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

3 Low-Volatility Stocks We Find Risky

MZTI Cover Image

Stability is great, but low-volatility stocks may struggle to deliver market-beating returns over time as they sometimes underperform during bull markets.

Finding the right balance between safety and returns isn’t easy, which is why StockStory is here to help. Keeping that in mind, here are three low-volatility stocks that don’t make the cut and some better opportunities instead.

The Marzetti Company (MZTI)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.16

Known for its frozen garlic bread and Parkerhouse rolls, The Marzetti Company (NASDAQ: MZTI) sells bread, dressing, and dips to the retail and food service channels.

Why Are We Hesitant About MZTI?

  1. Annual revenue growth of 4.4% over the last three years was below our standards for the consumer staples sector
  2. Smaller revenue base of $1.91 billion means it hasn’t achieved the economies of scale that some industry juggernauts enjoy
  3. Estimated sales growth of 1.6% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its three-year trend

At $180.50 per share, The Marzetti Company trades at 25.2x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including MZTI in your portfolio.

Crocs (CROX)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.49

Founded in 2002, Crocs (NASDAQ: CROX) sells casual footwear and is known for its iconic clog shoe.

Why Does CROX Give Us Pause?

  1. Underwhelming constant currency revenue performance over the past two years suggests its product offering at current prices doesn’t resonate with customers
  2. Estimated sales decline of 4.1% for the next 12 months implies a challenging demand environment
  3. Diminishing returns on capital suggest its earlier profit pools are drying up

Crocs’s stock price of $80.55 implies a valuation ratio of 6.3x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why CROX doesn’t pass our bar.

Ruger (RGR)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.32

Founded in 1949, Ruger (NYSE: RGR) is an American manufacturer of firearms for the commercial sporting market.

Why Do We Steer Clear of RGR?

  1. Annual sales declines of 3.9% for the past two years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market
  2. Performance over the past five years shows its incremental sales were much less profitable, as its earnings per share fell by 14.6% annually
  3. Eroding returns on capital suggest its historical profit centers are aging

Ruger is trading at $39.22 per share, or 22.1x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than RGR.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

Donald Trump’s April 2025 "Liberation Day" tariffs sent markets into a tailspin, but stocks have since rebounded strongly, proving that knee-jerk reactions often create the best buying opportunities.

The smart money is already positioning for the next leg up. Don’t miss out on the recovery - check 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-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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