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Dolby Laboratories (DLB)
NYSE:DLB

Dolby Laboratories (DLB) AI Stock Analysis

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DLB

Dolby Laboratories

(NYSE:DLB)

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Outperform 74 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:74Outperform
Price Target:
$73.00
▲(14.10% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/07/26
The score is driven primarily by strong financial quality (high margins and very low leverage) and a constructive earnings update with raised FY guidance and visible momentum in strategic licensing areas. Offsetting this are mixed-to-weak technical signals (negative MACD and price below longer-term averages) and a valuation that looks fair-to-slightly expensive given recent TTM growth variability.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
The 6% revenue growth, supported by strategic acquisitions, indicates a strong market position and potential for sustained future growth.
Product Innovation
The launch of Dolby Vision 2 highlights Dolby's commitment to innovation, enhancing its competitive edge in the imaging technology market.
Automotive Market Expansion
Expanding into the automotive sector with major brands increases Dolby's market reach and diversifies its revenue streams.
Negative Factors
Foundational Audio Revenue Decline
Declining revenue in foundational audio technology could indicate challenges in maintaining market share in core segments.
Consumer Electronics Decline
A decline in consumer electronics and PCs suggests potential headwinds in these markets, impacting overall revenue growth.
Q1 Fiscal 2026 Revenue Guidance
Projected revenue decline in Q1 2026 indicates potential short-term challenges, affecting near-term financial performance.

Dolby Laboratories (DLB) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Dolby Laboratories Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionDolby Laboratories, Inc. creates audio and imaging technologies that transform entertainment and communications at the cinema, DTV, transmissions and devices, mobile devices, OTT video and music services, and home entertainment devices. The company develops and licenses its audio technologies, such as AAC & HE-AAC, a digital audio codec solution used for a range of media applications.; AVC, a digital video codec with high bandwidth efficiency used in various media devices; Dolby AC-4, an digital audio coding technology that delivers new audio experiences to a range of playback devices; and Dolby Atmos technology for cinema and a range of media devices. Its audio technologies also include Dolby Digital, a digital audio coding technology that provides multichannel sound to applications; Dolby Digital Plus, a digital audio coding technology that offers audio transmission for a range of media applications and devices; Dolby TrueHD, a digital audio coding technology providing encoding for media application; Dolby Vision, an imaging technology for cinema and media devices; Dolby Voice, an audio conferencing technology; and HEVC, a digital video codec with high bandwidth efficiency to support for media devices. In addition, the company designs and manufactures digital cinema servers, cinema processors, amplifiers, loudspeakers, hardware components, video conferencing solutions, and other products for the cinema, television, broadcast, communication, and entertainment industries. Further, it offers various services to support theatrical and television production for cinema exhibition, broadcast, and home entertainment. The company serves film studios, content creators, post-production facilities, cinema operators, broadcasters, and video game designers. It sells its products directly to the end users, as well as through dealers and distributors worldwide. Dolby Laboratories, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyDolby Laboratories generates revenue primarily through licensing its technologies to a wide range of partners in the entertainment and technology sectors. Key revenue streams include licensing fees from film studios, television networks, and streaming services that utilize Dolby's audio and video technologies in their productions. Additionally, Dolby earns income from partnerships with consumer electronics manufacturers who integrate Dolby technologies into their products, such as TVs, sound systems, and smartphones. The company also engages in the sale of products and services related to its technologies, including software tools and consulting services for content creators. Significant factors contributing to its earnings include the growing demand for high-quality audio and video experiences, the expansion of streaming services, and collaborations with key industry players, enhancing Dolby's market presence and revenue potential.

Dolby Laboratories Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Remaining Performance Obligations
Remaining Performance Obligations
Represents the value of contracted revenue yet to be recognized, offering insight into future revenue streams and business stability.
Chart InsightsDolby Laboratories' Remaining Performance Obligations saw a significant spike in late 2023, likely driven by increased demand for Dolby Atmos and Vision technologies. However, a gradual decline in 2024 and 2025 suggests challenges in sustaining this momentum, possibly due to declines in foundational audio technology and consumer electronics. Despite these challenges, Dolby's guidance for 2026 reflects optimism, with expected growth in licensing revenue and operating margins, bolstered by strong engagement in their advanced audio and visual products and expansion into automotive and mobile sectors.
Data provided by:The Fly

