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Relative Intelligence · Communications Equipment

How Cisco Systems (CSCO) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on CSCO alone. It places CSCO (Cisco Systems, Inc.) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where CSCO stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: CSCO's full trading record, from February 1990 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against CSCO →Chart CSCO vs. 20 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

How much would $10,000 in CSCO have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in CSCO over the past 17 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of CSCO over the same span and CSCO's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Note: The chart covers the past 17 years rather than CSCO's full 29 years, because most of its popular alternatives have not traded that long.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2009 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 691 of the 1,927 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of CSCO; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M200920122015201820212024$10,000$100,000$1M20092013201720212025
  • NVDA$7M+66,628% total · +46.6% a year
  • AVGO$3M+28,927% total · +39.6% a year
  • COHR$240,243+2,302% total · +20.6% a year
  • CIEN$216,109+2,061% total · +19.8% a year
  • FFIV$112,330+1,023% total · +15.3% a year
  • VIAV$103,772+938% total · +14.8% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$97,560+876% total · +14.3% a year
  • EXTR$76,608+666% total · +12.7% a year
  • CSCO$71,336+613% total · +12.3% a year
  • ERIC$15,251+52.5% total · +2.5% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 621 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of CSCO; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000202120222023202420252026$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000202120222023202420252026
  • LITE$116,261+1,063% total · +63.3% a year
  • DELL$112,363+1,024% total · +62.2% a year
  • NVDA$110,811+1,008% total · +61.8% a year
  • ANET$94,783+848% total · +56.8% a year
  • CIEN$68,511+585% total · +46.9% a year
  • HPE$51,318+413% total · +38.7% a year
  • PANW$49,770+398% total · +37.8% a year
  • FTNT$30,603+206% total · +25.1% a year
  • CSCO$22,737+127% total · +17.9% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
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CSCO at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$421B
Industry
Communication Equipment
Price history from
February 1990

Returns

Past 1 year
+53.8%total return
Past 3 years
+118%+29.6% a year
Past 5 years
+118%+16.8% a year
Past 10 years
+374%+16.8% a year
Best calendar year
+150%1998
Worst calendar year
−52.6%2001
Losing years
11 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
26.1%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.73return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−89.3%Mar 2000 to Oct 2002
From its all-time high
−17.3%below the peak

CSCO against the whole market

Where CSCO ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does CSCO rank among all stocks?

This section ranks CSCO on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how CSCO stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureCSCORankStanding
1-year return+53.8%500 of 3,287top 15%
3-year return+118%788 of 3,017top 26%
5-year return+118%587 of 2,893top 20%
10-year return+374%449 of 2,202top 20%
Volatility, 5 years26.1%418 of 2,893top 14%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.73403 of 2,893top 14%
Worst decline, past 10 years−42.0%199 of 2,187top 9%

