Cisco Systems, Inc.(CSCO)
NASDAQ

CSCO Stock Analysis — May 2026

$120.41
2.21 (1.87%)

CSCO Stock Price Today (May 2026) — Cisco Systems, Inc. Analysis & Key Metrics 2026-05-22

Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) is trading at $120.41, up 1.87% today (as of May 2026). The stock continues to show sustained strength above key moving averages, attracting attention from investors looking for Technology growth opportunities.

  • According to consensus analyst estimates, the 1-year price target is $89.09 (-26.0% upside).
  • Volatility remains elevated (51.17% annualized), implying wide price swings for short-term traders.
  • The fundamental picture, based on the latest financial filings, is nuanced: solid revenue growth (9.70% YoY) alongside significant competitive pressures.

CSCO Stock Analysis: Key Metrics & Valuation (May 2026)

Concise, actionable data for investors

Trend posture
Short-term pullback in long-term uptrend
Analyst 1Y target89.09-26.0%
Volatility (30d ann.)51.1705High
RSI (14-day)
81.06 (Neutral)
Debt$31.74B (66.51 D/E)

Cisco Systems, Inc. - Historical Price & Volume

$120.41
+76.12 (+171.86%)
Price
Volume
Current Price Line
Range: 2Y

Market Cap

$365.88B

Enterprise Value: $381.84B

P/E Ratio

32.96

Forward P/E: 20.53

Revenue Growth

+9.70%

Year over Year

Analyst Target

$89.09

+-26.0% upside potential

Key Investor Questions About CSCO

What investors need to know before buying

Is it a good time to buy CSCO stock?

Based on current market data, CSCO presents a overbought technical setup with caution warranted fundamentals.

  • Technicals say: Overbought (RSI 81.06)
  • Fundamentals say: Caution warranted (high leverage concerns)
Can CSCO sustain revenue growth in the Communication Equipment market?

CSCO's growth trajectory depends on its ability to expand within the Communication Equipment sector while managing margin pressures.

  • Future growth will depend on performance in core Communication Equipment operations.
  • The ability to manage competitive pressures will be crucial for sustained growth.
What are the biggest risks facing CSCO stock?

The primary risks for CSCO investors include debt exposure and competitive dynamics in the Communication Equipment industry.

  • $31.74B in debt could be a headwind in a high-rate environment.
  • Fierce competition from established players in Communication Equipment.

52-Week Trading Range

52-Week Low$58.58
52-Week High$93.10
Current Price$120.41

Over the past year, CSCO stock traded between $58.58 and $93.10—recovering meaningfully from lows and currently near the higher end. Big swings are likely unless a major catalyst emerges.

Volatility & Risk Profile

30-Day Volatility51.17%
Beta0.91
RSI (14-day)81.06

With 51.17% annualized volatility and β=0.91, the stock exhibits moderate correlation to market moves—making CSCO suitable for investors comfortable with active risk management.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Insider Ownership6.10%
Institutional Ownership83.11%
Shares Short58.04M

High institutional backing, but elevated short interest signals a potential battleground stock.

Analyst Sentiment & Price Targets

Mean Target
$89.09
Upside Potential
-26.0%
Recommendation
buy
The stock is trading above the mean analyst target of $89.09, suggesting it may be fully valued relative to current consensus estimates.

Latest News & Headlines

Recent headlines and coverage

24/7 Wall St.May 23, 2026

Nvidia’s Hidden $60 Billion Business Is About to Overtake Broadcom

For years, investors treated artificial intelligence as a GPU story. Buy the chipmakers, ride the boom, and call it a day. But AI data centers have evolved into something much bigger — sprawling digital factories that need not only computing power, but also ultra-fast networking capable of moving oceans of data with almost no delay. ... Nvidia’s Hidden $60 Billion Business Is About to Overtake Broadcom

StockStoryMay 23, 2026

2 Growth Stocks Set to Flourishand 1 Facing Challenges

Growth is oxygen. But when it evaporates, the consequences can be severe - ask anyone who bought Cisco in the Dot-Com Bubble or newer investors who lived through the 2020 to 2022 COVID cycle.

Simply Wall St.May 23, 2026

Why Cisco Systems (CSCO) Is Seeing Its AI Story And Valuation Narrative Reset

Cisco Systems is back in focus after a major reset in valuation work, with one fair value estimate moving from US$89.54 to US$124.45, a change of about 39%. Behind this shift, analysts are reacting to stronger AI infrastructure orders, networking demand and management’s margin focus following the latest quarterly report. As you read on, you will see how the bullish and cautious threads of this evolving story fit together, and what to watch if you are tracking Cisco’s narrative. Analyst Price...

