MetaCap

Photronics (PLAB) vs Shoals Technologies Group (SHLS)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

Photronics (PLAB) has outperformed Shoals Technologies Group (SHLS) over the past year, gaining 29.3% versus a loss of 1.8%. Over five years, PLAB leads with a +128.5% price change compared with -70.3% for SHLS. Photronics is the larger company by market cap ($1.78 billion vs $1.41 billion), about 1.3 times the size.

On valuation, Photronics trades at a lower forward P/E (14.5x vs 15.2x for Shoals Technologies Group).

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

PLAB+29.34%SHLS-1.76%
+145%+51%-42%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
PLAB+125.71%SHLS-69.47%
+322%+106%-109%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

PLAB versus SHLS key metrics
MetricPLABSHLS
Share price$30.11$8.39
Market cap$1.78B$1.41B
1-day change-2.30%-1.18%
YTD return-5.91%-1.29%
1-year return+29.34%-1.76%
5-year return+128.45%-70.28%
P/E ratio (TTM)10.9944.16
Forward P/E14.5015.15
EPS (TTM)$2.74$0.19
Dividend yield0.00%0.00%
Annual dividend$0.00$0.00
52-week high$56.00$13.18
52-week low$20.05$5.43
Distance from 52-week high-46.23%-36.34%
Analyst consensusnonebuy
Avg. price target upside+37.26%+33.13%
Average volume1.11M4.93M
Shares outstanding59.00M168.30M
Employees1,9081,480
SectorTechnologyTechnology
IndustrySemiconductorsSolar

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

  • PLAB has outperformed SHLS by 31.1 percentage points over the past year.
  • Shoals Technologies Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (44.2x vs 11.0x trailing P/E).

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

About Shoals Technologies Group

SHLS stock →

Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. provides electrical balance of system (EBOS) solutions and components in the United States and internationally.

Technology · Solar · 1,480 employees

PLAB vs SHLS FAQ

Which is bigger, Photronics or Shoals Technologies Group?

Photronics (PLAB) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.78B compared with $1.41B for Shoals Technologies Group (SHLS).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, PLAB or SHLS?

PLAB returned +29.34% over the past 12 months, compared with -1.76% for SHLS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, PLAB or SHLS?

PLAB has the lower trailing P/E at 11.0, versus 44.2 for SHLS. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.

Are Photronics and Shoals Technologies Group in the same industry?

Both are in the Technology sector, but in different industries: Semiconductors for Photronics and Solar for Shoals Technologies Group.

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