What has beaten CSCO on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). CSCO sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than CSCO with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to CSCO; faint dots are 32 more of the 46 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than CSCOPM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%EWT: +20.4% a year, volatility 24.2%FLTW: +21.8% a year, volatility 24.3%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%ACT: +20.5% a year, volatility 24.3%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%WELL: +26.0% a year, volatility 23.8%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%BTI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.0%BNY: +22.7% a year, volatility 24.4%WMB: +24.6% a year, volatility 24.0%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%MFC: +22.6% a year, volatility 24.0%KMI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.5%AFL: +19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%ETR: +19.2% a year, volatility 22.4%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%ACGL: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.5%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%KOF: +22.3% a year, volatility 24.7%WRB: +18.9% a year, volatility 22.9%MLPX: +18.6% a year, volatility 19.7%IXC: +20.7% a year, volatility 23.2%EUFN: +18.5% a year, volatility 21.8%EWP: +19.2% a year, volatility 20.3%ATMP: +21.2% a year, volatility 21.5%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%ADI: +19.5% a year, volatility 34.1%SMH: +33.4% a year, volatility 36.9%NTAP: +20.9% a year, volatility 35.3%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%IAU: +17.9% a year, volatility 18.9%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%USLM: +35.6% a year, volatility 36.1%CSCOSPY (S&P 500)AAPLADISMHNTAPCIBRLLYCAHABBVWMTNHCIAULVHIUSLM10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than CSCOPM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%EWT: +20.4% a year, volatility 24.2%FLTW: +21.8% a year, volatility 24.3%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%ACT: +20.5% a year, volatility 24.3%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%WELL: +26.0% a year, volatility 23.8%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%BTI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.0%BNY: +22.7% a year, volatility 24.4%WMB: +24.6% a year, volatility 24.0%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%MFC: +22.6% a year, volatility 24.0%KMI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.5%AFL: +19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%ETR: +19.2% a year, volatility 22.4%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%ACGL: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.5%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%KOF: +22.3% a year, volatility 24.7%WRB: +18.9% a year, volatility 22.9%MLPX: +18.6% a year, volatility 19.7%IXC: +20.7% a year, volatility 23.2%EUFN: +18.5% a year, volatility 21.8%EWP: +19.2% a year, volatility 20.3%ATMP: +21.2% a year, volatility 21.5%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%ADI: +19.5% a year, volatility 34.1%SMH: +33.4% a year, volatility 36.9%NTAP: +20.9% a year, volatility 35.3%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%IAU: +17.9% a year, volatility 18.9%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%USLM: +35.6% a year, volatility 36.1%CSCOSPY (S&P 500)ADISMHNTAPCIBRLLYCAHABBVWMTNHCIAULVHIUSLM
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region
  • 5 with more than 1.6× CSCO's volatility are in the table only

Is there a better investment than CSCO?

Investments that beat CSCO over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat CSCO over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks CSCO's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than CSCO follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than CSCO's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× CSCO's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than CSCO's.

