CSCO vs. NFLX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CSCO and NFLX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CSCO | NFLX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Cisco Systems, Inc. | Netflix, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Communication Services |
| GICS Industry | Communications Equipment | Entertainment |
| Market Capitalization | 271.78 billion USD | 514.42 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | February 16, 1990 | May 23, 2002 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CSCO and NFLX 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 | CSCO | NFLX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.33% | -3.09% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -0.51% | -9.49% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 11.97% | 19.88% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 29.18% | 65.09% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.48% | -2.34% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 16.13% | 31.37% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 21.60M | 3.09M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 19.74M | 3.12M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 18.80% | 25.53% |
| Beta | 0.87 | 1.73 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CSCO
22.18%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 32.30%
- Q3
- 20.90%
- Median
- 9.10%
- Q1
- 4.29%
- Min
- -13.50%
In the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, CSCO’s Return on Equity of 22.18% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
NFLX
42.50%
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 42.50%
- Q3
- 24.06%
- Median
- 13.69%
- Q1
- 5.35%
- Min
- -17.95%
In the upper quartile for the Entertainment industry, NFLX’s Return on Equity of 42.50% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CSCO
17.97%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 12.56%
- Median
- 5.62%
- Q1
- 2.50%
- Min
- -3.09%
A Net Profit Margin of 17.97% places CSCO in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
NFLX
24.58%
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 45.33%
- Q3
- 24.40%
- Median
- 13.94%
- Q1
- 4.28%
- Min
- -23.67%
A Net Profit Margin of 24.58% places NFLX in the upper quartile for the Entertainment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CSCO
20.76%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 25.23%
- Q3
- 13.72%
- Median
- 6.44%
- Q1
- 3.00%
- Min
- -10.95%
An Operating Profit Margin of 20.76% 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.
NFLX
29.51%
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 41.77%
- Q3
- 28.26%
- Median
- 16.13%
- Q1
- 8.03%
- Min
- -3.93%
An Operating Profit Margin of 29.51% places NFLX in the upper quartile for the Entertainment 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 | CSCO | NFLX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 22.18% | 42.50% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.37% | 19.42% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.97% | 24.58% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.76% | 29.51% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 64.94% | 48.49% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CSCO
1.00
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.33
- Q3
- 2.13
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.91
CSCO’s Current Ratio of 1.00 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.
NFLX
1.34
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 6.76
- Q3
- 4.02
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.38
NFLX’s Current Ratio of 1.34 aligns with the median group of the Entertainment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CSCO
0.60
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.44
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.22
- Min
- 0.00
CSCO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.60 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.
NFLX
0.58
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 1.54
- Q3
- 0.77
- Median
- 0.16
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
NFLX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.58 is typical for the Entertainment 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)
CSCO
22.76
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 55.49
- Q3
- 34.19
- Median
- 7.59
- Q1
- 3.73
- Min
- -9.94
CSCO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 22.76 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
NFLX
23.05
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 87.17
- Q3
- 35.59
- Median
- 7.06
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- -44.74
NFLX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 23.05 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Entertainment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CSCO | NFLX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.00 | 1.34 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.91 | 1.34 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.60 | 0.58 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 22.76 | 23.05 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CSCO
2.37%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 8.13%
- Q3
- 3.29%
- Median
- 0.94%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSCO’s Dividend Yield of 2.37% is consistent with its peers in the Communications Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
NFLX
0.00%
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 2.90%
- Q3
- 1.29%
- Median
- 0.59%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NFLX 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CSCO
63.23%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 111.16%
- Q3
- 70.91%
- Median
- 30.78%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSCO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 63.23% is within the typical range for the Communications Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
NFLX
0.00%
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 82.30%
- Q3
- 38.45%
- Median
- 29.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NFLX 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CSCO | NFLX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.37% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 63.23% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CSCO
26.70
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 103.74
- Q3
- 61.65
- Median
- 26.20
- Q1
- 18.12
- Min
- 4.19
CSCO’s P/E Ratio of 26.70 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.
NFLX
48.49
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 92.09
- Q3
- 54.51
- Median
- 28.92
- Q1
- 19.75
- Min
- 2.96
NFLX’s P/E Ratio of 48.49 is within the middle range for the Entertainment 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)
CSCO
4.80
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.86
- Q3
- 6.24
- Median
- 2.44
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.48
CSCO’s P/S Ratio of 4.80 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.
NFLX
11.92
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 12.34
- Q3
- 7.67
- Median
- 5.06
- Q1
- 2.72
- Min
- 0.67
NFLX’s P/S Ratio of 11.92 is in the upper echelon for the Entertainment 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 (MRQ)
CSCO
5.74
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.28
- Q3
- 5.73
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 2.02
- Min
- 0.42
CSCO’s P/B Ratio of 5.74 is in the upper tier for the Communications 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.
NFLX
22.84
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 22.84
- Q3
- 10.54
- Median
- 6.60
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.65
NFLX’s P/B Ratio of 22.84 is in the upper tier for the Entertainment 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CSCO | NFLX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 26.70 | 48.49 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.80 | 11.92 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.74 | 22.84 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 20.45 | 58.46 |