CRDO vs. ALAB: Which High Speed Connectivity Stock Has More Upside?

Core Insights - Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd. (CRDO) and Astera Labs, Inc (ALAB) are emerging players in high-speed connectivity solutions for AI and data center infrastructure, presenting an interesting comparison for investors [1] Group 1: CRDO Overview - CRDO's fiscal 2025 revenues increased by 126% year over year to $436.8 million, with fourth-quarter revenues surging 179.7% year over year to $170 million, indicating strong adoption of its connectivity solutions [2][9] - The company is gaining market presence in Ethernet and Active Electrical Cables (AECs), with AECs showing double-digit sequential growth in the fiscal fourth quarter [3] - CRDO's integrated approach, owning the entire stack of SerDes IP, Retimer ICs, and system-level design, enhances its innovation cycles and cost efficiency [3] - The optical business, particularly for Optical Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), is expected to drive the transition to 200 gig lane speeds, with CRDO's 3-nanometer 200-gig-per-lane optical DSP port speeds reaching up to 1.6 terabits per second [4] - Operating margin expanded by 2,500 basis points in fiscal 2025, showcasing the profitability of CRDO's business model [5] - For fiscal 2026, CRDO anticipates revenues to exceed $800 million, implying over 85% year-over-year growth [6] Group 2: ALAB Overview - Astera Labs reported a 144% year-over-year revenue growth in the last quarter, driven by its Aries and Taurus product lines [7][9] - The company is focusing on portfolio expansion with new products like Scorpio Fabric Switches and optical interconnects, which are expected to enhance its market position [10] - ALAB expects second-quarter 2025 revenues between $170 million and $175 million, reflecting a 7-10% quarter-over-quarter increase [11] - Increased R&D investment may impact margins if revenue growth does not keep pace, with operating expenses projected between $73 million and $75 million in the second quarter of 2025 [12] Group 3: Market Performance and Valuation - Over the past month, CRDO and ALAB have gained 13.2% and 41.8%, respectively [15] - CRDO is trading at a forward 12-month price/sales ratio of 19.30X, while ALAB's ratio is 24.64X [16] - Analysts have significantly revised estimates for CRDO's bottom line upward in the past 60 days, while ALAB has seen marginal upward revisions [20][21] Group 4: Investment Outlook - Both CRDO and ALAB are well-positioned to benefit from the growing AI-driven data center market [22] - CRDO currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), while ALAB has a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting CRDO may be a better investment pick at this time [22]