LASR
TechnologynLIGHT, Inc. · Semiconductors · $4B
What is nLIGHT, Inc.?
nLIGHT, Inc. designs and manufactures semiconductor and fiber lasers serving industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace and defense markets. Headquartered in Camas, Washington, the company distributes products across North America, Asia, and Europe.
nLIGHT operates through two segments: Laser Products and Advanced Development. The Laser Products segment generates revenue by selling semiconductor and fiber lasers to manufacturers and industrial customers. The Advanced Development segment focuses on high-energy laser systems, including fiber amplifiers and beam combination and control systems used in directed energy and defense applications. The company reaches customers through a direct sales force and a network of independent representatives and distributors across Asia, Europe, and South America.
nLIGHT was incorporated in 2000 and is based in Camas, Washington.
- Semiconductor lasers for industrial and microfabrication use
- Fiber lasers for cutting, welding, and materials processing
- Fiber amplifiers for high-energy laser systems
- Beam combination and control systems for directed energy
- Advanced development programs for aerospace and defense
Is LASR a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates LASR as Below Average overall.
The Growth and Risk pillars both land at Neutral, suggesting the business is not in acute distress and retains some forward momentum — particularly through its defense-oriented Advanced Development segment, which benefits from ongoing government interest in directed energy programs.
Both the Quality and Moat pillars register as Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation and below-average business fundamentals relative to sector peers. The Valuation pillar reads as Elevated, meaning the current price may not offer a margin of safety given those underlying weaknesses.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does LASR pay dividends?
No — nLIGHT, Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.
nLIGHT does not currently pay a dividend. For a company operating in a capital-intensive technology niche — and still working toward consistent profitability — retaining cash for product development, manufacturing capacity, and defense program investment is the typical strategic rationale. Income-focused investors should factor this into their assessment.
When does LASR report earnings?
nLIGHT reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.
Results have reflected the dual nature of the business — industrial laser demand can be cyclical, while defense-related revenue provides a degree of stability. Investors should watch segment-level trends to gauge which part of the business is driving performance in any given quarter.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit nLIGHT's investor relations page directly.
LASR Price History
+146.3% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in nLIGHT, Inc.?
Based on nLIGHT, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
LASR Long-term Outlook
With Growth and Risk both rated Neutral, nLIGHT's near-term trajectory appears neither strongly expansionary nor under immediate fundamental pressure. The Advanced Development segment — tied to directed energy and defense contracts — represents a potential longer-run growth avenue, though converting program wins into durable revenue remains a key variable. Weak Quality and Moat scores suggest the company needs to demonstrate improved operating leverage and clearer competitive positioning before the outlook materially improves.
Growth drivers
- Expanding government and defense demand for directed energy systems
- Industrial laser adoption in precision manufacturing and EV production
- International distribution expansion across Asia and Europe
Key risks
- Weak moat leaves pricing power vulnerable to larger laser competitors
- Elevated valuation limits downside cushion if growth disappoints
- Cyclical industrial end markets can compress revenue unpredictably
LASR vs Peers
nLIGHT competes within a broader semiconductor and photonics technology landscape alongside several specialized peers.
Axcelis focuses on ion implant systems for semiconductor fabrication, serving chipmakers rather than industrial laser end markets.
Diodes Incorporated manufactures discrete semiconductors and analog ICs across a broader range of consumer and industrial applications.
AXT produces compound semiconductor substrates that serve as foundational materials for photonics and laser components, operating further upstream in the supply chain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does nLIGHT do?
nLIGHT designs and manufactures semiconductor and fiber lasers for industrial, microfabrication, and defense applications. Its two segments — Laser Products and Advanced Development — cover everything from factory floor cutting and welding lasers to high-energy directed energy systems for aerospace and defense customers.
Does LASR pay dividends?
No, nLIGHT does not currently pay a dividend. The company reinvests available capital into product development and defense program growth rather than returning cash to shareholders through distributions.
