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 Growth Stock to Add to Your Roster and 2 We Find Risky

ASTH Cover Image

Growth is oxygen. But when it evaporates, the consequences can be severe - ask anyone who bought Cisco in the Dot-Com Bubble or newer investors who lived through the 2020 to 2022 COVID cycle.

Deciphering which businesses can sustain their high growth rates is a challenge for even the most seasoned professionals, which is why we started StockStory. That said, here is one growth stock where the best is yet to come and two whose momentum may slow.

Two Growth Stocks to Sell:

Renasant (RNST)

One-Year Revenue Growth: +28.9%

Founded in 1904 during a time when the South was rebuilding its economy, Renasant (NYSE: RNST) is a regional bank holding company that offers banking, wealth management, insurance, and specialized lending services throughout the Southeast.

Why Are We Hesitant About RNST?

  1. Net interest margin of 3.4% reflects its high servicing and capital costs
  2. Earnings per share fell by 8.6% annually over the last two years while its revenue grew, showing its incremental sales were much less profitable
  3. Annual tangible book value per share growth of 4.2% over the last two years was below our standards for the banking sector

Renasant is trading at $38.20 per share, or 0.9x forward P/B. To fully understand why you should be careful with RNST, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Atlantic Union Bankshares (AUB)

One-Year Revenue Growth: +39.3%

Tracing its roots back to 1902 when it first opened its doors in Virginia, Atlantic Union Bankshares (NYSE: AUB) is a full-service regional bank providing commercial and retail banking, wealth management, and insurance services throughout Virginia and parts of Maryland and North Carolina.

Why Are We Cautious About AUB?

  1. Weak unit economics are reflected in its net interest margin of 3.4%, one of the worst among bank companies
  2. Flat tangible book value per share over the last five years suggest it must find different ways to enhance shareholder value during this cycle
  3. Estimated tangible book value per share growth of 6.5% for the next 12 months is soft and implies weaker profitability

Atlantic Union Bankshares’s stock price of $34.27 implies a valuation ratio of 1x forward P/B. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including AUB in your portfolio.

One Growth Stock to Watch:

Astrana Health (ASTH)

One-Year Revenue Growth: +52%

Formerly known as Apollo Medical Holdings until early 2024, Astrana Health (NASDAQ: ASTH) operates a technology-powered healthcare platform that enables physicians to deliver coordinated care while successfully participating in value-based payment models.

Why Do We Like ASTH?

  1. Impressive 36.6% annual revenue growth over the last two years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
  2. Exciting sales outlook for the upcoming 12 months calls for 59.1% growth, an acceleration from its two-year trend
  3. Earnings growth has trumped its peers over the last five years as its EPS has compounded at 19.6% annually

At $29.63 per share, Astrana Health trades at 12.7x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

Donald Trump’s April 2025 "Liberation Day" tariffs sent markets into a tailspin, but stocks have since rebounded strongly, proving that knee-jerk reactions often create the best buying opportunities.

The smart money is already positioning for the next leg up. Don’t miss out on the recovery - check 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-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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