Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) Stock Now Rated “Moderate Buy” by Wall Street Analysts

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) has earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-six analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $128.52.

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on CSCO. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Cisco Systems from $125.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Cisco Systems in a research note on Tuesday, September 1st. They set a “buy” rating and a $135.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Cisco Systems from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 13th. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on Cisco Systems from $132.00 to $125.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, September 22nd. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Cisco Systems from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 30th.

Cisco Systems Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ CSCO opened at $118.39 on Friday. Cisco Systems has a 1-year low of $66.81 and a 1-year high of $130.37. The firm has a market cap of $466.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.99. The business’s 50 day moving average is $112.18 and its 200-day moving average is $107.77. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 12th. The network equipment provider reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $17.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.84 billion. Cisco Systems had a net margin of 20.95% and a return on equity of 30.16%. The business’s revenue was up 17.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.99 EPS. 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 research analysts predict that Cisco Systems will post 4.42 earnings per share for the current year.

Cisco Systems Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 21st. Investors of record on Friday, October 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 2nd. Cisco Systems’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 50.30%.

Insider Activity at Cisco Systems

In related news, CEO Charles Robbins sold 21,628 shares of the business’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 sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 602,710 shares in the company, valued at approximately $67,226,273.40. The trade was a 3.46% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Jeetendra I. Patel sold 7,170 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.57, for a total transaction of $799,956.90. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 230,593 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,727,261.01. This trade represents a 3.02% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 44,869 shares of company stock worth $5,005,620 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.01% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Cisco Systems

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Networth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in 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 bought a new stake in Cisco Systems during the first quarter worth about $27,000. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC lifted its position in Cisco Systems by 137.0% in the 1st quarter. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC now owns 346 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Osbon Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Cisco Systems in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, RMG Wealth Management LLC boosted its position 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 buying an additional 321 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.33% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Cisco Systems

Here are the key news stories impacting Cisco Systems this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AI networking growth is driving optimism: Cisco is being positioned as a potential leader in AI cloud networking, supported by rising hyperscaler orders, AI infrastructure demand and a solid fiscal 2027 outlook. Buy Cisco Systems as Leader of the AI Cloud Networking Space for 2027
• Positive Sentiment: New AI products expand Cisco’s growth story: The company introduced agentic AI tools for Webex, workplace automation and customer experience, along with Google Meet compatibility for Cisco devices and upcoming RoomOS updates. These initiatives could support longer-term software and collaboration growth. Cisco unveils agentic AI tools across Webex, workplace and CX
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains favorable: Coverage highlights Cisco’s recent momentum, fifth consecutive earnings beat and optimistic average brokerage recommendation, helping reinforce the bullish case for CSCO. Is Cisco a Buy as Wall Street Analysts Look Optimistic?
• Positive Sentiment: Board appointment adds technology expertise: Cisco appointed Girish Rishi to its board, bringing experience in data, AI, product development, supply chain and mergers and acquisitions. The appointment is strategically aligned with Cisco’s AI and networking priorities. Cisco Appoints Girish Rishi to its Board of Directors
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue growth is concentrated in products: Recent quarterly product revenue rose sharply to $13.459 billion, while services revenue was nearly flat at $3.793 billion. Strong product demand is encouraging, but limited services growth may constrain recurring-revenue expansion. Cisco’s Product Sales Surged. Why Were Services Almost Flat?
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and cooled momentum remain risks: After a substantial year-to-date advance, recent performance has weakened, while commentary questions whether Cisco’s valuation already reflects much of the AI opportunity. Cisco Could Be Entering a New Growth Phase

About Cisco Systems

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.