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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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 Unprofitable Stocks That Fall Short

ZG Cover Image

Running at a loss can be a red flag. Many of these businesses face mounting challenges as competition increases and funding becomes harder to secure.

Finding the right unprofitable companies is difficult, which is why we started StockStory - to help you navigate the market. That said, here are three unprofitable companiesto avoid and some better opportunities instead.

Zillow (ZG)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: -5.6%

Founded by Expedia co-founders Lloyd Frink and Rich Barton, Zillow (NASDAQ: ZG) is the leading U.S. online real estate marketplace.

Why Do We Steer Clear of ZG?

  1. Annual sales declines of 7.8% for the past five years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market
  2. Poor expense management has led to operating margin losses
  3. Eroding returns on capital from an already low base indicate that management’s recent investments are destroying value

Zillow’s stock price of $81.70 implies a valuation ratio of 43.3x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why ZG doesn’t pass our bar.

Masimo (MASI)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: -12.8%

Founded in 1989 to solve the "unsolvable problem" of accurate pulse oximetry during patient movement, Masimo (NASDAQ: MASI) develops and manufactures noninvasive patient monitoring technologies, including its breakthrough pulse oximetry systems that accurately measure blood oxygen levels even during patient movement.

Why Does MASI Fall Short?

  1. Sales tumbled by 18.4% annually over the last two years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle
  2. Constant currency growth was below our standards over the past two years, suggesting it might need to invest in product improvements to get back on track
  3. Eroding returns on capital from an already low base indicate that management’s recent investments are destroying value

Masimo is trading at $152.87 per share, or 30.5x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with MASI, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Xerox (XRX)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: -16%

Pioneering the modern office copier and inventing technologies like Ethernet and the laser printer, Xerox (NASDAQ: XRX) provides document management systems, printing technology, and workplace solutions to businesses of all sizes across the globe.

Why Do We Avoid XRX?

  1. Sales tumbled by 4.9% annually over the last five years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle
  2. Waning returns on capital from an already weak starting point displays the inefficacy of management’s past and current investment decisions
  3. 8× net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio shows it’s overleveraged and increases the probability of shareholder dilution if things turn unexpectedly

At $4.17 per share, Xerox trades at 2.7x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than XRX.

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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