← Back to All US Stocks

MLAB Stock Analysis 2026 - MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/ AI Rating

MLAB Nasdaq Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, and Control CO CIK: 0000724004
Recently Updated • Analysis: Apr 2, 2026 • SEC Data: 2025-12-31
BUY
72% Conf
Pending
Analysis scheduled

📊 MLAB Key Takeaways

Revenue: $185.4M
Net Margin: 5.9%
Free Cash Flow: $26.0M
Current Ratio: 1.94x
Debt/Equity: 0.37x
EPS: $1.95
AI Rating: BUY with 72% confidence

Is MLAB a Good Investment? Thesis Analysis

Claude

MLAB demonstrates solid fundamental health with strong revenue growth of 11.5% YoY, robust free cash flow generation of $26.0M (14% FCF margin), and a healthy balance sheet with 1.94x current ratio. However, profitability metrics are modest with 5.9% net margin and 5.8% ROE, and the dramatic 99.2% EPS growth appears driven by share count reduction rather than earnings expansion, suggesting limited operational momentum.

Why Buy MLAB? Key Strengths

Claude
  • + Revenue growth of 11.5% YoY demonstrates market demand and business expansion
  • + Strong free cash flow of $26.0M with 14% FCF margin indicates efficient cash conversion and capital deployment capability
  • + Conservative balance sheet with 0.37x debt-to-equity and 2.8x interest coverage ratio reflects financial stability
  • + High gross margin of 62.6% suggests strong pricing power and product quality in industrial measurement sector
  • + Healthy liquidity with 1.94x current ratio and 1.45x quick ratio provides operational flexibility

MLAB Investment Risks to Consider

Claude
  • ! Net income flat YoY despite 11.5% revenue growth indicates margin compression and operational challenges
  • ! Low ROE of 5.8% and ROA of 2.5% suggest inefficient capital deployment relative to asset base
  • ! Operating margin of only 8.5% is thin and vulnerable to cost inflation or competitive pressure
  • ! Interest coverage of 2.8x is relatively tight; limited capacity to absorb earnings volatility
  • ! EPS growth of 99.2% driven by share buybacks rather than earnings expansion signals lack of organic profitability growth

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Operating income growth rate - critical to confirm whether margin compression is temporary or structural
  • * Operating margin trend - watch for stabilization above 8.5% as indicator of operational leverage
  • * Free cash flow consistency - ensure 14% FCF margin is sustainable and not distorted by working capital timing
  • * Debt levels and interest coverage - monitor capacity to service debt given thin operating margins
  • * Revenue growth sustainability - determine if 11.5% growth can be maintained in competitive market

MLAB Financial Metrics

Revenue
$185.4M
Net Income
$10.8M
EPS (Diluted)
$1.95
Free Cash Flow
$26.0M
Total Assets
$434.8M
Cash Position
$29.0M

💡 AI Analyst Insight

MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/ presents a mixed fundamental picture. Review the detailed metrics above to form your own investment thesis.

MLAB Profitability Ratios

Gross Margin 62.6%
Operating Margin 8.5%
Net Margin 5.9%
ROE 5.8%
ROA 2.5%
FCF Margin 14.0%

MLAB vs Industrial Sector

How MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/ compares to Industrial sector averages

Net Margin
MLAB 5.9%
vs
Sector Avg 10.0%
MLAB Sector
ROE
MLAB 5.8%
vs
Sector Avg 15.0%
MLAB Sector
Current Ratio
MLAB 1.9x
vs
Sector Avg 1.8x
MLAB Sector
Debt/Equity
MLAB 0.4x
vs
Sector Avg 0.7x
MLAB Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is MLAB Overvalued or Undervalued?

Based on fundamental analysis, MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/ has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Industrial sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
5.8%
Sector avg: 15%
Net Profit Margin
5.9%
Sector avg: 10%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
0.37x
Sector avg: 0.7x

Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.

MLAB Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Current Ratio
1.94x
Quick Ratio
1.45x
Debt/Equity
0.37x
Debt/Assets
57.1%
Interest Coverage
2.77x
Long-term Debt
$68.4M

MLAB 5-Year Financial Trend & Growth Analysis

MLAB 5-year financial data: Year 2021: Revenue $133.9M, Net Income N/A, EPS $1.86. Year 2022: Revenue $184.3M, Net Income N/A, EPS $0.41. Year 2023: Revenue $219.1M, Net Income $3.3M, EPS $0.64. Year 2024: Revenue $219.1M, Net Income $1.9M, EPS $0.35. Year 2025: Revenue $241.0M, Net Income $930.0K, EPS $0.17.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/'s revenue has grown significantly by 80% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $0.17 reflects profitable operations.

MLAB Growth Metrics (YoY)

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
14.0%
Free cash flow / Revenue

MLAB Quarterly Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/ including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
Q3 2025 $53.5M $337.0K $0.06
Q2 2025 $53.2M -$549.0K $-0.23
Q1 2025 $50.6M -$549.0K $-0.10
Q3 2024 $53.5M $319.0K $0.06
Q2 2024 $53.2M -$132.0K $-0.02
Q1 2024 $50.5M -$549.0K $-0.10
Q3 2023 $54.3M $319.0K $0.06
Q2 2023 $35.8M -$132.0K $-0.02

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

MLAB Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
$28.9M
Cash generated from operations
Stock Buybacks
$22.0K
Shares repurchased (TTM)
Capital Expenditures
$2.8M
Investment in assets
Dividends Paid
$2.6M
Returned to shareholders

MLAB SEC 10-K & 10-Q Filing Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/ (CIK: 0000724004)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
Mar 23, 2026 8-K mlab20260323_8k.htm View →
Mar 10, 2026 4 xslF345X05/primary_doc.xml View →
Mar 10, 2026 4 xslF345X05/primary_doc.xml View →
Mar 10, 2026 4 xslF345X05/primary_doc.xml View →
Mar 9, 2026 8-K mlab20260309_8k.htm View →

Frequently Asked Questions about MLAB

What is the AI rating for MLAB?

MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/ (MLAB) has an AI rating of BUY with 72% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are MLAB's key strengths?

Claude: Revenue growth of 11.5% YoY demonstrates market demand and business expansion. Strong free cash flow of $26.0M with 14% FCF margin indicates efficient cash conversion and capital deployment capability.

What are the risks of investing in MLAB?

Claude: Net income flat YoY despite 11.5% revenue growth indicates margin compression and operational challenges. Low ROE of 5.8% and ROA of 2.5% suggest inefficient capital deployment relative to asset base.

What is MLAB's revenue and growth?

MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/ reported revenue of $185.4M.

Does MLAB pay dividends?

MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/ pays dividends, with $2.6M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.

Where can I find MLAB SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/ (CIK: 0000724004) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is MLAB's EPS?

MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/ has a diluted EPS of $1.95.

How is the AI analysis conducted?

Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.

Is MLAB a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/ has a BUY rating with 72% confidence. The AI analysis suggests favorable fundamentals based on SEC filings. This is not investment advice.

Is MLAB stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for MLAB: ROE of 5.8% (sector avg: 15%), net margin of 5.9% (sector avg: 10%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.

Should I buy MLAB stock in 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/ a combined BUY rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is MLAB's free cash flow?

MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/'s operating cash flow is $28.9M, with capital expenditures of $2.8M. FCF margin is 14.0%.

How does MLAB compare to other Industrial stocks?

Vs Industrial sector averages: Net margin 5.9% (avg: 10%), ROE 5.8% (avg: 15%), current ratio 1.94 (avg: 1.8).

Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: Apr 2, 2026 | Data as of: 2025-12-31 | Powered by Claude AI