CiscoCSCOPAST TOP PICKOct 29, 2015Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Sep 04, 2026. Market Open.
Like Apple it was sort of a sleeper last year. It sells processes and analogue chips, very different than GPU's. Is involved in networking products and services. The AI stack explosion needed their products and technology. It is fully priced according to analysts' price targets.
Kudos on that choice, because it's not been a market darling (since the dot-com bubble). Riding coattails of stronger players in the space, catching the halo effect. The old adage: "No one ever went broke taking a profit" -- good risk management.
Prefers, and owns, ANET.
Part of IT infrastructure, but $27B acquisition of Splunk really helped drive security business. Finally hit a new high (previous high was March 27, 2000). Phenomenal allocator of capital. Compelling buy. Every year, buys back stock and raises dividend.
Finally growing revenues again, he's looking for mid-high single-digit revenue growth. AI will bring a much higher recurring revenue stream. Its solutions are so embedded in businesses, he's not worried about clients trying to go it alone with AI.
(Top Pick Feb 27/15, Up 0.86%) He is okay with the return given the short period of time. He is still buying it for new clients. With increased use of smart phones CSCO-Q benefits from networking infrastructure. Their cyber security business was up 20%. It is reasonable at these prices and you get a decent dividend. They have a strong brand and moving from hardware to software is not the only thing they are trying to do in terms of transition. He is okay with the CEO leaving.