ROC % measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. It is also called ROIC %. Proto Labs's annualized return on capital (ROC %) for the quarter that ended in Mar. 2026 was 5.49%.
As of today (2026-07-12), Proto Labs's WACC % is 19.29%. Proto Labs's ROC % is 3.92% (calculated using TTM income statement data).
Proto Labs earns returns that do not match up to its cost of capital. It will destroy value as it grows.
Proto Labs (WBO:PRLB) ROC % Explanation
ROC % measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. It is also called ROIC %. The reason book values of debt and equity are used is because the book values are the capital the company received when issuing the debt or receiving the equity investments.
There are four key components to this definition. The first is the use of operating income or EBIT rather than net income in the numerator. The second is the tax adjustment to this operating income or EBIT, computed as a hypothetical tax based on an effective or marginal tax rate. The third is the use of book values for invested capital, rather than market values. The final is the timing difference; the capital invested is from the end of the prior year whereas the operating income or EBIT is the current year's number.
Why is ROC % important?
Because it costs money to raise capital. A firm that generates higher returns on investment than it costs the company to raise the capital needed for that investment is earning excess returns. A firm that expects to continue generating positive excess returns on new investments in the future will see its value increase as growth increases, whereas a firm that earns returns that do not match up to its cost of capital will destroy value as it grows.
As of today, Proto Labs's WACC % is 19.29%. Proto Labs's ROC % is 3.92% (calculated using TTM income statement data).
Proto Labs earns returns that do not match up to its cost of capital. It will destroy value as it grows.
Be Aware
Like ROE % and ROA %, ROC % is calculated with only 12 months of data. Fluctuations in the company's earnings or business cycles can affect the ratio drastically. It is important to look at the ratio from a long term perspective.
Proto Labs ROC % Related Terms
Proto Labs ROC % Historical Data
* Premium members only.
The historical data trend for Proto Labs's ROC % can be seen below:
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
Note:
The Operating Income data used here is four times the quarterly (Mar. 2026) data.
The tax rate is limited to between 0% and 100%.
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
Proto Labs (WBO:PRLB) has a ROC % of 5.49% as of Mar. 2026. Return on capital is the ratio of current-period net income to average two-period capital. View historical data on Proto Labs and its competitors.
Is Proto Labs' ROC % too high?
Proto Labs' current ROC % is 5.49%. The Industrial Products industry median ROC % is 5.17. Proto Labs' value of 5.49% is 6.2% above this industry median. Overall, Proto Labs has a GF Score™ of 66/100 and is considered Significantly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Proto Labs' ROC % compare to RYZ and WOR?
Proto Labs' ROC % of 5.49% can be compared against companies in the Industrial Products industry. The industry median ROC % is 5.17. Proto Labs' value of 5.49% is 6.2% above this benchmark. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good ROC % for an Industrial Products company?
The median ROC % among Industrial Products companies is 5.17, based on 3,034 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a ROC % significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, ROC % should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Proto Labs's current ROC % of 5.49% is 6.2% above the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high ROC % mean?
A high ROC % can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Return on capital is the ratio of current-period net income to average two-period capital. View historical data on Proto Labs and its competitors. For the Industrial Products industry, the median ROC % is 5.17 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Proto Labs's current ROC % is 5.49%. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Proto Labs stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Proto Labs (WBO:PRLB) is currently considered Significantly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is €37.76, compared to a current price of €65.65 — trading 73.9% above its estimated fair value. The current ROC % is 5.49% and 6.2% above the Industrial Products industry median of 5.17. Proto Labs' overall GF Score™ is 66/100 with 7 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is ROC % calculated?
ROC % is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Proto Labs (WBO:PRLB), the current ROC % is 5.49% as of Mar. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is Proto Labs (WBO:PRLB) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Proto Labs stock appears to be overvalued.
The current stock price of €65.65 is trading 73.9% above its estimated GF Value™ of €37.76.
GuruFocus considers Proto Labs to be Significantly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for WBO:PRLB:
ROC %: 5.49%
GF Value™: €37.76 vs. price of €65.65 (73.9% above fair value)
Industry Position: 6.2% above the Industrial Products median
No single metric tells the full story. See the WBO:PRLB stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Proto Labs Inc is an on-demand manufacturer of custom parts for prototyping and short-run production. The company offers developers and engineers quick-turn production services to reduce the time to market. The Lab uses injection molding, computer numerical control machining, and 3-D printing, and sheet metal to manufacture custom parts for its clients. The company services clients' needs for prototype solutions, parts for testing procedures, bridge production capabilities during disruptions in manufacturing processes, limited-quantity requests, and end-of-life production support. Geographically, a majority of the company's revenue is derived from the United States and the rest from Europe.
66GF Score
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