Oil & Gas Equipment & Services
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Stock Comparison
AESI vs HLIT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Communication Equipment
AESI vs HLIT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Equipment & Services | Communication Equipment |
| Market Cap | $2.28B | $1.38B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.06B | $636M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-99M | $50M |
| Gross Margin | 8.2% | 55.7% |
| Operating Margin | -6.2% | 12.1% |
| Forward P/E | — | 21.8x |
| Total Debt | $579M | $148M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $41M | $101M |
AESI vs HLIT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Mar 23 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Energy Soluti… (AESI) | 100 | 107.2 | +7.2% |
| Harmonic Inc. (HLIT) | 100 | 84.2 | -15.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: AESI vs HLIT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
AESI carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.93, yield 4.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.93, Low D/E 47.9%, current ratio 1.46x
- Beta 0.93, yield 4.1%, current ratio 1.46x
HLIT is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 11.6%, EPS growth -54.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 10.2%
- 269.9% 10Y total return vs AESI's 20.7%
- 11.6% revenue growth vs AESI's 3.7%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 11.6% revenue growth vs AESI's 3.7% | |
| Quality / Margins | 7.8% margin vs AESI's -9.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.93 vs HLIT's 1.51 | |
| Dividends | 4.1% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +57.0% vs HLIT's +38.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 6.5% ROA vs AESI's -4.4%, ROIC 9.3% vs -0.8% |
AESI vs HLIT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
AESI vs HLIT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HLIT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AESI is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.1B annually — 1.7x HLIT's $636M. HLIT is the more profitable business, keeping 7.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to AESI's -9.3%. On growth, AESI holds the edge at -10.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.1B | $636M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $133M | $88M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$99M | $50M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $19M | $133M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +8.2% | +55.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -6.2% | +12.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -9.3% | +7.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +1.8% | +21.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -10.8% | -27.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -38.3% | -87.5% |
Valuation Metrics
AESI leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, AESI's 16.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than HLIT's 18.9x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.3B | $1.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $2.8B | $1.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -44.54x | 37.21x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 21.80x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 16.34x | 18.93x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.08x | 2.03x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.85x | 3.10x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 26.13x |
Profitability & Efficiency
HLIT leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
HLIT delivers a 11.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $11 in annual profit, vs $-8 for AESI. HLIT carries lower financial leverage with a 0.32x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to AESI's 0.48x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), HLIT scores 7/9 vs AESI's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -8.1% | +11.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -4.4% | +6.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -0.8% | +9.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -0.9% | +11.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.48x | 0.32x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $538M | $47M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $41M | $101M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $579M | $148M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.00x | 12.92x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
AESI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in HLIT five years ago would be worth $16,938 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,071 for AESI. Over the past 12 months, AESI leads with a +57.0% total return vs HLIT's +38.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AESI at 6.3% vs HLIT's -3.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +87.9% | +22.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +57.0% | +38.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +20.1% | -8.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +20.7% | +69.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +20.7% | +269.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +6.3% | -3.1% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — AESI and HLIT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
AESI is the less volatile stock with a 0.93 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than HLIT's 1.51 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. HLIT currently trades 99.2% from its 52-week high vs AESI's 93.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.93x | 1.51x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $19.61 | $12.38 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.64 | $7.80 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.1% | +99.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 73.8 | 76.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 4.7M | 1.1M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates AESI as "Buy" and HLIT as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 1.8% upside for HLIT (target: $13) vs -15.7% for AESI (target: $15). AESI is the only dividend payer here at 4.13% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $15.40 | $12.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 11 | 19 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +4.1% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.75 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.0% | +2.2% |
HLIT leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). AESI leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). 1 tied.
AESI vs HLIT: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is AESI or HLIT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Harmonic Inc.
(HLIT) is the stronger pick with 11. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 7% for Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (AESI). Harmonic Inc. (HLIT) offers the better valuation at 37. 2x trailing P/E (21. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (AESI) a "Buy" — based on 11 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 — AESI or HLIT?
Over the past 5 years, Harmonic Inc.
(HLIT) delivered a total return of +69. 4%, compared to +20. 7% for Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (AESI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HLIT returned +269. 9% versus AESI's +20. 7%. 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 — AESI or HLIT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Atlas Energy Solutions Inc.
(AESI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 93β versus Harmonic Inc. 's 1. 51β — meaning HLIT is approximately 61% more volatile than AESI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Harmonic Inc. (HLIT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 32% versus 48% for Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — AESI or HLIT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Harmonic Inc.
(HLIT) is pulling ahead at 11. 6% versus 3. 7% for Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (AESI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Harmonic Inc. grew EPS -54. 2% year-over-year, compared to -174. 5% for Atlas Energy Solutions Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, AESI leads at 31. 4% 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 — AESI or HLIT?
Harmonic Inc.
(HLIT) is the more profitable company, earning 5. 8% net margin versus -4. 6% for Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. — meaning it keeps 5. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HLIT leads at 9. 3% versus -1. 5% for AESI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HLIT leads at 53. 9%, 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.
06Is AESI or HLIT more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HLIT: 1.
8% to $12. 50.
07Which pays a better dividend — AESI or HLIT?
In this comparison, AESI (4.
1% yield) pays a dividend. HLIT does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is AESI or HLIT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Atlas Energy Solutions Inc.
(AESI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 93), 4. 1% yield). Harmonic Inc. (HLIT) carries a higher beta of 1. 51 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (AESI: +20. 7%, HLIT: +269. 9%), 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.
09What are the main differences between AESI and HLIT?
These companies operate in different sectors (AESI (Energy) and HLIT (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: AESI is a small-cap income-oriented stock; HLIT is a small-cap quality compounder stock. AESI pays a dividend while HLIT 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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.