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 Value Stocks with Mounting Challenges

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The low valuation multiples for value stocks provide a margin of safety that growth stocks rarely offer. However, the challenge lies in determining whether these cheap assets are genuinely undervalued or simply on sale due to their potentially deteriorating business models.

Identifying genuine bargains from value traps is something many investors struggle with, which is why we started StockStory - to help you find the best companies. Keeping that in mind, here are three value stocks with little support and some other investments you should consider instead.

Energizer (ENR)

Forward P/E Ratio: 5.9x

Masterminds behind the viral Energizer Bunny mascot, Energizer (NYSE: ENR) is one of the world's largest manufacturers of batteries.

Why Does ENR Give Us Pause?

  1. Absence of organic revenue growth over the past two years suggests it may have to lean into acquisitions to drive its expansion
  2. Anticipated sales growth of 1.3% for the next year implies demand will be shaky
  3. Free cash flow margin dropped by 4.6 percentage points over the last year, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up

Energizer is trading at $21.51 per share, or 5.9x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including ENR in your portfolio.

Caleres (CAL)

Forward P/E Ratio: 4.6x

The owner of Dr. Scholl's, Caleres (NYSE: CAL) is a footwear company offering a range of styles.

Why Do We Think CAL Will Underperform?

  1. Annual sales declines of 3.8% for the past two years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market
  2. Estimated sales for the next 12 months are flat and imply a softer demand environment
  3. Diminishing returns on capital from an already low starting point show that neither management’s prior nor current bets are going as planned

At $14.03 per share, Caleres trades at 4.6x forward P/E. If you’re considering CAL for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Universal Logistics (ULH)

Forward P/E Ratio: 9.1x

Founded in 1932, Universal Logistics (NASDAQ: ULH) is a provider of customized transportation and logistics solutions operating throughout the United States and in Mexico, Canada, and Colombia.

Why Are We Out on ULH?

  1. Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 5.1% annually over the last two years
  2. Earnings per share have contracted by 22.9% annually over the last two years, a headwind for returns as stock prices often echo long-term EPS performance
  3. Free cash flow margin dropped by 9.6 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up

Universal Logistics’s stock price of $28.45 implies a valuation ratio of 9.1x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than ULH.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth.

While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we’re leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market 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. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today

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