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 Value Stocks Walking a Fine Line

NCLH Cover Image

Value stocks typically trade at discounts to the broader market, offering patient investors the opportunity to buy businesses when they’re out of favor. The key risk, however, is that these stocks are usually cheap for a reason – five cents for a piece of fruit may seem like a great deal until you find out it’s rotten.

This distinction between true value and value traps can challenge even the most skilled investors. Luckily for you, we started StockStory to help you uncover exceptional companies. That said, here are three value stocks with little support and some other investments you should consider instead.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH)

Forward P/E Ratio: 11.3x

With amenities like a full go-kart race track built into its ships, Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE: NCLH) is a premier global cruise company.

Why Do We Think Twice About NCLH?

  1. Sluggish trends in its passenger cruise days suggest customers aren’t adopting its solutions as quickly as the company hoped
  2. Cash-burning tendencies make us wonder if it can sustainably generate shareholder value
  3. Short cash runway increases the probability of a capital raise that dilutes existing shareholders

At $25.46 per share, Norwegian Cruise Line trades at 11.3x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including NCLH in your portfolio.

LGI Homes (LGIH)

Forward P/E Ratio: 8.8x

Based in Texas, LGI Homes (NASDAQ: LGIH) is a homebuilding company specializing in constructing affordable, entry-level single-family homes in desirable communities across the United States.

Why Is LGIH Risky?

  1. Demand cratered as it couldn’t win new orders over the past two years, leading to an average 10.4% decline in its backlog
  2. Shrinking returns on capital suggest that increasing competition is eating into the company’s profitability
  3. Limited cash reserves may force the company to seek unfavorable financing terms that could dilute shareholders

LGI Homes’s stock price of $56.51 implies a valuation ratio of 8.8x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why LGIH doesn’t pass our bar.

Korn Ferry (KFY)

Forward P/E Ratio: 14x

With clients including 97% of the S&P 100 and operations in 103 offices across 51 countries, Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY) is a global consulting firm that helps organizations design optimal structures, recruit talent, develop leaders, and create effective compensation strategies.

Why Does KFY Worry Us?

  1. Annual sales declines of 1.3% for the past two years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market during this cycle
  2. Estimated sales growth of 2.7% for the next 12 months is soft and implies weaker demand
  3. Diminishing returns on capital suggest its earlier profit pools are drying up

Korn Ferry is trading at $72.40 per share, or 14x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than KFY.

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 6 Stocks for this week. 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 Exlservice (+354% 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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