PRLB

Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q1 behind us, let’s have a look at Proto Labs (NYSE:PRLB) and its peers. Automation that increases efficiency and connected equipment that collects analyzable data have been trending, generating new demand for industrial machinery and components. Companies that innovate and create digitized solutions can spur sales and speed up replacement cycles while those resting on their laurels can see dwindling market positions. Like the broader industrials sector, industrial machinery and components companies are also at the whim of economic cycles. Consumer spending and interest rates, for example, can greatly impact the industrial production that drives demand for these companies’ offerings. The 54 industrial machinery stocks we track reported a strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line. While some industrial machinery stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 2.5% since the latest earnings results. Pioneering the concept of online quoting and manufacturing for custom prototypes and low-volume production parts, Proto Labs (NYSE:PRLB) offers injection molding, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabrication for manufacturers in various industries. Proto Labs reported revenues of $139.3 million, up 10.4% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 3%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter for the company with EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates. "Protolabs started 2026 very strong, delivering another record revenue quarter. We achieved double‑digit revenue growth, gross margin expansion, and operating expense leverage. These results reflect strong demand for Protolabs' digital manufacturing services, and disciplined execution across the business," said President and Chief Executive Officer Suresh Krishna. Interestingly, the stock is up 5.3% since reporting and currently trades at $68.26. Is now the time to buy Proto Labs? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free. Founded by the inventor of stereolithography, 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) engineers, manufactures, and sells 3D printers and other related products to the aerospace, automotiv...

Proto Labs’ first quarter results showed robust year-on-year growth, but the market reacted negatively, likely reflecting concerns about macro uncertainty and the sustainability of recent gains. Management attributed the performance to strong engagement with larger strategic customers, especially in aerospace and defense, as well as operational improvements in North America and early recovery signs in Europe. CEO Suresh Krishna specifically highlighted the 20% increase in revenue per customer and double-digit U.S. sales growth as evidence of deeper relationships with enterprise clients. Is now the time to buy PRLB? Find out in our full research report (it’s free). Revenue: $139.3 million vs analyst estimates of $135.3 million (10.4% year-on-year growth, 3% beat) Adjusted EPS: $0.54 vs analyst estimates of $0.39 (37.8% beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $22.78 million vs analyst estimates of $19.06 million (16.3% margin, 19.5% beat) Revenue Guidance for Q2 CY2026 is $144 million at the midpoint, roughly in line with what analysts were expecting Adjusted EPS guidance for Q2 CY2026 is $0.54 at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $0.47 Operating Margin: 7.1%, up from 3.6% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $1.62 billion While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention. Greg Palm (Craig-Hallum) asked about the cadence of the quarter and upside drivers beyond aerospace and defense; CFO Dan Schumacher cited improved sequential growth in Europe and strong performance in computer, electronics, and industrial machinery. Greg Palm (Craig-Hallum) inquired about the slowdown in network revenue; CEO Suresh Krishna attributed this to temporary weakness in 3D printing demand and ongoing adjustments to go-to-market strategies. Brian Drab (William Blair) questioned whether injection molding's strong performance is sustainable; Schumacher said larger orders from strategic customers and a shift toward production work are driving results, with no unusual one-time factors. Troy Jensen (Cantor Fitzgerald) asked about Proto Labs’ production exposure and capacity needs; Krishna explained that the company is early in its production...

Make better investment decisions with Simply Wall St's easy, visual tools that give you a competitive edge. Proto Labs (PRLB) is back on many investors’ radar after a strong first quarter, fresh revenue and earnings guidance for 2026, and leadership changes that include a new Chief Commercial Officer. See our latest analysis for Proto Labs. The stock has been on a strong run, with a year to date share price return of 38.17% and a 1 year total shareholder return of 70.39%, reflecting renewed interest after earnings guidance, leadership changes and recent 52 week highs. If Proto Labs’ recent momentum has your attention, it can be helpful to see what else is moving in adjacent areas of manufacturing and automation, starting with 33 robotics and automation stocks With Proto Labs now trading close to recent highs and only a modest discount to the latest analyst price target, the key question for you is whether there is still a buying opportunity here or if the market is already pricing in future growth. The most followed narrative pegs Proto Labs' fair value at $71.67, just above the last close at $70.95, and anchors that view in specific growth drivers. Read the complete narrative. Curious what is baked into that fair value number? The narrative leans on compounded revenue gains, higher margins, and a rich future earnings multiple. Want the full playbook behind those assumptions. Result: Fair Value of $71.67 (ABOUT RIGHT) Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts. However, there are still pressure points to watch, particularly Proto Labs’ reliance on large Aerospace & Defense accounts and the weakness in its European operations. Find out about the key risks to this Proto Labs narrative. That 1% gap between the current share price and the $71.67 fair value is one lens. Another is the current P/E of 65.6x, which is well above both the US Machinery industry at 27.3x and the peer average at 36.4x, and more than double the fair ratio of 29.9x. This kind of gap can matter in practice, because if the market edges closer to that 29.9x fair ratio over time, the share price could lag even if earnings keep improving. The question for you is whether the recent earnings strength justifies living with that valuation risk, or not. See what the numbers say about this price — find out in our valuation breakdown. With the stock re-rated and o...

