AAPL vs. CSCO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AAPL and CSCO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AAPL | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Apple Inc. | Cisco Systems, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | Communications Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 3,994.44 billion USD | 313.01 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | December 12, 1980 | February 16, 1990 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AAPL and CSCO by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.11% | 8.20% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 17.63% | 17.82% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 27.93% | 26.25% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 21.01% | 31.80% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.75% | 6.69% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 8.78% | 31.76% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 47.55M | 29.12M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 52.98M | 19.91M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.37% | 22.61% |
| Beta | 1.09 | 0.85 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AAPL
164.05%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 56.93%
- Q3
- 29.31%
- Median
- 7.95%
- Q1
- 5.02%
- Min
- -7.45%
AAPL’s Return on Equity of 164.05% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
CSCO
22.31%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 31.28%
- Q3
- 24.67%
- Median
- 13.12%
- Q1
- 4.60%
- Min
- -12.73%
CSCO’s Return on Equity of 22.31% is on par with the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AAPL
26.92%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 17.92%
- Q3
- 8.33%
- Median
- 4.15%
- Q1
- 1.88%
- Min
- -3.36%
AAPL’s Net Profit Margin of 26.92% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
CSCO
17.90%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 28.72%
- Q3
- 14.02%
- Median
- 5.41%
- Q1
- 2.50%
- Min
- -13.11%
A Net Profit Margin of 17.90% places CSCO in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AAPL
31.97%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 20.70%
- Q3
- 10.85%
- Median
- 6.05%
- Q1
- 3.54%
- Min
- -4.90%
AAPL’s Operating Profit Margin of 31.97% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
CSCO
22.12%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 33.69%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 6.02%
- Q1
- 3.00%
- Min
- -4.94%
An Operating Profit Margin of 22.12% places CSCO in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 164.05% | 22.31% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 32.80% | 8.53% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 26.92% | 17.90% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.97% | 22.12% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 46.91% | 64.85% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AAPL
0.89
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 2.51
- Q3
- 1.90
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.11
AAPL’s Current Ratio of 0.89 falls into the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
CSCO
0.93
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.28
- Q3
- 2.10
- Median
- 1.52
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- 0.91
CSCO’s Current Ratio of 0.93 falls into the lower quartile for the Communications Equipment industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AAPL
1.34
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.34
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.42
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.00
AAPL’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.34. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
CSCO
0.60
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.44
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.43
- Q1
- 0.21
- Min
- 0.00
CSCO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.60 is typical for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
622.51
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 143.63
- Q3
- 62.44
- Median
- 17.59
- Q1
- 5.32
- Min
- -23.93
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 622.51, AAPL demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
CSCO
22.76
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 55.49
- Q3
- 34.19
- Median
- 8.92
- Q1
- 3.73
- Min
- -9.94
CSCO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 22.76 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.89 | 0.93 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.86 | 0.83 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.34 | 0.60 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 622.51 | 22.76 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AAPL
0.39%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.93%
- Q3
- 3.31%
- Median
- 1.70%
- Q1
- 0.01%
- Min
- 0.00%
AAPL’s Dividend Yield of 0.39% is consistent with its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
CSCO
2.10%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 2.99%
- Q3
- 2.30%
- Median
- 0.91%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSCO’s Dividend Yield of 2.10% is consistent with its peers in the Communications Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
13.77%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 136.56%
- Q3
- 76.58%
- Median
- 35.95%
- Q1
- 0.01%
- Min
- 0.00%
AAPL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 13.77% is within the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
CSCO
62.56%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 111.16%
- Q3
- 61.16%
- Median
- 30.78%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSCO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 62.56% is in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.39% | 2.10% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 13.77% | 62.56% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
35.42
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.58
- Q3
- 27.14
- Median
- 21.23
- Q1
- 15.28
- Min
- 8.31
A P/E Ratio of 35.42 places AAPL in the upper quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
CSCO
29.77
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 74.67
- Q3
- 56.42
- Median
- 31.00
- Q1
- 15.93
- Min
- 3.89
CSCO’s P/E Ratio of 29.77 is within the middle range for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
9.53
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 6.35
- Q3
- 3.45
- Median
- 0.96
- Q1
- 0.46
- Min
- 0.04
With a P/S Ratio of 9.53, AAPL trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
CSCO
5.33
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.84
- Q3
- 5.68
- Median
- 2.55
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 0.40
CSCO’s P/S Ratio of 5.33 aligns with the market consensus for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AAPL
51.21
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.94
- Q3
- 8.15
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.32
At 51.21, AAPL’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
CSCO
6.00
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.02
- Q3
- 6.01
- Median
- 3.83
- Q1
- 2.41
- Min
- 0.42
CSCO’s P/B Ratio of 6.00 is within the conventional range for the Communications Equipment industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 35.42 | 29.77 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 9.53 | 5.33 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 51.21 | 6.00 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 40.16 | 24.15 |