In the competitive telecom equipment sector, ADTN and HLIT offer distinct plays on broadband infrastructure and networking demands. Both companies provide critical solutions for fiber expansion, optical transport, and video delivery amid rising data needs from cloud, AI, and 5G/edge computing. Traders seeking momentum in high-growth telecom may eye ADTN's recent surge, while investors favoring stability might prefer HLIT's consistent innovations. This comparison analyzes recent performance, business drivers, and relative positioning to aid informed stock comparison decisions in today's volatile market.
ADTN, or ADTRAN Holdings, Inc., specializes in open, disaggregated networking and communications equipment, including fiber broadband solutions, optical networking, and subscriber devices. The company serves carriers and enterprises with products like ONTs (optical network terminals), routers, and edge cloud platforms.
Recent market activity has driven strong gains, with shares up approximately 80% YTD and nearly 100% over the past year, reflecting robust demand in U.S. broadband expansion via BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) funding and European vendor displacement. In Q1 2026, revenue hit $286.1 million, a 15.5% year-over-year increase, surpassing estimates, fueled by 24% growth in optical networking and 22% in subscriber solutions. U.S. sales rose 42% to $146.2 million. Non-GAAP gross margin improved to 43%, and operating margin expanded 300 basis points (bps) to 6.9%. Sentiment shifted post-earnings as shares dropped ~15-18% amid input cost pressures and Q2 guidance of $283-303 million, yet underlying trends in fiber and AI connectivity bolster positioning.
HLIT, or Harmonic Inc., delivers video delivery software, broadband access solutions, and cloud-native platforms like cOS for cable operators and telcos. Its portfolio spans virtualized DAA (distributed access architecture) nodes, OLT (optical line terminal) modules, and AI-powered media processing.
In recent weeks, shares have advanced ~21% YTD and 34% over the past year, supported by broadband momentum and video innovations. The company highlighted partnerships like DIRECTV's cloud upgrade and AI orchestration for live workflows, alongside fiber advancements at industry events. Q4 2025 revenue was $98.24 million, with non-GAAP EPS of $0.06, though it missed some estimates; broadband segment remains a growth engine. Beta at 1.24 indicates moderate volatility. Upcoming Q1 2026 results on May 11 could influence sentiment, with focus on cable operator deployments and SaaS services driving operating leverage in a stabilizing market.
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Both ADTN and HLIT thrive in telecom equipment, targeting broadband operators, but diverge in focus: ADTN emphasizes fiber optics and carrier ethernet (revenue ~3x higher at $1.08B TTM), while HLIT blends video streaming with cOS broadband software.
Growth drivers contrast: ADTN leverages BEAD funds and high-risk vendor swaps in Europe; HLIT gains from cloud media and AI efficiencies. Recent momentum favors ADTN (YTD +80% vs. +21%), but HLIT offers lower risk (beta 1.24 vs. 1.47). ADTN holds more cash ($131M) but higher debt ($245M); both show negative net margins (-4% vs. -8%). Sector exposure aligns on cable/telco, yet ADTN's scale provides edge in infrastructure buildout, trading stability for volatility.
Tickeron’s AI currently favors ADTN for its superior trend consistency in fiber demand, recent earnings beat, and stronger relative YTD positioning amid telecom tailwinds. While HLIT provides stability and innovation catalysts, ADTN's revenue growth and market share gains suggest higher probabilistic upside in the near term, barring supply headwinds.
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It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
ADTN’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileHLIT’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
ADTN’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while HLIT’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
ADTN (@Telecommunications Equipment) experienced а -0.20% price change this week, while HLIT (@Telecommunications Equipment) price change was -2.11% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Telecommunications Equipment industry was +3.21%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +16.71%, and the average quarterly price growth was +69.33%.
ADTN is expected to report earnings on Aug 04, 2026.
HLIT is expected to report earnings on Aug 03, 2026.
The Telecommunications Equipment industry produces voice and data communications equipment, which includes fiber optic delivery products, digital signal processors, high-speed voice, data and video delivery. Additionally, satellite systems, global positioning systems, wireless data systems, personal communications equipment, telephone handsets and payload equipment for satellites also fall into this category. Apple Inc., QUALCOMM Incorporated and Nokia are major global players in this segment.
| ADTN | HLIT | ADTN / HLIT | |
| Capitalization | 1.21B | 1.36B | 89% |
| EBITDA | 95.6M | 23.7M | 403% |
| Gain YTD | 71.577 | 26.795 | 267% |
| P/E Ratio | N/A | 156.75 | - |
| Revenue | 1.12B | 361M | 311% |
| Total Cash | 122M | 124M | 98% |
| Total Debt | 243M | 133M | 183% |
ADTN | HLIT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 77 | 46 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 93 Overvalued | 83 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 70 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 94 | 93 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 38 | 40 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 20 | 2 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
HLIT's Valuation (83) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry is in the same range as ADTN (93). This means that HLIT’s stock grew similarly to ADTN’s over the last 12 months.
HLIT's Profit vs Risk Rating (70) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry is in the same range as ADTN (100). This means that HLIT’s stock grew similarly to ADTN’s over the last 12 months.
HLIT's SMR Rating (93) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry is in the same range as ADTN (94). This means that HLIT’s stock grew similarly to ADTN’s over the last 12 months.
ADTN's Price Growth Rating (38) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry is in the same range as HLIT (40). This means that ADTN’s stock grew similarly to HLIT’s over the last 12 months.
HLIT's P/E Growth Rating (2) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry is in the same range as ADTN (20). This means that HLIT’s stock grew similarly to ADTN’s over the last 12 months.
| ADTN | HLIT | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 83% | 3 days ago 66% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 74% | 3 days ago 76% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 82% | N/A |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 84% | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 78% | 3 days ago 68% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 78% | 3 days ago 73% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 77% | 5 days ago 76% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 77% | 3 days ago 70% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 86% | 3 days ago 75% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 78% | 3 days ago 65% |
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ADTN has been loosely correlated with INSG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 45% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if ADTN jumps, then INSG could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To ADTN | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADTN | 100% | -2.42% | ||
| INSG - ADTN | 45% Loosely correlated | -2.91% | ||
| AVNW - ADTN | 43% Loosely correlated | -2.26% | ||
| HLIT - ADTN | 39% Loosely correlated | -6.00% | ||
| EXTR - ADTN | 37% Loosely correlated | -0.20% | ||
| AAOI - ADTN | 37% Loosely correlated | -6.49% | ||
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A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, HLIT has been loosely correlated with CRNT. These tickers have moved in lockstep 55% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if HLIT jumps, then CRNT could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To HLIT | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HLIT | 100% | -6.00% | ||
| CRNT - HLIT | 55% Loosely correlated | -5.28% | ||
| VIAV - HLIT | 48% Loosely correlated | -3.16% | ||
| DGII - HLIT | 45% Loosely correlated | -3.46% | ||
| CIEN - HLIT | 45% Loosely correlated | -6.27% | ||
| HPE - HLIT | 44% Loosely correlated | -3.02% | ||
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