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nLIGHT Inc (LASR)
NASDAQ:LASR
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nLIGHT (LASR) AI Stock Analysis

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LASR

nLIGHT

(NASDAQ:LASR)

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Neutral 51 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:51Neutral
Price Target:
$31.00
▲(8.16% Upside)
nLIGHT's overall stock score is primarily influenced by its financial challenges, including persistent losses and cash flow issues. While the earnings call provided an optimistic outlook with strong growth in aerospace and defense, the negative valuation metrics and mixed technical indicators weigh down the score.
Positive Factors
Aerospace and Defense Growth
Strong growth in aerospace and defense sectors indicates robust demand and strategic positioning, enhancing long-term revenue stability.
Product Gross Margin Expansion
Improved gross margins reflect operational efficiency and a favorable product mix, supporting sustainable profitability.
New Contracts
New contracts in laser sensing enhance revenue streams and reinforce market leadership in high-tech applications.
Negative Factors
Profitability Challenges
Persistent profitability issues indicate operational inefficiencies, which could hinder long-term financial health and growth.
Cash Flow Issues
Negative cash flow highlights liquidity challenges, potentially limiting the company's ability to invest in growth opportunities.
Decline in Commercial Markets
Declining commercial revenue suggests weakening demand in this segment, which may affect overall revenue diversification.

nLIGHT (LASR) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

nLIGHT Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionnLIGHT (LASR) is a leading provider of high-performance laser technology, primarily serving the industrial, aerospace, and defense sectors. The company specializes in designing and manufacturing advanced laser systems and components, including semiconductor lasers, fiber lasers, and laser modules. nLIGHT’s innovative products are used in various applications such as material processing, medical devices, and telecommunications, positioning the company at the forefront of the fast-evolving laser market.
How the Company Makes MoneynLIGHT generates revenue through the sale of its laser products and systems, which are utilized across multiple industries including manufacturing, aerospace, and defense. The company has established key revenue streams from its semiconductor and fiber laser products, which are in high demand for applications such as cutting, welding, and medical procedures. Additionally, nLIGHT benefits from long-term contracts and partnerships with major corporations and government entities, enhancing its earnings stability. The company also invests in research and development to expand its product offerings and maintain competitive advantages, which further contributes to its revenue growth.

nLIGHT Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 06, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 19, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call revealed strong revenue growth, particularly in the aerospace and defense sectors, and significant margin expansion. Despite these positive trends, challenges remain in the commercial markets and restructuring efforts in China. However, the overall outlook remains optimistic due to strong defense sector contracts and progress in key programs.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue Growth
Third quarter revenue of $66.7 million, representing a 19% increase year-over-year and an 8% increase sequentially.
Record Aerospace and Defense Revenue
Aerospace and defense revenue reached a record $45.6 million, with a 50% year-over-year increase and 12% sequential growth.
Expansion of Product Gross Margin
Product gross margin reached a record 41%, up from 28.8% a year ago and 38.5% last quarter, driven by a favorable customer and product mix.
Positive Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $7.1 million, compared to a loss of approximately $1 million in the same quarter last year.
Successful Progress on HELSI-2 Program
Continued progress on the HELSI-2 program, a $171 million project, with significant contributions to revenue expected through 2026.
Significant Sensing Contract
Secured a new $50 million contract for an existing missile program, enhancing the laser sensing product pipeline.
Negative Updates
Decline in Commercial Markets
Commercial revenue of $21.2 million decreased 18% year-over-year, despite slight sequential improvements.
Restructuring Charges
Incurred a $1.7 million restructuring charge due to reduced activities in China and in cutting and welding.
GAAP Net Loss
Reported a GAAP net loss of $6.9 million, or $0.14 per share, compared to a net loss of $10.3 million a year ago.
Company Guidance
During the third quarter of 2025 earnings call, nLIGHT, Inc. provided guidance for the upcoming quarter, expecting revenue to range between $72 million and $78 million, with the midpoint at $75 million comprising approximately $55 million of product revenue and $20 million of development revenue. The company anticipates sequential growth in Aerospace and Defense (A&D) revenue, expecting full-year 2025 A&D revenue growth to surpass the previous outlook of at least 40% year-over-year. Gross margin for the fourth quarter is projected to be between 27% and 32%, with product gross margin ranging from 34% to 39% and development gross margin around 8%. Additionally, nLIGHT forecasts adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter to fall between $6 million and $11 million. The company remains optimistic about its position in the directed energy and laser sensing markets, with ongoing programs and new contracts expected to drive continued growth.

