CSCO vs. MS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 19, 2025

Here’s a clear look at CSCO and MS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	CSCO	MS
Company Name	Cisco Systems, Inc.	Morgan Stanley
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Financials
GICS Industry	Communications Equipment	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	278.78 billion USD	235.88 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	February 16, 1990	February 23, 1993
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CSCO and MS 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.

CSCO vs. MS: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	MS
5-Day Price Return	0.72%	4.85%
13-Week Price Return	14.16%	16.29%
26-Week Price Return	13.06%	4.73%
52-Week Price Return	56.93%	55.80%
Month-to-Date Return	3.41%	3.72%
Year-to-Date Return	18.92%	17.53%
10-Day Avg. Volume	23.90M	4.95M
3-Month Avg. Volume	21.37M	6.31M
3-Month Volatility	19.90%	19.76%
Beta	0.98	1.34

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

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.

MS

13.95%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 21.61%
Median: 13.77%
Q1: 8.31%
Min: -4.25%

MS’s Return on Equity of 13.95% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

CSCO vs. MS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

MS

13.06%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 66.67%
Q3: 35.11%
Median: 23.49%
Q1: 13.63%
Min: -15.18%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, MS’s Net Profit Margin of 13.06% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

CSCO vs. MS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

MS

17.07%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 86.40%
Q3: 46.46%
Median: 32.80%
Q1: 18.32%
Min: -21.87%

MS’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.07% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

CSCO vs. MS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	MS
Return on Equity (TTM)	21.50%	13.95%
Return on Assets (TTM)	8.01%	1.15%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	17.60%	13.06%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	20.30%	17.07%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	65.24%	54.42%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

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.

MS

0.29

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.76
Q3: 1.89
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.54
Min: -0.41

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

CSCO vs. MS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

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.

MS

7.68

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.62
Q3: 2.84
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.32
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

CSCO vs. MS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

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.

MS

1.25

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 126.03
Q3: 60.98
Median: 11.77
Q1: 4.95
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

CSCO vs. MS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	MS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.95	0.29
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.87	0.29
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.64	7.68
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	936.58	1.25

Growth

Revenue Growth

CSCO vs. MS: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

CSCO vs. MS: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

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.

MS

2.71%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.26%
Q3: 4.86%
Median: 2.78%
Q1: 1.22%
Min: 0.00%

MS’s Dividend Yield of 2.71% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

CSCO vs. MS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

MS

43.20%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 200.72%
Q3: 101.92%
Median: 57.97%
Q1: 32.36%
Min: 0.00%

MS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 43.20% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

CSCO vs. MS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	MS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.30%	2.71%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	65.54%	43.20%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

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.

MS

15.97

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 58.89
Q3: 31.00
Median: 18.54
Q1: 12.09
Min: 5.24

MS’s P/E Ratio of 15.97 is within the middle range for the Capital Markets 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 vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

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.

MS

2.08

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.49
Q3: 7.41
Median: 4.68
Q1: 2.25
Min: 0.04

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, MS’s P/S Ratio of 2.08 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 vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

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.

MS

2.08

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.48
Q3: 4.94
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.21
Min: 0.38

MS’s P/B Ratio of 2.08 is within the conventional range for the Capital Markets 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 vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	MS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	28.47	15.97
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.01	2.08
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.92	2.08
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	21.77	10.71