ASTC vs PLAB: Correlation
Astrotech Corporation (ASTC) and Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) show a negative relationship: their 3-year correlation of weekly returns is -0.35.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are ASTC and PLAB?
Over the past 3 years, ASTC and PLAB moved with a correlation of -0.35, which is negative, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. Lately the two have drifted apart, with the 1-year correlation at -0.49 versus -0.35 over 3 years. Over 5 years the correlation is -0.27, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is -25192.5 %².
PLAB is close to the least connected end of ASTC's tracked universe, ranking #45 of 47. Over the last 12 months ASTC came out ahead by 11.3 percentage points (+37.5% against +26.2%). Note the risk asymmetry: ASTC runs 20.1 times the annualized volatility of the other leg, so equal-weighting the two is not an equal-risk position.
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
ASTC vs PLAB: side by side
| ASTC (Astrotech Corporation) | PLAB (Photronics, Inc.) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +37.5% | +26.2% |
| 5-year return | -78.4% | +106.4% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 1206.9% | 60.0% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 4.81 | 1.56 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -87.5% | -50.6% |
| Market cap | – | $1.8B |
| P/E (trailing) | – | 10.8 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Sector / category | US Listed | US Listed |
Year-by-year returns
| Year | ASTC | PLAB |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -51.0% | -10.7% |
| 2023 | -15.0% | +86.4% |
| 2024 | -20.8% | -24.9% |
| 2025 | -48.5% | +35.8% |
| 2026 | +105.8% | -5.4% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are ASTC and PLAB good diversifiers for each other?
By historical standards, yes. A correlation of -0.35 means the two rarely move for the same reasons.
FAQ
What is the correlation between ASTC and PLAB?
As of 2026-08-27, the correlation of weekly returns between ASTC and PLAB is -0.35 over 3 years, -0.49 over 1 year and -0.27 over 5 years.
Is PLAB a good diversifier for ASTC?
By historical standards, yes. A correlation of -0.35 means the two rarely move for the same reasons.
What does a correlation of -0.35 mean?
A reading of -0.35 sits on a scale from −1 (opposite moves) through 0 (unrelated) to +1 (identical moves). Correlation captures direction, not magnitude or performance.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/astc-vs-plab.json
Drop this badge in a README or notebook; it updates with the data:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/astc-vs-plab/)
No key needed, free to use. Full endpoint list in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: ASTC correlations · PLAB correlations
