buy and $32 PT. Photronics, Inc. makes photomasks used in integrated circuits and flat panel display manufacturing in the US, Asia, and Europe. Our Strong Buy rating is based on our above consensusMoretus Research delivers state-of-the-art, buy-side quality equity research for serious investors seeking clarity, conviction, and alpha. Focused on U.S. public markets, Moretus applies a structured, repeatable framework to identify companies with ...

About Photronics BROOKFIELD, Conn., May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Photronics, Inc. (Nasdaq:PLAB), a worldwide leader in photomask technologies and solutions, announced today its participation in the following upcoming financial conferences: Date: Thursday, May 29 Event: TD Cowen's 53 Annual Technology, Media & Telecom Conference Location: New York, NY Presentation Time: 10:15 a.m. ET Date: Tuesday, June 10 Event: D.A. Davidson's 1 Annual Technology & Consumer Conference Location: Nashville, TN Date: Wedn ...

Stock Research Platform (SRP) is run by an experienced full-time CFO and equity investor with a passion for researching stocks to find asymmetric investment opportunities. SRP is screening the market for companies with a strong balance sheet, a sustainable growth pathway, and a valuation that offers significant upside potential with limited downside risk. SRP articles reflect the author's personal opinion on stocks at the time of research, and are not investment advice. Everyone’s investment goals and risk ...

Revenue and Profitability - Revenue for Q1 FY25 was $212.1 million, a decrease of 4.7% compared to Q4 FY24 and a decrease of 1.9% compared to Q1 FY24, primarily due to seasonal softness and mainstream weakness in Asia and Europe [110]. - Gross profit for Q1 FY25 was $75.5 million, resulting in a gross margin of 35.6%, down from 37.0% in Q4 FY24, primarily due to a revenue decrease of 4.7% [113]. - Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders was 20.2% in Q1 FY25, an increase from 15.3% in Q4 FY24 [104]. - Non-GAAP net income attributable to shareholders for Q1 FY25 was $32.4 million, compared to $29.9 million in Q1 FY24 [134]. Expenses - Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $19.1 million in Q1 FY25, a decrease from $21.0 million in Q4 FY24, attributed to lower compensation and professional fees [115]. - Research and development expenses decreased to $4.3 million in Q1 FY25 from $5.3 million in Q4 FY24, primarily due to reduced qualification activities in Asia [116]. Cash Flow and Investments - As of February 2, 2025, cash and cash equivalents totaled $642.2 million, an increase from $598.5 million on October 31, 2024 [122]. - Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $37.0 million in Q1 FY25, totaling $78.5 million compared to $41.5 million in Q1 FY24 [128]. - Net cash flows provided by investing activities improved by $49.0 million in Q1 FY25, driven by an additional maturity of short-term investments of $39.0 million [129]. - The company repurchased 195,079 shares for $4.6 million during Q1 FY25, with $95.4 million remaining under the share repurchase authorization [125]. Tax and Other Income - The effective income tax rate for Q1 FY25 was 24.5%, down from 26.6% in Q4 FY24, primarily due to changes in the jurisdictional mix of earnings [118]. - Other income increased to $25.0 million in Q1 FY25 from a loss of $1.0 million in Q4 FY24, driven by favorable foreign currency impacts [117]. Market Conditions and Future Outlook - The backlog for IC photomasks can expand to as long as two to three months due to demand exceeding supply capacity [100]. - The company anticipates continued transitions and cycles in the semiconductor industry, which will affect its business and financial condition [101]. - The company estimates capital expenditures for fiscal year 2025 to be approximately $200 million, primarily in Asia and the U.S. [124]. - The company plans to continue investing in its business and is ready to pursue mergers, acquisitions, or strategic partnerships if suitable opportunities arise [123]. Foreign Currency and Commitments - A 10% adverse movement in foreign currencies would have resulted in a net unrealized pre-tax loss of $62.7 million as of February 2, 2025 [141]. - Outstanding capital commitments as of February 2, 2025, were approximately $170.3 million, with accrued liabilities related to capital equipment purchases of approximately $13.9 million [124]. - The company has CNY 200 million (approximately $27.7 million) of borrowing capacity in China to support local operations [122].