Shares of Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO – Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-six ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $119.50.
A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on CSCO shares. Citic Securities raised their target price on Cisco Systems from $90.00 to $130.00 in a report on Friday, May 15th. HSBC raised Cisco Systems from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the company from $77.00 to $137.00 in a report on Friday, May 15th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Cisco Systems from $95.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, May 14th. UBS Group raised their target price on Cisco Systems from $95.00 to $132.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, May 14th. Finally, New Street Research raised their target price on Cisco Systems from $82.00 to $122.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, May 14th.
Get Our Latest Analysis on CSCO
Cisco Systems Trading Down 1.2%
Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 13th. The network equipment provider reported $1.06 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $15.84 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.56 billion. Cisco Systems had a return on equity of 28.44% and a net margin of 20.14%.The company’s revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.96 EPS. Cisco Systems has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.160-1.180 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.270-4.290 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Cisco Systems will post 3.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Cisco Systems Dividend Announcement
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 22nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 6th will be paid a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 6th. Cisco Systems’s dividend payout ratio is presently 54.55%.
Key Stories Impacting Cisco Systems
Here are the key news stories impacting Cisco Systems this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Cisco introduced Cloud Control, a unified “agentic” platform for managing and defending critical IT infrastructure, reinforcing its push into AI-driven networking and enterprise automation. Cisco Unveils Agentic Platform for Operating and Defending Critical IT Infrastructure
- Positive Sentiment: The company also rolled out Live Protect and other cybersecurity tools designed to defend against AI-powered attacks, which could support future security software revenue. Cisco launches platform to defend against AI-powered cyber threats
- Positive Sentiment: Cisco highlighted a major AI networking opportunity, saying AI agents generate far more traffic than humans, which suggests stronger demand for its networking gear and related services. Cisco highlights AI networking opportunity as agents generate 450 percent more traffic than humans
- Positive Sentiment: HSBC upgraded Cisco Systems (CSCO) to Buy and sharply raised its price target, citing a stronger-than-expected AI infrastructure demand trend. HSBC Upgrades Cisco Systems (CSCO) on Surging AI Infrastructure Demand
- Neutral Sentiment: Goldman Sachs raised its price target on Cisco but kept a Neutral rating, signaling support for the name without a strong bullish call. Goldman Sachs adjusts price target on Cisco Systems to 125 from 116
- Neutral Sentiment: Trade chatter and options activity show strong investor interest, but these signals are more reflective of momentum than a clear fundamental change. 3 Stocks At The Center Of Trump’s AI Security Order
- Negative Sentiment: The stock has also run up sharply in recent weeks, so some of the AI optimism may already be priced in despite the company’s strong execution. Cisco Systems (CSCO) Is Up 8.2% After Record AI-Focused Quarter And New Cloud Control Platform – Has The Bull Case Changed?
Insider Buying and Selling
In other news, CEO Charles Robbins sold 21,400 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.03, for a total value of $2,568,642.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 637,085 shares in the company, valued at approximately $76,469,312.55. This represents a 3.25% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Deborah L. Stahlkopf sold 7,981 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $79.50, for a total value of $634,489.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 187,097 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $14,874,211.50. The trade was a 4.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 51,324 shares of company stock worth $5,559,834 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.01% of the company’s stock.
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Cisco Systems by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 398,943,293 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock valued at $30,730,602,000 after acquiring an additional 4,049,893 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its position in Cisco Systems by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 195,521,161 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock worth $15,060,995,000 after purchasing an additional 1,057,962 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its position in Cisco Systems by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 75,326,258 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock worth $5,802,382,000 after purchasing an additional 206,352 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in Cisco Systems by 11.6% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 59,836,782 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock worth $4,609,227,000 after purchasing an additional 6,224,062 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new position in Cisco Systems during the 4th quarter worth $4,473,272,000. 73.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Cisco Systems Company Profile
Cisco Systems, Inc is a global technology company that designs, manufactures and sells networking hardware, software and telecommunications equipment. Its core business focuses on enabling enterprise and service-provider networks through products such as routers, switches, network security appliances and wireless systems. Over time Cisco has broadened its portfolio to emphasize software-defined networking, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure and edge computing solutions that help organizations build and manage modern IT environments.
In addition to hardware, Cisco offers a growing range of software platforms and subscription services for network management, security, analytics and collaboration.
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