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Photronics (PLAB). A great Picks and Shovels play during the AI and Data Center Boom
$PLAB DD: easy to understand TSMC supplier chip tools trade - expecting 3x by the end of the year
Japanese Value and AI Infra: Dai Nippon Printing ($7912.T, $DNPLY on OTCM, $DNP.F on FWB2)
Interested in PL (Planet Labs), ONDS (Ondas), PLAB (Photronics), and IRBT (iRobot). Some of these are not like the others.
$PLAB: AI Semiconductor Component Play is Deep Value, No-Brainer 3x [DD]
Buying 10 stocks in one industry verse investing in an ETF?
Mentions
Do I sell my in the money PLAB calls (June 18 exp) or hold on through earnings?? Hmm
Yep, SNOW/SNPS/CRM and KSS/PLAB in the morning
Think im gonna go balls deep in MRVL/SNOW/DELL/PLAB calls.
Any thoughts on PLAB earnings this week?
This is actually solid DD on a legitimate semiconductor play. PLAB's position as a photomask supplier creates interesting dynamics - they benefit from semiconductor complexity increasing but aren't directly exposed to the commodity chip cycle volatility. The "picks and shovels" angle for advanced nodes makes sense. What's your read on their pricing power as EUV masks become more critical?
you're wondering what is the next SNDK / MU ? so there is a demand for chips. ask yourself the question: what do chips need ? answer: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photomask](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photomask) $PLAB $LWLG
PLAB (Phrontonics, Inc) has like a 23 PE ratio, 2.5b marketcap and is the only U.S. company to make the photomasks necessary to make photronic wafers. They're expanding current facilities to increase supply to meet demand.
You don't even have $PLAB on the list.
this play actually looks decent but damn that premium on 235d calls must be insane right now been watching PLAB for while since my company works with some semiconductor stuff and their mask tech is pretty solid. the inshoring angle makes sense too with all the geopolitical stuff happening just be careful with those calls though, even if thesis is right the timing can kill you on options
>PLAB has said they can do the important layers 3x faster than TSMC or INTCs inhouse teams Is this the long pole in the tent, though? Being able to do it faster and there being value in doing it faster are two different things.
28nm costs 2-3m, 7nm costs 10-15m, 5nm and 3nm are 15-30m and 5nm and 3nm are completely insource. 7nm is moving to merchants. Mask cost numbers from PLAB investor day and Semi Analysis substack. Share of 7nm growing towards merchant over time as TSMC and INTC need faster cycles on them (the share move is widely available on all the photomask company investor presentations), 5nm will likely move to merchants at a similar lag to 7nm (9-12 months from now)
The $5-15m mask set number is assuming PLAB captures all of it, right? I thought PLAB only the "easier layers" for a new TSMC chip design, and then TSCM makes the hard parts in-house. So they probably only capture 1-4 million per design, not $15 million. Where do you get the numbers from?
Yeah I find it likely that he insources his own high end masks like TSMC or INTC but similar to them, he will outsource his lower end masks to PLAB because he literally can’t relatively inexpensively outsource it to anyone else. Again similar to INTC and TSMC, as his end uses go up, he will need new chip designs and faster cycles and will again need PLAB but the higher end stuff will come with a 9-12 month lag. So the way I’d think about it is something like Elon makes high end chips and gives PLAB low end chips, then moves on to other high end chips for other use cases and gives the old use case high end chips to PLAB again. Good argument though thank you!
There’s a few aspects to it - 1) PLAB has two analysts covering it and they’re both more retarded than the other, 2)Majority of the high P/E SOXX stocks are high volume revenue models which is against PLAB since they’re a low volume/high price model (will change as inshoring picks up), and 3)The mask industry is one of the most concentrated oligopolies in the world, near impossible for outsiders to enter and only has 3 public stocks (PLAB and then the other two are Japanese and Chinese) that work in the space so it’s pretty under-covered - the growth itself warrants a higher P/E just on base duration and EPS growth cuz the average 20x p/e company grows eps 5-7% and PLAB will do double or triple that
true. lets talk P/E for a sec. its low. SOXX damn near 50. you think PLAB is undervalued or their future earning hadnt been priced in yet?
yeah obviously soxx calls but I think PLAB is more of a niche aspect of your view that isn’t being looked at deeply enough
https://preview.redd.it/yg3r4z32ad0h1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e4691b45690bb6851c85fb186f64faab5e67fef5 Was telling regards about PLAB months ago. Was ignored, 🤷♂️
#TLDR --- Ticker: PLAB Direction: Up 🚀 Prognosis: Buy 235d Calls (Targeting $150+ by next year) Catalyst: US Fab Onshoring and increased chip complexity (more lasers, more stencils) Fundamental Analysis: 20x P/E, $800M cash, zero debt, and officially a "non piece of shit in the hottest trade in the world."
