Which has grown faster, AAOI or PAYC?

Over the past five years, PAYC grew revenue faster — AAOI at a 15.77% CAGR versus PAYC at 19.16%.

Does AAOI or PAYC pay a bigger dividend?

PAYC pays a dividend (1.08% yield) while AAOI does not currently pay one.

Is AAOI or PAYC more profitable?

PAYC runs the higher net margin — AAOI at -8.55% versus PAYC at 22.44%.

Which has been the better investment, AAOI or PAYC?

Over the past 10-year, AAOI delivered the higher annualized total return — AAOI at 25.24% versus PAYC at 12.53%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AAOI) vs Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC)

PAYC leads on 8 of 10 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. and Paycom Software, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

AAOI

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.

$8.98B

$111.88Technology

PAYC

Paycom Software, Inc.

$8.00B

$146.50Technology

Total return — AAOI vs PAYC

growth of $100 · last 12y

AAOI +410.9%PAYC +844.0%PAYC compounded faster

AAOI PAYC

AAOI vs PAYC: by the numbers

•AAOI is the larger company ($8.98B vs $8.00B market cap).
•PAYC is profitable (22.44% net margin) while AAOI runs a net loss (-8.55%).
•PAYC grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.16% vs 15.77% CAGR).
•PAYC pays a dividend (1.08% yield) while AAOI does not currently pay one.

Which is better, AAOI or PAYC?

Metric tally: AAOI 2 · PAYC 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthPAYC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

QualityPAYC(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	AAOI	PAYC
P/E ratio	—	16.08
Forward P/E	116.02	12.77●
P/S ratio	17.97	3.40●
P/B ratio	8.24●	8.77
PEG ratio	—	0.60
EV / EBITDA	—	9.91
FCF yield	—	6.22%

Profitability

Metric	AAOI	PAYC
Gross margin	29.64%	79.74%●
Operating margin	-11.57%	28.30%●
Net margin	-8.55%	22.44%●
ROE	-3.92%	57.87%●
ROIC	-4.71%	18.38%●

Dividends

Metric	AAOI	PAYC
Dividend yield	—	1.08%
Payout ratio	—	18.45%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	AAOI	PAYC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	15.77%	19.16%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	—	26.70%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	—	25.72%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	69.62%●	-16.76%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AAOI or PAYC?: It depends on your goal. growth: PAYC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: PAYC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PAYC leads 8 to 2.
Which has grown faster, AAOI or PAYC?: Over the past five years, PAYC grew revenue faster — AAOI at a 15.77% CAGR versus PAYC at 19.16%.
Does AAOI or PAYC pay a bigger dividend?: PAYC pays a dividend (1.08% yield) while AAOI does not currently pay one.
Is AAOI or PAYC more profitable?: PAYC runs the higher net margin — AAOI at -8.55% versus PAYC at 22.44%.
Which has been the better investment, AAOI or PAYC?: Over the past 10-year, AAOI delivered the higher annualized total return — AAOI at 25.24% versus PAYC at 12.53%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full AAOI analysis Full PAYC analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

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

Applied Optoelectronics & Paycom Software 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 13, 2026.