In the first quarter of 2026, Proto Labs, Inc. reported US$139.34 million in sales and US$8.11 million in net income, with basic earnings per share from continuing operations of US$0.34, and issued guidance for 2026 calling for 6%–8% revenue growth plus second-quarter revenue of US$140.0 million–US$148.0 million and diluted EPS of US$0.29–US$0.37. The company’s record revenue and higher earnings, driven largely by CNC machining demand and backed by expanded aerospace and defense capabilities such as AS9100 certification in Europe, suggest its transformation efforts and higher-value customer mix are beginning to influence operational performance. We’ll now examine how this record CNC machining-led quarter and cautious full-year guidance may reshape Proto Labs’ existing investment narrative. Find 48 companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. To own Proto Labs, you need to believe its digital manufacturing platform can keep deepening relationships with higher value customers while funding ongoing transformation without eroding profitability. The latest record quarter, led by CNC machining and higher revenue per customer, reinforces that near term catalyst, but the biggest current risk remains customer concentration in aerospace and defense and execution risk in Europe. The new 6% to 8% revenue growth outlook does not materially change those core issues. The launch of ProDesk, Proto Labs’ upgraded AI enabled e commerce platform, is especially relevant here. By improving quoting, design feedback and collaboration across CNC, 3D printing and injection molding, it directly supports the key catalyst of lifting revenue per customer and making it easier for larger programs to scale on the platform. How effectively ProDesk converts today’s record CNC demand into broader, stickier multi service usage is likely to be a key proof point. Yet beneath the strong CNC headlines, investors should be aware of how concentrated aerospace and defense exposure might become if... Read the full narrative on Proto Labs (it's free!) Proto Labs' narrative projects $645.5 million revenue and $43.5 million earnings by 2029. This requires 6.6% yearly revenue growth and about a $22.3 million earnings increase from $21.2 million today. Uncover how Proto Labs' forecasts yield a $71.67 fair value, a 11% upside to its current price. Some of the most optimist...

Record Q1: Revenue was $139.3 million (up ~10% YoY, 8.7% on a constant-currency basis) with non-GAAP gross margin of 46.2% (+140 bps) and adjusted EPS of $0.54, the highest in over five years; the company ended the quarter with $158 million in cash and zero debt. Product-line and customer strength: CNC machining led growth (up ~17.6% cc and ~23% in the U.S.), metal 3D (DMLS) revenue rose nearly 30%, and management said revenue per customer grew 20%, signaling more engagement with larger strategic accounts and a shift toward production work. Outlook and transformation: Full-year 2026 revenue guidance remains 6–8% growth, Q2 revenue was guided to $140–$148 million, and the company is investing in a multi-quarter transformation (R&D, software, a GCC in India, Europe reset) that will raise operating expenses as it builds production capabilities. Interested in Proto Labs, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. If There's a Domestic Manufacturing Boom, These 3 Stocks Could Win Proto Labs (NYSE:PRLB) reported record first-quarter 2026 revenue and said the year is off to a “strong start,” driven by double-digit growth, expanding margins, and rising engagement with larger strategic customers. President and CEO Suresh Krishna said first-quarter revenue increased 10% year-over-year, marking “another record revenue quarter.” He added that the company delivered “double-digit revenue growth, significant gross margin expansion, and improved operating leverage,” and noted that Proto Labs posted its highest non-GAAP earnings per share in more than five years. → Meta Posted Its Best Sales Growth Since 2021—So Why Did Shares Fall? Dan Schumacher, chief financial officer, said first-quarter revenue was a company record $139.3 million, up 10.4% year-over-year, or 8.7% on a constant-currency basis. U.S. revenue rose 11.8%, while Europe declined 3.4% in constant currencies. Non-GAAP gross margin was 46.2%, up 140 basis points both sequentially and year-over-year, which Schumacher attributed to higher factory gross margins from volume improvements and pricing increases, plus favorable mix as factory revenue grew faster than network revenue. → 5 Stocks to Buy in May Before the Next AI Surge Hits Adjusted EBITDA was $22.8 million, or 16.3% of revenue, compared with $17.4 million, or 13.8%, in the year-ago quarter. Non-GAAP EPS was $0.54, up $0.21 year-over-year. Schumacher said t...