WDC was consolidating at dot com bubble prices before it made its giant run. I got shaken out of WDC for a pathetic 6% gain. PLAB was doing a similar thing earlier this year and I pressed the gas on it, and am up big on it. Keep this in mind for other names consolidating at their dotcom bubble prices
I was stalking WDC in the 90’s last year as it was flirting with its dotcom bubble highs. I got in, and stopped out for like a 6% move. Learned my lesson. PLAB was doing the same thing/is and I have been the dips. Up 30% on it now.
PLAB and U are so underrated for this economy
PLAB is picks and shovels B2B play. They make the microscopic stencils (photomasks) that manufacturers absolutely need to print chips and screens. [They are the first to get this next-gen equipment specifically for AMOLED screens (the ultra-premium displays replacing LCDs in phones, TVs, and VR). AMOLED requires roughly 50% more mask layers than older screens, meaning higher volume and better margins for the stencil maker.](https://photronicsinc.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/photronics-receives-advanced-mask-writer-expanding-amoled) This secures their spot as the premier independent supplier globally for these highly complex displays, locking in a major technological advantage.
PLAB comes through for me again in the desert of good ER plays. 🚀
PLAB is up like 5% as well. GLW is absolutely insane and still has a bright future. Watched a small documentary on them and it was very impressive.
i agree that PLAB is definitely value territory, i might just stick to AMKR and not bother with the latter until it gets more traction
I owned PLAB share. I think it's a value stock. AMKR is more of a growth stock. If it get back to the $35-$40 level I will buy some. That can happen tomorrow.
PLAB is essentially the printing press of chips, they make the photomasks that are essential for a lot of major chip makers in the world; it’s kinda like a stencil if you think about it in that way. i’ve thought about buying it but i haven’t fully decided yet. they have had a little bit of inside selling recently but no huge red flags besides seemingly normal share sells by the company for profits. i’d look into this one if you want a more stable company that provides framework needed for chips. AMKR is in the advanced packaging business. once the chips are printed, AMKR takes the raw chips and puts them in a ceramic/plastic case and wires them to be able to plug into a device. when compared to PLAB though, they raise a huge red flag with the inside sales. the family that created the company recently sold 10 million shares totaling around $480 million worth. i indulged and bought a few shares of AMKR at like a ~$39 average, i may have pulled the trigger a bit early but i see potential in the business and it’ll be a long term hold so i’m not exactly concerned unless i see another 20% drop
i'm interested to hear about PLAB & AMKR. They're on my watchlist.
funnily enough i was just researching to find out which would be best to buy between AEHR AMKR and PLAB, it seems AMKR is at the top but the insider selling does raise a bit of concern for me
Ya that 15%+ open was crazy lol. Really got me excited because of PLAB's yesterday as well. Still long on the company. As long as chips are being made and the other applications Q services aren't slowing down then this earnings just confirmed they aren't going anywhere and that this was a successful spinoff!
$PLAB earnings call when? It was postponed to Friday, so is it still today? Numbers are out, but wen guidance call?
My 3 individual semi holdings are rippin today NVTS +25% PLAB +15% (Too small to name) +10%
Almost full ported PLAB because the logo looks cool. Wish I had
PLAB +17% is insane! I know the market just opened and I doubt this will be sustainable but that's crazy.
PLAB doin it for me yet again 🚀🚀
PLAB! Maybe Im alive!
I was mistaken in a post the other day, PLAB rescheduled their conference call. First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results Revenue was $225.1 million, up 6.1% year-over-year and up 4.3% sequentially. GAAP Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders was $42.9 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, compared with $42.9 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025 and $61.8 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2025. Non-GAAP Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders was $35.7 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, compared with $32.4 million, or $0.52 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2025 and $34.6 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2025. IC revenue was $165.3 million, an increase of 7% year-over-year and up 5% sequentially. FPD revenue was $59.8 million, an increase of 3% both year-over-year and sequentially. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at the end of the quarter were $636.9 million, of which $459.1 million was associated with our Joint Ventures, of which we own 50.01%. Cash generated from operating activities was $97.3 million, and cash invested in organic growth through capital expenditures was $47.6 million.
