CiscoCSCOCOMMENTNov 29, 2016Stock 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.
They have a massive balance sheet, $27 billion in cash, right now, but it is all held overseas. 3.3% dividend yield. The major player in the Internet of Things. They dominate the router and switches space. If Trump is able to get a tax holiday, where companies can repatriate cash, that is going to be a massive windfall for this company. Their balance sheet is AA rated. They have enough buying power to do acquisitions and navigate through the storm. The wave of the Internet of Things is real, and this is a key player.