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

1 Value Stock to Keep an Eye On and 2 Facing Challenges

UPWK Cover Image

Value stocks typically trade at discounts to the broader market, offering patient investors the opportunity to buy businesses when they’re out of favor. The key risk, however, is that these stocks are usually cheap for a reason – five cents for a piece of fruit may seem like a great deal until you find out it’s rotten.

This distinction between true value and value traps can challenge even the most skilled investors. Luckily for you, we started StockStory to help you uncover exceptional companies. That said, here is one value stock offering a compelling risk-reward profile and two best left ignored.

Two Value Stocks to Sell:

Amneal (AMRX)

Forward P/E Ratio: 12.1x

Founded in 2002 and growing into one of America's largest generic drug producers, Amneal Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AMRX) develops, manufactures, and distributes generic medicines, specialty branded drugs, biosimilars, and injectable products for the U.S. healthcare market.

Why Is AMRX Not Exciting?

  1. Underwhelming 3.7% return on capital reflects management’s difficulties in finding profitable growth opportunities

Amneal is trading at $8.40 per share, or 12.1x forward P/E. If you’re considering AMRX for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ)

Forward P/E Ratio: 5.8x

Originally founded in 2003 and now headquartered in Ireland following a 2012 tax inversion merger, Jazz Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQGS:JAZZ) develops and markets medicines for sleep disorders, epilepsy, and cancer, with a focus on treatments for patients with limited therapeutic options.

Why Do We Think JAZZ Will Underperform?

  1. Annual revenue growth of 4.2% over the last two years was below our standards for the healthcare sector
  2. Expenses have increased as a percentage of revenue over the last five years as its adjusted operating margin fell by 25.4 percentage points
  3. Issuance of new shares over the last five years caused its earnings per share to fall by 12.1% annually while its revenue grew

Jazz Pharmaceuticals’s stock price of $109.87 implies a valuation ratio of 5.8x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than JAZZ.

One Value Stock to Watch:

Upwork (UPWK)

Forward EV/EBITDA Ratio: 9.1x

Formed through the 2013 merger of Elance and oDesk, Upwork (NASDAQ: UPWK) is an online platform where businesses and independent professionals connect to get work done.

Why Are We Positive On UPWK?

  1. Customer spending is rising as the company has focused on monetization over the last two years, leading to 8.9% annual growth in its average revenue per customer
  2. Additional sales over the last three years increased its profitability as the 166% annual growth in its earnings per share outpaced its revenue
  3. Free cash flow margin jumped by 31.3 percentage points over the last few years, giving the company more resources to pursue growth initiatives, repurchase shares, or pay dividends

At $13.19 per share, Upwork trades at 9.1x forward EV/EBITDA. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Stocks We Like Even More

When Trump unveiled his aggressive tariff plan in April 2025, 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 Strong Momentum 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 Exlservice (+354% 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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