Lasertec (TSE:6920) Stock Rebounds After Long Slump
Semiconductor giant from Japan soars with 13.3% gain on June 24, 2025
A stock that many investors focused on Japan will be watching with mixed feelings is Lasertec (TSE:6920), the unique semiconductor equipment company that collapsed earlier in 2025 to a low of ¥10,250 after a strong multi-year rally. Since then, the stock has recovered significantly, and today it posted its first double-digit gain of the year: +13.3% — without any company-specific news, but clearly in line with the broader recovery in Japanese semiconductor stocks.
Key Points
Lasertec +13.3% on June 24, first double-digit gain in 2025.
Stock up 21% YTD, still over 50% below May 2024 peak.
FY2025 dividend raised to ¥288, 10-year avg growth >40%.
Global EUV inspection leader with fab-lite, R&D-heavy model.
Lasertec closed at ¥18,335, bringing its year-to-date gain to +21%. Despite that, the stock remains well below its all-time high of over ¥45,000 in May 2024. Its current market cap is approximately $11.8 billion, making it one of the largest semiconductor-related companies in Japan.
What Lasertec does:
Lasertec develops, manufactures, and sells optical inspection and measurement systems for the semiconductor and flat panel display (FPD) industries. Its core products include:
EUV mask blank and patterned mask inspection systems — Lasertec was the first in the world to commercialize EUV patterned mask inspection tools.
Photomask and wafer inspection systems, including tools for wafer edge, SiC, GaN, and film thickness inspection.
FPD mask inspection systems, where it holds a leading position.
Laser microscopes for 3D observation and analysis, used in R&D and quality control across industries including semiconductors, batteries, metals, and biomaterials.
The company operates a fab-lite model, outsourcing manufacturing to concentrate on design and development. Around 70% of employees are engineers, and Lasertec reinvests 5–10% of its annual revenue in R&D.
WDB Holdings (TSE: 2475) shocks with dividend cut
Investing in Japan remains unpredictable — even when you focus on so-called Dividend Heroes. A telling example is WDB Holdings (TSE: 2475), which after thirteen years of continuous dividend growth has now surprised investors with a full-year dividend
Dividend and valuation:
Lasertec aims for a 35% payout ratio based on consolidated earnings, though this is adjusted depending on performance.
The interim dividend for FY2025 was raised to ¥115, up from ¥73 the year before.
The year-end dividend for FY2024 was ¥157, bringing the full-year total to ¥230.
The forecast total dividend for FY2025 is ¥288.
Over the last ten years, Lasertec has delivered average annual dividend growth of over 40% — an exceptional pace even by global standards.
Despite this, the stock collapsed by nearly 60% in 2024. This year, the recovery has been strong, and the key question now is how far that rebound can go.
At DividendJapan, we aim to highlight these opportunities and uncover hidden gems that may not yet be on your radar. Stay tuned as we explore Japan’s dividend growth stories and the next generation of market leaders! Investing in Japan isn’t for everyone, given its unique trading hours, large price swings, currency fluctuations, lot size requirements, and limited analyst coverage — yet the country also offers some of the world’s best dividend growth opportunities, with countless hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investors should conduct their own research or consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.