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

1 Volatile Stock for Long-Term Investors and 2 We Find Risky

QCOM 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.

Navigating these stocks isn’t easy, which is why StockStory helps you find Comfort In Chaos. Keeping that in mind, here is one volatile stock with massive upside potential and two that could just as easily collapse.

Two Stocks to Sell:

Matrix Service (MTRX)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.74

Founded in Oklahoma, Matrix Service (NASDAQ: MTRX) provides engineering, fabrication, construction, and maintenance services primarily to the energy and industrial markets.

Why Are We Cautious About MTRX?

  1. Annual sales declines of 10.7% for the past five years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market during this cycle
  2. Gross margin of 4.2% reflects its high production costs
  3. Earnings per share decreased by more than its revenue over the last five years, partly because it diluted shareholders

Matrix Service is trading at $15.13 per share, or 20.1x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why MTRX doesn’t pass our bar.

Ziff Davis (ZD)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.56

Originally a pioneering technology publisher founded in 1927 that became famous for PC Magazine, Ziff Davis (NASDAQ: ZD) operates a portfolio of digital media brands and subscription services across technology, shopping, gaming, healthcare, and cybersecurity markets.

Why Is ZD Risky?

  1. Sales were flat over the last five years, indicating it’s failed to expand this cycle
  2. Sales over the last five years were less profitable as its earnings per share fell by 1.7% annually while its revenue was flat
  3. Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 15.2 percentage points

Ziff Davis’s stock price of $38.21 implies a valuation ratio of 5.6x forward P/E. If you’re considering ZD for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

One Stock to Watch:

Qualcomm (QCOM)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.44

Having been at the forefront of developing the standards for cellular connectivity for over four decades, Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) is a leading innovator and a fabless manufacturer of wireless technology chips used in smartphones, autos and internet of things appliances.

Why Are We Fans of QCOM?

  1. Annual revenue growth of 16.6% over the last five years was superb and indicates its market share increased during this cycle
  2. Impressive free cash flow profitability enables the company to fund new investments or reward investors with share buybacks/dividends
  3. Stellar returns on capital showcase management’s ability to surface highly profitable business ventures

At $160.46 per share, Qualcomm trades at 13.8x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Stocks We Like Even More

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 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-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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