The Goldman Sachs Group Issues Positive Forecast for Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) Stock Price

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) had its price objective raised by The Goldman Sachs Group from $116.00 to $125.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning,MarketScreener reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the network equipment provider’s stock.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on CSCO. DZ Bank upgraded Cisco Systems to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 13th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Cisco Systems from $95.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, May 14th. HSBC upgraded Cisco Systems from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $77.00 to $137.00 in a report on Friday, May 15th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Cisco Systems from $91.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, May 14th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on Cisco Systems from $114.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $119.50.

Cisco Systems Stock Down 1.2%

Shares of NASDAQ:CSCO opened at $126.50 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 0.92. Cisco Systems has a 1 year low of $63.87 and a 1 year high of $129.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $498.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.07, a PEG ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 1.01. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $96.27 and a 200-day simple moving average of $84.33.

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 13th. The network equipment provider reported $1.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.03. Cisco Systems had a return on equity of 28.44% and a net margin of 20.14%.The business had revenue of $15.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $15.56 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.96 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.0% on a year-over-year basis. Cisco Systems has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.160-1.180 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.270-4.290 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Cisco Systems will post 3.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Cisco Systems Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 22nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 6th will be issued a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 6th. Cisco Systems’s dividend payout ratio is currently 54.55%.

Insider Transactions at Cisco Systems

In other Cisco Systems news, EVP Thimaya K. Subaiya sold 1,744 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.07, for a total value of $134,410.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 156,693 shares in the company, valued at $12,076,329.51. This represents a 1.10% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Oliver Tuszik sold 3,132 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.74, for a total value of $249,745.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 188,613 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $15,040,000.62. This represents a 1.63% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 51,324 shares of company stock worth $5,559,834 over the last 90 days. 0.01% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cisco Systems

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Intesa Sanpaolo Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Cisco Systems during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. MidAtlantic Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Cisco Systems during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Networth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Cisco Systems by 276.4% during the 1st quarter. Networth Advisors LLC now owns 335 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 246 shares during the last quarter. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Cisco Systems by 137.0% during the 1st quarter. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC now owns 346 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in shares of Cisco Systems during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 73.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Cisco Systems

Here are the key news stories impacting Cisco Systems this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Cisco introduced Cloud Control, a unified “agentic” platform for managing and defending critical IT infrastructure, reinforcing its push into AI-driven networking and enterprise automation. Cisco Unveils Agentic Platform for Operating and Defending Critical IT Infrastructure
• Positive Sentiment: The company also rolled out Live Protect and other cybersecurity tools designed to defend against AI-powered attacks, which could support future security software revenue. Cisco launches platform to defend against AI-powered cyber threats
• Positive Sentiment: Cisco highlighted a major AI networking opportunity, saying AI agents generate far more traffic than humans, which suggests stronger demand for its networking gear and related services. Cisco highlights AI networking opportunity as agents generate 450 percent more traffic than humans
• Positive Sentiment: HSBC upgraded Cisco Systems (CSCO) to Buy and sharply raised its price target, citing a stronger-than-expected AI infrastructure demand trend. HSBC Upgrades Cisco Systems (CSCO) on Surging AI Infrastructure Demand
• Neutral Sentiment: Goldman Sachs raised its price target on Cisco but kept a Neutral rating, signaling support for the name without a strong bullish call. Goldman Sachs adjusts price target on Cisco Systems to 125 from 116
• Neutral Sentiment: Trade chatter and options activity show strong investor interest, but these signals are more reflective of momentum than a clear fundamental change. 3 Stocks At The Center Of Trump’s AI Security Order
• Negative Sentiment: The stock has also run up sharply in recent weeks, so some of the AI optimism may already be priced in despite the company’s strong execution. Cisco Systems (CSCO) Is Up 8.2% After Record AI-Focused Quarter And New Cloud Control Platform – Has The Bull Case Changed?

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc is a global technology company that designs, manufactures and sells networking hardware, software and telecommunications equipment. Its core business focuses on enabling enterprise and service-provider networks through products such as routers, switches, network security appliances and wireless systems. Over time Cisco has broadened its portfolio to emphasize software-defined networking, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure and edge computing solutions that help organizations build and manage modern IT environments.

In addition to hardware, Cisco offers a growing range of software platforms and subscription services for network management, security, analytics and collaboration.