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

3 Surging Stocks Worth Investigating

NVDA Cover Image

Each stock in this article is trading near its 52-week high. These elevated prices usually indicate some degree of investor confidence, business improvements, or favorable market conditions.

While momentum can be a leading indicator, it has burned many investors as it doesn’t always correlate with long-term success. On that note, here are three stocks with lasting competitive advantages.

Nvidia (NVDA)

One-Month Return: +9.9%

Founded in 1993 by Jensen Huang and two former Sun Microsystems engineers, Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) is a leading fabless designer of chips used in gaming, PCs, data centers, automotive, and a variety of end markets.

Why Will NVDA Outperform?

  1. Market share has increased this cycle as its 125% annual revenue growth over the last two years was exceptional
  2. Share repurchases have amplified shareholder returns as its annual earnings per share growth of 79.5% exceeded its revenue gains over the last five years
  3. Impressive free cash flow profitability enables the company to fund new investments or reward investors with share buybacks/dividends, and its recently improved profitability means it has even more resources to invest or distribute

Nvidia’s stock price of $184.99 implies a valuation ratio of 32.5x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free for active Edge members.

Interactive Brokers (IBKR)

One-Month Return: +13.5%

Founded in 1977 and known for its sophisticated trading technology and global reach across 150+ exchanges in 34 countries, Interactive Brokers (NASDAQ: IBKR) is a global electronic broker that provides low-cost trading and investment services across stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds, and other financial instruments.

Why Should You Buy IBKR?

  1. Market share has increased this cycle as its 22.7% annual revenue growth over the last five years was exceptional
  2. Incremental sales over the last five years have been highly profitable as its earnings per share increased by 26.5% annually, topping its revenue gains
  3. Impressive 20.2% annual tangible book value per share growth over the last two years indicates it’s building equity value this cycle

Interactive Brokers is trading at $69.33 per share, or 32.6x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free for active Edge members.

East West Bank (EWBC)

One-Month Return: -2.1%

As the largest independent bank in the U.S. focused on bridging financial services between America and Asia, East West Bancorp (NASDAQ: EWBC) operates a commercial bank that provides personal and business banking services with a unique focus on facilitating U.S.-Asia cross-border transactions.

Why Could EWBC Be a Winner?

  1. Annual net interest income growth of 10.6% over the last five years beat the sector average and underscores the value of its loans
  2. Share repurchases have amplified shareholder returns as its annual earnings per share growth of 16.7% exceeded its revenue gains over the last five years
  3. Balance sheet strength has increased this cycle as its 12% annual tangible book value per share growth over the last five years was exceptional

At $107.36 per share, East West Bank trades at 1.7x forward P/B. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free for active Edge members.

Stocks We Like Even More

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 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 ServiceNow (+178% 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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