Proto Labs (PRLB)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $51.2 | Market Cap: $1.2 BilSector: Industrials | Industry: Industrial Machinery & Supplies & Components
Proto Labs (PRLB)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $51.2Market Cap: $1.2 BilSector: IndustrialsIndustry: Industrial Machinery & Supplies & Components
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
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 15%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 13% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -11% | Expensive valuation multiplesP/EBITPrice/EBIT or Price/(Operating Income) ratio is 53x, P/EPrice/Earnings or Price/(Net Income) is 81x |
| Attractive yieldFCF Yield is 5.7% | Yield minus risk free rate is negativeERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -2.9% | |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 40% | ||
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Automation & Robotics, and E-commerce & DTC Adoption. Themes include Industrial Robotics, Factory Automation, Show more. |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 15%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 13% |
| Attractive yieldFCF Yield is 5.7% |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 40% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Automation & Robotics, and E-commerce & DTC Adoption. Themes include Industrial Robotics, Factory Automation, Show more. |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -11% |
| Expensive valuation multiplesP/EBITPrice/EBIT or Price/(Operating Income) ratio is 53x, P/EPrice/Earnings or Price/(Net Income) is 81x |
| Yield minus risk free rate is negativeERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -2.9% |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
PRLB Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
Proto Labs (PRLB) has experienced various developments in its financial performance, operations, and analyst outlook around the period leading up to December 2025. **1. Proto Labs Reported Strong Q3 2025 Financial Results.** The company announced a record revenue of $135.4 million in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 7.8% increase compared to the third quarter of 2024. This growth was driven by a 4.9% year-over-year increase in revenue from digital factories and a 19.1% year-over-year increase from the Protolabs Network. **2. Positive Analyst Sentiment and Price Target Increases.** As of November 2025, analysts maintained a "Buy" consensus rating for PRLB, with some increasing their price targets. For example, a Benchmark analyst raised the price target to $55.00 on November 3, 2025. The average twelve-month price target from several Wall Street analysts was around $53.33, suggesting a potential upside. **3. Expansion of Metal 3D Printing Capabilities.** In November 2025, Protolabs significantly expanded its U.S. metal 3D printing capacity, indicating a strategic move to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced manufacturing solutions. **4. Introduction of Advanced CNC Machining Capabilities.** In October 2025, Protolabs introduced advanced CNC machining capabilities aimed at accelerating rapid prototyping and product development. **5. Leadership Change.** Protolabs appointed Suresh Krishna as its new President and CEO, effective immediately, prior to the second quarter of 2025 earnings announcement. Krishna's previous experience involved expanding customer bases and accelerating growth through operational improvements.
Show moreStock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| PRLB Return | 51% | -67% | -50% | 53% | 0% | 28% | -51% |
| Peers Return | 15% | 59% | -30% | 66% | 17% | 7% | 165% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| PRLB Win Rate | 58% | 25% | 33% | 58% | 33% | 70% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 60% | 71% | 42% | 62% | 52% | 52% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| PRLB Max Drawdown | -36% | -68% | -57% | -9% | -31% | -20% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -56% | -3% | -44% | -3% | -12% | -21% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: GVA, TPH, CCS, GRC, ADVEN. See PRLB 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 12/3/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | PRLB | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -91.2% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 1038.5% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -42.8% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 75.0% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 59 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -45.5% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 83.4% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 483 days | 120 days |
Compare to GVA, TPH, CCS, GRC, ADVEN
In The Past
Proto Labs's stock fell -91.2% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 1/27/2021. A -91.2% loss requires a 1038.5% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
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Asset Allocation
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Latest Trefis Analyses
| Title | Topic | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DASHBOARDS | |||
| How Low Can Proto Labs Stock Really Go? | Return | ||
| Day 7 of Gains Streak for Proto Labs Stock with 19% Return (vs. 19% YTD) [8/8/2025] | Notification | ||
| PRLB Dip Buy Analysis | |||
| Proto Labs Total Shareholder Return (TSR): 0.3% in 2024 and -8.7% 3-yr compounded annual returns (below peer average) | |||
| Proto Labs (PRLB) Operating Cash Flow Comparison | Financials | ||
| Proto Labs (PRLB) Net Income Comparison | Financials | ||
| Proto Labs (PRLB) Operating Income Comparison | Financials | ||
| Proto Labs (PRLB) Revenue Comparison | Financials | ||
| Proto Labs Market Price | Market Price | ||
| Proto Labs vs. S&P500 Correlation | Correlation | ||
| ARTICLES | |||
| PRLB Stock Up 19% after 7-Day Win Streak | August 9th, 2025 |
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to PRLB. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | 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 | 7.3% | 7.3% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | 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 | 2.3% | 2.3% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 1.6% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.0% |
| 03312021 | PRLB | Proto Labs | 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 | -44.1% | -56.6% | -61.7% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | 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 | 7.3% | 7.3% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | 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 | 2.3% | 2.3% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 1.6% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.0% |
| 03312021 | PRLB | Proto Labs | 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 | -44.1% | -56.6% | -61.7% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for Proto Labs
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 51.18 |
| Mkt Cap | 2.0 |
| Rev LTM | 3,752 |
| Op Inc LTM | 257 |
| FCF LTM | 184 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 69 |
| CFO LTM | 242 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 164 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 2.8% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 1.5% |
| Rev Chg Q | 2.8% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 0.7% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 7.2% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 9.0% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | -0.5% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 10.9% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 12.0% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 8.2% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 10.4% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 2.0 |
| P/S | 1.1 |
| P/EBIT | 13.6 |
| P/E | 24.3 |
| P/CFO | 10.4 |
| Total Yield | 4.1% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.0% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 6.6% |
| D/E | 0.3 |
| Net D/E | 0.2 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 4.4% |
| 3M Rtn | 1.9% |
| 6M Rtn | 24.7% |
| 12M Rtn | 8.6% |
| 3Y Rtn | 83.3% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 4.4% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | -6.5% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | 10.0% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -5.3% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | 19.3% |
Comparison Analyses
Returns Analyses
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 9302025 | 10312025 | 10-Q 9/30/2025 |
| 6302025 | 7312025 | 10-Q 6/30/2025 |
| 3312025 | 5022025 | 10-Q 3/31/2025 |
| 12312024 | 2212025 | 10-K 12/31/2024 |
| 9302024 | 11072024 | 10-Q 9/30/2024 |
| 6302024 | 8022024 | 10-Q 6/30/2024 |
| 3312024 | 5032024 | 10-Q 3/31/2024 |
| 12312023 | 2162024 | 10-K 12/31/2023 |
| 9302023 | 11032023 | 10-Q 9/30/2023 |
| 6302023 | 8042023 | 10-Q 6/30/2023 |
| 3312023 | 5052023 | 10-Q 3/31/2023 |
| 12312022 | 2212023 | 10-K 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 11042022 | 10-Q 9/30/2022 |
| 6302022 | 8052022 | 10-Q 6/30/2022 |
| 3312022 | 5062022 | 10-Q 3/31/2022 |
| 12312021 | 2182022 | 10-K 12/31/2021 |
External Quote Links
| Y Finance | Barrons |
| TradingView | Morningstar |
| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
| Motley Fool | Robinhood |
| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |