Empowered Funds LLC Makes New $8.84 Million Investment in Photronics, Inc. $PLAB

Key Points

• Empowered Funds LLC acquired 271,855 Photronics shares worth approximately $8.84 million, representing a 0.46% stake. Institutional investors collectively own 88.38% of the company.
• Photronics exceeded fiscal third-quarter expectations with $0.50 EPS versus $0.40 forecast and revenue of $216.1 million, up 2.7% year over year. Fourth-quarter guidance calls for EPS of $0.40–$0.56.
• The stock has fallen 8.4%, while investors face potential securities litigation alleging misleading disclosures about high-end integrated-circuit photomask demand and design-release bottlenecks; the lead-plaintiff deadline is September 4, 2026.

Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Photronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAB - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 271,855 shares of the semiconductor company's stock, valued at approximately $8,843,000. Empowered Funds LLC owned 0.46% of Photronics as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Allworth Financial LP purchased a new position in shares of Photronics in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in Photronics during the first quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Torren Management LLC bought a new position in Photronics in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Grove Bank & Trust purchased a new position in shares of Photronics during the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Photronics during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.38% of the company's stock.

Key Photronics News

Here are the key news stories impacting Photronics this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Photronics reported fiscal third-quarter earnings of $0.50 per share, exceeding the $0.40 analyst consensus, while revenue of $216.1 million also topped expectations and increased 2.7% year over year. The company said delayed semiconductor design releases are recovering, and high-end IC products reached a record 44% of IC revenue. Photronics Q3 Earnings Call Highlights High-End IC Recovery
• Neutral Sentiment: Management’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings guidance of $0.40 to $0.56 per share indicates continued profitability, although the midpoint is below the latest quarterly result. Analysts expect approximately $1.85 in earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms are promoting a securities class action against Photronics on behalf of investors who purchased securities between December 10, 2025, and May 27, 2026. The complaints allege that the company and certain executives misled investors about demand and the outlook for its high-end integrated-circuit photomask business, including allegedly inadequate disclosure of bottlenecks in the design-release pipeline. PLAB 1-Week Deadline Alert
• Negative Sentiment: Investors who seek to serve as lead plaintiff must act by September 4, 2026. Although the notices are largely deadline reminders rather than new allegations, their volume keeps potential litigation costs, management distraction, reputational risk and possible damages in focus. Photronics Investor Deadline Notice

Photronics Stock Down 8.4%

Shares of Photronics stock opened at $27.73 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.76 and a beta of 1.38. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $30.64 and its 200-day simple moving average is $37.33. Photronics, Inc. has a 52 week low of $20.05 and a 52 week high of $56.00.

Photronics (NASDAQ:PLAB - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 26th. The semiconductor company reported $0.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $216.05 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $208.75 million. Photronics had a return on equity of 7.45% and a net margin of 19.05%.The firm's revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.51 earnings per share. Photronics has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 0.400-0.560 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Photronics, Inc. will post 1.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Craig Hallum reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Photronics in a research note on Friday, May 29th. Zacks Research upgraded Photronics to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, August 14th. Freedom Capital raised shares of Photronics to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Weiss Ratings restated a "hold (c+)" rating on shares of Photronics in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Photronics from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, June 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Photronics has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $49.33.

Photronics Profile

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.

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