NASDAQ:CSCOCisco Systems Competitors & Alternatives

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

Profitability

This table compares Cisco Systems and QUALCOMM's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Dividends

Cisco Systems pays an annual dividend of $1.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. QUALCOMM pays an annual dividend of $2.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Cisco Systems pays out 50.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. QUALCOMM pays out 91.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Cisco Systems has raised its dividend for 9 consecutive years and QUALCOMM has raised its dividend for 9 consecutive years. Cisco Systems is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Cisco Systems and QUALCOMM, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Cisco Systems presently has a consensus price target of $50.7273, indicating a potential upside of 8.72%. QUALCOMM has a consensus price target of $93.7273, indicating a potential upside of 1.32%. Given Cisco Systems' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Cisco Systems is more favorable than QUALCOMM.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

71.4% of Cisco Systems shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 74.5% of QUALCOMM shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Cisco Systems shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of QUALCOMM shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Cisco Systems and QUALCOMM's gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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

Risk & Volatility

Cisco Systems has a beta of 0.98, indicating that its stock price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, QUALCOMM has a beta of 1.34, indicating that its stock price is 34% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Cisco Systems beats QUALCOMM on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

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

Profitability

This table compares Cisco Systems and Palo Alto Networks' net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Cisco Systems and Palo Alto Networks, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Cisco Systems presently has a consensus price target of $50.7273, indicating a potential upside of 8.72%. Palo Alto Networks has a consensus price target of $257.6552, indicating a potential upside of 3.49%. Given Cisco Systems' higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Cisco Systems is more favorable than Palo Alto Networks.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

71.4% of Cisco Systems shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.4% of Palo Alto Networks shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of Cisco Systems shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.3% of Palo Alto Networks shares are held 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.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Cisco Systems and Palo Alto Networks' gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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

Volatility & Risk

Cisco Systems has a beta of 0.98, indicating that its stock price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Palo Alto Networks has a beta of 1.19, indicating that its stock price is 19% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Cisco Systems beats Palo Alto Networks on 8 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

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

Profitability

This table compares Cisco Systems and Motorola Solutions' net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Dividends

Cisco Systems pays an annual dividend of $1.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Motorola Solutions pays an annual dividend of $2.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Cisco Systems pays out 50.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Motorola Solutions pays out 34.4% 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 9 consecutive years and Motorola Solutions has raised its dividend for 9 consecutive years.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Cisco Systems and Motorola Solutions, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Cisco Systems presently has a consensus price target of $50.7273, indicating a potential upside of 8.72%. Motorola Solutions has a consensus price target of $155.3950, indicating a potential upside of 21.01%. Given Motorola Solutions' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Motorola Solutions is more favorable than Cisco Systems.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

71.4% of Cisco Systems shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 87.2% of Motorola Solutions shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Cisco Systems shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 2.3% of Motorola Solutions shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Cisco Systems and Motorola Solutions' gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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

Risk & Volatility

Cisco Systems has a beta of 0.98, indicating that its stock price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Motorola Solutions has a beta of 0.66, indicating that its stock price is 34% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Cisco Systems beats Motorola Solutions on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) and F5 Networks (NASDAQ:FFIV) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership and valuation.

Volatility & Risk

Cisco Systems has a beta of 0.98, indicating that its stock price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, F5 Networks has a beta of 1.09, indicating that its stock price is 9% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Cisco Systems and F5 Networks' net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Cisco Systems and F5 Networks' gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Cisco Systems has higher revenue and earnings than F5 Networks. Cisco Systems is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than F5 Networks, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Cisco Systems and F5 Networks, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Cisco Systems presently has a consensus price target of $50.7273, indicating a potential upside of 8.72%. F5 Networks has a consensus price target of $155.7647, indicating a potential upside of 9.29%. Given F5 Networks' higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe F5 Networks is more favorable than Cisco Systems.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

71.4% of Cisco Systems shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 92.0% of F5 Networks shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of Cisco Systems shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of F5 Networks shares are held 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.

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) and Ciena (NYSE:CIEN) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings and institutional ownership.

Risk and Volatility

Cisco Systems has a beta of 0.98, indicating that its share price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ciena has a beta of 0.89, indicating that its share price is 11% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Cisco Systems and Ciena's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Cisco Systems and Ciena's revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Cisco Systems and Ciena, as reported by MarketBeat.

Cisco Systems presently has a consensus price target of $50.7273, indicating a potential upside of 8.72%. Ciena has a consensus price target of $57.00, indicating a potential upside of 3.69%. Given Cisco Systems' higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Cisco Systems is more favorable than Ciena.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

71.4% of Cisco Systems shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 88.4% of Ciena shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of Cisco Systems shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.0% of Ciena shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Cisco Systems beats Ciena on 9 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) and Juniper Networks (NYSE:JNPR) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings and institutional ownership.

Dividends

Cisco Systems pays an annual dividend of $1.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Juniper Networks pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. Cisco Systems pays out 50.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Juniper Networks pays out 66.1% 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 9 consecutive years and Juniper Networks has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years.

Volatility & Risk

Cisco Systems has a beta of 0.98, meaning that its share price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Juniper Networks has a beta of 0.96, meaning that its share price is 4% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Cisco Systems and Juniper Networks' net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Cisco Systems and Juniper Networks' revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Cisco Systems and Juniper Networks, as reported by MarketBeat.

Cisco Systems presently has a consensus price target of $50.7273, indicating a potential upside of 8.72%. Juniper Networks has a consensus price target of $24.65, indicating a potential upside of 8.97%. Given Juniper Networks' higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Juniper Networks is more favorable than Cisco Systems.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

71.4% of Cisco Systems shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 89.5% of Juniper Networks shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of Cisco Systems shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of Juniper Networks shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Cisco Systems beats Juniper Networks on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.