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

1 of Wall Street’s Favorite Stock to Research Further and 2 We Find Risky

MATW Cover Image

Wall Street has set ambitious price targets for the stocks in this article. While this suggests attractive upside potential, it’s important to remain skeptical because analysts face institutional pressures that can sometimes lead to overly optimistic forecasts.

At StockStory, we look beyond the headlines with our independent analysis to determine whether these bullish calls are justified. Keeping that in mind, here is one stock likely to meet or exceed Wall Street’s lofty expectations and two where analysts may be overlooking some important risks.

Two Stocks to Sell:

Matthews (MATW)

Consensus Price Target: $37 (53% implied return)

Originally a death care company, Matthews International (NASDAQ: MATW) is a diversified company offering ceremonial services, brand solutions and industrial technologies.

Why Do We Pass on MATW?

  1. Products and services have few die-hard fans as sales have declined by 6.5% annually over the last two years
  2. Earnings per share fell by 14.8% annually over the last five years while its revenue grew, showing its incremental sales were much less profitable
  3. Cash-burning history makes us doubt the long-term viability of its business model

At $24.19 per share, Matthews trades at 15.8x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why MATW doesn’t pass our bar.

Sealed Air (SEE)

Consensus Price Target: $39.07 (21.2% implied return)

Founded in 1960, Sealed Air Corporation (NYSE: SEE) specializes in the development and production of protective and food packaging solutions, serving a variety of industries.

Why Do We Steer Clear of SEE?

  1. Declining unit sales over the past two years show it’s struggled to increase its sales volumes and had to rely on price increases
  2. Performance over the past two years shows each sale was less profitable as its earnings per share dropped by 3.9% annually, worse than its revenue
  3. Eroding returns on capital suggest its historical profit centers are aging

Sealed Air’s stock price of $32.23 implies a valuation ratio of 10.5x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with SEE, check out our full research report (it’s free).

One Stock to Watch:

Euronet Worldwide (EEFT)

Consensus Price Target: $127.71 (33.2% implied return)

Operating a global network of over 47,000 ATMs and 821,000 point-of-sale terminals across more than 60 countries, Euronet Worldwide (NASDAQ: EEFT) provides electronic payment solutions including ATM services, prepaid product processing, and international money transfer services.

Why Could EEFT Be a Winner?

  1. Annual revenue growth of 9.8% over the last five years was above the sector average and underscores its products and services value to customers
  2. Share repurchases over the last two years enabled its annual earnings per share growth of 11.9% to outpace its revenue gains
  3. Market-beating return on equity illustrates that management has a knack for investing in profitable ventures

Euronet Worldwide is trading at $95.89 per share, or 8.9x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

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-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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