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Upturn AI Summary - About
Proto Labs Inc(PRLB)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for PRLB
10/09/2026: PRLB (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Proto Labs Inc is a digital manufacturing company known for its proprietary software that provides instant, automated quoting for custom parts. Its core strength lies in its ability to offer industry-leading speed for prototyping through CNC machining, injection molding, and 3D printing. The company's primary growth story centers on its hybrid business model, which combines its internal factory capacity with the Hubs global manufacturing network. Primary risks include intense competition from low-cost digital marketplaces and the cyclical nature of industrial R&D spending. This stock may suit growth-oriented investors interested in manufacturing automation, provided they monitor the company’s ability to scale its hybrid network and navigate broader industrial economic volatility.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | The company is transitioning toward a digital platform model but faces headwinds in core industrial prototyping markets. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | The stock has lacked consistent upward price momentum in recent periods, making it less attractive for momentum strategies. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | Current valuation may appear attractive to some, but growth must stabilize to support a strong value thesis. |
| Dividend investor | Weak fit | Proto Labs does not pay a dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | Industrial manufacturing and small-cap stocks are subject to significant volatility and cyclical economic risk. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium / high | The stock is susceptible to swings based on shifts in manufacturing industry sentiment and small-cap market trends. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | Investors must weigh the current share price against the company's ability to maintain high-margin automated services. |
| Competition risk (Digital Marketplace) | High | Intense competition from marketplaces like Xometry puts pressure on pricing and margins. |
| Business quality | Medium | While the proprietary software platform is a strong asset, the core business faces ongoing challenges in scaling. |
| Dividend income | Low / none | Investors receive no cash return on investment through dividends. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Successfully managing the transition to a hybrid internal-and-networked manufacturing model is critical for long-term health. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Moderately Choppy
The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -11.49% | Avg. Invested days 33 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/09/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Mid-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 2.21B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 73.18 | 1Y Target Price 95.5 |
Price to earnings Ratio 73.18 | 1Y Target Price 95.5 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 225.7K shares | Beta 1.38 | 52 Weeks Range 45.10 - 99.96 | Updated Date 10/09/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 45.10 - 99.96 | Updated Date 10/09/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 1.26 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Injection Molding | Rapid production of custom plastic parts for prototypes and production. | This is a core revenue driver that offers speed in exchange for a premium price. |
| CNC Machining | Automated milling and turning of metal and plastic parts. | Provides steady demand from engineering teams needing durable parts quickly. |
| 3D Printing | Various additive manufacturing technologies for complex designs. | Often used for early-stage prototypes and highly complex design requirements. |
| Hubs Network | Distributed manufacturing via third-party partners. | This platform aims to provide scalability and range beyond the company's internal physical factories. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Valuation
Trailing PE 73.18 | Forward PE 32.26 | Enterprise Value 1.99B | Price to Sales(TTM) 3.94 |
Enterprise Value 1.99B | Price to Sales(TTM) 3.94 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 3.55 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 26.99 | Shares Outstanding 23.92M | Shares Floating 23.65M |
Shares Outstanding 23.92M | Shares Floating 23.65M | ||
Percent Insiders 1.27 | Percent Institutions 95.98 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
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