
Cancel anytime
- Chart
- Upturn Summary
- Highlights
- Revenue
- Valuation
Upturn AI SWOT
- About


PDF Solutions Inc (PDFS)



- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- Pass (Skip investing)


(see disclosures)
- ALL
- YEAR
- MONTH
- WEEK
Upturn Advisory Summary
08/14/2025: PDFS (1-star) is a SELL. SELL since 5 days. Profits (-0.85%). Updated daily EoD!
1 Year Target Price $30
1 Year Target Price $30
4 | Strong Buy |
0 | Buy |
0 | Hold |
0 | Sell |
0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -24.05% | Avg. Invested days 34 | Today’s Advisory SELL |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 754.31M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 955 | 1Y Target Price 30 |
Price to earnings Ratio 955 | 1Y Target Price 30 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 4 | Beta 1.4 | 52 Weeks Range 15.91 - 33.42 | Updated Date 08/15/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 15.91 - 33.42 | Updated Date 08/15/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 0.02 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date 2025-08-07 | When - | Estimate 0.19 | Actual 0.19 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 0.44% | Operating Margin (TTM) 2.55% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 0.85% | Return on Equity (TTM) 0.35% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 955 | Forward PE 57.47 | Enterprise Value 787956988 | Price to Sales(TTM) 3.85 |
Enterprise Value 787956988 | Price to Sales(TTM) 3.85 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 4.02 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 137.2 | Shares Outstanding 39492900 | Shares Floating 29311615 |
Shares Outstanding 39492900 | Shares Floating 29311615 | ||
Percent Insiders 19.52 | Percent Institutions 72.71 |
Upturn AI SWOT
PDF Solutions Inc

