Stratasys, Ltd. (SSYS), 3D Systems Corporation (DDD): New 3-D Printing Company Is out of This World

What’s it mean to you?
So … if you’re an investor in one of the three decent-sized 3D printing companies currently being traded publicly — that’s Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS), 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD), and also ExOne Co (NASDAQ:XONE), because MakerBot is private — what does NASA’s latest test project mean to you?

Three things, I think:

First and foremost, the potential for growth in the 3D printing is bigger than many people may have realized. As of last week, it’s officially “out of this world.”

Second, the valuations on these companies similarly boggle the mind. Is 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) really worth more than 100 times earnings? Could unprofitable Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS) and ExOne Co (NASDAQ:XONE) actually deserve their price-to-earnings ratios of infinity? It really depends on the growth rates (of which Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS), at 30% annually for the next five years-projected, currently has the highest).

Third and finally, if you don’t like the valuations on these three publicly traded 3D printing companies right now, then … wait five minutes. As headline-grabbing news of previously unheard-of “Made in Space’s” NASA contract shows, new companies are emerging like gold coins slipping out from ‘neath the couch cushions.

Give this industry some time, and there will be opportunities aplenty to invest in this industry at reasonable prices. Let’s “make it so.”

The article New 3-D Printing Company Is out of This World originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Rich Smith has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends 3D Systems, Stratasys, and The ExOne Company. The Motley Fool owns shares of 3D Systems and Stratasys and has the following options: Short Jan 2014 $36 Calls on 3D Systems and Short Jan 2014 $20 Puts on 3D Systems.

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