Despite the gradual pullback in 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) and other 3D printing stocks, Citi analysts still see opportunities ahead. In a report dated March 26, 2014, analyst Kenneth Wong said adoption of 3D printers is still in the early stages. Citi analysts presented at the Additive Disruption Conference this week and said that although there isn’t any “clear consensus” regarding the future of the market, they are consistently hearing good things about 3D printers.
Demand for 3D Systems remains strong
Wong said users continue to speed up their efforts to incorporate 3D printing into their design and production processes. He also said that 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) and other 3D printing vendors aren’t the only ones investing in the industry. He found that large customers are investing alongside them.
3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) and Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS) both recently cut their earnings guidance because they stated they needed to invest more in growth. Investors saw this statement as being negative, not just for the companies themselves but also for the 3D printing market as a whole. However, Wong said he sees such investments as being “justified and appropriate at this stage of the market.”
Investments a good thing for 3D printing
In fact, he said the fact that larger customers are investing in 3D printers, materials, research and development, support and education is a good thing. He said many of these customers realize that the tools they will need to target their specific verticals will require that they collaborate with 3D printers.
The analyst said although investors are now questioning the growth opportunities 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD), he still is confident that the company’s investments this year are going to pay off. His checks indicate that customers are also “putting skin in the game,” which he believes means demand for the company’s products is still high and that more opportunities are ahead.
The analyst has maintained his $90 a share price target on 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD).