Dolby Laboratories Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jan 29, 2026
(Q1-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 30, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presented a solid quarter with revenue and EPS above guidance, a raised full-year revenue range, clear momentum in strategic growth areas (mobile, automotive, Dolby Vision 2, OptiView) and strengthening partnerships (Qualcomm, Peacock, Roku, Meta). Offsetting items include mid-teens decline in Broadcast for the quarter, expected weakness in PC and CE for the year, a $10M restructuring charge, and some macro uncertainty (memory pricing) that could cause near-term variability. On balance, positive operational and commercial developments coupled with raised guidance and strong foundational technology adoption outweigh the challenges and near-term volatility.
Q1-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Revenue and EPS Beat Guidance
Q1 revenue of $347 million came in above the high end of guidance; non-GAAP EPS was $1.06, also above the high end of guidance. A $7M favorable true-up for prior shipments contributed to the upside.
Raised Full-Year Guidance
Management raised FY'26 revenue guidance to $1.40B–$1.45B and now expects licensing revenue of $1.295B–$1.345B and non-GAAP EPS of $4.30–$4.45, with implied operating margin improvement of 50–100 bps.
Strong Mobile Growth
Mobile end market grew by over 20% year-over-year in Q1; management expects Mobile to be up mid-single digits for the full year after smoothing for deal timing.
Foundational Technologies Momentum
Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision and imaging patents are expected to grow roughly 15% and are approaching ~50% of licensing revenue, increasing their influence on overall growth.
Automotive Momentum and OEM Expansion
Automotive partnerships expanded to over 35 OEMs from 20 a year ago (an increase of ~75%), with CES demos, Qualcomm Gen 5 Snapdragon Automotive partnership, and launches from Mahindra and Hyundai showcasing Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision in cars.
New Distribution & Streaming Partnerships
Roku joined the video distribution patent pool (first U.S. streamer licensee), Peacock committed to Dolby Vision 2/Atmos across movies and live sports, and Meta expanded Dolby Vision support to Facebook—broadening addressable markets and content distribution.
Dolby Vision 2 and Product Pipeline
Dolby Vision 2 received positive reception at CES; first Dolby Vision 2 TVs expected by year-end, which management says increases TV revenue opportunity and opens midrange TV upgrade potential.
Strong Cash Returns and Balance Sheet
Generated approximately $55M in operating cash flow in the quarter, repurchased $70M of stock (with ~$207M remaining authorization), and ended Q1 with ~$730M in cash and investments; declared a $0.36 dividend, up 9% YoY.
High Gross Margin Outlook and Q2 Guide
Q2 guidance: revenue $375M–$405M, licensing $350M–$380M (includes a large recovery), non-GAAP gross margin ~91%, non-GAAP EPS $1.29–$1.44 and non-GAAP OpEx $195M–$205M.
OptiView and Low-Latency Wins
Dolby OptiView delivered NFL RedZone through NFL+ with record streaming quality and signed Veikkaus and SIS for subsecond latency use cases—demonstrating new product-driven monetization and engagement gains.
Negative Updates
Broadcast Revenue Decline in Q1
Broadcast revenue was down mid-teens year-over-year in Q1, driven primarily by deal timing.
Expected Declines in PC and CE
Management expects PC and Consumer Electronics (CE) end markets to be down for the full year, which will weigh on certain licensing categories.
Quarterly Volatility from Deal Timing
Management cautioned that timing of recoveries, minimum volume commitments and true-ups can drive quarterly volatility, making quarter-to-quarter trends less smooth.
Restructuring Charge
GAAP operating expenses for Q1 included a $10M restructuring charge as the company streamlines operations and realigns resources.
Macro & Memory Pricing Uncertainty
Management noted potential impacts from memory pricing (most directly affecting Mobile) and other macro variables, leading to slight revisions to portions of the outlook and continued monitoring of customer-level exposure.
Operating Cash Flow Fluctuation
Operating cash flow was ~$55M in Q1 and management said cash flow can fluctuate quarter-to-quarter tied to deal timing and collections, meaning cash generation may vary across quarters.
Company Guidance
Dolby said Q1 came in ahead of expectations with revenue of $347 million (licensing $320M; Products & Services $27M), non‑GAAP EPS $1.06, ~ $55M of operating cash flow, $70M of share repurchases (with $207M remaining authorization), a $0.36 dividend (up 9% YoY), and ~$730M of cash & investments; GAAP Opex included a $10M restructuring charge and a ~$7M favorable true‑up. For FY‑26 the company raised guidance to $1.40–1.45B revenue (licensing $1.295–1.345B), targets non‑GAAP Opex of $780–800M (implying 50–100 bps of operating margin improvement), non‑GAAP EPS of $4.30–4.45, and reiterated that Dolby Atmos/Dolby Vision/imaging patents are expected to grow roughly 15% (the company has previously cited 15–20% p.a.) and now comprise nearly half of licensing revenue. Q2 guidance is $375–405M revenue (licensing $350–380M, including a large recovery), ~91% non‑GAAP gross margin, non‑GAAP Opex $195–205M and EPS $1.29–1.44. Management noted end‑market trends: Mobile grew >20% YoY in Q1 (expected mid‑single digit for the year), Broadcast was down mid‑teens (expected full‑year up mid‑single digits), while PC and CE are expected to decline.

