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Once a retail favorite in the 3D-printing frenzies of the past decade, 3D Systems (DDD) has since plummeted into penny stock territory as hopes faded and profitability proved a fleeting dream. DDD stock surged 22% this week, though, when it reported it had won a $7.65 million U.S. Air Force contract for developing a large-format 3D metal printer for producing parts relevant for flight.
The contract win is a significant validation of the company's technology for aerospace and defense applications, which are now key drivers of growth. Although a modest contract number, and just an extension of an ongoing contract, it helped revive investor hopes in DDD stock. So far in 2025, the stock has been somewhat meandering, echoing the speculative yet rewarding nature of turnaround narratives in ultra-advanced manufacturing.
