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The following are today's upgrades for Validea's Price/Sales Investor model based on the published strategy of Kenneth Fisher. This value strategy rewards stocks with low P/S ratios, long-term profit growth, strong free cash flow and consistent profit margins.

PROTO LABS INC (PRLB) is a small-cap growth stock in the Misc. Capital Goods industry. The rating according to our strategy based on Kenneth Fisher changed from 58% to 70% based on the firm’s underlying fundamentals and the stock’s valuation. A score of 80% or above typically indicates that the strategy has some interest in the stock and a score above 90% typically indicates strong interest.

Company Description: Proto Labs, Inc. is a provider of comprehensive digital manufacturing service. The Company utilizes injection molding, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, three-dimensional (3D) printing and sheet metal fabrication to manufacture custom parts for its customers. The Company targets its products to product developers and engineers who use 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software to design products across a diverse range of end-markets, to the procurement and supply chain professionals seeking to source custom parts on-demand, and to various customers seeking to purchase low-volume custom parts. The Company, through Protolabs Network by Hubs (Protolabs Network), provides its customers access to a global network of manufacturing partners. Its customers engage with the Company throughout the lifecycle of their product, from early-stage prototyping through end-use production to end-of-life replacement and other parts needs. It has operations in the United States and Europe.

The following table summarizes whether the stock meets each of this strategy's tests. Not all criteria in the below table receive equal weighting or are independent, but the table provides a brief overview of the strong and weak points of the security in the context of the strategy's criteria.

Detailed Analysis of PROTO LABS INC

PRLB Guru Analysis

PRLB Fundamental Analysis

SMITH DOUGLAS HOMES CORP (SDHC) is a small-cap value stock in the Construction Services industry. The rating according to our strategy based on Kenneth Fisher changed from 58% to 80% based on the firm’s underlying fundamentals and the stock’s valuation. A score of 80% or above typically indicates that the strategy has some interest in the stock and a score above 90% typically indicates strong interest.

Company Description: Smith Douglas Homes Corp. is a holding company. The Company is a private home builder engaged in the design, construction, and sale of single-family homes in communities in certain markets in the southeastern United States. The Company operates through six segments: Alabama, Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Nashville, and Raleigh. The Company operates a land-light business model whereby the Company typically purchases finished lots via lot-option contracts from various third-party land developers or land bankers. It designs, sell, and builds a range of single-family homes in each of its markets, with a core focus on the entry-level and empty-nest homebuyer segments. It also offers a variety of floor plans ranging from 1,100 square feet to over 3,000 square feet. It also offers title insurance services. Its plan library includes open-concept homes with single-level living, modern villas, and townhomes, and functional two and three-story homes, with extra space for conveniences.

The following table summarizes whether the stock meets each of this strategy's tests. Not all criteria in the below table receive equal weighting or are independent, but the table provides a brief overview of the strong and weak points of the security in the context of the strategy's criteria.

Detailed Analysis of SMITH DOUGLAS HOMES CORP

SDHC Guru Analysis

SDHC Fundamental Analysis

Kenneth Fisher Portfolio

About Kenneth Fisher: The son of Philip Fisher, who is considered the "Father of Growth Investing", Kenneth Fisher is a money manager, bestselling author, and longtime Forbes columnist. The younger Fisher wowed Wall Street in the mid-1980s when his book Super Stocks first popularized the idea of using the price/sales ratio (PSR) as a means of identifying attractive stocks. According to his alma mater, Humboldt State University, Fisher is also one of the world's foremost experts on 19th century logging. Appropriately, Fisher's firm, Fisher Investments, is located in a lush forest preserve in Woodside, California, where the contrarian-minded Fisher says he and his employees can get away from Wall Street groupthink.

About Validea: Validea is aninvestment researchservice that follows the published strategies of investment legends. Validea offers both stock analysis and model portfolios based on gurus who have outperformed the market over the long-term, including Warren Buffett, Benjamin Graham, Peter Lynch and Martin Zweig. For more information about Validea, click here

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.