PL vs VIAV Stock Comparison
VIAV currently leads PL in this stock comparison, with AIQ scores of 42 vs 33. The clearest difference is value.
What is the main difference between PL and VIAV?
VIAV leads the current stock comparison as Viavi Solutions Inc., with the clearest separation coming from value and the broader AIQ evidence mix.
AlgovestIQ AIQ Comparison
Planet Labs PBC vs Viavi Solutions Inc.
VIAV leads
VIAV leads by 9 AIQ points, primarily on Value and Risk Resilience, but the lead has narrowed from 17 points over 30 sessions. Wall Street currently favors PL on target upside.
Competitive: 5 of 6 evidence groups support VIAV, its lead is narrowing, and its current signal state is conflicted.
Planet Labs PBC
Viavi Solutions Inc.
The Algovestiq AIQ Score currently favors VIAV over PL, 42 versus 33 as of Oct 22, 2026. VIAV's advantage is driven primarily by stronger value and risk resilience. VIAV also shows the stronger technical structure relative to its 50-day moving average, though analyst target upside currently favors PL. 5 of 6 covered evidence groups favor VIAV today, and the comparison is rated Competitive on stability: the leader's advantage has been narrowing. VIAV lead: Weakening — the AIQ differential moved from 17 to 9 points over 30 sessions.
Compare Planet Labs PBC and Viavi Solutions Inc. across the Algovestiq AIQ Score, valuation, quality, momentum, risk, technicals and analyst expectations.
Performance over time
Price return from daily closes; distributions are not included.
Price return comparison
Growth of $10,000, price only
Split-adjusted closes only. Distributions are excluded, which understates the return of any fund or stock that pays them.
Compare PL and VIAV against another ticker
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AIQ Factor Divergence
Where the two separate, on the four dimensions behind the AIQ Score. Bars read outward from a shared zero: further from the centre is a wider gap.
- Value34 vs 47VIAV +13
- Risk Resilience32 vs 45VIAV +13
- Quality38 vs 49VIAV +11
- Momentum27 vs 26Even
5 of 6 evidence groups favor VIAV. VIAV’s edge is concentrated in value and risk resilience.
What changed since the last close
Latest scored session 2026-10-20, compared against the prior scored session 2026-10-19.
Largest factor move: Momentum -1, not enough on its own to move the overall score.
No signal started or stopped since the prior session; its 6 active signals are unchanged.
No factor moved materially.
No signal started or stopped since the prior session; its 4 active signals are unchanged.
VIAV's lead was unchanged in the latest session.
Deeper signal detail for each name lives on its own signals page — PL and VIAV both carry a full feed there.
The central trade-off
VIAV (Viavi Solutions Inc.): the stronger current systematic profile, led by value and risk resilience.
PL (Planet Labs PBC): the counter-case, on analyst expectations.
The AIQ Score and Wall Street therefore point in different directions on this pair.
Which one fits your objective
The same two names rank differently depending on what you are optimizing for. All six reads are shown at once — none of them is hidden behind a toggle.
Balanced
VIAVVIAV on the overall AIQ Score, which weights Quality and Value most heavily.
Growth
PLPL on combined revenue and EPS growth.
Value
VIAVVIAV on the peer-relative Value factor, by 13 points.
Momentum
EvenThe two are level on Momentum.
Lower downside
VIAVVIAV on Risk Resilience, by 13 points.
Analyst upside
PLPL on implied upside to the consensus price target.
AIQ vs Wall Street
The model and the Street disagree here: AIQ favors VIAV, analyst targets favor PL. That disagreement is the most useful thing on this page.
| Measure | PL | VIAV | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implied upside to target | +154.8% | +79.9% | PL has more room |
| Target dispersion | +103.1% | +9.4% | Lower is tighter analyst agreement |
| Consensus | Buy | Buy | Context, not a primary driver |
| Analysts covering | 9 | 3 | Higher coverage generally improves confidence |
The two are measuring different things. The AIQ Score reads current fundamentals, valuation, trend and risk; analyst targets price forward expectations. A divergence of this kind is either a contrarian opportunity or a sign the model is missing something already priced in — it is worth resolving before acting on either.
Analyst targets are expectations, not predictions. Dispersion matters as much as the midpoint.
AIQ Agreement Matrix
5 of 6 covered evidence groups favor VIAV. A wide gap backed by one group is a weaker case than a narrow gap backed by five.
| Evidence group | Favors | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| AIQ Score | VIAV | 33 vs 42 |
| Fundamentals | VIAVon balance | revenue growth 8.4% vs 8.9%; EPS growth 16.7% vs 4.4%; TTM ROE -105.3% vs -3.2%; gross margin 55.5% vs 57.7%; operating margin -31.9% vs 6.9% — VIAV takes 3 of 4 decided legs, not all of them |
| Valuation | VIAV | Value 34 vs 47 |
| Technicals | VIAV | Price vs 50-day -25.5% vs -9.6%; vs 200-day -50.1% vs -8.9% |
| Risk Resilience | VIAV | Risk Resilience 32 vs 45 |
| Analyst expectations | PL | Target upside 154.8% vs 79.9% |
✓ agrees with the overall verdict · ✕ points the other way. Groups marked “not covered” lack data on one or both of PL and VIAV and are excluded from the count.
