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

3 Low-Volatility Stocks Walking a Fine Line

MCRI 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.

Finding the right balance between safety and returns isn’t easy, which is why StockStory is here to help. That said, here are three low-volatility stocks that don’t make the cut and some better opportunities instead.

Monarch (MCRI)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.80

Established in 1993, Monarch (NASDAQ: MCRI) operates luxury casinos and resorts, offering high-end gaming, dining, and hospitality experiences.

Why Does MCRI Give Us Pause?

  1. 4% annual revenue growth over the last two years was slower than its consumer discretionary peers
  2. Anticipated sales growth of 4.4% for the next year implies demand will be shaky

At $103.33 per share, Monarch trades at 20.7x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why MCRI doesn’t pass our bar.

D.R. Horton (DHI)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.47

One of the largest homebuilding companies in the U.S., D.R. Horton (NYSE: DHI) builds a variety of new construction homes across multiple markets.

Why Are We Cautious About DHI?

  1. Backlog has dropped by 17% on average over the past two years, suggesting it’s losing orders as competition picks up
  2. Earnings per share have contracted by 5.8% annually over the last two years, a headwind for returns as stock prices often echo long-term EPS performance
  3. Eroding returns on capital suggest its historical profit centers are aging

D.R. Horton’s stock price of $142.17 implies a valuation ratio of 12.1x forward P/E. If you’re considering DHI for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Gartner (IT)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.84

With over 2,500 research experts guiding organizations through complex technology landscapes, Gartner (NYSE: IT) provides research, advisory services, and conferences that help executives make better decisions about technology and other business priorities.

Why Do We Think Twice About IT?

  1. Earnings per share lagged its peers over the last two years as they only grew by 9.3% annually

Gartner is trading at $343.12 per share, or 27.7x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than IT.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

When Trump unveiled his aggressive tariff plan in April 2024, markets tanked as investors feared a full-blown trade war. But those who panicked and sold missed the subsequent rebound that’s already erased most losses.

Don’t let fear keep you from great opportunities and take a look at Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. 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 Tecnoglass (+1,754% 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.

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