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.

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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

2 Profitable Stocks to Keep an Eye On and 1 We Ignore

AZZ 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.

A business making money today isn’t necessarily a winner, which is why we analyze companies across multiple dimensions at StockStory. That said, here are two profitable companies that generate reliable profits without sacrificing growth and one that may face some trouble.

One Stock to Sell:

AXIS Capital (AXS)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 16.1%

Founded in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks when insurance capacity was scarce, AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE: AXS) is a global specialty insurer and reinsurer that provides coverage for complex risks across property, liability, professional lines, cyber, and other specialty markets.

Why Does AXS Give Us Pause?

  1. Annual revenue growth of 4.9% over the last five years was below our standards for the insurance sector
  2. Sluggish 3.4% annualized growth in net premiums earned over the last two years indicates the firm trailed its insurance peers
  3. Underwhelming 9.7% return on equity reflects management’s difficulties in finding profitable growth opportunities

AXIS Capital’s stock price of $98.39 implies a valuation ratio of 1.3x forward P/B. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why AXS doesn’t pass our bar.

Two Stocks to Watch:

AZZ (AZZ)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 15.3%

Responsible for projects like nuclear facilities, AZZ (NYSE: AZZ) is a provider of metal coating and power infrastructure solutions.

Why Do We Like AZZ?

  1. Healthy operating margin of 14.7% shows it’s a well-run company with efficient processes, and its rise over the last five years was fueled by some leverage on its fixed costs
  2. Incremental sales over the last two years have been highly profitable as its earnings per share increased by 24.5% annually, topping its revenue gains
  3. Free cash flow margin expanded by 13.5 percentage points over the last five years, providing additional flexibility for investments and share buybacks/dividends

At $116.44 per share, AZZ trades at 19.2x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.

Molina Healthcare (MOH)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 3.8%

Founded in 1980 as a provider for underserved communities in Southern California, Molina Healthcare (NYSE: MOH) provides managed healthcare services primarily to low-income individuals through Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace insurance programs across 21 states.

Why Are We Positive On MOH?

  1. Impressive 19.7% annual revenue growth over the last five years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
  2. Sizeable revenue base of $43.41 billion gives it economies of scale and favorable reimbursement terms with healthcare providers
  3. Earnings growth has comfortably beaten the peer group average over the last five years as its EPS has compounded at 11.1% annually

Molina Healthcare is trading at $176 per share, or 7.6x 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 6 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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