C3.ai, Inc. (AI) vs LightPath Technologies, Inc. (LPTH)
LPTH leads on 7 of 9 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of C3.ai, Inc. and LightPath Technologies, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 22, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — AI vs LPTH
growth of $100 · last 6yAI -89.2%LPTH +374.7%LPTH compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AI LPTH
AI vs LPTH: by the numbers
- •AI is the larger company ($1.42B vs $709M market cap).
- •Both run net losses; LPTH's is the smaller (-37.38% vs -187.95% net margin).
- •LPTH grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.85% vs 6.44% CAGR).
Which is better, AI or LPTH?
Metric tally: AI 2 · LPTH 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthLPTH(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityLPTH(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AI | LPTH |
|---|---|---|
| P/S ratio | 6.02● | 13.83 |
| P/B ratio | 2.30● | 7.69 |
Profitability
| Metric | AI | LPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 30.92% | 32.10%● |
| Operating margin | -194.86% | -14.40%● |
| Net margin | -187.95% | -37.38%● |
| ROE | -71.95% | -20.78%● |
| ROIC | -68.71% | -17.90%● |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AI | LPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.44% | 9.85%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | — | 7.65% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | — | -39.42% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -30.21% | 42.74%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AI or LPTH?
- It depends on your goal. growth: LPTH (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: LPTH (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, LPTH leads 7 to 2.
- Which has grown faster, AI or LPTH?
- Over the past five years, LPTH grew revenue faster — AI at a 6.44% CAGR versus LPTH at 9.85%.
- Which has been the better investment, AI or LPTH?
- Over the past 5-year, LPTH delivered the higher annualized total return — AI at -30.21% versus LPTH at 23.74%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
C3.ai P/E ratioLightPath Technologies P/E ratioC3.ai dividend yieldLightPath Technologies dividend yieldC3.ai ROELightPath Technologies ROEC3.ai operating marginLightPath Technologies operating marginC3.ai revenue growthLightPath Technologies revenue growthC3.ai free cash flowLightPath Technologies free cash flow
C3.ai & LightPath Technologies 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 22, 2026.