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 Low-Volatility Stocks We Find Risky

J Cover Image

A stock with low volatility can be reassuring, but it doesn’t always mean strong long-term performance. Investors who prioritize stability may miss out on higher-reward opportunities elsewhere.

Finding the right balance between safety and returns isn’t easy, which is why StockStory is here to help. Keeping that in mind, here are three low-volatility stocks that don’t make the cut and some better opportunities instead.

Jacobs Solutions (J)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.89

With a workforce of approximately 45,000 professionals tackling complex challenges from water scarcity to cybersecurity, Jacobs Solutions (NYSE: J) provides engineering, consulting, and technical services focused on infrastructure, sustainability, and advanced technology solutions.

Why Should You Dump J?

  1. Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 2.5% annually over the last five years
  2. Earnings per share decreased by more than its revenue over the last five years, showing each sale was less profitable
  3. Low returns on capital reflect management’s struggle to allocate funds effectively

Jacobs Solutions is trading at $143.80 per share, or 21.4x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why J doesn’t pass our bar.

Plug Power (PLUG)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.82

Powering forklifts for Walmart’s distribution centers, Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG) provides hydrogen fuel cells used to power electric motors.

Why Should You Sell PLUG?

  1. Annual sales declines of 12.6% for the past two years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market during this cycle
  2. Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 6,283 percentage points
  3. Depletion of cash reserves could lead to a fundraising event that triggers shareholder dilution

At $1.44 per share, Plug Power trades at 2x forward price-to-sales. To fully understand why you should be careful with PLUG, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Brink's (BCO)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.67

Known for its iconic armored trucks that have been a fixture in American cities since 1859, Brink's (NYSE: BCO) provides secure transportation and management of cash and valuables for banks, retailers, and other businesses worldwide.

Why Does BCO Worry Us?

  1. Sales trends were unexciting over the last two years as its 3.5% annual growth was below the typical business services company
  2. Free cash flow margin shrank by 1.1 percentage points over the last five years, suggesting the company is consuming more capital to stay competitive
  3. Below-average returns on capital indicate management struggled to find compelling investment opportunities

Brink’s stock price of $113.69 implies a valuation ratio of 14.2x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including BCO in your portfolio.

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 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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