Company Overview
History and Background
PDF Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1991. The company initially focused on providing process diagnostics and yield improvement solutions for the semiconductor industry. Over time, it has expanded its offerings to include manufacturing analytics, software solutions, and services.
Core Business Areas
- Exensio Manufacturing Data Platform: Provides data management, analysis, and reporting for semiconductor manufacturing. This is their main revenue generating source.
- Characterization Vehicle (CV) Infrastructure: PDF Solutions' proprietary approach, provides customers with early insight into manufacturability and process variation.
- Consulting and Services: Offers consulting services to help semiconductor manufacturers optimize their processes and improve yields.
Leadership and Structure
PDF Solutions is led by its CEO, Kimon Michaels. The company has a typical corporate structure with departments for engineering, sales, marketing, finance, and operations. The board of directors oversees the company's overall strategy and performance.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Exensio Manufacturing Data Platform: A comprehensive platform for data collection, management, and analysis in semiconductor manufacturing. Market share is difficult to ascertain precisely, but PDF Solutions is a significant player in the manufacturing analytics space. Competitors include KLA Corporation and Applied Materials.
- Characterization Vehicle (CV) Infrastructure: Provides early insight into manufacturability and process variation. Competitors include companies that offer TCAD and process simulation software like Synopsys and Cadence.
- maverick: maverick by PDF Solutions, is an innovative cloud-based platform designed to enable the rapid and cost-effective delivery of AI-powered process control, analytics, and optimization solutions.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The semiconductor industry is characterized by rapid technological advancements, increasing complexity, and intense competition. Semiconductor manufacturers are under constant pressure to improve yields, reduce costs, and accelerate time-to-market.
Positioning
PDF Solutions is positioned as a provider of data-driven solutions for improving semiconductor manufacturing processes. Its competitive advantages include its expertise in manufacturing analytics, its proprietary CV technology, and its relationships with leading semiconductor manufacturers.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The TAM for semiconductor manufacturing analytics is estimated to be several billion dollars. PDF Solutions is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market, given its established presence and comprehensive product portfolio.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong expertise in semiconductor manufacturing analytics
- Proprietary CV technology
- Established relationships with leading semiconductor manufacturers
- Comprehensive product portfolio
- Strong track record of innovation
Weaknesses
- Reliance on the cyclical semiconductor industry
- Limited diversification beyond semiconductor manufacturing
- Relatively small size compared to some competitors
- High R&D expenses
Opportunities
- Growing demand for manufacturing analytics in the semiconductor industry
- Expansion into new markets and applications
- Acquisition of complementary technologies and businesses
- Increased adoption of cloud-based solutions
- Increasing complexity of semiconductor manufacturing processes
Threats
- Intense competition from larger players
- Technological obsolescence
- Economic downturns
- Geopolitical risks
- Changes in semiconductor manufacturing processes
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- KLA (KLAC)
- Applied Materials (AMAT)
- Synopsys (SNPS)
- Cadence Design Systems (CDNS)
Competitive Landscape
PDF Solutions faces competition from larger, more established companies with broader product portfolios. Its advantages include its expertise in manufacturing analytics and its proprietary CV technology. Its disadvantages include its smaller size and limited diversification.
Major Acquisitions
Cimetrix Incorporated
- Year: 2022
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 93
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded PDF Solutions' reach into the factory automation and equipment connectivity market. Also brought access to industry standards such as SEMI standards.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: PDF Solutions' historical growth has been driven by increasing demand for its manufacturing analytics solutions. Growth has been variable, impacted by cyclical trends in the semiconductor industry.
Future Projections: Analyst estimates for future growth would depend on factors such as industry growth rates, market share gains, and the company's ability to innovate and expand its product portfolio. Access to analyst reports is needed to provide specific projections.
Recent Initiatives: Recent strategic initiatives may include new product launches, acquisitions, partnerships, and expansion into new markets.
Summary
PDF Solutions is a player in semiconductor manufacturing analytics, leveraging its data platform and CV technology. While smaller than major competitors, its specialized focus allows it to address specific customer needs. The semiconductor industry's cyclical nature and competition are key challenges, but the increasing complexity in manufacturing provides opportunities. Strong growth in cloud based manufacturing analytics is expected to drive growth.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company website
- SEC filings
- Industry reports
- Analyst reports (unavailable without subscription)
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Market share data is based on estimates and may not be precise. Financial data is based on available information and may not be complete.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About PDF Solutions Inc
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters Santa Clara, CA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 2001-07-31 | Co-Founder, President, CEO & Director Dr. John K. Kibarian Ph.D. | ||
Sector Technology | Industry Software - Application | Full time employees 539 | Website https://www.pdf.com |
Full time employees 539 | Website https://www.pdf.com |
PDF Solutions, Inc. provides proprietary software, physical intellectual property for integrated circuit designs, electrical measurement hardware tools, proven methodologies, and professional services in the United States, Japan, China, Taiwan, and internationally. The company offers Exensio software products, such as Manufacturing Analytics, a proprietary database schema to store collected data to identify and analyze production yield, performance, reliability, and other issues; Process Control, which provides failure detection and classification capabilities for monitoring, alarming, and controlling manufacturing tool sets; Test Operations that offer data collection and analysis capabilities; and Assembly Operations that provide device manufacturers with the capability to link assembly and packaging data, including fabrication and characterization data over the product life cycle. It also provides Sapience Manufacturing Hub enterprise, a connectivity platform between enterprise applications; Design-For-Inspection (DFI) systems, such as Proprietary Software, DFI On-Chip Instruments, eProbe Non-Contact E-Beam Tool; and Characterization Vehicle (CV) system, which includes CV Test Chips and pdFasTest Electrical Tester, as well as Exensio characterization software. In addition, the company offers Cimetrix software products that enable equipment manufacturers to provide standard interfaces on their products for equipment communication, control, and data collection; equipment factory connectivity products, such as Cimetrix CIMConnect, Cimetrix CIM300, and Cimetrix CIMPortal Plus; and equipment factory connectivity testing and equipment control products, as well as software-as-a-service, software related services, DFI system related services, and characterization services. PDF Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.