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Cisco Systems (CSCO) Competitors

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$109.20 +0.59 (+0.54%)
As of 09/4/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
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CSCO vs. AVGO, GOOG, GOOGL, MSFT, and NVDA

Should you buy Cisco Systems stock or one of its competitors? Cisco Systems's main competitors and comparable companies include Broadcom (AVGO), Alphabet (GOOG), Alphabet (GOOGL), Microsoft (MSFT), and NVIDIA (NVDA). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size.

How does Cisco Systems compare to Broadcom?

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) and Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) are both large-cap technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, dividends, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, media sentiment and valuation.

In the previous week, Broadcom had 276 more articles in the media than Cisco Systems. MarketBeat recorded 330 mentions for Broadcom and 54 mentions for Cisco Systems. Cisco Systems' average media sentiment score of 1.37 beat Broadcom's score of 1.14 indicating that Cisco Systems is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Cisco Systems
40 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
7 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Broadcom
227 Very Positive mention(s)
24 Positive mention(s)
46 Neutral mention(s)
21 Negative mention(s)
2 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Cisco Systems presently has a consensus target price of $129.68, suggesting a potential upside of 18.76%. Broadcom has a consensus target price of $500.60, suggesting a potential upside of 39.88%. Given Broadcom's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Broadcom is more favorable than Cisco Systems.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Cisco Systems
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
16 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.80
Broadcom
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
31 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.89

Cisco Systems pays an annual dividend of $1.68 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. Broadcom pays an annual dividend of $2.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. Cisco Systems pays out 50.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Broadcom pays out 43.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Cisco Systems has increased its dividend for 13 consecutive years and Broadcom has increased its dividend for 15 consecutive years.

Broadcom has higher revenue and earnings than Cisco Systems. Cisco Systems is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Broadcom, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Cisco Systems$63.33B6.80$13.27B$3.3432.69
Broadcom$63.89B26.65$23.13B$6.0059.65

Cisco Systems has a beta of 1, meaning that its stock price has a similar volatility profile to the broader market.Comparatively, Broadcom has a beta of 1.44, meaning that its stock price is 44% more volatile than the broader market.

73.3% of Cisco Systems shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 76.4% of Broadcom shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Cisco Systems shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.9% of Broadcom shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Broadcom has a net margin of 42.94% compared to Cisco Systems' net margin of 20.95%. Broadcom's return on equity of 48.33% beat Cisco Systems' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Cisco Systems20.95% 30.16% 11.69%
Broadcom 42.94%48.33%23.78%

Summary

Broadcom beats Cisco Systems on 17 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Cisco Systems compare to Alphabet?

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) and Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG) are related large-cap companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their media sentiment, institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, valuation and risk.

73.3% of Cisco Systems shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 27.3% of Alphabet shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Cisco Systems shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 13.0% of Alphabet shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, Alphabet had 201 more articles in the media than Cisco Systems. MarketBeat recorded 255 mentions for Alphabet and 54 mentions for Cisco Systems. Cisco Systems' average media sentiment score of 1.37 beat Alphabet's score of 0.84 indicating that Cisco Systems is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Cisco Systems
40 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
7 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Alphabet
166 Very Positive mention(s)
20 Positive mention(s)
36 Neutral mention(s)
22 Negative mention(s)
10 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Cisco Systems has a beta of 1, suggesting that its stock price has a similar volatility profile to the broader market.Comparatively, Alphabet has a beta of 1.21, suggesting that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the broader market.

Cisco Systems pays an annual dividend of $1.68 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. Alphabet pays an annual dividend of $0.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. Cisco Systems pays out 50.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Alphabet pays out 4.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Cisco Systems has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years and Alphabet has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Cisco Systems is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Cisco Systems presently has a consensus target price of $129.68, indicating a potential upside of 18.76%. Alphabet has a consensus target price of $415.55, indicating a potential upside of 23.93%. Given Alphabet's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Alphabet is more favorable than Cisco Systems.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Cisco Systems
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
16 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.80
Alphabet
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
30 Buy rating(s)
6 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.05

Alphabet has higher revenue and earnings than Cisco Systems. Alphabet is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Cisco Systems, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Cisco Systems$63.33B6.80$13.27B$3.3432.69
Alphabet$445.87B9.20$132.17B$19.9116.84

Alphabet has a net margin of 54.77% compared to Cisco Systems' net margin of 20.95%. Alphabet's return on equity of 51.32% beat Cisco Systems' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Cisco Systems20.95% 30.16% 11.69%
Alphabet 54.77%51.32%35.42%

Summary

Alphabet beats Cisco Systems on 15 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Cisco Systems compare to Alphabet?

