nLIGHT, Inc. (LASR) vs PDF Solutions, Inc. (PDFS)
A side-by-side comparison of nLIGHT, Inc. and PDF Solutions, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
LASR
nLIGHT, Inc.
$40.16TechnologyDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 11:55 AM EDT
PDFS
PDF Solutions, Inc.
$54.29TechnologyDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 11:50 AM EDT
Total return — LASR vs PDFS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 8yLASR +46.6% (+4.9%/yr)PDFS +401.6% (+22.3%/yr)PDFS compounded faster over this window
LASR PDFS
LASR vs PDFS: by the numbers
- •PDFS is the larger company ($2.27B vs $2.27B market cap).
- •PDFS is profitable (4.27% net margin) while LASR runs a net loss (-4.02%).
- •PDFS grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.96% vs 3.80% CAGR).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | LASR | PDFS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | N/A | 215.84 |
| Forward P/E | 81.04 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 7.29 | 9.42 |
| P/B ratio | 5.15 | 6.10 |
| EV / EBITDA | 1115.49 | 67.14 |
| FCF yield | 2.18% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | LASR | PDFS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 31.52% | 71.46% |
| Operating margin | -5.37% | 8.15% |
| Net margin | -4.02% | 4.27% |
| ROE | -2.84% | 2.77% |
| ROIC | -3.61% | 2.71% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | LASR | PDFS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.80% | 19.96% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 9.29% | 19.03% |
Frequently asked
- Which has grown faster, LASR or PDFS?
- Over the past five years, PDFS grew revenue faster — LASR at a 3.80% CAGR versus PDFS at 19.96%.
- Is LASR or PDFS more profitable?
- PDFS runs the higher net margin — LASR at -4.02% versus PDFS at 4.27%.
- How have LASR and PDFS total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, LASR delivered 9.29% and PDFS delivered 19.03% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
PDF Solutions P/E rationLIGHT ROEPDF Solutions ROEnLIGHT operating marginPDF Solutions operating marginnLIGHT revenue growthPDF Solutions revenue growthnLIGHT free cash flowPDF Solutions free cash flow
nLIGHT & PDF Solutions appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.