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

3 Russell 2000 Stocks We Think Twice About

FLYW Cover Image

Small-cap stocks in the Russell 2000 (^RUT) can be a goldmine for investors looking beyond the usual large-cap names. But with less stability and fewer resources than their bigger counterparts, these companies face steeper challenges in scaling their businesses.

Navigating this part of the market can be tricky, which is why we built StockStory to help you separate the winners from the laggards. Keeping that in mind, here are three Russell 2000 stocks that don’t make the cut and some better choices instead.

Flywire (FLYW)

Market Cap: $1.67 billion

Initially created to solve the challenges of international student tuition payments, Flywire (NASDAQ: FLYW) provides specialized payment processing and software solutions that help educational institutions, healthcare systems, travel companies, and businesses manage complex payments.

Why Does FLYW Worry Us?

  1. Steep infrastructure costs and weaker unit economics for a software company are reflected in its low gross margin of 62.9%
  2. Extended payback periods on sales investments suggest the company’s platform isn’t resonating enough to drive efficient sales conversions
  3. Operating profits and efficiency rose over the last year as it benefited from some fixed cost leverage

Flywire’s stock price of $13.70 implies a valuation ratio of 2.6x forward price-to-sales. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including FLYW in your portfolio.

PlayStudios (MYPS)

Market Cap: $121.3 million

Founded by a team of former gaming industry executives, PlayStudios (NASDAQ: MYPS) offers free-to-play digital casino games.

Why Are We Out on MYPS?

  1. Sluggish trends in its daily active users suggest customers aren’t adopting its solutions as quickly as the company hoped
  2. Historical operating margin losses point to an inefficient cost structure
  3. Falling earnings per share over the last three years has some investors worried as stock prices ultimately follow EPS over the long term

At $0.97 per share, PlayStudios trades at 2.4x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than MYPS.

Arhaus (ARHS)

Market Cap: $1.50 billion

With an aesthetic that features natural materials such as reclaimed wood, Arhaus (NASDAQ: ARHS) is a high-end furniture retailer that sells everything from sofas to rugs to bookcases.

Why Are We Hesitant About ARHS?

  1. Disappointing same-store sales over the past two years show customers aren’t responding well to its product selection and store experience
  2. Subscale operations are evident in its revenue base of $1.34 billion, meaning it has fewer distribution channels than its larger rivals
  3. Earnings per share have dipped by 10.2% annually over the past three years, which is concerning because stock prices follow EPS over the long term

Arhaus is trading at $10.62 per share, or 24.1x forward P/E. If you’re considering ARHS for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

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 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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