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

3 Market-Beating Stocks for Long-Term Investors

URBN Cover Image

The best-performing stocks typically have robust sales growth, increasing margins, and rising returns on capital, and those that can maintain this trifecta year in and year out often become the legends of the investing world.

It’s clear there’s a strong connection between sustained earnings growth and hall-of-fame returns. Keeping that in mind, here are three market-beating stocks with room for further growth.

Urban Outfitters (URBN)

Five-Year Return: +354%

Founded as a purveyor of vintage items, Urban Outfitters (NASDAQ: URBN) now largely sells new apparel and accessories to teens and young adults seeking on-trend fashion.

Why Is URBN on Our Radar?

  1. Comparable store sales rose by 4.2% on average over the past two years, demonstrating its ability to drive increased spending at existing locations
  2. Sales outlook for the upcoming 12 months calls for 8.1% growth, an acceleration from its six-year trend
  3. Earnings per share grew by 46.7% annually over the last five years, massively outpacing its peers

Urban Outfitters’s stock price of $72.67 implies a valuation ratio of 16.1x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

EXL (EXLS)

Five-Year Return: +233%

Originally founded as an outsourcing company in 1999 before evolving into a technology-focused enterprise, EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS) provides data analytics and AI-powered digital operations solutions that help businesses transform their operations and make better decisions.

Why Do We Love EXLS?

  1. Market share has increased this cycle as its 13.8% annual revenue growth over the last five years was exceptional
  2. Share repurchases over the last five years enabled its annual earnings per share growth of 22.8% to outpace its revenue gains
  3. EXLS is a free cash flow machine with the flexibility to invest in growth initiatives or return capital to shareholders

At $42.65 per share, EXL trades at 22x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.

FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN)

Return Since IPO: +64.6%

Tracing its roots back to 1892 when it first opened its doors in Kansas, FirstSun Capital Bancorp (NASDAQ: FSUN) operates Sunflower Bank, providing commercial and consumer banking services to businesses and individuals across the Southwest region.

Why Will FSUN Outperform?

  1. Market share has increased this cycle as its 20.5% annual net interest income growth over the last four years was exceptional
  2. Differentiated product suite leads to a Strong performance of its loan book results in a High-yielding loan book and low cost of funds are reflected in its stellar net interest margin of 4.2%
  3. Impressive 12.1% annual tangible book value per share growth over the last five years indicates it’s building equity value this cycle

FirstSun Capital Bancorp is trading at $39.50 per share, or 1x forward P/B. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

Donald Trump’s April 2024 "Liberation Day" tariffs sent markets into a tailspin, but stocks have since rebounded strongly, proving that knee-jerk reactions often create the best buying opportunities.

The smart money is already positioning for the next leg up. Don’t miss out on the recovery - check 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. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today

StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.

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.