About Us

Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Social Media

Bluesky • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn • YouTube

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology
My Watchlist
Indicators
Industrial Laser Index
Markets
Stocks
ETFs
Tools
Markets:
Overview
News
Currencies
International
Treasuries

AM Best Comments on Credit Ratings of Skyward Specialty Insurance Group Members Following Announced Acquisition of Apollo Group Holdings Inc.

By: via Business Wire

AM Best has commented that the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a” (Excellent) of Great Midwest Insurance Company (GMIC), Houston Specialty Insurance Company (HSIC), Oklahoma Specialty Insurance Company (OSIC) and Imperium Insurance Company (IIC) are unchanged following the September 2, 2025, announcement that Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. (Skyward Group) has entered into a definitive agreement with the majority sellers to acquire 100% of Apollo Group Holdings Limited (Apollo) for a total consideration of $555 million from Alchemy, management, employees and other strategic investors.

GMIC, HSIC, OSIC and IIC are members of Skyward Specialty Insurance Group (Skyward), whose ultimate parent, Skyward Group, [NASDAQ: SKWD], has a Long-Term ICR of “bbb” (Good). All companies are headquartered in Houston, TX.

The Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect Skyward’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Skyward Specialty maintains a position as a leading writer in U.S. specialty markets. Apollo is a leading U.S. centric specialty underwriting platform operating at Lloyd’s of London and is also the managing agent to both its own syndicates, as well as to other third-party syndicates, known as Platform Partners. Apollo’s management team will join Skyward Specialty and continue to lead the Apollo business. The transaction is expected to close in first-quarter 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

AM Best does not expect the transaction to have any material change to Skyward’s current rating fundamentals. AM Best will continue to monitor the progress and the effects of this transaction over time, including the planned synergies and efficiencies gained from the transaction, as there could be future benefits to Skyward’s business profile. Conversely, based on the indicated financing there is an immediate increase to financial leverage to slightly over 25%, which Skyward expects to manage over time, as well as execution risk as noted in any significant acquisition. Skyward plans to maintain strong interest coverage without taking dividends from the insurance subsidiaries in the near to medium term. Apollo will provide Skyward with a stream of unregulated earnings and cash flow, which reduces the organization’s reliance on its statutory entities.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

More News

View More
Adobe Launches Premiere Pro on iPhone, Upside Ahead?
Via MarketBeat
Topics Economy
Tickers AAPL ADBE
Trump’s Metals Bet Sends Rare Earth Stocks Soaring—Is USAR Next?
Via MarketBeat
Topics Government
Tickers CRML FCX LAC MP TMQ USAR
5 Healthcare Plays Powering the Sector’s Big Comeback
Via MarketBeat
Tickers LLY MRK PFE UNH XLV
Rocket Lab: A Space Giant Hitting New Highs—Time to Chase?
Via MarketBeat
Tickers RKLB
Lowe’s vs. Home Depot: Which Benefits More From Lower Rates?
Via MarketBeat
Topics Economy
Tickers AMD HD LOW
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.