Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) vs Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM)

A side-by-side comparison of Cisco Systems, Inc. and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 29, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCSCO vs TSM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 29y
CSCO +2086.8%TSM +13639.2%TSM compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $10020022007201220172022$2,187$13,739
CSCO TSM

CSCO vs TSM: by the numbers

  • TSM is the larger company ($1.94T vs $443.33B market cap).
  • TSM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (28.40 vs 38.53 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • TSM converts more revenue to profit (50.32% vs 19.69% net margin).
  • TSM grew revenue faster over the past five years (22.50% vs 4.58% CAGR).
  • CSCO pays the higher dividend yield (1.44% vs 0.89%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCSCOTSM
P/E ratio38.5328.40
Forward P/E27.03N/A
P/S ratio7.5914.38
P/B ratio9.4310.09
PEG ratio68.420.65
EV / EBITDA29.0119.45
FCF yield2.74%1.86%

Profitability

MetricCSCOTSM
Gross margin64.33%64.17%
Operating margin23.36%55.97%
Net margin19.69%50.32%
ROE24.47%35.29%
ROIC11.66%25.10%

Dividends

MetricCSCOTSM
Dividend yield1.44%0.89%
Payout ratio64.84%32.94%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCSCOTSM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.58%22.50%
EPS CAGR (5Y)0.50%25.67%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-2.45%33.46%
Total return CAGR (5Y)19.41%29.50%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CSCO or TSM?
TSM has the lower trailing P/E: CSCO trades at 38.53 and TSM at 28.40. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CSCO or TSM?
Over the past five years, TSM grew revenue faster — CSCO at a 4.58% CAGR versus TSM at 22.50%.
Does CSCO or TSM pay a bigger dividend?
CSCO yields 1.44% and TSM yields 0.89% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CSCO or TSM more profitable?
TSM runs the higher net margin — CSCO at 19.69% versus TSM at 50.32%.
How have CSCO and TSM total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CSCO delivered 17.69% and TSM delivered 32.55% annualized total return. 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 July 29, 2026.