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

PriceSmart Pulls Back: A Smart Time To Buy Emerging Markets?

By: MarketBeat

PriceSmart stock price

With emerging markets expected to diverge from developed markets in the 2nd half, PriceSmart (NASDAQ: PSMT) looks like an intelligent play. According to GlobalXETFs, low valuations and secular growth stories provide structural opportunities for investors.

The opportunity in PriceSmart is two-fold- the company continues to expect growth and is supported by deepening penetration of existing markets and new store count. That combination has the chain of membership warehouse clubs on a sustained growth trajectory, and it trades at a value compared to its US-based counterparts. 

The Q3 results were tepid regarding the analyst expectations and sent the stock down in early trading, but this is an opportunity for investors. Shares of PriceSmart have been under pressure for more than 2 years while the company has grown and improved profitability, the stock price may not enter a complete reversal now, but the depths of the correction have been plumbed. 

PriceSmart Has Solid Quarter, Widens Margin, Shares Fall 

PriceSmart had a solid quarter bringing in $1.1 billion in net revenue for a gain of 6.4% compared to last year. The bad news is that the revenue gain is as expected and priced into the market. However, the details that long-term investors should focus on are the fact that store count is up nearly 20% since Q3 of 2019 and revenue 40%.

That’s a clear signal of strength. On a net-merchandise basis, sales are up 7.1% YOY and comp sales 5.8%. Interestingly, this company is experiencing FXN-related issues, but they positively impact the results. FX translation added about 150 bps to the top line and may continue to support results this year. 

The margin news is equally mixed in that margins widened but not enough to satisfy the analysts. The takeaway is that operating income increased by 27.5% and net income by 53.6% to produce $0.94 in GAAP income and $1.02 in adjusted EPS. The adjusted EPS is up 64% compared to last year but missed by 2 cents. Compared to 2019, GAAP earnings are up more than 100% and helping to fuel the company’s growth strategy. The company’s balance sheet is a fortress with long-term debt leverage at less than 1X equity. 

PriceSmart’s growth, cash flow, and capital position led the board to authorize a share repurchase program. The authorization is good for $75 million and comes with no expiration. The $75 million is worth about 3.2% of the pre-release market cap and should help support the price action over the next few quarters to a year. 

The Sell-Side Pressure In PriceSmart Is Easing 

Sell-Side pressure in the form of insider selling appears to be easing. The insiders and major shareholders own about 17% of the stock and made regular and relatively large sales until April 2023. The selling activity halted in tandem with a price top reached in April and may not resume, given the outlook for share prices. Trading at 20X earnings, this growth story is lightly valued relative to Walmart’s (NYSE: WMT) 25X and Costco’s (NYSE: COST) 36X with less competition in a large and expanding market.

The price action may struggle to gain traction, but a bottom in play exists. The market hit bottom in late 2022 and is on the brink of a complete reversal. There is resistance at the baseline of the reversal pattern, which is a Double-Bottom or irregular Head & Shoulders, but the market looks ready to blow through it. In this scenario, the stock could climb to $88 or higher. 

PriceSmart stock chart

More News

View More
Pfizer is Locking in New Growth Through a New Acquisition
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers MTSR PFE
Copper Giant Freeport Slumps but Analysts See 33% Upside
Via MarketBeat
Tickers FCX SCCO
The BYD Opportunity: Tesla-Like Growth at a Fraction of the Price
Via MarketBeat
Topics Electric Vehicles
Tickers BYDDY LI TSLA
3 Reasons CoreWeave Could Be the Hottest AI Stock in Q4
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers CRWV NVDA
Accenture: Undervalued GenAI Leader or Snake Eating its Own Tail?
Via MarketBeat
Tickers ACN IBM
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.