By Adriano Marchese

Photronics projected greater-than-expected growth in the first quarter after a strong performance in the U.S. supported higher fourth-quarter profit.

Shares traded 21% higher ahead of the morning bell at $31.16.

The photomask technologies and solutions company on Wednesday said it expects revenue to be between $217 million and $225 million, while analysts polled by FactSet expect $207.3 million.

Adjusted net income is forecasted to be in the range of 51 cents and 59 cents per diluted share, ahead of the 46 cents projected by analysts.

For the fourth quarter, which ended on Oct. 31, the posted net income of $61.8 million, or $1.07 a share, compared with $33.9 million, or 54 cents a share, in the same quarter a year ago.

Adjusted earnings were 60 cents a share. According to FactSet, analysts were expecting 45 a share.

Revenue fell 3.1% to $215.8 million, topping analysts forecasts of $205.2 million and guidance of between $201 million to $209 million, according to FactSet.

Chairman and Chief Executive George Macricostas credits the rise to a strong performance in the U.S.

"We continue to see positive forecasts from our customers in the U.S. validating our U.S. investment plans, while our Korea capability extension is also anticipated to help diversify our geographic revenue mix and increase our exposure to leading-edge chip designs in the future," Macricostas said.

Write to Adriano Marchese at adriano.marchese@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 10, 2025 08:41 ET (13:41 GMT)

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