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 September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCSCO vs TSM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CSCO +364.8% (+16.6%/yr)TSM +1618.1% (+32.9%/yr)TSM compounded faster over this window
05001k2k2kStart $10020182020202220242026$465$1,718
CSCO TSM

CSCO vs TSM: by the numbers

  • TSM is the larger company ($2.25T vs $441.95B market cap).
  • TSM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (31.37 vs 33.67 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • TSM converts more revenue to profit (50.32% vs 20.95% net margin).
  • TSM grew revenue faster over the past five years (22.50% vs 5.09% CAGR).
  • CSCO pays the higher dividend yield (1.55% vs 0.82%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCSCOTSM
P/E ratio33.6731.37
Forward P/E21.91N/A
P/S ratio6.9815.88
P/B ratio8.7911.14
EV / EBITDA25.9321.58
FCF yield2.93%1.68%

Profitability

MetricCSCOTSM
Gross margin64.52%64.17%
Operating margin24.27%55.97%
Net margin20.95%50.32%
ROE26.38%35.29%
ROIC12.96%27.56%

Dividends

MetricCSCOTSM
Dividend yield1.55%0.82%
Payout ratio49.85%25.31%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCSCOTSM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.09%22.50%
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.03%25.67%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-0.58%33.46%
Total return CAGR (5Y)16.38%30.04%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CSCO or TSM?
TSM has the lower trailing P/E: CSCO trades at 33.67 and TSM at 31.37. 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 5.09% CAGR versus TSM at 22.50%.
Does CSCO or TSM pay a bigger dividend?
CSCO yields 1.55% and TSM yields 0.82% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CSCO or TSM more profitable?
TSM runs the higher net margin — CSCO at 20.95% versus TSM at 50.32%.
How have CSCO and TSM total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CSCO delivered 16.70% and TSM delivered 33.49% 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 September 11, 2026.