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DAKT vs VUZI
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Consumer Electronics
DAKT vs VUZI — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Hardware, Equipment & Parts | Consumer Electronics |
| Market Cap | $978M | $234M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $803M | $5M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $28M | $-32.28B |
| Gross Margin | 26.6% | -0.0% |
| Operating Margin | 5.6% | -5.2% |
| Forward P/E | 21.6x | — |
| Total Debt | $17M | $1.00B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $128M | $21.15B |
DAKT vs VUZI — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daktronics, Inc. (DAKT) | 100 | 473.3 | +373.3% |
| Vuzix Corporation (VUZI) | 100 | 115.7 | +15.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: DAKT vs VUZI
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
DAKT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.48
- 157.3% 10Y total return vs VUZI's -37.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.48, Low D/E 6.2%, current ratio 2.22x
VUZI is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 1.1K%, EPS growth 61.1%, 3Y rev CAGR 7.1%
- 1.1K% revenue growth vs DAKT's -7.5%
- 10.0% yield; 3-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 1.1K% revenue growth vs DAKT's -7.5% | |
| Quality / Margins | 3.4% margin vs VUZI's -5.1% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.48 vs VUZI's 3.40 | |
| Dividends | 10.0% yield; 3-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +58.2% vs DAKT's +47.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 5.1% ROA vs VUZI's -321.3%, ROIC 13.2% vs -10.7% |
DAKT vs VUZI — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
DAKT vs VUZI — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
DAKT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
DAKT is the larger business by revenue, generating $803M annually — 149.1x VUZI's $5M. DAKT is the more profitable business, keeping 3.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to VUZI's -5.1%. On growth, VUZI holds the edge at +4933.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $803M | $5M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $65M | -$30.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $28M | -$32.3B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $62M | -$20.8B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +26.6% | -0.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +5.6% | -5.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.4% | -5.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +7.7% | -3.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +21.6% | +4933.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +117.0% | +25.0% |
Valuation Metrics
VUZI leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $978M | $234M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $868M | -$19.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -95.57x | -6.86x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 21.58x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 16.48x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.29x | 0.04x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.51x | 0.01x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 12.51x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
DAKT leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
DAKT delivers a 9.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $10 in annual profit, vs $-5 for VUZI. VUZI carries lower financial leverage with a 0.04x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to DAKT's 0.06x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), DAKT scores 4/9 vs VUZI's 2/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.6% | -5.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +5.1% | -3.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +13.2% | -10.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +9.9% | -184.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 2 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.06x | 0.04x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$111M | -$20.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $128M | $21.2B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $17M | $1.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 37.31x | — |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
DAKT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in DAKT five years ago would be worth $31,116 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $1,447 for VUZI. Over the past 12 months, VUZI leads with a +58.2% total return vs DAKT's +47.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors DAKT at 58.0% vs VUZI's -10.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +1.2% | -25.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +47.7% | +58.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +294.3% | -29.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +211.2% | -85.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +157.3% | -37.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +58.0% | -10.8% |
Risk & Volatility
DAKT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
DAKT is the less volatile stock with a 1.48 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than VUZI's 3.40 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. DAKT currently trades 71.0% from its 52-week high vs VUZI's 67.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.48x | 3.40x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $28.27 | $4.29 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $13.05 | $1.71 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +71.0% | +67.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 48.6 | 56.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 454K | 958K |
Analyst Outlook
VUZI leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates DAKT as "Buy" and VUZI as "Buy". VUZI is the only dividend payer here at 10.03% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $6.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 4 | 5 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +10.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.29 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +3.0% | 0.0% |
DAKT leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). VUZI leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook).
DAKT vs VUZI: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is DAKT or VUZI a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Vuzix Corporation (VUZI) is the stronger pick with 1090% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -7.
5% for Daktronics, Inc. (DAKT). Analysts rate Daktronics, Inc. (DAKT) a "Buy" — based on 4 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — DAKT or VUZI?
Over the past 5 years, Daktronics, Inc.
(DAKT) delivered a total return of +211. 2%, compared to -85. 5% for Vuzix Corporation (VUZI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: DAKT returned +157. 3% versus VUZI's -37. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — DAKT or VUZI?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Daktronics, Inc.
(DAKT) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 48β versus Vuzix Corporation's 3. 40β — meaning VUZI is approximately 129% more volatile than DAKT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Vuzix Corporation (VUZI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 6% for Daktronics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — DAKT or VUZI?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Vuzix Corporation (VUZI) is pulling ahead at 1090% versus -7.
5% for Daktronics, Inc. (DAKT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Vuzix Corporation grew EPS 61. 1% year-over-year, compared to -128. 4% for Daktronics, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, VUZI leads at 709. 6% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — DAKT or VUZI?
Daktronics, Inc.
(DAKT) is the more profitable company, earning -1. 3% net margin versus -513. 9% for Vuzix Corporation — meaning it keeps -1. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: DAKT leads at 4. 4% versus -517. 6% for VUZI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DAKT leads at 25. 8%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Which pays a better dividend — DAKT or VUZI?
In this comparison, VUZI (10.
0% yield) pays a dividend. DAKT does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
07Is DAKT or VUZI better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Daktronics, Inc.
(DAKT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+157. 3% 10Y return). Vuzix Corporation (VUZI) carries a higher beta of 3. 40 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (DAKT: +157. 3%, VUZI: -37. 2%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
08What are the main differences between DAKT and VUZI?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: DAKT is a small-cap quality compounder stock; VUZI is a small-cap high-growth stock. VUZI pays a dividend while DAKT does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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