Buy more PLAB after earnings release pre market. Not Playboy. Photronics. Will beat easily.
PLAB postponed earnings to Friday. https://photronicsinc.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/photronics-reschedules-first-quarter-2026-earnings-conference
Goddamn did PLAB leak earnings miss or some shit. Its drilling to earth’s core
!banbet PLAB 45 1d
Looks like Shrek dildos tomorrow. Buying BMO & PLAB
Not sure if anyone invests in $PLAB but their earnings were rescheduled from Wednesday before open to 2/27/26 https://photronicsinc.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/photronics-reschedules-first-quarter-2026-earnings-conference
PLAB and Q are about the same for me. ~18% and ~30%. I wish I had bought both sooner and more.
Well they were up lol. Currently $Q and $PLAB are my picks and shovels for tech. As of now my only greens as of posting this are OSIS, ODC, and LMB. Probably should have waited to make that comment since it was the first 20 minutes of open.
I'm not into TA, but please PLAB stay above $36/share for longer than a day, show this market you are worth all the money and confidence.
I have my eyes on PLAB and AMKR
PLAB and Q making some big gains today. Very nice. I don't know why, but I'll take. Anyone have any insights as to what's going on? Haven't been able look into anything since work has been busy.
So now we care about P/E? We punish RDDT because they were able to reach profitability almost instantaneously as a new public company but shut our brains off when piling into every dog shit ticker here ala RKLB, ASTS, PLTR, IREN, RCAT, ONDS, PLAB. Also P/E is misleading for growth companies.
No American companies you say? I bet Europe can just get by on their own! Who are the leaders in chip design? Nvidia, AMD, AVGO, Marvel, Texas Instruments, Qualcomm… Who does the packaging, the integration, supplies equipment? LRCX, KLAC, LITE, AMAT, PLAB, MMAT… I’m sorry, I guess those Europeans will just magically recreate the entire semiconductor and networking supply chain indigenously. That sounds reasonable. I wonder who the Japanese care about doing business with more? Is Europe going to stop China in the Pacific? How much money did the cloud hosting companies spend to build those data centers? Oh, just measly tens of billions of dollars on a single site. I’m sure the Europeans will have plenty of money and expertise to recreate the most sophisticated industry in human history without the help of the people who invented the technology. That sounds reasonable. Yeah, they’ll just “divest” because they obviously have a parallel supply chain that can recreate 50 years of work. This is like people saying that Europe should stop buying the F-35 and develop an indigenous alternative. lol. Good luck. Don’t confuse us throwing some sub contracts your way with having the same capability. If we’re going to play the isolationist game I think Europe will find that they have more pressing matters to attend to like idk, Muslim majorities overtaking the natural population of their largest economies in the next 10-20 years (looking at you Germany, Britain and France). Because those are the kinds of timelines we’re talking about. Turkey is more likely to prosper than any given country in Europe.
I got RKLB, OII, PLAB, and PLPC as the stocks that fit these criteria here. I only own RKLB, but OII was on my watch list as well. PLAB and PLPC look super interesting as well.
Calls on PLAB, COHU, AEHR
it's crazy seeing the performance of PLAB with the other 2 you mentioned in that old comment
PLAB is sick. Owned them years ago, but no position in them. Glad to see the market finally giving them some respect. Still wild to think how long I've been posting here lol This is from 3 years ago :X [https://www.reddit.com/r/stocks/comments/14yg22j/comment/jruffch/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/stocks/comments/14yg22j/comment/jruffch/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Not watching anything in particular since I've recently opened new positions. I'm completely going against my previous reply, but my newest positions are $KRMD and $ELMD. Others I have that are more inline with that market cap range are $LMB, $OSIS, $PLAB, $PL, and $LNTH. Funny enough there is the Needham Growth Conference going on today as well as the CJS Securities Conference and between the 2, $LMB, $PL, and $OSIS should hopefully have good news/presentations.
