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

Top 3 Behind-the-Scenes Electronic Component Companies to Watch

By: MarketBeat

System board close-up view with electronic details and components — Photo

Post-COVID, the consumer electronics industry has faced a challenging path, including inflation, customers' hesitancy to spend money on non-essential goods, and more. Analysts expect 2025 could bring a modest recovery to this space, with global consumer electronics sales of $977 billion. Though this is lower than previous estimates of more than $1 trillion in global sales, it nonetheless represents an improvement over recent years.

Behind major consumer electronics producers like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) or Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., many companies are dedicated to fabricating and constructing various electronic components. These firms not only provide the parts for some major retail electronic products. but also build items specifically for customers in industrial, healthcare, aerospace, defense, and other markets.

With inflation and supply chain concerns alleviated for the time being, some of these behind-the-scenes electronic component makers could flourish heading into the new year.

TTM Technologies: Poised for AI Growth

A maker of printed circuit boards, radio frequency components, and a variety of other products, TTM Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: TTMI) had a fairly strong third quarter. The company reported nearly 8% year-over-year revenue improvement and swung to a net income of $14.3 million from a net loss in the prior-year quarter. Profit margin came in at 2.3%, which the company should be able to continue to build on if revenue continues to trend upward. Cash flow from operations was 10.6% of revenue, helping to strengthen the balance sheet. One area for improvement is EPS, which fell short of analyst predictions.

TTM's up-and-coming area of focus is data center computing products, which are in high demand as a result of a broad shift toward generative AI usage across industries. It is likely this portion of the company's business will continue to grow, barring a significant regulatory shift to AI or other movement away from the technology in the coming quarters.

Analysts view TTM optimistically heading into the new year. Four analysts rate the company Buy, with zero Sell or Hold ratings. It also enjoys a consensus price target of $25.31, with 5% upside potential.

Kimball Electronics: Underwhelming Results But Reasons to Be Optimistic

Despite underwhelming results for its first quarter of fiscal 2025, which ended September 30, 2024, Kimball Electronics Inc. (NASDAQ: KE) remains an attractive prospect for analysts, who rate the firm a Moderate Buy. Kimball makes components for the automotive, medical, and industrial markets. Sales across all three of those spaces declined year-over-year for the last quarter as a result of weak end markets, leading to overall sales declines of 15%. Any disappointment from the company's earnings results seems to not have carried over to its stock performance, however, as KE shares are up about 7% in the 30 days leading to November 27.

One reason for investor optimism is that Kimball recently completed the divestiture of its automation, test, and measurement business and plans to close a manufacturing plant in Florida, both of which are likely to reduce expenses and help to streamline operations.

Benchmark Electronics: Efficiency and Preparation for Industry-wide Recovery

Benchmark Electronics Inc. (NYSE: BHE) also builds electronic components for a wide array of end markets. Its third-quarter sales of $658 million came in toward the upper end of guidance, though they represent a decline year-over-year. Driving sales was the company's semi-cap business, which includes products used in the manufacturing of semiconductors.

Benchmark is highly efficient, with four straight years of quarterly operating margin expansion and $245 million in free cash flow generated last year. This sets the firm up well for the new year and a potential recovery in the industrial and medical spaces. Industrial and medical businesses made up about 40% of Benchmark's sales in the latest quarter, so a recovery in either or both markets would contribute meaningfully to improved top-line performance.

Reasons for Caution

The companies above have drawn analyst interest for their potential for growth into the new year. However, the possibility of an uncertain geopolitical landscape and potential tariffs are two factors contributing to volatility in the electronics component space as well. Investors considering a focus on these firms should keep a close eye on developments in that area.

More News

View More
3 Exceptional Stocks to Build Long-Term Wealth
Via MarketBeat
Topics Economy
Tickers ABBV COST RKLB
Insider Sales Jump at Broadcom and CoreWeave: Red Flag Ahead?
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers AVGO CRWV NVDA
Marvell Insiders Buy Shares—Should Investors Follow Suit?
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers MRVL NVDA ORCL
Trump’s Drug Price Cuts: Boom or Bust for These 3 Pharma Giants
Via MarketBeat
Topics Government Supply Chain World Trade
Tickers JNJ LLY PFE
3 Fintech Stocks That Are Set to Rise as Rates Fall
Via MarketBeat
Topics Economy
Tickers AFRM RKT UPST
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.