Phototronics 4Q Profit Surges on Stronger Sales

Helped by climbing sales of its semiconductor photomasks, Phototronics (NASDAQ:PLAB) reported late Monday a stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter profit.

The maker of photomasks, high precision quartz plates that contain microscopic images of electronic circuits, posted net income of $8.1 million, or 14 cents a share, compared with $1.2 million, or 11 cents a share, in the same quarter last year.

Results for the period ended Oct. 31 were marginally ahead of average analyst estimates polled by Thomson Reuters of 13 cents a share.

Revenue for the Brookfield, Conn-based company was $110 million, up 16% from $94.7 million a year ago, missing the Street’s view of $114.48 million.

Sales were fueled by higher demand for semiconductor photomasks, which make up about 78% of total revenue.