When does LASR report earnings?
nLIGHT follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence. Specific dates are not covered by our data source — check nLIGHT's investor relations page for the current reporting schedule and upcoming announcements.
Is LASR a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates LASR as Below Average, reflecting Weak Quality and Moat scores alongside an Elevated Valuation. Growth and Risk are Neutral, providing some balance. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and time horizon — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is LASR overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for LASR is rated Elevated, suggesting the current market price may be high relative to the company's underlying fundamental quality. This is particularly notable given the Weak Quality and Moat scores. Pro members can view the detailed valuation metrics.
How does LASR compare to its competitors?
nLIGHT operates in a specialized photonics niche alongside peers like Axcelis Technologies, Diodes Incorporated, and AXT, Inc. Each competitor serves different segments of the semiconductor and photonics ecosystem. The UQS platform compares pillar-level scores across these peers for Pro members.
What is LASR's market cap bracket?
nLIGHT is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a range where institutional coverage exists but the stock may carry more volatility than large-cap peers in the technology sector.
Who founded nLIGHT?
nLIGHT was incorporated in 2000, originally under the name nLight Photonics Corporation, before rebranding to nLIGHT, Inc. in January 2016. Founding details are widely available through the company's public filings and corporate history.
Is LASR a long-term quality investment?
From a long-term quality perspective, LASR's Weak Quality and Moat scores indicate the business has not yet established the durable competitive advantages typically associated with high-quality compounders. The Neutral Growth and Risk ratings suggest potential, but the foundation needs strengthening. Pro members can track pillar changes over time.
What is nLIGHT's main competitive advantage?
nLIGHT's most differentiated position lies in its Advanced Development segment, which targets high-energy laser and directed energy programs for defense customers — an area requiring specialized engineering expertise. However, the UQS Moat pillar currently rates this advantage as Weak relative to sector peers.
What sector does LASR belong to?
nLIGHT is classified in the Technology sector, specifically within photonics and semiconductor laser manufacturing. Its defense-related revenue also gives it exposure to aerospace and defense spending trends, making it a cross-sector consideration for some investors.
Is LASR a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, LASR shows Neutral Growth and an Elevated Valuation — a combination that fits neither a classic growth nor a value profile cleanly. It occupies a middle ground where growth potential exists but the current price does not reflect a value-oriented entry point.
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Pro Analysis
LASR — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2026 | 37.0 | 7.8 | 24.0 | 62.7 | 82.4 | 27.7 | +5.4 |
| May 10, 2026 | 31.6 | 0.0 | 24.0 | 62.7 | 36.9 | 50.4 | +1.3 |
| May 8, 2026 | 30.3 | 0.0 | 24.0 | 58.4 | 36.9 | 47.1 | -1.0 |
| May 3, 2026 | 31.3 | 7.5 | 24.0 | 58.4 | 47.1 | 31.6 | +0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 31.2 | 7.5 | 24.0 | 58.4 | 47.1 | 30.9 | -0.1 |
| Apr 22, 2026 | 31.3 | 7.5 | 24.0 | 58.4 | 47.1 | 31.5 | 0.0 |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 31.3 | 7.5 | 24.0 | 58.4 | 47.1 | 31.4 | 0.0 |
| Apr 17, 2026 | 31.3 | 7.5 | 24.0 | 58.4 | 47.1 | 31.5 | -0.1 |
| Apr 16, 2026 | 31.4 | 7.5 | 24.0 | 58.4 | 47.1 | 32.1 | -0.1 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 31.5 | 7.5 | 24.0 | 58.4 | 47.1 | 32.3 | -6.5 |
LASR — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 7.8/100 (25%)nLIGHT, Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 62.7/100 (20%)nLIGHT, Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 82.4/100 (15%)nLIGHT, Inc. carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 27.6/100 (15%)nLIGHT, Inc. appears expensively valued relative to its fundamentals and growth prospects.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 24/100 (25%)nLIGHT, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for LASR.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the LASR UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for nLIGHT, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses nLIGHT, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether nLIGHT, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.