PRLB vs. AAOI
PRLB (Proto Labs, Inc.) and AAOI (Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.) are both stocks. PRLB operates in Metal Fabrication (Industrials), while AAOI operates in Semiconductors (Technology). Over the past 10 years, PRLB returned 1.02%/yr vs 32.59%/yr for AAOI. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
PRLB vs. AAOI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PRLB achieves a 47.60% return, which is significantly lower than AAOI's 428.03% return. Over the past 10 years, PRLB has underperformed AAOI with an annualized return of 1.02%, while AAOI has yielded a comparatively higher 32.59% annualized return.
PRLB
- 1D
- -4.58%
- 1M
- 16.06%
- YTD
- 47.60%
- 6M
- 45.90%
- 1Y
- 98.80%
- 3Y*
- 31.31%
- 5Y*
- -3.31%
- 10Y*
- 1.02%
AAOI
- 1D
- -9.04%
- 1M
- 6.41%
- YTD
- 428.03%
- 6M
- 617.62%
- 1Y
- 998.27%
- 3Y*
- 332.83%
- 5Y*
- 85.24%
- 10Y*
- 32.59%
PRLB vs. AAOI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PRLB Proto Labs, Inc. | 47.60% | 29.42% | 0.33% | 52.60% | -50.28% | -66.53% | 51.06% | -9.97% | 9.50% | 100.58% |
AAOI Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. | 428.03% | -5.43% | 90.79% | 922.22% | -63.23% | -39.60% | -28.37% | -23.01% | -59.20% | 61.35% |
Correlation
The correlation between PRLB and AAOI is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2013 | 0.35 |
The correlation between PRLB and AAOI shifts across timeframes, from 0.26 (1 year) to 0.37 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
PRLB:
$1.81B
AAOI:
$13.99B
PRLB:
$1.06
AAOI:
-$0.65
PRLB:
3.31
AAOI:
24.18
PRLB:
2.65
AAOI:
12.65
PRLB:
$546.26M
AAOI:
$507.00M
PRLB:
$245.03M
AAOI:
$150.29M
PRLB:
$60.04M
AAOI:
-$26.44M
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Return for Risk
PRLB vs. AAOI — Risk / Return Rank
PRLB
AAOI
PRLB vs. AAOI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Proto Labs, Inc. (PRLB) and Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AAOI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| PRLB | AAOI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 2.22 | 7.37 | -5.15 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 3.50 | 4.58 | -1.09 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.53 | -0.09 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.09 | 21.18 | -16.08 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.93 | 59.65 | -44.72 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| PRLB | AAOI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.22 | 7.37 | -5.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.07 | 0.72 | -0.79 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.02 | 0.33 | -0.31 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.15 | 0.28 | -0.14 |
Drawdowns
PRLB vs. AAOI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PRLB drawdown since its inception was -91.22%, smaller than the maximum AAOI drawdown of -98.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRLB and AAOI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PRLB | AAOI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -91.22% | -98.49% | +7.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.51% | -47.64% | +28.13% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -35.14% | -77.17% | +42.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -77.19% | -83.07% | +5.88% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -91.22% | -98.49% | +7.27% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -70.31% | -17.49% | -52.82% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -43.22% | -65.79% | +22.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.64% | 16.88% | -10.24% |
Volatility
PRLB vs. AAOI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Proto Labs, Inc. (PRLB) is 10.09%, while Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AAOI) has a volatility of 42.89%. This indicates that PRLB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AAOI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PRLB | AAOI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.09% | 42.89% | -32.80% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 33.26% | 107.15% | -73.89% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 44.85% | 137.01% | -92.16% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 50.45% | 118.73% | -68.28% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 47.93% | 97.94% | -50.01% |
Dividends
PRLB vs. AAOI - Dividend Comparison
Neither PRLB nor AAOI has paid dividends to shareholders.
Financials
PRLB vs. AAOI - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Proto Labs, Inc. and Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
PRLB vs. AAOI - Profitability Comparison
PRLB - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Proto Labs, Inc. reported a gross profit of 63.59M and revenue of 139.34M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 45.6%.
AAOI - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. reported a gross profit of 43.92M and revenue of 151.14M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 29.1%.
PRLB - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Proto Labs, Inc. reported an operating income of 9.84M and revenue of 139.34M, resulting in an operating margin of 7.1%.
AAOI - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. reported an operating income of -12.99M and revenue of 151.14M, resulting in an operating margin of -8.6%.
PRLB - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Proto Labs, Inc. reported a net income of 8.11M and revenue of 139.34M, resulting in a net margin of 5.8%.
AAOI - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. reported a net income of -14.28M and revenue of 151.14M, resulting in a net margin of -9.5%.
Frequently Asked Questions
PRLB and AAOI have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AAOI has higher volatility (42.89%) compared to PRLB (10.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRLB dropped -91.22% vs AAOI's -98.49%.
AAOI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.37 vs 2.22), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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