Mesa Laboratories Inc (MLAB)

Operating profit margin

		Mar 31, 2024	Dec 31, 2023	Sep 30, 2023	Jun 30, 2023	Mar 31, 2023	Dec 31, 2022	Sep 30, 2022	Jun 30, 2022	Mar 31, 2022	Dec 31, 2021	Sep 30, 2021	Jun 30, 2021	Mar 31, 2021	Dec 31, 2020	Sep 30, 2020	Jun 30, 2020	Mar 31, 2020	Dec 31, 2019	Sep 30, 2019	Jun 30, 2019
Operating income (ttm)	US$ in thousands	-272,075	-274	3,195	7,250	3,320	2,803	-3,111	-2,905	4,812	9,108	11,642	11,911	12,358	9,089	5,812	6,036	7,858	9,390	13,965	10,409
Revenue (ttm)	US$ in thousands	216,187	212,874	213,688	219,272	219,080	163,489	163,898	140,989	125,456	163,420	142,896	138,916	133,937	130,181	127,664	121,340	117,687	109,925	104,952	104,281
Operating profit margin		-125.85%	-0.13%	1.50%	3.31%	1.52%	1.71%	-1.90%	-2.06%	3.84%	5.57%	8.15%	8.57%	9.23%	6.98%	4.55%	4.97%	6.68%	8.54%	13.31%	9.98%

March 31, 2024 calculation

Operating profit margin = Operating income (ttm) ÷ Revenue (ttm)
= $-272,075K ÷ $216,187K
= -125.85%

The operating profit margin of Mesa Laboratories Inc has fluctuated over the past few quarters. The company experienced negative operating profit margins in the recent quarter ended March 31, 2024, which may raise concerns about its ability to generate profits from its core business activities. This was a significant decline compared to the previous quarter ended December 31, 2023, when the operating profit margin was slightly negative.

Looking back over the past year, Mesa Laboratories Inc has shown a mix of positive and negative operating profit margins. The company's operating profit margin ranged from a low of -2.06% in the quarter ended June 30, 2022, to a high of 13.31% in the quarter ended September 30, 2019.

Overall, the fluctuating operating profit margins suggest variability in the company's ability to control operating costs and generate profits from its operations. It would be essential for Mesa Laboratories Inc to closely monitor and improve its operational efficiency to maintain a sustainable level of profitability in the future.