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) and Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) are related large-cap companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, risk, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, media sentiment, institutional ownership and profitability.

Cisco Systems presently has a consensus price target of $129.68, suggesting a potential upside of 18.76%. Alphabet has a consensus price target of $420.19, suggesting a potential upside of 24.15%. Given Alphabet's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Alphabet is more favorable than Cisco Systems.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Cisco Systems
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
16 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.80
Alphabet
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
45 Buy rating(s)
5 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.02

In the previous week, Alphabet had 125 more articles in the media than Cisco Systems. MarketBeat recorded 179 mentions for Alphabet and 54 mentions for Cisco Systems. Cisco Systems' average media sentiment score of 1.37 beat Alphabet's score of 0.85 indicating that Cisco Systems is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Cisco Systems
40 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
7 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Alphabet
118 Very Positive mention(s)
6 Positive mention(s)
32 Neutral mention(s)
20 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Cisco Systems has a beta of 1, indicating that its share price has a similar volatility profile to the broader market.Comparatively, Alphabet has a beta of 1.22, indicating that its share price is 22% more volatile than the broader market.

73.3% of Cisco Systems shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 40.0% of Alphabet shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Cisco Systems shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 11.6% of Alphabet shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Cisco Systems pays an annual dividend of $1.68 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. Alphabet pays an annual dividend of $0.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. Cisco Systems pays out 50.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Alphabet pays out 4.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Cisco Systems has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years and Alphabet has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Cisco Systems is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Alphabet has a net margin of 54.77% compared to Cisco Systems' net margin of 20.95%. Alphabet's return on equity of 51.32% beat Cisco Systems' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Cisco Systems20.95% 30.16% 11.69%
Alphabet 54.77%51.32%35.42%

Alphabet has higher revenue and earnings than Cisco Systems. Alphabet is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Cisco Systems, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Cisco Systems$63.33B6.80$13.27B$3.3432.69
Alphabet$445.87B9.28$132.17B$19.9117.00

Summary

Alphabet beats Cisco Systems on 15 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Cisco Systems compare to Microsoft?

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) are both large-cap technology companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, risk, valuation and media sentiment.

In the previous week, Microsoft had 180 more articles in the media than Cisco Systems. MarketBeat recorded 234 mentions for Microsoft and 54 mentions for Cisco Systems. Cisco Systems' average media sentiment score of 1.37 beat Microsoft's score of 0.84 indicating that Cisco Systems is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Cisco Systems
40 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
7 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Microsoft
135 Very Positive mention(s)
34 Positive mention(s)
43 Neutral mention(s)
17 Negative mention(s)
4 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Cisco Systems presently has a consensus price target of $129.68, indicating a potential upside of 18.76%. Microsoft has a consensus price target of $564.27, indicating a potential upside of 12.92%. Given Cisco Systems' higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Cisco Systems is more favorable than Microsoft.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Cisco Systems
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
16 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.80
Microsoft
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
42 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.89

Cisco Systems pays an annual dividend of $1.68 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. Microsoft pays an annual dividend of $3.64 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. Cisco Systems pays out 50.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Microsoft pays out 20.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Cisco Systems has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years and Microsoft has raised its dividend for 23 consecutive years.

Microsoft has a net margin of 40.31% compared to Cisco Systems' net margin of 20.95%. Microsoft's return on equity of 31.98% beat Cisco Systems' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Cisco Systems20.95% 30.16% 11.69%
Microsoft 40.31%31.98%18.70%

Cisco Systems has a beta of 1, indicating that its stock price has a similar volatility profile to the broader market.Comparatively, Microsoft has a beta of 1.11, indicating that its stock price is 11% more volatile than the broader market.

