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.

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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

3 Profitable Stocks Walking a Fine Line

PBPB Cover Image

Not all profitable companies are built to last - some rely on outdated models or unsustainable advantages. Just because a business is in the green today doesn’t mean it will thrive tomorrow.

Not all profitable companies are created equal, and that’s why we built StockStory - to help you find the ones that truly shine bright. Keeping that in mind, here are three profitable companies to steer clear of and a few better alternatives.

Potbelly (PBPB)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 2.5%

With a unique origin story where the company actually started as an antique shop, Potbelly (NASDAQ: PBPB) today is a chain known for its toasty sandwiches.

Why Are We Cautious About PBPB?

  1. Muted 1.8% annual revenue growth over the last six years shows its demand lagged behind its restaurant peers
  2. Modest revenue base of $465.1 million gives it less fixed cost leverage and fewer distribution channels than larger companies
  3. Subpar operating margin of 2.6% constrains its ability to invest in process improvements or effectively respond to new competitive threats

Potbelly is trading at $10.62 per share, or 10.8x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including PBPB in your portfolio.

Terex (TEX)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 8.6%

With humble beginnings as a dump truck company, Terex (NYSE: TEX) today manufactures lifting and material handling equipment designed to move and hoist heavy goods and materials.

Why Does TEX Give Us Pause?

  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 16.4% annually over the last two years, a headwind for returns as stock prices often echo long-term EPS performance
  3. Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 6.1 percentage points

Terex’s stock price of $44.06 implies a valuation ratio of 9x forward P/E. If you’re considering TEX for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

AdaptHealth (AHCO)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 7.3%

With a network of approximately 680 locations serving patients across all 50 states, AdaptHealth (NASDAQ: AHCO) provides home medical equipment, supplies, and related services to patients with chronic conditions like sleep apnea, diabetes, and respiratory disorders.

Why Are We Wary of AHCO?

  1. Muted 3.9% annual revenue growth over the last two years shows its demand lagged behind its healthcare peers
  2. ROIC of 1.2% reflects management’s challenges in identifying attractive investment opportunities, and its shrinking returns suggest its past profit sources are losing steam
  3. Eroding returns on capital from an already low base indicate that management’s recent investments are destroying value

At $8.75 per share, AdaptHealth trades at 8.1x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with AHCO, check out our full 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 6 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-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.

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