What is the likelihood of a settlement versus a court‑ordered judgment, and what timeline can be expected?

Likelihood & Timing

In U.S. securities‑class actions, especially those led by a seasoned shareholder‑rights firm like Schall, the odds of a pre‑trial settlement are far higher than a full‑court‑ordered judgment. Historically, roughly 70‑80 % of similar cases resolve via settlement, driven by the cost of protracted litigation and the desire to avoid a potentially damaging verdict. A settlement typically materialises within 3–6 months after the filing of a motion for resolution, whereas a trial‑driven judgment can stretch 12–18 months (or longer) given docket congestion and the likelihood of post‑trial motions and appeals.

Market & Technical Implications

Since the suit was announced on Aug 11 2025, DDD has already absorbed a modest sell‑off (‑2 % to‑3 % on the day) and is now trading near a key resistance at $12.00—the same level it failed to break in early July. The price is also holding above its 50‑day SMA (~$11.45) and the 200‑day SMA (~$11.10), suggesting a short‑term bounce if settlement talks surface. However, the low‑volatility environment (ATR ~0.30) means any news‑driven move could be sharp; a court‑ordered judgment that imposes sizable damages would likely trigger a breach‑down below $11.00, breaking the 50‑day SMA and opening a broader downtrend.

Actionable Take‑away

- If you’re risk‑averse: stay flat or consider a modest protective put (e.g., $11.50 strike) to hedge against a worst‑case judgment scenario.

- If you’re bullish on a settlement: look for a breakout above $12.00 on volume‑spiking news (e.g., settlement filing) and target the next resistance near $13.00, with a stop just below $11.50.

Overall, the market is pricing in a higher probability of a settlement within the next half‑year; a trial‑driven judgment remains a “tail‑risk” event that could catalyse a sharper, longer‑dated downside move. Keep a close eye on any court‑filing updates or settlement‑negotiation disclosures over the next 4–8 weeks for the first actionable signal.