Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) vs Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR)
PLTR leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics, though CSCO is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Cisco Systems, Inc. and Palantir Technologies Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
CSCO
Cisco Systems, Inc.
$121.10Technology
PLTR
Palantir Technologies Inc.
$127.99Technology
Total return — CSCO vs PLTR
growth of $100 · last 6yCSCO +210.0%PLTR +1247.3%PLTR compounded faster
CSCO PLTR
CSCO vs PLTR: by the numbers
- •CSCO is the larger company ($477.31B vs $293.87B market cap).
- •CSCO trades at the lower earnings multiple (40.37 vs 142.21 P/E).
- •PLTR converts more revenue to profit (43.67% vs 19.69% net margin).
- •PLTR grew revenue faster over the past five years (34.11% vs 4.58% CAGR).
- •CSCO pays a dividend (1.36% yield) while PLTR does not currently pay one.
Which is better, CSCO or PLTR?
Metric tally: CSCO 6 · PLTR 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCSCO(lower P/E)
GrowthPLTR(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPLTR(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CSCO | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 40.37● | 142.21 |
| Forward P/E | 28.33● | 61.52 |
| P/S ratio | 7.95● | 62.99 |
| P/B ratio | 9.88● | 38.94 |
| PEG ratio | 68.41 | 1.13● |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.07● | 139.60 |
| FCF yield | 2.61%● | 0.82% |
Profitability
| Metric | CSCO | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 64.33% | 84.07%● |
| Operating margin | 23.36% | 38.13%● |
| Net margin | 19.69% | 43.67%● |
| ROE | 24.47% | 27.00%● |
| ROIC | 11.66% | 17.95%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CSCO | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.36% | — |
| Payout ratio | 64.45% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CSCO | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.58% | 34.11%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -0.69% | — |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -2.45% | 94.15%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 20.60% | 38.98%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CSCO or PLTR?
- It depends on your goal. value: CSCO (lower P/E); growth: PLTR (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: PLTR (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PLTR leads 9 to 6.
- Is CSCO or PLTR cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CSCO is cheaper: CSCO trades at a 40.37 P/E and PLTR at 142.21.
- Which has grown faster, CSCO or PLTR?
- Over the past five years, PLTR grew revenue faster — CSCO at a 4.58% CAGR versus PLTR at 34.11%.
- Does CSCO or PLTR pay a bigger dividend?
- CSCO pays a dividend (1.36% yield) while PLTR does not currently pay one.
- Is CSCO or PLTR more profitable?
- PLTR runs the higher net margin — CSCO at 19.69% versus PLTR at 43.67%.
- Which has been the better investment, CSCO or PLTR?
- Over the past 5-year, PLTR delivered the higher annualized total return — CSCO at 18.88% versus PLTR at 38.98%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cisco Systems P/E ratioPalantir Technologies P/E ratioCisco Systems dividend yieldPalantir Technologies dividend yieldCisco Systems ROEPalantir Technologies ROECisco Systems operating marginPalantir Technologies operating marginCisco Systems revenue growthPalantir Technologies revenue growthCisco Systems free cash flowPalantir Technologies free cash flow
Cisco Systems & Palantir 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 June 14, 2026.