Apple (AAPL) vs Cisco Systems (CSCO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Cisco Systems (CSCO) has outperformed Apple (AAPL) over the past year, gaining 70.2% versus a gain of 31.3%. Over five years, AAPL leads with a +132.4% price change compared with +112.5% for CSCO. Apple is the larger company by market cap ($4.97 trillion vs $452.96 billion), about 11.0 times the size, while Cisco Systems is growing revenue faster (+11.8% vs +6.4%).
On valuation, Cisco Systems trades at a lower forward P/E (20.4x vs 35.5x for Apple). Cisco Systems offers the higher dividend yield (1.44% vs 0.31%). Apple converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 26.9% versus 21.0%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AAPL | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $340.42 | $114.89 |
| Market cap | $4.97T | $452.96B |
| 1-day change | +1.11% | -2.13% |
| YTD return | +23.84% | +52.40% |
| 1-year return | +31.27% | +70.16% |
| 5-year return | +132.44% | +112.47% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 39.04 | 34.50 |
| Forward P/E | 35.51 | 20.44 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.72 | $3.33 |
| Dividend yield | 0.31% | 1.44% |
| Annual dividend | $1.05 | $1.66 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $416.16B | $63.33B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.43% | +11.77% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $112.01B | $13.27B |
| Gross margin | 46.91% | 64.52% |
| Operating margin | 31.97% | 24.27% |
| Net margin | 26.92% | 20.95% |
| 52-week high | $345.34 | $130.37 |
| 52-week low | $243.42 | $66.81 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -1.42% | -11.87% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -3.62% | +18.51% |
| Average volume | 45.41M | 19.57M |
| Shares outstanding | 14.59B | 3.94B |
| Employees | 150,000 | 82,400 |
| Sector | Technology | Telecommunications |
| Industry | Computer Manufacturing | Computer Communications Equipment |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Apple is about 11.0 times larger than Cisco Systems by market value ($4.97T vs $452.96B).
- CSCO has outperformed AAPL by 38.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Cisco Systems offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.44% vs 0.31%).
- Apple is more profitable, keeping 26.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 21.0 cents for Cisco Systems.
- Cisco Systems grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+11.77% vs +6.43%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Apple in Technology and Cisco Systems in Telecommunications.
About Apple
AAPL stock →Apple Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables, and accessories worldwide.
Technology · Computer Manufacturing · 150,000 employees
About Cisco Systems
CSCO stock →Cisco Systems, Inc. designs, develops, and sells technologies to power, help, secure, and draw insights from the internet in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, Japan, and China.
Telecommunications · Computer Communications Equipment · 82,400 employees
AAPL vs CSCO FAQ
Which is bigger, Apple or Cisco Systems?
Apple (AAPL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.97T compared with $452.96B for Cisco Systems (CSCO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AAPL or CSCO?
CSCO returned +70.16% over the past 12 months, compared with +31.27% for AAPL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AAPL or CSCO?
CSCO has the lower trailing P/E at 34.5, versus 39.0 for AAPL. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Apple or Cisco Systems?
Cisco Systems has the higher yield at 1.44%, compared with 0.31% for Apple.
Are Apple and Cisco Systems in the same industry?
No. Apple is in the Technology sector, while Cisco Systems is in Telecommunications.