Himax Technologies (HIMX) vs Photronics (PLAB)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Himax Technologies (HIMX) has outperformed Photronics (PLAB) over the past year, gaining 56.7% versus a gain of 29.3%. Over five years, PLAB leads with a +128.5% price change compared with +43.9% for HIMX. Himax Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($2.31 billion vs $1.76 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, Himax Technologies trades at a lower forward P/E (10.2x vs 14.4x for Photronics).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | HIMX | PLAB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $13.27 | $29.85 |
| Market cap | $2.31B | $1.76B |
| 1-day change | -5.82% | -0.86% |
| YTD return | +72.04% | -5.91% |
| 1-year return | +56.73% | +29.34% |
| 5-year return | +43.92% | +128.45% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 63.19 | 10.62 |
| Forward P/E | 10.21 | 14.37 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.21 | $2.81 |
| Dividend yield | 1.79% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $832.17M | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -8.23% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $43.94M | — |
| Gross margin | 30.57% | — |
| Operating margin | 5.30% | — |
| Net margin | 5.28% | — |
| 52-week high | $25.09 | $56.00 |
| 52-week low | $6.85 | $20.05 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -47.11% | -46.70% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +127.58% | +38.46% |
| Average volume | 1.22M | 1.10M |
| Shares outstanding | 174.43M | 59.00M |
| Employees | 2,200 | 1,908 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- HIMX has outperformed PLAB by 27.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Himax Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (63.2x vs 10.6x trailing P/E).
- Himax Technologies offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.79% vs 0.00%).
About Himax Technologies
HIMX stock →Himax Technologies, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company, provides display imaging processing technologies in China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, the United States, Mexico, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Driver IC and Non-Driver Products.
Technology · Semiconductors · 2,200 employees
About Photronics
PLAB stock →Photronics, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of photomask products and services in the United States, Taiwan, China, Korea, Europe, and internationally. It offers photomasks that are used in the manufacture of integrated circuits and flat panel displays (FPDs); and to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers, and FDP substrates.
Technology · Semiconductors · 1,908 employees
HIMX vs PLAB FAQ
Which is bigger, Himax Technologies or Photronics?
Himax Technologies (HIMX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.31B compared with $1.76B for Photronics (PLAB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HIMX or PLAB?
HIMX returned +56.73% over the past 12 months, compared with +29.34% for PLAB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HIMX or PLAB?
PLAB has the lower trailing P/E at 10.6, versus 63.2 for HIMX. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Himax Technologies or Photronics?
Himax Technologies pays a dividend yielding 1.79%, while Photronics does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Himax Technologies and Photronics in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Semiconductors industry within the Technology sector.