Proto Labs (PRLB) vs Ryerson (RYZ)
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 Ryerson (RYZ) over the past year, gaining 87.3% versus a gain of 12.8%. Over five years, PRLB leads with a +31.7% price change compared with +14.1% for RYZ. Proto Labs is the larger company by market cap ($2.23 billion vs $1.36 billion), about 1.6 times the size.
On valuation, Ryerson trades at a lower forward P/E (11.1x vs 39.1x for Proto Labs). Ryerson pays a dividend yielding 2.86%, 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 | PRLB | RYZ |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $93.27 | $26.21 |
| Market cap | $2.23B | $1.36B |
| 1-day change | -4.12% | -1.28% |
| YTD return | +84.36% | +4.17% |
| 1-year return | +87.25% | +12.83% |
| 5-year return | +31.70% | +14.06% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 74.02 | — |
| Forward P/E | 39.07 | 11.11 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.26 | $-1.22 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.86% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.75 |
| 52-week high | $99.96 | $32.00 |
| 52-week low | $45.10 | $19.34 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -6.69% | -18.09% |
| Analyst consensus | none | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +2.39% | — |
| Average volume | 208.80K | 467.55K |
| Shares outstanding | 23.92M | 51.90M |
| Employees | 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 RYZ by 74.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Ryerson offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.86% vs 0.00%).
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
PRLB vs RYZ FAQ
Which is bigger, Proto Labs or Ryerson?
Proto Labs (PRLB) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.23B compared with $1.36B for Ryerson (RYZ).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PRLB or RYZ?
PRLB returned +87.25% over the past 12 months, compared with +12.83% for RYZ (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Proto Labs or Ryerson?
Ryerson pays a dividend yielding 2.86%, while Proto Labs does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Proto Labs and Ryerson in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Metal Fabrications industry within the Industrials sector.