WallStSmart

ASML Holding NV ADR (ASML)vsPhotronics Inc (PLAB)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

ASML Holding NV ADR generates 3812% more annual revenue ($33.69B vs $861.17M). ASML leads profitability with a 29.7% profit margin vs 18.5%. PLAB appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.64. PLAB earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 64/100 (C+).

ASML

Buy

62

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 10.0Value: 3.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 2.42

PLAB

Buy

64

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 5.3Profit: 7.0Value: 5.7Quality: 8.5
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 6.56

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ASML5 strengths · Avg: 9.6/10
Market CapQuality
$732.09B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
48.1%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 48 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
36.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 36.0%

Profit MarginProfitability
29.7%9/10

Keeps 30 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Debt/EquityHealth
0.139/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

PLAB6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
P/E RatioValuation
11.9x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
270.5%10/10

Earnings expanding 270.5% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
0.0010/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
6.5610/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Operating MarginProfitability
20.1%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 20.1%

Areas to Watch

ASML4 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.812/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
63.7x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
1465.8x2/10

Trading at 1465.8x book value

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-2.61B2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

PLAB4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Market CapQuality
$1.91B3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
2.642/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-0.5%2/10

Revenue declined 0.5%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ASML

The strongest argument for ASML centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 29.7% and operating margin at 36.0%. Revenue growth of 13.2% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : PLAB

The strongest argument for PLAB centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 18.5% and operating margin at 20.1%.

Bear Case : ASML

The primary concerns for ASML are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. A P/E of 63.7x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : PLAB

The primary concerns for PLAB are Market Cap, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ASML profiles as a mature stock while PLAB is a declining play — different risk/reward profiles.

PLAB carries more volatility with a beta of 1.51 — expect wider price swings.

ASML is growing revenue faster at 13.2% — sustainability is the question.

PLAB generates stronger free cash flow (1M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

PLAB scores higher overall (64/100 vs 62/100), backed by strong 18.5% margins. Both earn "Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

ASML Holding NV ADR

TECHNOLOGY · SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS · USA

ASML Holding NV develops, produces, markets, sells and services advanced semiconductor equipment systems consisting of lithography, metrology and inspection related systems for memory and logic chip manufacturers. The company is headquartered in Veldhoven, the Netherlands.

Photronics Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS · USA

Photronics, Inc. manufactures and sells photomask products and services in the United States, Taiwan, Korea, Europe, China, and internationally. The company is headquartered in Brookfield, Connecticut.

Visit Website →

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?