PLXS vs. AAOI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLXS (Plexus Corp.) and AAOI (Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Technology sector — PLXS in Electronic Components, AAOI in Semiconductors. Over the past 10 years, PLXS returned 20.67%/yr vs 32.59%/yr for AAOI. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PLXS vs. AAOI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Plexus Corp. (PLXS) and Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AAOI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLXS achieves a 95.61% return, which is significantly lower than AAOI's 428.03% return. Over the past 10 years, PLXS has underperformed AAOI with an annualized return of 20.67%, while AAOI has yielded a comparatively higher 32.59% annualized return.

PLXS

• 1D: 2.65%
• 1M: 9.52%
• YTD: 95.61%
• 6M: 93.88%
• 1Y: 116.15%
• 3Y*: 45.25%
• 5Y*: 23.99%
• 10Y*: 20.67%

AAOI

• 1D: -9.04%
• 1M: 6.41%
• YTD: 428.03%
• 6M: 617.62%
• 1Y: 998.27%
• 3Y*: 332.83%
• 5Y*: 85.24%
• 10Y*: 32.59%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PLXS vs. AAOI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLXS Plexus Corp.	95.61%	-6.06%	44.71%	5.05%	7.34%	22.61%	1.65%	50.63%	-15.88%	12.36%
AAOI Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.	428.03%	-5.43%	90.79%	922.22%	-63.23%	-39.60%	-28.37%	-23.01%	-59.20%	61.35%

Correlation

The correlation between PLXS and AAOI is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2013	0.35

Fundamentals

Market Cap PLXS : $7.87B AAOI : $13.99B
EPS PLXS : $6.84 AAOI : -$0.65
PS Ratio PLXS : 1.83 AAOI : 24.18
PB Ratio PLXS : 5.28 AAOI : 12.65
Total Revenue (TTM) PLXS : $4.31B AAOI : $507.00M
Gross Profit (TTM) PLXS : $433.39M AAOI : $150.29M
EBITDA (TTM) PLXS : $259.04M AAOI : -$26.44M

Return for Risk

PLXS vs. AAOI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

PLXS

PLXS Risk / Return Rank: 93
PLXS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
PLXS Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PLXS Omega Ratio Rank: 91
PLXS Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
PLXS Martin Ratio Rank: 96

AAOI

AAOI Risk / Return Rank: 98
AAOI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
AAOI Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
AAOI Omega Ratio Rank: 94
AAOI Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
AAOI Martin Ratio Rank: 99

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

PLXS vs. AAOI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Plexus Corp. (PLXS) and Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AAOI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	PLXS	AAOI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.01	7.37	-4.36
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.31	4.58	-1.27
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.53	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.53	21.18	-13.64
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	23.35	59.65	-36.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLXS vs. AAOI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLXS Sharpe Ratio is 3.01, which is lower than the AAOI Sharpe Ratio of 7.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLXS and AAOI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PLXS	AAOI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01	7.37	-4.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.72	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	0.33	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.28	-0.01

Drawdowns

PLXS vs. AAOI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLXS drawdown since its inception was -90.22%, smaller than the maximum AAOI drawdown of -98.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLXS and AAOI.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLXS	AAOI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.22%	-98.49%	+8.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.51%	-47.64%	+32.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.92%	-77.17%	+42.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.92%	-83.07%	+48.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.68%	-98.49%	+44.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-17.49%	+17.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-40.50%	-65.79%	+25.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.99%	16.88%	-11.89%

Volatility

PLXS vs. AAOI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Plexus Corp. (PLXS) is 9.36%, while Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AAOI) has a volatility of 42.89%. This indicates that PLXS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AAOI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLXS	AAOI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.36%	42.89%	-33.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.30%	107.15%	-78.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	38.86%	137.01%	-98.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.50%	118.73%	-86.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.60%	97.94%	-65.34%

Dividends

PLXS vs. AAOI - Dividend Comparison

Neither PLXS nor AAOI has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Financials

PLXS vs. AAOI - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Plexus Corp. and Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

PLXS - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Plexus Corp. reported a gross profit of 119.18M and revenue of 1.16B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 10.2%.

AAOI - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. reported a gross profit of 43.92M and revenue of 151.14M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 29.1%.

PLXS - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Plexus Corp. reported an operating income of 61.84M and revenue of 1.16B, resulting in an operating margin of 5.3%.

AAOI - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. reported an operating income of -12.99M and revenue of 151.14M, resulting in an operating margin of -8.6%.

PLXS - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Plexus Corp. reported a net income of 49.81M and revenue of 1.16B, resulting in a net margin of 4.3%.

AAOI - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. reported a net income of -14.28M and revenue of 151.14M, resulting in a net margin of -9.5%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLXS and AAOI in my portfolio?

PLXS and AAOI have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLXS or AAOI?

AAOI has higher volatility (42.89%) compared to PLXS (9.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLXS dropped -90.22% vs AAOI's -98.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAOI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.37 vs 3.01), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.