3D Systems Corporation (DDD), Cree, Inc. (CREE) – Forbes Tech 25: The Unusual Suspects

Analysts expect the LED lighting market to grow to $25 billion by 2020 from the current $14 billion. Despite falling prices, Cree, Inc. (NASDAQ:CREE) increased revenues by 14% and profits by 69% last quarter. While Gross Margins have recently stagnated at around 37%, blockbuster products like a $10 LED bulb have led to record sales, and an increase in the stock price by 17%. The company has also made acquisitions, like LED lighting specialist Ruud Lighting, for $525 million.

Cree, Inc. (NASDAQ:CREE) has strong competition to contend with – Osram (a Siemens AG (ADR) (NYSE:SI) subsidiary) and Koninklijke Philips NV (ADR) (NYSE:PHG), who are both strong in the North American market, apart from Chinese and Korean competitors. Therefore, analysts expect the pressure on margins to build due to increased marketing expenditure. At the same time, they are switched on about Cree, Inc. (NASDAQ:CREE)’s expected increase in market share.

Impact of innovation

InvenSense Inc (NYSE:INVN) has built its success on key differentiators—the unique Nasiri Process (after founder Steve Nasiri) for manufacturing that improves quality while lowering cost, and pioneering products like the world’s first 9-axis motion tracking device. A Gross Margin of 53% underlines the positive impact of such innovation. There are distractions like the high stakes legal battle with STMicroelectronics N.V. (ADR) (NYSE:STM) over patents (both companies have sued each other.) However, with rumors of Apple sourcing from InvenSense Inc (NYSE:INVN) for the first time, analysts have more reasons than ever for a strong “Buy” on the stock.

Some concluding thoughts

These success stories come with the standard caveat that all success is relative. Skim through the 2012 Forbes list and you can see red hot favorites like Red Hat Inc (NYSE:RHT) and Qlik Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:QLIK) no longer able to keep up with the scorching pace. Healthcare has just one survivor, athenahealth, Inc (NASDAQ:ATHN), from last year’s three.

So will the brash new entrants of 2013 become the next Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB), or LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD)? It’s a tough call to make.

Preetam Kaushik has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends 3D Systems and IPG Photonics. The Motley Fool owns shares of 3D Systems and IPG Photonics and has the following options: Short Jan 2014 $36 Calls on 3D Systems and Short Jan 2014 $20 Puts on 3D Systems. Preetam is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.

The article Forbes Tech 25: The Unusual Suspects originally appeared on Fool.com is written by Preetam Kaushik.

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