3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) Shares Gap Up – Should You Buy?

3D Systems Co. (NYSE:DDD)’s share price gapped up before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $3.04, but opened at $3.39. 3D Systems shares last traded at $3.82, with a volume of 4,484,326 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on DDD. Craig Hallum raised 3D Systems to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Needham & Company LLC reissued a “hold” rating on shares of 3D Systems in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of 3D Systems in a report on Saturday, January 18th. Finally, StockNews.com raised 3D Systems from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, November 28th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $3.25.

3D Systems Trading Up 25.1 %

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $3.25 and a 200 day simple moving average of $3.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 2.34 and a current ratio of 3.31. The firm has a market cap of $515.90 million, a P/E ratio of -0.96 and a beta of 1.61.

3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 26th. The 3D printing company reported ($0.16) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.14) by ($0.02). 3D Systems had a negative net margin of 117.65% and a negative return on equity of 26.72%. On average, equities research analysts predict that 3D Systems Co. will post -0.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Jeffrey A. Graves bought 60,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 17th. The stock was bought at an average price of $3.85 per share, for a total transaction of $231,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,091,782 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,203,360.70. This represents a 5.82 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Charles W. Hull sold 115,971 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.86, for a total value of $447,648.06. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 331,955 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,281,346.30. The trade was a 25.89 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 3.70% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of 3D Systems

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Point72 DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in 3D Systems in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Murchinson Ltd. purchased a new position in 3D Systems in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in 3D Systems by 411.6% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 10,006 shares of the 3D printing company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 8,050 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC purchased a new position in 3D Systems in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC purchased a new position in 3D Systems in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Institutional investors own 64.49% of the company’s stock.

About 3D Systems

3D Systems Corporation provides 3D printing and digital manufacturing solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company offers 3D printers technologies, such as stereolithography, selective laser sintering, direct metal printing, multi jet printing, color jet printing, polymer extrusion, and extrusion and SLA based bioprinting that transform digital data input generated by 3D design software, computer aided design (CAD) software, or other 3D design tools into printed parts.