New 3D Printing Mutual Fund Launched

January 29, 2014 by Paul Ausick

3D printing
Source: Thinkstock
The first mutual fund to cover the 3D printing and additive manufacturing space was announced Wednesday by Outlook Trust Funds. The fund is also the first to be launched by Outlook Trust and is managed by 3D Printing Fund Advisors, which lists Alan M. Meckler as its lead portfolio manager and John M. Mecler as co-portfolio manager.

Alan Meckler is the founder of trade show and media firm Inside 3D Printing and the chairman and CEO of Mediabistro Inc. (NASDAQ: MBIS), which made a strategic investment in Inside 3D Printing last November.

The 3D Printing and Technology Fund initially will be comprised of global, pure-play 3D printing companies that “develop, distribute or utilize 3D printing equipment and materials” for a variety of applications. The initial offering is limited to a single class under the ticker symbol TDPIX, and a minimum initial investment of $2,500 is required. There is no minimum on subsequent investments.

The fund’s adviser uses a “‘top down’ approach to create a universe of securities” for investment and a “bottom up” approach to create the fund’s investment portfolio. Likely inclusions are 3D Systems Corp. (NYSE: DDD) and Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ: SSYS), the two largest 3D printing companies by market cap.

The fund’s expense limitation is set at 1.25%, and according to the website:

The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income annually and net-realized capital gains annually in December.

Shares of Mediabistro were up nearly 9% in early trading Tuesday, at $3.03 in a 52-week range of $0.80 to $5.43. The 52-week high came on the day of the announcement of Mediabistro’s investment in Inside 3D Printing.

Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Here’s a Great First Step

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.