Screen the whole market against CSCO for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 19 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with CSCO?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · this page
+16.8%26.1%0.73−42.0%+374%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.600.09%
Popular alternativesbest 5 shownThe investments people most often weigh against CSCO. 5 of 20 passed at least one test.
DELLDell Technologies Inc. · Computer Hardware
On the frontierHigher return in most periods+55.2%54.4%1.08−59.6%+3,701%0.51—
LITELumentum Holdings Inc. · Communications Equipment
On the frontierHigher return in most periods+57.3%64.5%1.03−66.9%+1,904%0.31—
PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc. · Cybersecurity
Higher return in most periods+31.9%43.4%0.86−48.0%+1,274%0.46—
HPEHewlett Packard Enterprise Company · Computer Hardware
Higher return in most periods+32.9%42.2%0.89−56.9%+483%0.58—
FTNTFortinet, Inc. · Cybersecurity
Higher return in most periods+20.7%44.8%0.65−38.3%+2,626%0.54—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 5 shownEverything else in Communications Equipment and the categories next to it (Semiconductors, Electronic Components, Electronics Manufacturing, Computer Hardware), plus CSCO's specific themes. 5 of 83 passed at least one test.
AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware
Higher return in most periods+18.5%28.0%0.75−38.5%+1,168%0.47—
ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. · Semiconductors
Higher return in most periods+19.5%34.1%0.69−33.6%+652%0.37—
SMHVanEck Semiconductor ETF · Semiconductors
Higher return in most periods+33.4%36.9%0.97−45.3%+1,665%0.530.35%
NTAPNetApp, Inc. · Computer Hardware
Higher return in most periods+20.9%35.3%0.71−58.1%+691%0.51—
CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity · Cybersecurity theme
Higher return in most periods+14.1%26.1%0.64−33.9%+454%0.660.58%
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 150 of 3,530 passed at least one test.
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.25—
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.17—
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.18—
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.20—
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+32.0%28.5%1.12−35.3%+394%0.21—
IAUiShares Gold Trust · Gold
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+17.9%18.9%0.97−26.4%+218%0.070.25%
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
On the frontierSimilar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.210.40%
USLMUnited States Lime & Minerals, Inc. · Construction Materials
Smaller losses in recent crashes+35.6%36.1%1.03−45.9%+803%0.15—
What these numbers mean for CSCO
Annual return
CSCO returned 16.8% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $21,800. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
CSCO's volatility over the past 5 years was 26.1%, 1.5 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, CSCO's return lands within 26.1% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
CSCO's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.73, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so CSCO earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
CSCO's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 42.0%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 42.0% fall takes a 72.3% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, CSCO's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.60 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against CSCO instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a CSCO holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 46 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than CSCO with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 36 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with CSCOExpense
1
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.17—
2
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.18—
3
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.22—
4
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.20—
5
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.09—
6
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.08—
7
IAUiShares Gold Trust · Gold
Whole market+17.9%18.9%0.97−26.4%+218%0.070.25%
8
EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity
Whole market+20.4%24.2%0.89−38.9%+468%0.500.59%
9
FLTWFranklin FTSE Taiwan ETF · Technology
Whole market+21.8%24.3%0.94−38.0%—0.510.19%
10
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.7%20.8%0.93−30.9%+499%0.560.13%
11
ACTEnact Holdings Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+20.5%24.3%0.89−20.2%—0.17—
12
CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy
Whole market+19.8%20.9%0.97−58.8%+336%0.130.61%
13
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.21—
14
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · International
Whole market+20.9%19.2%1.09−31.3%+348%0.400.45%
15
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.320.48%
16
WELLWelltower Inc. · Healthcare REITs
Whole market+26.0%23.8%1.09−63.3%+379%0.18—
17
RTXRTX Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+18.6%24.3%0.83−52.0%+317%0.19—
18
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+19.9%22.3%0.93−42.5%+361%0.30—
19
BTIBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. · Tobacco
Whole market+18.7%22.0%0.90−56.1%+98.2%0.15—
20
BNYBank of New York Mellon Corp · Banks
Whole market+22.7%24.4%0.97−50.5%+341%0.37—
21
WMBThe Williams Companies, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.6%24.0%1.04−68.1%+288%0.09—
22
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.2%21.6%0.93−47.3%+395%0.26—
23
MFCManulife Financial Corporation · Life Insurance
Whole market+22.6%24.0%0.97−57.5%+373%0.24—
24
KMIKinder Morgan, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+18.7%22.5%0.88−55.1%+163%0.13—
25
AFLAflac Incorporated · Life Insurance
Whole market+19.0%20.8%0.95−54.9%+335%0.22—
26
ETREntergy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+19.2%22.4%0.90−42.0%+311%0.17—
27
CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages
Whole market+19.7%23.2%0.90−48.8%+292%0.20—
28
ACGLArch Capital Group Ltd. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+20.1%24.5%0.87−53.8%+309%0.05—
29
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds
Whole market+20.6%18.4%1.12−45.7%—0.050.80%
30
KOFCoca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. · Food & Beverages
Whole market+22.3%24.7%0.94−55.1%+119%0.32—
31
WRBW. R. Berkley Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+18.9%22.9%0.87−45.3%+443%0.06—
32
MLPXGlobal X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF · Energy
Whole market+18.6%19.7%0.97−64.6%+186%0.180.45%
33
IXCiShares Global Energy ETF · International
Whole market+20.7%23.2%0.93−64.2%+183%0.050.37%
34
EUFNiShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF · Financial Sector Equity
Whole market+18.5%21.8%0.89−53.2%+233%0.250.49%
35
EWPiShares MSCI Spain ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+19.2%20.3%0.97−46.4%+196%0.250.50%
36
ATMPBarclays ETN+ Select MLP ETN · Broad Market
Whole market+21.2%21.5%1.01−70.3%+172%0.180.95%

CSCO against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against CSCO, compared period by period and year by year.

