📊 CSCO Key Takeaways
Is Cisco Systems, Inc.. (CSCO) a Good Investment?
Cisco demonstrates exceptional financial health with 20.4% net margins, strong free cash flow generation ($7.8B), and conservative leverage (0.47x debt/equity), providing a solid foundation for investors. However, net income declined 1.4% despite 5.3% revenue growth, signaling operational margin pressure that warrants monitoring before upgrading to a stronger recommendation.
Cisco shows strong core profitability, with a 65.2% gross margin, 23.6% operating margin, and solid 14.6% free cash flow margin, indicating a durable and cash-generative business model. Revenue growth of 5.3% is constructive, but the slight decline in net income and sub-1.0 current ratio suggest growth quality is not fully translating into stronger bottom-line momentum or near-term balance sheet flexibility.
Cisco Systems, Inc.. Key Strengths (CSCO)
- Exceptional profitability with 20.4% net margin and 24.1% operating margin indicating strong pricing power and operational efficiency
- Robust free cash flow of $7.8B (16.9% FCF margin) demonstrating consistent cash generation capability for returns and debt service
- Conservative capital structure with 0.47x debt/equity ratio and 18.9x interest coverage providing substantial financial flexibility and low bankruptcy risk
- Strong return on equity of 19.3% showing effective capital deployment despite revenue headwinds
- High gross, operating, and net margins indicate strong earnings quality
- Free cash flow generation remains healthy relative to revenue and capital spending needs
- Leverage appears manageable with 12.1x interest coverage and moderate 0.52x debt-to-equity
CSCO Stock Risks: Cisco Systems, Inc.. Investment Risks
- Margin compression trend evident from net income declining 1.4% despite 5.3% revenue growth suggests operational leverage turning negative
- Flat EPS growth (+0.4%) despite revenue expansion indicates potential shareholder value dilution or rising share count offsetting earnings gains
- Liquidity ratios below 1.0 (current ratio 0.92x, quick ratio 0.81x) indicate working capital constraints, though strong FCF partially mitigates this risk
- Modest revenue growth of 5.3% YoY suggests limited market expansion or market saturation in core business segments
- Net income declined despite revenue growth, which may indicate cost pressure or weaker operating leverage
- Current ratio of 0.96x and quick ratio of 0.85x point to limited short-term liquidity cushion
- ROA of 4.9% is modest relative to the company's large asset base, suggesting room for better capital efficiency
Key Metrics to Watch
- Net margin trend and operating expense ratio to identify if margin compression stabilizes or continues deteriorating
- Revenue growth acceleration in next quarters to confirm if 5.3% growth is cyclical trough or structural slowdown
- Free cash flow conversion and capital allocation strategy to assess shareholder value creation
- Operating margin and net income trend versus revenue growth
- Free cash flow margin and short-term liquidity ratios
Cisco Systems, Inc.. (CSCO) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.
CSCO Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
CSCO vs Technology Sector: How Cisco Systems, Inc.. Compares
How Cisco Systems, Inc.. compares to Technology sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is Cisco Systems, Inc.. Stock Overvalued? CSCO Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, Cisco Systems, Inc.. has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Technology sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
Cisco Systems, Inc.. Balance Sheet: CSCO Debt, Cash & Liquidity
CSCO Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: Cisco Systems, Inc..'s revenue has shown modest growth of 10% over the 5-year period. The most recent EPS of $3.07 reflects profitable operations.
CSCO Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
CSCO Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2026 | $14.1B | $2.5B | $0.62 |
| Q2 2026 | $14.0B | $2.4B | $0.61 |
| Q1 2026 | $13.8B | $2.7B | $0.68 |
| Q3 2025 | $12.7B | $1.9B | $0.46 |
| Q2 2025 | $12.8B | $2.4B | $0.61 |
| Q1 2025 | $13.8B | $2.7B | $0.68 |
| Q3 2024 | $12.7B | $1.9B | $0.46 |
| Q2 2024 | $12.8B | $2.6B | $0.65 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
Cisco Systems, Inc.. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
CSCO SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Cisco Systems, Inc.. (CIK: 0000858877)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
| Date | Form | Document | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 4, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1780604226.xml | View → |
| May 27, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1779915031.xml | View → |
| May 19, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1779224830.xml | View → |
| May 19, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1779224819.xml | View → |
| May 19, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1779224793.xml | View → |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about CSCO
What is the AI rating for CSCO?
Cisco Systems, Inc.. (CSCO) has a Combined AI Grade of A from Claude (A) and ChatGPT (B) with 76% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are CSCO's key strengths?
Claude: Exceptional profitability with 20.4% net margin and 24.1% operating margin indicating strong pricing power and operational efficiency. Robust free cash flow of $7.8B (16.9% FCF margin) demonstrating consistent cash generation capability for returns and debt service. ChatGPT: High gross, operating, and net margins indicate strong earnings quality. Free cash flow generation remains healthy relative to revenue and capital spending needs.
What are the risks of investing in CSCO?
Claude: Margin compression trend evident from net income declining 1.4% despite 5.3% revenue growth suggests operational leverage turning negative. Flat EPS growth (+0.4%) despite revenue expansion indicates potential shareholder value dilution or rising share count offsetting earnings gains. ChatGPT: Net income declined despite revenue growth, which may indicate cost pressure or weaker operating leverage. Current ratio of 0.96x and quick ratio of 0.85x point to limited short-term liquidity cushion.
What is CSCO's revenue and growth?
Cisco Systems, Inc.. reported revenue of $46.1B.
Does CSCO pay dividends?
Cisco Systems, Inc.. pays dividends, with $4,894.0M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find CSCO SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for Cisco Systems, Inc.. (CIK: 0000858877) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is CSCO's EPS?
Cisco Systems, Inc.. has a diluted EPS of $2.36.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined grade reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
What is CSCO's fundamental grade?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in June 2026, Cisco Systems, Inc.. has a A grade with 76% confidence. The AI analysis suggests favorable fundamentals based on SEC filings. This is not investment advice.
Is CSCO stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for CSCO: ROE of 19.3% (sector avg: 22%), net margin of 20.4% (sector avg: 18%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
What is CSCO's AI grade for 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives Cisco Systems, Inc.. a combined A grade for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability above sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is CSCO's free cash flow?
Cisco Systems, Inc..'s operating cash flow is $8.8B, with capital expenditures of $1.0B. FCF margin is 16.9%.
How does CSCO compare to other Technology stocks?
Vs Technology sector averages: Net margin 20.4% (avg: 18%), ROE 19.3% (avg: 22%), current ratio 0.92 (avg: 2.5).