3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) Sees Large Volume Increase – Still a Buy?

Shares of 3D Systems Co. (NYSE:DDD) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 6,357,819 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 120% from the previous session’s volume of 2,894,698 shares.The stock last traded at $4.62 and had previously closed at $3.74.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on DDD. StockNews.com upgraded shares of 3D Systems from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, November 28th. Craig Hallum raised shares of 3D Systems to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Needham & Company LLC restated a “hold” rating on shares of 3D Systems in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of 3D Systems in a report on Saturday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $3.25.

3D Systems Stock Up 23.8 %

The company has a market capitalization of $627.92 million, a PE ratio of -1.16 and a beta of 1.63. The company has a quick ratio of 2.34, a current ratio of 3.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $3.35 and a 200 day moving average of $3.04.

3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, November 26th. The 3D printing company reported ($0.16) earnings per share 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%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that 3D Systems Co. will post -0.73 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On 3D Systems

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. New York State Common Retirement Fund raised its holdings in 3D Systems by 496.9% in the fourth quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 21,502 shares of the 3D printing company’s stock worth $71,000 after purchasing an additional 17,900 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in 3D Systems by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 207,406 shares of the 3D printing company’s stock valued at $680,000 after acquiring an additional 4,451 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. boosted its stake in 3D Systems by 230.6% during the fourth quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 52,900 shares of the 3D printing company’s stock worth $174,000 after acquiring an additional 36,900 shares in the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in 3D Systems by 104.5% in the fourth quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 18,465 shares of the 3D printing company’s stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 9,434 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in shares of 3D Systems by 411.6% during the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 10,006 shares of the 3D printing company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 8,050 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other 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.