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 Cash-Heavy Stocks with Competitive Advantages and 1 Facing Headwinds

COCO Cover Image

A cash-heavy balance sheet is often a sign of strength, but not always. Some companies avoid debt because they have weak business models, limited expansion opportunities, or inconsistent cash flow.

Just because a business has cash doesn’t mean it’s a good investment. Luckily, StockStory is here to help you separate the winners from the losers. Keeping that in mind, here are two companies with net cash positions that can leverage their balance sheets to grow and one best left off your watchlist.

One Stock to Sell:

Korn Ferry (KFY)

Net Cash Position: $607 million (15.5% of Market Cap)

With clients including 97% of the S&P 100 and operations in 103 offices across 51 countries, Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY) is a global consulting firm that helps organizations design optimal structures, recruit talent, develop leaders, and create effective compensation strategies.

Why Do We Pass on KFY?

  1. Customers postponed purchases of its products and services this cycle as its revenue declined by 1.8% annually over the last two years
  2. Flat earnings per share over the last two years underperformed the sector average
  3. Shrinking returns on capital suggest that increasing competition is eating into the company’s profitability

Korn Ferry’s stock price of $74.87 implies a valuation ratio of 14.9x forward P/E. If you’re considering KFY for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Two Stocks to Watch:

Vita Coco (COCO)

Net Cash Position: $167 million (8.3% of Market Cap)

Founded in 2004 followed by a 2021 IPO, The Vita Coco Company (NASDAQ: COCO) offers coconut water products that are a natural way to quench thirst.

Why Is COCO Interesting?

  1. Average unit sales growth of 7.8% over the past two years reflects steady demand for its products
  2. Earnings growth has trumped its peers over the last three years as its EPS has compounded at 195% annually
  3. Stellar returns on capital showcase management’s ability to surface highly profitable business ventures, and its returns are growing as it capitalizes on even better market opportunities

Vita Coco is trading at $34.54 per share, or 27.2x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Wintrust Financial (WTFC)

Net Cash Position: $936.4 million (10.1% of Market Cap)

Founded in 1991 as a community-focused alternative to big banks in the Chicago area, Wintrust Financial (NASDAQGS:WTFC) operates community banks in the Chicago area and provides specialty finance services including insurance premium financing and wealth management.

Why Are We Fans of WTFC?

  1. Impressive 15.4% annual net interest income growth over the last five years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
  2. Earnings per share grew by 5% annually over the last two years, massively outpacing its peers
  3. Annual tangible book value per share growth of 10.3% over the last five years was superb and indicates its capital strength increased during this cycle

At $138.16 per share, Wintrust Financial trades at 1.4x forward P/B. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

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-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% 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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