Protolabs Reports Q1 Revenue of $139.3M, Beating Consensus
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 01 2026
0mins
Should l Buy PRLB?
Reports Q1 revenue $139.3M, consensus $135.14M. "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."
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Analyst Views on PRLB
Wall Street analysts forecast PRLB stock price to fall
4 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 68.170
Low
55.00
Averages
55.00
High
55.00
Current: 68.170
Low
55.00
Averages
55.00
High
55.00
About PRLB
Proto Labs, Inc. provides comprehensive manufacturing service from prototyping to production. Its digital factories produce low-volume parts in days while Protolabs Network provides advanced capabilities and volume pricing through its manufacturing partners. Its services include injection molding, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, three-dimensional (3D) printing and sheet metal fabrication. Its injection molding services include plastic injection molding, liquid silicone rubber molding, and over molding and insert molding. Its CNC machining services include CNC milling, CNC turning, precision machining, threading options and finishing options. Its 3D printing services include metal 3D printing, multi jet fusion and advanced photopolymers. Its sheet metal fabrication services include laser cutting, punching, fabricated assemblies, and prototyping. It serves various industries, including medical, robotics, aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics and industrial equipment.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Proto Labs Reports Record Q1 2026 Earnings with Strong Growth
- Significant Revenue Growth: Proto Labs reported a record revenue of $139.3 million for Q1 2026, reflecting a 10.4% year-over-year increase, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, indicating robust market demand and an expanding customer base.
- Strong Customer Demand: Revenue per customer grew by 20% year-over-year, with CNC machining services in the U.S. increasing over 20%, highlighting sustained strength in the aerospace and defense sectors, which further solidifies the company's market position.
- Improved Profitability: The non-GAAP gross margin for Q1 reached 46.2%, an increase of 140 basis points both sequentially and year-over-year, demonstrating significant improvements in cost control and operational efficiency, which have enhanced profitability.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Management expects full-year revenue growth of 6% to 8% for 2026, with second-quarter revenue projected between $140 million and $148 million, showcasing confidence in future growth despite macroeconomic uncertainties.
See More
Protolabs Reports Record Q1 Revenue of $139.3 Million
- Significant Revenue Growth: Protolabs reported a record revenue of $139.3 million for Q1, reflecting a 10.4% year-over-year increase, indicating strong demand and an enhanced market position in digital manufacturing services.
- Improved Profitability: GAAP earnings per share reached $0.33, while non-GAAP earnings per share rose to $0.54, significantly up from $0.15 and $0.33 in the prior year, showcasing the company's success in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Strong Cash Flow: The company generated $17.5 million in cash from operations, with total cash and investments reaching $158 million, highlighting its solid financial health while continuing to invest in strategic initiatives.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Protolabs expects revenue growth of 6% to 8% for fiscal year 2026, with Q2 revenue projected between $140 million and $148 million, reflecting confidence in future market demand.
See More
Proto Labs Q1 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Proto Labs reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.54, surpassing expectations by $0.15, indicating strong profitability growth that boosts investor confidence.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q1 revenue of $139.3 million, a 10.4% year-over-year increase, exceeding market expectations by $4.16 million, reflecting sustained strong market demand.
- Increased Revenue per Customer: Revenue per customer contact rose by 20.4% year-over-year, demonstrating significant success in customer relationship management and sales strategies, further solidifying market position.
- Optimistic Outlook: Proto Labs anticipates revenue growth of 6% to 8% for fiscal year 2026, with Q2 revenue expected between $140 million and $148 million, showcasing confidence in future growth.
See More
Proto Labs to Announce Q1 Earnings on May 1st
- Earnings Announcement: Proto Labs is set to release its Q1 2023 earnings report on May 1st before market open, with consensus EPS estimate at $0.39, reflecting an 18.2% year-over-year increase, and revenue estimate at $135.14 million, indicating a 7.1% year-over-year growth, showcasing the company's growth potential.
- Performance Beat Record: Over the past two years, Proto Labs has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time and revenue estimates 88% of the time, demonstrating consistency in market analysis and performance outcomes, which could bolster investor confidence.
- Upward Revision Trend: In the last three months, Proto Labs has seen three upward revisions in EPS estimates with no downward adjustments, and similarly, revenue estimates have also been revised upward three times, reflecting increased market confidence in the company's future performance.
- Future Growth Outlook: Proto Labs anticipates a revenue growth of 6%-8% for 2026 while advancing its production and digital initiatives, indicating that the company's strategic decisions in technology innovation and market expansion will support future performance.
See More
Beware of Investment Risks in Cash-Flow Companies
- Kulicke & Soffa Performance Decline: KLIC has a trailing free cash flow margin of 11.1%, but due to postponed customer purchases, its revenue has declined by 1.6% annually over the past five years, resulting in a 40.3 percentage point drop in operating margin, indicating the company's inability to adjust its cost structure, which negatively impacts profitability.
- Proto Labs Sales Weakness: PRLB's free cash flow margin stands at 11.2%, yet its annual growth over the past two years has only been 2.9%, below industry standards, and declining earnings per share over five years reflect management's challenges in identifying attractive investment opportunities, leading to investor concerns.
- Stanley Black & Decker Profitability Issues: SWK has a free cash flow margin of 4.5%, with organic revenue growth falling short of benchmarks over the past two years, and demand is expected to remain weak in the next year, while earnings per share have dipped by 12.3% annually over five years, which could have long-term negative implications for stock prices.
- High-Risk Investment Warning: Although these companies generate cash flow, their declining performance and profitability issues warrant caution from investors, suggesting a need to avoid increasing investment risks in an uncertain market environment.
