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.

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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

3 Insurance Stocks We’re Skeptical Of

GL Cover Image

Insurance firms play a critical role in the financial system, offering everything from property coverage to life insurance and specialized risk solutions. But worries about an economic slowdown and potential claims deterioration have kept sentiment in check, and over the past six months, the industry’s 2.5% return has trailed the S&P 500 by 22.2 percentage points.

Investors should tread carefully as many of these insurers are also cyclical, and any misstep can have you catching a falling knife. On that note, here are three insurance stocks best left ignored.

Globe Life (GL)

Market Cap: $11.3 billion

With roots dating back to 1900 and a rebranding from Torchmark Corporation in 2019, Globe Life (NYSE: GL) is an insurance holding company that offers life insurance, supplemental health insurance, and annuity products through various distribution channels.

Why Do We Think Twice About GL?

  1. Sales trends were unexciting over the last two years as its 4.6% annual growth was below the typical insurance company
  2. Net premiums earned expanded by 4.4% annually over the last two years, falling below our expectations for the insurance sector
  3. Annual book value per share declines of 2.4% for the past five years show its capital management struggled during this cycle

Globe Life’s stock price of $139.44 implies a valuation ratio of 1.9x forward P/B. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including GL in your portfolio.

Everest Group (EG)

Market Cap: $14.72 billion

Rebranded from Everest Re in 2023 to reflect its evolution beyond just reinsurance, Everest Group (NYSE: EG) underwrites property and casualty reinsurance and insurance worldwide, serving insurance companies, corporations, and other clients across six continents.

Why Does EG Worry Us?

  1. Estimated sales growth of 1.7% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its two-year trend
  2. Incremental sales over the last five years were much less profitable as its earnings per share fell by 10.2% annually while its revenue grew

At $351.05 per share, Everest Group trades at 1x forward P/B. If you’re considering EG for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

AXIS Capital (AXS)

Market Cap: $7.34 billion

Founded in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks when insurance capacity was scarce, AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE: AXS) is a global specialty insurer and reinsurer that provides coverage for complex risks across property, liability, professional lines, cyber, and other specialty markets.

Why Are We Wary of AXS?

  1. Sales trends were unexciting over the last five years as its 4.9% annual growth was below the typical insurance company
  2. Sluggish 3.4% annualized growth in net premiums earned over the last two years indicates the firm trailed its insurance peers
  3. Underwhelming 9.7% return on equity reflects management’s difficulties in finding profitable growth opportunities

AXIS Capital is trading at $93.84 per share, or 1.3x forward P/B. To fully understand why you should be careful with AXS, check out our full research report (it’s free).

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

When Trump unveiled his aggressive tariff plan in April 2025, markets tanked as investors feared a full-blown trade war. But those who panicked and sold missed the subsequent rebound that’s already erased most losses.

Don’t let fear keep you from great opportunities and take a look at Top 6 Stocks for this week. 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-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% 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

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