Dolby Laboratories (DLB)
Market Price (12/18/2025): $67.11 | Market Cap: $6.4 BilSector: Information Technology | Industry: Application Software
Dolby Laboratories (DLB)
Market Price (12/18/2025): $67.11Market Cap: $6.4 BilSector: Information TechnologyIndustry: Application Software
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Cash is significant % of market capNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is -10% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -64%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -72% | Key risksDLB key risks include [1] its heavy reliance on the adoption and sales success of its licensing partners, Show more. |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 35%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 32% | ||
| Attractive yieldFCF Yield is 6.7% | ||
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 24% | ||
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Digital Content & Streaming. Themes include Video Streaming, Music Streaming, and Gaming Content & Platforms. |
| Cash is significant % of market capNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is -10% |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 35%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 32% |
| Attractive yieldFCF Yield is 6.7% |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 24% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Digital Content & Streaming. Themes include Video Streaming, Music Streaming, and Gaming Content & Platforms. |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -64%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -72% |
| Key risksDLB key risks include [1] its heavy reliance on the adoption and sales success of its licensing partners, Show more. |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
DLB Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
The requested time period for the stock movement (August 31, 2025, to December 18, 2025) is in the future relative to my last training data. Therefore, I cannot provide actual, specific events that caused a -5.8% decline for Dolby Laboratories (DLB) during that precise future timeframe. However, based on general factors that influence technology and audio-video production companies like Dolby, here are potential key points that could lead to such a stock movement:
1. Macroeconomic Headwinds and Consumer Spending: A general slowdown in the global economy, rising interest rates, and inflationary pressures could lead to reduced consumer spending on discretionary items, including electronics and entertainment systems that incorporate Dolby's technologies. This macroeconomic uncertainty can depress stock prices across the tech sector.
2. Intense Competition and Market Saturation in Audio-Video Production: The audio-video production industry faces stiff competition and rapid technological advancements. Increased competition from other technology providers, or a saturation in key markets for audio and video equipment, could pressure Dolby's licensing revenue and market share, leading to investor concerns.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| DLB Return | 43% | -1% | -25% | 24% | -8% | -13% | 6% |
| Peers Return | 16% | 9% | -27% | 13% | 16% | 17% | 41% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 14% | 108% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| DLB Win Rate | 75% | 58% | 42% | 67% | 42% | 33% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 55% | 47% | 28% | 58% | 50% | 55% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 73% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| DLB Max Drawdown | -32% | -13% | -33% | 0% | -22% | -16% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -46% | -11% | -38% | -12% | -19% | -31% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: XPER, IMAX, SONO, CRUS, ADI. See DLB Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/17/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | DLB | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -38.7% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 63.2% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -35.7% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 55.5% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 225 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -20.1% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 25.2% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 184 days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -52.9% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 112.1% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 448 days | 1,480 days |
Compare to ADSK, HIT, BMR, BTTC, CCC
In The Past
Dolby Laboratories's stock fell -38.7% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 5/4/2021. A -38.7% loss requires a 63.2% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.
Asset Allocation
Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.
Latest Trefis Analyses
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to DLB. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11302025 | ENPH | Enphase Energy | Dip Buy | DB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow MarginsBuying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap | 10.4% | 10.4% | -0.9% |
| 11262025 | PD | PagerDuty | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 10.7% | 10.7% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | CRM | Salesforce | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 12.2% | 12.2% | -0.1% |
| 11212025 | HUBS | HubSpot | Dip Buy | DB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow MarginsBuying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap | 4.2% | 4.2% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | FIVN | Five9 | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 13.6% | 13.6% | 0.0% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11302025 | ENPH | Enphase Energy | Dip Buy | DB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow MarginsBuying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap | 10.4% | 10.4% | -0.9% |
| 11262025 | PD | PagerDuty | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 10.7% | 10.7% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | CRM | Salesforce | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 12.2% | 12.2% | -0.1% |
| 11212025 | HUBS | HubSpot | Dip Buy | DB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow MarginsBuying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap | 4.2% | 4.2% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | FIVN | Five9 | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 13.6% | 13.6% | 0.0% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for Dolby Laboratories
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 52.28 |
| Mkt Cap | 4.1 |
| Rev LTM | 1,396 |
| Op Inc LTM | 177 |
| FCF LTM | 269 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 226 |
| CFO LTM | 305 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 266 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 4.1% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | -0.7% |
| Rev Chg Q | 8.1% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 1.6% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 20.2% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 17.8% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | 1.9% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 28.8% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 22.4% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 22.1% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 16.1% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 4.1 |
| P/S | 4.0 |
| P/EBIT | 18.1 |
| P/E | 34.1 |
| P/CFO | 13.8 |
| Total Yield | 2.9% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.0% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 4.0% |
| D/E | 0.1 |
| Net D/E | -0.1 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 5.5% |
| 3M Rtn | 5.6% |
| 6M Rtn | 17.0% |
| 12M Rtn | 20.6% |
| 3Y Rtn | 30.0% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 4.8% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | 2.1% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | 4.6% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | 7.6% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -40.7% |
Comparison Analyses
Returns Analyses
Earnings Returns History
Expand for More| Forward Returns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Date | 1D Returns | 5D Returns | 21D Returns |
| 11/18/2025 | 0.1% | 4.3% | |
| 7/31/2025 | -7.0% | -4.5% | -4.4% |
| 5/1/2025 | -1.7% | -1.6% | -2.5% |
| 1/29/2025 | 8.3% | 4.7% | 1.6% |
| 11/19/2024 | 15.6% | 13.3% | 9.7% |
| 8/7/2024 | -7.2% | -4.2% | -6.1% |
| 5/2/2024 | 3.0% | 3.9% | 1.7% |
| 2/1/2024 | -5.4% | -4.9% | -2.3% |
| ... | |||
| SUMMARY STATS | |||
| # Positive | 11 | 12 | 11 |
| # Negative | 13 | 12 | 13 |
| Median Positive | 3.5% | 4.1% | 3.7% |
| Median Negative | -5.8% | -3.5% | -2.7% |
| Max Positive | 15.6% | 13.3% | 13.1% |
| Max Negative | -11.1% | -12.5% | -16.5% |
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 9302025 | 11182025 | 10-K 9/26/2025 |
| 6302025 | 7312025 | 10-Q 6/27/2025 |
| 3312025 | 5012025 | 10-Q 3/28/2025 |
| 12312024 | 1302025 | 10-Q 12/27/2024 |
| 9302024 | 11192024 | 10-K 9/27/2024 |
| 6302024 | 8072024 | 10-Q 6/28/2024 |
| 3312024 | 5022024 | 10-Q 3/29/2024 |
| 12312023 | 2022024 | 10-Q 12/29/2023 |
| 9302023 | 11172023 | 10-K 9/29/2023 |
| 6302023 | 8032023 | 10-Q 6/30/2023 |
| 3312023 | 5052023 | 10-Q 3/31/2023 |
| 12312022 | 2022023 | 10-Q 12/30/2022 |
| 9302022 | 11182022 | 10-K 9/30/2022 |
| 6302022 | 8092022 | 10-Q 7/1/2022 |
| 3312022 | 5052022 | 10-Q 4/1/2022 |
| 12312021 | 2042022 | 10-Q 12/31/2021 |
External Quote Links
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