Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) vs Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO)
A side-by-side comparison of Applied Materials, Inc. and Cisco Systems, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AMAT
Applied Materials, Inc.
$476.46TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
CSCO
Cisco Systems, Inc.
$115.58TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — AMAT vs CSCO
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yAMAT +24231.5%CSCO +3103.2%AMAT compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AMAT CSCO
AMAT vs CSCO: by the numbers
- •CSCO is the larger company ($455.55B vs $378.29B market cap).
- •CSCO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (38.19 vs 48.58 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •AMAT converts more revenue to profit (29.31% vs 19.69% net margin).
- •AMAT grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.33% vs 4.58% CAGR).
- •CSCO pays the higher dividend yield (1.45% vs 0.37%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AMAT | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 48.58 | 38.19 |
| Forward P/E | 42.09 | 26.80 |
| P/S ratio | 14.23 | 7.52 |
| P/B ratio | 17.27 | 9.35 |
| PEG ratio | 76.84 | 68.42 |
| EV / EBITDA | 45.66 | 28.77 |
| FCF yield | 1.44% | 2.76% |
Profitability
| Metric | AMAT | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 48.96% | 64.33% |
| Operating margin | 29.51% | 23.36% |
| Net margin | 29.31% | 19.69% |
| ROE | 35.58% | 24.47% |
| ROIC | 21.96% | 11.66% |
Dividends
| Metric | AMAT | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.37% | 1.45% |
| Payout ratio | 21.93% | 64.84% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AMAT | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.33% | 4.58% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 17.13% | 0.50% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 9.02% | -2.45% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 31.94% | 19.58% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AMAT or CSCO?
- CSCO has the lower trailing P/E: AMAT trades at 48.58 and CSCO at 38.19. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AMAT or CSCO?
- Over the past five years, AMAT grew revenue faster — AMAT at a 9.33% CAGR versus CSCO at 4.58%.
- Does AMAT or CSCO pay a bigger dividend?
- AMAT yields 0.37% and CSCO yields 1.45% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AMAT or CSCO more profitable?
- AMAT runs the higher net margin — AMAT at 29.31% versus CSCO at 19.69%.
- How have AMAT and CSCO total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AMAT delivered 35.87% and CSCO delivered 17.77% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Applied Materials P/E ratioCisco Systems P/E ratioApplied Materials dividend yieldCisco Systems dividend yieldApplied Materials ROECisco Systems ROEApplied Materials operating marginCisco Systems operating marginApplied Materials revenue growthCisco Systems revenue growthApplied Materials free cash flowCisco Systems free cash flow
Applied Materials & Cisco Systems appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified July 28, 2026.