Comparing Proto Labs (NYSE:PRLB) & Laser Photonics (NASDAQ:LASE)

Proto Labs (NYSE:PRLB) and Laser Photonics (NASDAQ:LASE) are both small-cap industrials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, risk, valuation, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Proto Labs and Laser Photonics, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Proto Labs	0	1	4	0	2.80
Laser Photonics	1	0	0	0	1.00

Proto Labs currently has a consensus price target of $100.50, suggesting a potential upside of 45.55%. Given Proto Labs’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Proto Labs is more favorable than Laser Photonics.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

84.5% of Proto Labs shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 1.9% of Laser Photonics shares are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of Proto Labs shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.6% of Laser Photonics shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Proto Labs and Laser Photonics”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Proto Labs	$533.13 million	3.10	$21.24 million	$1.43	48.29
Laser Photonics	$6.17 million	5.54	-$88.80 million	($1.77)	-0.39

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

Risk and Volatility

Proto Labs has a beta of 1.38, meaning that its share price is 38% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Laser Photonics has a beta of 2.58, meaning that its share price is 158% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Proto Labs and Laser Photonics’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Proto Labs	6.04%	5.40%	4.73%
Laser Photonics	N/A	N/A	N/A

Summary

Proto Labs beats Laser Photonics on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Proto Labs

Proto Labs, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a digital manufacturer of custom parts in the United States and Europe. The company offers injection molding; computer numerical control machining; three-dimensional printing; and sheet metal fabrication products. It serves developers and engineers, who use 3D computer-aided design software to design products across a range of end-markets. Proto Labs, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Maple Plain, Minnesota.

About Laser Photonics

Laser Photonics Corporation provides integrated laser blasting solutions for corrosion control, rust removal, de-coating, pre- and post-welding, laser cleaning, and surface conditioning in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. It offers laser cleaning systems, such as CleanTech Titan FX for cleaning, rust removal, and surface conditioning; CleanTech Titan Express, a high-power fiber laser for cleaning and surface conditioning; CleanTech MegaCenter, an industrial-grade laser parts cleaning, rust removal, and surface conditioning system; CleanTech Handheld LPC-50-CTHD, an entry-level dual axis laser cleaning and surface treatment system; CleanTech Handheld LPC-100-CTHD, an air-cooled pulsed laser systems; CleanTech Handheld LPC-200-CTHD for cleaning rust, remove paints, and other coatings; CleanTech Handheld LPC-300-CTHD, a air-cooled laser system; CleanTech Handheld LPC-1000-CTHS, a single axis laser cleaning and surface treatment system; CleanTech Handheld LPC-1000-CTHD, a portable handheld roughing laser cleaner; CleanTech Handheld-1500-CTHS, an handheld laser cleaning, roughing, and surface preparation system; CleanTech Handheld-1500-CTHD, a dual axis fiber laser system; CleanTech Handheld LPC-2000-CTHD for cleaning rust and remove coatings; CleanTech LPC-3000-CTHD for cleaning and removing rust, corrosion, and other materials; CleanTech Laser Blaster Cabinet, a laser cleaning machine; CleanTech Robotic Cell Enclosure, an AI-capable laser cleaning system that eliminates the concerns over human hazard and eye safety; CleanTech EZ- Rider, a laser cleaning tool; and CleanTech Robot, an industrial robotic laser cleaning system. The company also provides laser cutting machines; laser engraving machines; laser marking machines; laser welding machines; 3D metal printers; laser glass scribing systems; ITO removal systems; glass cutting lasers; glass wafer dicing products; laser glass marking; microscope slide and covers laser cutting systems; precision glass scribers; semiconductor laser systems; OEM laser marking and engraving parts; fiber lasers; scanning and cutting heads; mobile handheld laser HD cart; mobile rugged cases; enclosures; fume extractors; rotary indexers; water chiller machines; X-Y tables; USB controllers; and custom lasers. Laser Photonics Corporation was incorporated in 2019 and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.