Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) Competitors

$181.49 0.00 (0.00%)

Closing price 05/22/2026 04:00 PM Eastern

Extended Trading

$178.92 -2.57 (-1.41%)

As of 05/22/2026 07:59 PM Eastern

AAOI vs. LHX, ALAB, FLEX, GFS, and UMC

Should you buy Applied Optoelectronics stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares Applied Optoelectronics with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with Applied Optoelectronics include L3Harris Technologies (LHX), Astera Labs (ALAB), Flex (FLEX), GlobalFoundries (GFS), and United Microelectronics (UMC). These companies are all part of the "electronic equipment" industry.

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to L3Harris Technologies?

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) and Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI) are both large-cap electronic equipment companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation, dividends and media sentiment.

84.8% of L3Harris Technologies shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 61.7% of Applied Optoelectronics shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of L3Harris Technologies shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.8% of Applied Optoelectronics shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, L3Harris Technologies had 4 more articles in the media than Applied Optoelectronics. MarketBeat recorded 23 mentions for L3Harris Technologies and 19 mentions for Applied Optoelectronics. L3Harris Technologies' average media sentiment score of 1.13 beat Applied Optoelectronics' score of 0.36 indicating that L3Harris Technologies is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
L3Harris Technologies	17 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	1 Neutral mention(s)	2 Negative mention(s)	2 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Applied Optoelectronics	8 Very Positive mention(s)	3 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral

L3Harris Technologies has a beta of 0.51, suggesting that its stock price is 49% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Applied Optoelectronics has a beta of 3.76, suggesting that its stock price is 276% more volatile than the broader market.

L3Harris Technologies has a net margin of 7.71% compared to Applied Optoelectronics' net margin of -8.55%. L3Harris Technologies' return on equity of 10.65% beat Applied Optoelectronics' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
L3Harris Technologies	7.71%	10.65%	5.05%
Applied Optoelectronics	-8.55%	-4.64%	-2.90%

L3Harris Technologies has higher revenue and earnings than Applied Optoelectronics. Applied Optoelectronics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than L3Harris Technologies, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
L3Harris Technologies	$21.87B	2.66	$1.61B	$9.21	33.89
Applied Optoelectronics	$455.71M	31.96	-$38.23M	-$0.66	N/A

L3Harris Technologies presently has a consensus price target of $354.75, indicating a potential upside of 13.66%. Applied Optoelectronics has a consensus price target of $79.80, indicating a potential downside of 56.03%. Given L3Harris Technologies' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe L3Harris Technologies is more favorable than Applied Optoelectronics.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
L3Harris Technologies	0 Sell rating(s)	4 Hold rating(s)	11 Buy rating(s)	2 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.88
Applied Optoelectronics	1 Sell rating(s)	3 Hold rating(s)	3 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.29

Summary

L3Harris Technologies beats Applied Optoelectronics on 14 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to Astera Labs?

Astera Labs (NASDAQ:ALAB) and Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, profitability, media sentiment, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Astera Labs has higher revenue and earnings than Applied Optoelectronics. Applied Optoelectronics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Astera Labs, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Astera Labs	$852.53M	61.70	$219.13M	$1.48	207.35
Applied Optoelectronics	$455.71M	31.96	-$38.23M	-$0.66	N/A

Astera Labs has a beta of 3.35, meaning that its stock price is 235% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Applied Optoelectronics has a beta of 3.76, meaning that its stock price is 276% more volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Astera Labs had 31 more articles in the media than Applied Optoelectronics. MarketBeat recorded 50 mentions for Astera Labs and 19 mentions for Applied Optoelectronics. Astera Labs' average media sentiment score of 0.78 beat Applied Optoelectronics' score of 0.36 indicating that Astera Labs is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Astera Labs	30 Very Positive mention(s)	4 Positive mention(s)	9 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Applied Optoelectronics	8 Very Positive mention(s)	3 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral

Astera Labs currently has a consensus price target of $233.75, indicating a potential downside of 23.83%. Applied Optoelectronics has a consensus price target of $79.80, indicating a potential downside of 56.03%. Given Astera Labs' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Astera Labs is more favorable than Applied Optoelectronics.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Astera Labs	0 Sell rating(s)	9 Hold rating(s)	14 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.61
Applied Optoelectronics	1 Sell rating(s)	3 Hold rating(s)	3 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.29

Astera Labs has a net margin of 26.72% compared to Applied Optoelectronics' net margin of -8.55%. Astera Labs' return on equity of 18.49% beat Applied Optoelectronics' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Astera Labs	26.72%	18.49%	16.60%
Applied Optoelectronics	-8.55%	-4.64%	-2.90%

60.5% of Astera Labs shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 61.7% of Applied Optoelectronics shares are owned by institutional investors. 12.5% of Astera Labs shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 3.8% of Applied Optoelectronics shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Astera Labs beats Applied Optoelectronics on 14 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to Flex?

Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI) and Flex (NASDAQ:FLEX) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, profitability and earnings.

