CSCO vs. PSTG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CSCO and PSTG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CSCO | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Cisco Systems, Inc. | Pure Storage, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Communications Equipment | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals |
| Market Capitalization | 265.76 billion USD | 18.15 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 16, 1990 | October 6, 2015 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CSCO and PSTG 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 | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -3.16% | -4.01% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 4.99% | -1.32% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 5.12% | -17.78% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 34.27% | -10.38% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.42% | -6.70% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 13.36% | -9.60% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 27.80M | 1.91M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 20.51M | 2.47M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 19.17% | 35.68% |
| Beta | 0.98 | 1.19 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CSCO
22.74%
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 22.74% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
PSTG
9.44%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 47.24%
- Q3
- 29.40%
- Median
- 9.11%
- Q1
- 6.06%
- Min
- -0.79%
PSTG’s Return on Equity of 9.44% is on par with the norm for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CSCO
18.45%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 14.32%
- Median
- 5.31%
- Q1
- 1.45%
- Min
- -12.72%
A Net Profit Margin of 18.45% places CSCO in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
PSTG
3.93%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.86%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.62%
- Q1
- 3.65%
- Min
- -0.21%
PSTG’s Net Profit Margin of 3.93% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CSCO
21.38%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 42.27%
- Q3
- 18.90%
- Median
- 6.21%
- Q1
- 2.97%
- Min
- -20.72%
An Operating Profit Margin of 21.38% 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.
PSTG
2.95%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 17.80%
- Q3
- 10.33%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- 2.53%
PSTG’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.95% is in the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CSCO | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 22.74% | 9.44% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.58% | 3.32% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.45% | 3.93% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.38% | 2.95% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 65.56% | 69.26% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CSCO
1.01
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 1.72
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.18
- Min
- 0.93
CSCO’s Current Ratio of 1.01 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.
PSTG
1.61
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 2.47
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.70
PSTG’s Current Ratio of 1.61 aligns with the median group of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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
- 1.55
- Q3
- 0.92
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.30
- 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.
PSTG
0.08
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.47
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.19
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, PSTG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.08 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CSCO
20.35
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 181.73
- Q3
- 113.63
- Median
- 7.59
- Q1
- 3.82
- Min
- -5.39
CSCO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 20.35 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
PSTG
-2.95
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 204.63
- Q3
- 90.22
- Median
- 21.70
- Q1
- 6.79
- Min
- -23.93
PSTG has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -2.95. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CSCO | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.01 | 1.61 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.92 | 1.40 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.60 | 0.08 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 20.35 | -2.95 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CSCO
2.42%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.88%
- Q3
- 2.75%
- Median
- 0.93%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSCO’s Dividend Yield of 2.42% is consistent with its peers in the Communications Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
PSTG
0.00%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.50%
- Q3
- 3.66%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PSTG 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
61.58%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 111.16%
- Q3
- 55.91%
- Median
- 28.42%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSCO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 61.58% 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.
PSTG
0.00%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 142.87%
- Q3
- 66.07%
- Median
- 42.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PSTG 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 | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.42% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 61.58% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CSCO
25.42
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 57.30
- Q3
- 47.92
- Median
- 27.50
- Q1
- 17.89
- Min
- 13.89
CSCO’s P/E Ratio of 25.42 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.
PSTG
142.37
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.16
- Q3
- 27.56
- Median
- 17.85
- Q1
- 12.48
- Min
- 6.21
At 142.37, PSTG’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CSCO
4.69
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.03
- Q3
- 5.53
- Median
- 2.20
- Q1
- 0.99
- Min
- 0.40
CSCO’s P/S Ratio of 4.69 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.
PSTG
5.59
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.27
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.04
With a P/S Ratio of 5.59, PSTG trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CSCO
5.71
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 9.66
- Q3
- 5.60
- Median
- 3.73
- Q1
- 2.67
- Min
- 0.30
CSCO’s P/B Ratio of 5.71 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.
PSTG
12.51
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 12.51
- Q3
- 6.11
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.31
PSTG’s P/B Ratio of 12.51 is in the upper tier for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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 | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 25.42 | 142.37 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.69 | 5.59 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.71 | 12.51 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 20.00 | 32.15 |