HPE vs. LITE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on November 19, 2025

Here’s a clear look at HPE and LITE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	HPE	LITE
Company Name	Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company	Lumentum Holdings Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals	Communications Equipment
Market Capitalization	27.98 billion USD	17.64 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	October 19, 2015	July 23, 2015
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of HPE and LITE by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

HPE vs. LITE: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	HPE	LITE
5-Day Price Return	-7.25%	-10.67%
13-Week Price Return	-1.85%	100.37%
26-Week Price Return	18.94%	211.57%
52-Week Price Return	-0.52%	163.63%
Month-to-Date Return	-13.06%	15.18%
Year-to-Date Return	-0.56%	176.53%
10-Day Avg. Volume	33.03M	6.07M
3-Month Avg. Volume	25.88M	3.56M
3-Month Volatility	38.81%	77.71%
Beta	1.36	1.54

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

HPE

5.08%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 56.93%
Q3: 29.31%
Median: 7.95%
Q1: 5.02%
Min: -7.45%

HPE’s Return on Equity of 5.08% is on par with the norm for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

LITE

12.27%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 31.28%
Q3: 24.67%
Median: 13.12%
Q1: 4.60%
Min: -12.73%

LITE’s Return on Equity of 12.27% is on par with the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

HPE vs. LITE: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

HPE

3.77%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 17.92%
Q3: 8.33%
Median: 4.15%
Q1: 1.88%
Min: -3.36%

HPE’s Net Profit Margin of 3.77% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

LITE

6.11%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 28.72%
Q3: 14.02%
Median: 5.41%
Q1: 2.50%
Min: -13.11%

LITE’s Net Profit Margin of 6.11% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Communications Equipment industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

HPE vs. LITE: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

HPE

3.91%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 20.70%
Q3: 10.85%
Median: 6.05%
Q1: 3.54%
Min: -4.90%

HPE’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.91% is around the midpoint for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

LITE

-4.94%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 33.69%
Q3: 15.81%
Median: 6.02%
Q1: 3.00%
Min: -4.94%

LITE has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -4.94%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

HPE vs. LITE: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	HPE	LITE
Return on Equity (TTM)	5.08%	12.27%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.74%	2.68%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	3.77%	6.11%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	3.91%	-4.94%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	29.45%	30.59%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

HPE

0.95

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 2.51
Q3: 1.90
Median: 1.38
Q1: 0.97
Min: 0.11

HPE’s Current Ratio of 0.95 falls into the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

LITE

1.37

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 3.28
Q3: 2.10
Median: 1.52
Q1: 1.17
Min: 0.91

LITE’s Current Ratio of 1.37 aligns with the median group of the Communications Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

HPE vs. LITE: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

HPE

0.97

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 1.34
Q3: 0.82
Median: 0.42
Q1: 0.16
Min: 0.00

HPE’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.97. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

LITE

4.15

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 1.44
Q3: 0.96
Median: 0.43
Q1: 0.21
Min: 0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 4.15, LITE operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Communications Equipment industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

HPE vs. LITE: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

HPE

116.71

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 143.63
Q3: 62.44
Median: 17.59
Q1: 5.32
Min: -23.93

HPE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 116.71 is in the upper quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

LITE

4.46

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 55.49
Q3: 34.19
Median: 8.92
Q1: 3.73
Min: -9.94

LITE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.46 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

HPE vs. LITE: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	HPE	LITE
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.95	1.37
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.69	0.94
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.97	4.15
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	116.71	4.46

Growth

Revenue Growth

HPE vs. LITE: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

HPE vs. LITE: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

HPE

2.74%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 4.93%
Q3: 3.31%
Median: 1.70%
Q1: 0.01%
Min: 0.00%

HPE’s Dividend Yield of 2.74% is consistent with its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

LITE

0.00%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 2.99%
Q3: 2.30%
Median: 0.91%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

LITE currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

HPE vs. LITE: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

HPE

24.59%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 136.56%
Q3: 76.58%
Median: 35.95%
Q1: 0.01%
Min: 0.00%

HPE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 24.59% is within the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

LITE

0.00%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 111.16%
Q3: 61.16%
Median: 30.78%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

LITE has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

HPE vs. LITE: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	HPE	LITE
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.74%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	24.59%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

HPE

22.38

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 43.58
Q3: 27.14
Median: 21.23
Q1: 15.28
Min: 8.31

HPE’s P/E Ratio of 22.38 is within the middle range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

LITE

157.44

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 74.67
Q3: 56.42
Median: 31.00
Q1: 15.93
Min: 3.89

At 157.44, LITE’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

HPE vs. LITE: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

HPE

0.84

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 6.35
Q3: 3.45
Median: 0.96
Q1: 0.46
Min: 0.04

HPE’s P/S Ratio of 0.84 aligns with the market consensus for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

LITE

9.62

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 11.84
Q3: 5.68
Median: 2.55
Q1: 1.24
Min: 0.40

LITE’s P/S Ratio of 9.62 is in the upper echelon for the Communications Equipment industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

HPE vs. LITE: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

HPE

1.11

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 13.94
Q3: 8.15
Median: 1.85
Q1: 0.94
Min: 0.32

HPE’s P/B Ratio of 1.11 is within the conventional range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

LITE

14.77

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 6.02
Q3: 6.01
Median: 3.83
Q1: 2.41
Min: 0.42

At 14.77, LITE’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Communications Equipment industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

HPE vs. LITE: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	HPE	LITE
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	22.38	157.44
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.84	9.62
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.11	14.77
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	12.99	1,753.62