See More
Protolabs to Release Q1 2026 Financial Results
- Earnings Release Schedule: Protolabs will issue its Q1 2026 financial results before market open on May 1, 2026, demonstrating the company's commitment to transparency and investor communication.
- Conference Call Details: A conference call will be held at 8:30 a.m. EDT on the same day to discuss the financial results, which is expected to attract attention from investors and analysts, thereby enhancing market confidence.
- Webcast Availability: The call will be available via a simultaneous webcast, allowing investors to access the information through the investor relations section of the Protolabs website, improving information accessibility and transparency.
- Audio Replay Service: An audio replay will be available approximately two hours after the call ends, ensuring that investors who cannot participate live can still access key information.
See More
Proto Labs Reports Record Q1 2026 Earnings with Strong Growth
- Significant Revenue Growth: Proto Labs reported a record revenue of $139.3 million for Q1 2026, reflecting a 10.4% year-over-year increase, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, indicating robust market demand and an expanding customer base.
- Strong Customer Demand: Revenue per customer grew by 20% year-over-year, with CNC machining services in the U.S. increasing over 20%, highlighting sustained strength in the aerospace and defense sectors, which further solidifies the company's market position.
- Improved Profitability: The non-GAAP gross margin for Q1 reached 46.2%, an increase of 140 basis points both sequentially and year-over-year, demonstrating significant improvements in cost control and operational efficiency, which have enhanced profitability.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Management expects full-year revenue growth of 6% to 8% for 2026, with second-quarter revenue projected between $140 million and $148 million, showcasing confidence in future growth despite macroeconomic uncertainties.
See More
Protolabs Reports Record Q1 Revenue of $139.3 Million
- Significant Revenue Growth: Protolabs reported a record revenue of $139.3 million for Q1, reflecting a 10.4% year-over-year increase, indicating strong demand and an enhanced market position in digital manufacturing services.
- Improved Profitability: GAAP earnings per share reached $0.33, while non-GAAP earnings per share rose to $0.54, significantly up from $0.15 and $0.33 in the prior year, showcasing the company's success in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Strong Cash Flow: The company generated $17.5 million in cash from operations, with total cash and investments reaching $158 million, highlighting its solid financial health while continuing to invest in strategic initiatives.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Protolabs expects revenue growth of 6% to 8% for fiscal year 2026, with Q2 revenue projected between $140 million and $148 million, reflecting confidence in future market demand.
See More
Proto Labs Q1 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Proto Labs reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.54, surpassing expectations by $0.15, indicating strong profitability growth that boosts investor confidence.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q1 revenue of $139.3 million, a 10.4% year-over-year increase, exceeding market expectations by $4.16 million, reflecting sustained strong market demand.
- Increased Revenue per Customer: Revenue per customer contact rose by 20.4% year-over-year, demonstrating significant success in customer relationship management and sales strategies, further solidifying market position.
- Optimistic Outlook: Proto Labs anticipates revenue growth of 6% to 8% for fiscal year 2026, with Q2 revenue expected between $140 million and $148 million, showcasing confidence in future growth.
See More
Proto Labs to Announce Q1 Earnings on May 1st
- Earnings Announcement: Proto Labs is set to release its Q1 2023 earnings report on May 1st before market open, with consensus EPS estimate at $0.39, reflecting an 18.2% year-over-year increase, and revenue estimate at $135.14 million, indicating a 7.1% year-over-year growth, showcasing the company's growth potential.
- Performance Beat Record: Over the past two years, Proto Labs has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time and revenue estimates 88% of the time, demonstrating consistency in market analysis and performance outcomes, which could bolster investor confidence.
- Upward Revision Trend: In the last three months, Proto Labs has seen three upward revisions in EPS estimates with no downward adjustments, and similarly, revenue estimates have also been revised upward three times, reflecting increased market confidence in the company's future performance.
- Future Growth Outlook: Proto Labs anticipates a revenue growth of 6%-8% for 2026 while advancing its production and digital initiatives, indicating that the company's strategic decisions in technology innovation and market expansion will support future performance.
See More
Beware of Investment Risks in Cash-Flow Companies
- Kulicke & Soffa Performance Decline: KLIC has a trailing free cash flow margin of 11.1%, but due to postponed customer purchases, its revenue has declined by 1.6% annually over the past five years, resulting in a 40.3 percentage point drop in operating margin, indicating the company's inability to adjust its cost structure, which negatively impacts profitability.
- Proto Labs Sales Weakness: PRLB's free cash flow margin stands at 11.2%, yet its annual growth over the past two years has only been 2.9%, below industry standards, and declining earnings per share over five years reflect management's challenges in identifying attractive investment opportunities, leading to investor concerns.
- Stanley Black & Decker Profitability Issues: SWK has a free cash flow margin of 4.5%, with organic revenue growth falling short of benchmarks over the past two years, and demand is expected to remain weak in the next year, while earnings per share have dipped by 12.3% annually over five years, which could have long-term negative implications for stock prices.
- High-Risk Investment Warning: Although these companies generate cash flow, their declining performance and profitability issues warrant caution from investors, suggesting a need to avoid increasing investment risks in an uncertain market environment.
See More
Protolabs to Release Q1 2026 Financial Results
- Earnings Release Schedule: Protolabs will issue its Q1 2026 financial results before market open on May 1, 2026, demonstrating the company's commitment to transparency and investor communication.
- Conference Call Details: A conference call will be held at 8:30 a.m. EDT on the same day to discuss the financial results, which is expected to attract attention from investors and analysts, thereby enhancing market confidence.
- Webcast Availability: The call will be available via a simultaneous webcast, allowing investors to access the information through the investor relations section of the Protolabs website, improving information accessibility and transparency.
- Audio Replay Service: An audio replay will be available approximately two hours after the call ends, ensuring that investors who cannot participate live can still access key information.
See More
