In this article, we will discuss the 11 best 3D printing stocks to invest in. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the global 3D printing industry and explore similar stocks, you can go directly to 5 Best 3D Printing Stocks To Invest In.
The 3D printing industry is one of the most exciting and rapidly growing industries in the world today. 3D printing technology has revolutionized the way we manufacture and prototype products and has made it possible for businesses and individuals to create customized products with ease. In the automotive industry, 3D printing is being used for creating prototypes of car parts and components, as well as for manufacturing customized car parts and even entire vehicles. In the aerospace industry, 3D printing technology is being used for manufacturing aircraft parts and components, as well as for creating prototypes of aircraft. The healthcare industry is also benefiting from 3D printing technology, as it is being used for creating customized medical implants and prosthetics, and the list goes on.
The 3D Printing Industry: An Analysis
According to a report by Grand View Research, the global 3D printing industry was worth $13.84 billion in 2021. The industry is expected to reach a valuation of $16.75 billion by the end of 2022 and is projected to grow to $76.17 billion by the end of 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 20.8% from 2022 to 2030. The major trends driving this growth include hefty investments in 3D printing technology and the increasing adoption of 3D printing technology by businesses operating in healthcare, automotive, and defense. Grand View Research estimated that 2.2 million units of 3D printers were distributed across the globe in 2021, and this number is expected to grow to 21.5 million units by the end of the forecasted period.
3D printing technology has been around for decades, but it has only recently begun to gain widespread attention and adoption. The 3D printing industry is benefiting from the increasing affordability and accessibility of 3D printers. As 3D printing technology continues to advance, more and more businesses and consumers are beginning to see the potential of 3D printing. Technological advancements in machine learning, IoT, and robotics are opening up new avenues for manufacturing businesses.
By printer type, Grand View Research found that the industrial printer segment dominated the market share in 2021 and accounted for over 70% of global revenue. Moving forward, it is expected that the industrial printer segment will remain at the forefront of the 3D printing market. However, educational institutions are also leveraging 3D printing technology to offer technical training to individuals, hence fuelling the demand for desktop printers. Moreover, SMEs are making use of 3D printing technology and are offering on-demand and personalized 3D printing services to consumers, which is expected to further drive the demand for desktop printers.
Region-wise, in 2021, North America dominated the global 3D printing market and held a 30% share of global revenue. The U.S. and Canada have been leading the industry and have heavily integrated 3D printing technology in their manufacturing industries. The runner-up region in 2021 was Europe. However, the APAC region is expected to grow at the fastest rate through the forecasted period due to advancements across the region’s manufacturing industry and APAC becoming a manufacturing powerhouse for the automotive and healthcare industries.
The 3D printing industry is still in its infancy, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we live and work. For investors looking to capitalize on this industry’s promising growth trajectory, 3D printing stocks can be an ideal way to do so. We have compiled a list of the best 3D printing stocks that investors can rack up for long-term gains. Some of these stocks include Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS), Xometry, Inc. (NASDAQ:XMTR), and Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK). These, among others, are discussed in detail in the article below.
Our Methodology
To determine the 11 best 3D printing stocks to invest in, we studied industry analysis reports and identified major players that are leading the industry. We studied these companies and looked at their product offerings in detail along with their balance sheets, financials, and valuations. We also gave weight to the market sentiment around each stock and finally narrowed down our selection to companies with positive market sentiment, robust product pipelines, and industry-leading positions. These stocks are ranked according to their popularity among elite hedge funds, from least to most.
11 Best 3D Printing Stocks To Invest In
11. voxeljet AG (NASDAQ:VJET)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: N/A
voxeljet AG (NASDAQ:VJET) is a leading provider of high-speed, large-format 3D printers and on-demand parts services. The company’s printers are used in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, art and architecture, and consumer goods. The company’s on-demand parts services are used by manufacturers to produce prototypes and end-use parts on an as-needed basis. voxeljet AG (NASDAQ:VJET) was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Friedberg, Germany.
voxeljet AG (NASDAQ:VJET) is a financially strong company with a healthy balance sheet with low debt levels. According to the company’s balance sheet, voxeljet AG (NASDAQ:VJET) has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88. The company is well-positioned for continued growth, with a large addressable market and a differentiated product offering. voxeljet AG (NASDAQ:VJET) is one of the best 3D printing stocks to buy now.
