Proto Labs Inc (PRLB)

Profitability ratios

Return on sales

Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Gross profit margin 44.56% 44.06% 44.12% 45.62% 50.14%
Operating profit margin 3.98% 5.59% 31.10% 8.27% 13.77%
Pretax margin 4.93% 5.55% -20.04% 8.23% 14.49%
Net profit margin 3.31% 3.42% -21.18% 6.84% 11.71%

Proto Labs Inc's profitability ratios show varying trends over the past five years.

- The gross profit margin has decreased from 50.14% in 2020 to 44.56% in 2024. This indicates a decline in the company's ability to generate profits after deducting the cost of goods sold.

- The operating profit margin has also exhibited a downward trend, dropping from 13.77% in 2020 to 3.98% in 2024. This suggests a reduction in the company's profitability from its core operations.

- The pretax margin experienced significant fluctuations, ranging from a positive 14.49% in 2020 to a negative 20.04% in 2022. This indicates variability in the company's profitability before accounting for taxes.

- The net profit margin has shown inconsistency, with a dip from 11.71% in 2020 to 3.31% in 2024. This reflects the company's final profitability after all expenses, including taxes.

Overall, Proto Labs Inc's profitability has faced challenges over the past five years, with a declining trend in key profitability ratios, suggesting the need for strategic measures to improve operational efficiency and financial performance.


Return on investment

Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Operating return on assets (Operating ROA) 2.68% 3.65% 18.93% 4.34% 8.04%
Return on assets (ROA) 2.23% 2.23% -12.90% 3.59% 6.84%
Return on total capital 3.80% 4.05% 3.86% 4.87% 9.29%
Return on equity (ROE) 2.48% 2.48% -14.83% 4.03% 7.89%

Proto Labs Inc's profitability ratios show mixed performance over the analyzed period.

- Operating return on assets (Operating ROA) fluctuated, starting at 8.04% in 2020, declining to 4.34% in 2021, then sharply increasing to 18.93% in 2022 before dropping to 3.65% in 2023, and further decreasing to 2.68% in 2024.

- Return on assets (ROA) saw a similar trend, with a positive 6.84% in 2020, decreasing to 3.59% in 2021, turning negative at -12.90% in 2022, and recovering to 2.23% in both 2023 and 2024.

- Return on total capital declined from 9.29% in 2020 to 3.80% in 2024, with relatively stable figures between 2021 and 2023.

- Return on equity (ROE) followed a similar pattern, starting at 7.89% in 2020, declining to 4.03% in 2021, becoming negative at -14.83% in 2022, then improving to 2.48% in both 2023 and 2024.

The overall profitability performance of Proto Labs Inc shows volatility and a downward trend in some ratios, indicating potential challenges in generating returns for the company's assets and equity capital. Evaluation of underlying factors driving these fluctuations would be necessary to understand the company's financial health and forecast future profitability prospects.