Cisco Systems, Inc. $CSCO Stock Position Boosted by ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc.

Key Points

• ZWJ Investment Counsel increased its Cisco position by 1.3% in the third quarter to 836,410 shares valued at approximately $90 million. Institutional investors collectively own 73.33% of CSCO.
• Analyst sentiment remains favorable, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $128.52, compared with the stock’s reported price of $113.64.
• Cisco exceeded quarterly expectations with $1.22 in earnings per share and $17.25 billion in revenue, up 17.6% year over year. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.42 per share, while elevated valuation and cash-flow concerns remain potential risks.

ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its position in shares of Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO - Free Report) by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 836,410 shares of the network equipment provider's stock after purchasing an additional 10,757 shares during the quarter. Cisco Systems comprises about 2.5% of ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc.'s holdings in Cisco Systems were worth $90,023,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of CSCO. Networth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Cisco Systems by 276.4% during the first quarter. Networth Advisors LLC now owns 335 shares of the network equipment provider's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 246 shares during the last quarter. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in Cisco Systems in the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Cisco Systems by 137.0% in the 1st quarter. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC now owns 346 shares of the network equipment provider's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Osbon Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Cisco Systems in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, RMG Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Cisco Systems by 308.7% in the 1st quarter. RMG Wealth Management LLC now owns 425 shares of the network equipment provider's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 321 shares in the last quarter. 73.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have commented on CSCO shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Cisco Systems in a research note on Tuesday, September 1st. They set a "buy" rating and a $135.00 target price on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded Cisco Systems from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Sunday. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Cisco Systems from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Cisco Systems from $130.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, August 13th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on Cisco Systems from $121.00 to $123.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $128.52.

Cisco Systems Stock Performance

Shares of CSCO stock opened at $113.64 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $111.88 and a 200-day moving average price of $108.67. Cisco Systems, Inc. has a 52 week low of $68.57 and a 52 week high of $130.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $448.04 billion, a PE ratio of 34.02, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 12th. The network equipment provider reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.05. Cisco Systems had a net margin of 20.95% and a return on equity of 30.16%. The firm had revenue of $17.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $16.84 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.99 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 17.6% on a year-over-year basis. Cisco Systems has set its FY 2027 guidance at 5.050-5.110 EPS and its Q1 2027 guidance at 1.320-1.340 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Cisco Systems, Inc. will post 4.42 earnings per share for the current year.

Cisco Systems Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 2nd. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. Cisco Systems's payout ratio is currently 50.30%.

Key Cisco Systems News

Here are the key news stories impacting Cisco Systems this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AI infrastructure orders, network upgrades, and cybersecurity demand continue to support Cisco’s long-term growth outlook. The company’s latest reported quarter exceeded earnings and revenue expectations, with revenue up 17.6% year over year. Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold Cisco Stock After a 68% Rise in a Year?
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and value-focused investors continue to view Cisco as a potentially durable business benefiting from networking, security, and AI infrastructure spending. Its dividend and cash-generation potential may also appeal to income-oriented investors. Cisco Stock And 2 Value Plays For an Overvalued Market
• Neutral Sentiment: Cisco’s earnings recovery is being tested by cash-flow conversion. Fiscal 2026 net income rose 30% to $13.3 billion, while operating cash flow remained around $14.2 billion; unrealized investment gains also boosted reported profit without producing operating cash. Investors will look for stronger recurring cash generation. Cisco Can Its Earnings Recovery Turn Into Lasting Cash Growth?
• Negative Sentiment: After a roughly 68% gain over the past year, valuation has become a headwind. Commentary citing Cisco as overvalued suggests investors may be taking profits because the stock’s elevated price-to-earnings multiple leaves less room for disappointment. Cisco Systems Shares Fall -- GF Value Says Still Overvalued

Insider Buying and Selling at Cisco Systems

In other news, EVP Thimaya K. Subaiya sold 312 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, September 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.18, for a total value of $34,376.16. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 127,661 shares in the company, valued at $14,065,688.98. This trade represents a 0.24% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Jeetendra I. Patel sold 7,170 shares of Cisco Systems stock in a transaction on Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.57, for a total value of $799,956.90. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 230,593 shares of the company's stock, valued at $25,727,261.01. The trade was a 3.02% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 44,869 shares of company stock worth $5,005,620. 0.01% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Cisco Systems Profile

Cisco Systems, Inc is a global technology company that develops networking, cybersecurity, collaboration, observability and data center solutions. Its products and services help businesses, governments, educational institutions and other organizations connect users and devices, manage infrastructure, protect digital environments and support cloud-based operations.

Cisco's portfolio includes routers and switches, wireless networking equipment, network management software, firewalls, identity and access tools, endpoint security products, collaboration applications and observability platforms.

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