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Head-to-head · Stock vs Stock

Arista Networks vs Cisco Systems

Stock·NYSE

Arista Networks Inc ANET

$168.86 ▼ 8.34%
Hold
58 / 100 AI score
Full ANET analysis →
vs

Stock·NASDAQ

Cisco Systems Inc CSCO

$104.51 ▼ 3.76%
Hold
58 / 100 AI score
Full CSCO analysis →
01

ANET vs CSCO: the verdict

How ANET and CSCO compare today, and what CleaRank Financial AI makes of it.

The verdict

CleaRank Financial AI Level on score
ANET CSCO
58/100 AI score 58/100
+6.6% 1-year change +43.3%
59.6% Volatility (30d, yearly) 36.7%
35.7 RSI (14-day) 39.5
53.3x P/E ratio 31.5x
None Dividend yield 1.60%
The verdict
Arista Networks Inc (ANET) and Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO) land on the same CleaRank score, 58/100 each, which gives both a Hold rating.
Outlook
ANET sits between its 50-day average at $195.22 and its 200-day at $165.17. CSCO sits between its 50-day average at $110.00 and its 200-day at $101.18.
02

Price, side by side

Both prices start at 0% on the first day of the period you pick, so the moves compare directly.

Rebased price

Nov '25Jan '26Mar '26Jun '26Aug '26Oct '26
ANET CSCO

Over 1 year: ANET gained 6.6% and CSCO gained 43.3%, a gap of 36.8 points in CSCO's favour.

03

Valuation and profitability

What each costs relative to its earnings and sales, and how much of its revenue it keeps.

Side by side

Valuation

Lower multiples mean you pay less for each dollar of earnings or sales.

ANET CSCO
$213.0B Market cap $412.0B
53.3x P/E ratio 31.5x
20.2x Price / sales 6.5x
15.7x Price / book 8.2x
47.2x EV / EBITDA 23.8x

Profitability

How much of each dollar of revenue becomes profit, and how hard the capital works.

ANET CSCO
+37.7% Revenue growth (quarter, y/y) +12.0%
38.4% Net margin 21.0%
31.5% Return on equity 27.3%
14.1% Return on assets 8.0%
0.00 Debt / equity 0.62
On valuation
ANET trades on the higher trailing P/E, 53.27 against 31.49 for CSCO. Against a Technology median of 35.1, ANET's P/E is at a premium to peers and CSCO's is broadly in line with peers. On sales, ANET is valued higher, at 20.20 times against 6.53. CSCO is the larger company, worth $412.0B against $213.0B.
On profitability
Profitability favors ANET on two counts. It turns a bigger share of its sales into profit, with a net margin of 38.37% against 20.95% at CSCO, and its return on equity is higher at 31.48% against 27.32%. Revenue growth in the latest quarter, year on year, was 37.70% at ANET and 11.96% at CSCO. On the income side, no dividend is reported in our data for ANET, while CSCO carries a trailing dividend yield of 1.60%.

Earnings reality check

ANET

ANET beat the estimate in 8 of its last 8 reports (latest Aug '26); the shares fell the next session after 5 of those beats.

Surprise
Next session
Feb '25Aug '25Feb '26Aug '26

CSCO

CSCO beat the estimate in 8 of its last 8 reports (latest Aug '26); the shares fell the next session after 4 of those beats.

Surprise
Next session
Feb '25Aug '25Feb '26Aug '26
04

Momentum and sentiment

The indicators behind each AI score, side by side.

Indicators side by side

ANET CSCO
58/100 AI score 58/100
35.7 RSI (14-day) 39.5
-13.5% Price against 50-day average -5.0%
+2.2% Price against 200-day average +3.3%
Technicals
ANET is in a mixed trend, trading 13.50% below its 50-day average and 2.23% above its 200-day average. Its 14-day RSI is 35.7, in the bearish zone, with the MACD line negative. CSCO is in a mixed trend, trading 4.99% below its 50-day average and 3.29% above its 200-day average. Its 14-day RSI is 39.5, in the bearish zone, with the MACD line negative. CSCO sits higher in its 52-week range, at 57% against 53% for ANET.
Sentiment
Of the 32 analysts covering ANET, 31 rate it buy, 1 hold and 0 sell; their median target is $248.00, 46.9% above the price. Of the 29 analysts covering CSCO, 19 rate it buy, 10 hold and 0 sell; their median target is $135.00, 29.2% above the price.
05

Risk and practical tips

How much each moves, how much return each has paid for that risk, and what to watch if you hold either.

