CDW vs. CSCO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CDW and CSCO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CDW | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CDW Corporation | Cisco Systems, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | Communications Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 21.95 billion USD | 278.78 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | June 27, 2013 | February 16, 1990 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CDW 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 | CDW | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.46% | 0.72% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -11.30% | 14.16% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -16.20% | 13.06% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -21.04% | 56.93% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -3.96% | 3.41% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -3.77% | 18.92% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.55M | 23.90M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.30M | 21.37M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.36% | 19.90% |
| Beta | 1.02 | 0.98 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CDW
45.37%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 29.99%
- Q3
- 15.78%
- Median
- 9.05%
- Q1
- 5.63%
- Min
- -9.55%
CDW’s Return on Equity of 45.37% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
CSCO
21.50%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 32.05%
- Q3
- 19.58%
- Median
- 11.77%
- Q1
- 2.23%
- Min
- -11.93%
In the upper quartile for the Communications 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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CDW
4.92%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 25.55%
- Q3
- 12.80%
- Median
- 7.58%
- Q1
- 3.09%
- Min
- -8.70%
CDW’s Net Profit Margin of 4.92% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
CSCO
17.60%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 14.32%
- Median
- 5.31%
- Q1
- 1.45%
- Min
- -12.72%
A Net Profit Margin of 17.60% 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)
CDW
7.64%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 30.04%
- Q3
- 16.04%
- Median
- 9.75%
- Q1
- 4.27%
- Min
- -12.63%
CDW’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.64% is around the midpoint for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
CSCO
20.30%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 42.27%
- Q3
- 18.90%
- Median
- 6.21%
- Q1
- 2.97%
- Min
- -20.72%
An Operating Profit Margin of 20.30% 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 | CDW | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 45.37% | 21.50% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.26% | 8.01% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.92% | 17.60% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.64% | 20.30% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.57% | 65.24% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CDW
1.35
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 4.43
- Q3
- 2.88
- Median
- 2.05
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.64
CDW’s Current Ratio of 1.35 falls into the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
CSCO
0.95
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 1.72
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.18
- Min
- 0.93
CSCO’s Current Ratio of 0.95 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)
CDW
2.28
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.14
- Q3
- 0.54
- Median
- 0.34
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.28, CDW operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
CSCO
0.64
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.55
- Q3
- 0.92
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
CSCO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.64 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)
CDW
7.69
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 101.00
- Q3
- 43.88
- Median
- 13.27
- Q1
- 3.73
- Min
- -18.73
CDW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.69 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
CSCO
936.58
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 181.73
- Q3
- 113.63
- Median
- 7.59
- Q1
- 3.82
- Min
- -5.39
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 936.58, CSCO demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Communications Equipment industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CDW | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.35 | 0.95 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.17 | 0.87 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.28 | 0.64 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.69 | 936.58 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CDW
1.54%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 4.86%
- Q3
- 2.53%
- Median
- 1.28%
- Q1
- 0.16%
- Min
- 0.00%
CDW’s Dividend Yield of 1.54% is consistent with its peers in the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
CSCO
2.30%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.88%
- Q3
- 2.75%
- Median
- 0.93%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSCO’s Dividend Yield of 2.30% is consistent with its peers in the Communications Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CDW
30.73%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 161.37%
- Q3
- 67.12%
- Median
- 34.46%
- Q1
- 3.82%
- Min
- 0.00%
CDW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.73% is within the typical range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
CSCO
65.54%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 111.16%
- Q3
- 55.91%
- Median
- 28.42%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSCO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 65.54% 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 | CDW | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.54% | 2.30% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 30.73% | 65.54% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CDW
19.97
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 73.87
- Q3
- 41.11
- Median
- 25.31
- Q1
- 18.58
- Min
- 8.59
CDW’s P/E Ratio of 19.97 is within the middle range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
CSCO
28.47
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 57.30
- Q3
- 47.92
- Median
- 27.50
- Q1
- 17.89
- Min
- 13.89
CSCO’s P/E Ratio of 28.47 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)
CDW
0.98
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.74
- Q3
- 3.49
- Median
- 2.03
- Q1
- 1.16
- Min
- 0.11
In the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, CDW’s P/S Ratio of 0.98 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
CSCO
5.01
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.03
- Q3
- 5.53
- Median
- 2.20
- Q1
- 0.99
- Min
- 0.40
CSCO’s P/S Ratio of 5.01 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)
CDW
9.53
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.45
- Q3
- 3.49
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.35
At 9.53, CDW’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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
4.92
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 9.66
- Q3
- 5.60
- Median
- 3.73
- Q1
- 2.67
- Min
- 0.30
CSCO’s P/B Ratio of 4.92 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 | CDW | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 19.97 | 28.47 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.98 | 5.01 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.53 | 4.92 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 21.10 | 21.77 |