Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)
QCOM leads on 15 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Cisco Systems, Inc. and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — CSCO vs QCOM
growth of $100 · last 30yCSCO +1905.0%QCOM +7150.7%QCOM compounded faster
CSCO QCOM
CSCO vs QCOM: by the numbers
- •CSCO is the larger company ($477.31B vs $223.15B market cap).
- •QCOM trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.72 vs 40.37 P/E).
- •QCOM converts more revenue to profit (22.31% vs 19.69% net margin).
- •QCOM grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.63% vs 4.58% CAGR).
- •QCOM pays the higher dividend yield (1.70% vs 1.36%).
Which is better, CSCO or QCOM?
Metric tally: CSCO 2 · QCOM 15It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueQCOM(lower P/E)
GrowthQCOM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeQCOM(higher dividend yield)
QualityQCOM(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CSCO | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 40.37 | 22.72● |
| Forward P/E | 28.33 | 19.72● |
| P/S ratio | 7.95 | 5.10● |
| P/B ratio | 9.88 | 8.32● |
| PEG ratio | 68.41 | 3.96● |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.07 | 16.71● |
| FCF yield | 2.61% | 5.51%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CSCO | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 64.33%● | 54.80% |
| Operating margin | 23.36% | 25.52%● |
| Net margin | 19.69% | 22.31%● |
| ROE | 24.47% | 36.38%● |
| ROIC | 11.66% | 13.15%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CSCO | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.36% | 1.70%● |
| Payout ratio | 64.45% | 70.95% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CSCO | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.58% | 8.63%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -0.69% | 5.74%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -2.45% | 9.39%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 20.60%● | 11.87% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CSCO or QCOM?
- It depends on your goal. value: QCOM (lower P/E); growth: QCOM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: QCOM (higher dividend yield); quality: QCOM (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, QCOM leads 15 to 2.
- Is CSCO or QCOM cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, QCOM is cheaper: CSCO trades at a 40.37 P/E and QCOM at 22.72.
- Which has grown faster, CSCO or QCOM?
- Over the past five years, QCOM grew revenue faster — CSCO at a 4.58% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
- Does CSCO or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
- CSCO yields 1.36% and QCOM yields 1.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CSCO or QCOM more profitable?
- QCOM runs the higher net margin — CSCO at 19.69% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
- Which has been the better investment, CSCO or QCOM?
- Over the past 10-year, CSCO delivered the higher annualized total return — CSCO at 18.88% versus QCOM at 17.83%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cisco Systems P/E ratioQUALCOMM P/E ratioCisco Systems dividend yieldQUALCOMM dividend yieldCisco Systems ROEQUALCOMM ROECisco Systems operating marginQUALCOMM operating marginCisco Systems revenue growthQUALCOMM revenue growthCisco Systems free cash flowQUALCOMM free cash flow
Cisco Systems & QUALCOMM 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 15, 2026.