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Proto Labs (PRLB) Competitors

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$69.18 +1.25 (+1.84%)
Closing price 11/11/2026 03:59 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$67.92 -1.26 (-1.82%)
As of 08:23 AM Eastern
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PRLB vs. ESE, GTES, NPO, MIDD, and ESAB

Should you buy Proto Labs stock or one of its competitors? Proto Labs's main competitors and comparable companies include ESCO Technologies (ESE), Gates Industrial (GTES), Enpro (NPO), Middleby (MIDD), and ESAB (ESAB). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "industrial machinery & supplies & components" industry.

How does Proto Labs compare to ESCO Technologies?

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) and Proto Labs (NYSE:PRLB) are both industrials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation and risk.

ESCO Technologies has a net margin of 24.39% compared to Proto Labs' net margin of 6.04%. ESCO Technologies' return on equity of 13.28% beat Proto Labs' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
ESCO Technologies24.39% 13.28% 8.69%
Proto Labs 6.04%5.40%4.73%

In the previous week, ESCO Technologies and ESCO Technologies both had 3 articles in the media. Proto Labs' average media sentiment score of 1.24 beat ESCO Technologies' score of 1.04 indicating that Proto Labs is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
ESCO Technologies
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Proto Labs
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

ESCO Technologies presently has a consensus price target of $381.50, suggesting a potential upside of 59.07%. Proto Labs has a consensus price target of $100.50, suggesting a potential upside of 45.27%. Given ESCO Technologies' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe ESCO Technologies is more favorable than Proto Labs.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
ESCO Technologies
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00
Proto Labs
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

ESCO Technologies has higher revenue and earnings than Proto Labs. ESCO Technologies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Proto Labs, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
ESCO Technologies$1.10B5.67$299.22M$12.1419.76
Proto Labs$533.13M3.10$21.24M$1.4348.38

ESCO Technologies has a beta of 1.06, meaning that its stock price is 6% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Proto Labs has a beta of 1.52, meaning that its stock price is 52% more volatile than the broader market.

95.7% of ESCO Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 84.5% of Proto Labs shares are held by institutional investors. 0.7% of ESCO Technologies shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of Proto Labs shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

ESCO Technologies beats Proto Labs on 11 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Proto Labs compare to Gates Industrial?

Gates Industrial (NYSE:GTES) and Proto Labs (NYSE:PRLB) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, media sentiment, profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation, earnings and risk.

Gates Industrial has a beta of 1.33, suggesting that its stock price is 33% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Proto Labs has a beta of 1.52, suggesting that its stock price is 52% more volatile than the broader market.

98.5% of Gates Industrial shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 84.5% of Proto Labs shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.8% of Gates Industrial shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of Proto Labs shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Gates Industrial has higher revenue and earnings than Proto Labs. Gates Industrial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Proto Labs, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Gates Industrial$3.44B1.86$251.40M$1.4417.73
Proto Labs$533.13M3.10$21.24M$1.4348.38

Gates Industrial presently has a consensus price target of $32.18, suggesting a potential upside of 26.07%. Proto Labs has a consensus price target of $100.50, suggesting a potential upside of 45.27%. Given Proto Labs' higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Proto Labs is more favorable than Gates Industrial.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Gates Industrial
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75
Proto Labs
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

Gates Industrial has a net margin of 10.37% compared to Proto Labs' net margin of 6.04%. Gates Industrial's return on equity of 10.42% beat Proto Labs' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Gates Industrial10.37% 10.42% 5.46%
Proto Labs 6.04%5.40%4.73%

In the previous week, Gates Industrial had 3 more articles in the media than Proto Labs. MarketBeat recorded 6 mentions for Gates Industrial and 3 mentions for Proto Labs. Proto Labs' average media sentiment score of 1.24 beat Gates Industrial's score of 0.29 indicating that Proto Labs is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Gates Industrial
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Proto Labs
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

Gates Industrial beats Proto Labs on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Proto Labs compare to Enpro?

Proto Labs (NYSE:PRLB) and Enpro (NYSE:NPO) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, risk, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, dividends, earnings and analyst recommendations.

Proto Labs has a net margin of 6.04% compared to Enpro's net margin of 4.88%. Enpro's return on equity of 12.55% beat Proto Labs' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Proto Labs6.04% 5.40% 4.73%
Enpro 4.88%12.55%7.46%

84.5% of Proto Labs shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 98.3% of Enpro shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.3% of Proto Labs shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.6% of Enpro shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Proto Labs has a beta of 1.52, meaning that its stock price is 52% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Enpro has a beta of 1.64, meaning that its stock price is 64% more volatile than the broader market.

Enpro has higher revenue and earnings than Proto Labs. Proto Labs is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Enpro, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Proto Labs$533.13M3.10$21.24M$1.4348.38
Enpro$1.14B5.23$40.50M$2.9296.72

Proto Labs currently has a consensus target price of $100.50, indicating a potential upside of 45.27%. Enpro has a consensus target price of $365.00, indicating a potential upside of 29.23%. Given Proto Labs' higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Proto Labs is more favorable than Enpro.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Proto Labs
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Enpro
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.60

In the previous week, Enpro had 15 more articles in the media than Proto Labs. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Enpro and 3 mentions for Proto Labs. Proto Labs' average media sentiment score of 1.24 beat Enpro's score of 0.81 indicating that Proto Labs is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Proto Labs
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Enpro
3 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

Enpro beats Proto Labs on 12 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Proto Labs compare to Middleby?

