Key Takeaways
The 3D Printing ETF (PRNT) surged to a new 52-week high on Monday as the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence data centers and ongoing supply-chain shifts boost demand for advanced manufacturing solutions.
"Protolabs started 2026 very strong, delivering another record revenue quarter," said Suresh Krishna, President and Chief Executive Officer at Protolabs, in a recent earnings call, highlighting the strong demand for digital manufacturing services.
The move in PRNT comes as the broader industrial machinery sector sees divergent performance. While some component suppliers are benefiting from the AI build-out, others face headwinds. Since reporting recent earnings, component manufacturer 3D Systems (DDD) has jumped 19.7%, while competitor Stratasys (SSYS) has fallen 9.4%. The broader industrial sector has seen share prices decline by an average of 2.5% since the latest earnings results, according to a StockStory analysis of 54 industrial machinery stocks.
The performance of PRNT signals a key theme for investors: the AI revolution is not just a software story but a massive industrial undertaking. The voracious power and cooling needs of AI data centers, like the $185 million X-AI facility in Memphis, require novel hardware and manufacturing techniques where 3D printing offers speed and customization advantages. This trend is expected to drive further capital into the sector as the global data center power demand is projected to surge 175% by 2030.
The demand for custom, high-performance components for cooling systems, server racks, and other data center infrastructure is a primary driver. Companies in the PRNT portfolio, such as Proto Labs (PRLB), are positioned to benefit from this trend by offering rapid prototyping and on-demand production of complex parts. Proto Labs saw its revenue increase 10.4% year-over-year to $139.3 million in its latest quarter, beating analyst expectations.
This industrial demand is part of a wider market rotation. While tech stocks faced anxieties over AI's long-term impact in late 2025, the focus has shifted to the physical infrastructure needed to power it. This has not only lifted specialized manufacturing ETFs like PRNT but has also renewed interest in the nuclear power sector, with ETFs like NLR gaining 5.4% year-to-date to meet the anticipated electricity demand from data centers.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
