A narrow profit posted by 3-D printing newcomer ExOne Co (NASDAQ:XONE) after Wednesday’s close has buoyed the beleaguered sector today. Not only has ExOne risen by more than 6.5% today on news that it earned $902,000 in net income (compared to a consensus estimate of a $2.8 million loss), but 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) has also jumped, gaining about 3.5%, while Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS) is enjoying small gains.
Is this genuinely good news for all three companies, or are investors casting too wide a net? Let’s take a look at how ExOne’s report compares to the most recent quarterly earnings of the two established players (click here for 3D Systems’ latest report, and click here for Stratasys’ latest report).
ExOne’s first time at bat
This was ExOne Co (NASDAQ:XONE)’s first earnings report following a February public offering. The company is not quite at the same level on a raw numerical basis as 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) or Stratasys, as you can see in this quick comparison:
3-D Printing Side-by-Side | Create infographics.
What’s most surprising here isn’t that ExOne is so far below its peers on a revenue basis, but that it has managed to be profitable at a time when Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS) hasn’t, even after what was the largest merger that sector has seen to date. More importantly, ExOne is growing by leaps and bounds, which isn’t too surprising, considering how small it is right now:
3-D Printings Crazy Growth | Infographics.
This monster growth happened thanks to sales of just eight machines! Considering that revenue from machine sales came to $8.9 million, it’s obvious that ExOne has decided to approach the 3-D printing space from a completely different angle from 3D Systems, which has recently embraced a tiny consumer market with a line of low-cost machines for homes and hobbyists. ExOne Co (NASDAQ:XONE) has only sold 13 machines all year, compared to five last year. While 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) didn’t offer specific printer sales totals, I estimated that Stratasys moved nearly 3,400 printers in 2012 based on its earlier reports and stated growth rates for the year. ExOne has a different niche, to put it mildly.
Is this really good news for 3D Systems?
Before you convince yourself that ExOne’s earnings beat heralds great things for 3D Systems and Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS), it’s important to note that not only are ExOne’s machines larger and far more expensive than the typical printer sold by the Big Two, but they’re also designed to use multiple materials to assemble production-quality finished parts. ExOne Co (NASDAQ:XONE) CEO Kent Rockwell has noted that his printers use stainless steel, bronze, glass, and ceramics, among other materials.
It will definitely be interesting to watch ExOne Co (NASDAQ:XONE)’s progress throughout the year, but I’d caution against reading its success as proof positive that the entire industry will thrive. Despite its long history as a technology, 3-D printing is still in its early stages, and there are bound to be a number of developments between here and maturity that could upend the best-intentioned projections of 3-D printing, both as a tool and as an investment.
The article ExOne’s Big News Pulls 3D Systems Shares Higher — but Why? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Alex Planes.
Fool contributor Alex Planes holds no financial position in any company mentioned here. Add him on Google+ or follow him on Twitter @TMFBiggles for more insight into markets, history, and technology. The Motley Fool recommends 3D Systems and Stratasys. 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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