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.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

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.

Photonics Hot List

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

The Top 5 Analyst Questions From Torrid’s Q2 Earnings Call

CURV Cover Image

Torrid’s second quarter was marked by a negative market reaction, as investors responded to ongoing sales declines and a cautious assessment of near-term demand. Management pointed to continued softness in store traffic and increased promotional activity, attributing performance to the impact of store closures and weaker sales in certain apparel categories. CEO Lisa Harper acknowledged, “We continue to see customer sensitivity and value orientation given the current environment,” while noting that bottoms and dresses outperformed, offset by underperformance in tops. Management’s tone was pragmatic, focusing on operational execution amid a challenging retail backdrop.

Is now the time to buy CURV? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

Torrid (CURV) Q2 CY2025 Highlights:

  • Revenue: $262.8 million vs analyst estimates of $260.5 million (7.7% year-on-year decline, 0.9% beat)
  • Adjusted EPS: $0.02 vs analyst estimates of $0.03 (in line)
  • Adjusted EBITDA: $21.53 million vs analyst estimates of $23.13 million (8.2% margin, 6.9% miss)
  • The company dropped its revenue guidance for the full year to $1.02 billion at the midpoint from $1.04 billion, a 1.9% decrease
  • EBITDA guidance for the full year is $85 million at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $96.95 million
  • Operating Margin: 3.9%, down from 7.2% in the same quarter last year
  • Locations: 575 at quarter end, down from 657 in the same quarter last year
  • Same-Store Sales fell 6.9% year on year (-0.8% in the same quarter last year)
  • Market Capitalization: $179.4 million

While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.

Our Top 5 Analyst Questions From Torrid’s Q2 Earnings Call

  • Corey Tarlowe (Jefferies) asked about customer health and sub-brand performance. CEO Lisa Harper emphasized strong engagement from top-tier customers and highlighted the positive “halo effect” of sub-brands on core categories like denim and intimates.
  • Tarlowe (Jefferies) followed up on the EBITDA outlook, asking about the impact of increased marketing and promotional activity. Harper and Chief Strategy Officer Ashlee Wheeler explained that tariffs and promotions drove the outlook revision, and that additional marketing is focused on long-term customer growth.
  • Savannah Sommer (Goldman Sachs) inquired about the long-term potential for sub-brand mix and margin expansion. Harper detailed ongoing tests of pop-up and stand-alone formats, and the higher margin profile of sub-brands versus core product lines.
  • Ethan Saghi (BTIG) questioned sales performance exiting Q2 and into August. Wheeler noted continued value-orientation among customers and stable promotional activity, with no significant rebound in store traffic.
  • Saghi (BTIG) asked whether customers were pushing back on recent price increases. Harper said price complaints are common but that recent increases linked to tariffs were limited and targeted, with plans to expand value-oriented offerings next year.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

In the quarters ahead, our analyst team will monitor (1) the pace at which sub-brands gain share within Torrid’s assortment and drive margin improvement, (2) execution of the store closure plan and its impact on digital customer retention, and (3) the effectiveness of increased digital marketing in attracting and retaining customers. Progress on expanding value product lines and managing tariff impacts will also be critical to watch.

Torrid currently trades at $1.80, down from $2.39 just before the earnings. In the wake of this quarter, is it a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

The Best Stocks for High-Quality Investors

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.

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.

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.