Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) vs Silicon Laboratories (SLAB)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) has outperformed Silicon Laboratories (SLAB) over the past year, gaining 228.7% versus a gain of 68.5%. Over five years, AAOI leads with a +1597.2% price change compared with +51.3% for SLAB. Applied Optoelectronics is the larger company by market cap ($8.99 billion vs $7.40 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Applied Optoelectronics trades at a lower forward P/E (23.0x vs 50.8x for Silicon Laboratories). Silicon Laboratories converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of -8.3% 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 | SLAB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $105.90 | $221.75 |
| Market cap | $8.99B | $7.40B |
| 1-day change | -13.58% | -0.09% |
| YTD return | +203.79% | +69.81% |
| 1-year return | +228.68% | +68.54% |
| 5-year return | +1597.23% | +51.30% |
| Forward P/E | 23.01 | 50.85 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-0.75 | $-1.17 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $455.71M | $784.76M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +82.75% | +34.29% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-38.23M | $-64.91M |
| Gross margin | 30.04% | 58.23% |
| Operating margin | -11.98% | -8.99% |
| Net margin | -8.39% | -8.27% |
| 52-week high | $233.67 | $223.50 |
| 52-week low | $18.50 | $115.51 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -54.68% | -0.78% |
| Analyst consensus | none | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +54.30% | +0.50% |
| Average volume | 9.62M | 292.77K |
| Shares outstanding | 84.91M | 33.37M |
| Employees | 4,691 | 1,930 |
| 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 SLAB by 160.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Applied Optoelectronics grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+82.75% vs +34.29%).
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 Silicon Laboratories
SLAB stock →Silicon Laboratories Inc., a fabless semiconductor company, provides mixed-signal analog intensive products in the United States, China, Taiwan, and internationally. Its products are used in various electronic products in a range of applications for the industrial Internet of Things (IoT), including connected home and security, industrial automation and control, smart metering and agriculture, smart street lighting, renewable energy, electric vehicle supply equipment, industrial wearables and equipment, commercial building automation, consumer electronics, asset tracking, and medical instrumentation; and commercial IoT applications, including smart buildings and lighting, access controls, asset tracking, electronic shelf labels, theft protection, power tools, and enterprise access points.
Technology · Semiconductors · 1,930 employees
AAOI vs SLAB FAQ
Which is bigger, Applied Optoelectronics or Silicon Laboratories?
Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $8.99B compared with $7.40B for Silicon Laboratories (SLAB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AAOI or SLAB?
AAOI returned +228.68% over the past 12 months, compared with +68.54% for SLAB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Are Applied Optoelectronics and Silicon Laboratories in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Semiconductors industry within the Technology sector.