Sign in
PL

Proto Labs Inc (PRLB)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Record revenue of $135.1M (+7.5% YoY) and non-GAAP EPS $0.41; both exceeded Wall Street consensus for Q2 2025 (Revenue $128.1M*, EPS $0.34*). Strength was led by CNC machining and U.S. demand, while injection molding and Europe were headwinds .
  • Gross margin held flat sequentially on a non-GAAP basis (44.8%), though down ~90 bps YoY, driven by mix shift to Network and mid-quarter tariff changes on aluminum/steel that temporarily compressed U.S. Network margins; pricing adjustments restored Network margins by June .
  • Q3 2025 guidance: revenue $130–$138M and non-GAAP diluted EPS $0.35–$0.43, with expected non-GAAP add-backs of ~$3.9M SBC and ~$0.9M amortization, and a non-GAAP tax rate of 24–25% .
  • Stock reaction catalyst: multi-faceted beat (headline revenue and EPS) with clear narrative on tariff mitigation and durable CNC demand in aerospace/defense; trajectory signals continued YoY growth at the Q3 guide midpoint and confidence in production-led strategy .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • Record quarterly revenue ($135.1M) with U.S. growth +12% YoY; CNC machining set a company record (+20% YoY; +30% in U.S.), underscoring production traction in aerospace/defense .
  • Non-GAAP EPS $0.41 rose both sequentially and YoY, supported by higher-than-anticipated volume; adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 14.6% .
  • CEO framing of strategic priorities and execution clarity: “Our priorities remain as follows: drive growth in our key performance indicators, expand production capabilities, and reinforce our core prototyping offer” .

What Went Wrong

  • Injection molding revenue declined 3–4% YoY; management cited prior-year large auto orders and ongoing medical sector weakness .
  • Non-GAAP gross margin down ~90 bps YoY due to higher Network mix and mid-quarter tariff impact on U.S. Network margins; Network margin landed at 29% in Q2 .
  • Europe remained soft (-15% YoY in constant currency) amid contracting manufacturing activity despite reorganization of go-to-market teams .

Financial Results

Headline Metrics vs Prior Periods and Estimates

MetricQ4 2024Q1 2025Q2 2025
Revenue ($USD Millions)$121.8 $126.2 $135.1
GAAP Diluted EPS ($)$(0.02) $0.15 $0.18
Non-GAAP Diluted EPS ($)$0.38 $0.33 $0.41
GAAP Gross Margin (%)42.7% 44.1% 44.3%
Non-GAAP Gross Margin (%)43.4% 44.8% 44.8%
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)$16.9 $17.4 $19.7
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%)13.8% 13.8% 14.6%

Q2 vs Wall Street Consensus (S&P Global):

MetricQ2 2025 ActualQ2 2025 Consensus
Revenue ($USD Millions)$135.1 $128.1*
Primary EPS ($)$0.41 $0.34*

Values retrieved from S&P Global.*

Fulfillment Channel Mix

MetricQ2 2024Q2 2025
Digital Factories Revenue ($USD Millions)$101.0 (calc; total-$24.6M Network) $105.8
Protolabs Network Revenue ($USD Millions)$24.6 $29.3

Note: Constant currency growth in Network +16% YoY; U.S. Network margin was temporarily impacted by tariffs mid-quarter but restored by June .

Service Line Breakdown

ServiceQ2 2024 Revenue ($M)Q2 2025 Revenue ($M)YoY Change
Injection Molding$49.08 $47.42 (3.4%)
CNC Machining$51.24 $61.95 +20.9%
3D Printing$21.28 $21.22 (0.3%)
Sheet Metal$3.92 $4.30 +9.7%
Other$0.11 $0.19 +69.7%
Total$125.63 $135.06 +7.5%

KPIs and Cash

KPIQ4 2024Q1 2025Q2 2025
Customer Contacts21,558 21,627 21,775
Revenue per Contact ($)$5,648 $5,836 $6,203
Cash & Investments ($M)$120.9 (FY-end) $116.3 (3/31) $123.2 (6/30)
Cash from Operations ($M, quarter)$16.9 (Q4 approximates; FY detail) $18.4 $10.6

