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 Profitable Stocks with Exciting Potential and 1 We Turn Down

ESE Cover Image

Even if a company is profitable, it doesn’t always mean it’s a great investment. Some struggle to maintain growth, face looming threats, or fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their future potential.

A business making money today isn’t necessarily a winner, which is why we analyze companies across multiple dimensions at StockStory. Keeping that in mind, here are two profitable companies that generate reliable profits without sacrificing growth and one that may struggle to keep up.

One Stock to Sell:

Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 17.6%

Born from the need to navigate increasingly complex financial regulations in the digital age, Donnelley Financial Solutions (NYSE: DFIN) provides software and technology-enabled services that help companies comply with SEC regulations and manage financial transactions and reporting requirements.

Why Is DFIN Not Exciting?

  1. Annual sales declines of 2.5% for the past five years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market during this cycle
  2. Earnings per share lagged its peers over the last two years as they only grew by 4.3% annually

Donnelley Financial Solutions’s stock price of $54.67 implies a valuation ratio of 1.9x forward price-to-sales. If you’re considering DFIN for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Two Stocks to Watch:

ESCO (ESE)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 15.3%

A developer of the communication systems used in the Batmobile of “The Dark Knight,” ESCO (NYSE: ESE) is a provider of engineered components for the aerospace, defense, and utility sectors.

Why Will ESE Beat the Market?

  1. Exciting sales outlook for the upcoming 12 months calls for 23.1% growth, an acceleration from its two-year trend
  2. Superior product capabilities and pricing power result in a premier gross margin of 39.1%
  3. Additional sales over the last two years increased its profitability as the 22.4% annual growth in its earnings per share outpaced its revenue

At $208.28 per share, ESCO trades at 31.6x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our in-depth research report, it’s free.

Medpace (MEDP)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 21.4%

Founded in 1992 as a scientifically-driven alternative to traditional contract research organizations, Medpace (NASDAQ: MEDP) provides outsourced clinical trial management and research services to help pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies develop new treatments.

Why Is MEDP on Our Radar?

  1. Core business can prosper without any help from acquisitions as its organic revenue growth averaged 15.7% over the past two years
  2. Share buybacks catapulted its annual earnings per share growth to 36.7%, which outperformed its revenue gains over the last five years
  3. Stellar returns on capital showcase management’s ability to surface highly profitable business ventures

Medpace is trading at $489.47 per share, or 40x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

When Trump unveiled his aggressive tariff plan in April 2025, markets tanked as investors feared a full-blown trade war. But those who panicked and sold missed the subsequent rebound that’s already erased most losses.

Don’t let fear keep you from great opportunities and take a look at 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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