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

1 Stock Under $50 to Target This Week and 2 We Ignore

BLCO Cover Image

Stocks trading between $10 and $50 can be particularly interesting as they frequently represent businesses that have survived their early challenges. However, investors should remain vigilant as some may still have unproven business models, leaving them vulnerable to the ebbs and flows of the broader market.

This is precisely where StockStory comes in - we do the heavy lifting to identify companies with solid fundamentals so you can invest with confidence. That said, here is one stock under $50 with massive upside potential and two that could be down big.

Two Stocks Under $50 to Sell:

Bausch + Lomb (BLCO)

Share Price: $14.11

With a nearly 170-year history dedicated to vision care and eye health innovation, Bausch + Lomb (NYSE: BLCO) develops and manufactures a comprehensive range of eye health products including contact lenses, pharmaceuticals, surgical devices, and consumer eye care solutions.

Why Do We Think Twice About BLCO?

  1. 7.2% annual revenue growth over the last five years was slower than its healthcare peers
  2. 23.9 percentage point decline in its free cash flow margin over the last five years reflects the company’s increased investments to defend its market position
  3. Depletion of cash reserves could lead to a fundraising event that triggers shareholder dilution

Bausch + Lomb is trading at $14.11 per share, or 16.7x forward P/E. If you’re considering BLCO for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC)

Share Price: $47.38

Founded in 1884 and serving communities from Mendocino County in the north to Kern County in the south, Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ: WABC) provides banking services to individuals and small businesses throughout Northern and Central California.

Why Does WABC Worry Us?

  1. Annual net interest income growth of 6.5% over the last five years was below our standards for the bank sector
  2. Net interest income is projected to tank by 8.9% over the next 12 months as demand evaporates
  3. Overall productivity is expected to fall over the next year as Wall Street thinks its potential sales declines will be accompanied by a 2.8 percentage point degradation in its efficiency ratio

Westamerica Bancorporation’s stock price of $47.38 implies a valuation ratio of 1.3x forward P/B. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why WABC doesn’t pass our bar.

One Stock Under $50 to Buy:

Amalgamated Financial (AMAL)

Share Price: $27.53

Founded in 1923 by labor unions seeking a financial institution aligned with worker values, Amalgamated Financial (NASDAQGM:AMAL) operates a values-oriented bank that provides commercial banking, trust services, and investment management to socially responsible organizations and individuals.

Why Will AMAL Beat the Market?

  1. 10% annual net interest income growth over the last five years surpassed the sector average as its products resonated with borrowers
  2. Incremental sales significantly boosted profitability as its annual earnings per share growth of 8% over the last two years outstripped its revenue performance
  3. Annual tangible book value per share growth of 20.4% over the last two years was superb and indicates its capital strength increased during this cycle

At $27.53 per share, Amalgamated Financial trades at 1x forward P/B. 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 2024 "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 9 Market-Beating Stocks. 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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