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PRLB vs WOR
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Proto Labs (PRLB) vs. Worthington Enterprises (WOR) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- PRLB is a digital manufacturer riding strong momentum from aerospace, defense, robotics, and data-center demand, while WOR is a diversified building and consumer products maker gaining traction as an AI data-center cooling play.
- PRLB trades at a much higher valuation (a price-to-earnings, or P/E, ratio near 69) with no dividend, whereas WOR carries a P/E near 19 and pays a dividend.
- WOR offers stronger free cash flow generation and shareholder returns, while PRLB shows faster recent price momentum but greater valuation risk.
- Both companies have "Buy" consensus ratings from analysts, with modest upside implied by current price targets.
- The contrast is essentially growth-plus-momentum versus value-plus-cash-flow, making each appealing to different investor profiles.
Introduction
Industrial manufacturers rarely trade in lockstep, and the gap between PRLB (Proto Labs) and WOR (Worthington Enterprises) illustrates how two companies in adjacent industrial sectors can attract very different investor bases. Proto Labs is a digitally enabled, fast-turnaround manufacturer of custom parts, while Worthington Enterprises is a diversified producer of branded building and consumer products. Both have recently benefited from surging demand tied to artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, yet their risk profiles, valuations, and momentum patterns differ sharply. This stock comparison is most relevant for traders weighing high-growth momentum against steadier, cash-generative businesses, and for investors evaluating relative performance and market positioning in today's environment.
PRLB Overview and Recent Performance
Proto Labs operates as a digital manufacturer offering computer numerical control (CNC) machining, injection molding, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabrication to engineers and supply chain teams. In recent weeks the stock has been among the stronger performers in the machinery space, trading well above its prior-year lows and near multi-year highs. Recent market activity has been driven by strong engagement with larger strategic customers, particularly in aerospace and defense, drones, robotics, medical devices, and data centers.
The company has posted record quarterly revenue and double-digit year-over-year growth, supported by particularly strong CNC machining demand and improving injection molding volumes. Management has emphasized a shift from prototyping toward higher-value production work, along with operational resets in Europe and new leadership appointments. This momentum has pushed valuation to a premium, however: PRLB trades at a trailing P/E well above the machinery industry average and pays no dividend, reflecting investor expectations for continued growth rather than current cash returns.
WOR Overview and Recent Performance
Worthington Enterprises is a designer and manufacturer of branded building and consumer products, operating through its Building Performance Solutions and Trade & Specialty Solutions segments. Its portfolio spans HVAC and water solutions, metal framing, ceiling grids, tools, and propane-related consumer goods. The stock has climbed steadily in recent weeks, supported by solid quarterly results and a fast-emerging data-center opportunity.
A key catalyst has been demand for engineered ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) tanks used in liquid-cooling systems for AI data centers. Management reported that revenue from these tanks in a single recent quarter matched the entire prior fiscal year, and it expects sequential growth through the remainder of the year. This tailwind is balanced by cyclical headwinds, including the A2L refrigerant transition, muted housing activity, and tight steel availability. Unlike PRLB, WOR generates substantial free cash flow, pays a quarterly dividend, and actively repurchases shares, supporting a more value-oriented investment case.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The two companies differ most clearly in business model and valuation. Proto Labs competes on speed and digital accessibility, serving customers who need custom parts quickly across the product lifecycle; its earnings are concentrated in technology-driven end markets. Worthington Enterprises, by contrast, operates a broader, more cyclical portfolio tied to construction, housing, and consumer spending, with a growing specialty in infrastructure and thermal management.
In recent momentum, PRLB has shown sharper price appreciation and a higher beta (a measure of volatility relative to the market) near 1.38, signaling greater sensitivity to market swings. WOR has a lower beta near 1.19 and a more measured advance, backed by record free cash flow and a dividend yield above 1%. On risk, PRLB faces concentration in aerospace and defense customers and a rich multiple that leaves less room for error, while WOR contends with cyclical housing and refrigerant-transition headwinds. Sector exposure also diverges: Proto Labs leans into digital manufacturing and advanced industries, whereas Worthington sits at the intersection of building products, consumer goods, and data-center infrastructure.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors, Tickeron's AI would likely favor WOR on a stability-adjusted basis and PRLB on pure trend consistency and momentum. PRLB currently demonstrates the stronger directional trend and clearer near-term catalysts, but its elevated valuation and higher volatility introduce greater downside sensitivity if sentiment shifts. WOR offers more balanced positioning, with steadier cash generation, a dividend, and a credible growth catalyst in data-center cooling that is translating into actual revenue. In probabilistic terms, an AI model optimizing for momentum would likely tilt toward PRLB, while one optimizing for risk-adjusted stability and cash-flow durability would likely tilt toward WOR.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is PRLB is a Buy and WOR is a Hold.