Dolby Laboratories Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong and resilient fundamentals: premium gross margins (~88%) and solid operating profitability, backed by an exceptionally conservative balance sheet (very low leverage). The main risk is uneven momentum, with reported TTM revenue and free-cash-flow growth deterioration creating near-term top-line and cash-flow visibility concerns.
Income Statement
78
Positive
DLB shows consistently strong profitability, with very high gross margins (~88% in both 2025 TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) and 2025 annual) and healthy operating profitability (2025 TTM EBIT margin ~21% and EBITDA margin ~29%). Net margins remain solid (~19% in 2025 TTM), though below the stronger 2021 level (~24%), indicating some compression versus peak profitability. Revenue performance is the main drawback: while 2025 annual revenue grew ~6% vs. 2024, 2025 TTM revenue growth is sharply negative (as reported), creating uncertainty around near-term top-line momentum.
Balance Sheet
92
Very Positive
The balance sheet is a clear strength. Leverage is extremely low (debt-to-equity ~0.015 in 2025 TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months)/2025 annual), giving the company significant financial flexibility and low balance-sheet risk. Equity has trended higher versus 2022–2024, and returns on equity are steady near ~10% in 2025, supporting a picture of durable profitability without relying on debt. The main limitation is that returns are good but not exceptional relative to the company’s very large equity base.
Cash Flow
73
Positive
Cash generation is solid, with 2025 TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) operating cash flow (~$420M) and free cash flow (~$380M) both covering reported earnings well (free cash flow is ~91% of net income). However, growth has been uneven: 2025 annual free cash flow grew modestly (~0.4%), while 2025 TTM free cash flow growth is sharply negative (as reported), signaling potential volatility in cash conversion or timing. Overall cash flow quality is good, but the recent growth trajectory is a watch item.
BreakdownTTMSep 2025Sep 2024Sep 2023Sep 2022Sep 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.34B1.35B1.27B1.30B1.25B1.28B
Gross Profit1.18B1.19B1.13B1.15B1.11B1.15B
EBITDA379.08M378.56M399.81M345.57M318.89M450.37M
Net Income240.52M255.02M261.82M200.66M184.09M310.23M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets3.19B3.23B3.13B2.99B2.70B3.12B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments644.58M702.60M577.75M957.11M817.58M1.27B
Total Debt40.64M38.88M46.99M50.65M50.94M72.12M
Total Liabilities589.25M595.81M643.72M622.38M451.15M518.66M
Stockholders Equity2.59B2.62B2.48B2.36B2.25B2.60B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow379.68M430.26M297.25M336.74M259.12M393.30M
Operating Cash Flow420.22M472.20M327.25M367.08M318.58M447.75M
Investing Cash Flow-1.20M-10.59M-286.29M54.21M-295.94M-44.91M
Financing Cash Flow-311.50M-247.24M-287.81M-236.81M-610.56M-252.51M

Dolby Laboratories Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price63.98
Price Trends
50DMA
64.46
Negative
100DMA
65.68
Negative
200DMA
69.39
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.34
Positive
RSI
48.37
Neutral
STOCH
11.53
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For DLB, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 63.98 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 64.09, below the 50-day MA of 64.46, and below the 200-day MA of 69.39, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of 0.34 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 48.37 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 11.53 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for DLB.

