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.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

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.

Photonics Hot List

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

5 Revealing Analyst Questions From Scholastic’s Q3 Earnings Call

SCHL Cover Image

Scholastic’s third quarter results were met with a significant negative reaction from the market. Management attributed the underperformance to persistent headwinds in its Education Solutions segment, where delayed and cancelled federal grants weighed on sales. CEO Peter Warwick described the quarter as “reflecting the normal seasonality of our business,” but acknowledged that ongoing funding uncertainty and reduced spending by schools contributed to the revenue decline. The company also highlighted operational improvements and strong performance in its Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment, with continued demand for key franchises like Hunger Games and Harry Potter bolstering trade sales.

Is now the time to buy SCHL? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

Scholastic (SCHL) Q3 CY2025 Highlights:

  • Revenue: $225.6 million vs analyst estimates of $238.9 million (4.9% year-on-year decline, 5.6% miss)
  • Adjusted EPS: -$2.52 vs analyst expectations of -$2.41 (4.6% miss)
  • Adjusted EBITDA: -$55.7 million vs analyst estimates of -$62.76 million (-24.7% margin, 11.3% beat)
  • EBITDA guidance for the full year is $165 million at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $163.3 million
  • Operating Margin: -40.6%, down from -36.2% in the same quarter last year
  • Market Capitalization: $661.1 million

While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.

Our Top 5 Analyst Questions From Scholastic’s Q3 Earnings Call

  • Brendan Michael McCarthy (Sidoti): Asked about early feedback on new Education Solutions products and their resonance with schools. Interim head Jeffrey Mathews noted positive customer feedback but stressed that funding delays are limiting purchasing decisions.

  • Brendan Michael McCarthy (Sidoti): Inquired about variables that could turn around the Education Solutions trend. Mathews emphasized that increased funding certainty would likely lead to stronger demand for supplemental classroom materials.

  • Brendan Michael McCarthy (Sidoti): Sought clarity on the timeline and financial impact of the entertainment segment’s YouTube and digital initiatives. CEO Peter Warwick and CFO Haji Glover replied that high-margin digital income is expected to grow over time, with more meaningful impact anticipated in 2027.

  • Brendan Michael McCarthy (Sidoti): Asked about further cost reduction opportunities in SG&A. Glover explained that most planned savings are already reflected in guidance, but the company will continue to identify additional efficiency opportunities.

  • Unknown Analyst (B. Riley Securities): Questioned the trajectory for Education Solutions profitability as funding conditions evolve. Mathews expects a more back-end loaded year, with potential improvement if federal and state headwinds moderate.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

In the coming quarters, our analyst team will watch for (1) the sales performance of new trade publishing titles and the impact of fall book fairs, (2) stabilization or improvement in Education Solutions as federal and state funding conditions evolve, and (3) measurable progress in monetizing digital and entertainment content. The pace of cost reductions and operational integration will also be key signposts for future profitability.

Scholastic currently trades at $26.58, down from $27.65 just before the earnings. At this price, is it a buy or sell? The answer lies in our full research report (it’s free).

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 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 Kadant (+351% five-year return). 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.

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.