Photronics Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results and Announces CEO Transition

Rhea-AI Summary

Photronics (NASDAQ:PLAB) announced Q2 FY2025 results and a significant leadership change. Dr. Frank Lee stepped down as CEO, with Chairman George Macricostas assuming the CEO role. Lee will continue managing Asia operations and remain Chairman of PDMC subsidiary until his planned retirement in the next 1-2 years.

Q2 financial highlights include:

• Revenue: $211.0M (down 3% YoY, 1% QoQ)
• GAAP EPS: $0.15 (vs $0.58 in Q2 2024)
• Non-GAAP EPS: $0.40 (vs $0.46 in Q2 2024)
• IC revenue: $155.9M
• FPD revenue: $55.1M

The company repurchased $72.1M in stock and ended Q2 with $558.4M in cash and equivalents. For Q3 FY2025, Photronics guides revenue between $200-208M and non-GAAP EPS of $0.35-0.41.

Positive

• Significant share repurchase program of $72.1M executed during Q2
• Strong cash position with $558.4M in cash and equivalents
• Continued strong performance in Asia operations
• Node migration driving positive IC business growth

Negative

• Revenue declined 3% year-over-year to $211M
• GAAP Net income dropped significantly to $8.9M from $36.3M year-over-year
• Non-GAAP EPS declined to $0.40 from $0.46 year-over-year
• Q3 guidance suggests continued revenue decline

Insights

Financial Analyst

Photronics reported weaker Q2 results with significant profit decline while announcing CEO transition, creating uncertainty amid challenging market conditions.

Photronics delivered $211.0 million in Q2 revenue, representing a 3% year-over-year decline and 1% sequential drop. More concerning is the substantial deterioration in profitability, with GAAP earnings plummeting to $8.9 million ($0.15 per share) from $36.3 million ($0.58) in Q2 2024 - a 75% earnings collapse that significantly outpaces the revenue decline.

The non-GAAP earnings tell a slightly better but still concerning story at $24.3 million ($0.40 per share), down from $28.7 million ($0.46) year-over-year. This dramatic gap between GAAP and non-GAAP results suggests substantial one-time charges or adjustments affecting reported earnings.

The company's aggressive capital allocation decisions raise questions about timing. Despite weakening performance, management repurchased $72.1 million in stock while simultaneously investing $60.5 million in capital expenditures - together exceeding the $31.5 million generated from operations. This depleted cash reserves and suggests potential confidence issues about future growth prospects.

The leadership transition adds another layer of uncertainty. Dr. Frank Lee stepping down immediately while planning full retirement "in the next year or two" creates an awkward interim arrangement where he'll continue managing Asian operations (which the release notes are performing "at a strong level") while Mr. Macricostas assumes CEO duties. This abrupt change amidst deteriorating financial performance requires careful monitoring by investors.

Forward guidance doesn't suggest immediate recovery, with Q3 revenue projected between $200-208 million (implying continued year-over-year declines) and non-GAAP EPS of $0.35-0.41, below the current quarter's $0.40. The company maintains a strong balance sheet with $558.4 million in cash and investments, but the aggressive buyback pace raises questions about long-term capital allocation priorities.

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 company’s Asia operations and will remain Chairman and President of Photronics’ PDMC subsidiary in Taiwan, while also remaining on the Photronics Board of Directors. Mr. George Macricostas will immediately assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of Photronics, Inc. while remaining Chairman of the Board.

“I would like to thank Frank for leading Photronics over the past three years as CEO,” said Mr. Macricostas. “For nearly twenty years he led and grew Photronics business in Asia including years of strong execution driving significant, profitable revenue growth. I look forward to working with Frank as he continues to manage the Asia operations until his retirement.”

Commenting on the second-quarter performance, Dr. Lee said, “Our business in Asia continued to perform at a strong level and I am extremely proud of what we continue to accomplish. Node migration remains a positive driver of our IC business at both the high end and the higher end of mainstream. Strategically, we took an aggressive approach to return cash to our shareholders during the quarter, repurchasing $72 million of our stock as an endorsement of our long-term business model.”

Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results

• Revenue was $211.0 million, down 3% year-over-year and 1% sequentially.
• GAAP Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders was $8.9 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared with $36.3 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2024 and $42.9 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025.
• Non-GAAP Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders was $24.3 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared with $28.7 million, or $0.46 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2024 and $32.4 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025.
• IC revenue was $155.9 million, down 3% year-over-year and up 1% sequentially.
• FPD revenue was $55.1 million, down 2% from the same quarter last year and 5% sequentially.
• Cash generated from operating activities was $31.5 million, cash invested in organic growth through capital expenditures was $60.5 million, and cash returned to shareholders through share repurchases was $72.1 million.
• Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at the end of the quarter was $558.4 million.
  

Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Guidance

For the third quarter of fiscal 2025, Photronics expects Revenue to be between $200 million and $208 million and non-GAAP Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders to be between $0.35 and $0.41 per diluted share.

Webcast

A webcast to discuss these results is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on May 28, 2025. The call will be broadcast live and on-demand on the Events and Presentations link on the Photronics website. Analysts and investors who wish to participate in the Q&A portion of the call should click here. It is suggested that participants register fifteen minutes prior to the call's scheduled start time.

About Photronics

Photronics is a leading worldwide manufacturer of integrated circuit (IC) and flat panel display (FPD) photomasks. High precision quartz plates that contain microscopic images of electronic circuits, photomasks are a key element in the IC and FPD manufacturing process. Founded in 1969, Photronics has been a trusted photomask supplier for over 55 years. The company operates 11 strategically located manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America. Additional information on the company can be accessed at www.photronics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” regarding our industry, our strategic position, and our financial and operating results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially. Please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024 and other subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents contain and identify important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Non-GAAP Net Income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share are "non-GAAP financial measures" as such term is defined by Regulation G of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and may differ from similarly named non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. The attached financial supplement reconciles Photronics, Inc. financial results under GAAP to non-GAAP financial information. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain items are useful for analysts and investors to evaluate our on-going performance because they enable a more meaningful comparison of our projected performance with our historical results. These non-GAAP metrics are not a measure of consolidated operating results under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to Net income (loss), Net income (loss) per share, or any other measure of consolidated results under U.S. GAAP. The items excluded from these non-GAAP metrics, but included in the calculation of their closest GAAP equivalent, are significant components of the condensed consolidated statement of income and must be considered in performing a comprehensive assessment of overall financial performance. Please refer to the non-GAAP reconciliations below.  

PHOTRONICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
				Three Months Ended												Six Months Ended
				May 4,				February 2,				April 28,				May 4,				April 28,
					2025				2025				2024				2025				2024
Revenue				$	210,992			$	212,138			$	217,000			$	423,130			$	433,334
Cost of goods sold					133,086				136,603				137,749				269,689				274,828
Gross Profit					77,906				75,535				79,251				153,441				158,506
Gross margin %					36.9%				35.6%				36.5%				36.3%				36.6%
Operating Expenses:
Selling, general and administrative					18,099				19,101				18,996				37,201				37,317
Research and development					4,090				4,257				4,292				8,346				7,736
Total Operating Expenses					22,189				23,358				23,288				45,547				45,053
Other operating gain					-				-				89				-				89
Operating Income					55,717				52,177				56,052				107,894				113,542
Operating Margin					26.4%				24.6%				25.8%				25.5%				26.2%
Non-operating (loss) income, net					(25,786	)			24,981				20,534				(805	)			16,786
Income Before Income Tax Provision					29,931				77,158				76,586				107,089				130,328
Income tax provision					5,714				18,901				20,214				24,615				34,874
Net Income					24,217				58,257				56,372				82,474				95,454
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests					15,356				15,406				20,121				30,762				33,023
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders				$	8,861			$	42,851			$	36,251			$	51,712			$	62,431
Earnings per share attributed to Photronics, Inc. shareholders:
Basic				$	0.15			$	0.69			$	0.59			$	0.84			$	1.01
Diluted				$	0.15			$	0.68			$	0.58			$	0.84			$	1.00
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic					60,793				62,093				61,771				61,443				61,613
Diluted					60,974				62,661				62,409				61,817				62,346

PHOTRONICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
				May 4,			October 31,
				2025			2024
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents				$	530,708		$	598,485
Short-term investments					27,699			42,184
Accounts receivable					195,977			200,830
Inventories					61,201			56,527
Other current assets					40,221			33,036
Total current assets					855,806			931,062
Property, plant and equipment, net					807,558			745,257
Other assets					39,668			35,740
Total assets				$	1,703,032		$	1,712,059
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt				$	11		$	17,972
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities					166,772			165,839
Total current liabilities					166,783			183,811
Long-term debt					19			25
Other liabilities					39,461			47,464
Equity:
Photronics, Inc. shareholders' equity					1,100,920			1,120,864
Noncontrolling interests					395,849			359,895
Total equity					1,496,769			1,480,759
Total liabilities and equity				$	1,703,032		$	1,712,059

PHOTRONICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
					Six Months Ended
					May 4,				April 28,
						2025				2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income					$	82,474			$	95,454
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization						40,386				41,487
Share-based compensation						6,710				6,499
Changes in operating assets, liabilities and other						(19,651	)			(25,446	)
Net cash provided by operating activities						109,919				117,994
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment						(95,749	)			(63,311	)
Purchases of short-term investments						(27,689	)			(66,040	)
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments						41,482				13,234
Government incentives						1,166				1,419
Other						(57	)			(6	)
Net cash used in investing activities						(80,847	)			(114,704	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of debt						(17,966	)			(2,844	)
Common stock repurchases						(76,682	)			-
Proceeds from share-based arrangements						1,583				1,055
Net settlements of restricted stock awards						(2,007	)			(2,938	)
Net cash used in financing activities						(95,072	)			(4,727	)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash						(1,697	)			(3,839	)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash						(67,697	)			(5,276	)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period						601,243				501,867
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period					$	533,546			$	496,591

PHOTRONICS, INC.
Reconciliation of GAAP Net income and Earnings per Share attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders to Non-GAAP Net income and Earnings per Share attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months ended
	May 4,				February 2,				April 28,
		2025				2025				2024
GAAP Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$	8,861			$	42,851			$	36,251
FX (gain) loss		31,111				(18,443	)			(14,766	)
Estimated tax effects of FX (gain) loss		(8,337	)			5,152				3,743
Estimated noncontrolling interest effects of above		(7,376	)			2,823				3,489
Non-GAAP Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$	24,259			$	32,383			$	28,717
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - Diluted		60,974				62,661				62,409
GAAP Diluted earnings per share attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$	0.15			$	0.68			$	0.58
Effects of non-GAAP adjustments above		0.25				(0.16	)			(0.12	)
Non-GAAP Diluted earnings per share attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$	0.40			$	0.52			$	0.46

For Further Information:
Ted Moreau
VP, Investor Relations
469.395.8175
tmoreau@photronics.com 

FAQ

Why did Photronics (PLAB) CEO Frank Lee step down in May 2025?

Dr. Frank Lee stepped down as CEO as part of a planned retirement transition expected in the next 1-2 years. He will continue managing Asia operations and remain Chairman of PDMC subsidiary in Taiwan.

Who is the new CEO of Photronics (PLAB) after Frank Lee's departure?

George Macricostas, who was already Chairman of the Board, has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Photronics.

What were Photronics (PLAB) Q2 2025 earnings?

Photronics reported Q2 2025 revenue of $211.0M, GAAP EPS of $0.15, and non-GAAP EPS of $0.40. This represented year-over-year declines in both revenue and earnings.

How much cash did Photronics (PLAB) return to shareholders in Q2 2025?

Photronics repurchased $72.1 million worth of stock during Q2 2025 as part of its shareholder return program.

What is Photronics (PLAB) guidance for Q3 2025?

Photronics expects Q3 2025 revenue between $200-208 million and non-GAAP EPS between $0.35-0.41 per diluted share.