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.

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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

1 Financials Stock for Long-Term Investors and 2 That Underwhelm

VOYA Cover Image

Financial providers use their expertise in capital allocation and risk assessment to help facilitate economic growth while offering consumers and businesses essential financial services. Still, investors are uneasy as companies face challenges from an unpredictable interest rate and inflation environment. These doubts have certainly contributed to the indutry's recent underperformance - over the past six months, its 15.6% gain has fallen behind the S&P 500's 18.8% rise.

The elite companies can churn out earnings growth under any circumstance, however, and our mission at StockStory is to help you find them. On that note, here is one financials stock poised to generate sustainable market-beating returns and two we’re swiping left on.

Two Financials Stocks to Sell:

Voya Financial (VOYA)

Market Cap: $7.21 billion

Originally spun off from Dutch financial giant ING in 2013 and rebranded with a name suggesting "voyage," Voya Financial (NYSE: VOYA) provides workplace benefits and savings solutions to U.S. employers, helping their employees achieve better financial outcomes through retirement plans and insurance products.

Why Does VOYA Fall Short?

  1. Sales trends were unexciting over the last five years as its 6.9% annual growth was below the typical financials company
  2. Performance over the past two years shows its incremental sales were less profitable as its earnings per share were flat
  3. Loan losses and capital returns have eroded its tangible book value per share this cycle as its tangible book value per share declined by 16.4% annually over the last five years

At $74.80 per share, Voya Financial trades at 8.5x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with VOYA, check out our full research report (it’s free).

OneMain (OMF)

Market Cap: $6.71 billion

Dating back to 1912 and formerly known as Springleaf, OneMain Holdings (NYSE: OMF) provides personal loans, auto financing, and credit cards to nonprime consumers who have limited access to traditional banking services.

Why Does OMF Give Us Pause?

  1. Muted 3.8% annual revenue growth over the last five years shows its demand lagged behind its financials peers
  2. Earnings per share were flat over the last two years while its revenue grew, showing its incremental sales were less profitable
  3. Elevated debt-to-equity ratio of 6.6× suggests the firm is overleveraged and may struggle to secure additional financing

OneMain is trading at $57.18 per share, or 8x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than OMF.

One Financials Stock to Watch:

Corpay (CPAY)

Market Cap: $20.34 billion

Formerly known as FLEETCOR until its 2024 rebrand, Corpay (NYSE: CPAY) provides specialized payment solutions for businesses to manage vehicle expenses, corporate payments, and lodging costs with enhanced control and reporting capabilities.

Why Are We Fans of CPAY?

  1. Annual revenue growth of 10.2% over the last five years was above the sector average and underscores its products and services value to customers
  2. Share buybacks lifted its annual earnings per share growth to 12.2%, which outperformed its revenue gains over the last five years
  3. ROE punches in at 31.1%, illustrating management’s expertise in identifying profitable investments

Corpay’s stock price of $290.94 implies a valuation ratio of 12.7x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our in-depth research report, it’s free.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

Trump’s April 2025 tariff bombshell triggered a massive market selloff, but stocks have since staged an impressive recovery, leaving those who panic sold on the sidelines.

Take advantage of the rebound by checking out our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today

StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.

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