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).
Total return — CSCO vs DELL
growth of $100 · last 10yCSCO +270.5%DELL +3479.2%DELL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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 9It 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
| Metric | CSCO | DELL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 37.94 | 34.31● |
| Forward P/E | 26.62● | 43.33 |
| P/S ratio | 7.47 | 2.11● |
| P/B ratio | 9.29 | — |
| PEG ratio | 68.42 | 0.34● |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.59 | 23.12● |
| FCF yield | 2.78% | 3.33%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CSCO | DELL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 64.33%● | 19.16% |
| Operating margin | 23.36%● | 7.98% |
| Net margin | 19.69%● | 6.28% |
| ROE | 24.47%● | -240.32% |
| ROIC | 11.66% | 15.00%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CSCO | DELL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.48%● | 0.58% |
| Payout ratio | 65.63% | 28.13% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CSCO | DELL |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cisco Systems P/E ratioDell Technologies P/E ratioCisco Systems dividend yieldDell Technologies dividend yieldCisco Systems ROEDell Technologies ROECisco Systems operating marginDell Technologies operating marginCisco Systems revenue growthDell Technologies revenue growthCisco Systems free cash flowDell Technologies free cash flow
Cisco Systems & Dell Technologies 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 9, 2026.