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

1 Large-Cap Stock Worth Your Attention and 2 We Find Risky

DXCM Cover Image

Large-cap stocks are known for their staying power and ability to weather market storms better than smaller competitors. However, their sheer size makes it more challenging to maintain high growth rates as they’ve already captured significant portions of their markets.

These trade-offs can cause headaches for even the most seasoned professionals, which is why we started StockStory - to help you find high-quality companies that can grow their earnings no matter what. Keeping that in mind, here is one large-cap stock that still has big upside potential and two whose momentum may slow.

Two Large-Cap Stocks to Sell:

Pfizer (PFE)

Market Cap: $136.7 billion

With roots dating back to 1849 when two German immigrants opened a fine chemicals business in Brooklyn, Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) is a global biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells medicines and vaccines for a wide range of diseases and conditions.

Why Does PFE Worry Us?

  1. Absence of organic revenue growth over the past two years suggests it may have to lean into acquisitions to drive its expansion
  2. Free cash flow margin dropped by 17.4 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up
  3. Diminishing returns on capital suggest its earlier profit pools are drying up

Pfizer is trading at $24.12 per share, or 8.3x forward P/E. If you’re considering PFE for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Truist Financial (TFC)

Market Cap: $58.51 billion

Born from the 2019 merger of BB&T and SunTrust in one of the largest banking combinations since the 2008 financial crisis, Truist Financial (NYSE: TFC) is a bank holding company that offers a wide range of financial services including consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance, and lending solutions.

Why Are We Wary of TFC?

  1. Loans are facing end-market challenges during this cycle, as seen in its flat net interest income over the last five years
  2. Net interest margin of 3% reflects its high servicing and capital costs
  3. Earnings per share fell by 1.2% annually over the last five years while its revenue grew, showing its incremental sales were much less profitable

At $45.69 per share, Truist Financial trades at 1x forward P/B. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than TFC.

One Large-Cap Stock to Buy:

DexCom (DXCM)

Market Cap: $29.98 billion

Founded in 1999 and receiving its first FDA approval in 2006, DexCom (NASDAQ: DXCM) develops and sells continuous glucose monitoring systems that allow people with diabetes to track their blood sugar levels without repeated finger pricks.

Why Is DXCM a Top Pick?

  1. Core business is healthy and doesn’t need acquisitions to boost sales as its organic revenue growth averaged 17.8% over the past two years
  2. Earnings per share have massively outperformed its peers over the last five years, increasing by 17.5% annually
  3. Free cash flow margin expanded by 8.6 percentage points over the last five years, providing additional flexibility for investments and share buybacks/dividends

DexCom’s stock price of $76.60 implies a valuation ratio of 32.9x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our in-depth 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 5 Growth Stocks for this month. 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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