The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who not so much). Let’s take a look at how industrial machinery stocks fared in Q3, starting with 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD).

Automation that increases efficiency and connected equipment that collects analyzable data have been trending, generating new demand for industrial machinery and components. Companies that innovate and create digitized solutions can spur sales and speed up replacement cycles while those resting on their laurels can see dwindling market positions. Like the broader industrials sector, industrial machinery and components companies are also at the whim of economic cycles. Consumer spending and interest rates, for example, can greatly impact the industrial production that drives demand for these companies’ offerings.

The 58 industrial machinery stocks we track reported a strong Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.7% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 2.8% on average since the latest earnings results.

3D Systems (NYSE: DDD)

Founded by the inventor of stereolithography, 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) engineers, manufactures, and sells 3D printers and other related products to the aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and consumer goods industries.

3D Systems reported revenues of $91.25 million, down 19.2% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 2.5%. Overall, it was a softer quarter for the company with a miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

"I am excited to step into the role of interim CFO," said Phyllis Nordstrom.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 16.4% since reporting and currently trades at $2.19.

Read our full report on 3D Systems here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: Hillenbrand (NYSE: HI)

Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE: HI) is an industrial company that designs, manufactures, and sells highly engineered processing equipment and solutions for various industries.

Hillenbrand reported revenues of $652.1 million, down 22.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 9.8%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

However, the results were likely priced into the stock as it’s traded sideways since reporting. Shares currently sit at $31.82.

Is now the time to buy Hillenbrand? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Weakest Q3: Albany (NYSE: AIN)

Founded in 1895, Albany (NYSE: AIN) is a global textiles and materials processing company, specializing in machine clothing for paper mills and engineered composite structures for aerospace and other industries.

Albany reported revenues of $261.4 million, down 12.4% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 12.8%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a miss of analysts’ Engineered Composites revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Albany delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 2.1% since the results and currently trades at $53.46.

Read our full analysis of Albany’s results here.

Flowserve (NYSE: FLS)

Manufacturing the largest pump ever built for nuclear power generation, Flowserve (NYSE: FLS) manufactures and sells flow control equipment for various industries.

Flowserve reported revenues of $1.17 billion, up 3.6% year on year. This result came in 2.7% below analysts' expectations. Aside from that, it was a very strong quarter as it produced an impressive beat of analysts’ backlog estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 36.4% since reporting and currently trades at $71.85.

Read our full, actionable report on Flowserve here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Proto Labs (NYSE: PRLB)

Pioneering the concept of online quoting and manufacturing for custom prototypes and low-volume production parts, Proto Labs (NYSE: PRLB) offers injection molding, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabrication for manufacturers in various industries.

Proto Labs reported revenues of $135.4 million, up 7.8% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.1%. It was a very strong quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 1.7% since reporting and currently trades at $53.95.

Read our full, actionable report on Proto Labs here, it’s free for active Edge members.

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