How do CSCO's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at CSCO, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than CSCO with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityCSCO: 16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%UI: 14.4% a year, volatility 49.2%ERIC: 1.7% a year, volatility 35.7%EXTR: 16.8% a year, volatility 48.8%CALX: −8.3% a year, volatility 48.5%NOK: 11.6% a year, volatility 40.1%NTGR: −7.1% a year, volatility 45.8%ADTN: −17.3% a year, volatility 56.4%FTNT: 20.7% a year, volatility 44.8%DELL: 55.2% a year, volatility 54.4%PANW: 31.9% a year, volatility 43.4%HPE: 32.9% a year, volatility 42.2%LITE: 57.3% a year, volatility 64.5%NVDA: 58.0% a year, volatility 51.9%ANET: 49.0% a year, volatility 49.0%CIEN: 45.2% a year, volatility 52.6%COHR: 31.6% a year, volatility 66.3%AVGO: 48.3% a year, volatility 44.5%FN: 29.2% a year, volatility 57.1%VIAV: 17.9% a year, volatility 47.9%FFIV: 17.1% a year, volatility 30.8%CSCOSPY (S&P 500)UIERICEXTRCALXNOKNTGRADTNFTNTDELLPANWHPELITENVDAANETCIENCOHRAVGOFNVIAVFFIV10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityCSCO: 16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%UI: 14.4% a year, volatility 49.2%ERIC: 1.7% a year, volatility 35.7%EXTR: 16.8% a year, volatility 48.8%CALX: −8.3% a year, volatility 48.5%NOK: 11.6% a year, volatility 40.1%NTGR: −7.1% a year, volatility 45.8%ADTN: −17.3% a year, volatility 56.4%FTNT: 20.7% a year, volatility 44.8%DELL: 55.2% a year, volatility 54.4%PANW: 31.9% a year, volatility 43.4%HPE: 32.9% a year, volatility 42.2%LITE: 57.3% a year, volatility 64.5%NVDA: 58.0% a year, volatility 51.9%ANET: 49.0% a year, volatility 49.0%CIEN: 45.2% a year, volatility 52.6%COHR: 31.6% a year, volatility 66.3%AVGO: 48.3% a year, volatility 44.5%FN: 29.2% a year, volatility 57.1%VIAV: 17.9% a year, volatility 47.9%FFIV: 17.1% a year, volatility 30.8%CSCOSPY (S&P 500)UIERICEXTRCALXNOKNTGRADTNFTNTDELLPANWHPENVDAANETCIENCOHRAVGOFN
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation+58.0%51.9%
LITE Lumentum Holdings Inc.+57.3%64.5%
DELL Dell Technologies Inc.+55.2%54.4%
ANET Arista Networks, Inc.+49.0%49.0%
AVGO Broadcom Inc.+48.3%44.5%
CIEN Ciena Corporation+45.2%52.6%
HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company+32.9%42.2%
PANW Palo Alto Networks, Inc.+31.9%43.4%
COHR Coherent, Inc.+31.6%66.3%
FN Fabrinet+29.2%57.1%
FTNT Fortinet, Inc.+20.7%44.8%
VIAV Viavi Solutions Inc.+17.9%47.9%
FFIV F5, Inc.+17.1%30.8%
CSCO This pageCisco Systems, Inc.+16.8%26.1%
EXTR Extreme Networks, Inc.+16.8%48.8%
UI Ubiquiti Inc.+14.4%49.2%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
NOK Nokia Oyj+11.6%40.1%
ERIC Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)+1.7%35.7%
NTGR NETGEAR, Inc.−7.1%45.8%
CALX Calix, Inc.−8.3%48.5%
ADTN ADTRAN Holdings Inc.−17.3%56.4%
