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

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.

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

Energy Brief Today: OPEC+ production move signals further fall for oil prices

Energy Brief Today: OPEC+ production move signals further fall for oil prices

By Timothy S. Snyder, Matador Economics

OPEC+ is giving in to their membership, who have been calling for a return to normal production as they announced a slight increase in crude oil production for April of 138,000 barrels per day. The cartel is citing improved market conditions as their reason, while some in the financial media declare it is a cave-in to pressure from the Trump administration.

As is the stated purpose of this organization, OPEC’s No. 1 job is managing market share, not working to manipulate prices for crude oil. For well over a year, OPEC+ has worked to restrict their member’s production to put a floor under the price of crude oil, but their efforts have faltered, as world prices are down significantly from the high in 2024 of $86.21 on April 10, 2024.

Yesterday’s close for WTI crude oil was $66.31. This action by OPEC will most certainly allow prices to continue falling, and lower the threat of reigniting another round of inflation. Even if the real reason is to give in a little to the Trump administration, consumers around the U.S. will get the benefits that will offset the increase that comes in March and April when we start the switch to the summer blends of gasoline.

Tariffs and oil prices

With the addition of tariffs on Canada, Mexico and extensions to China, one would expect the price of crude oil to go up, because of the added cost of the tariff. The U.S. produces 13.5 million barrels per day of crude oil on its 19 million bpd demand. We import approximately one-third of our daily demand and the biggest share of this comes from Canada.

So, ask yourself why prices are down a bunch over the last week. Tariffs aren’t an “automatic tax” on crude oil. If done right, they are an effective negotiating tool, allowing markets to determine price, not the tariffs.

Jobs miss

Yesterday’s ADP Jobs report showed a pretty serious miss in jobs creation, as the number came in at 77,000 on expectations of 140,000. Tomorrow, we’ll get the Labor Department report on jobs, unemployment wages and more. We are expecting a smaller number, but as usually happens, the BLM will probably give us a surprise.

U.S. winter weather

Another storm is pushing east from the Rockies and will continue to bring Winter weather to the Northern and Central Plains, with more cold and winds to the Southern Plains. Red Flag Warnings are in effect from SE Colorado to New Mexico and West Texas.

Market drivers for today

  • OPEC+ will begin adding back 138,000 Bpd on crude oil production
  • Crude oil prices continue to fall, even with the new tariffs
  • Surprise build in crude oil inventories in the U.S. of 3.6 mm barrels

More energy commentary is available at www.matadoreconomics.com

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.