Microsoft has higher revenue and earnings than Cisco Systems. Microsoft is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Cisco Systems, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Cisco Systems$63.33B6.80$13.27B$3.3432.69
Microsoft$331.84B11.18$133.75B$17.9627.82

73.3% of Cisco Systems shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.1% of Microsoft shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Cisco Systems shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Microsoft shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Microsoft beats Cisco Systems on 14 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Cisco Systems compare to NVIDIA?

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) and NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) are both large-cap technology companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, dividends and valuation.

73.3% of Cisco Systems shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 65.3% of NVIDIA shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Cisco Systems shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 3.9% of NVIDIA shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

NVIDIA has a net margin of 63.66% compared to Cisco Systems' net margin of 20.95%. NVIDIA's return on equity of 96.04% beat Cisco Systems' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Cisco Systems20.95% 30.16% 11.69%
NVIDIA 63.66%96.04%71.00%

In the previous week, NVIDIA had 368 more articles in the media than Cisco Systems. MarketBeat recorded 422 mentions for NVIDIA and 54 mentions for Cisco Systems. Cisco Systems' average media sentiment score of 1.37 beat NVIDIA's score of 0.74 indicating that Cisco Systems is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Cisco Systems
40 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
7 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
NVIDIA
228 Very Positive mention(s)
56 Positive mention(s)
73 Neutral mention(s)
51 Negative mention(s)
7 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

NVIDIA has higher revenue and earnings than Cisco Systems. NVIDIA is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Cisco Systems, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Cisco Systems$63.33B6.80$13.27B$3.3432.69
NVIDIA$215.94B25.71$120.07B$7.9129.12

Cisco Systems pays an annual dividend of $1.68 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. NVIDIA pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. Cisco Systems pays out 50.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. NVIDIA pays out 12.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Cisco Systems has increased its dividend for 13 consecutive years and NVIDIA has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Cisco Systems is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Cisco Systems has a beta of 1, indicating that its stock price has a similar volatility profile to the broader market.Comparatively, NVIDIA has a beta of 2.22, indicating that its stock price is 122% more volatile than the broader market.

Cisco Systems presently has a consensus price target of $129.68, indicating a potential upside of 18.76%. NVIDIA has a consensus price target of $324.83, indicating a potential upside of 41.01%. Given NVIDIA's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe NVIDIA is more favorable than Cisco Systems.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Cisco Systems
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
16 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.80
NVIDIA
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
50 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.98

Summary

NVIDIA beats Cisco Systems on 14 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding CSCO and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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CSCO vs. The Competition

Export
MetricCisco SystemsCommunications Equipment IndustryTechnology SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$428.08B$15.94B$29.83B$12.91B
Dividend Yield1.55%4.19%2.73%8.90%
P/E Ratio32.6930.3275.9625.42
Price / Sales6.8034.81588.0475.77
Price / Cash25.06101.1147.8252.28
Price / Book8.566.009.256.17
Net Income$13.27B$310.13M$679.28M$349.50M
7 Day Performance-0.66%-1.77%-0.89%-0.15%
1 Month Performance-10.12%-6.59%-0.71%1.02%
1 Year Performance63.23%52.53%186.52%14.50%

Cisco Systems Competitors List

Export
CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
CSCO
Cisco Systems
4.9742 of 5 stars		$109.20
+0.5%		$129.68
+18.8%		+60.6%$428.08B$63.33B32.6986,200
AVGO
Broadcom
5 of 5 stars		$356.73
-0.6%		$491.97
+37.9%		+16.9%$1.69T$63.89B59.2733,000
GOOG
Alphabet
4.8353 of 5 stars		$343.57
-0.3%		$415.55
+20.9%		+44.1%$4.21T$402.84B17.27190,200
GOOGL
Alphabet
4.6428 of 5 stars		$347.09
-0.3%		$420.19
+21.1%		+45.7%$4.24T$402.84B17.43190,820
MSFT
Microsoft
4.8875 of 5 stars		$491.69
+0.9%		$560.27
+13.9%		-1.6%$3.65T$331.84B27.36223,000

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This page (NASDAQ:CSCO) was last updated on 9/5/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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