The Goldman Sachs Group Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) Stock

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) had its price target increased by analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from $116.00 to $125.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday,MarketScreener reports. The firm currently has a “neutral” rating on the network equipment provider’s stock. The Goldman Sachs Group’s price target indicates a potential downside of 1.47% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently commented on CSCO. Barclays lifted their target price on Cisco Systems from $76.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, May 14th. Zacks Research cut shares of Cisco Systems from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, April 13th. Erste Group Bank lowered shares of Cisco Systems from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Cisco Systems from $90.00 to $112.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. Finally, Bank of America upped their target price on Cisco Systems from $114.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 26th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company’s 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 Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:CSCO traded down $1.13 on Wednesday, hitting $126.87. 6,096,426 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 23,446,385. The firm has a market capitalization of $500.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. Cisco Systems has a 1-year low of $63.87 and a 1-year high of $128.22. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $94.31 and its 200 day moving average price is $83.61.

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 company had revenue of $15.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.56 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.96 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue 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. Sell-side analysts predict that Cisco Systems will post 3.54 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Charles Robbins sold 21,400 shares of Cisco Systems stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.03, for a total value of $2,568,642.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 637,085 shares in the company, valued at $76,469,312.55. This trade represents a 3.25% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Thimaya K. Subaiya sold 1,744 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.07, for a total transaction of $134,410.08. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 156,693 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,076,329.51. This trade represents a 1.10% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 51,324 shares of company stock worth $5,559,834. Insiders own 0.01% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cisco Systems

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

Trending Headlines about Cisco Systems

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

• Positive Sentiment: HSBC upgraded Cisco to Buy and lifted its price target to $137 from $77, saying AI infrastructure demand is stronger than expected and has materially improved Cisco’s growth outlook. HSBC Upgrades Cisco Systems (CSCO) on Surging AI Infrastructure Demand
• Positive Sentiment: Cisco reported a record AI-focused quarter, beat earnings expectations, raised its AI infrastructure orders target, and launched new products including Cloud Control and Live Protect, which investors are reading as evidence that Cisco is turning AI demand into real revenue momentum. Cisco Systems (CSCO) Is Up 8.2% After Record AI-Focused Quarter And New Cloud Control Platform – Has The Bull Case Changed?
• Positive Sentiment: At Cisco Live, the company unveiled an agentic AI platform for managing and defending critical IT infrastructure, reinforcing its strategy to combine networking, automation, and cybersecurity into a unified AI platform. Cisco Unveils Agentic Platform for Operating and Defending Critical IT Infrastructure
• Positive Sentiment: The company also launched Live Protect to help customers defend against AI-powered cyber threats, which could support longer-term security software growth and deepen customer demand. Cisco Live Protect cybersecurity software to combat AI-powered attacks
• Neutral Sentiment: Unusual call buying in Cisco options suggests traders are positioning for more upside, but this is more a sign of bullish sentiment than a direct business catalyst.
• Neutral Sentiment: New government scrutiny of frontier AI cybersecurity risks may increase attention on the sector, but the executive order is voluntary and does not appear to be a direct negative for Cisco. 3 Stocks At The Center Of Trump’s AI Security Order

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.