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

1 Russell 2000 Stock on Our Watchlist and 2 to Keep Off Your Radar

BLMN Cover Image

The Russell 2000 (^RUT) is home to many small-cap stocks, offering investors the chance to uncover hidden gems before the broader market catches on. However, these companies often come with higher volatility and risk, as their smaller size makes them more vulnerable to economic downturns.

Navigating this part of the market can be tricky, which is why we built StockStory to help you separate the winners from the laggards. That said, here is one Russell 2000 stock that could be a breakout winner and two best left off your watchlist.

Two Stocks to Sell:

Bloomin' Brands (BLMN)

Market Cap: $762.1 million

Owner of the iconic Australian-themed Outback Steakhouse, Bloomin’ Brands (NASDAQ: BLMN) is a leading American restaurant company that owns and operates a portfolio of popular restaurant brands.

Why Do We Pass on BLMN?

  1. Lagging same-store sales over the past two years suggest it might have to change its pricing and marketing strategy to stimulate demand
  2. Sales are projected to tank by 4.8% over the next 12 months as demand evaporates further
  3. High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 5× increases the risk of forced asset sales or dilutive financing if operational performance weakens

Bloomin' Brands’s stock price of $8.90 implies a valuation ratio of 6.9x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including BLMN in your portfolio.

Dine Brands (DIN)

Market Cap: $418.8 million

Operating a franchise model, Dine Brands (NYSE: DIN) is a casual restaurant chain that owns the Applebee’s and IHOP banners.

Why Should You Sell DIN?

  1. Weak same-store sales trends over the past two years suggest there may be few opportunities in its core markets to open new restaurants
  2. Sales over the last six years were less profitable as its earnings per share fell by 10.1% annually while its revenue was flat
  3. High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 6× could force the company to raise capital at unfavorable terms if market conditions deteriorate

Dine Brands is trading at $26.80 per share, or 5.2x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than DIN.

One Stock to Watch:

Astrana Health (ASTH)

Market Cap: $1.21 billion

Formerly known as Apollo Medical Holdings until early 2024, Astrana Health (NASDAQ: ASTH) operates a technology-powered healthcare platform that enables physicians to deliver coordinated care while successfully participating in value-based payment models.

Why Could ASTH Be a Winner?

  1. Annual revenue growth of 35.9% over the last two years was superb and indicates its market share increased during this cycle
  2. Market share will likely rise over the next 12 months as its expected revenue growth of 19.6% is robust
  3. Earnings growth has massively outpaced its peers over the last five years as its EPS has compounded at 25% annually

At $24.26 per share, Astrana Health trades at 6x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs.

While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like 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 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).

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. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today

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