Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB) AI Stock Analysis
DLB AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchDolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB) pioneers audio and imaging technologies such as Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, licensing them across consumer devices, cinema, and broadcast platforms. Over the trailing twelve months, the company generated $1.35B in revenue with a gross margin of 88.1% in FY2025 and ended June 30, 2026 with $622.6M in net cash. However, recent performance shows top-line deceleration, with quarterly revenue falling 3.3% year-over-year in the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
- Market cap
- $5.62B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $1.35B
- P/E
- 25.5x fwd 12.6x
- 1Y return
- -10.0% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $79.00 31.8% vs last close
Bull case
- The company holds $622.6M in net cash with minimal total debt of $47.5M as of June 30, 2026.
- Free cash flow reached $430.3M in FY2025, supporting $162.2M in share buybacks and $126.6M in dividends.
- Wall Street analysts have a mean price target of $79.00, which sits 31.8% above the $59.95 closing price.
Bear case
- Quarterly revenue fell 3.3% and quarterly earnings dropped 37.5% year-over-year in the period ended June 30, 2026.
- The stock has lagged broader benchmarks, posting a 5-year return of -27.6% compared to 83.0% for the S&P 500.
- Short interest is elevated, with short percent of float standing at 13.4% as of October 16, 2026.
What Dolby Laboratories does
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. develops and licenses audio and imaging technologies used in cinema, television transmissions, mobile devices, streaming media, and home entertainment. Its portfolio includes Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, AAC, HE-AAC, AVC, Dolby AC-4, and HEVC. It also provides hardware and software products including digital cinema servers, processors, amplifiers, and loudspeakers. The company serves film studios, content creators, broadcasters, and video game developers through direct sales alongside a worldwide distributor network.
Growth and profitability
Dolby generated $1.35B in revenue in FY2025, up 5.9% year-over-year, following a 26.2% rebound in FY2024 to $1.27B. Gross margins have stayed consistently elevated, registering at 88.1% in FY2025 and 89.0% in FY2024. FY2025 operating margin was 19.6% and net income was $255.0M, generating diluted EPS of $4.25. Over the five fiscal years from FY2020 to FY2025, revenue increased at a CAGR of 3.0%. For the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, revenue fell 3.3% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings declined 37.5%. Trailing twelve-month revenue stands at $1.35B with an operating margin of 12.6% and diluted EPS of $2.35.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Dolby held $670.0M in cash and short-term investments against $47.5M in total debt, creating a net cash position of $622.6M. The company maintains a current ratio of 3.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02 against $2.58B in shareholders' equity. In FY2025, Dolby produced $472.2M in operating cash flow and $430.3M in free cash flow. Capital expenditures totaled $41.9M, while the company returned capital through $162.2M in share buybacks and $126.6M in dividends paid, contributing to an 8.9% decline in share count over five years.
Valuation and performance
DLB trades at a trailing P/E of 25.5x and a forward P/E of 12.6x, compared to medians of 24.8x and 17.2x, respectively, for US-listed Industrials peers. Its price-to-sales ratio is 4.1x, above the peer group median of 1.5x, while its EV/EBITDA multiple of 13.2x sits slightly below the peer median of 13.9x. The stock closed at $59.95 on October 16, 2026, with a 1-year return of -10.0% compared to a 16.8% gain for the S&P 500 (SPY), and a 5-year return of -27.6% versus 83.0% for the index.
DLB dividend
Dolby pays a quarterly dividend with an annualized forward rate of $1.44 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 2.40% as of October 16, 2026. The payout ratio stands at 37.4%. The company has paid dividends for 13 consecutive years, delivering an annualized 5-year dividend growth rate of 8.9%. Its last ex-dividend date was August 11, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage consists of 2 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, and 1 Hold ratings. The mean price target is $79.00, representing a 31.8% premium over the last close of $59.95. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2026, analysts estimate revenue of $1.43B and EPS of $4.32. For the following fiscal year, consensus models revenue of $1.47B and EPS of $4.58 across 4 analysts. Dolby beat EPS estimates in each of its last 4 quarters, with its next earnings release scheduled for November 17, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Top-line growth has been modest, with a 5-year revenue CAGR of just 3.0% between FY2020 and FY2025.
- Operating margin on a trailing twelve-month basis dropped to 12.6%, down from 19.6% achieved in FY2025.
- Its price-to-sales multiple of 4.1x represents a premium over the US-listed Industrials peer median of 1.5x.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this DLB AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: DLB income statement, DLB balance sheet, DLB key metrics, DLB analyst forecast, DLB chart. See the DLB stock overview for the latest quote and news.
DLB AI stock analysis FAQ
What is Dolby's dividend yield and payout policy?
Dolby has a forward annual dividend of $1.44 per share, which equates to a 2.40% dividend yield as of October 16, 2026. The company carries a payout ratio of 37.4% and has paid dividends for 13 consecutive years.
How strong is Dolby's balance sheet?
As of June 30, 2026, Dolby held $670.0M in cash and short-term investments against $47.5M in total debt, giving it $622.6M in net cash. Its current ratio is 3.19 and its debt-to-equity ratio is 0.02.
What are analysts forecasting for Dolby's earnings?
For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, consensus expectations are for $1.43B in revenue and $4.32 in EPS. For the next fiscal year, analysts project $1.47B in revenue and $4.58 in EPS.
When is Dolby's next earnings date?
Dolby Laboratories is scheduled to report its next earnings on November 17, 2026. The company exceeded EPS estimates in each of its prior 4 quarters.