Which has grown faster, AAOI or DAY?

Over the past five years, DAY grew revenue faster — AAOI at a 15.77% CAGR versus DAY at 17.61%.

Which has been the better investment, AAOI or DAY?

Over the past 5-year, AAOI delivered the higher annualized total return — AAOI at 30.58% versus DAY at -6.72%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AAOI) vs Dayforce Inc (DAY)

DAY leads on 8 of 10 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. and Dayforce Inc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

AAOI

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.

Total return — AAOI vs DAY

growth of $100 · last 8y

AAOI +36.3%DAY +123.8%DAY compounded faster

AAOI DAY

AAOI vs DAY: by the numbers

•AAOI is the larger company ($11.35B vs $11.18B market cap).
•Both run net losses; DAY's is the smaller (-7.91% vs -8.55% net margin).
•DAY grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.61% vs 15.77% CAGR).

Which is better, AAOI or DAY?

Metric tally: AAOI 2 · DAY 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthDAY(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

QualityDAY(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	AAOI	DAY
Forward P/E	142.70	25.46●
P/S ratio	22.10	5.90●
P/B ratio	10.13	4.14●
EV / EBITDA	—	81.57
FCF yield	—	1.49%

Profitability

Metric	AAOI	DAY
Gross margin	29.64%	52.90%●
Operating margin	-11.57%	6.99%●
Net margin	-8.55%	-7.91%●
ROE	-3.92%●	-5.56%
ROIC	-4.71%	1.31%●

Growth (annualized)

Metric	AAOI	DAY
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	15.77%	17.61%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	—	-27.51%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	—	68.25%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	75.94%●	-6.72%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AAOI or DAY?: It depends on your goal. growth: DAY (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: DAY (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DAY leads 8 to 2.
Which has grown faster, AAOI or DAY?: Over the past five years, DAY grew revenue faster — AAOI at a 15.77% CAGR versus DAY at 17.61%.
Which has been the better investment, AAOI or DAY?: Over the past 5-year, AAOI delivered the higher annualized total return — AAOI at 30.58% versus DAY at -6.72%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full AAOI analysis Full DAY analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Applied Optoelectronics P/E ratio Dayforce P/E ratio Applied Optoelectronics dividend yield Dayforce dividend yield Applied Optoelectronics ROE Dayforce ROE Applied Optoelectronics operating margin Dayforce operating margin Applied Optoelectronics revenue growth Dayforce revenue growth Applied Optoelectronics free cash flow Dayforce free cash flow

Applied Optoelectronics & Dayforce appear in these rankings

Fastest Revenue Growth Stocks Best 10-Year Total Return Stocks

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 24, 2026.