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

1 of Wall Street’s Favorite Stock to Target This Week and 2 to Be Wary Of

MYPS Cover Image

Wall Street is overwhelmingly bullish on the stocks in this article, with price targets suggesting significant upside potential. However, it’s worth remembering that analysts rarely issue sell ratings, partly because their firms often seek other business from the same companies they cover.

At StockStory, we look beyond the headlines with our independent analysis to determine whether these bullish calls are justified. Keeping that in mind, here is one stock likely to meet or exceed Wall Street’s lofty expectations and two where analysts may be overlooking some important risks.

Two Stocks to Sell:

PlayStudios (MYPS)

Consensus Price Target: $2.63 (69.4% implied return)

Founded by a team of former gaming industry executives, PlayStudios (NASDAQ: MYPS) offers free-to-play digital casino games.

Why Are We Cautious About MYPS?

  1. Sales tumbled by 4.4% annually over the last two years, showing consumer trends are working against its favor
  2. Historical operating losses point to an inefficient cost structure
  3. Negative returns on capital show management lost money while trying to expand the business

PlayStudios is trading at $1.55 per share, or 3.9x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including MYPS in your portfolio.

Diebold Nixdorf (DBD)

Consensus Price Target: $72.33 (46.2% implied return)

With roots dating back to 1859 and a presence in over 100 countries, Diebold Nixdorf (NYSE: DBD) provides automated self-service technology, software, and services that help banks and retailers digitize their customer transactions.

Why Does DBD Fall Short?

  1. Sales tumbled by 2.9% annually over the last five years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle
  2. Cash-burning tendencies make us wonder if it can sustainably generate shareholder value
  3. Negative returns on capital show management lost money while trying to expand the business

Diebold Nixdorf’s stock price of $49.46 implies a valuation ratio of 12.6x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with DBD, check out our full research report (it’s free).

One Stock to Buy:

Verra Mobility (VRRM)

Consensus Price Target: $28.92 (22.1% implied return)

Managing over 165 million tolling transactions per year, Verra Mobility (NYSE: VRRM) is a leading provider of smart mobility technology that enhances safety, efficiency, and convenience on roadways.

Why Are We Bullish on VRRM?

  1. Market share has increased this cycle as its 13.8% annual revenue growth over the last five years was exceptional
  2. Offerings are difficult to replicate at scale and result in a best-in-class gross margin of 62.1%
  3. Robust free cash flow margin of 20% gives it many options for capital deployment, and its improved cash conversion implies it’s becoming a less capital-intensive business

At $23.69 per share, Verra Mobility trades at 17.4x 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

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 6 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-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.

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