Proto Labs, Inc. (PRLB) – What Are Researchers Thinking About This Stock?

Proto Labs, Inc. (NYSE:PRLB) has received a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the six research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $100.50.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on PRLB shares. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating on shares of Proto Labs in a research report on Tuesday, October 27th. Needham & Company LLC increased their price target on Proto Labs from $87.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 23rd. William Blair reiterated a “market perform” rating on shares of Proto Labs in a research note on Monday. Weiss Ratings raised Proto Labs from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Friday, October 16th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Proto Labs from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, July 18th.

Proto Labs Stock Performance

NYSE PRLB opened at $67.18 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $86.03 and a 200-day moving average price of $73.14. Proto Labs has a one year low of $46.07 and a one year high of $99.96. The company has a market capitalization of $1.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.98 and a beta of 1.38.

Proto Labs (NYSE:PRLB) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 29th. The industrial products company reported $0.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.03. Proto Labs had a return on equity of 4.80% and a net margin of 5.44%. The company had revenue of $154.32 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $149.31 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.47 earnings per share. Proto Labs’s revenue was up 13.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Proto Labs will post 1.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Daniel Schumacher sold 5,000 shares of Proto Labs stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.32, for a total transaction of $476,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 35,019 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,338,011.08. This trade represents a 12.49% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 10,000 shares of company stock valued at $902,629. Company insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Proto Labs

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Balance Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Proto Labs during the third quarter worth $36,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of Proto Labs in the second quarter valued at about $37,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Proto Labs in the third quarter valued at about $40,000. Signaturefd LLC grew its position in Proto Labs by 240.0% during the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 527 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 372 shares during the period. Finally, USA Financial Formulas acquired a new stake in Proto Labs during the first quarter worth about $52,000. 84.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Proto Labs Company Profile

Proto Labs, Inc (NYSE: PRLB), operating as Protolabs, is a digital manufacturing company that provides rapid prototyping and on-demand production services. The company uses automated quoting and manufacturing systems to help engineers and product developers produce custom parts without relying on traditional, lengthy tooling and procurement processes.

Protolabs offers computer numerical control (CNC) machining, injection molding, 3D printing and sheet-metal fabrication. Its services support the development and production of components in a range of materials and are used across industries including automotive, aerospace, medical, electronics and consumer products.

Founded in 1999 by entrepreneur Larry Lukis, the company has expanded its reach beyond its original U.S.