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

Why Williams-Sonoma Will Hit Fresh Highs in 2025

[content-module:CompanyOverview|NYSE: WSM]

Williams Sonoma store

Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM) will hit fresh highs in 2025 with its brand strength, retail market position, earnings quality, cash flow, and capital return.

The fiscal Q4 earnings results and guidance underscore the value provided to investors, as seen in the institutional and analyst activity.

The takeaway is that this retail stock has everything going for it, including solid management, market support, and an outlook for ever-increasing share prices driven by all of the above. 

With strong fundamentals and ongoing demand, WSM remains well-positioned for sustained long-term growth.

Williams-Sonoma Guides Strong and Raises Dividend 15% for 2025

Williams-Sonoma had a solid quarter with top-line growth of nearly 8% and comps of 3.1% adjusted for the extra 13th week. The company reported strength in the core Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn Kids segments, offset by weaknesses at Pottery Barn and West Elm. The core Williams-Sonoma strength was notably underpinned by an improvement in big-ticket furniture sales, which also aided the margin. 

The margin news is good. The company widened its margin at the gross and operating levels to set company records. The EPS is down compared to last year due to the mid-2024 stock split; the salient details are that record margins produced record operating profit, up 15.7% year-over-year compared to the smaller 8% systemwide gain and 3% comp, and helped improve an already robust financial position. 

The guidance is equally solid. Revenue is expected to be flat due to the impact of a 53-week F2024. The comps are forecast to grow by 3% and help sustain operating margins at the high end of the long-term range. The company expects a mid-to-high single-digit revenue CAGR and a widening margin in the long term. 

Williams-Sonoma’s Strong Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Lead to Dividend Hike

[content-module:DividendStats|NYSE: WSM]

Williams-Sonoma’s strong cash flow and cash flow positive year led the board to authorize another substantial dividend increase.

The payout for 2025 is 16% greater than 2024, yielding about 1.7% with shares near $155, marking the 19th consecutive annual increase.

The pace of growth may slow in the coming years but is expected to remain strong nonetheless due to the low 25% payout ratio and balance sheet strength. 

At the end of 2024, balance sheet highlights include slight increases in current and total assets, steady cash, virtually no debt, and steady liability that left shareholder equity flat despite significant share buybacks.

Buybacks in 2024 reduced the count by 1.9% and are expected to remain robust in 2025. 

Additionally, continued operational efficiency and margin stability should support further shareholder returns without compromising growth initiatives.

Institutional Activity Creates WSM Buying Opportunity in Q1

The institutional activity is bullish for Williams-Sonoma stock on balance, but the selling in Q1 created a headwind that caused a 25% price correction and opened a deep-value opportunity. The activity is bullish on balance because institutions own 99% of the stock; the question is whether they revert to buying with shares at a long-term low or continue to weigh on the market. 

The analysts' sentiment suggests institutional and money managers will buy this dip, rating the stock at a consensus of Hold with the potential for a 20% upside.

Catalysts for the rebound include a reduction in general market fear, declining recession risk, and quarterly outperformance in upcoming reports. 

The technical action in WSM shares following the release is sketchy, with the market down more than 10%, but there are bullish signals for long-term investors. They include market capitulation, which is indicated by the significant downward movement despite solid fundamentals, and signs of buying at the $150 level.

The risk is that WSM will move to close the gap formed in 2024, moving to the low end of a trading range near $135 before rebounding. 

Williams Sonoma WSM Stock Chart

Where Should You Invest $1,000 Right Now?

Before you make your next trade, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis.

Our team has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and none of the big name stocks were on the list.

They believe these five stocks are the five best companies for investors to buy now...

See The Five Stocks Here

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.