Cisco Systems Inc vs Verizon Communications Inc — how do they compare? Cisco Systems Inc trades at $111.69 (market cap $461.50B), while Verizon Communications Inc trades at $42.87 (market cap $177.34B). The key difference: Cisco Systems Inc is far larger — about 2.6× Verizon Communications Inc's market cap, and Verizon Communications Inc pays the higher dividend (6.66%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CSCO | VZ | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $461.50B | $177.34B |
Volume | 22,887,319 | 22,584,735 |
Sector | Technology | Media |
52-Week High | $130.00 | $51.38 |
52-Week Low | $66.20 | $38.40 |
Enterprise Value | $476.17B | $364.84B |
Dividend Yield | 1.43% | 6.66% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Cisco Systems (CSCO) trades at $119.25, down 1.7% over 24 hours, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and recent AI-driven news boosting sentiment. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $1.06 exceeding the $1.03 estimate. Financials show solid profitability with a 64.33% gross margin and $10.18B net income for 2025, though valuation ratios like P/E of 39.03 appear elevated. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $130.38 price target, supported by 38 buy ratings.
Outlook remains positive due to AI cybersecurity demand and partnerships, but risks include high debt levels and competitive pressures. The stock offers growth potential from tech infrastructure trends, yet investors should monitor execution on AI initiatives and macroeconomic headwinds that could impact networking spending.
Verizon (VZ) trades at $42.68, up 1.33% today, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but recent earnings beats. The stock offers a 6.7% dividend yield with a consensus price target of $47.57, indicating 11.5% upside. Revenue grew to $138.19B in 2025, with a net income margin of 12.46%, while debt levels remain elevated at $144B total debt. Recent news highlights competitive threats from SpaceX's Starlink but also new partnerships like the 5G deal with BMW.
Outlook: VZ presents a value opportunity with a low P/E of 10.4 and strong cash flow, but faces significant competitive and debt-related risks. The stock is suitable for income-focused investors seeking defensive yield, though growth is constrained by industry saturation and rising capital expenditures.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Verizon Communications Inc. is an integrated telecommunications company that provides wire line voice and data services, wireless services, Internet services, and published directory information. The Company also provides network services for the federal government including business phone lines, data services, telecommunications equipment, and payphones.
Read more on VZ →