AES Corp vs Cisco Systems Inc — how do they compare? AES Corp trades at $14.66 (market cap $10.51B), while Cisco Systems Inc trades at $121.32 (market cap $483.10B). The key difference: Cisco Systems Inc is far larger — about 46× AES Corp's market cap, and AES Corp pays the higher dividend (4.78%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AES | CSCO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $10.51B | $483.10B |
Sector | Utilities | Technology |
52-Week High | $17.28 | $130.00 |
52-Week Low | $12.51 | $66.20 |
Enterprise Value | $40.77B | $497.76B |
Dividend Yield | 4.78% | 1.37% |
Volume | — | 22,887,319 |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AES trades at $14.73, up 0.2% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company reported strong profitability with a net income margin of 14.34% and ROE of 45.05% for 2025, though Q2 2026 EPS missed expectations. A pending $33.4 billion acquisition by a consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners and EQT, approved by stockholders, dominates recent developments, alongside a consistent dividend payout.
The acquisition offers a near-term catalyst with a capped upside at the buyout price of $15 per share, presenting a low-risk arbitrage opportunity. Risks include deal completion uncertainty amid shareholder complaints and regulatory scrutiny. Analyst consensus is mixed with 43% buy ratings, reflecting cautious optimism tied to the acquisition's successful closure and the company's strategic shift toward renewable energy investments.
Cisco Systems (CSCO) trades at $120.43, down 0.82% on the day, amid a bullish technical outlook and strong earnings beats. The stock shows robust fundamentals with a 64.33% gross margin and consistent quarterly EPS outperformance. Recent AI cybersecurity initiatives and partner expansions fuel positive sentiment, with a consensus price target of $133.25 implying upside potential.
The outlook remains favorable given AI-driven growth catalysts and solid cash flow, though elevated valuation ratios and competitive pressures pose risks. Analyst consensus leans bullish with 52% buy ratings, supporting a constructive view for investors seeking exposure to networking and cybersecurity trends.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
AES is a global power company operating across 14 countries and 4 continents. Its current generation portfolio as of year-end 2021 consists of over 31 gigawatts of generation, with the generation mix composed of renewables (43%), gas (32%), coal (23%), and oil (2%). The company has 3.5 gigawatts of generation under construction. AES has majority ownership and operates six electric utilities distributing power to 2.6 million customers.
Read more on AES →Cisco Systems, Inc. provides information technology and networking services. The Company offers enterprise network security, software development, data collaboration, cloud computing, and other related services. Cisco Systems serves customers in the United States.
Read more on CSCO →