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

5 Insightful Analyst Questions From CRA’s Q2 Earnings Call

CRAI Cover Image

CRA International’s second quarter results came in ahead of Wall Street expectations, but the market reacted negatively. Management attributed the quarter’s outperformance to strong demand across multiple practices, with Antitrust & Competition Economics, Energy, Intellectual Property, and Labor & Employment all delivering double-digit revenue growth. CEO Paul Maleh pointed to the firm’s ability to capitalize on high-profile legal and regulatory matters, particularly in antitrust litigation and large M&A transactions. Consultant utilization improved year over year, and Maleh highlighted increased project lead flow and “continued replenishing of our sales pipeline,” which supported elevated consultant productivity despite typical seasonal transitions.

Is now the time to buy CRAI? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

CRA (CRAI) Q2 CY2025 Highlights:

  • Revenue: $186.9 million vs analyst estimates of $180.3 million (9% year-on-year growth, 3.6% beat)
  • Adjusted EPS: $1.88 vs analyst estimates of $1.84 (2.4% beat)
  • Adjusted EBITDA: $23.26 million vs analyst estimates of $21.73 million (12.4% margin, 7% beat)
  • The company lifted its revenue guidance for the full year to $737.5 million at the midpoint from $725 million, a 1.7% increase
  • Operating Margin: 10.6%, up from 6.6% in the same quarter last year
  • Market Capitalization: $1.25 billion

While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.

Our Top 5 Analyst Questions From CRA’s Q2 Earnings Call

  • Marc Frye Riddick (Sidoti & Company) asked about the drivers and visibility behind the guidance raise. CEO Paul Maleh pointed to strong first-half performance, a robust project pipeline, and stable visibility, while cautioning about potential geopolitical disruptions.
  • Riddick (Sidoti & Company) inquired if there were shifts in M&A regulatory demand or deal size. Maleh said demand in Antitrust remains strong, with no significant changes in deal size or complexity, and that the firm is called for large, prominent matters.
  • Riddick (Sidoti & Company) questioned the pricing environment and client pushback. Maleh confirmed rate increases were realized and clients continue to demand value, emphasizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness alongside higher pricing.
  • Riddick (Sidoti & Company) asked about the timing of share repurchases. Maleh indicated most activity occurred in the open trading window during the quarter and reaffirmed the company’s ongoing commitment to buybacks.
  • Kevin Mark Steinke (Barrington Research) queried about scaling the Energy practice and potential for acquisitions. Maleh praised current leadership and organic growth, stating acquisitions would only be pursued if a strong strategic fit is found.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will be watching (1) the pace of new project wins and lead flow in high-growth practices like Antitrust and Energy, (2) successful onboarding and productivity of the incoming analyst class, and (3) evidence of margin stability as CRA continues to invest in talent and strategic initiatives. The evolution of the regulatory and legal landscape, especially around M&A activity, will also be a critical marker for future performance.

CRA currently trades at $190.35, up from $173.35 just before the earnings. Is the company at an inflection point that warrants a buy or sell? The answer lies in our full research report (it’s free).

The Best Stocks for High-Quality Investors

Trump’s April 2025 tariff bombshell triggered a massive market selloff, but stocks have since staged an impressive recovery, leaving those who panic sold on the sidelines.

Take advantage of the rebound by checking out our 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-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). 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.

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.