Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AAOI) vs Trimble Inc. (TRMB)
TRMB leads on 8 of 10 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. and Trimble 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).
Total return — AAOI vs TRMB
growth of $100 · last 13yAAOI +1380.3%TRMB +65.2%AAOI compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AAOI TRMB
AAOI vs TRMB: by the numbers
- •TRMB is the larger company ($11.47B vs $11.35B market cap).
- •TRMB is profitable (12.37% net margin) while AAOI runs a net loss (-8.55%).
- •AAOI grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.77% vs 2.60% CAGR).
Which is better, AAOI or TRMB?
Metric tally: AAOI 2 · TRMB 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthAAOI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityTRMB(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AAOI | TRMB |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | — | 25.89 |
| Forward P/E | 142.70 | 15.92● |
| P/S ratio | 22.10 | 3.16● |
| P/B ratio | 10.13 | 2.07● |
| PEG ratio | — | 10.11 |
| EV / EBITDA | — | 15.68 |
| FCF yield | — | 2.17% |
Profitability
| Metric | AAOI | TRMB |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 29.64% | 68.06%● |
| Operating margin | -11.57% | 17.82%● |
| Net margin | -8.55% | 12.37%● |
| ROE | -3.92% | 8.09%● |
| ROIC | -4.71% | 6.48%● |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AAOI | TRMB |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 15.77%● | 2.60% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | — | 2.56% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | — | -18.28% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 75.94%● | -9.10% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AAOI or TRMB?
- It depends on your goal. growth: AAOI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: TRMB (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, TRMB leads 8 to 2.
- Which has grown faster, AAOI or TRMB?
- Over the past five years, AAOI grew revenue faster — AAOI at a 15.77% CAGR versus TRMB at 2.60%.
- Is AAOI or TRMB more profitable?
- TRMB runs the higher net margin — AAOI at -8.55% versus TRMB at 12.37%.
- Which has been the better investment, AAOI or TRMB?
- Over the past 10-year, AAOI delivered the higher annualized total return — AAOI at 30.58% versus TRMB at 5.88%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Applied Optoelectronics P/E ratioTrimble P/E ratioApplied Optoelectronics dividend yieldTrimble dividend yieldApplied Optoelectronics ROETrimble ROEApplied Optoelectronics operating marginTrimble operating marginApplied Optoelectronics revenue growthTrimble revenue growthApplied Optoelectronics free cash flowTrimble free cash flow
Applied Optoelectronics & Trimble appear in these rankings
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.