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HLIT vs ATEN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Software - Infrastructure
HLIT vs ATEN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Communication Equipment | Software - Infrastructure |
| Market Cap | $1.38B | $1.96B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $636M | $299M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $50M | $45M |
| Gross Margin | 55.7% | 79.3% |
| Operating Margin | 12.1% | 17.2% |
| Forward P/E | 21.8x | 26.4x |
| Total Debt | $148M | $223M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $101M | $71M |
HLIT vs ATEN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harmonic Inc. (HLIT) | 100 | 227.8 | +127.8% |
| A10 Networks, Inc. (ATEN) | 100 | 400.9 | +300.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HLIT vs ATEN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
HLIT is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 11.6%, EPS growth -54.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 10.2%
- 11.6% revenue growth vs ATEN's 11.0%
- Lower P/E (21.8x vs 26.4x)
ATEN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.99, yield 0.9%
- 366.2% 10Y total return vs HLIT's 269.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.99, current ratio 3.56x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 11.6% revenue growth vs ATEN's 11.0% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (21.8x vs 26.4x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 14.9% margin vs HLIT's 7.8% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.99 vs HLIT's 1.51 | |
| Dividends | 0.9% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +62.4% vs HLIT's +38.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 7.2% ROA vs HLIT's 6.5%, ROIC 13.8% vs 9.3% |
HLIT vs ATEN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
HLIT vs ATEN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ATEN leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HLIT is the larger business by revenue, generating $636M annually — 2.1x ATEN's $299M. ATEN is the more profitable business, keeping 14.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to HLIT's 7.8%. On growth, ATEN holds the edge at +13.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $636M | $299M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $88M | $63M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $50M | $45M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $133M | $51M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +55.7% | +79.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +12.1% | +17.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.8% | +14.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +21.0% | +17.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -27.3% | +13.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -87.5% | +30.8% |
Valuation Metrics
HLIT leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 37.2x trailing earnings, HLIT trades at a 22% valuation discount to ATEN's 47.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, HLIT's 18.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ATEN's 34.0x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.4B | $2.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.4B | $2.1B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 37.21x | 47.82x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 21.80x | 26.40x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.28x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 18.93x | 33.98x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.03x | 6.73x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.10x | 9.48x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 26.13x | 30.19x |
Profitability & Efficiency
ATEN leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ATEN delivers a 21.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $21 in annual profit, vs $11 for HLIT. HLIT carries lower financial leverage with a 0.32x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ATEN's 1.05x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), HLIT scores 7/9 vs ATEN's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +11.2% | +21.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +6.5% | +7.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.3% | +13.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.2% | +11.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.32x | 1.05x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $47M | $151M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $101M | $71M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $148M | $223M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 12.92x | 55.40x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ATEN leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ATEN five years ago would be worth $30,997 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $16,938 for HLIT. Over the past 12 months, ATEN leads with a +62.4% total return vs HLIT's +38.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ATEN at 26.7% vs HLIT's -3.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +22.6% | +57.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +38.1% | +62.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -8.9% | +103.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +69.4% | +210.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +269.9% | +366.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -3.1% | +26.7% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — HLIT and ATEN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ATEN is the less volatile stock with a 0.99 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 ATEN's 95.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.51x | 0.99x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $12.38 | $28.59 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.80 | $16.52 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +99.2% | +95.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 76.9 | 57.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.1M | 952K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates HLIT as "Hold" and ATEN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 1.8% upside for HLIT (target: $13) vs -25.4% for ATEN (target: $20). ATEN is the only dividend payer here at 0.87% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $12.50 | $20.33 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 19 | 20 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.24 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.2% | +3.5% |
ATEN leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). HLIT leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
HLIT vs ATEN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HLIT or ATEN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Harmonic Inc.
(HLIT) is the stronger pick with 11. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 11. 0% for A10 Networks, Inc. (ATEN). 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 A10 Networks, Inc. (ATEN) a "Buy" — based on 20 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 has the better valuation — HLIT or ATEN?
On trailing P/E, Harmonic Inc.
(HLIT) is the cheapest at 37. 2x versus A10 Networks, Inc. at 47. 8x. On forward P/E, Harmonic Inc. is actually cheaper at 21. 8x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — HLIT or ATEN?
Over the past 5 years, A10 Networks, Inc.
(ATEN) delivered a total return of +210. 0%, compared to +69. 4% for Harmonic Inc. (HLIT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ATEN returned +366. 2% versus HLIT's +269. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — HLIT or ATEN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), A10 Networks, Inc.
(ATEN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 99β versus Harmonic Inc. 's 1. 51β — meaning HLIT is approximately 52% more volatile than ATEN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Harmonic Inc. (HLIT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 32% versus 105% for A10 Networks, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — HLIT or ATEN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Harmonic Inc.
(HLIT) is pulling ahead at 11. 6% versus 11. 0% for A10 Networks, Inc. (ATEN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: A10 Networks, Inc. grew EPS -14. 9% year-over-year, compared to -54. 2% for Harmonic Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, HLIT leads at 10. 2% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — HLIT or ATEN?
A10 Networks, Inc.
(ATEN) is the more profitable company, earning 14. 5% net margin versus 5. 8% for Harmonic Inc. — meaning it keeps 14. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ATEN leads at 16. 2% versus 9. 3% for HLIT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ATEN leads at 79. 3%, 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.
07Is HLIT or ATEN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Harmonic Inc.
(HLIT) trades at 21. 8x forward P/E versus 26. 4x for A10 Networks, Inc. — 4. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HLIT: 1. 8% to $12. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — HLIT or ATEN?
In this comparison, ATEN (0.
9% yield) pays a dividend. HLIT does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is HLIT or ATEN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, A10 Networks, Inc.
(ATEN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 99), 0. 9% yield, +366. 2% 10Y return). 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 (ATEN: +366. 2%, 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.
10What are the main differences between HLIT and ATEN?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
ATEN 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.
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