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 Profitable Stocks We Approach with Caution

PPC Cover Image

Not all profitable companies are built to last - some rely on outdated models or unsustainable advantages. Just because a business is in the green today doesn’t mean it will thrive tomorrow.

A business making money today isn’t necessarily a winner, which is why we analyze companies across multiple dimensions at StockStory. Keeping that in mind, here are three profitable companies that don’t make the cut and some better opportunities instead.

Pilgrim's Pride (PPC)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 9.5%

Offering everything from pre-marinated to frozen chicken, Pilgrim’s Pride (NASDAQ: PPC) produces, processes, and distributes chicken products to retailers and food service customers.

Why Does PPC Worry Us?

  1. Large revenue base makes it harder to increase sales quickly, and its annual revenue growth of 2.8% over the last three years was below our standards for the consumer staples sector
  2. Demand is forecasted to shrink as its estimated sales for the next 12 months are flat
  3. Gross margin of 11.8% is an output of its commoditized products

At $41.50 per share, Pilgrim's Pride trades at 8.7x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why PPC doesn’t pass our bar.

Rogers (ROG)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 4.9%

With roots dating back to 1832, making it one of America's oldest continuously operating companies, Rogers (NYSE: ROG) designs and manufactures specialized engineered materials and components used in electric vehicles, telecommunications, renewable energy, and other high-performance applications.

Why Is ROG Risky?

  1. Sales were flat over the last five years, indicating it’s failed to expand this cycle
  2. Performance over the past five years shows each sale was less profitable, as its earnings per share fell by 15.3% annually
  3. Free cash flow margin shrank by 8.7 percentage points over the last five years, suggesting the company is consuming more capital to stay competitive

Rogers is trading at $78.93 per share, or 28x forward P/E. If you’re considering ROG for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

First Solar (FSLR)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 31.3%

Headquartered in Arizona, First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) specializes in manufacturing solar panels and providing photovoltaic solar energy solutions.

Why Does FSLR Fall Short?

  1. Annual revenue growth of 6.8% over the last five years was below our standards for the industrials sector
  2. Free cash flow margin dropped by 18.9 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company increased its investment activities to fend off competitors
  3. Unfavorable liquidity position could lead to additional equity financing that dilutes shareholders

First Solar’s stock price of $223.05 implies a valuation ratio of 11.3x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including FSLR in your portfolio.

Stocks We Like More

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 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 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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