Which has grown faster, AAOI or IT?

Over the past five years, AAOI grew revenue faster — AAOI at a 15.77% CAGR versus IT at 9.12%.

Is AAOI or IT more profitable?

IT runs the higher net margin — AAOI at -8.55% versus IT at 11.44%.

Which has been the better investment, AAOI or IT?

Over the past 10-year, AAOI delivered the higher annualized total return — AAOI at 24.14% versus IT at 3.64%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AAOI) vs Gartner, Inc. (IT)

IT leads on 7 of 10 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. and Gartner, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

AAOI

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.

$8.27B

$103.02TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 20, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT

Gartner, Inc.

$9.44B

$141.06TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 20, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT

Total return — AAOI vs IT

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 13y

AAOI +934.3%IT +137.2%AAOI compounded faster

AAOI IT

AAOI vs IT: by the numbers

•IT is the larger company ($9.44B vs $8.27B market cap).
•IT is profitable (11.44% net margin) while AAOI runs a net loss (-8.55%).
•AAOI grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.77% vs 9.12% CAGR).

Which is better, AAOI or IT?

Metric tally: AAOI 3 · IT 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthAAOI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

QualityIT(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	AAOI	IT
P/E ratio	—	13.85
Forward P/E	99.67	10.24●
P/S ratio	15.44	1.52●
P/B ratio	7.08●	154.75
PEG ratio	—	0.52
EV / EBITDA	—	9.13
FCF yield	—	12.82%

Profitability

Metric	AAOI	IT
Gross margin	29.64%	68.25%●
Operating margin	-11.57%	16.43%●
Net margin	-8.55%	11.44%●
ROE	-3.92%	1168.41%●
ROIC	-4.71%	18.78%●

Growth (annualized)

Metric	AAOI	IT
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	15.77%●	9.12%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	—	26.49%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	—	6.16%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	69.30%●	-11.14%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AAOI or IT?: It depends on your goal. growth: AAOI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: IT (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, IT leads 7 to 3.
Which has grown faster, AAOI or IT?: Over the past five years, AAOI grew revenue faster — AAOI at a 15.77% CAGR versus IT at 9.12%.
Is AAOI or IT more profitable?: IT runs the higher net margin — AAOI at -8.55% versus IT at 11.44%.
Which has been the better investment, AAOI or IT?: Over the past 10-year, AAOI delivered the higher annualized total return — AAOI at 24.14% versus IT at 3.64%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full AAOI analysis Full IT analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

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

Applied Optoelectronics & Gartner appear in these rankings

Fastest Revenue Growth Stocks Highest ROE Stocks Highest ROIC Stocks Highest FCF Yield 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 July 20, 2026.