Tearsheet

Proto Labs (PRLB)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $51.2 | Market Cap: $1.2 Bil
Sector: Industrials | Industry: Industrial Machinery & Supplies & Components

Proto Labs (PRLB)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $51.2
Market Cap: $1.2 Bil
Sector: Industrials
Industry: 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


0 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/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 returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -11%
Expensive valuation multiples
P/EBITPrice/EBIT or Price/(Operating Income) ratio is 53x, P/EPrice/Earnings or Price/(Net Income) is 81x
1 Attractive yield
FCF Yield is 5.7%
  Yield minus risk free rate is negative
ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -2.9%
2 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 40%
  
3 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Automation & Robotics, and E-commerce & DTC Adoption. Themes include Industrial Robotics, Factory Automation, Show more.
  
0 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/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%
1 Attractive yield
FCF Yield is 5.7%
2 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 40%
3 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Automation & Robotics, and E-commerce & DTC Adoption. Themes include Industrial Robotics, Factory Automation, Show more.
4 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -11%
5 Expensive valuation multiples
P/EBITPrice/EBIT or Price/(Operating Income) ratio is 53x, P/EPrice/Earnings or Price/(Net Income) is 81x
6 Yield minus risk free rate is negative
ERPEquity 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.

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Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
PRLB Return51%-67%-50%53%0%28%-51%
Peers Return15%59%-30%66%17%7%165%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%16%112%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
PRLB Win Rate58%25%33%58%33%70% 
Peers Win Rate60%71%42%62%52%52% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%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

Unique KeyEventPRLBS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-91.2%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven1038.5%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-42.8%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven75.0%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven59 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-45.5%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven83.4%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven483 days120 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

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

About Proto Labs (PRLB)

Better Bets than Proto Labs (PRLB)

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to PRLB. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CNM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CNMCore & MainDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
7.3%7.3%-1.6%
VRRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025VRRMVerra MobilityDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
2.3%2.3%-1.2%
LII_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025LIILennox InternationalDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
4.8%4.8%0.0%
ADP_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ADPAutomatic Data ProcessingMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
1.6%1.6%-1.2%
CW_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025CWCurtiss-WrightQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
2.2%2.2%0.0%
PRLB_3312021_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE03312021PRLBProto LabsDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
-44.1%-56.6%-61.7%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CNM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CNMCore & MainDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
7.3%7.3%-1.6%
VRRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025VRRMVerra MobilityDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
2.3%2.3%-1.2%
LII_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025LIILennox InternationalDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
4.8%4.8%0.0%
ADP_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ADPAutomatic Data ProcessingMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
1.6%1.6%-1.2%
CW_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025CWCurtiss-WrightQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
2.2%2.2%0.0%
PRLB_3312021_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE03312021PRLBProto LabsDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
-44.1%-56.6%-61.7%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Proto Labs

Peers to compare with:

Financials

PRLBGVATPHCCSGRCADVENMedian
NameProto La.Granite .Tri Poin.Century .Gorman-R.AdvEn  
Mkt Price51.18106.9934.3866.1446.48-51.18
Mkt Cap1.24.73.02.01.2-2.0
Rev LTM5184,2363,7524,158679-3,752
Op Inc LTM2325739030192-257
FCF LTM6834627118484-184
FCF 3Y Avg572044595269-69
CFO LTM75462301242100-242
CFO 3Y Avg7333348616487-164

Growth & Margins

PRLBGVATPHCCSGRCADVENMedian
NameProto La.Granite .Tri Poin.Century .Gorman-R.AdvEn  
Rev Chg LTM2.8%6.9%-16.6%-4.0%3.2%-2.8%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg1.5%8.7%-1.6%-1.7%14.2%-1.5%
Rev Chg Q7.8%12.4%-25.3%-13.8%2.8%-2.8%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM1.9%3.9%-7.2%-3.6%0.7%-0.7%
Op Mgn LTM4.4%6.1%10.4%7.2%13.5%-7.2%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg4.9%3.9%12.2%9.0%13.2%-9.0%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM-0.0%0.7%-1.1%-1.0%-0.5%--0.5%
CFO/Rev LTM14.5%10.9%8.0%5.8%14.8%-10.9%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg14.5%8.3%12.0%4.4%13.1%-12.0%
FCF/Rev LTM13.1%8.2%7.2%4.4%12.4%-8.2%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg11.2%4.9%11.3%1.7%10.4%-10.4%

Valuation

PRLBGVATPHCCSGRCADVENMedian
NameProto La.Granite .Tri Poin.Century .Gorman-R.AdvEn  
Mkt Cap1.24.73.02.01.2-2.0
P/S2.31.10.80.51.8-1.1
P/EBIT53.015.17.66.213.6-13.6
P/E80.526.39.58.824.3-24.3
P/CFO15.910.49.87.812.2-10.4
Total Yield1.2%4.0%10.5%12.4%4.1%-4.1%
Dividend Yield0.0%0.2%0.0%0.9%0.0%-0.0%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg6.7%4.7%15.1%4.7%6.6%-6.6%
D/E0.00.30.40.90.3-0.3
Net D/E-0.10.20.20.80.2-0.2

Returns

PRLBGVATPHCCSGRCADVENMedian
NameProto La.Granite .Tri Poin.Century .Gorman-R.AdvEn  
1M Rtn-4.3%4.4%10.2%13.7%2.4%-4.4%
3M Rtn4.3%1.3%-2.6%1.9%10.4%-1.9%
6M Rtn35.2%19.6%12.9%24.7%26.3%-24.7%
12M Rtn24.0%8.6%-20.6%-25.4%11.1%-8.6%
3Y Rtn97.6%201.3%83.3%35.0%81.2%-83.3%
1M Excs Rtn-4.2%4.4%10.3%13.8%2.5%-4.4%
3M Excs Rtn-3.4%-6.5%-10.7%-8.1%2.7%--6.5%
6M Excs Rtn20.5%4.9%-1.8%10.0%11.5%-10.0%
12M Excs Rtn10.7%-5.3%-34.6%-39.0%-2.4%--5.3%
3Y Excs Rtn37.0%145.9%19.3%-25.3%9.8%-19.3%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20242023202220212020
Injection Molding204201226218217
Computer numerical control (CNC) Machining198188167132155
Three-dimensional (3D) Printing8479736361
Sheet Metal1719201921
Other Revenue11233
Total504488488434459


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11142025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity703,045
Short Interest: % Change Since 1031202515.4%
Average Daily Volume252,434
Days-to-Cover Short Interest2.79
Basic Shares Quantity23,889,157
Short % of Basic Shares2.9%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251031202510-Q 9/30/2025
6302025731202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025502202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024221202510-K 12/31/2024
93020241107202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024802202410-Q 6/30/2024
3312024503202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023216202410-K 12/31/2023
93020231103202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023804202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023505202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022221202310-K 12/31/2022
93020221104202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022805202210-Q 6/30/2022
3312022506202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021218202210-K 12/31/2021