AIQ Decision Stability
The two are close enough that your objective, not the score, should decide.
- The AIQ gap is moderate at 9 points.
- 5 of 6 covered evidence groups point the same way. (supports the conclusion holding)
- The leader's advantage has been narrowing. (argues the conclusion is provisional)
- The leader is throwing conflicting signals. (argues the conclusion is provisional)
Stability combines the score gap, how broadly the evidence agrees, how steady the lead has been across daily snapshots, the current signal state on both names, and analyst dispersion on VIAV.
How the comparison changed
120 daily snapshots · Jun 21 – Oct 20VIAV lead: Weakening — the AIQ differential moved from 17 to 9 points over 30 sessions.
- Today
- VIAV +9
- 33 vs 42
- 7 sessions ago
- VIAV +11
- 33 vs 44
- 30 sessions ago
- VIAV +17
- 36 vs 53
- 90 sessions ago
- VIAV +13
- 42 vs 55
The lead has not changed hands in this window.
AIQ Signal Divergence
Only the signals that bear on the head-to-head. A conflicted name is carrying bullish and bearish rules at the same time — the technical evidence is not pointing one way.
0 bullish / 4 bearish / 2 neutral
Only PL
- Bollinger Band Squeeze — neutral, volatility, short horizon
- Death Cross Active — bearish, trend, long horizon (47.36%)
- Downtrend Structure Active — bearish, trend, long horizon
1 bullish / 2 bearish / 1 neutral, conflicted
Only VIAV
- Golden Cross Active — bullish, trend, long horizon (2.51%)
Both carry 3 more signals that do not separate them: ATR Expansion - Breakout Mode, Keltner Channel Breakdown, MACD Bearish Crossover.
VIAV leads the comparison while carrying a conflicted signal state, which is one reason the stability rating is not higher.
Price vs model alignment
Whether the latest session's price move confirms what the model did over the same session, or contradicts it.
Neither the price nor the AIQ Score moved enough in the latest session to confirm or contradict the other (price +2.31%, AIQ 0 points).
Neither the price nor the AIQ Score moved enough in the latest session to confirm or contradict the other (price +1.9%, AIQ 0 points).
What would flip this result
A state, not a forecast. These are the specific, observable changes that would reverse the verdict — not a price prediction.
- 1PL closes the Value gap — currently 13 points behind, the largest single contributor to VIAV's edge.
- 2PL's Death Cross Active resolves — a bearish trend rule currently active against it.
- 3VIAV's conflicting signal state resolves bearish — it currently carries 1 bullish and 2 bearish rules at once.
- 4The narrowing continues — the lead has already given back 8 points over 30 sessions, and a further 9-point move would eliminate VIAV's advantage entirely.
The full evidence
Every number behind the verdict. The leader is called above each group so you are not left to solve it from the table.
Fundamentals
VIAV leads on balance| Metric | PL | VIAV |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growth (YoY) | 8.4% | 8.9% |
| EPS growth (YoY) | 16.7% | 4.4% |
| Gross margin | 55.5% | 57.7% |
| Operating margin | -31.9% | 6.9% |
| Return on equity (TTM) | -105.3% | -3.2% |
| Debt to equity | 1.1 | 0.48 |
Performance
VIAV leads 5 of 6 windows| Metric | PL | VIAV |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week (5 sessions) | -11.6% | -15.9% |
| 1 month (20 sessions) | -20.8% | -4.6% |
| 3 months (63 sessions) | -40.7% | -17.8% |
| 6 months (126 sessions) | -63.9% | -21.5% |
| Year to date | -28.2% | 94.9% |
| 1 year (252 sessions) | 1.3% | 161% |
Technicals
VIAV has the stronger structure| Metric | PL | VIAV |
|---|---|---|
| RSI (14) | 33.4 | 36.1 |
| ADX (14) | 28.5 | 22 |
| Price vs 50-day | -25.5% | -9.6% |
| Price vs 200-day | -50.1% | -8.9% |
| Volatility (1M, annualized) | 72.4% | 78.6% |
Risk
VIAV is the more resilient| Metric | PL | VIAV |
|---|---|---|
| Beta | 2.54 | 2.3 |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.43 | 1.59 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.75 | 2.64 |
| Max drawdown | -73.9% | -41.8% |
| Current drawdown | -73.9% | -37.2% |
| Annualized volatility | 93.3% | 78.5% |
| Value at risk (95%) | -8.2% | -8% |
Straight answers
Each answer is regenerated from the current snapshot, not written once and left to age.