Looks like Michelle Almeida has been appointed to the board of directors for PLAB. She is currently the VP of Corporate Finance for Compass Datacenters. Seems super exciting given the continued build out of the sector and PLABs more cash then debt it seems like this could be good long term. PLAB is currently paying for, out of pocket, for their new facilities in Texas and Korea where they are planning on producing photomasks for ever smaller chips. Most of their revenue comes from international markets but at the same time is an American company. I'm betting an increase in domestic revenue after Texas is finished. Great reach all around.
$Q and $PLAB looking doing very well today compared to yesterday in portfolio. hopefully the supply side of semis has a strong year!
NFLX , VEEV , SONY, PLAB looking pretty good to me. To throw some different names out there.
BWXT, DRS, LMB, LNTH, OSIS, PL, PLAB, PSN, Q, RMBS, and gonna buy a few more XLU leaps. Trying to focus on mid/small caps for the IIJA, Naval Upgrades, Onshoring, and Space Industry for the next few years. Fingers crossed.
I wasn't planning on selling too much of PL until profitability, but cut my position in half, recycled some of my profits in my ETFs, and opened a position in PLAB. The huge drop from earlier this month seems overblown and their moat is huge worldwide with zero debt. They are funding their expansion in Texas to keep up with demand on photomasks with cash and will still have a quarter billion on hand.
If you liked your PLAB and MU calls at earnings, consider AEHR 😘
I've had a small position in PLAB for a few years. It's been a pretty solid, fairly stable company. They gave a strong forecast with their earnings last week, but the 50% jump seems a bit much. I wouldn't be surprised if it pulls back a bit; and I don't envision it doing much in your 6-12 month time frame; but I like it as a longer term holding.
I’ve been eyeing PL and ONDS too.. those actually have revenue and real business traction, which feels more solid than the pure momentum plays. IRBT’s wild price action is hard to trust for a 6-12 mo hold, and PLAB looks like a bit of a mystery to me other than the recent run. If I had to pick one to ride, I’d lean toward the one with actual sales you understand, but I’d make sure to DD on catalysts/valuation first
I look at forward prospects more than my judgement of value, which means I continue to like the semiconductor equipment stocks in general. I don't have a good specific pick though. (If you asked last week I would have said PLAB, check out the chart, I missed that one...) If I had to pick only one, it would probably be KLAC. For semiconductors in general, NVDA.
I held $PLAB for years and got out with a very modest profit. Now it decides to jump 45%
PLAB and MKSI are my babies right now. I chose calls on PLAB last week because of their unique market share position and signals showing the short sellers would get squeezed and drive the price up today post earnings call. As always, do your own due diligence.
Well. All these chips (as in every chip on a PCB) that the AI monsters want have to be produced with various machines and consumable materials. One of the most integral components is the photo mask. It is the template for the design and simply put, it is used to “print” the silicon. They wear out, and they are especially vulnerable to dirt and wear in the EUV process that makes the highest of the high end chips. Companies like Hoya, Asahi Glass, Photronics (PLAB) make the masks.
Play now up 10% PLAB up 40%, I couldn’t go in with options on plab unfortunately but the plan is very much in action
PLAB and NXDR pamping hard 🤑
Betting my kids’ college fund on PLAB
Photonics company, same thing POET does (+PLAB)
This is generated by Deepseek after Feeding the financial data for $ENPH with its peers. let me know if it changes your mind. # 🧾 Overall Summary: ENPH vs Peers # 1. Revenue Growth * **ENPH** revenue fell sharply (–42% last year, –3.6% total). * **Top Performer:** **ACMR** with **+201% total growth**. * **ENPH Weakness:** Severe sales contraction and volatility in demand. # 2. Profitability & Margins * **ENPH** net margin dropped from **19% → 8%**, showing pressure on profits. * **Top Performer:** **LRCX** — consistently strong margins (\~29%). * **Notable Gain:** **PDFS** turned profitable from –19% to +2%. * **Risk:** ENPH’s shrinking margin signals tougher competition. # 3. Cash Flow Quality * **ENPH** showed major improvement, OCF margin rose to **39% (best among peers)**. * **ACMR** rebounded from negative to positive cash flow. * **Top Performer:** **ENPH** (strong