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

3 Unprofitable Stocks with Questionable Fundamentals

SSYS Cover Image

Unprofitable companies face headwinds as they struggle to keep operating expenses under control. Some may be investing heavily, but the majority fail to convert spending into sustainable growth.

Unprofitable companies face an uphill battle, but not all are created equal. Luckily for you, StockStory is here to separate the promising ones from the weak. That said, here are three unprofitable companiesthat don’t make the cut and some better opportunities instead.

Stratasys (SSYS)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: -11.4%

Born from the Founder’s idea of making a toy frog with a glue gun, Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS) offers 3D printers and related materials, software, and services to many industries.

Why Do We Pass on SSYS?

  1. Sales stagnated over the last five years and signal the need for new growth strategies
  2. Poor expense management has led to operating margin losses
  3. Cash-burning tendencies make us wonder if it can sustainably generate shareholder value

At $9.46 per share, Stratasys trades at 25.4x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than SSYS.

3D Systems (DDD)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: -63.7%

Founded by the inventor of stereolithography, 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) engineers, manufactures, and sells 3D printers and other related products to the aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and consumer goods industries.

Why Should You Sell DDD?

  1. Sales tumbled by 6.3% annually over the last five years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle
  2. Diminishing returns on capital from an already low starting point show that neither management’s prior nor current bets are going as planned
  3. Limited cash reserves may force the company to seek unfavorable financing terms that could dilute shareholders

3D Systems’s stock price of $2.04 implies a valuation ratio of 1x forward price-to-sales. If you’re considering DDD for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Tandem Diabetes (TNDM)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: -19.9%

With technology that automatically adjusts insulin delivery based on continuous glucose monitoring data, Tandem Diabetes Care (NASDAQ: TNDM) develops and manufactures automated insulin delivery systems that help people with diabetes manage their blood glucose levels.

Why Do We Steer Clear of TNDM?

  1. Disappointing pump shipments over the past two years suggest it might have to lower prices to accelerate growth
  2. Earnings per share fell by 21% annually over the last five years while its revenue grew, showing its incremental sales were much less profitable
  3. Short cash runway increases the probability of a capital raise that dilutes existing shareholders

Tandem Diabetes is trading at $10.94 per share, or 13.5x forward EV-to-EBITDA. To fully understand why you should be careful with TNDM, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Stocks We Like 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 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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