Dolby Laboratories Risk Analysis

Dolby Laboratories disclosed 13 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Dolby Laboratories reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Dolby Laboratories Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
$61.18B19.3932.85%2.58%4.62%1.06%
77
Outperform
$137.59B18.4925.35%2.25%6.58%1.19%
74
Outperform
$6.19B26.159.43%2.05%5.92%-2.98%
71
Outperform
$31.95B14.6515.16%1.46%7.44%-4.57%
67
Neutral
$20.80B19.7241.79%1.63%8.57%35.02%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
61
Neutral
$11.36B16.2686.85%5.24%-16.05%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
DLB
Dolby Laboratories
63.98
-15.84
-19.84%
ACN
Accenture
215.35
-140.55
-39.49%
BR
Broadridge Financial Solutions
177.02
-55.73
-23.94%
CTSH
Cognizant
65.03
-18.04
-21.71%
IT
Gartner
153.73
-343.83
-69.10%
INFY
Infosys
14.65
-5.67
-27.90%

Dolby Laboratories Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Dolby Laboratories Stockholders Approve Directors, Pay and Auditor
Positive
Feb 6, 2026

At its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held via live webcast on February 3, 2026, Dolby Laboratories’ shareholders elected eight directors to serve until the 2027 annual meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualified, reaffirming the company’s existing board composition. Stockholders also approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the company’s named executive officers and ratified the appointment of KPMG LLP as Dolby’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 25, 2026, signaling continued support for the company’s executive pay practices and its chosen external auditor under the firm’s dual-class share voting structure.

The most recent analyst rating on (DLB) stock is a Buy with a $71.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Dolby Laboratories stock, see the DLB Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackDividendsFinancial Disclosures
Dolby Laboratories Reports Q1 2026 Results and Outlook
Neutral
Jan 29, 2026

On January 29, 2026, Dolby Laboratories reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue of $347 million, down from $357 million a year earlier, with GAAP net income slipping to $53 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, and non-GAAP earnings of $1.06 per share versus $1.14 in the prior-year quarter. The company underscored continued adoption of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision across automotive and streaming, highlighting uptake by more than 35 auto OEMs, new integrations with Mercedes-Benz, Mahindra and Qualcomm’s Gen 5 Snapdragon Automotive platform, as well as broader use of Dolby Vision and Atmos by Peacock, major TV brands including Hisense, TCL and TP Vision, LG’s new Dolby Atmos FlexConnect-based sound system, and Meta’s support for Dolby Vision on Facebook and Instagram. Dolby returned capital to shareholders by repurchasing about one million shares for roughly $70 million and declared a $0.36 per-share dividend payable on February 18, 2026 to stockholders of record on February 10, 2026, while issuing guidance for fiscal 2026 that envisions total revenue between $1.4 billion and $1.45 billion, very high gross margins near 90% and non-GAAP operating margins in the mid-30% range, despite acknowledging macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties that could weigh on royalty-based licensing revenue.

The most recent analyst rating on (DLB) stock is a Buy with a $90.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Dolby Laboratories stock, see the DLB Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial DisclosuresProduct-Related Announcements
Dolby Laboratories Reports Strong Q4 2025 Financial Results
Positive
Nov 18, 2025

On November 18, 2025, Dolby Laboratories announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025, reporting a total revenue of $307 million for the quarter and $1.35 billion for the year. The company highlighted growth in its Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision technologies, as well as new partnerships and product launches, indicating a strong market position as it heads into fiscal year 2026.

The most recent analyst rating on (DLB) stock is a Buy with a $100.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Dolby Laboratories stock, see the DLB Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Dolby Laboratories Approves 2026 Executive Bonus Plan
Neutral
Nov 14, 2025

On November 11, 2025, Dolby Laboratories‘ Compensation Committee approved the 2026 Executive Bonus Plan, targeting executive officers with bonuses based on a percentage of their base salary. The plan emphasizes achieving non-GAAP operating income and revenue goals, with potential adjustments by the Committee, impacting the final bonus amounts for executives.

The most recent analyst rating on (DLB) stock is a Buy with a $100.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Dolby Laboratories stock, see the DLB Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 07, 2026