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

Q1 Rundown: Kemper (NYSE:KMPR) Vs Other Insurance Stocks

KMPR Cover Image

As the Q1 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the insurance industry, including Kemper (NYSE: KMPR) and its peers.

The insurance industry absorbs and diversifies risk, providing financial protection against unforeseen life, health, property, and liability events. Profits come from underwriting—collecting more in premiums than paid in claims—and investing the 'float'. This cyclical industry benefits from 'hard markets' with strong pricing power and higher interest rates that enhance investment income. AI adoption is improving underwriting through sophisticated data analysis and reducing costs via automation. However, 'soft markets' and low rates create headwinds, while the industry faces elevated claims costs from climate catastrophes, inflation, and rising litigation expenses.

The 58 insurance stocks we track reported a mixed Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.1%.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.

Kemper (NYSE: KMPR)

Originally known as Unitrin until rebranding in 2011, Kemper (NYSE: KMPR) is an insurance holding company that provides automobile, homeowners, life, and other insurance products to individuals and businesses across the United States.

Kemper reported revenues of $1.19 billion, up 5.1% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 0.6%. Overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share estimates and a slight miss of analysts’ net premiums earned estimates.

“Kemper delivered another quarter of very strong financial results, led by continued robust profitable growth in our Specialty Auto business, which saw a very strong 92% underlying combined ratio, 14% year-over-year policy growth, and 24% written premium growth,” said President and CEO Joseph P. Lacher, Jr.

Kemper Total Revenue

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 2.3% since reporting and currently trades at $63.07.

Read our full report on Kemper here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Root (NASDAQ: ROOT)

Pioneering a data-driven approach that rewards good driving habits, Root (NASDAQ: ROOT) is a technology-driven auto insurance company that uses mobile apps to acquire customers and data science to price policies based on individual driving behavior.

Root reported revenues of $349.4 million, up 37.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 9.1%. The business had an incredible quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS and net premiums earned estimates.

Root Total Revenue

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 13.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $121.16.

Is now the time to buy Root? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: Equitable Holdings (NYSE: EQH)

Tracing its roots back to 1859 as one of America's oldest financial institutions, Equitable Holdings (NYSE: EQH) provides retirement planning, asset management, and life insurance products through its two main franchises, Equitable and AllianceBernstein.

Equitable Holdings reported revenues of $3.78 billion, up 4% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 5.7%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 2% since the results and currently trades at $54.69.

Read our full analysis of Equitable Holdings’s results here.

Assured Guaranty (NYSE: AGO)

Serving as a financial safety net for over $11 trillion in debt service payments since its founding in 2003, Assured Guaranty (NYSE: AGO) provides credit protection products that guarantee scheduled payments on municipal bonds, infrastructure projects, and structured finance obligations.

Assured Guaranty reported revenues of $345 million, up 40.8% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 74.7%. Overall, it was an incredible quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS and net premiums earned estimates.

Assured Guaranty pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $84.84.

Read our full, actionable report on Assured Guaranty here, it’s free.

Essent Group (NYSE: ESNT)

Serving as a crucial bridge between homebuyers and the American dream of homeownership, Essent Group (NYSE: ESNT) provides private mortgage insurance and title services that enable lenders to offer home loans with down payments of less than 20%.

Essent Group reported revenues of $317.6 million, up 6.4% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 2.1%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it recorded EPS in line with analysts’ estimates.

The stock is up 2% since reporting and currently trades at $59.85.

Read our full, actionable report on Essent Group here, it’s free.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s series of rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has cooled significantly from its post-pandemic highs, drawing closer to the 2% goal. This disinflation has occurred without severely impacting economic growth, suggesting the success of a soft landing. The stock market thrived in 2024, spurred by recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November), and a notable surge followed Donald Trump’s presidential election win in November, propelling indices to historic highs. Nonetheless, the outlook for 2025 remains clouded by potential trade policy changes and corporate tax discussions, which could impact business confidence and growth. The path forward holds both optimism and caution as new policies take shape.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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.