Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) vs ViaSat (VSAT)
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 ViaSat (VSAT) over the past year, gaining 228.7% versus a gain of 89.1%. Over five years, AAOI leads with a +1366.8% price change compared with +22.2% for VSAT. ViaSat is the larger company by market cap ($9.86 billion vs $9.86 billion), about 1.0 times the size, while Applied Optoelectronics is growing revenue faster (+82.8% vs +2.7%).
On valuation, Applied Optoelectronics trades at a lower forward P/E (25.2x vs 429.3x for ViaSat). ViaSat converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of -0.7% 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 | VSAT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $116.09 | $71.55 |
| Market cap | $9.86B | $9.86B |
| 1-day change | +9.63% | +6.14% |
| YTD return | +203.79% | +95.62% |
| 1-year return | +228.68% | +89.09% |
| 5-year return | +1366.76% | +22.19% |
| Forward P/E | 25.22 | 429.29 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-0.75 | $-0.21 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $455.71M | $4.64B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +82.75% | +2.67% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-38.23M | $-34.09M |
| Gross margin | 30.04% | — |
| Operating margin | -11.98% | 2.33% |
| Net margin | -8.39% | -0.73% |
| 52-week high | $233.67 | $93.03 |
| 52-week low | $18.50 | $29.13 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -50.32% | -23.09% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +40.76% | +45.27% |
| Average volume | 9.62M | 1.88M |
| Shares outstanding | 84.91M | 137.76M |
| Employees | 4,691 | 7,000 |
| Sector | Technology | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Telecommunications Equipment |
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 VSAT by 139.6 percentage points over the past year.
- ViaSat is more profitable, keeping -0.7 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 +2.67%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Applied Optoelectronics in Technology and ViaSat in Consumer Discretionary.
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 ViaSat
VSAT stock →Viasat, Inc. engages in the provision of broadband and communications products and services in the United States and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Telecommunications Equipment · 7,000 employees
AAOI vs VSAT FAQ
Which is bigger, Applied Optoelectronics or ViaSat?
ViaSat (VSAT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $9.86B compared with $9.86B for Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AAOI or VSAT?
AAOI returned +228.68% over the past 12 months, compared with +89.09% for VSAT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Are Applied Optoelectronics and ViaSat in the same industry?
No. Applied Optoelectronics is in the Technology sector, while ViaSat is in Consumer Discretionary.