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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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

2 Volatile Stocks for Long-Term Investors and 1 We Turn Down

CSW Cover Image

A highly volatile stock can deliver big gains - or just as easily wipe out a portfolio if things go south. While some investors embrace risk, mistakes can be costly for those who aren’t prepared.

Navigating these stocks isn’t easy, which is why StockStory helps you find Comfort In Chaos. That said, here are two volatile stocks that could deliver huge gains and one that might not be worth the risk.

One Stock to Sell:

Clover Health (CLOV)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.17

Founded in 2014 to improve healthcare for America's seniors through technology, Clover Health (NASDAQ: CLOV) provides Medicare Advantage plans for seniors with a focus on affordable care and uses its proprietary Clover Assistant software to help physicians manage patient care.

Why Are We Wary of CLOV?

  1. Annual sales declines of 18.1% for the past two years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market during this cycle
  2. Smaller revenue base of $1.61 billion means it hasn’t achieved the economies of scale that some industry juggernauts enjoy
  3. Cash-burning tendencies make us wonder if it can sustainably generate shareholder value

Clover Health is trading at $2.61 per share, or 18.6x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including CLOV in your portfolio.

Two Stocks to Watch:

CSW (CSW)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.75

With over two centuries of combined operations manufacturing and supplying, CSW (NASDAQ: CSW) offers special chemicals, coatings, sealants, and lubricants for various industries.

Why Do We Love CSW?

  1. Market share has increased this cycle as its 19.6% annual revenue growth over the last five years was exceptional
  2. Performance over the past five years shows its incremental sales were extremely profitable, as its annual earnings per share growth of 25.9% outpaced its revenue gains
  3. Impressive free cash flow profitability enables the company to fund new investments or reward investors with share buybacks/dividends, and its rising cash conversion increases its margin of safety

At $273.54 per share, CSW trades at 27.4x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Webster Financial (WBS)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.51

Founded during the Great Depression in 1935 and evolving into a major Northeastern financial institution, Webster Financial (NYSE: WBS) is a bank holding company that provides commercial banking, consumer banking, and employee benefits solutions through its Webster Bank and HSA Bank division.

Why Could WBS Be a Winner?

  1. Annual net interest income growth of 22.1% over the last five years was superb and indicates its market share increased during this cycle
  2. Efficiency ratio improved by 12.8 percentage points over the last four years as it scaled
  3. Earnings per share grew by 13.8% annually over the last five years and trumped its peers

Webster Financial’s stock price of $62.22 implies a valuation ratio of 1.1x forward P/B. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself 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 5 Strong Momentum 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-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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