Image source: The Motley Fool. Friday, May 1, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. ET President and Chief Executive Officer — Suresh Krishna Chief Financial Officer — Dan Schumacher Need a quote from a Motley Fool analyst? Email [email protected] Suresh Krishna: Thanks, Ryan. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining our first quarter 2026 earnings call. We are off to a strong start in 2026. First quarter revenue grew 10% year-over-year as we delivered another record revenue quarter. I am very pleased with the balanced execution reflected in our financial results. We achieved double-digit revenue growth significant gross margin expansion and improved operating leverage. Importantly, this reflects not only continued momentum but measurable improvements in customer engagement, growth and operating performance. These financial results are a credit to the hard work and dedication of our employees as they continue to execute with discipline across the business. I'd like to thank all Proto Labs team members for their outstanding quarter. So far, in 2026, we continue to see strong traction with larger strategic customers contributing to our higher revenue per customer and reinforcing this as a key long-term growth driver. During the quarter, revenue per customer grew 20% year-over-year, providing evidence of the momentum we have with enterprise customers. In U.S. we grew 12%, marking the fourth quarter in a row of double-digit revenue growth in the region. I want to acknowledge the leadership of Sean Farrell, and the regional sales and customer success teams for driving that performance. Double-digit growth and significant margin expansion in the first quarter led to strong cash flows and earnings, reflecting in the strength of our business model. In the first quarter, we achieved Proto Lab's highest non-GAAP earnings per share in over 5 years. Our strong results were fueled by exceptional demand for our CNC machining service, which grew over 20% year-over-year in the U.S. driven by continued strength in aerospace and defense including space, exploration, satellites and drones as well as strong growth in robotics. As we saw in the last quarter, well-funded and innovation-driven markets where speed, precision and digital manufacturing are critical, continue to rely on Proto Labs as we deepen relationships and strengthen our position as a strategic partner. In April, we joined the Sp...

This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Release Date: May 01, 2026 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Proto Labs Inc (NYSE:PRLB) reported a record first-quarter revenue of $139.3 million, marking a 10.4% year-over-year increase. The company achieved its highest non-GAAP earnings per share in over five years, driven by strong demand for CNC machining services. Revenue per customer grew 20% year-over-year, indicating strong engagement with larger strategic customers. The U.S. market showed robust performance with a 12% revenue growth, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. Proto Labs Inc (NYSE:PRLB) achieved AS9100 certification in Europe, enhancing its ability to support aerospace and defense customers globally. European revenue declined by 3.4% in constant currencies, indicating challenges in that region. 3D printing revenue was flat year-over-year, with weak demand in Europe offsetting U.S. growth. The network business showed sequential decline and minimal year-over-year growth, highlighting potential issues in that segment. Despite strong first-quarter results, the company maintained conservative full-year guidance due to macroeconomic uncertainties. Operational changes and strategic resets, particularly in Europe, indicate ongoing restructuring efforts that may impact short-term performance. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with PRLB. Is PRLB fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Q: Can you provide more color on the cadence of the quarter and any surprising end markets? A: (CFO) Although Europe was down 3% year-over-year, it was up 11% sequentially, showing good traction. We saw strong growth from large customers, particularly in aerospace and defense, as well as computer and electronics and industrial commercial machinery. This strength is continuing into the second quarter. Q: What is causing the deceleration in the network business? A: (CEO) We are pleased with our double-digit growth overall, but there were fluctuations between our fulfillment methods. We saw some weakness in network demand, particularly in 3D printing. We are making changes in our go-to-market strategy to accelerate network revenue growth. Q: Can you discuss the growth in the injection molding business and whether this level is sustainable? A: (CFO) We ar...

