Today, Light Reading editors named the Top Ten investment opportunities for 2001, launching the Top Ten Optical Stock list. The list will join the Top Ten Private Companies list on the Light Trading site.

Light Reading editors have employed the team’s unique analysis of company leadership, technology strategy, and financial information to pick some winning players for the New Year. This list names the Top Ten Stocks likely to bring rewards in 2001.

The list contains leading optical components, systems, and contract manufacturing companies -- with an emphasis on components. In 2001, Light Reading believes the financial markets will focus on optical components players, which will deliver fundamental technological innovation that will lower the cost of bandwidth and drive broadband applications and services. Because there are fewer optical components companies than systems companies in the public market, they're more likely to benefit from the strong demand for optical technology, still in its infancy.

The list will most likely be reviewed after six months, when Light Reading editors will decide whether any pruning needs to be done.

-- R. Scott Raynovich, executive editor, Light Reading http://www.lightreading.com