61.7% of Applied Optoelectronics shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.3% of Flex shares are held by institutional investors. 3.8% of Applied Optoelectronics shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of Flex shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Flex has a net margin of 3.15% compared to Applied Optoelectronics' net margin of -8.55%. Flex's return on equity of 22.12% beat Applied Optoelectronics' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Applied Optoelectronics	-8.55%	-4.64%	-2.90%
Flex	3.15%	22.12%	5.53%

Flex has higher revenue and earnings than Applied Optoelectronics. Applied Optoelectronics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Flex, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Applied Optoelectronics	$455.71M	31.96	-$38.23M	-$0.66	N/A
Flex	$27.91B	1.74	$880M	$2.33	56.85

Applied Optoelectronics presently has a consensus target price of $79.80, indicating a potential downside of 56.03%. Flex has a consensus target price of $112.80, indicating a potential downside of 14.85%. Given Flex's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Flex is more favorable than Applied Optoelectronics.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Applied Optoelectronics	1 Sell rating(s)	3 Hold rating(s)	3 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.29
Flex	0 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	9 Buy rating(s)	1 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.92

Applied Optoelectronics has a beta of 3.76, indicating that its share price is 276% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Flex has a beta of 1.46, indicating that its share price is 46% more volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Applied Optoelectronics had 5 more articles in the media than Flex. MarketBeat recorded 19 mentions for Applied Optoelectronics and 14 mentions for Flex. Flex's average media sentiment score of 1.14 beat Applied Optoelectronics' score of 0.36 indicating that Flex is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Applied Optoelectronics	8 Very Positive mention(s)	3 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral
Flex	8 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	5 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Summary

Flex beats Applied Optoelectronics on 13 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to GlobalFoundries?

Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI) and GlobalFoundries (NASDAQ:GFS) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, risk, institutional ownership, valuation, media sentiment, earnings, analyst recommendations and dividends.

In the previous week, Applied Optoelectronics and Applied Optoelectronics both had 19 articles in the media. GlobalFoundries' average media sentiment score of 0.65 beat Applied Optoelectronics' score of 0.36 indicating that GlobalFoundries is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Applied Optoelectronics	8 Very Positive mention(s)	3 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral
GlobalFoundries	9 Very Positive mention(s)	3 Positive mention(s)	7 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Applied Optoelectronics has a beta of 3.76, meaning that its share price is 276% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, GlobalFoundries has a beta of 1.71, meaning that its share price is 71% more volatile than the broader market.

Applied Optoelectronics currently has a consensus price target of $79.80, indicating a potential downside of 56.03%. GlobalFoundries has a consensus price target of $69.88, indicating a potential downside of 18.40%. Given GlobalFoundries' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe GlobalFoundries is more favorable than Applied Optoelectronics.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Applied Optoelectronics	1 Sell rating(s)	3 Hold rating(s)	3 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.29
GlobalFoundries	1 Sell rating(s)	11 Hold rating(s)	8 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.35

GlobalFoundries has higher revenue and earnings than Applied Optoelectronics. Applied Optoelectronics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than GlobalFoundries, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Applied Optoelectronics	$455.71M	31.96	-$38.23M	-$0.66	N/A
GlobalFoundries	$6.79B	7.02	$885M	$1.39	61.61

GlobalFoundries has a net margin of 11.40% compared to Applied Optoelectronics' net margin of -8.55%. GlobalFoundries' return on equity of 6.85% beat Applied Optoelectronics' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Applied Optoelectronics	-8.55%	-4.64%	-2.90%
GlobalFoundries	11.40%	6.85%	4.76%

61.7% of Applied Optoelectronics shares are held by institutional investors. 3.8% of Applied Optoelectronics shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

GlobalFoundries beats Applied Optoelectronics on 11 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to United Microelectronics?

Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI) and United Microelectronics (NYSE:UMC) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, risk, institutional ownership, media sentiment, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations and valuation.

United Microelectronics has a net margin of 20.71% compared to Applied Optoelectronics' net margin of -8.55%. United Microelectronics' return on equity of 13.67% beat Applied Optoelectronics' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Applied Optoelectronics	-8.55%	-4.64%	-2.90%
United Microelectronics	20.71%	13.67%	8.85%

United Microelectronics has higher revenue and earnings than Applied Optoelectronics. Applied Optoelectronics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than United Microelectronics, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Applied Optoelectronics	$455.71M	31.96	-$38.23M	-$0.66	N/A
United Microelectronics	$7.57B	6.06	$1.29B	$0.65	28.02

Applied Optoelectronics has a beta of 3.76, meaning that its stock price is 276% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, United Microelectronics has a beta of 1.41, meaning that its stock price is 41% more volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Applied Optoelectronics had 15 more articles in the media than United Microelectronics. MarketBeat recorded 19 mentions for Applied Optoelectronics and 4 mentions for United Microelectronics. United Microelectronics' average media sentiment score of 0.43 beat Applied Optoelectronics' score of 0.36 indicating that United Microelectronics is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Applied Optoelectronics	8 Very Positive mention(s)	3 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral
United Microelectronics	1 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	1 Neutral mention(s)	1 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral

61.7% of Applied Optoelectronics shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 5.1% of United Microelectronics shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.8% of Applied Optoelectronics shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 8.0% of United Microelectronics shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Applied Optoelectronics currently has a consensus target price of $79.80, suggesting a potential downside of 56.03%. United Microelectronics has a consensus target price of $8.60, suggesting a potential downside of 52.79%. Given United Microelectronics' higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe United Microelectronics is more favorable than Applied Optoelectronics.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Applied Optoelectronics	1 Sell rating(s)	3 Hold rating(s)	3 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.29
United Microelectronics	2 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	0 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	1.50

Summary

United Microelectronics beats Applied Optoelectronics on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding AAOI and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.

Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.

AAOI vs. The Competition

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Metric	Applied Optoelectronics	ELEC COMP Industry	Computer Sector	NASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap	$14.56B	$69.67B	$39.37B	$12.34B
Dividend Yield	N/A	1.13%	3.20%	5.28%
P/E Ratio	-274.98	89.81	170.35	25.65
Price / Sales	31.96	164.24	628.44	86.31
Price / Cash	7,285.24	271.49	48.72	56.67
Price / Book	13.17	9.11	10.53	7.14
Net Income	-$38.23M	$853.38M	$1.07B	$335.98M
7 Day Performance	5.93%	13.83%	3.77%	4.15%
1 Month Performance	11.91%	24.90%	6.27%	2.54%
1 Year Performance	915.04%	324.85%	169.74%	35.06%

Applied Optoelectronics Competitors List

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Company	MarketRank	Share Price	Analysts' Price Target	1Y Price Performance	Market Cap	Revenue	P/E Ratio	Employee Count	Indicator(s)
AAOI Applied Optoelectronics	2.0452 of 5 stars	$181.49 flat	$79.80 -56.0%	+915.0%	$14.56B	$455.71M	N/A	4,691	Gap Down
LHX L3Harris Technologies	4.9606 of 5 stars	$312.12 +0.0%	$354.75 +13.7%	+31.3%	$58.12B	$21.87B	33.89	45,000	Positive News
ALAB Astera Labs	3.4584 of 5 stars	$306.88 flat	$233.75 -23.8%	+224.3%	$52.60B	$852.53M	207.35	225	Gap Down
FLEX Flex	4.5382 of 5 stars	$132.47 flat	$112.80 -14.8%	+219.4%	$48.53B	$27.91B	56.85	147,979
GFS GlobalFoundries	3.6154 of 5 stars	$85.64 flat	$69.88 -18.4%	+134.3%	$47.65B	$6.79B	61.61	14,000	High Trading Volume

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This page (NASDAQ:AAOI) was last updated on 5/26/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.

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Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) Competitors

AAOI vs. LHX, ALAB, FLEX, GFS, and UMC

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to L3Harris Technologies?

Summary

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to Astera Labs?

Summary

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to Flex?

Summary

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to GlobalFoundries?

Summary

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to United Microelectronics?

Summary

New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

Media Sentiment Over Time

AAOI vs. The Competition

Applied Optoelectronics Competitors List

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Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) Competitors

AAOI vs. LHX, ALAB, FLEX, GFS, and UMC

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to L3Harris Technologies?

Do insiders & institutionals believe in LHX or AAOI?

Does the media refer more to LHX or AAOI?

Which has more volatility & risk, LHX or AAOI?

Is LHX or AAOI more profitable?

Which has better earnings and valuation, LHX or AAOI?

Do analysts rate LHX or AAOI?

Summary

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to Astera Labs?

Which has better valuation & earnings, ALAB or AAOI?

Which has more volatility and risk, ALAB or AAOI?

Does the media favor ALAB or AAOI?

Do analysts rate ALAB or AAOI?

Is ALAB or AAOI more profitable?

Do institutionals & insiders have more ownership in ALAB or AAOI?

Summary

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to Flex?

Do insiders & institutionals believe in AAOI or FLEX?

Is AAOI or FLEX more profitable?

Which has better earnings & valuation, AAOI or FLEX?

Do analysts prefer AAOI or FLEX?

Which has more volatility and risk, AAOI or FLEX?

Does the media prefer AAOI or FLEX?

Summary

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to GlobalFoundries?

Does the media prefer AAOI or GFS?

Which has more risk and volatility, AAOI or GFS?

Do analysts recommend AAOI or GFS?

Which has stronger earnings and valuation, AAOI or GFS?

Is AAOI or GFS more profitable?

Do institutionals & insiders believe in AAOI or GFS?

Summary

How does Applied Optoelectronics compare to United Microelectronics?

Is AAOI or UMC more profitable?

Which has preferable earnings and valuation, AAOI or UMC?

Which has more volatility and risk, AAOI or UMC?

Does the media refer more to AAOI or UMC?

Do insiders and institutionals have more ownership in AAOI or UMC?

Do analysts rate AAOI or UMC?

Summary

New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

Media Sentiment Over Time

AAOI vs. The Competition

Applied Optoelectronics Competitors List

Related Companies and Tools

MarketBeat All Access Features

Best-in-Class Portfolio Monitoring

Stock Ideas and Recommendations

Advanced Stock Screeners and Research Tools