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.

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  • 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 Value Stocks Skating on Thin Ice

RNG Cover Image

The low valuation multiples for value stocks provide a margin of safety that growth stocks rarely offer. However, the challenge lies in determining whether these cheap assets are genuinely undervalued or simply on sale due to their potentially deteriorating business models.

This distinction between true value and value traps can challenge even the most skilled investors. Luckily for you, we started StockStory to help you uncover exceptional companies. That said, here are three value stocks with little support and some other investments you should consider instead.

RingCentral (RNG)

Forward P/S Ratio: 0.9x

Founded in 1999 during the dot-com era, RingCentral (NYSE: RNG) provides software as a service that unifies phone, text, fax, video calls and chat in one platform.

Why Are We Hesitant About RNG?

  1. Average ARR growth of 8.9% over the last year has disappointed, suggesting it’s had a hard time winning long-term deals and renewals
  2. Customers have churned over the last year due to the commoditized nature of its software, as reflected in its 99.1% net revenue retention rate
  3. Estimated sales growth of 4.6% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its three-year trend

RingCentral is trading at $24.99 per share, or 0.9x forward price-to-sales. If you’re considering RNG for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Amkor (AMKR)

Forward P/E Ratio: 10.2x

Operating through a largely Asian facility footprint, Amkor Technologies (NASDAQ: AMKR) provides outsourced packaging and testing for semiconductors.

Why Do We Steer Clear of AMKR?

  1. Customers postponed purchases of its products and services this cycle as its revenue declined by 5.1% annually over the last two years
  2. High input costs result in an inferior gross margin of 14.5% that must be offset through higher volumes
  3. Subpar operating margin of 6.9% has withered over the last five years, constraining its ability to invest in process improvements or effectively respond to new competitive threats

At $17.40 per share, Amkor trades at 10.2x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including AMKR in your portfolio.

Quest Resource (QRHC)

Forward P/E Ratio: 6.1x

Recycling corporate waste to help companies be more sustainable, Quest Resource (NASDAQ: QRHC) is a provider of waste and recycling services.

Why Do We Pass on QRHC?

  1. Products and services are facing end-market challenges during this cycle, as seen in its flat sales over the last two years
  2. Free cash flow margin dropped by 6.4 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up
  3. Short cash runway increases the probability of a capital raise that dilutes existing shareholders

Quest Resource’s stock price of $2.35 implies a valuation ratio of 6.1x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than QRHC.

Stocks That Overcame Trump’s 2018 Tariffs

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 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 175% over the last five years.

Stocks that made our list in 2019 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+2,183% between December 2019 and December 2024) as well as under-the-radar businesses like Sterling Infrastructure (+1,096% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.

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