Arista Networks (ANET) 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 Arista Networks (ANET) over the past year, gaining 70.2% versus a gain of 48.6%. Over five years, ANET leads with a +786.0% price change compared with +112.5% for CSCO. Cisco Systems is the larger company by market cap ($462.82 billion vs $272.21 billion), about 1.7 times the size, while Arista Networks is growing revenue faster (+28.6% vs +11.8%).
On valuation, Cisco Systems trades at a lower forward P/E (20.9x vs 41.5x for Arista Networks). Cisco Systems pays a dividend yielding 1.41%, while Arista Networks does not currently pay one. Arista Networks converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 39.0% 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 | ANET | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $215.83 | $117.39 |
| Market cap | $272.21B | $462.82B |
| 1-day change | +0.22% | -0.47% |
| YTD return | +64.72% | +52.40% |
| 1-year return | +48.55% | +70.16% |
| 5-year return | +785.96% | +112.47% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 68.09 | 35.25 |
| Forward P/E | 41.49 | 20.89 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.17 | $3.33 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.41% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.66 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $9.01B | $63.33B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +28.60% | +11.77% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $3.51B | $13.27B |
| Gross margin | 64.06% | 64.52% |
| Operating margin | 42.82% | 24.27% |
| Net margin | 38.99% | 20.95% |
| 52-week high | $217.32 | $130.37 |
| 52-week low | $114.52 | $66.81 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -0.68% | -9.96% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.38% | +15.99% |
| Average volume | 6.24M | 19.60M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.26B | 3.94B |
| Employees | 5,115 | 82,400 |
| Sector | Telecommunications | Telecommunications |
| Industry | Computer Communications Equipment | 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
- CSCO has outperformed ANET by 21.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Arista Networks trades at a higher earnings multiple (68.1x vs 35.3x trailing P/E).
- Cisco Systems offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.41% vs 0.00%).
- Arista Networks is more profitable, keeping 39.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 21.0 cents for Cisco Systems.
- Arista Networks grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+28.60% vs +11.77%).
About Arista Networks
ANET stock →Arista Networks, Inc. engages in the development, marketing, and sale of data-driven, client to cloud networking solutions for AI, data center, campus, and routing environments in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific.
Telecommunications · Computer Communications Equipment · 5,115 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
ANET vs CSCO FAQ
Which is bigger, Arista Networks or Cisco Systems?
Cisco Systems (CSCO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $462.82B compared with $272.21B for Arista Networks (ANET).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ANET or CSCO?
CSCO returned +70.16% over the past 12 months, compared with +48.55% for ANET (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ANET or CSCO?
CSCO has the lower trailing P/E at 35.3, versus 68.1 for ANET. 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, Arista Networks or Cisco Systems?
Cisco Systems pays a dividend yielding 1.41%, while Arista Networks does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Arista Networks and Cisco Systems in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Computer Communications Equipment industry within the Telecommunications sector.