Published since 1965, Laser Focus World provides comprehensive global coverage of optics, photonics, and optoelectronic technologies, applications, and markets. With 80,000+ qualified print subscribers and over a half-million annual visitors to our online content, we are the go-to source to access decision makers and stay in-the-know.

In addition to providing in-depth articles written by Laser Focus World editors, Laser Focus World accepts articles, news stories, and new product information for publication from qualified outside contributors. 

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Subscribe

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals. Subscribe here.

Get Published!

Laser Focus World welcomes original, bylined contributed articles for publishing, provided the material is non-commercial and runs first on our site. For consideration, contact Sally Cole Johnson ([email protected]). For more information, see our Editorial Guidelines

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics. Watch here.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community. Listen here.

Contact Us

Newsletter Archive

Magazine Archive

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Contact Sales

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 Stock Under $50 to Own for Decades and 2 to Be Wary Of

DOLE Cover Image

The $10-50 price range often includes mid-sized businesses with proven track records and plenty of growth runway ahead. They also usually carry less risk than penny stocks, though they’re not immune to volatility as many lack the scale advantages of their larger peers.

Luckily for you, our mission at StockStory is to help you make money and avoid losses by sorting the winners from the losers. Keeping that in mind, here is one stock under $50 that could 10x and two that could be down big.

Two Stocks Under $50 to Sell:

Dole (DOLE)

Share Price: $14.64

Known for its delicious pineapples and Hawaiian roots, Dole (NYSE: DOLE) is a global agricultural company specializing in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Why Should You Sell DOLE?

  1. Annual revenue declines of 2% over the last three years indicate problems with its market positioning
  2. Demand will likely be soft over the next 12 months as Wall Street’s estimates imply tepid growth of 1.9%
  3. Gross margin of 8.4% is below its competitors, leaving less money to invest in areas like marketing and production facilities

Dole is trading at $14.64 per share, or 10.6x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including DOLE in your portfolio.

Driven Brands (DRVN)

Share Price: $18.20

With approximately 5,000 locations across 49 U.S. states and 13 other countries, Driven Brands (NASDAQ: DRVN) operates a network of automotive service centers offering maintenance, car washes, paint, collision repair, and glass services across North America.

Why Are We Wary of DRVN?

  1. Absence of organic revenue growth over the past two years suggests it may have to lean into acquisitions to drive its expansion
  2. Diminishing returns on capital from an already low starting point show that neither management’s prior nor current bets are going as planned
  3. 5× net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio makes lenders less willing to extend additional capital, potentially necessitating dilutive equity offerings

At $18.20 per share, Driven Brands trades at 14.1x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than DRVN.

One Stock Under $50 to Buy:

Energy Recovery (ERII)

Share Price: $13.17

Having saved far more than a trillion gallons of water, Energy Recovery (NASDAQ: ERII) provides energy recovery devices to the water treatment, oil and gas, and chemical processing sectors.

Why Should You Buy ERII?

  1. Annual revenue growth of 15.1% over the last two years was superb and indicates its market share increased during this cycle
  2. Offerings are mission-critical for businesses and result in a best-in-class gross margin of 69.4%
  3. Share buybacks catapulted its annual earnings per share growth to 71.9%, which outperformed its revenue gains over the last two years

Energy Recovery’s stock price of $13.17 implies a valuation ratio of 16.1x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Stocks We Like Even More

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 Growth Stocks for this month. 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.

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.