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

1 Volatile Stock Worth Investigating and 2 We Ignore

AMKR 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.

These stocks can be a rollercoaster, and StockStory is here to guide you through the ups and downs. That said, here is one volatile stock that could reward patient investors and two best left to the gamblers.

Two Stocks to Sell:

Amkor (AMKR)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.99

Operating through a largely Asian facility footprint, Amkor Technologies (NASDAQ: AMKR) provides outsourced packaging and testing for semiconductors.

Why Should You Dump AMKR?

  1. Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 4.4% annually over the last two years
  2. Gross margin of 14.4% reflects its high production costs
  3. Poor expense management has led to an operating margin of 7% that is below the industry average

Amkor is trading at $24.38 per share, or 18.5x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why AMKR doesn’t pass our bar.

Knowles (KN)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.67

With roots dating back to 1946 and a focus on components that must perform flawlessly in critical situations, Knowles (NYSE: KN) designs and manufactures specialized electronic components like high-performance capacitors, microphones, and speakers for medical technology, defense, and industrial applications.

Why Do We Pass on KN?

  1. Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 5.3% annually over the last five years
  2. Revenue base of $563.1 million puts it at a disadvantage compared to larger competitors exhibiting economies of scale
  3. Below-average returns on capital indicate management struggled to find compelling investment opportunities, and its decreasing returns suggest its historical profit centers are aging

Knowles’s stock price of $21.64 implies a valuation ratio of 17.8x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with KN, check out our full research report (it’s free).

One Stock to Watch:

Cadence Bank (CADE)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.31

With roots dating back to 1885 and a strategic focus on middle-market commercial lending, Cadence Bancorporation (NYSE: CADE) is a bank holding company that provides commercial banking, retail banking, and wealth management services to middle-market businesses and individuals.

Why Do We Like CADE?

  1. Market share has increased this cycle as its 17% annual net interest income growth over the last five years was exceptional
  2. Net interest income outlook for the upcoming 12 months implies the business will stay on its desirable five-year growth trajectory
  3. Impressive 23.6% annual tangible book value per share growth over the last two years indicates it’s building equity value this cycle

At $37.95 per share, Cadence Bank trades at 1.2x forward P/B. Is now the right 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 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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