Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) vs Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL)

DELL leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Cisco Systems, Inc. and Dell Technologies Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 9, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CSCO vs DELL

growth of $100 · last 10y
CSCO +270.5%DELL +3479.2%DELL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$371$3,579
CSCO DELL

CSCO vs DELL: by the numbers

  • CSCO is the larger company ($466.31B vs $299.06B market cap).
  • DELL trades at the lower earnings multiple (34.31 vs 37.94 P/E).
  • CSCO converts more revenue to profit (19.69% vs 6.28% net margin).
  • DELL grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.14% vs 4.58% CAGR).
  • CSCO pays the higher dividend yield (1.48% vs 0.58%).

Which is better, CSCO or DELL?

Metric tally: CSCO 7 · DELL 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueDELL(lower P/E)
GrowthDELL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCSCO(higher dividend yield)
QualityDELL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCSCODELL
P/E ratio37.9434.31
Forward P/E26.6243.33
P/S ratio7.472.11
P/B ratio9.29
PEG ratio68.420.34
EV / EBITDA28.5923.12
FCF yield2.78%3.33%

Profitability

MetricCSCODELL
Gross margin64.33%19.16%
Operating margin23.36%7.98%
Net margin19.69%6.28%
ROE24.47%-240.32%
ROIC11.66%15.00%

Dividends

MetricCSCODELL
Dividend yield1.48%0.58%
Payout ratio65.63%28.13%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCSCODELL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.58%7.14%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-0.69%15.44%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-2.45%-5.14%
Total return CAGR (5Y)19.72%56.76%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CSCO or DELL?
It depends on your goal. value: DELL (lower P/E); growth: DELL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CSCO (higher dividend yield); quality: DELL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DELL leads 9 to 7.
Is CSCO or DELL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, DELL is cheaper: CSCO trades at a 37.94 P/E and DELL at 34.31.
Which has grown faster, CSCO or DELL?
Over the past five years, DELL grew revenue faster — CSCO at a 4.58% CAGR versus DELL at 7.14%.
Does CSCO or DELL pay a bigger dividend?
CSCO yields 1.48% and DELL yields 0.58% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CSCO or DELL more profitable?
CSCO runs the higher net margin — CSCO at 19.69% versus DELL at 6.28%.
Which has been the better investment, CSCO or DELL?
Over the past 5-year, DELL delivered the higher annualized total return — CSCO at 18.00% versus DELL at 56.76%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 9, 2026.