cash generation). * **Risks:** ACMR’s past negative cash flow; ACLS’s decline. # 4. Balance Sheet Strength * **ONTO** and **PLAB** had the **strongest liquidity** (current ratio \~8–9). * **ENPH** stable but not leading (current ratio \~3.5). * **Weakest:** **ACMR**, liquidity fell 50%. * **Top Performer:** **ONTO** (excellent liquidity, improving trend). # 5. Valuation & Multiples * **ENPH’s P/E volatile** — 169 → 90 → 41 → 90 (market uncertainty). * **ACMR** saw the biggest valuation compression (–79%). * **Most Reasonable:** **PLAB**, steady and low P/E (\~11). * **Risk:** ENPH’s high and unstable valuation signals weak investor confidence. # 📊 Investment Outlook # Short-Term (6–24 months) * **ENPH:** Facing headwinds from revenue decline and squeezed margins. * **ACMR:** Strong growth momentum in semiconductor equipment. * **LRCX:** Defensive pick with stable profits. # Long-Term (3–5 years) * Semiconductor players (ACMR, ONTO, PLAB) benefit from **AI, reshoring, and advanced packaging trends**. * **ENPH** still has **long-term renewable energy potential** but needs stabilization. # 💡 Valuation Verdict * **ENPH:** Fair to slightly overvalued — **Rating: HOLD** * **ACMR & ONTO:** Strong fundamentals and growth — **Rating: BUY** * **Reason:** ENPH’s revenue and margin decline outweigh cash flow strength; ACMR and ONTO show superior growth and financial resilience. **🟩 Winners:** ACMR (growth), ONTO (liquidity), LRCX (profitability). **🟥 Underperformer:** ENPH — declining sales, shrinking margins, high valuation risk.
Preferably while I'm cooking in the PLAB
The Jensen meme tiddy signing with PLAB ticker
**WIMI: The Undervalued Quantum Computing Play with 10X Potential** * **Undervalued Play**: WIMI Hologram Cloud (WIMI) trades at **$0.89**, significantly below its **fair value of $4.00**and its newly raised **12-month price target of $4.50** from **RP Investments**, offering potential for a **600% return**. * **Quantum Computing Innovation**: WIMI is integrating advanced **quantum AI algorithms** with its holographic AR systems to solve complex problems in industries such as **finance, cryptography, and medical research**. This positions the company to play a critical role in commercializing quantum applications. * **94 Growth Rating**: Among the highest in its sector, WIMI's **growth rating** underscores its strong position in a market expected to grow exponentially. * **Patents and R&D Focus**: WIMI holds proprietary technology in quantum-enhanced holography, enabling breakthroughs in **real-time data analysis and visualization** for quantum systems—areas critical to quantum adoption. * **Expanding Market Reach**: The company is actively pursuing partnerships to integrate its quantum solutions into **autonomous driving, smart city systems, and enterprise AI platforms**, driving demand for its unique technologies. * **Rising Sector Spending**: Many quantum computing companies have raised significant capital recently, signaling increased development spending. This creates a strong opportunity for WIMI to secure more business as these firms invest heavily in **quantum systems and next-gen technologies**. * **Valuation Catch-Up Potential**: Other quantum computing stocks have surged well beyond their fair values over the past few months, leveraging the momentum to raise capital and fund further growth. WIMI, with its cutting-edge technology and undervalued price, is well-positioned to replicate this trend and deliver a **10X+ move in the coming months**. * **Industry Validation**: Tech leaders like **Mark Zuckerberg** are investing in similar technologies, with Meta developing **holographic AR glasses** and other advanced systems, further validating the market potential for WIMI’s core technology. * **Massive Market Potential**: With the global quantum computing market projected to exceed **$125 billion by 2030**, WIMI is uniquely positioned to capture significant market share as one of the few companies bridging holographic tech with quantum computing. **Other Stocks to Watch**: Keep an eye on **$QBTS, $NVDA, $QUBT, $PLAB, and $RGTI**, which are also gaining traction in the quantum space. Sources: Company financial reports, RP Investments analysis, MarketsandMarkets quantum computing projections, Statista market data, StockCap financial insights, and Meta’s AR developments as reported by *The Sun* and *AP News*.
Flipped PLAB calls for a quick 200% and holding onto the AVGO calls I scooped yesterday. Could be worse..
Haha it’s only 5 contacts! But they are up quite a bit so far. Got in and out of PLAB between yesterday and this morning too 🫠