Which is better, PL or VIAV?
On the Algovestiq AIQ Score, VIAV is the stronger of the two as of Oct 22, 2026, scoring 42 against PL's 33. The edge comes from value and risk resilience. This is a systematic score, not a recommendation: it ranks the two on the same evidence, it does not know your holding period or tax position.
Is PL or VIAV the better buy right now?
VIAV carries the stronger systematic profile as of Oct 22, 2026, and the comparison is rated Competitive — 5 of 6 covered evidence groups agree. A Competitive rating means the two are close enough that your objective, not the score, should decide.
Why does the AIQ Score favor VIAV over PL?
The composite weights Quality, Value, Momentum and Risk Resilience. VIAV leads Value by 13 points; VIAV leads Risk Resilience by 13 points; VIAV leads Quality by 11 points. Where the two split, the factor with the larger weight carries the result.
Which has more analyst upside, PL or VIAV?
Analyst price targets imply +154.8% upside for PL and +79.9% for VIAV, so the Street currently favors PL. That points the opposite way to the AIQ Score, which favors VIAV. The two are measuring different things: the model reads current fundamentals, valuation, trend and risk; the Street is pricing forward expectations. A divergence of this kind is either a contrarian opportunity or a sign the model is missing something the analysts have already priced — it is the single most useful row on this page to investigate. Analyst targets are expectations, not predictions, and dispersion matters as much as the midpoint.
Which is better value, PL or VIAV?
VIAV is the better-valued of the two on the peer-relative Value factor. VIAV on the peer-relative Value factor, by 13 points. The Value factor reads valuation relative to sector peers and to the company's own fundamental quality, so it is not the same as simply having the lower multiple.
Which has stronger growth, PL or VIAV?
PL on combined revenue and EPS growth. Growth here is measured on reported revenue and earnings, not on forward estimates — it describes what the businesses have delivered, not what the Street expects next.
Which has stronger momentum, PL or VIAV?
The two are level on Momentum. Momentum is one of the four weighted factors in the AIQ composite. It has documented persistence over three- to twelve-month horizons, which makes it a timing input rather than a reason to hold something indefinitely.
Which is riskier, PL or VIAV?
VIAV is the more resilient of the two, so the other name carries the higher downside risk. VIAV on Risk Resilience, by 13 points. Risk Resilience is a weighted factor in the composite; position sizing usually responds to it more usefully than the buy/avoid decision does.
Is PL more profitable than VIAV?
VIAV leads on the comparable margin measures — gross margin 55.5% vs 57.7%; operating margin -31.9% vs 6.9%; ttm roe -105.3% vs -3.2%.
Is VIAV's lead over PL getting stronger or weaker?
VIAV lead: Weakening — the AIQ differential moved from 17 to 9 points over 30 sessions. This is measured from 120 daily comparison snapshots between 2026-06-21 and 2026-10-20. The lead has not changed hands in that window.
What would change the PL vs VIAV verdict?
The result is a state, not a forecast, so it changes when the underlying evidence changes. Concretely: PL closes the Value gap — currently 13 points behind, the largest single contributor to VIAV's edge; PL's Death Cross Active resolves — a bearish trend rule currently active against it; VIAV's conflicting signal state resolves bearish — it currently carries 1 bullish and 2 bearish rules at once; the narrowing continues — the lead has already given back 8 points over 30 sessions, and a further 9-point move would eliminate VIAV's advantage entirely.
What do the current signals say about PL and VIAV?
PL: 0 bullish / 4 bearish / 2 neutral. VIAV: 1 bullish / 2 bearish / 1 neutral, conflicted. A conflicted state means bullish and bearish rules are active on the same name at once — the technical evidence is not pointing one way, and a decision taken on it carries more timing risk. The most decision-relevant rule on PL is Death Cross Active (bearish, long horizon). On VIAV it is Golden Cross Active (bullish, long horizon).
Compare PL and VIAV with others
Continue your research
This page answers which of the two. These answer the questions on either side of it.
How this comparison is scored
The Algovestiq AIQ Score composites four factors — Quality, Value, Momentum and Risk, each carrying a fixed weight. Sentiment is reported separately as SentimentPulse and is not folded into the composite. Scores refresh every trading day, and this page regenerates from the latest snapshot rather than being written once.
The verdict names a leader, states how broadly six independent evidence groups agree, and rates how durable that conclusion is given the score gap, its recent trajectory and the current signal state on both names.
How to use side-by-side comparison →This comparison is informational and educational, not investment advice. AIQ scores update daily; re-check after earnings, guidance or macro data that materially changes either name’s factor profile.