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5 / 10Stock Comparison
VWAV vs WAVE vs VIAV vs LITE vs MAXN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Renewable Utilities
Communication Equipment
Communication Equipment
Solar
VWAV vs WAVE vs VIAV vs LITE vs MAXN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Renewable Utilities | Communication Equipment | Communication Equipment | Solar |
| Market Cap | $85M | $53M | $12.36B | $70.86B | $4M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $168K | $1.37B | $2.49B | $176M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-1M | $-3M | $-55M | $440M | $-565M |
| Gross Margin | — | 75.0% | 55.7% | 37.7% | -137.2% |
| Operating Margin | — | -15.3% | 8.2% | 9.5% | -290.5% |
| Forward P/E | — | — | 57.1x | 120.9x | — |
| Total Debt | $5M | $1M | $692M | $2.61B | $311M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $2M | $6M | $424M | $521M | $29M |
VWAV vs WAVE vs VIAV vs LITE vs MAXN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Jul 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eco Wave Power Glob… (WAVE) | 100 | 112.4 | +12.4% |
| Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV) | 100 | 320.0 | +220.0% |
| Lumentum Holdings I… (LITE) | 100 | 1181.5 | +1081.5% |
| Maxeon Solar Techno… (MAXN) | 100 | 0.0 | -100.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: VWAV vs WAVE vs VIAV vs LITE vs MAXN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
VWAV lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
WAVE is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if sleep-well-at-night and defensive is your priority.
- Lower volatility, beta 1.01, Low D/E 24.4%, current ratio 2.49x
- Beta 1.01, current ratio 2.49x
- Beta 1.01 vs LITE's 2.66, lower leverage
VIAV ranks third and is worth considering specifically for income & stability.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 1.65
- Better valuation composite
LITE carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 21.0%, EPS growth 104.6%, 3Y rev CAGR -1.3%
- 40.5% 10Y total return vs VIAV's 7.5%
- 21.0% revenue growth vs VWAV's -94.8%
- 17.7% margin vs WAVE's -17.6%
Among these 5 stocks, MAXN doesn't own a clear edge in any measured category.
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 21.0% revenue growth vs VWAV's -94.8% | |
| Value | Better valuation composite | |
| Quality / Margins | 17.7% margin vs WAVE's -17.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.01 vs LITE's 2.66, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | Tie | None of these 5 stocks pay a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +12.8% vs MAXN's -93.0% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 8.5% ROA vs MAXN's -190.0%, ROIC -4.3% vs -351.1% |
VWAV vs WAVE vs VIAV vs LITE vs MAXN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
Segment breakdown not available.
Segment breakdown not available.
VWAV vs WAVE vs VIAV vs LITE vs MAXN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
LITE leads in 3 of 6 categories
WAVE leads 1 • VWAV leads 0 • VIAV leads 0 • MAXN leads 0 • 2 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LITE leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LITE and VWAV operate at a comparable scale, with $2.5B and $0 in trailing revenue. LITE is the more profitable business, keeping 17.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to WAVE's -17.6%. On growth, LITE holds the edge at +90.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $168,000 | $1.4B | $2.5B | $176M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$983,526 | -$2M | $207M | $425M | -$488M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$1M | -$3M | -$55M | $440M | -$565M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$687,780 | $0 | $46M | $399M | -$186M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | — | +75.0% | +55.7% | +37.7% | -137.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | -15.3% | +8.2% | +9.5% | -2.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | — | -17.6% | -4.0% | +17.7% | -3.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | — | -86.2% | +3.3% | +16.0% | -105.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — | +42.8% | +90.1% | -89.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +24.6% | -177.8% | -70.2% | +3.3% | -6.6% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — WAVE and VIAV each lead in 2 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 356.0x trailing earnings, VIAV trades at a 87% valuation discount to LITE's 2682.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, VIAV's 94.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than LITE's 952.3x.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $85M | $53M | $12.4B | $70.9B | $4M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $87M | $48M | $12.6B | $72.9B | $287M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -10.43x | -14.30x | 356.00x | 2682.08x | -0.00x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — | 57.06x | 120.90x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | 78.00x | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — | 94.50x | 952.25x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | 1397.61x | 11.40x | 43.07x | 0.01x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | 9.74x | 15.45x | 60.87x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | 199.29x | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
LITE leads this category, winning 4 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
LITE delivers a 30.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $31 in annual profit, vs $-41 for WAVE. WAVE carries lower financial leverage with a 0.24x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to LITE's 2.30x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), LITE scores 7/9 vs WAVE's 1/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | — | -40.9% | -6.9% | +30.7% | — |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -104.6% | -30.7% | -2.3% | +8.5% | -190.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | — | -2.1% | +5.5% | -4.3% | -3.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | — | -46.1% | +4.9% | -4.8% | -189.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 0.24x | 0.89x | 2.30x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3M | -$5M | $269M | $2.1B | $283M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2M | $6M | $424M | $521M | $29M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $5M | $1M | $692M | $2.6B | $311M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -6.19x | -48.45x | 2.70x | 9.62x | -13.64x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
