CFLT vs. CSCO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CFLT and CSCO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CFLT | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Confluent, Inc. | Cisco Systems, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Software | Communications Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 5.96 billion USD | 278.78 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | June 24, 2021 | February 16, 1990 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CFLT 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 | CFLT | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.13% | 0.72% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -22.61% | 14.16% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -42.15% | 13.06% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -14.32% | 56.93% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.45% | 3.41% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -38.16% | 18.92% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 15.25M | 23.90M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 7.05M | 21.37M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 75.14% | 19.90% |
| Beta | 0.95 | 0.98 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CFLT
-31.29%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
CFLT has a negative Return on Equity of -31.29%. 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%
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)
CFLT
-29.27%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
CFLT has a negative Net Profit Margin of -29.27%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
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)
CFLT
-37.29%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
CFLT has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -37.29%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
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 | CFLT | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -31.29% | 21.50% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -11.52% | 8.01% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -29.27% | 17.60% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -37.29% | 20.30% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 74.22% | 65.24% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CFLT
3.98
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
CFLT’s Current Ratio of 3.98 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Software 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
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)
CFLT
1.03
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
CFLT’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Software industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.03. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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)
CFLT
-87.07
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
CFLT has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -87.07. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
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 | CFLT | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.98 | 0.95 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 3.83 | 0.87 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 0.64 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -87.07 | 936.58 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CFLT
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CFLT 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
2.30%
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)
CFLT
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CFLT 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%
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 | CFLT | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.30% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 65.54% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CFLT
--
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
P/E Ratio data for CFLT is currently unavailable.
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)
CFLT
5.60
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
CFLT’s P/S Ratio of 5.60 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
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)
CFLT
7.98
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
CFLT’s P/B Ratio of 7.98 is within the conventional range for the Software 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.
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 | CFLT | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 28.47 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.60 | 5.01 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.98 | 4.92 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 120.43 | 21.77 |