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

Updated on October 3, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	CSCO	WFC
Company Name	Cisco Systems, Inc.	Wells Fargo & Company
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Financials
GICS Industry	Communications Equipment	Banks
Market Capitalization	271.78 billion USD	272.32 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	February 16, 1990	June 1, 1972
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CSCO and WFC 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. WFC: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	WFC
5-Day Price Return	1.33%	-4.09%
13-Week Price Return	-0.51%	-0.76%
26-Week Price Return	11.97%	11.88%
52-Week Price Return	29.18%	43.16%
Month-to-Date Return	0.48%	-3.52%
Year-to-Date Return	16.13%	15.13%
10-Day Avg. Volume	21.60M	14.36M
3-Month Avg. Volume	19.74M	15.91M
3-Month Volatility	18.80%	24.42%
Beta	0.87	1.14

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.

WFC

11.36%

Banks Industry

Max: 25.40%
Q3: 15.55%
Median: 12.00%
Q1: 8.98%
Min: -0.10%

WFC’s Return on Equity of 11.36% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

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

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.

WFC

22.19%

Banks Industry

Max: 54.20%
Q3: 35.73%
Median: 28.97%
Q1: 22.56%
Min: 6.98%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Banks industry, WFC’s Net Profit Margin of 22.19% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

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

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.

WFC

25.35%

Banks Industry

Max: 63.35%
Q3: 44.73%
Median: 37.24%
Q1: 28.25%
Min: 12.28%

WFC’s Operating Profit Margin of 25.35% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	WFC
Return on Equity (TTM)	22.18%	11.36%
Return on Assets (TTM)	8.37%	1.06%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	17.97%	22.19%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	20.76%	25.35%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	64.94%	--

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.

WFC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

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

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

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.

WFC

2.01

Banks Industry

Max: 5.78
Q3: 2.66
Median: 1.05
Q1: 0.40
Min: 0.00

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

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

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.

WFC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

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

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	WFC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.00	--
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.91	--
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.60	2.01
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	22.76	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

CSCO vs. WFC: 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. WFC: 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

2.37%

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.

WFC

2.41%

Banks Industry

Max: 11.03%
Q3: 6.00%
Median: 3.87%
Q1: 2.41%
Min: 0.00%

WFC’s Dividend Yield of 2.41% is consistent with its peers in the Banks industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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

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.

WFC

31.00%

Banks Industry

Max: 134.24%
Q3: 79.39%
Median: 55.09%
Q1: 36.09%
Min: 0.00%

WFC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.00% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	WFC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.37%	2.41%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	63.23%	31.00%

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.

WFC

12.84

Banks Industry

Max: 22.69
Q3: 13.75
Median: 10.32
Q1: 7.73
Min: 2.59

WFC’s P/E Ratio of 12.84 is within the middle range for the Banks 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. WFC: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Banks industry benchmarks.

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.

WFC

1.91

Banks Industry

Max: 4.90
Q3: 2.98
Median: 2.24
Q1: 1.59
Min: 0.45

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.

CSCO vs. WFC: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Banks industry benchmarks.

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.

WFC

1.42

Banks Industry

Max: 2.09
Q3: 1.40
Median: 1.11
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.29

WFC’s P/B Ratio of 1.42 is in the upper tier for the Banks 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.

CSCO vs. WFC: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Banks industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	WFC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	26.70	12.84
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	4.80	1.91
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	5.74	1.42
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	20.45	17.44