VIAV vs KEYS

For growth investors, Viavi Solutions Inc.

(VIAV) is the stronger pick with 8. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 0% for Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS). Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS) offers the better valuation at 75. 1x trailing P/E (41. 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.

On trailing P/E, Keysight Technologies, Inc.

(KEYS) is the cheapest at 75. 1x versus Viavi Solutions Inc. at 353. 3x. On forward P/E, Keysight Technologies, Inc. is actually cheaper at 41. 2x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Keysight Technologies, Inc. wins at 5. 14x versus Viavi Solutions Inc. 's 12. 55x.

Over the past 5 years, Viavi Solutions Inc.

(VIAV) delivered a total return of +227. 4%, compared to +156. 8% for Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KEYS returned +1311% versus VIAV's +734. 6%. 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 Keysight Technologies, Inc. 's 1. 71β — meaning KEYS is approximately 11% more volatile than VIAV relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 51% 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 8. 0% for Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Viavi Solutions Inc. grew EPS 225. 0% year-over-year, compared to 39. 0% for Keysight Technologies, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, KEYS leads at -0. 3% 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.

Keysight Technologies, Inc.

(KEYS) is the more profitable company, earning 15. 7% net margin versus 3. 2% for Viavi Solutions Inc. — meaning it keeps 15. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KEYS leads at 17. 6% versus 6. 5% for VIAV. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KEYS leads at 62. 1%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 5. 14x versus Viavi Solutions Inc. 's 12. 55x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS) trades at 41. 2x forward P/E versus 57. 3x for Viavi Solutions Inc. — 16. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for KEYS: -21. 1% to $289. 25.

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, Keysight Technologies, Inc.

(KEYS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+1311% 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 (KEYS: +1311%, VIAV: +734. 6%), 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.

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.