Should You Buy Photronics Inc (PLAB) Today? Analysis, Price Targets, and 2026 Outlook.
Analysis Updated At
2026/01/30
PLAB is not a good buy right now for an impatient investor. Despite a still-bullish moving-average structure and supportive analyst upgrades, near-term momentum is weakening (MACD turning down), the stock is trading below the pivot (~35.39), and insider selling has surged. The better risk/reward entry is closer to support (~33.13) or on a clear momentum re-acceleration; at the current price (~34.65) the setup is more “wait/hold” than “buy now.”
Technical Analysis
Trend/Momentum: The broader trend remains constructive with bullish moving averages (SMA_5 > SMA_20 > SMA_200), but the near-term tape is soft: MACD histogram is negative (-0.093) and expanding lower, implying downside momentum building. RSI(6) ~54 is neutral (no oversold bounce signal). Levels: Price (~34.65) is below the pivot (35.387), which acts as near-term overhead resistance; first support is S1 ~33.127 (key level to hold for the uptrend to stay orderly). Upside levels are R1 ~37.647 then R2 ~39.044 if price reclaims the pivot and momentum improves. Near-term pattern stats provided suggest modest upside bias (approx +0.27% next day, +2.05% next week, +3.23% next month), but current indicators argue for chop/pullback risk before that plays out.
Analyst Ratings and Price Target Trends
Recent trend: clearly improving. On 2025-12-11, DA Davidson raised its price target to $45 (from $30) and reiterated Buy, citing Q4 outperformance driven by strong high-end IC activity and stabilizing mainstream IC trends, with an FPD slowdown resolved. The same day, Craig-Hallum raised its target to $42 (from $36) and reiterated Buy, emphasizing capacity ramp at Allen, TX, and positioning for share gains amid regionalization/outsourcing. Wall Street pros: capacity expansion, higher-end mix, stabilization in mainstream IC, and improving share opportunity. Cons: mainstream IC had been under pressure (China design cycles), and recent margin compression plus heavy insider selling temper conviction on buying immediately at current levels.
Wall Street analysts forecast PLAB stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for PLAB is 0 USD with a low forecast of 0 USD and a high forecast of 0 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
Wall Street analysts forecast PLAB stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for PLAB is 0 USD with a low forecast of 0 USD and a high forecast of 0 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
0
Current: 35.280
0
Current: 35.280
