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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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

2 S&P 500 Stocks to Keep an Eye On and 1 Facing Challenges

NFLX Cover Image

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) is home to the biggest and most well-known companies in the market, making it a go-to index for investors seeking stability. But not all large-cap stocks are created equal - some are struggling with slowing growth, declining margins, or increased competition.

Some large-cap stocks are past their peak, and StockStory is here to help you separate the winners from the laggards. Keeping that in mind, here are two S&P 500 stocks positioned to outperform and one best left off your watchlist.

One Stock to Sell:

First Solar (FSLR)

Market Cap: $19.84 billion

Headquartered in Arizona, First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) specializes in manufacturing solar panels and providing photovoltaic solar energy solutions.

Why Do We Think Twice About FSLR?

  1. 6.8% annual revenue growth over the last five years was slower than its industrials peers
  2. Free cash flow margin dropped by 18.9 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company increased its investment activities to fend off competitors
  3. Limited cash reserves may force the company to seek unfavorable financing terms that could dilute shareholders

First Solar is trading at $185.08 per share, or 9.4x forward P/E. If you’re considering FSLR for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Two Stocks to Watch:

Netflix (NFLX)

Market Cap: $500.8 billion

Launched by Reed Hastings as a DVD mail rental company until its famous pivot to streaming in 2007, Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) is a pioneering streaming content platform.

Why Is NFLX a Good Business?

  1. Global Streaming Paid Memberships are rising, meaning the company can increase revenue without incurring additional customer acquisition costs if it can cross-sell additional products and features
  2. Share repurchases have amplified shareholder returns as its annual earnings per share growth of 27.8% exceeded its revenue gains over the last three years
  3. Free cash flow margin expanded by 19.9 percentage points over the last few years, providing additional flexibility for investments and share buybacks/dividends

Netflix’s stock price of $1,176 implies a valuation ratio of 34x forward EV/EBITDA. Is now the right time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

McDonald's (MCD)

Market Cap: $220 billion

With nicknames spanning Mickey D's in the U.S. to Makku in Japan, McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) is a fast-food behemoth known for its convenience and broken ice cream machines.

Why Could MCD Be a Winner?

  1. Aggressive expansion of new stores reflects an offensive push to quickly grow and sell in markets where it has few or no locations
  2. Attractive franchise model leads to wonderful unit economics and a best-in-class gross margin of 57%
  3. Impressive free cash flow profitability enables the company to fund new investments or reward investors with share buybacks/dividends

At $308 per share, McDonald's trades at 24.1x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

Trump’s April 2024 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 Strong Momentum 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 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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