PRLB in upward trend: price may ascend as a result of having broken its lower Bollinger Band on October 29, 2026
PRLB may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options. In 34 of 39 cases where PRLB's price broke its lower Bollinger Band, its price rose further in the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 87%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator demonstrates that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 2 days, which means it's wise to expect a price bounce in the near future.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 1 day, which means it's wise to expect a price bounce in the near future.
Following a +5.21% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where PRLB advanced for three days, in 204 of 279 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 73%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 29, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on PRLB as a result. In 68 of 93 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 73%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for PRLB turned negative on October 08, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 49 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 32 of the 49 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 65%.
PRLB moved below its 50-day moving average on October 29, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for PRLB crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 30, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 12 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 80%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where PRLB declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 66%.
The Aroon Indicator for PRLB entered a downward trend on November 03, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 63 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. PRLB’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 81 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 84 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 86 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.325) is normal, around the industry mean (3.080). PRLB has a moderately high P/E Ratio (52.523) as compared to the industry average of (9.016). PRLB's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (3.700) is very high in comparison to the industry average of (0.744). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.028) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.605) is also within normal values, averaging (6248.204).
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 96 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. PRLB’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 75, placing this stock worse than average.
WOR sees MACD Histogram crosses below signal line
WOR saw its Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) turn negative on October 27, 2026. This is a bearish signal that suggests the stock could decline going forward. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 41 instances where the indicator turned negative. In 31 of the 41 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a downward move at 76%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 33 of 58 cases where WOR's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 57%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where WOR declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 60%.
WOR broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 13, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on November 02, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on WOR as a result. In 64 of 80 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 80%.
Following a +1.31% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where WOR advanced for three days, in 247 of 340 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 73%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 150 of 225 cases where WOR Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 67%.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 37 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 75, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 42 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. WOR’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 51 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (3.045) is normal, around the industry mean (3.080). P/E Ratio (20.101) is within average values for comparable stocks, (9.016). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.010) is also within normal values, averaging (0.744). Dividend Yield (0.013) settles around the average of (0.028) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (2.118) is also within normal values, averaging (6248.204).
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 54 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 97 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
PRLB | WOR | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 13 | 25 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 86 Overvalued | 51 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 96 | 37 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 84 | 54 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 63 | 42 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 81 | 97 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
WOR's Valuation (51) in the Steel industry is somewhat better than the same rating for PRLB (86) in the Industrial Machinery industry. This means that WOR’s stock grew somewhat faster than PRLB’s over the last 12 months.
WOR's Profit vs Risk Rating (37) in the Steel industry is somewhat better than the same rating for PRLB (96) in the Industrial Machinery industry. This means that WOR’s stock grew somewhat faster than PRLB’s over the last 12 months.
WOR's SMR Rating (54) in the Steel industry is in the same range as PRLB (84) in the Industrial Machinery industry. This means that WOR’s stock grew similarly to PRLB’s over the last 12 months.
WOR's Price Growth Rating (42) in the Steel industry is in the same range as PRLB (63) in the Industrial Machinery industry. This means that WOR’s stock grew similarly to PRLB’s over the last 12 months.
PRLB's P/E Growth Rating (81) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as WOR (97) in the Steel industry. This means that PRLB’s stock grew similarly to WOR’s over the last 12 months.
| PRLB | WOR | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 82% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 81% | 1 day ago 57% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 73% | 1 day ago 80% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 65% | 1 day ago 76% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 67% | 1 day ago 71% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 69% | 1 day ago 67% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 73% | 6 days ago 73% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 12 days ago 60% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 87% | 1 day ago 61% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 65% | 1 day ago 67% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
PRLB’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green while WOR’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- PRLB’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- WOR’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
PRLB’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WOR’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- PRLB’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
- WOR’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
PRLB (@Metal Fabrication) experienced а -22.72% price change this week, while WOR (@Metal Fabrication) price change was +0.82% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Metal Fabrication industry was +0.18%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -7.37%, and the average quarterly price growth was -9.64%.
Reported Earning Dates
PRLB is expected to report earnings on Feb 05, 2027.
WOR is expected to report earnings on Dec 15, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Metal Fabrication (+0.18% weekly)The industry is involved in value-added processes including creation of metal structures like machines and parts by cutting, bending and assembling, using various raw materials. A fabrication shop often bids on a project/job, and then builds the product if awarded the contract. Robotics and automation are making their way into the industry apparently to fill in skills gap[s19] . RBC Bearings Incorporated, Timken Company and Valmont Industries, Inc. are some of the largest metal fabrication companies in the U.S.
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PRLB and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, PRLB has been loosely correlated with CODI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 53% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if PRLB jumps, then CODI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To PRLB | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRLB | 100% | +2.78% | ||
| CODI - PRLB | 53% Loosely correlated | +3.00% | ||
| CMC - PRLB | 49% Loosely correlated | +0.79% | ||
| NWPX - PRLB | 48% Loosely correlated | -3.00% | ||
| ATI - PRLB | 40% Loosely correlated | +3.41% | ||
| WOR - PRLB | 40% Loosely correlated | -1.57% | ||
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