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.

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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 Volatile Stocks We Find Risky

FLNC Cover Image

Market swings can be tough to stomach, and volatile stocks often experience exaggerated moves in both directions. While many thrive during risk-on environments, many also struggle to maintain investor confidence when the ride gets bumpy.

These stocks can be a rollercoaster, and StockStory is here to guide you through the ups and downs. That said, here are three volatile stocks to steer clear of and a few better alternatives.

Fluence Energy (FLNC)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.67

Pioneering the use of lithium-ion batteries for grid storage, Fluence (NASDAQ: FLNC) helps store renewable energy sources with battery systems.

Why Does FLNC Give Us Pause?

  1. Competitive supply chain dynamics and steep production costs are reflected in its low gross margin of 7.2%
  2. Free cash flow margin dropped by 6.4 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company increased its investment activities to fend off competitors
  3. Unfavorable liquidity position could lead to additional equity financing that dilutes shareholders

Fluence Energy’s stock price of $7.28 implies a valuation ratio of 100.4x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including FLNC in your portfolio.

ChargePoint (CHPT)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.47

The most prominent EV charging company during the COVID bull market, ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT) is a provider of electric vehicle charging technology solutions in North America and Europe.

Why Are We Hesitant About CHPT?

  1. Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 11.2% annually over the last two years
  2. Negative free cash flow raises questions about the return timeline for its investments
  3. Limited cash reserves may force the company to seek unfavorable financing terms that could dilute shareholders

ChargePoint is trading at $11.46 per share, or 12.2x forward price-to-sales. If you’re considering CHPT for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Methode Electronics (MEI)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 2.09

Founded in 1946, Methode Electronics (NYSE: MEI) is a global supplier of custom-engineered solutions for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

Why Do We Steer Clear of MEI?

  1. Annual sales declines of 5.7% for the past two years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market 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. Depletion of cash reserves could lead to a fundraising event that triggers shareholder dilution

At $7.76 per share, Methode Electronics trades at 11.6x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why MEI doesn’t pass our bar.

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-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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