Risk measures

ANET CSCO
59.6% Volatility (30d, yearly) 36.7%
1.61 Beta against the S&P 500 0.98
0.74 Sharpe ratio 1.15
Risk
ANET moves more on an average day, 3.13% against 2.11% for CSCO. Against the S&P 500, ANET has a beta of 1.61 and CSCO 0.98. Their worst falls in the price history were 50.4% for ANET (January 2025 to April 2025) and 41.1% for CSCO (July 2019 to March 2020). On these measures together, ANET is the riskier of the two.
ProTips
  1. For ANET, watch the 20-day EMA at $187.24 above the price and the 200-day SMA at $165.17 below it.
  2. For CSCO, watch the 20-day EMA at $109.32 above the price and the 200-day SMA at $101.18 below it.
06

ANET vs CSCO: long-term scenarios

Simulated paths from each price history. A range of outcomes, not a forecast.

Simulated growth of $10,000

202620282030203220342036
ANET median ANET 90th CSCO median CSCO 90th
ANET CSCO
$4,705 Downside, 2036 (10th) $7,811
$30,453 Base case, 2036 (median) $23,056
$197,087 Upside, 2036 (90th) $68,055

In the median simulated path, $10,000 in ANET grows to about $30,500 and $10,000 in CSCO to about $23,100 by 2036. The paths come from each asset's own historical volatility and trend; they are statistical outcomes, not forecasts.

07

Trade plans for both

Entry, stop and target levels from each moving average and its volatility. Educational, not advice.

Actionable Trade Plans

Select Your Trade Bias
Risk Tolerance
Conservative 3% Aggressive
Portfolio Value
$ ✎
Position Size: $200 - $300 per asset
ANET
Current: $168.86
ENTRY ZONES
$160.42
$168.86
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$155.60
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5% from current
$177.30
+10% from current
$185.75
+15% from current
$194.19
CSCO
Current: $104.51
ENTRY ZONES
$99.28
$104.51
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$96.31
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5% from current
$109.74
+10% from current
$114.96
+15% from current
$120.19
Disclaimer
The content is for educational purposes only. ANET is the more volatile asset here, and volatile prices can move sharply in either direction. Trading involves risk of loss.

Note: The AI favored ANET based on relative valuation, on today's data.
08

ANET vs CSCO: questions people ask

Answered from the figures on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, ANET or CSCO?+
They score the same on CleaRank's model, 58/100. This describes the data on this page and is not a personal recommendation.
Which has performed better over the past year, ANET or CSCO?+
CSCO has done better: its price rose 43.34% over the past year, while ANET rose 6.58%.
Which is cheaper on earnings, ANET or CSCO?+
CSCO trades on the lower trailing P/E, 31.49 against 53.27 for ANET.
Which pays more income, ANET or CSCO?+
CSCO offers the higher yield at 1.60%, and no yield is reported for ANET. Yield is the payout divided by the price, so it moves whenever either of those does.
Which is riskier, ANET or CSCO?+
ANET is the riskier of the two on the measures we track. Average daily move: 3.13% for ANET, 2.11% for CSCO. Beta against the S&P 500: 1.61 for ANET, 0.98 for CSCO. Worst fall in the price history: 50.4% for ANET, 41.1% for CSCO.
Which has stronger momentum right now, ANET or CSCO?+
CSCO's 14-day RSI is higher, at 39.5 (bearish), against 35.7 (bearish) for ANET. The MACD line is negative for both. Readings above 70 or below 30 signal stretched momentum.
Which is the bigger company, ANET or CSCO?+
CSCO is larger, with a market value of $412.0B against $213.0B for ANET.
What do analysts say about ANET and CSCO?+
Of ANET's 32 analysts, 31 rate it a buy, and its median target sits 46.9% above the price. For CSCO, 19 of 29 analysts rate it a buy, and the median target is 29.2% above the price.
How would $10,000 have grown in ANET or CSCO?+
Invested in October 2016, $10,000 would be worth $318,791 today in ANET and $45,543 in CSCO.

Disclaimer: CleaRank.com is a financial data and analytics provider, not a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, or financial regulatory body. This AI-generated comparison of ANET vs CSCO is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or an offer to buy or sell any securities or digital assets. The comparison metrics, trade plans, and AI signals are hypothetical, hindsight-based, and simulated. Different asset classes carry different risk profiles - stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and forex each have unique regulatory frameworks and risk factors. Market data is provided "as-is" and may be delayed by 15 minutes or more. Past performance does not guarantee future results. You should never invest money you cannot afford to lose. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Analysis generated on October 31, 2026.

Disclaimer:

Engaging in financial markets carries significant risk of total capital loss. Markets are volatile, unpredictable, and past success does not guarantee future results. Never invest funds you cannot afford to lose. CleaRank does not offer financial, investment, or advisory services. We provide no recommendations, endorsements, or guarantees regarding market outcomes. You alone are responsible for your decisions.

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