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

3 Small-Cap Stocks We’re Skeptical Of

GPRO Cover Image

Many small-cap stocks have limited Wall Street coverage, giving savvy investors the chance to act before everyone else catches on. But the flip side is that these businesses have increased downside risk because they lack the scale and staying power of their larger competitors.

The downside that can come from buying these securities is precisely why we started StockStory - to isolate the long-term winners from the losers so you can invest with confidence. That said, here are three small-cap stocks to swipe left on and some alternatives you should look into instead.

GoPro (GPRO)

Market Cap: $368.6 million

Known for sponsoring extreme athletes, GoPro (NASDAQ: GPRO) is a camera company known for its POV videos and editing software.

Why Do We Think GPRO Will Underperform?

  1. Annual sales declines of 3.9% for the past five years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market
  2. Shrinking returns on capital suggest that increasing competition is eating into the company’s profitability
  3. Depletion of cash reserves could lead to a fundraising event that triggers shareholder dilution

GoPro is trading at $2.33 per share, or 0.5x trailing 12-month price-to-sales. If you’re considering GPRO for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Matrix Service (MTRX)

Market Cap: $358.7 million

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

Why Are We Out on MTRX?

  1. Customers postponed purchases of its products and services this cycle as its revenue declined by 6.9% annually over the last five years
  2. Competitive supply chain dynamics and steep production costs are reflected in its low gross margin of 3.9%
  3. Performance over the past five years was negatively impacted by new share issuances as its earnings per share dropped by 34.8% annually, worse than its revenue

Matrix Service’s stock price of $12.78 implies a valuation ratio of 20.5x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than MTRX.

United Community Banks (UCB)

Market Cap: $3.80 billion

Starting as a small community bank in 1950 and expanding through strategic acquisitions across the Southeast, United Community Banks (NYSE: UCB) is a regional bank holding company that provides financial services including loans, deposits, wealth management, and merchant services across the southeastern United States.

Why Are We Wary of UCB?

  1. Sales trends were unexciting over the last two years as its 1.2% annual growth was below the typical banking company
  2. Net interest margin of 3.3% reflects its high servicing and capital costs
  3. Costs have risen faster than its revenue over the last four years, causing its efficiency ratio to worsen by 3.2 percentage points

At $31.25 per share, United Community Banks trades at 1x forward P/B. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why UCB doesn’t pass our bar.

Stocks We Like More

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 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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