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.

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

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

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

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.

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

Why MRC Global (MRC) Stock Is Up Today

MRC Cover Image

What Happened?

Shares of fluid and gas handling company MRC (NYSE: MRC) jumped 16.4% in the morning session after the company agreed to be acquired by rival DNOW Inc. (NYSE: DNOW) in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $1.5 billion. 

The deal creates a combined entity described as a "premier energy and industrial solutions provider" with over 350 locations in more than 20 countries. 

Under the agreement, MRC Global shareholders will receive 0.9489 shares of DNOW common stock for each MRC share they own. This represents a premium of 8.5% to MRC Global's 30-day volume-weighted average price as of June 25, 2025. The merger is expected to generate significant cost savings, with the companies targeting $70 million in annual synergies within three years. 

The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by both boards of directors, is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals. Upon completion, DNOW shareholders will own about 56.5% of the combined company, with MRC Global shareholders holding the remaining 43.5%.

Is now the time to buy MRC Global? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free.

What The Market Is Telling Us

MRC Global’s shares are somewhat volatile and have had 10 moves greater than 5% over the last year. But moves this big are rare even for MRC Global and indicate this news significantly impacted the market’s perception of the business.

MRC Global is up 20.5% since the beginning of the year, and at $15.31 per share, has set a new 52-week high. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of MRC Global’s shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $2,475.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, it should be obvious by now that generative AI is going to have a huge impact on how large corporations do business. While Nvidia and AMD are trading close to all-time highs, we prefer a lesser-known (but still profitable) semiconductor stock benefiting from the rise of AI. Click here to access our free report on our favorite semiconductor growth story.

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.