Wall Street is positive on voxeljet AG (NASDAQ:VJET). On November 18, Alliance Global Partners analyst Brian Kinstlinger revised his target on voxeljet AG (NASDAQ:VJET) to $8 from $10 and maintained a Buy rating on the shares.
Some 3D printing stocks that are popular among elite money managers include Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS), Xometry, Inc. (NASDAQ:XMTR), and Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK).
10. Materialise NV (NASDAQ:MTLS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 4
Materialise NV (NASDAQ:MTLS) is a Belgium-based 3D printing company. It operates in three segments: Materialise Software, Materialise Medical, and Materialise Manufacturing. With over 30 years of experience, Materialise NV (NASDAQ:MTLS) is a leading provider of 3D printing software and services. The company offers a comprehensive suite of software solutions that enable the design, preparation, and execution of 3D printing projects of all types and scales. The company has a global reach, with operations in Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. Materialise NV (NASDAQ:MTLS) is one of the best 3D printing stocks to buy now.
On October 27, Materialise NV (NASDAQ:MTLS) announced earnings for the fiscal third quarter of 2022. The company reported earnings per share of $0.02 and generated a revenue of $58.10 million, ahead of Wall Street consensus by $0.75 million. According to the company’s balance sheet, Materialise NV (NASDAQ:MTLS) has free cash flows of EUR 7.9 million and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.
At the end of Q3 2022, 4 hedge funds were bullish on Materialise NV (NASDAQ:MTLS) and held stakes worth $67.45 million in the company. As of September 30, ARK Investment Management is the top investor in the company and has a position worth $62.7 million.
Here’s what The Mercator International Opportunity Fund had to say about Materialise NV (NASDAQ:MTLS) in its second-quarter 2022 investor letter:
“Belgian 3D printing software company Materialise NV (NASDAQ:MTLS) (2.09%) was a darling stock of the “transformative technology” bubble. Its stock price shot up from the low teens to near $80. It then crashed in sympathy with the COVID-19 tech selloff. Yet this volatility notwithstanding, nothing in the company’s business model or business expectations ever changed. If anything, the 3D printing industry has been gaining momentum. More and more applications in the aerospace, automotive and medical industries are driving a slow revolution in the additive manufacturing industry.
The Mercator Fund bought Materialise several years ago because of its GARP (Growth At a Reasonable Price) characteristics. It was indeed trading at a reasonable multiple of revenues before it shot up during the tech craze. We expected a steady yearly return in line with the company’s mid-teen growth rate. Instead, we saw our investment multiply in a very short period of time. That did not make sense and we exited the position near its all-time high.
The subsequent correction in MTLS was even more dramatic than its rally. The stock fell more than 70% in the blink of an eye. Just like that, the company was again valued reasonably. We started getting back in at around $20. By the end of last quarter, MTLS was trading back at $13 and at only 3 times revenues, down from 17 times. We added to the position as the stock got even cheaper. This is just one of many examples of the volatility investors have had to navigate. MTLS was among the stocks that clearly reached excessive valuations. A correction from such a level is understandable. However, we did not expect every growth stock to be washed away in sympathy with technology stocks, fundamentals and valuations be damned. A great many GARP stocks with low PEG (Price Earnings to Growth) ratios similarly became victims of the sudden loss of appetite for anything associated with growth.”
9. Nano Dimension Ltd. (NASDAQ:NNDM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 9
Nano Dimension Ltd. (NASDAQ:NNDM) is an Israel-based company, which is engaged in the development of advanced 3D electronics solutions. Nano Dimension Ltd. (NASDAQ:NNDM) is a leading additive electronics provider that is revolutionizing the way electronics are manufactured. The company’s unique 3D printing technology is capable of printing complex electronic devices in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. Nano Dimension Ltd. (NASDAQ:NNDM) is at the forefront of the additive electronics manufacturing revolution, and its technology is being adopted by some of the world’s leading electronics companies. The company’s products are used in a wide range of applications, including aerospace, automotive, medical, and consumer electronics. Nano Dimension Ltd. (NASDAQ:NNDM) is one of the best 3D printing stocks to invest in right now.