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Revenue ($M)Q3 2025n/a$130–$138 New
GAAP Diluted EPS ($)Q3 2025n/a$0.17–$0.25 New
Non-GAAP Diluted EPS ($)Q3 2025n/a$0.35–$0.43 New
Non-GAAP Add-backs ($M)Q3 2025n/aSBC ≈$3.9; Amort ≈$0.9 New
Non-GAAP Tax Rate (%)Q3 2025n/a24–25% New
FX Tailwind ($M)Q3 2025n/a≈$0.4 vs Q3’24 New
Revenue ($M)Q2 2025$124–$132 Actual $135.06 Raised vs guide (actual beat)
Non-GAAP Diluted EPS ($)Q2 2025$0.30–$0.38 Actual $0.41 Raised vs guide (actual beat)

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q4 2024 & Q1 2025)Current Period (Q2 2025)Trend
Production push and CNC strengthCNC +6% YoY in Q1; production momentum, pivot beyond prototyping CNC record +20% YoY; +30% in U.S.; robust A&D demand Strengthening
Tariffs & pricing algorithmsPositioning advantage via flexible network; minimal raw material cost impacts Mid-quarter aluminum/steel tariffs hit U.S. Network margins; pricing/fulfillment adjustments restored margins by June Resolved near-term; process resilience
Regional trends (U.S. vs Europe)U.S. down slightly in Q1; Europe flat cc; German facility closure to streamline ops U.S. +12% YoY; Europe -15% cc; reorganized EU GTM early Q2 Divergent; Europe weak
Medical & regulatoryNotable production certifications; portfolio reshaping ISO 13485 certification for Raleigh metal 3D printing (June) to accelerate medical implants/devices Positive
Network margins & backlog visibilityNetwork margin ~31% in Q1 Network margin 29%; ~20–30 days backlog for Network; 15% of business has longer visibility Slight pressure, visibility clarified
Share repurchase/cash generationNew $100M buyback; strong FCF Ongoing buybacks ($3.1M Q2); strong cash and zero debt Continuing

Management Commentary

  • CEO strategy and priorities: “Our priorities remain as follows: drive growth in our key performance indicators, expand production capabilities, and reinforce our core prototyping offer” .
  • Tariff handling and customer experience: “Our AI-driven pricing and fulfillment systems enable us to adapt in real time… We honor the price we give a customer” .
  • Demand drivers: “We continue to see very strong demand from aerospace and defense customers, specifically in high requirement parts” .
  • Medical expansion: “Metal 3D printing service in Raleigh… received ISO 13485 certification… will help accelerate our growth in medical” .
  • CFO on Q3: “We expect revenue between $130 million and $138 million… non-GAAP add-backs… SBC ≈$3.9M and amortization ≈$0.9M… non-GAAP effective tax rate between 24% and 25%” .

Q&A Highlights

  • CNC growth broad-based across factory and network; U.S. CNC +30% YoY; larger accounts contributed meaningfully .
  • Injection molding softness tied to prior-year auto orders and current medical weakness; majority fulfilled via factory (Network small) .
  • Tariffs: aluminum/steel tariffs applied regardless of source country; Network backlog (~30 days) created lag before pricing/fulfillment changes restored margins; Network margin 29% in Q2; A&D mix >20% .
  • Seasonality: Expect typical Q4 down slightly vs Q3 due to holidays; midpoint Q3 guide reflects continued strength .

Estimates Context

  • Q2 2025: PRLB beat consensus revenue ($135.1M vs $128.1M*) and EPS ($0.41 vs $0.34*); 5 estimates on both metrics . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
  • Q3 2025: Guidance revenue $130–$138M vs consensus $133.8M*; guidance non-GAAP EPS $0.35–$0.43 vs consensus $0.39* . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Beat and raise dynamic: headline revenue and EPS beats vs consensus; Q3 guide midpoint implies ~6% YoY cc growth, supporting near-term momentum .
  • Mix and margin: Expect ongoing gross margin sensitivity to Network mix; mitigation capabilities (pricing/fulfillment algorithms) proved effective against tariff shocks .
  • End-market exposure: Aerospace/defense demand is a core driver (A&D >20% of mix); injection molding likely to recover with medical or auto order normalization .
  • Regional risk: Europe contraction persists; watch execution of reorganized GTM to stabilize demand and margins .
  • Production strategy: ISO 13485 expands medical opportunities; production-led growth via factory and network should sustain revenue per contact and combined-offer adoption .
  • Capital allocation/cash: Strong cash generation with zero debt and continued buybacks provide downside protection and dry powder for growth .
  • Trading setup: Near-term catalysts include continued CNC strength, medical certification ramp, and evidence of European stabilization; risks include tariff volatility and prototyping softness impacting 3D Printing .

Notes: All company data cited from primary documents. Consensus values marked with an asterisk are retrieved from S&P Global.*