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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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  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
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  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
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  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology
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1 Safe-and-Steady Stock with Exciting Potential and 2 to Turn Down

By: StockStory

ERII Cover Image

Low-volatility stocks may offer stability, but that often comes at the cost of slower growth and the upside potential of more dynamic companies.

Luckily for you, StockStory helps you navigate which companies are truly worth holding. That said, here is one low-volatility stock that could offer consistent gains and two stuck in limbo.

Two Industrials Stocks to Sell:

Fastenal (FAST)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.64

Founded in 1967, Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST) provides industrial and construction supplies, including fasteners, tools, safety products, and many other product categories to businesses globally.

Why Are We Hesitant About FAST?

  1. Muted 3.3% annual revenue growth over the last two years shows its demand lagged behind its industrials peers
  2. Performance over the past two years shows its incremental sales were less profitable, as its 1.5% annual earnings per share growth trailed its revenue gains
  3. Free cash flow margin shrank by 6 percentage points over the last five years, suggesting the company is consuming more capital to stay competitive

At $40.68 per share, Fastenal trades at 37x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than FAST.

Hayward (HAYW)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.70

Credited with introducing the first variable-speed pool pump, Hayward (NYSE: HAYW) makes residential and commercial pool equipment and accessories.

Why Should You Dump HAYW?

  1. Organic sales performance over the past two years indicates the company may need to make strategic adjustments or rely on M&A to catalyze faster growth
  2. Earnings per share have contracted by 16.8% annually over the last three years, a headwind for returns as stock prices often echo long-term EPS performance
  3. Waning returns on capital from an already weak starting point displays the inefficacy of management’s past and current investment decisions

Hayward’s stock price of $13.74 implies a valuation ratio of 18.1x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including HAYW in your portfolio.

One Industrials Stock to Buy:

Energy Recovery (ERII)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.91

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 Are We Backing ERII?

  1. Market share has increased this cycle as its 15.1% annual revenue growth over the last two years was exceptional
  2. Offerings are mission-critical for businesses and lead to a best-in-class gross margin of 69.4%
  3. Share repurchases have amplified shareholder returns as its annual earnings per share growth of 71.9% exceeded its revenue gains over the last two years

Energy Recovery is trading at $12.40 per share, or 15.2x forward P/E. Is now the right 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 9 Market-Beating Stocks. 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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