POCI vs VIAV

For growth investors, Viavi Solutions Inc.

(VIAV) is the stronger pick with 8. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 1% for Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. (POCI). Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV) offers the better valuation at 340. 3x trailing P/E (55. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV) a "Buy" — based on 19 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.

Over the past 5 years, Viavi Solutions Inc.

(VIAV) delivered a total return of +212. 0%, compared to -7. 9% for Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. (POCI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: VIAV returned +715. 5% versus POCI's +251. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Precision Optics Corporation, Inc.

(POCI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 41β versus Viavi Solutions Inc. 's 1. 54β — meaning VIAV is approximately 274% more volatile than POCI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. (POCI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 17% versus 89% for Viavi Solutions Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Viavi Solutions Inc.

(VIAV) is pulling ahead at 8. 4% versus -0. 1% for Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. (POCI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Viavi Solutions Inc. grew EPS 225. 0% year-over-year, compared to -73. 5% for Precision Optics Corporation, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, POCI leads at 6. 8% 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.

Viavi Solutions Inc.

(VIAV) is the more profitable company, earning 3. 2% net margin versus -30. 3% for Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. — meaning it keeps 3. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: VIAV leads at 6. 5% versus -29. 1% for POCI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — VIAV leads at 56. 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.

None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.

All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Precision Optics Corporation, Inc.

(POCI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 41), +251. 9% 10Y return). Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV) carries a higher beta of 1. 54 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (POCI: +251. 9%, VIAV: +715. 5%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (POCI (Healthcare) and VIAV (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

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.