On November 16, Nano Dimension Ltd. (NASDAQ:NNDM) announced that it has signed an agreement with Tethon Corporation to develop new materials for its Fabrica 2.0 micro-additive manufacturing system. Tethon Corporation is an American pioneer in ceramic 3D printing.
At the end of the third quarter of 2022, Nano Dimension Ltd. (NASDAQ:NNDM) was spotted on 9 investors’ portfolios that held stakes worth $27.6 million in the company. Of those, Clearline Capital was the top investor in the company with a position worth $9.3 million.
8. Velo3D, Inc. (NYSE:VLD)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 11
Velo3D, Inc. (NYSE:VLD) is a leading 3D printing company that provides high-quality 3D printing services for a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and medical. Velo3D, Inc. (NYSE:VLD) was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in California, United States. At the end of Q3 2022, 11 hedge funds were long Velo3D, Inc. (NYSE:VLD) and disclosed positions worth $54.6 million in the company. This is compared to 18 positions in the preceding quarter with stakes worth $31.7 million.
Velo3D, Inc. (NYSE:VLD) is a 3D printing innovator that has developed a technology that allows for the production of metal parts with complex geometries. This technology has the potential to disrupt the global metal 3D printing market as it enables the production of parts that were previously not possible to produce with 3D printing. Velo3D, Inc. (NYSE:VLD) is well-positioned to capitalize on the growth of the global 3D printing industry and is ranked among the best 3D printing stocks to buy now.
On November 15, Velo3D, Inc. (NYSE:VLD) announced that it has secured an order for two new Sapphire XC printers from Vertex Manufacturing. Vertex Manufacturing is a Cincinnati-based company that provides CNC machining and advanced manufacturing services.
7. Desktop Metal, Inc. (NYSE:DM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 11
Desktop Metal, Inc. (NYSE:DM) is a 3D printing company headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. The company was founded in October 2015 and has since then grown to become a prominent player in the 3D printing industry with operations in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. On November 9, Desktop Metal, Inc. (NYSE:DM) posted earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2022. The company’s revenue for the quarter amounted to $47.09 million, up 85.10% year over year. The company has a healthy balance sheet with low debt levels. As of September 30, Desktop Metal, Inc. (NYSE:DM) has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The stock ranks among the best 3D printing stocks to invest in.
On November 25, Desktop Metal, Inc. (NYSE:DM) announced that it has secured an order worth $9 million from a major German automobile manufacturer for binder jet additive manufacturing systems.
At the close of the third quarter of 2022, 11 hedge funds held stakes in Desktop Metal, Inc. (NYSE:DM) worth $9.6 million.
6. Markforged Holding Corporation (NYSE:MKFG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 13
Markforged Holding Corporation (NYSE:MKFG) is a young and innovative company that is shaking up the 3D printing industry with its cutting-edge technology. The company has developed a unique 3D printing process that allows for the production of strong and lightweight metal parts. The company offers desktop, industrial, and metal 3D printers, as well as advanced 3D printing software. With a strong patent portfolio and a growing list of customers, Markforged Holding Corporation (NYSE:MKFG) is well-positioned to continue to disrupt the 3D printing industry and drive growth for shareholders. The stock is ranked among the best 3D printing stocks to buy now.
On November 10, Citi analyst Jim Suva revised his price target on Markforged Holding Corporation (NYSE:MKFG) to $2 from $3.50 and maintained a Neutral rating on the shares.
At the end of Q3 2022, 13 hedge funds disclosed stakes in Markforged Holding Corporation (NYSE:MKFG) worth $65.3 million.
Companies that are leading the 3D printing industry include Markforged Holding Corporation (NYSE:MKFG), Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS), Xometry, Inc. (NASDAQ:XMTR), and Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK).
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Disclosure: None. 11 Best 3D Printing Stocks To Invest In is originally published on Insider Monkey.