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.

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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 Russell 2000 Stocks with Questionable Fundamentals

UPST Cover Image

The Russell 2000 (^RUT) is home to many small-cap stocks, offering investors the chance to uncover hidden gems before the broader market catches on. However, these companies often come with higher volatility and risk, as their smaller size makes them more vulnerable to economic downturns.

The high-risk, high-reward nature of the Russell 2000 makes stock selection critical, and we’re here to guide you toward the right ones. That said, here are three Russell 2000 stocks that don’t make the cut and some better choices instead.

Upstart (UPST)

Market Cap: $7.24 billion

Founded by the former head of Google's enterprise business, Upstart (NASDAQ: UPST) is an AI-powered lending platform facilitating loans for banks and consumers.

Why Are We Wary of UPST?

  1. Sales tumbled by 11.4% annually over the last three years, showing industry trends like AI are working against its favor
  2. Extended payback periods on sales investments suggest the company’s platform isn’t resonating enough to drive efficient sales conversions
  3. High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 8× could force the company to raise capital at unfavorable terms if market conditions deteriorate

At $76 per share, Upstart trades at 6.7x forward price-to-sales. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including UPST in your portfolio.

Trinity (TRN)

Market Cap: $2.33 billion

Operating under the trade name TrinityRail, Trinity (NYSE: TRN) is a provider of railcar products and services in North America.

Why Are We Cautious About TRN?

  1. Sales tumbled by 1.1% annually over the last five years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle
  2. Cash-burning tendencies make us wonder if it can sustainably generate shareholder value
  3. High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 8× increases the risk of forced asset sales or dilutive financing if operational performance weakens

Trinity is trading at $28.54 per share, or 4.4x forward EV-to-EBITDA. To fully understand why you should be careful with TRN, check out our full research report (it’s free).

NeoGenomics (NEO)

Market Cap: $958.8 million

Operating a network of CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified laboratories across the United States and United Kingdom, NeoGenomics (NASDAQ: NEO) provides specialized cancer diagnostic testing services, including genetic analysis, molecular testing, and pathology consultation for oncologists and healthcare providers.

Why Is NEO Risky?

  1. Revenue growth over the past five years was nullified by the company’s new share issuances as its earnings per share fell by 12% annually
  2. Negative returns on capital show that some of its growth strategies have backfired, and its falling returns suggest its earlier profit pools are drying up
  3. Depletion of cash reserves could lead to a fundraising event that triggers shareholder dilution

NeoGenomics’s stock price of $7.45 implies a valuation ratio of 33.3x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including NEO in your portfolio.

Stocks We Like More

The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025.

While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we’re homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver’s seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. 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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