LIVE
VIAV
Viavi Solutions Inc. · Technology - Network Test & Measurement
$47.17
-4.28% this month
VERSUS
⟷
COMPARE
COHU
Cohu, Inc. · Technology - Semiconductor Test Equipment
$69.40
+62.26% this month
Scoreboard verdict
Across AI score, momentum, valuation, upside, operating margin
VIAV
4
COHU
0
Comparison scoreboard
VIAV LEADS 4/5AI Score
VIAV ✓63.3
COHU 43.4
1Y Return
VIAV ✓+405.03%
COHU +281.74%
Fwd P/E
VIAV ✓36.84
COHU 46.94
Target Up.
VIAV ✓+36.59%
COHU -13.13%
Op. Margin
VIAV N/A
COHU N/A
Metrics last refreshed: 6/20/2026
Quick take
VIAV vs COHU Stock Comparison: AI Score, Valuation, Performance and Upside
VIAV (Viavi Solutions) provides test and measurement equipment for communications networks and optical security, while COHU provides semiconductor test handlers and inspection equipment for the back-end of semiconductor manufacturing. Both are cyclical industrial technology companies serving different test and measurement markets with different end-demand drivers.
VIAV vs COHU contrasts two test and measurement equipment companies serving different technology cycles — Viavi's telecom network and 5G capex cycle versus Cohu's semiconductor manufacturing cycle.
Live analysis · updated 6/20/2026
VIAV holds the edge across 4 of 5 key metrics in this comparison. VIAV leads on both 1-year return (+405.03%) and forward P/E (36.84x vs 46.94x for COHU), a relatively favorable combination of momentum and valuation. Analyst consensus implies meaningfully more upside for VIAV (+36.59%) than for COHU (-13.13%).
Normalized 1Y performance
VIAV
COHU
Recent returns
VIAV
COHU
Analyst price targets & sentiment
VIAV · 7 analysts
STRONG BUYHOLDSTRONG SELL
Strong Buy (1.4/5.0)
Price target range
analyst low$60.00
analyst high$70.00
analyst mean$64.43
current price$47.17
+36.6% upside to analyst mean
COHU · 7 analysts
STRONG BUYHOLDSTRONG SELL
Strong Buy (1.1/5.0)
Price target range
analyst low$50.00
analyst high$80.00
analyst mean$60.29
current price$69.40
-13.1% upside to analyst mean
Who should consider this stock?
VIAV may suit investors who:
- →Want network test equipment exposure leveraged to 5G deployment spending and fiber network build-out cycles
- →Value Viavi's optical security film business as an uncorrelated, government-contract revenue stream
- →See 5G and fiber densification as multi-year capex trends that sustain Viavi's network test equipment demand
COHU may suit investors who:
- →Want semiconductor test handler exposure with a growing emphasis on automotive semiconductor quality testing requirements
- →Value Cohu's consumables (contactors, test sockets) as a recurring revenue stream alongside capital equipment cycle exposure
- →See automotive chip content growth as a structural market development improving Cohu's mix toward high-reliability testing applications
Performance & AI score
| Metric | VIAV | COHU |
|---|---|---|
| AI score | 63.3 | 43.4 |
| AI rank | #85 | #806 |
| Latest close | $47.17 | $69.40 |
| 1M return | -4.28% | +62.26% |
| 6M return | +175.20% | +201.87% |
| 1Y return | +405.03% | +281.74% |
$10,000 invested — hypothetical growth (dividends reinvested)
How much would $10,000 be worth today if invested at the start of each period, with all dividends reinvested?
| Period | VIAV | COHU |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y ago | $50.5K (+405.0%) started 2025-06-18 | $38.17K (+281.7%) started 2025-06-18 |
| 5Y ago | $27.55K (+175.5%) started 2021-06-18 | $20.3K (+103.0%) started 2021-06-18 |
| 10Y ago | $66.44K (+564.4%) started 2016-06-20 | $66.24K (+562.4%) started 2016-06-20 |
Hypothetical — past performance does not guarantee future results.
Valuation & upside potential
| Metric | VIAV | COHU |
|---|---|---|
| Market cap | $11.64B | $3.27B |
| Trailing P/E | N/A | N/A |
| Forward P/E | 36.84 | 46.94 |
| Price/Sales | 8.52 | 6.80 |
| EV/Revenue | 9.05 | 5.79 |
| Analyst target | $64.43 | $60.29 |
| Target upside | +36.59% | -13.13% |
Growth, profitability & risk
| Metric | VIAV | COHU |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growth | 42.80% | 29.30% |
| Earnings growth | -68.50% | N/A |
| EPS growth | -68.50% | N/A |
| FCF margin | +12.59% | +14.37% |
| Operating margin | N/A | N/A |
| Profit margin | -4.03% | -11.54% |
| ROIC proxy | -7.00% | -6.96% |
| Return on equity | -7.00% | -6.96% |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Beta | 1.19 | 1.62 |
| Debt/equity | 134.26 | 42.92 |
| Current ratio | 1.61 | 6.43 |
| Quick ratio | 1.30 | 5.03 |
Drawdown & downside risk
Lower drawdown and smaller single-period drops generally indicate a smoother ride, though they do not guarantee lower future risk.
