Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) vs Nextpower (NXT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) has outperformed Nextpower (NXT) over the past year, gaining 228.7% versus a gain of 8.6%. Nextpower is the larger company by market cap ($13.10 billion vs $8.99 billion), about 1.5 times the size, while Applied Optoelectronics is growing revenue faster (+82.8% vs +20.3%). On valuation, Nextpower trades at a lower forward P/E (14.8x vs 23.0x for Applied Optoelectronics).
Nextpower converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 16.5% versus -8.4%.
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 | NXT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $105.90 | $85.26 |
| Market cap | $8.99B | $13.10B |
| 1-day change | -13.58% | -0.91% |
| YTD return | +203.79% | -2.12% |
| 1-year return | +228.68% | +8.61% |
| 5-year return | +1366.76% | — |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 22.03 |
| Forward P/E | 23.01 | 14.77 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-0.75 | $3.87 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $455.71M | $3.56B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +82.75% | +20.28% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-38.23M | $585.88M |
| Gross margin | 30.04% | 32.59% |
| Operating margin | -11.98% | 19.59% |
| Net margin | -8.39% | 16.46% |
| 52-week high | $233.67 | $163.13 |
| 52-week low | $18.50 | $76.72 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -54.68% | -47.73% |
| Analyst consensus | none | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +54.30% | +61.40% |
| Average volume | 9.62M | 2.47M |
| Shares outstanding | 84.91M | 151.73M |
| Employees | 4,691 | 1,993 |
| 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
- AAOI has outperformed NXT by 220.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Nextpower is more profitable, keeping 16.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -8.4 cents for Applied Optoelectronics.
- Applied Optoelectronics grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+82.75% vs +20.28%).
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 Nextpower
NXT stock →Nextpower Inc. provides solar and energy technology solutions for utility-scale power plants in the United States and internationally.
Technology · Semiconductors · 1,993 employees
AAOI vs NXT FAQ
Which is bigger, Applied Optoelectronics or Nextpower?
Nextpower (NXT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $13.10B compared with $8.99B for Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AAOI or NXT?
AAOI returned +228.68% over the past 12 months, compared with +8.61% for NXT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Are Applied Optoelectronics and Nextpower in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Semiconductors industry within the Technology sector.