The Best 3D Printing Stock to Buy

Are you in search of the best 3D printing stock, despite the fact that the market has been clobbering this space since the start of 2014? Since then, 3D Systems,Stratasys , ExOne,Arcam , voxeljet , and Materialise are down75%, 72%, 78%, 53%, 64%, and 32%, respectively. (Materialise has only been public since mid-2014.)

Beyondstock prices,the business performances of most of the 3D printing companies has been subpar. As for the leaders, Stratasys' expansion into the consumer market via its MakerBot acquisition and Triple D's seeming shotgun approach to acquisitions are looking like poor strategies -- or at least poor executions of strategies.That said,industry analyst Wohlers Associates projects the 3D printing industry will grow at an average annual rate of more than 31% through 2020. So, if you believe that the torrid projected growth means it's likely there will be at least one winner among the current players, how do you decide which is the best 3D stock to buy?

Do you go with Stratasys, figuring itssize should provide it with staying power? Do you choose Arcam, voxeljet, or Materialise,believing that their narrower focuses area positive? Do you use one-year revenue growth as your main criteria, which would lead you to Arcam, voxeljet, or Materialise? Do you use positive cash flow from operations as your top screen, which would leave you with Triple D, Arcam, and Materialise?

These are legitimate arguments that you might factor into your decision. The following presentation uses a process you might also consider: the process of elimination. You might not agree with the finding, but this process should help in your efforts to choose the best 3D printing stock.

The Best 3DP Printing Stock to Buy from The Motley Fool.

The article The Best 3D Printing Stock to Buy originally appeared on Fool.com.

Beth McKenna has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns and recommends 3D Systems and Google (A and C shares). The Motley Fool recommends Ford and Stratasys. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.