Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) vs Meta Platforms, Inc. (META)
A side-by-side comparison of Cisco Systems, Inc. and Meta Platforms, 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.
Different business models: CSCO is classified in Technology; META is classified in Communication Services. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
CSCO
Cisco Systems, Inc.
$115.58TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
META
Meta Platforms, Inc.
$593.41Communication ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CSCO vs META
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 14yCSCO +848.8%META +1474.4%META compounded faster
CSCO META
CSCO vs META: by the numbers
- •META is the larger company ($1.51T vs $455.55B market cap).
- •META trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.60 vs 38.19 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •META converts more revenue to profit (32.84% vs 19.69% net margin).
- •META grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.89% vs 4.58% CAGR).
- •CSCO pays the higher dividend yield (1.45% vs 0.35%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CSCO | META |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 38.19 | 21.60 |
| Forward P/E | 26.80 | 18.03 |
| P/S ratio | 7.52 | 7.08 |
| P/B ratio | 9.35 | 6.25 |
| PEG ratio | 68.42 | 1.16 |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.77 | 14.51 |
| FCF yield | 2.76% | 3.17% |
Profitability
| Metric | CSCO | META |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 64.33% | 81.94% |
| Operating margin | 23.36% | 41.21% |
| Net margin | 19.69% | 32.84% |
| ROE | 24.47% | 28.97% |
| ROIC | 11.66% | 17.95% |
Dividends
| Metric | CSCO | META |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.45% | 0.35% |
| Payout ratio | 64.84% | 8.76% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CSCO | META |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.58% | 17.89% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 0.50% | 18.60% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -2.45% | 14.84% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 19.58% | 10.03% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CSCO or META?
- META has the lower trailing P/E: CSCO trades at 38.19 and META at 21.60. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CSCO or META?
- Over the past five years, META grew revenue faster — CSCO at a 4.58% CAGR versus META at 17.89%.
- Does CSCO or META pay a bigger dividend?
- CSCO yields 1.45% and META yields 0.35% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CSCO or META more profitable?
- META runs the higher net margin — CSCO at 19.69% versus META at 32.84%.
- How have CSCO and META total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CSCO delivered 17.77% and META delivered 17.02% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cisco Systems P/E ratioMeta Platforms P/E ratioCisco Systems dividend yieldMeta Platforms dividend yieldCisco Systems ROEMeta Platforms ROECisco Systems operating marginMeta Platforms operating marginCisco Systems revenue growthMeta Platforms revenue growthCisco Systems free cash flowMeta Platforms free cash flow
Cisco Systems & Meta Platforms appear in these rankings
Fastest Revenue Growth StocksHighest ROE StocksHighest Operating Margin StocksHighest 10-Year Total Return Stocks
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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.