Looking back on industrial machinery stocks’ Q3 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) and its peers.

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 59 industrial machinery stocks we track reported a slower Q3. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 1.3% below.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 3.8% 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 $112.9 million, down 8.8% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. Overall, it was a softer quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Commenting on third quarter results, Dr. Jeffrey Graves, president and CEO of 3D Systems said, “As recently shared, our third quarter revenues continued to be impacted by sluggish capital investments by our customers for new production capacity, particularly in the Industrial markets, impacting the sale of new printing systems.”

The stock is up 12.7% since reporting and currently trades at $3.82.

Read our full report on 3D Systems here, it’s free .

Best Q3: Luxfer (NYSE:LXFR)

With its magnesium alloys used in the construction of the famous Spirit of St. Louis aircraft, Luxfer (NYSE:LXFR) offers specialized materials, components, and gas containment devices to various industries.

Luxfer reported revenues of $99.4 million, up 2.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 15.9%. The business had an incredible quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Luxfer pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 6.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $13.57.