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).

Compare

Total return — CSCO vs QCOM

growth of $100 · last 30y
CSCO +1905.0%QCOM +7150.7%QCOM compounded faster
02k4k6k8kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,005$7,251
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 15

It 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

MetricCSCOQCOM
P/E ratio40.3722.72
Forward P/E28.3319.72
P/S ratio7.955.10
P/B ratio9.888.32
PEG ratio68.413.96
EV / EBITDA29.0716.71
FCF yield2.61%5.51%

Profitability

MetricCSCOQCOM
Gross margin64.33%54.80%
Operating margin23.36%25.52%
Net margin19.69%22.31%
ROE24.47%36.38%
ROIC11.66%13.15%

Dividends

MetricCSCOQCOM
Dividend yield1.36%1.70%
Payout ratio64.45%70.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCSCOQCOM
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.

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.