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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If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

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Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

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 Profitable Stocks with Exciting Potential and 1 We Question

SWBI Cover Image

While profitability is essential, it doesn’t guarantee long-term success. Some companies that rest on their margins will lose ground as competition intensifies - as Jeff Bezos said, "Your margin is my opportunity".

Not all profitable companies are created equal, and that’s why we built StockStory - to help you find the ones that truly shine bright. Keeping that in mind, here are two profitable companies that balance growth and profitability and one that may struggle to keep up.

One Stock to Sell:

Smith & Wesson (SWBI)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 4.6%

With a history dating back to 1852, Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ: SWBI) is a firearms manufacturer known for its handguns and rifles.

Why Do We Think SWBI Will Underperform?

  1. Products and services aren't resonating with the market as its revenue declined by 6.6% annually over the last five years
  2. Cash burn makes us question whether it can achieve sustainable long-term growth
  3. Eroding returns on capital suggest its historical profit centers are aging

Smith & Wesson is trading at $9.74 per share, or 7.8x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than SWBI.

Two Stocks to Watch:

OSI Systems (OSIS)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 12.7%

With security scanners deployed at airports and borders worldwide and patient monitors used in hospitals across the globe, OSI Systems (NASDAQ: OSIS) designs and manufactures specialized electronic systems for security screening, patient monitoring, and optoelectronic applications.

Why Could OSIS Be a Winner?

  1. Impressive 15.8% annual revenue growth over the last two years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
  2. Operating margin expanded by 2.6 percentage points over the last five years as it scaled and became more efficient
  3. Earnings growth has massively outpaced its peers over the last two years as its EPS has compounded at 22.7% annually

OSI Systems’s stock price of $235.45 implies a valuation ratio of 23.3x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.

Verra Mobility (VRRM)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 15.6%

Aiming to wrap technology and data around a historically manual and paper-based industry, Verra Mobility (NYSE: VRRM) is a leading provider of smart mobility technology to address tolls and violations, title and registration services, as well as safety and traffic enforcement.

Why Is VRRM a Top Pick?

  1. Annual revenue growth of 15.7% over the last five years was superb and indicates its market share increased during this cycle
  2. Superior product capabilities and pricing power lead to a best-in-class gross margin of 62.2%
  3. Strong free cash flow margin of 20.2% enables it to reinvest or return capital consistently, and its improved cash conversion implies it’s becoming a less capital-intensive business

At $24.26 per share, Verra Mobility trades at 17.1x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? 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 6 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-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% 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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