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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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 Volatile Stocks with Warning Signs

KRT Cover Image

Market swings can be tough to stomach, and volatile stocks often experience exaggerated moves in both directions. While many thrive during risk-on environments, many also struggle to maintain investor confidence when the ride gets bumpy.

Navigating these stocks isn’t easy, which is why StockStory helps you find Comfort In Chaos. That said, here are three volatile stocks to avoid and some better opportunities instead.

Karat Packaging (KRT)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.15

Founded as Lollicup, Karat Packaging (NASDAQ: KRT) distributes and manufactures environmentally-friendly disposable foodservice packaging solutions.

Why Does KRT Fall Short?

  1. Sales trends were unexciting over the last two years as its 4.2% annual growth was below the typical industrials company
  2. Revenue growth over the past two years was nullified by the company’s new share issuances as its earnings per share fell by 2.9% annually
  3. Poor free cash flow margin of 5.9% for the last five years limits its freedom to invest in growth initiatives, execute share buybacks, or pay dividends

At $24.76 per share, Karat Packaging trades at 16.9x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with KRT, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Emerson Electric (EMR)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.42

Founded in 1890, Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR) is a multinational technology and engineering company providing solutions in the industrial, commercial, and residential markets.

Why Are We Wary of EMR?

  1. Sales were flat over the last five years, indicating it’s failed to expand this cycle
  2. Free cash flow margin dropped by 4.9 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up
  3. Waning returns on capital imply its previous profit engines are losing steam

Emerson Electric’s stock price of $130 implies a valuation ratio of 20.3x forward P/E. If you’re considering EMR for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

3D Systems (DDD)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.65

Founded by the inventor of stereolithography, 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) engineers, manufactures, and sells 3D printers and other related products to the aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and consumer goods industries.

Why Are We Out on DDD?

  1. Sales tumbled by 6.3% annually over the last five years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle
  2. Shrinking returns on capital from an already weak position reveal that neither previous nor ongoing investments are yielding the desired results
  3. Depletion of cash reserves could lead to a fundraising event that triggers shareholder dilution

3D Systems is trading at $2.07 per share, or 1x forward price-to-sales. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than DDD.

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 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-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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