Why Stratasys Earnings Are Looking Good to Investors

Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ: SSYS) reported second-quarter 2017 results Wednesday before markets opened. The 3D printer maker posted adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.17 on revenues of $169.99 million. In the second quarter of 2016, the company said it had $0.12 in EPS and revenues of $172.07 million. Analysts had consensus estimates for EPS of $0.07 and $167.69 million in revenues.

In mid-May, Stratasys stock had posted a year-to-date gain of around 85%, but as of last night’s close shares have given back more than half that gain. Share prices for other 3D printing stocks have followed roughly the same pattern, and all seem to be suffering from the same ailment: they are growth stocks that are simply not growing very fast.

To that point, Stratasys this morning reiterated prior fiscal year guidance for revenue of $645 million to $680 million and adjusted EPS of $0.19 to $0.37. Consensus estimates are calling for EPS of $0.28 and revenues of $668.87 million.

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The company also said it expects non-GAAP operating margin of 3% to 5% and capex of $40 million to $50 million. On a GAAP basis, Stratasys forecasts a net loss of $53 million to $59 million ($0.73 to $1.00 per share).

CEO Ilan Levin said:

We continue to allocate resources towards deepening customer engagement within our key vertical markets, and we are pleased with our progress in developing higher quality revenue opportunities. … We have made significant progress in developing solutions that target high-value applications within our targeted markets, and we continue to focus on aligning our resources around this long term strategy. We believe this strategy will allow us to help grow the adoption of our products and services over time.

For the fourth quarter, analysts expect EPS of $0.05 and revenues of $162.11 million. Again, not much in the way of growth, but that doesn’t mean that investors aren’t willing to pile in on this morning’s beats.

Shares of Stratasys traded up about 5% at $23.50 in Wednesday’s premarket session. The stock’s 52-week range is $16.37 to $30.88, and the consensus 12-month price target before this morning’s report was $26.29.

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