Why Shares of 3D Systems Are Flying Higher This Week

Key Points

• 3D Systems announced an award from the U.S. Air Force.

• The new contract is for less than $8 million and will hardly move the needle for the company.

• After the company reported encouraging Q2 2025 financial results, investors are feeling more bullish about 3D Systems.

• 10 stocks we like better than 3D Systems ›

Extending the modest 2.4% rise that they enjoyed last week, shares of 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) have climbed decisively higher over the past few days after the 3D printing company reported that it had received an award from the U.S. Air Force.

According to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, shares of 3D Systems have soared 14.8% higher from the market's close last Friday through the end of Thursday's trading session.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More »

Image source: Getty Images.

Off 3D Systems goes into the wild blue yonder

On Tuesday, 3D Systems reported that the U.S Air Force awarded it a $7.65 million U.S. contract for a Large-format Metal 3D Printer Advanced Technology Demonstrator. The award is part of a program that 3D Systems first began in 2023 to support the development of large-scale industrial metal 3D print capabilities for high-speed flight applications.

Addressing the award, Dr. Michael Shepard, vice president of 3D Systems' aerospace & defense segment, said, "We've successfully demonstrated a number of innovative technologies under this program and it's exciting to see those technologies mature both for this large-scale system as well as our commercially available printers."

Is the new award a catalyst for 3D Systems?

While investors are celebrating the award that 3D Systems received, it's important to recognize that it will hardly move the needle for the 3D printing company. In 2024 and 2023, 3D Systems reported revenue of $440.1 million and $488.1 million, respectively.

After the company reported surprisingly good second-quarter 2025 financial results, investors are evidently feeling reinvigorated with 3D Systems stock and eager to celebrate the company's achievements -- even minor ones such as the U.S. Air Force award.

Should you invest $1,000 in 3D Systems right now?

Before you buy stock in 3D Systems, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and 3D Systems wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $664,110!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,104,355!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 1,069% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 186% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of August 25, 2025

Scott Levine has positions in 3D Systems. The Motley Fool recommends 3D Systems. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.