nLIGHT

LASR

Market cap $3.93B

LITE outpaces LASR as AI-driven demand, strong revenue growth and rising estimates outweigh nLIGHT's near-term headwinds from cutting and welding exit.

CAMAS, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--nLIGHT, Inc. (Nasdaq: LASR), a leading provider of high-power lasers for mission critical directed energy, optical sensing, and advanced manufacturing applications, announced that it will release its financial results for the first quarter of 2026 after the financial markets close on Thursday, May 7, 2026. A webcast to discuss the first quarter results will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). The audio webcast will.

Laser sensing is emerging as a key growth driver for LASR, supported by strong defense demand, program wins and an expanding production pipeline.

nLIGHT (NASDAQ:LASR) has risen 837% over the past year, moving from $6.44 to $60.32.

LASR's directed energy push fuels A&D growth, with record revenues, major program wins and new contracts positioning it for sustained expansion.

LASR faces valuation concerns as revenue headwinds, margin pressure and weak microfabrication outlook raise doubts about sustaining its premium multiples.

nLIGHT's defense surge lifts 2026 outlook, but revenue timing, margin pressure, and an industrial exit could drive uneven quarterly performance.

LASR pushes into higher-power laser systems and sensing, as scaling production and backlog execution become key to growth and margins through 2027.

LASR leans into defense as 2025 revenue jumps 31.6%, with A&D at 67% mix, funded backlog and sensing ramp shaping 2026 growth outlook.

Seven of the portfolio's 10 equity sectors made a positive impact on calendar year performance, led by Industrials, Financials, and Information Technology. Our top contributor was nLIGHT, whose shares have outperformed due to upward revisions to the outlook for its aerospace & defense customers. The Fund's top-detracting position was outdoor products and accessories manufacturer American Outdoor Brands, which was negatively impacted by retail customer conservatism, as well as higher-than-expected tariff-related costs.