Is It Too Late To Consider Buying Proto Labs, Inc. (NYSE:PRLB)?

Proto Labs, Inc. (NYSE:PRLB), is not the largest company out there, but it saw significant share price movement during recent months on the NYSE, rising to highs of US$51.97 and falling to the lows of US$37.62. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether Proto Labs' current trading price of US$40.06 reflective of the actual value of the small-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Let’s take a look at Proto Labs’s outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change.

Check out our latest analysis for Proto Labs

What Is Proto Labs Worth?

According to my price multiple model, where I compare the company's price-to-earnings ratio to the industry average, the stock currently looks expensive. I’ve used the price-to-earnings ratio in this instance because there’s not enough visibility to forecast its cash flows. The stock’s ratio of 45.16x is currently well-above the industry average of 20.25x, meaning that it is trading at a more expensive price relative to its peers. But, is there another opportunity to buy low in the future? Since Proto Labs’s share price is quite volatile, this could mean it can sink lower (or rise even further) in the future, giving us another chance to invest. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for how much the stock moves relative to the rest of the market.

What kind of growth will Proto Labs generate?

Investors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. Buying a great company with a robust outlook at a cheap price is always a good investment, so let’s also take a look at the company's future expectations. Proto Labs' earnings over the next few years are expected to double, indicating a very optimistic future ahead. This should lead to stronger cash flows, feeding into a higher share value.

What This Means For You

Are you a shareholder? PRLB’s optimistic future growth appears to have been factored into the current share price, with shares trading above industry price multiples. At this current price, shareholders may be asking a different question – should I sell? If you believe PRLB should trade below its current price, selling high and buying it back up again when its price falls towards the industry PE ratio can be profitable. But before you make this decision, take a look at whether its fundamentals have changed.

Are you a potential investor? If you’ve been keeping an eye on PRLB for a while, now may not be the best time to enter into the stock. The price has surpassed its industry peers, which means it is likely that there is no more upside from mispricing. However, the positive outlook is encouraging for PRLB, which means it’s worth diving deeper into other factors in order to take advantage of the next price drop.

If you'd like to know more about Proto Labs as a business, it's important to be aware of any risks it's facing. In terms of investment risks, we've identified 1 warning sign with Proto Labs, and understanding it should be part of your investment process.

If you are no longer interested in Proto Labs, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.