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Has CSCO consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares CSCO with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than CSCO helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than CSCO over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc. (this page)—−3.9%−3.2%+22.6%+42.2%+53.8%+118%+118%+374%26.1%0.73−42.0%—$421B—
FTNT QualifiedFortinet, Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−2.5%+6.6%+107%+119%+101%+203%+156%+2,626%44.8%0.65−38.3%—$125B—
DELL QualifiedDell Technologies Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−19.6%+21.3%+127%+265%+217%+636%+800%+3,701%54.4%1.08−59.6%—$294B—
PANW QualifiedPalo Alto Networks, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−8.5%−2.4%+101%+89.7%+60.6%+180%+299%+1,274%43.4%0.86−48.0%—$278B—
HPE QualifiedHewlett Packard Enterprise Company4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−9.1%+26.3%+103%+135%+150%+296%+315%+483%42.2%0.89−56.9%—$74B—
LITE QualifiedLumentum Holdings Inc.3/5 short3/3 long−13.8%+7.4%−8.1%+113%+411%+2,029%+863%+1,904%64.5%1.03−66.9%—$75B—
NVDA SemiconductorsNVIDIA Corporation1/5 short3/3 long−4.8%+6.6%+7.4%+14.9%+18.8%+425%+884%+13,019%51.9%1.14−66.3%—$5.2T—
ANET Computer HardwareArista Networks, Inc.1/5 short3/3 long−11.8%+7.0%+8.6%+35.6%+23.7%+289%+634%+3,439%49.0%1.06−52.2%—$229B—
CIEN Communication EquipmentCiena Corporation1/5 short3/3 long−6.6%−9.7%−32.1%+39.0%+97.5%+721%+546%+1,600%52.6%0.97−49.5%—$48B—
COHR Hardware, Equipment & PartsCoherent, Inc.1/5 short3/3 long−27.9%−18.8%−33.3%+19.3%+92.8%+648%+295%+795%66.3%0.75−72.2%—$46B—
AVGO SemiconductorsBroadcom Inc.0/5 short3/3 long−7.8%−11.4%−16.0%−3.3%−3.5%+305%+617%+2,380%44.5%1.11−48.3%—$1.6T—
FN Hardware, Equipment & PartsFabrinet0/5 short3/3 long−11.5%−28.1%−49.2%−25.9%−12.8%+121%+260%+732%57.1%0.74−52.4%—$13B—
UI Communication EquipmentUbiquiti Inc.2/5 short2/3 long+3.2%+13.8%−43.9%+7.3%−17.3%+434%+95.9%+1,194%49.2%0.52−72.2%—$37B—
VIAV Communication EquipmentViavi Solutions Inc.2/5 short2/3 long−4.1%−11.9%−22.2%+91.3%+164%+359%+127%+376%47.9%0.58−62.9%—$8.5B—
FFIV Software - InfrastructureF5, Inc.4/5 short1/3 long+1.5%+10.9%+45.4%+78.0%+54.0%+208%+120%+287%30.8%0.67−54.6%—$26B—
ERIC Communication EquipmentTelefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)2/5 short1/3 long+5.5%+12.9%−8.0%+15.6%+15.6%+164%+8.9%+161%35.7%0.23−66.6%—$36B—
EXTR Communication EquipmentExtreme Networks, Inc.1/5 short1/3 long−2.2%−26.6%+21.5%+34.3%+8.7%+6.4%+117%+445%48.8%0.56−87.5%—$2.9B—
CALX Communication EquipmentCalix, Inc.1/5 short1/3 long+1.9%−5.9%−30.0%−32.7%−40.0%−16.6%−35.1%+435%48.5%0.07−65.3%—$2.3B—
NOK Communication EquipmentNokia Oyj1/5 short1/3 long−17.5%−10.2%−14.3%+40.3%+60.8%+211%+72.8%+123%40.1%0.47−62.6%—$49B—
NTGR Communication EquipmentNETGEAR, Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+3.2%−1.3%−14.5%−5.6%−30.0%+109%−30.7%−29.3%45.8%0.06−78.4%—$623M—