LITE leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in LITE five years ago would be worth $145,424 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2 for MAXN. Over the past 12 months, LITE leads with a +1283.5% total return vs MAXN's -93.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors LITE at 186.5% vs MAXN's -95.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -40.7% | +52.0% | +194.2% | +157.0% | -91.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +78.6% | +32.4% | +463.3% | +1283.5% | -93.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +78.6% | +196.1% | +483.0% | +2250.5% | -100.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +78.6% | -51.3% | +237.5% | +1354.2% | -100.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +78.6% | -51.3% | +747.6% | +4052.2% | -100.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +21.3% | +43.6% | +80.0% | +186.5% | -95.9% |
Risk & Volatility
WAVE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WAVE is the less volatile stock with a 1.01 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LITE's 2.66 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. WAVE currently trades 92.7% from its 52-week high vs MAXN's 5.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.64x | 1.01x | 1.65x | 2.66x | 1.97x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $15.80 | $9.87 | $60.43 | $1085.68 | $4.97 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $2.06 | $4.41 | $8.87 | $69.26 | $0.13 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +37.0% | +92.7% | +88.4% | +91.4% | +5.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 48.9 | 62.7 | 67.3 | 65.0 | 21.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 533K | 16K | 6.1M | 6.5M | 2.4M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — VIAV and MAXN each lead in 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: VIAV as "Buy", LITE as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply -7.4% upside for LITE (target: $919) vs -39.6% for VIAV (target: $32).
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | — | Buy | Buy | — |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | — | $32.25 | $918.67 | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | — | 19 | 25 | — |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.1% | +0.1% | +0.1% | 0.0% |
LITE leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). WAVE leads in 1 (Risk & Volatility). 2 tied.
VWAV vs WAVE vs VIAV vs LITE vs MAXN: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is VWAV or WAVE or VIAV or LITE or MAXN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Lumentum Holdings Inc.
(LITE) is the stronger pick with 21. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -77. 3% for Eco Wave Power Global AB (publ) (WAVE). Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV) offers the better valuation at 356. 0x trailing P/E (57. 1x 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.
02Which has the better valuation — VWAV or WAVE or VIAV or LITE or MAXN?
On trailing P/E, Viavi Solutions Inc.
(VIAV) is the cheapest at 356. 0x versus Lumentum Holdings Inc. at 2682. 1x. On forward P/E, Viavi Solutions Inc. is actually cheaper at 57. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — VWAV or WAVE or VIAV or LITE or MAXN?
Over the past 5 years, Lumentum Holdings Inc.
(LITE) delivered a total return of +1354%, compared to -100. 0% for Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd. (MAXN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LITE returned +40. 5% versus MAXN's -100. 0%. 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 — VWAV or WAVE or VIAV or LITE or MAXN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Eco Wave Power Global AB (publ) (WAVE) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
01β versus Lumentum Holdings Inc. 's 2. 66β — meaning LITE is approximately 164% more volatile than WAVE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Eco Wave Power Global AB (publ) (WAVE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 24% versus 2% for Lumentum Holdings Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — VWAV or WAVE or VIAV or LITE or MAXN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Lumentum Holdings Inc.
(LITE) is pulling ahead at 21. 0% versus -77. 3% for Eco Wave Power Global AB (publ) (WAVE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Viavi Solutions Inc. grew EPS 225. 0% year-over-year, compared to -1276. 5% for Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, WAVE leads at 13. 7% 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 — VWAV or WAVE or VIAV or LITE or MAXN?
Viavi Solutions Inc.
(VIAV) is the more profitable company, earning 3. 2% net margin versus -97. 3% for Eco Wave Power Global AB (publ) — 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 -84. 2% for WAVE. 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.
07Is VWAV or WAVE or VIAV or LITE or MAXN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Viavi Solutions Inc.
(VIAV) trades at 57. 1x forward P/E versus 120. 9x for Lumentum Holdings Inc. — 63. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for LITE: -7. 4% to $918. 67.
08Which pays a better dividend — VWAV or WAVE or VIAV or LITE or MAXN?
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.
09Is VWAV or WAVE or VIAV or LITE or MAXN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Eco Wave Power Global AB (publ) (WAVE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.
01)). Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd. (MAXN) carries a higher beta of 1. 97 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (WAVE: -51. 3%, MAXN: -100. 0%), 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 VWAV and WAVE and VIAV and LITE and MAXN?
These companies operate in different sectors (VWAV (Industrials) and WAVE (Utilities) and VIAV (Technology) and LITE (Technology) and MAXN (Energy)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: VWAV is a small-cap quality compounder stock; WAVE is a small-cap quality compounder stock; VIAV is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; LITE is a mid-cap high-growth stock; MAXN is a small-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.
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