Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) vs NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)
A side-by-side comparison of Cisco Systems, Inc. and NVIDIA Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CSCO
Cisco Systems, Inc.
$112.13TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
NVDA
NVIDIA Corporation
$218.29TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CSCO vs NVDA
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCSCO +359.4% (+16.5%/yr)NVDA +14538.6% (+64.6%/yr)NVDA compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CSCO NVDA
CSCO vs NVDA: by the numbers
- •NVDA is the larger company ($5.29T vs $441.95B market cap).
- •NVDA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (27.60 vs 33.67 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •NVDA converts more revenue to profit (63.66% vs 20.95% net margin).
- •NVDA grew revenue faster over the past five years (69.34% vs 5.09% CAGR).
- •CSCO pays the higher dividend yield (1.55% vs 0.13%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CSCO | NVDA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 33.67 | 27.60 |
| Forward P/E | 21.91 | 23.59 |
| P/S ratio | 6.98 | 17.45 |
| P/B ratio | 8.79 | 23.09 |
| EV / EBITDA | 25.93 | 26.35 |
| FCF yield | 2.93% | 2.40% |
Profitability
| Metric | CSCO | NVDA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 64.52% | 74.67% |
| Operating margin | 24.27% | 65.21% |
| Net margin | 20.95% | 63.66% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 84.23% |
| ROIC | 12.96% | 59.61% |
Dividends
| Metric | CSCO | NVDA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.55% | 0.13% |
| Payout ratio | 49.85% | 3.54% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CSCO | NVDA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.09% | 69.34% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 6.03% | 94.31% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -0.58% | 82.12% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 16.38% | 57.72% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CSCO or NVDA?
- NVDA has the lower trailing P/E: CSCO trades at 33.67 and NVDA at 27.60. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CSCO or NVDA?
- Over the past five years, NVDA grew revenue faster — CSCO at a 5.09% CAGR versus NVDA at 69.34%.
- Does CSCO or NVDA pay a bigger dividend?
- CSCO yields 1.55% and NVDA yields 0.13% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CSCO or NVDA more profitable?
- NVDA runs the higher net margin — CSCO at 20.95% versus NVDA at 63.66%.
- How have CSCO and NVDA total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CSCO delivered 16.70% and NVDA delivered 64.96% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cisco Systems P/E ratioNVIDIA P/E ratioCisco Systems dividend yieldNVIDIA dividend yieldCisco Systems ROENVIDIA ROECisco Systems operating marginNVIDIA operating marginCisco Systems revenue growthNVIDIA revenue growthCisco Systems free cash flowNVIDIA free cash flow
Cisco Systems & NVIDIA appear in these rankings
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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 September 11, 2026.