Photronics (PLAB) Competitors

Photronics (NASDAQ:PLAB) and Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ:ACLS) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability, media sentiment, earnings, risk, institutional ownership and valuation.

Is PLAB or ACLS more profitable?

Axcelis Technologies has a net margin of 17.69% compared to Photronics' net margin of 12.67%. Axcelis Technologies' return on equity of 16.26% beat Photronics' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Photronics	12.67%	8.19%	7.16%
Axcelis Technologies	17.69%	16.26%	12.27%

Does the media refer more to PLAB or ACLS?

In the previous week, Axcelis Technologies had 1 more articles in the media than Photronics. MarketBeat recorded 6 mentions for Axcelis Technologies and 5 mentions for Photronics. Axcelis Technologies' average media sentiment score of 1.55 beat Photronics' score of 1.30 indicating that Axcelis Technologies is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Photronics	4 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	0 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Axcelis Technologies	5 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	0 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Very Positive

Do institutionals and insiders have more ownership in PLAB or ACLS?

88.4% of Photronics shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 90.0% of Axcelis Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. 3.2% of Photronics shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.5% of Axcelis Technologies shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Which has better earnings & valuation, PLAB or ACLS?

Axcelis Technologies has higher revenue and earnings than Photronics. Photronics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Axcelis Technologies, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Photronics	$866.95M	1.56	$130.69M	$1.76	13.02
Axcelis Technologies	$1.02B	2.77	$200.99M	$4.89	18.37

Which has more volatility & risk, PLAB or ACLS?

Photronics has a beta of 1.53, indicating that its share price is 53% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Axcelis Technologies has a beta of 1.73, indicating that its share price is 73% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Do analysts prefer PLAB or ACLS?

Photronics currently has a consensus price target of $31.00, indicating a potential upside of 35.31%. Axcelis Technologies has a consensus price target of $90.00, indicating a potential upside of 0.21%. Given Photronics' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Photronics is more favorable than Axcelis Technologies.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Photronics	0 Sell rating(s)	0 Hold rating(s)	2 Buy rating(s)	1 Strong Buy rating(s)	3.33
Axcelis Technologies	0 Sell rating(s)	4 Hold rating(s)	2 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.33

Summary

Axcelis Technologies beats Photronics on 12 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.