Record revenue growth was primarily driven by a 20% year-over-year increase in revenue per customer, signaling successful traction with large enterprise accounts. CNC machining performance, particularly in the U.S. with 23% growth, was fueled by high-precision demand in aerospace, defense, satellites, and robotics. Management attributed margin expansion to improved factory volume and a favorable mix where higher-margin factory revenue outpaced network revenue. The strategic reset in Europe delivered 11% sequential growth, indicating early stabilization through cost alignment and industry-specific sales targeting. Operational efficiency is being bolstered by the new Global Capability Center in India and the integration of product and technology teams under a single leadership structure. Investments in injection molding quality were specifically designed to reduce friction for strategic customers and facilitate the transition from prototyping to production. Full-year 2026 revenue guidance of 6% to 8% incorporates a degree of conservatism regarding long-term macro uncertainty and typical Q4 holiday seasonality. Operating expenses are expected to increase throughout 2026 as the company ramps up hiring for strategic pillar projects and software development. The company plans to continue adding capacity in CNC mills and DMLS metal 3D printers to meet accelerating demand in high-innovation sectors. Management expects full-year gross margins to be slightly up, though Q2 may see flat to slightly down margins depending on pricing dynamics and service mix. Strategic focus remains on moving further into the product life cycle, aiming to convert early-stage innovation partnerships into long-term production programs. Achieved AS9100 certification in European operations, a critical requirement for capturing global aerospace and defense production contracts. Implemented targeted pricing actions in the CNC machining segment to align with current market dynamics while maintaining competitive positioning. Executed targeted workforce reductions in the first quarter, primarily in Europe, to align the cost structure with current revenue levels. Identified 3D printing demand in Europe as a specific headwind, which offset growth in the U.S. during the quarter. Our analysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you wh...

Proto Labs (PRLB) reported Q1 non-GAAP earnings Friday of $0.54 per diluted share, up from $0.33 a y

MAPLE PLAIN, Minn. (AP) — MAPLE PLAIN, Minn. (AP) — Proto Labs Inc. (PRLB) on Friday reported profit of $8.1 million in its first quarter. On a per-share basis, the Maple Plain, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of 33 cents. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were 54 cents per share. The custom parts manufacturer posted revenue of $139.3 million in the period. For the current quarter ending in June, Proto Labs expects its per-share earnings to range from 50 cents to 58 cents. _____ This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on PRLB at https://www.zacks.com/ap/PRLB

Proto Labs (PRLB) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.54 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.4 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.33 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +35.00%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this custom parts manufacturer would post earnings of $0.35 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.44, delivering a surprise of +25.71%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times. Proto Labs, which belongs to the Zacks Rubber - Plastics industry, posted revenues of $139.34 million for the quarter ended March 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.24%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $126.21 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Proto Labs shares have added about 28.1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 5.3%. While Proto Labs has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Proto Labs was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (St...

Record Quarterly Revenue of $139.3 Million, a 10.4% Increase Year-Over-Year GAAP Earnings Per Share of $0.33, Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share of $0.54 MINNEAPOLIS, May 01, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Proto Labs, Inc. ("Protolabs" or the "Company") (NYSE: PRLB), the world’s leading provider of digital manufacturing services, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. First Quarter 2026 Financial Highlights: Revenue was a record $139.3 million, a 10.4% increase over the first quarter of 2025. CNC machining revenue grew 19.7% year-over-year. Revenue per customer contact increased 20.4% year-over-year. Net income was $8.1 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to $3.6 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025. Non-GAAP net income was $13.1 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, compared to $8.1 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below. "Protolabs started 2026 very strong, delivering another record revenue quarter. We achieved double‑digit revenue growth, gross margin expansion, and operating expense leverage. These results reflect strong demand for Protolabs' digital manufacturing services, and disciplined execution across the business," said President and Chief Executive Officer Suresh Krishna. "We’re making continued progress across our strategic pillars while strengthening the organization to support long‑term growth and scalability." Additional First Quarter 2026 Financial Highlights: Non-GAAP gross margin was 46.2% of revenue, compared to 44.8% of revenue in the first quarter of 2025. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below. Adjusted EBITDA was $22.8 million, or 16.3% of revenue, compared to $17.4 million, or 13.8% of revenue in the first quarter of 2025. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below. Cash generated from operations was $17.5 million. Cash and investments balance was $158.0 million as of March 31, 2026. "First quarter results reflect the strength of our operating model, delivering record revenue alongside improved profitability," said Dan Schumacher, Chief Financial Officer. "We generated strong cash flow and reported our highest non‑GAAP earnings per share in more than five years, while continuing to invest in our strategic pillars and transformational initiatives to support long‑term profitable growth." Financial Guidance and...