Insider MonkeyMay 23, 2026

Cisco (CSCO) Extends USGA Partnership to Integrate AI-Ready Infrastructure

Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is one of the best low risk stocks to buy in 2026. On May 12, Cisco and the United States Golf Association/USGA announced a multiyear extension of their partnership to integrate AI-ready infrastructure into the sport. Cisco will remain the Official Technology Partner, deploying advanced networking, cybersecurity, and observability solutions to […]

StockStoryMay 22, 2026

2 Growth Stocks to Stash and 1 We Avoid

Growth is oxygen. But when it evaporates, the consequences can be severe - ask anyone who bought Cisco in the Dot-Com Bubble or newer investors who lived through the 2020 to 2022 COVID cycle.

ZacksMay 22, 2026

Cisco Gains From AI Networking Boom : More Upside Ahead?

CSCO rides on AI networking demand as hyperscaler orders surge and campus upgrades accelerate, boosting revenue growth and AI outlook.

ZacksMay 22, 2026

Cisco Rises 33% in a Month: Here's Why You Should Buy the Stock

CSCO shares jump 33% in a month as AI networking orders surge and its hyperscaler AI outlook improves despite margin pressure.

ReutersMay 22, 2026

Dow hits first intraday record high since February

May 22 (Reuters) - The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit an intraday record high on Friday, its first since the U.S.-Iran war began, as AI-driven trade and market optimism over negotiations to end the

ZacksMay 22, 2026

Should You Invest in Cisco (CSCO) Based on Bullish Wall Street Views?

Based on the average brokerage recommendation (ABR), Cisco (CSCO) should be added to one's portfolio. Wall Street analysts' overly optimistic recommendations cast doubt on the effectiveness of this highly sought-after metric. So, is the stock worth buying?

Yahoo FinanceMay 22, 2026

CrowdStrike, Cisco, and Palo Alto hit records as cyber stocks outrun chips: Chart of the Day

The bull market still runs on chips, but cybersecurity has stolen the spotlight in May.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common investor questions about Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) is currently trading at $120.41. The RSI (14-day) is at 81.1, indicating overbought territory (potentially overheated). Wall Street analysts have a consensus "buy" recommendation. The mean analyst price target of $89.09 implies 26.0% downside from current levels. Volatility is high at 51.2% annualized, meaning significant price swings are common. Investors should consider their risk tolerance, investment horizon, and portfolio diversification before making a decision.

Based on current valuation metrics for Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO): The trailing P/E ratio is 32.96, which is above the market average, indicating investors are pricing in higher growth expectations. The forward P/E is 20.53, lower than the trailing P/E, suggesting analysts expect earnings improvement. The PEG ratio is 1.42, near 1.0, suggesting roughly fair value relative to growth. Price-to-Book is 7.66. Price-to-Sales is 6.20. Valuation should be compared to Communication Equipment industry peers for context, as different sectors trade at different multiples.

Based on 22 analysts covering CSCO, the consensus price target is $89.09. This represents a 26.0% downside from the current price of $120.41. The range spans from a low target of $75.00 to a high target of $100.00, reflecting varying levels of optimism among analysts. The consensus recommendation is "buy". Note: Analyst price targets are forward-looking estimates and not guarantees of future performance.

Yes, Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) pays a dividend with a current yield of approximately 1.40%. The annualized dividend rate is $1.65 per share. The payout ratio is 55.0%, which is moderate and suggests adequate earnings coverage for the dividend. The most recent ex-dividend date was 2026-07-06.

Key risks for Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) investors include: 1. High volatility (51.2% annualized)—the stock can experience significant daily price swings. 2. Broader market and macroeconomic risks (interest rates, inflation, geopolitical events). 3. Communication Equipment sector-specific competitive pressures. Investors should diversify and consider their risk tolerance before investing.

Here is Cisco Systems, Inc.'s (CSCO) current debt and financial health profile: Total debt stands at $31.74B. The debt-to-equity ratio is 66.51, which is moderate and generally manageable for most companies. The current ratio is 0.95, which is below 1.0 and may indicate short-term liquidity concerns. The quick ratio is 0.74. The company holds $15.78B in cash and equivalents. Free cash flow is positive at $10.13B, providing a cushion for debt servicing and shareholder returns.