11 Best Performing Semiconductor Stocks to Buy Now

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3. nLIGHT Inc. (NASDAQ:LASR)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 17

Year-to-Date Performance as of July 28: 59.07%

nLIGHT Inc. (NASDAQ:LASR) is one of the best performing semiconductor stocks to buy now. Earlier on June 26, Craig-Hallum increased its price target for nLight to $24 from $14, while maintaining a Buy rating on the shares. The decision came from the firm’s heightened confidence in nLight’s growth outlook and cited a favorable global environment for defense spending.

In Q1 2025, nLight made $51.7 million in quarterly revenue, which was a 16% year-over-year increase compared to $44.5 million in the first quarter of 2024. Defense revenue alone reached a record high of $32.7 million, which made up 63% of total sales due to a 150% year-over-year growth in defense product sales.

The company’s high-power laser technology is strategically aligned with critical Department of Defense priorities in the aerospace and defense (A&D) market, including the Israeli Iron Beam program. nLight anticipates its A&D revenue to grow by at least 25% in 2025, which was supported by strong performance in directed energy and laser sensing markets.

nLIGHT Inc. (NASDAQ:LASR) designs, develops, manufactures, and sells semiconductor and fiber lasers for industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace and defense applications.

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