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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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 Profitable Stocks in Hot Water

SKX Cover Image

Even if a company is profitable, it doesn’t always mean it’s a great investment. Some struggle to maintain growth, face looming threats, or fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their future potential.

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

Skechers (SKX)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 9.5%

Synonymous with "dad shoe", Skechers (NYSE: SKX) is a footwear company renowned for its comfortable, stylish, and affordable shoes for all ages.

Why Are We Out on SKX?

  1. Underwhelming constant currency revenue performance over the past two years suggests its product offering at current prices doesn’t resonate with customers
  2. Estimated sales growth of 7.4% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its two-year trend
  3. Poor free cash flow margin of 4.4% for the last two years limits its freedom to invest in growth initiatives, execute share buybacks, or pay dividends

At $63.30 per share, Skechers trades at 14.8x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why SKX doesn’t pass our bar.

Packaging Corporation of America (PKG)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 13.9%

Founded in 1959, Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) produces containerboard and corrugated packaging products as well as displays and package protection.

Why Is PKG Risky?

  1. Annual revenue growth of 1.4% over the last two years was below our standards for the industrials sector
  2. High input costs result in an inferior gross margin of 22.7% that must be offset through higher volumes
  3. Earnings per share have dipped by 4.2% annually over the past two years, which is concerning because stock prices follow EPS over the long term

Packaging Corporation of America’s stock price of $202.29 implies a valuation ratio of 12.4x forward EV-to-EBITDA. To fully understand why you should be careful with PKG, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Fidelity National Financial (FNF)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 11.6%

Issuing more title insurance policies than any other company in the United States, Fidelity National Financial (NYSE: FNF) provides title insurance and escrow services for real estate transactions while also offering annuities and life insurance through its F&G subsidiary.

Why Are We Cautious About FNF?

  1. Customers purchased fewer policies this cycle as its net premiums earned declined by 6.1% annually over the last four years
  2. Expenses have increased as a percentage of revenue over the last four years as its pre-tax profit margin fell by 9.9 percentage points
  3. Performance over the past two years shows its incremental sales were less profitable, as its 1.2% annual earnings per share growth trailed its revenue gains

Fidelity National Financial is trading at $57.99 per share, or 1.7x forward P/B. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than FNF.

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 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

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