Arista Networks (ANET) vs. Cisco Systems (CSCO)
This page compares Arista Networks (ANET) with Cisco Systems (CSCO) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Company Profile
Arista Networks (ANET) and Cisco Systems (CSCO) are both classified in the Communications Equipment sub-industry within the broader Communications Equipment industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
| Symbol | ANET | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Arista Networks, Inc. | Cisco Systems, Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Technology Hardware & Equipment | Technology Hardware & Equipment |
| GICS Industry | Communications Equipment | Communications Equipment |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Communications Equipment | Communications Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 209.03 billion USD | 474.63 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | June 6, 2014 | February 16, 1990 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both Arista Networks (ANET) at 57.05 and Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 40.14 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.
ANET
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
57.05
- Max
- 168.36
- Q3
- 83.42
- Median
- 39.68
- Q1
- 24.69
- Min
- 9.74
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
40.14
- Max
- 168.36
- Q3
- 83.42
- Median
- 39.68
- Q1
- 24.69
- Min
- 9.74
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 7.81 is priced about in line with its industry on Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), while Arista Networks (ANET) at 21.53 sits in the pricier quartile — ANET costs more per dollar of sales.
ANET
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
21.53
- Max
- 21.53
- Q3
- 9.61
- Median
- 4.12
- Q1
- 1.37
- Min
- 0.00
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
7.81
- Max
- 21.53
- Q3
- 9.61
- Median
- 4.12
- Q1
- 1.37
- Min
- 0.00
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 9.74 is valued about in line with its industry on Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), while Arista Networks (ANET) at 15.50 carries a peer-beating premium to book — ANET is pricier on assets.
ANET
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
15.50
- Max
- 17.94
- Q3
- 10.33
- Median
- 4.81
- Q1
- 2.24
- Min
- -3.74
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
9.74
- Max
- 17.94
- Q3
- 10.33
- Median
- 4.81
- Q1
- 2.24
- Min
- -3.74
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ANET | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 57.05 | 40.14 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 21.53 | 7.81 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 15.50 | 9.74 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 2.09% | 1.96% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both Arista Networks (ANET) at 31.52% and Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 25.23% rank in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM) among industry peers, indicating strong returns on shareholders’ equity.
ANET
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
31.52%
- Max
- 44.16%
- Q3
- 18.89%
- Median
- 10.74%
- Q1
- 0.08%
- Min
- -25.92%
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
25.23%
- Max
- 44.16%
- Q3
- 18.89%
- Median
- 10.74%
- Q1
- 0.08%
- Min
- -25.92%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Arista Networks (ANET) at 38.32% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s Net Profit Margin (TTM) range — and Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 19.69% also retains a top-quartile share.
ANET
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
38.32%
- Max
- 30.43%
- Q3
- 12.32%
- Median
- 4.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- -14.09%
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
19.69%
- Max
- 30.43%
- Q3
- 12.32%
- Median
- 4.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- -14.09%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Arista Networks (ANET) at 42.74% runs the leaner core operation — above its industry’s Operating Profit Margin (TTM) range — and Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 24.99% also operates in the top quartile.
ANET
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
42.74%
- Max
- 35.67%
- Q3
- 15.20%
- Median
- 6.36%
- Q1
- 1.06%
- Min
- -18.45%
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
24.99%
- Max
- 35.67%
- Q3
- 15.20%
- Median
- 6.36%
- Q1
- 1.06%
- Min
- -18.45%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ANET | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 31.52% | 25.23% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 14.36% | 7.34% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 38.32% | 19.69% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 42.74% | 24.99% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 63.54% | 64.30% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | ANET | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 28.60% | 5.30% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 27.15% | 3.19% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | ANET | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | 23.32% | 0.39% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 37.08% | -3.30% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Arista Networks (ANET) at 2.83 keeps Current Ratio (MRQ) within its industry mid-range, while Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 0.93 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for CSCO.
ANET
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
2.83
- Max
- 5.80
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 2.01
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.61
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.93
- Max
- 5.80
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 2.01
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.61
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Cisco Systems (CSCO) reports Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) of 0.68 and can be ranked against industry peers; Arista Networks (ANET) has no value available for this period, so a direct comparison isn’t possible.
ANET
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
--
- Max
- 1.84
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.30
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.68
- Max
- 1.84
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.30
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ANET | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.83 | 0.93 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | -- | 0.68 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -2.92 | 0.96 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Arista Networks (ANET) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — often a deliberate choice to reinvest earnings rather than return cash. Meanwhile Cisco Systems (CSCO) reports a yield of 1.40%, ranking against industry peers normally.
ANET
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 1.29%
- Q3
- 0.52%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
1.40%
- Max
- 1.29%
- Q3
- 0.52%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Arista Networks (ANET) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Cisco Systems (CSCO) reports a payout of 55.00%, ranking against industry peers normally.
ANET
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 37.10%
- Q3
- 14.99%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
55.00%
- Max
- 37.10%
- Q3
- 14.99%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Symbol | ANET | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.40% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 55.00% |
Performance & Risk
Performance & Risk at a Glance
| Symbol | ANET | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 84.52% | 95.39% |
| 1-Year Volatility | 52.74% | 29.45% |
| Beta | 1.61 | 1.02 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 8.91M | 23.32M |