CSCO vs. WDC: Cisco Systems vs. Western Digital Stock Comparison
How do Cisco Systems (CSCO) and Western Digital (WDC) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Cisco Systems (CSCO) and Western Digital (WDC) both fall under the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group, but CSCO is classified in Communications Equipment while WDC is classified in Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals.
| Profile Item | CSCO | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Cisco Systems, Inc. | Western Digital Corporation |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Technology Hardware & Equipment | Technology Hardware & Equipment |
| GICS Industry | Communications Equipment | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Communications Equipment | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals |
| Market Capitalization | 462.96 billion USD | 220.16 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | February 16, 1990 | October 31, 1978 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | CSCO | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 73.20% | 900.86% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Western Digital (WDC) carries a highly aggressive beta of 2.12, indicating much higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, whereas Cisco Systems (CSCO) is closer to market-like at 1.02 — a noticeable difference in market-sensitivity profile.
Risk Metrics
| Metric | CSCO | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 31.52% | 70.78% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.02 | 2.12 |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 23.96M | 8.45M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both companies show strong equity returns, but Western Digital (WDC) at 85.92% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 25.23% also sits in the top quartile.
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
25.23%
- Max
- 44.16%
- CSCO
- 25.23%
- Q3
- 19.25%
- Median
- 10.96%
- Q1
- 0.71%
- Min
- -25.92%
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
85.92%
- WDC
- 85.92%
- Max
- 44.16%
- Q3
- 19.25%
- Median
- 10.96%
- Q1
- 0.71%
- Min
- -25.92%
Net Margin (TTM)
Western Digital (WDC) at 55.29% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 19.69% also retains a top-quartile share.
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
19.69%
- Max
- 30.43%
- CSCO
- 19.69%
- Q3
- 12.33%
- Median
- 4.57%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- -14.09%
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
55.29%
- WDC
- 55.29%
- Max
- 30.43%
- Q3
- 12.33%
- Median
- 4.57%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- -14.09%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Western Digital (WDC) at 37.01% shows unusually strong operating efficiency — above its industry’s operating margin range — and Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 24.99% also operates in the top quartile.
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
24.99%
- Max
- 35.67%
- CSCO
- 24.99%
- Q3
- 15.50%
- Median
- 6.62%
- Q1
- 1.99%
- Min
- -18.24%
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
37.01%
- WDC
- 37.01%
- Max
- 35.67%
- Q3
- 15.50%
- Median
- 6.62%
- Q1
- 1.99%
- Min
- -18.24%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | CSCO | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 25.23% | 85.92% |
| ROA (TTM) | 7.34% | 14.65% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 19.69% | 55.29% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 24.99% | 37.01% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 64.30% | 45.43% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth Metrics
| Metric | CSCO | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 5.30% | 50.70% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 3.19% | -20.28% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth Metrics
| Metric | CSCO | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 2.76% | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -2.55% | 2.66% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Western Digital (WDC) at 1.49 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 0.93 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for CSCO.
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.93
- Max
- 5.80
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 1.90
- Q1
- 1.27
- CSCO
- 0.93
- Min
- 0.40
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
1.49
- Max
- 5.80
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 1.90
- WDC
- 1.49
- Q1
- 1.27
- Min
- 0.40
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Both Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 0.68 and Western Digital (WDC) at 0.18 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.68
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 0.88
- CSCO
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.06
- Min
- 0.00
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.18
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 0.88
- Median
- 0.31
- WDC
- 0.18
- Q1
- 0.06
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | CSCO | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.93 | 1.49 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.68 | 0.18 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.96 | -0.39 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Western Digital (WDC) at 0.07% pays an industry-typical yield; Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 1.40% is above its entire peer range — the higher number, but one that calls for a look at payout sustainability before treating it as an advantage.
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
1.40%
- CSCO
- 1.40%
- Max
- 0.72%
- Q3
- 0.35%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.07%
- Max
- 0.72%
- Q3
- 0.35%
- WDC
- 0.07%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Western Digital (WDC) at 2.69% keeps its payout in the industry’s typical band, while Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 55.00% pays out more than any of its peers — the most stretched cover in its group.
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
55.00%
- CSCO
- 55.00%
- Max
- 32.92%
- Q3
- 13.87%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
2.69%
- Max
- 32.92%
- Q3
- 13.87%
- WDC
- 2.69%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | CSCO | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.40% | 0.07% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 55.00% | 2.69% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 39.15 and Western Digital (WDC) at 38.18 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
39.15
- Max
- 164.07
- Q3
- 82.72
- CSCO
- 39.15
- Median
- 38.67
- Q1
- 23.21
- Min
- 8.13
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
38.18
- Max
- 164.07
- Q3
- 82.72
- Median
- 38.67
- WDC
- 38.18
- Q1
- 23.21
- Min
- 8.13
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 7.62 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Western Digital (WDC) at 18.69 sits in the pricier quartile — WDC costs more per dollar of sales.
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
7.62
- Max
- 18.69
- Q3
- 8.50
- CSCO
- 7.62
- Median
- 3.88
- Q1
- 1.49
- Min
- 0.00
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
18.69
- WDC
- 18.69
- Max
- 18.69
- Q3
- 8.50
- Median
- 3.88
- Q1
- 1.49
- Min
- 0.00
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Cisco Systems (CSCO) at 9.47 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Western Digital (WDC) at 30.54 prices above its benchmark range — WDC looks rich relative to book.
CSCO
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
9.47
- Max
- 19.99
- Q3
- 9.52
- CSCO
- 9.47
- Median
- 4.43
- Q1
- 2.28
- Min
- -3.84
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
30.54
- WDC
- 30.54
- Max
- 19.99
- Q3
- 9.52
- Median
- 4.43
- Q1
- 2.28
- Min
- -3.84
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | CSCO | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 39.15 | 38.18 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 7.62 | 18.69 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 9.47 | 30.54 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.01% | 0.94% |