Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET) vs Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO)
A side-by-side comparison of Arista Networks, Inc. and Cisco Systems, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
ANET
Arista Networks, Inc.
$199.59TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
CSCO
Cisco Systems, Inc.
$112.13TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — ANET vs CSCO
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yANET +3642.4% (+43.7%/yr)CSCO +359.4% (+16.5%/yr)ANET compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
ANET CSCO
ANET vs CSCO: by the numbers
- •CSCO is the larger company ($441.95B vs $251.32B market cap).
- •CSCO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (33.67 vs 62.96 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •ANET converts more revenue to profit (38.37% vs 20.95% net margin).
- •ANET grew revenue faster over the past five years (32.02% vs 5.09% CAGR).
- •CSCO pays a dividend (1.55% yield), while ANET has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ANET | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 62.96 | 33.67 |
| Forward P/E | 48.60 | 21.91 |
| P/S ratio | 23.84 | 6.98 |
| P/B ratio | 16.98 | 8.79 |
| EV / EBITDA | 53.41 | 25.93 |
| FCF yield | 2.05% | 2.93% |
Profitability
| Metric | ANET | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 63.00% | 64.52% |
| Operating margin | 43.14% | 24.27% |
| Net margin | 38.37% | 20.95% |
| ROE | 27.33% | 26.38% |
| ROIC | 21.80% | 12.96% |
Dividends
| Metric | ANET | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 1.55% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 49.85% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ANET | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 32.02% | 5.09% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 39.94% | 6.03% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 41.77% | -0.58% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 53.85% | 16.38% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ANET or CSCO?
- CSCO has the lower trailing P/E: ANET trades at 62.96 and CSCO at 33.67. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ANET or CSCO?
- Over the past five years, ANET grew revenue faster — ANET at a 32.02% CAGR versus CSCO at 5.09%.
- Does ANET or CSCO pay a bigger dividend?
- CSCO pays a dividend (1.55% yield), while ANET has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is ANET or CSCO more profitable?
- ANET runs the higher net margin — ANET at 38.37% versus CSCO at 20.95%.
- How have ANET and CSCO total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ANET delivered 43.82% and CSCO delivered 16.70% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Arista Networks P/E ratioCisco Systems P/E ratioCisco Systems dividend yieldArista Networks ROECisco Systems ROEArista Networks operating marginCisco Systems operating marginArista Networks revenue growthCisco Systems revenue growthArista Networks free cash flowCisco Systems free cash flow
Arista Networks & 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 September 10, 2026.