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 Russell 2000 Stocks in the Doghouse

JJSF Cover Image

The Russell 2000 (^RUT) is packed with potential breakout stocks, thanks to its focus on smaller companies with high growth potential. However, smaller size also means these businesses often lack the resilience and financial flexibility of large-cap firms, making careful selection crucial.

The high-risk, high-reward nature of the Russell 2000 makes stock selection critical, and we’re here to guide you toward the right ones. Keeping that in mind, here are three Russell 2000 stocks that don’t make the cut and some better choices instead.

J&J Snack Foods (JJSF)

Market Cap: $2.23 billion

Best known for its SuperPretzel soft pretzels and ICEE frozen drinks, J&J Snack Foods (NASDAQ: JJSF) produces a range of snacks and beverages and distributes them primarily to supermarket and food service customers.

Why Is JJSF Not Exciting?

  1. Smaller revenue base of $1.59 billion means it hasn’t achieved the economies of scale that some industry juggernauts enjoy
  2. Estimated sales growth of 2.8% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its three-year trend
  3. Underwhelming 6.6% return on capital reflects management’s difficulties in finding profitable growth opportunities

J&J Snack Foods is trading at $120.27 per share, or 22.5x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than JJSF.

NeoGenomics (NEO)

Market Cap: $1.02 billion

Operating a network of CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified laboratories across the United States and United Kingdom, NeoGenomics (NASDAQ: NEO) provides specialized cancer diagnostic testing services, including genetic analysis, molecular testing, and pathology consultation for oncologists and healthcare providers.

Why Is NEO Risky?

  1. Revenue growth over the past five years was nullified by the company’s new share issuances as its earnings per share fell by 11.9% annually
  2. Negative returns on capital show management lost money while trying to expand the business, and its decreasing returns suggest its historical profit centers are aging
  3. Limited cash reserves may force the company to seek unfavorable financing terms that could dilute shareholders

NeoGenomics’s stock price of $7.96 implies a valuation ratio of 35.6x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including NEO in your portfolio.

IMAX (IMAX)

Market Cap: $1.42 billion

Originally developed for World Expo '67 in Montreal as an innovative projection system, IMAX (NYSE: IMAX) provides proprietary large-format cinema technology and systems that deliver immersive movie experiences with enhanced image quality and sound.

Why Does IMAX Give Us Pause?

  1. Products and services are facing end-market challenges during this cycle, as seen in its flat sales over the last five years
  2. Cash-burning tendencies make us wonder if it can sustainably generate shareholder value
  3. Push for growth has led to negative returns on capital, signaling value destruction

At $26.37 per share, IMAX trades at 21.1x forward P/E. If you’re considering IMAX for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025.

While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we’re homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver’s seat and build a durable portfolio 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 Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.

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