Cisco Systems, Inc. $CSCO Stock: ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc. Grows Stake

ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 836,410 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 10,757 shares during the quarter. Cisco Systems makes up 2.5% of ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc.’s holdings in Cisco Systems were worth $90,023,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Networth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Cisco Systems by 276.4% in the 1st quarter. Networth Advisors LLC now owns 335 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 246 shares in the last quarter. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in Cisco Systems during the first quarter valued at $27,000. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC lifted its position in Cisco Systems by 137.0% during the first quarter. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC now owns 346 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Osbon Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Cisco Systems during the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, RMG Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Cisco Systems by 308.7% during the first quarter. RMG Wealth Management LLC now owns 425 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 321 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.33% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Cisco Systems

In other news, CEO Charles Robbins sold 21,628 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.54, for a total value of $2,412,387.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 602,710 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $67,226,273.40. This represents a 3.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Thimaya K. Subaiya sold 312 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.18, for a total value of $34,376.16. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 127,661 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $14,065,688.98. This represents a 0.24% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 44,869 shares of company stock valued at $5,005,620. 0.01% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Cisco Systems Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ CSCO opened at $113.64 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $448.04 billion, a PE ratio of 34.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.99. Cisco Systems, Inc. has a 1 year low of $68.57 and a 1 year high of $130.37. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $111.88 and a 200-day moving average price of $108.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.79.

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 12th. The network equipment provider reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.05. Cisco Systems had a net margin of 20.95% and a return on equity of 30.16%. The company had revenue of $17.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.84 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.99 EPS. Cisco Systems’s revenue for the quarter 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. Equities analysts anticipate that Cisco Systems, Inc. will post 4.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cisco Systems Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have commented on CSCO. KeyCorp upped their price target on Cisco Systems from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Cisco Systems in a research note on Wednesday, August 26th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Cisco Systems from $132.00 to $138.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Cisco Systems from $125.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Finally, Piper Sandler cut their price objective on Cisco Systems from $132.00 to $125.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 22nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $128.52.

More 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

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.