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.

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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

3 Profitable Stocks We Find Risky

JJSF Cover Image

Even if a company is profitable, it doesn’t always mean it’s a great investment. Some struggle to maintain growth, face looming threats, or fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their future potential.

Not all profitable companies are created equal, and that’s why we built StockStory - to help you find the ones that truly shine bright. That said, here are three profitable companies to avoid and some better opportunities instead.

J&J Snack Foods (JJSF)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 7%

Best known for its SuperPretzel soft pretzels and ICEE frozen drinks, J&J Snack Foods (NASDAQ: JJSF) produces a range of snacks and beverages and distributes them primarily to supermarket and food service customers.

Why Is JJSF Not Exciting?

  1. Subscale operations are evident in its revenue base of $1.6 billion, meaning it has fewer distribution channels than its larger rivals
  2. Estimated sales growth of 2.2% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its three-year trend
  3. Capital intensity has ramped up over the last year as its free cash flow margin decreased by 2.7 percentage points

At $114.73 per share, J&J Snack Foods trades at 21.5x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why JJSF doesn’t pass our bar.

WeightWatchers (WW)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 14%

Known by many for its old cable television commercials, WeightWatchers (NASDAQ: WW) is a wellness company offering a range of products and services promoting weight loss and healthy habits.

Why Is WW Risky?

  1. Sluggish trends in its members suggest customers aren’t adopting its solutions as quickly as the company hoped
  2. Diminishing returns on capital suggest its earlier profit pools are drying up
  3. Limited cash reserves may force the company to seek unfavorable financing terms that could dilute shareholders

WeightWatchers’s stock price of $33.40 implies a valuation ratio of 28.1x forward EV-to-EBITDA. To fully understand why you should be careful with WW, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Landstar (LSTR)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 4.5%

Covering billions of miles throughout North America, Landstar (NASDAQ: LSTR) is a transportation company specializing in freight and last-mile delivery services.

Why Should You Dump LSTR?

  1. Annual sales declines of 12.7% for the past two years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market during this cycle
  2. Falling earnings per share over the last two years has some investors worried as stock prices ultimately follow EPS over the long term
  3. Waning returns on capital imply its previous profit engines are losing steam

Landstar is trading at $132.86 per share, or 23.9x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than LSTR.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

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 Growth Stocks for this month. 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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