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.

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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

1 Cash-Burning Stock to Own for Decades and 2 Facing Challenges

KRUS Cover Image

Companies that burn cash at a rapid pace can run into serious trouble if they fail to secure funding. Without a clear path to profitability, these businesses risk dilution, mounting debt, or even bankruptcy.

Just because a company is spending heavily doesn’t mean it’s on the right track, and StockStory is here to separate the winners from the losers. That said, here is one high-risk, high-reward company with the potential to scale into a market leader and two that may struggle to stay afloat.

Two Stocks to Sell:

Kura Sushi (KRUS)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: -11.5%

Known for its conveyor belt that transports dishes to diners, Kura Sushi (NASDAQ: KRUS) is a chain of sushi restaurants serving traditional Japanese fare with a touch of modernity and technology.

Why Is KRUS Not Exciting?

  1. Poor same-store sales performance over the past two years indicates it’s having trouble bringing new diners into its restaurants
  2. Cash-burning history and the downward spiral in its margin profile make us wonder if it has a viable business model
  3. Short cash runway increases the probability of a capital raise that dilutes existing shareholders

Kura Sushi’s stock price of $64.61 implies a valuation ratio of 34.2x forward EV-to-EBITDA. If you’re considering KRUS for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

AMC Entertainment (AMC)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: -6.2%

With a profile that was raised due to meme stock mania beginning in 2021, AMC Entertainment (NYSE: AMC) operates movie theaters primarily in the US and Europe.

Why Is AMC Risky?

  1. Sales trends were unexciting over the last five years as its 5.7% annual growth was below the typical consumer discretionary company
  2. Cash-burning tendencies make us wonder if it can sustainably generate shareholder value
  3. Depletion of cash reserves could lead to a fundraising event that triggers shareholder dilution

At $2.89 per share, AMC Entertainment trades at 2.3x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why AMC doesn’t pass our bar.

One Stock to Buy:

IonQ (IONQ)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: -296%

Founded by quantum physics pioneers from the University of Maryland and Duke University in 2015, IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) develops quantum computers that process information using trapped ions to solve complex computational problems beyond the capabilities of traditional computers.

Why Should You Buy IONQ?

  1. Market share has increased this cycle as its 78.9% annual revenue growth over the last two years was exceptional
  2. Adjusted operating margin expanded by 5,803.2 percentage points over the last five years as it scaled and became more efficient
  3. Negative free cash flow margin has improved over the last five years, showing the company is one step closer to financial self-sufficiency

IonQ is trading at $67.97 per share, or 125.8x forward price-to-sales. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

Trump’s April 2025 tariff bombshell triggered a massive market selloff, but stocks have since staged an impressive recovery, leaving those who panic sold on the sidelines.

Take advantage of the rebound by checking out our 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-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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