nLIGHT Financial Statement Overview

Summary
nLIGHT faces significant financial challenges, with persistent losses and cash flow issues. While the company maintains a strong balance sheet with low leverage, its inability to generate positive net income and cash flow raises concerns about its financial health and sustainability in the competitive semiconductor industry.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
nLIGHT's income statement reveals a challenging environment with consistent net losses and negative profit margins. Despite a slight revenue growth in the TTM period, the company struggles with profitability, as indicated by negative EBIT and EBITDA margins. The gross profit margin has improved over the years, but the net profit margin remains negative, reflecting ongoing operational challenges.
Balance Sheet
55
Neutral
The balance sheet shows a relatively low debt-to-equity ratio, indicating conservative leverage. However, the return on equity is negative, highlighting inefficiencies in generating profits from shareholders' equity. The equity ratio is stable, suggesting a solid capital structure, but the negative ROE is a concern for investors.
Cash Flow
40
Negative
Cash flow analysis indicates significant challenges, with negative operating and free cash flows in the TTM period. The free cash flow growth rate is negative, and the operating cash flow to net income ratio is unfavorable, suggesting difficulties in converting income into cash. The free cash flow to net income ratio is high due to negative net income, but this is not a positive indicator.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue227.53M198.55M209.92M242.06M270.15M222.79M
Gross Profit54.14M33.02M46.11M50.82M77.31M59.36M
EBITDA-25.16M-43.75M-29.92M-35.51M-15.16M-7.36M
Net Income-43.52M-60.79M-41.67M-54.58M-29.67M-20.93M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets298.69M270.24M306.80M329.23M373.62M283.64M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments115.79M100.70M112.88M108.22M146.53M102.28M
Total Debt31.31M12.13M14.16M15.61M17.68M13.05M
Total Liabilities80.20M53.81M52.38M58.39M71.48M63.73M
Stockholders Equity218.49M216.43M254.42M270.85M302.13M219.91M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-10.14M-10.29M4.75M-36.26M-29.00M-11.31M
Operating Cash Flow-75.00K-2.36M10.09M-14.54M-7.44M13.04M
Investing Cash Flow20.34M16.69M-14.10M-72.38M-21.85M-24.54M
Financing Cash Flow19.59M-1.30M-859.00K-1.31M73.74M-3.77M

nLIGHT Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price28.66
Price Trends
50DMA
30.97
Negative
100DMA
27.38
Positive
200DMA
19.42
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.40
Positive
RSI
47.94
Neutral
STOCH
16.06
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For LASR, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 28.66 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 31.68, below the 50-day MA of 30.97, and above the 200-day MA of 19.42, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.40 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 47.94 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 16.06 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for LASR.

nLIGHT Risk Analysis

nLIGHT disclosed 36 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. nLIGHT reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

nLIGHT Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
70
Neutral
$1.66B31.836.12%-3.90%-41.66%
65
Neutral
$1.21B11.499.89%-1.79%-22.58%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
61
Neutral
$1.26B20.047.17%5.34%-3.62%-20.33%
58
Neutral
$3.19B120.591.22%-7.49%
51
Neutral
$1.50B-19.18%12.05%14.24%
42
Neutral
$1.43B-40.43%101.25%-56.11%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
LASR
nLIGHT
30.33
19.17
171.77%
HIMX
Himax Technologies
7.18
2.01
38.88%
IPGP
IPG Photonics
74.96
-3.96
-5.02%
PLAB
Photronics
21.06
-4.37
-17.18%
VECO
Veeco
27.40
-0.57
-2.04%
AAOI
Applied Optoelectronics
20.58
-17.33
-45.71%

nLIGHT Corporate Events

nLIGHT’s Earnings Call Highlights Robust Growth Amid Challenges
Nov 8, 2025

In the recent earnings call, nLIGHT, Inc. expressed a generally positive sentiment, highlighting strong revenue growth, particularly in the aerospace and defense sectors, alongside significant margin expansion. While challenges persist in the commercial markets and restructuring efforts in China, the overall outlook remains optimistic, buoyed by robust defense sector contracts and progress in key programs.

nLIGHT Reports Strong Q3 2025 Performance
Nov 7, 2025

nLIGHT, Inc. is a prominent provider of high-power lasers, catering to mission-critical applications in directed energy, optical sensing, and advanced manufacturing sectors. Headquartered in Camas, Washington, the company operates globally with a workforce of approximately 800 employees.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
nLIGHT Approves Special PRSUs for Key Executives
Neutral
Aug 15, 2025

On August 13, 2025, nLIGHT, Inc. announced the approval of special one-time performance-based restricted stock units (Special PRSUs) by its Compensation Committee, aimed at driving stock price growth and addressing retention needs amid business plan transitions. The Special PRSUs, part of the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, were granted to key executives, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, with specific stock price goals set for vesting over a six-year period. Additionally, the company amended the employment agreement of its principal executive officer, Scott Keeney, to incorporate terms of the Special PRSUs and adjust definitions related to employment termination, which could impact severance eligibility and vesting conditions.

The most recent analyst rating on (LASR) stock is a Buy with a $28.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on nLIGHT stock, see the LASR Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Nov 14, 2025