Anticipated sales and profits from Stratasys’ 3D printers and related services in 2017 did not match Wall Street’s estimations, pushing the company’s stock down 9 percent on Thursday.
 
Stratasys, which splits its headquarters between Eden Prairie and Israel, forecast sales between $645 million to $680 million this year. Analysts polled by Zacks Investment Research had hoped the company would return to its 2015 form when it reported sales of $696 million. Comparably, its sales last year weren’t as good, falling 3 percent year-over-year to $672.5 million.
 
Easily Stratasys’ most drastic improvement in 2016 was in its operating expenses. During the prior year, the company was hit with a $942 million “goodwill impairment charge,” leading Stratasys to claim a $1.37 billion loss, or negative $26.64 per share.
 
After shrinking its loss to $77.2 million in 2016 — and announcing numerous new products and partnerships — Stratasys CEO Ilan Levin hopes the company’s turbulent years are in the past.
 
“We made significant progress in 2016,” he said. “As we move into 2017, we continue to invest in achieving our long-term goals… We believe our combined efforts can lead to improved quality of revenue, and enable long-term, strong sustainable growth.”
 
Stratasys expects it will break free from the red in 2017 with adjusted earnings of $10 million to $20 million, or 19 cents to 37 cents per share. Analysts had predicted about 41 cents a share.
 
The company enters its new fiscal year on an improved fourth quarter. Sales for the October to December period topped $175 million compared to $173 million in 2015. Its net loss also fell from $232 million a year ago to $14.7 million.
 
After closing at $20.06 a share on Wednesday, Stratasys shares were down Thursday to $18.25.