Proto Labs (NYSE:PRLB) and Middleby (NASDAQ:MIDD) are both industrials companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, media sentiment, profitability, institutional ownership, dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations and valuation.

Proto Labs has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Middleby. Proto Labs is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Middleby, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Proto Labs$533.13M3.10$21.24M$1.4348.38
Middleby$3.20B1.92-$277.73M$0.85160.12

Proto Labs has a beta of 1.52, meaning that its share price is 52% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Middleby has a beta of 1.29, meaning that its share price is 29% more volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Middleby had 26 more articles in the media than Proto Labs. MarketBeat recorded 29 mentions for Middleby and 3 mentions for Proto Labs. Proto Labs' average media sentiment score of 1.24 beat Middleby's score of 0.50 indicating that Proto Labs is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Proto Labs
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Middleby
2 Very Positive mention(s)
5 Positive mention(s)
16 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Proto Labs has a net margin of 6.04% compared to Middleby's net margin of 1.24%. Middleby's return on equity of 19.42% beat Proto Labs' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Proto Labs6.04% 5.40% 4.73%
Middleby 1.24%19.42%8.03%

Proto Labs currently has a consensus target price of $100.50, indicating a potential upside of 45.27%. Middleby has a consensus target price of $161.75, indicating a potential upside of 18.85%. Given Proto Labs' higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Proto Labs is more favorable than Middleby.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Proto Labs
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Middleby
1 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.56

84.5% of Proto Labs shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 98.6% of Middleby shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.3% of Proto Labs shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 9.7% of Middleby shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Middleby beats Proto Labs on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Proto Labs compare to ESAB?

Proto Labs (NYSE:PRLB) and ESAB (NYSE:ESAB) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, media sentiment, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends and risk.

In the previous week, ESAB had 12 more articles in the media than Proto Labs. MarketBeat recorded 15 mentions for ESAB and 3 mentions for Proto Labs. Proto Labs' average media sentiment score of 1.24 beat ESAB's score of 0.04 indicating that Proto Labs is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Proto Labs
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
ESAB
4 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

84.5% of Proto Labs shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 91.1% of ESAB shares are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of Proto Labs shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 7.2% of ESAB shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Proto Labs presently has a consensus target price of $100.50, indicating a potential upside of 45.27%. ESAB has a consensus target price of $118.14, indicating a potential upside of 37.86%. Given Proto Labs' higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Proto Labs is more favorable than ESAB.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Proto Labs
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
ESAB
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.88

Proto Labs has a beta of 1.52, indicating that its stock price is 52% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, ESAB has a beta of 1.17, indicating that its stock price is 17% more volatile than the broader market.

ESAB has higher revenue and earnings than Proto Labs. ESAB is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Proto Labs, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Proto Labs$533.13M3.10$21.24M$1.4348.38
ESAB$2.84B1.87$226.77M$2.4734.70

Proto Labs has a net margin of 6.04% compared to ESAB's net margin of 5.05%. ESAB's return on equity of 14.17% beat Proto Labs' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Proto Labs6.04% 5.40% 4.73%
ESAB 5.05%14.17%5.62%

Summary

ESAB beats Proto Labs on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding PRLB and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NYSE and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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PRLB vs. The Competition

MetricProto LabsMachinery IndustryIndustrials SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$1.62B$10.35B$10.11B$23.48B
Dividend YieldN/A2.33%2.92%3.74%
P/E Ratio48.3832.8633.0228.17
Price / Sales3.102.543.003.22
Price / Cash29.2218.1520.2215.84
Price / Book2.353.233.883.73
Net Income$21.24M$373.63M$611.00M$1.08B
7 Day Performance10.27%3.02%2.86%2.54%
1 Month Performance-24.47%-1.74%-1.30%1.23%
1 Year Performance38.73%2.36%2.47%6.60%

Proto Labs Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
PRLB
Proto Labs
4.7849 of 5 stars
$69.18
+1.8%
$100.50
+45.3%
+39.7%$1.62B$533.13M48.382,280
ESE
ESCO Technologies
4.7415 of 5 stars
$240.96
+4.6%
$381.50
+58.3%
+10.8%$6.21B$1.10B29.723,425
GTES
Gates Industrial
4.2462 of 5 stars
$25.38
+5.3%
$32.18
+26.8%
+14.9%$6.14B$3.44B17.6213,000
NPO
Enpro
4.1819 of 5 stars
$275.96
+6.8%
$365.00
+32.3%
+31.9%$5.87B$1.14B94.514,000
MIDD
Middleby
3.5317 of 5 stars
$138.00
+1.1%
$161.75
+17.2%
+10.3%$5.77B$3.20B162.358,826

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This page (NYSE:PRLB) was last updated on 11/12/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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