Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) vs MaxLinear (MXL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
MaxLinear (MXL) has outperformed Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) over the past year, gaining 477.3% versus a gain of 228.7%. Over five years, AAOI leads with a +1366.8% price change compared with +93.8% for MXL. Applied Optoelectronics is the larger company by market cap ($9.44 billion vs $8.76 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Applied Optoelectronics trades at a lower forward P/E (24.2x vs 37.0x for MaxLinear). Applied Optoelectronics converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of -8.4% versus -29.2%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AAOI | MXL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $111.21 | $96.62 |
| Market cap | $9.44B | $8.76B |
| 1-day change | +5.01% | +3.11% |
| YTD return | +203.79% | +437.58% |
| 1-year return | +228.68% | +477.33% |
| 5-year return | +1366.76% | +93.76% |
| Forward P/E | 24.17 | 36.98 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-0.75 | $-1.18 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $455.71M | $467.64M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +82.75% | +29.71% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-38.23M | $-136.68M |
| Gross margin | 30.04% | 56.84% |
| Operating margin | -11.98% | -27.13% |
| Net margin | -8.39% | -29.23% |
| 52-week high | $233.67 | $128.30 |
| 52-week low | $18.50 | $12.77 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -52.41% | -24.69% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +46.93% | -2.14% |
| Average volume | 9.62M | 3.08M |
| Shares outstanding | 84.91M | 90.69M |
| Employees | 4,691 | 1,115 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- MXL has outperformed AAOI by 248.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Applied Optoelectronics is more profitable, keeping -8.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -29.2 cents for MaxLinear.
- Applied Optoelectronics grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+82.75% vs +29.71%).
About Applied Optoelectronics
AAOI stock →Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of fiber-optic networking products in the United States, Taiwan, and China.
Technology · Semiconductors · 4,691 employees
About MaxLinear
MXL stock →MaxLinear, Inc. provides communications systems-on-chip solutions in the United States, Asia, Europe, and internationally.
Technology · Semiconductors · 1,115 employees
AAOI vs MXL FAQ
Which is bigger, Applied Optoelectronics or MaxLinear?
Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $9.44B compared with $8.76B for MaxLinear (MXL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AAOI or MXL?
MXL returned +477.33% over the past 12 months, compared with +228.68% for AAOI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Are Applied Optoelectronics and MaxLinear in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Semiconductors industry within the Technology sector.