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LITE vs VIAV
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Lumentum Holdings Inc. (LITE) vs. Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both LITE and VIAV have surged on AI data center demand, with YTD gains exceeding 160% for LITE and 200% for VIAV.
- LITE reported Q3 FY2026 revenue growth of 90% YoY to $808.4M, beating estimates, though shares dipped on debt concerns.
- VIAV delivered Q3 FY2026 revenue up 43% to $406.8M, with shares rising post-earnings on strong guidance.
- LITE focuses on photonic components with higher scale (market cap ~$70B), while VIAV (~$12B) emphasizes network testing.
- Recent momentum favors VIAV in shorter terms, but LITE leads in long-term returns over 1,400% in one year.
- Both face risks from high valuations and sector volatility amid AI infrastructure buildout.
Introduction
In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-driven data centers and optical networking, LITE and VIAV stand out as key players in communications equipment. Lumentum Holdings Inc. (LITE) provides photonic products essential for high-speed data transmission, while Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV) offers network testing and assurance solutions. This stock comparison analyzes their recent performance, business models, and market positioning, aiding traders seeking momentum plays and investors eyeing long-term growth in cloud infrastructure and 5G. With both stocks delivering outsized returns amid hyperscaler capex surges, understanding their relative strengths informs decisions in this high-growth sector.
LITE Overview and Recent Performance
Lumentum Holdings Inc. (LITE) designs and manufactures optical and photonic products for cloud networking, AI data centers, and industrial applications. Its Cloud & Networking segment supplies components like lasers and transceivers to hyperscalers, while Industrial Tech covers lasers for manufacturing. In recent market activity, LITE shares have exhibited strong upward momentum, with YTD returns around 170% and one-year gains over 1,400%, trading near $995. Fiscal Q3 FY2026 results highlighted 90% YoY revenue growth to $808.4 million and adjusted EPS of $2.37, beating estimates, fueled by AI-driven demand for high-bandwidth optics. Sentiment has been positive on partnerships like NVIDIA and a $400M+ backlog, though shares dipped post-earnings amid concerns over long-term debt rising to $3.32B. Broader AI infrastructure trends continue to support relative outperformance.
VIAV Overview and Recent Performance
Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV) delivers network test, monitoring, and assurance solutions for telecom, cloud, enterprises, and critical infrastructure, alongside optical security products. Its Network and Service Enablement segment targets 5G and data center validation. Recent weeks have seen VIAV shares advance sharply, with YTD gains over 200% and one-year returns near 500%, closing around $54. Fiscal Q3 FY2026 revenue rose 43% YoY to $406.8 million, surpassing expectations, driven by data center and 5G demand, prompting a post-earnings surge and upbeat Q4 guidance. Adjusted operating margins improved to 21%, though GAAP profitability remains challenged. Investor sentiment benefits from product launches like CyberFlood for AI security testing and analyst upgrades, with market cap at ~$12B and debt at $1.14B. Steady contributions from acquisitions enhance stability in network enablement.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
LITE and VIAV operate in communications equipment but diverge in focus: LITE on photonic components and lasers for direct AI data center interconnects, versus VIAV on testing and monitoring tools. Growth drivers overlap in cloud capex and 5G, yet LITE scales larger (~$70B market cap, $2.1B TTM revenue) with positive margins, while VIAV (~$12B cap, $1.37B revenue) shows agility but negative net income. Recent momentum edges VIAV post-Q3 beat, contrasting LITE’s debt-related pullback, though LITE dominates longer-term returns. Risks include LITE’s higher beta (1.53) and debt (392% debt/equity), versus VIAV’s 134% ratio and cyclical testing demand. Sector exposure ties both to AI optics, with sentiment favoring LITE’s backlog over VIAV’s profitability trade-offs.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors LITE due to superior trend consistency in AI photonics, larger scale, robust backlog, and stronger relative positioning amid data center expansion. While VIAV offers recent momentum and lower volatility, LITE’s catalysts like NVIDIA ties and revenue trajectory suggest higher probabilistic outperformance in current conditions.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is LITE is a Buy and VIAV is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
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).
LITE’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileVIAV’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- LITE’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- VIAV’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
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.
LITE’s TA Score shows that 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while VIAV’s TA Score has 2 bullish TA indicator(s).
- LITE’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
- VIAV’s TA Score: 2 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
LITE (@Telecommunications Equipment) experienced а +1.02% price change this week, while VIAV (@Telecommunications Equipment) price change was -2.06% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Telecommunications Equipment industry was -5.80%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +3.89%, and the average quarterly price growth was +60.49%.
Reported Earning Dates
LITE is expected to report earnings on Aug 18, 2026.
VIAV is expected to report earnings on Aug 06, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Telecommunications Equipment (-5.80% weekly)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.
| LITE | VIAV | LITE / VIAV | |
| Capitalization | 67.2B | 11.7B | 574% |
| EBITDA | 552M | 119M | 464% |
| Gain YTD | 134.315 | 166.891 | 80% |
| P/E Ratio | 152.05 | 350.50 | 43% |
| Revenue | 2.49B | 1.37B | 182% |
| Total Cash | 3.17B | 501M | 633% |
| Total Debt | 3.31B | 1.14B | 292% |
LITE | VIAV | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 85 Overvalued | 90 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 7 | 12 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 42 | 95 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 34 | 35 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 95 | 77 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | n/a |
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.
LITE's Valuation (85) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry is in the same range as VIAV (90) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that LITE’s stock grew similarly to VIAV’s over the last 12 months.
LITE's Profit vs Risk Rating (7) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry is in the same range as VIAV (12) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that LITE’s stock grew similarly to VIAV’s over the last 12 months.
LITE's SMR Rating (42) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry is somewhat better than the same rating for VIAV (95) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that LITE’s stock grew somewhat faster than VIAV’s over the last 12 months.
LITE's Price Growth Rating (34) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry is in the same range as VIAV (35) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that LITE’s stock grew similarly to VIAV’s over the last 12 months.
VIAV's P/E Growth Rating (77) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry is in the same range as LITE (95) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry. This means that VIAV’s stock grew similarly to LITE’s over the last 12 months.
| LITE | VIAV | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 5 days ago 59% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 77% | 4 days ago 63% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 73% | 4 days ago 71% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 64% | 4 days ago 64% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 78% | 4 days ago 67% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 79% | 4 days ago 70% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 80% | 14 days ago 71% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 11 days ago 73% | 12 days ago 68% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 84% | 7 days ago 70% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 83% | 4 days ago 69% |
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LITE and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, LITE has been loosely correlated with CIEN. These tickers have moved in lockstep 63% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if LITE jumps, then CIEN could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To LITE | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LITE | 100% | -8.62% | ||
| CIEN - LITE | 63% Loosely correlated | -8.85% | ||
| AAOI - LITE | 57% Loosely correlated | -12.76% | ||
| VIAV - LITE | 52% Loosely correlated | -10.62% | ||
| ITRN - LITE | 42% Loosely correlated | -3.39% | ||
| KN - LITE | 35% Loosely correlated | -5.34% | ||
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VIAV and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, VIAV has been loosely correlated with CIEN. These tickers have moved in lockstep 55% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if VIAV jumps, then CIEN could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To VIAV | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIAV | 100% | -10.62% | ||
| CIEN - VIAV | 55% Loosely correlated | -8.85% | ||
| LITE - VIAV | 53% Loosely correlated | -8.62% | ||
| CRNT - VIAV | 44% Loosely correlated | -10.63% | ||
| AAOI - VIAV | 43% Loosely correlated | -12.76% | ||
| HLIT - VIAV | 43% Loosely correlated | -9.17% | ||
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