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 Profitable Stocks Facing Headwinds

SNDR Cover Image

While profitability is essential, it doesn’t guarantee long-term success. Some companies that rest on their margins will lose ground as competition intensifies - as Jeff Bezos said, "Your margin is my opportunity".

Profits are valuable, but they’re not everything. At StockStory, we help you identify the companies that have real staying power. Keeping that in mind, here are three profitable companies that don’t make the cut and some better opportunities instead.

Schneider (SNDR)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 3.3%

Employing thousands of drivers across the country to make deliveries, Schneider (NYSE: SNDR) makes full truckload and intermodal deliveries regionally and across borders.

Why Do We Avoid SNDR?

  1. Customers postponed purchases of its products and services this cycle as its revenue declined by 8.5% annually over the last two years
  2. Incremental sales over the last five years were much less profitable as its earnings per share fell by 10.3% annually while its revenue grew
  3. Shrinking returns on capital suggest that increasing competition is eating into the company’s profitability

At $24.75 per share, Schneider trades at 25.2x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than SNDR.

Luxfer (LXFR)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 10.6%

With its magnesium alloys used in the construction of the famous Spirit of St. Louis aircraft, Luxfer (NYSE: LXFR) offers specialized materials, components, and gas containment devices to various industries.

Why Do We Steer Clear of LXFR?

  1. Muted 1.6% annual revenue growth over the last one years shows its demand lagged behind its industrials peers
  2. 8.7 percentage point decline in its free cash flow margin over the last five years reflects the company’s increased investments to defend its market position
  3. Diminishing returns on capital suggest its earlier profit pools are drying up

Luxfer is trading at $12.17 per share, or 11.6x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with LXFR, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Integer Holdings (ITGR)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 12.5%

With its name reflecting the mathematical term for "whole" or "complete," Integer Holdings (NYSE: ITGR) is a medical device outsource manufacturer that produces components and systems for cardiac, vascular, neurological, and other medical applications.

Why Are We Hesitant About ITGR?

  1. Annual revenue growth of 6.5% over the last five years was below our standards for the healthcare sector
  2. Subscale operations are evident in its revenue base of $1.75 billion, meaning it has fewer distribution channels than its larger rivals
  3. Free cash flow margin shrank by 7.7 percentage points over the last five years, suggesting the company is consuming more capital to stay competitive

Integer Holdings’s stock price of $120.70 implies a valuation ratio of 19.2x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why ITGR doesn’t pass our bar.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth.

While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we’re leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 176% over the last five years.

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 Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.

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