ASTS vs. CSCO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASTS and CSCO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
CSCO’s market capitalization of 274.71 billion USD is significantly greater than ASTS’s 15.96 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
ASTS’s beta of 2.02 points to significantly higher volatility compared to CSCO (beta: 0.88), suggesting ASTS has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
| Symbol | ASTS | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AST SpaceMobile, Inc. | Cisco Systems, Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Communication Equipment | Communication Equipment |
| CEO | Abel Avellan | Charles H. Robbins |
| Price | 45.6 USD | 69.37 USD |
| Market Cap | 15.96 billion USD | 274.71 billion USD |
| Beta | 2.02 | 0.88 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | November 1, 2019 | February 16, 1990 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASTS 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ASTS
-76.72%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.07%
- Q3
- 8.07%
- Median
- 1.84%
- Q1
- -11.93%
- Min
- -31.65%
ASTS has a negative Return on Equity of -76.72%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
CSCO
21.50%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.07%
- Q3
- 8.07%
- Median
- 1.84%
- Q1
- -11.93%
- Min
- -31.65%
In the upper quartile for the Communication Equipment industry, CSCO’s Return on Equity of 21.50% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
ASTS
-19.41%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.59%
- Q3
- 6.61%
- Median
- 2.97%
- Q1
- -2.58%
- Min
- -13.18%
ASTS has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -19.41%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
CSCO
11.48%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.59%
- Q3
- 6.61%
- Median
- 2.97%
- Q1
- -2.58%
- Min
- -13.18%
In the upper quartile for the Communication Equipment industry, CSCO’s Return on Invested Capital of 11.48% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
ASTS
-7,033.20%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 9.21%
- Median
- 2.46%
- Q1
- -8.56%
- Min
- -29.87%
ASTS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -7,033.20%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
CSCO
17.60%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 9.21%
- Median
- 2.46%
- Q1
- -8.56%
- Min
- -29.87%
A Net Profit Margin of 17.60% places CSCO in the upper quartile for the Communication Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
ASTS
-5,397.45%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.72%
- Q3
- 11.64%
- Median
- 5.79%
- Q1
- -2.28%
- Min
- -18.20%
ASTS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -5,397.45%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
CSCO
20.30%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.72%
- Q3
- 11.64%
- Median
- 5.79%
- Q1
- -2.28%
- Min
- -18.20%
An Operating Profit Margin of 20.30% places CSCO in the upper quartile for the Communication 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 | ASTS | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -76.72% | 21.50% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -23.81% | 8.17% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -19.41% | 11.48% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -7033.20% | 17.60% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -5397.45% | 20.30% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -486.80% | 65.24% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ASTS
10.62
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 2.59
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.32
- Min
- 0.86
ASTS’s Current Ratio of 10.62 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
CSCO
0.95
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 2.59
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.32
- Min
- 0.86
CSCO’s Current Ratio of 0.95 falls into the lower quartile for the Communication 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
ASTS
0.02
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.02
Falling into the lower quartile for the Communication Equipment industry, ASTS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.02 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
CSCO
0.64
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.02
CSCO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.64 is typical for the Communication 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
ASTS
-52.83
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.12
- Q3
- 9.22
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- -0.75
- Min
- -12.07
ASTS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -52.83. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
CSCO
6.87
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.12
- Q3
- 9.22
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- -0.75
- Min
- -12.07
CSCO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.87 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Communication Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 10.62 | 0.95 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 10.62 | 0.87 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.02 | 0.64 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 0.24 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.82 | 1.39 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -52.83 | 6.87 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ASTS and CSCO. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ASTS
0.00%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 4.72%
- Q3
- 0.38%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASTS currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
CSCO
2.34%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 4.72%
- Q3
- 0.38%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.34%, CSCO offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Communication Equipment industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ASTS
0.00%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 91.96%
- Q3
- 26.44%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASTS has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
CSCO
65.54%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 91.96%
- Q3
- 26.44%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSCO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 65.54% is in the upper quartile for the Communication 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 | ASTS | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.34% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 65.54% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ASTS
-31.32
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.37
- Q3
- 41.98
- Median
- 30.61
- Q1
- 23.44
- Min
- 2.14
ASTS has a negative P/E Ratio of -31.32. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
CSCO
28.20
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.37
- Q3
- 41.98
- Median
- 30.61
- Q1
- 23.44
- Min
- 2.14
CSCO’s P/E Ratio of 28.20 is within the middle range for the Communication 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.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ASTS
15.35
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 15.97
- Q3
- 6.99
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.05
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Communication Equipment industry.
CSCO
3.99
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 15.97
- Q3
- 6.99
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.05
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Communication Equipment industry.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ASTS
5,043.28
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.38
- Q3
- 3.88
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.37
With a P/S Ratio of 5,043.28, ASTS trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Communication Equipment industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
CSCO
4.94
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.38
- Q3
- 3.88
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.37
CSCO’s P/S Ratio of 4.94 is in the upper echelon for the Communication Equipment industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ASTS
13.32
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 14.42
- Q3
- 7.01
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.41
ASTS’s P/B Ratio of 13.32 is in the upper tier for the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
CSCO
6.01
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 14.42
- Q3
- 7.01
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.41
CSCO’s P/B Ratio of 6.01 is within the conventional range for the Communication 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 | ASTS | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | -31.32 | 28.20 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 15.35 | 3.99 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5043.28 | 4.94 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 13.32 | 6.01 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -64.66 | 21.46 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | -47.80 | 19.54 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 4858.60 | 5.32 |