REKR vs VIAV

For growth investors, Rekor Systems, Inc.

(REKR) is the stronger pick with 31. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 4% for Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV). 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 Rekor Systems, Inc. (REKR) 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.

Over the past 5 years, Viavi Solutions Inc.

(VIAV) delivered a total return of +212. 0%, compared to -95. 5% for Rekor Systems, Inc. (REKR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: VIAV returned +715. 5% versus REKR's -71. 4%. 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), Viavi Solutions Inc.

(VIAV) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 54β versus Rekor Systems, Inc. 's 2. 55β — meaning REKR is approximately 65% more volatile than VIAV relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 89% versus 95% for Rekor Systems, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Rekor Systems, Inc.

(REKR) is pulling ahead at 31. 8% versus 8. 4% for Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Viavi Solutions Inc. grew EPS 225. 0% year-over-year, compared to 1. 4% for Rekor Systems, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, REKR leads at 58. 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.

Viavi Solutions Inc.

(VIAV) is the more profitable company, earning 3. 2% net margin versus -133. 4% for Rekor Systems, 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 -118. 0% for REKR. 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for REKR: 249.

2% to $3. 00.

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, Viavi Solutions Inc.

(VIAV) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+715. 5% 10Y return). Rekor Systems, Inc. (REKR) carries a higher beta of 2. 55 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (VIAV: +715. 5%, REKR: -71. 4%), 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.

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: REKR is a small-cap high-growth stock; VIAV is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. 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.