MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS (MWA) vs Proto Labs (PRLB)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Proto Labs (PRLB) has outperformed MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS (MWA) over the past year, gaining 87.3% versus a loss of 15.9%. Over five years, MWA leads with a +34.4% price change compared with +31.7% for PRLB. MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS is the larger company by market cap ($3.34 billion vs $2.23 billion), about 1.5 times the size.
On valuation, MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS trades at a lower forward P/E (13.5x vs 39.1x for Proto Labs). MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS pays a dividend yielding 1.29%, 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 | MWA | PRLB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $21.39 | $93.27 |
| Market cap | $3.34B | $2.23B |
| 1-day change | -2.60% | -4.12% |
| YTD return | -10.20% | +84.36% |
| 1-year return | -15.92% | +87.25% |
| 5-year return | +34.44% | +31.70% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.50 | 74.02 |
| Forward P/E | 13.48 | 39.07 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.38 | $1.26 |
| Dividend yield | 1.29% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.277 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.43B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.75% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $191.70M | — |
| Gross margin | 36.14% | — |
| Operating margin | 18.23% | — |
| Net margin | 13.41% | — |
| 52-week high | $31.00 | $99.96 |
| 52-week low | $20.90 | $45.10 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.00% | -6.69% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +37.91% | +2.39% |
| Average volume | 1.23M | 208.80K |
| Shares outstanding | 156.13M | 23.92M |
| Employees | 3,500 | 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 MWA by 103.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Proto Labs trades at a higher earnings multiple (74.0x vs 15.5x trailing P/E).
- MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.29% vs 0.00%).
About MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS
MWA stock →Mueller Water Products, Inc. manufactures and markets products and services for the transmission, distribution, and measurement of water used by municipalities, and the residential and non-residential construction industries in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
Industrials · Metal Fabrications · 3,500 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
MWA vs PRLB FAQ
Which is bigger, MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS or Proto Labs?
MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS (MWA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.34B compared with $2.23B for Proto Labs (PRLB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MWA or PRLB?
PRLB returned +87.25% over the past 12 months, compared with -15.92% for MWA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MWA or PRLB?
MWA has the lower trailing P/E at 15.5, 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, MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS or Proto Labs?
MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS pays a dividend yielding 1.29%, while Proto Labs does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS and Proto Labs in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Metal Fabrications industry within the Industrials sector.