1Y risk snapshot
VIAV max drawdown21.13%
COHU max drawdown20.23%
VIAV max wkly drop17.28%
COHU max wkly drop13.81%
5Y risk snapshot
VIAV max drawdown62.88%
COHU max drawdown69.46%
VIAV max wkly drop30.53%
COHU max wkly drop24.63%
10Y risk snapshot
VIAV max drawdown62.88%
COHU max drawdown73.63%
VIAV max wkly drop30.53%
COHU max wkly drop38.77%
Performance metrics by period
| Period | Metric | VIAV | COHU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | Growth | +405.03% | +281.74% |
| CAGR | +405.59% | +282.09% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 2.82 | 2.75 | |
| Max drawdown | 21.13% | 20.23% | |
| Max daily drop | 10.62% | 10.86% | |
| Max wkly drop | 17.28% | 13.81% | |
| 5Y | Growth | +175.53% | +103.04% |
| CAGR | +22.47% | +15.22% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.58 | 0.44 | |
| Max drawdown | 62.88% | 69.46% | |
| Max daily drop | 23.20% | 12.44% | |
| Max wkly drop | 30.53% | 24.63% | |
| 10Y | Growth | +564.37% | +528.09% |
| CAGR | +20.86% | +20.19% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.57 | 0.53 | |
| Max drawdown | 62.88% | 73.63% | |
| Max daily drop | 23.20% | 25.53% | |
| Max wkly drop | 30.53% | 38.77% |
Business comparison
| Category | VIAV | COHU |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Viavi Solutions Inc. | Cohu, Inc. |
| Sector | Technology - Network Test & Measurement | Technology - Semiconductor Test Equipment |
| Industry | N/A | N/A |
| Core business | Viavi Solutions provides test, measurement, and network performance monitoring equipment for communications networks (fiber optic, 5G, cloud), optical security films (used in banknotes and currency), and optical components for aerospace and defense. | Cohu provides semiconductor test handlers, contactors, and inspection equipment for testing integrated circuits after they're manufactured — enabling chip producers and packaging companies to identify and remove defective chips before they ship to customers. |
| Investor focus | Investors track Viavi's network and service enablement segment revenue tied to telecom 5G buildout spending, optical security segment profitability, and avionics/defense optical product performance. | Investors track Cohu's semiconductor test equipment revenue tied to chip production volumes and new product launches, particularly in automotive semiconductors where testing requirements are stringent, and consumable revenue from contactors. |
VIAV strengths
- →Network test equipment is non-discretionary for telecom operators deploying and maintaining fiber and wireless networks — an essential capex spend
- →Optical security division (anti-counterfeiting films used in currency) provides non-correlated revenue from government central bank contracts
- →5G network expansion drives sustained demand for Viavi's mobile network test and fiber test equipment as operators expand infrastructure
COHU strengths
- →Automotive semiconductor testing is a high-value, growing market as modern vehicles require more semiconductors with stringent quality and reliability requirements
- →Consumables (contactors, test sockets) provide recurring, relatively high-margin revenue alongside capital equipment
- →ISCO acquisition expanded Cohu's back-end semiconductor equipment capabilities and customer relationships
Risks to watch — VIAV
- →Telecom operator capex cycles significantly affect network test equipment demand — budget reductions during slow macro periods hurt Viavi's service enablement revenue
- →Optical security film contracts are government-dependent and can experience lumpy renewal timing
- →Competition from EXFO and Spirent Communications in network test equipment markets
Risks to watch — COHU
- →Semiconductor equipment is highly cyclical — chip production slowdowns directly reduce demand for test handlers
- →Competition from Advantest (largest global semiconductor test company) and smaller specialist test handler companies
- →Chip production inventory corrections create periods of very low equipment demand as customers use existing capacity rather than purchasing new equipment
Frequently asked questions
Free public comparison
Want deeper AI forecasts?
This comparison page is public and free forever. Subscribers can unlock saved watchlists, full AI rankings, detailed forecasts, and interactive analysis tools.
Related comparisons
More comparisons
Browse all 1,000 comparisons →