LightPath Technologies Inc logo

LightPath Technologies Inc(LPTH)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$7.5
10/19/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for LPTH

10/19/2026: LPTH (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

LightPath Technologies is a specialized optical component manufacturer that produces proprietary glass lenses and infrared assemblies for industrial, defense, and sensor markets. The company’s core strength lies in its vertical integration and ability to produce high-precision molded optics, which serve as a competitive edge in niche markets. Its growth story is centered on the rising demand for thermal imaging and sensing technologies. Investors face risks related to financial inconsistency, low liquidity, and intense competition from larger industry players. The stock may suit growth-oriented investors looking for exposure to sensor trends, but it is best monitored for consistent profitability and successful project execution before considering it a core holding.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitThe company operates in growth-oriented sectors like infrared and sensors but requires more consistent earnings growth to be a strong fit.
Momentum investorMixed fitThe stock can exhibit momentum during industry upturns, but it is best monitored for breakout signals before engagement.
Value investorWeak fitValuation is often tied to future speculative growth rather than current deep-value fundamentals.
Dividend investorWeak fitThe company does not pay a dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios.
Low-risk investorWeak fitThe stock carries high price volatility and operational risks typical of small-cap manufacturing companies.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighThe stock is subject to significant price swings due to its small market capitalization and sensitive industry exposure.
Valuation riskMedium / highValuation is sensitive to analyst expectations for growth in thermal imaging and fiber optics.
Competition risk (Optical components)HighCompetition from larger, better-funded incumbents and low-cost manufacturers impacts pricing power.
Business qualityMediumWhile the technology is specialized and defensible, recurring profitability has been inconsistent.
Dividend incomeLow / noneInvestors receive no current income from holding this stock.
Execution riskMedium / highSuccess depends on the effective scaling of advanced manufacturing processes and maintaining high yields.

Price Behavior

Downtrend
PRICE PATH

Downtrend

The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.

Extreme Price Shocks
PRICE STABILITY

Extreme Price Shocks

The stock has experienced exceptionally large and disruptive price movements during the period.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 56.11%
Avg. Invested days 27
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 3.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/19/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
LPTH receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, soft quantitative characteristics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
LPTH has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2026 versus FY2025, strong revenue growth (+92.8%) is partially offset by negative earnings growth (-38.1%), weak cash generation (FCF margin -23.0%), weak profitability (net margin -28.6%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
LPTH's financial health is supported by solid liquidity, including working-capital and asset support (WC/assets 53.5%). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Revenue growth is LPTH's strongest growth driver at +92.8% FY2026 versus FY2025 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while earnings growth (-38.1%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-71.9%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 79.9% and approximately 98.9% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 1.08% provides only moderate management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 6.38%
Hood River Capital Management LLC 5.09%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 3.88%
Awm Investment Company Inc 3.62%
Driehaus Capital Management LLC 3.10%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
LPTH generates approximately $360 of gross profit, $-16 of operating income, and $-230 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2026 results. Operating losses and cash burn explain the 1-star rating, with weak cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: -1.56% (Tax Credit)

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
LPTH has a liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while soft valuation.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

High VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 536.48M USD
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 15.8
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 15.8
Volume (30-day avg) 3.0M shares
Beta 1.38
52 Weeks Range 5.83 - 18.94
Updated Date 10/18/2026
52 Weeks Range 5.83 - 18.94
Updated Date 10/18/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) -0.38

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Precision Molded OpticsVisible and infrared glass lenses and assemblies.The company sells specialized, high-precision lenses used in everything from cameras to laser equipment.
Infrared ImagingThermal imaging lens assemblies and specialized optical materials.Revenue is driven by demand for thermal sensing products in industrial and defense markets.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE -
Forward PE 217.39
Enterprise Value 628.59M
Price to Sales(TTM) 7.48
Enterprise Value 628.59M
Price to Sales(TTM) 7.48
Enterprise Value to Revenue 8.76
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 1112.54
Shares Outstanding 70.04M
Shares Floating 69.29M
Shares Outstanding 70.04M
Shares Floating 69.29M
Percent Insiders 1.08
Percent Institutions 79.92

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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