Crane NXT (CXT) vs Proto Labs (PRLB)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Proto Labs (PRLB) has outperformed Crane NXT (CXT) over the past year, gaining 87.3% versus a loss of 28.5%. Over five years, CXT leads with a +48.8% price change compared with +31.7% for PRLB. Crane NXT is the larger company by market cap ($2.77 billion vs $2.23 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Crane NXT trades at a lower forward P/E (10.2x vs 39.1x for Proto Labs). Crane NXT pays a dividend yielding 1.45%, while Proto Labs does not currently pay one.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CXT | PRLB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $48.16 | $93.27 |
| Market cap | $2.77B | $2.23B |
| 1-day change | -3.23% | -4.12% |
| YTD return | +2.32% | +84.36% |
| 1-year return | -28.54% | +87.25% |
| 5-year return | +48.80% | +31.70% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.98 | 74.02 |
| Forward P/E | 10.19 | 39.07 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.41 | $1.26 |
| Dividend yield | 1.45% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.70 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $69.00 | $99.96 |
| 52-week low | $35.71 | $45.10 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -30.20% | -6.69% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +42.67% | +2.39% |
| Average volume | 553.54K | 210.70K |
| Shares outstanding | 57.56M | 23.92M |
| Employees | 4,800 | 2,280 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Metal Fabrications | Metal Fabrications |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- PRLB has outperformed CXT by 115.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Proto Labs trades at a higher earnings multiple (74.0x vs 20.0x trailing P/E).
- Crane NXT offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.45% vs 0.00%).
About Crane NXT
CXT stock →Crane NXT, Co. operates as an industrial technology company that provides technology solutions to secure, detect, and authenticate customers' important assets.
Industrials · Metal Fabrications · 4,800 employees
About Proto Labs
PRLB stock →Proto Labs, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a digital manufacturer of custom parts in the United States and Europe. It offers manufacturing services, such as molding, computer numerical control machining, 3D printing, and sheet metal to developers, engineers, and supply chain teams.
Industrials · Metal Fabrications · 2,280 employees
CXT vs PRLB FAQ
Which is bigger, Crane NXT or Proto Labs?
Crane NXT (CXT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.77B compared with $2.23B for Proto Labs (PRLB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CXT or PRLB?
PRLB returned +87.25% over the past 12 months, compared with -28.54% for CXT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CXT or PRLB?
CXT has the lower trailing P/E at 20.0, versus 74.0 for PRLB. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Crane NXT or Proto Labs?
Crane NXT pays a dividend yielding 1.45%, while Proto Labs does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Crane NXT and Proto Labs in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Metal Fabrications industry within the Industrials sector.