ADTN Communication EquipmentADTRAN Holdings Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−8.7%−43.3%−62.7%−24.2%−28.3%−8.7%−61.3%−59.8%56.4%-0.05−82.0%—$536M—
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How did CSCO do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where CSCO ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with CSCO and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of CSCO; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places CSCO among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of CSCO20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
CSCO This pageCisco Systems, Inc.—+33.5%+21.0%+9.3%−22.5%+45.8%−3.5%+13.8%+16.6%+31.3%+15.1%+0.6%+28.0%+16.7%+11.6%−9.6%−15.5%+46.9%−39.8%−1.0%+59.7%−11.4%−20.3%+85.0%−27.7%−52.6%−28.6%+131%+150%+31.2%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 5 of 2911 of 2116 of 2112 of 219 of 2112 of 2119 of 2112 of 2110 of 218 of 2115 of 2012 of 185 of 1711 of 177 of 166 of 1511 of 138 of 116 of 116 of 112 of 118 of 119 of 116 of 103 of 106 of 106 of 107 of 72 of 72 of 6
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF18 of 29+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
FTNT Fortinet, Inc.11 of 16−16.0%+61.4%+19.7%−32.0%+142%+39.2%+51.5%+61.2%+45.2%−3.4%+1.6%+60.1%−8.8%−3.7%+34.6%+84.1%—————————————
DELL Dell Technologies Inc.5 of 9+11.2%+53.0%+95.9%−26.6%+51.3%+42.6%+5.1%+8.6%+47.8%————————————————————
PANW Palo Alto Networks, Inc.8 of 13+1.2%+23.4%+111%−24.8%+56.7%+53.7%+22.8%+29.9%+15.9%−29.0%+43.7%+113%+7.4%————————————————
HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company4 of 10+15.5%+29.1%+9.7%+4.5%+37.4%−21.9%+23.7%−5.7%+8.6%+54.2%———————————————————
LITE Lumentum Holdings Inc.5 of 10+339%+60.2%+0.5%−50.7%+11.6%+19.6%+88.8%−14.1%+26.5%+75.5%———————————————————
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation18 of 26+38.9%+171%+239%−50.2%+125%+122%+76.4%−30.8%+82.5%+228%+67.1%+27.4%+33.5%−11.0%−10.0%−17.6%+131%−76.3%+37.9%+102%+55.2%+1.6%+102%−82.8%+308%+39.6%———
ANET Arista Networks, Inc.8 of 11+18.6%+87.7%+94.1%−15.6%+97.9%+42.9%−3.5%−10.5%+143%+24.2%+28.2%——————————————————
CIEN Ciena Corporation14 of 28+176%+88.4%−11.7%−33.8%+45.6%+23.8%+25.9%+62.0%−14.3%+18.0%+6.6%−18.9%+52.4%+29.8%−42.5%+94.2%+61.8%−80.4%+23.1%+33.3%−11.1%−49.1%+27.6%−64.1%−82.4%+183%+293%−76.1%—
COHR Coherent, Inc.16 of 29+94.8%+118%+24.0%−48.6%−10.1%+126%+3.7%−30.9%+58.4%+59.8%+36.0%−22.4%−3.6%+5.4%−20.8%+45.8%+66.5%−37.5%+9.3%+56.3%−15.8%+64.8%+60.6%−6.9%+13.4%+51.0%+156%−67.2%−8.4%
AVGO Broadcom Inc.14 of 16+50.6%+110%+104%−13.3%+56.5%+45.0%+29.0%+2.2%+48.2%+23.6%+46.1%+93.4%+70.0%+12.0%+3.0%+55.4%—————————————
FN Fabrinet10 of 15+107%+15.5%+48.4%+8.2%+52.7%+19.7%+26.4%+78.8%−28.8%+69.2%+34.3%−13.7%+56.5%−4.0%−36.4%——————————————
UI Ubiquiti Inc.9 of 14+67.7%+141%−48.2%−10.0%+10.8%+48.5%+91.7%+40.7%+22.9%+82.4%+7.0%−35.2%+279%−32.5%———————————————
VIAV Viavi Solutions Inc.10 of 29+76.4%+0.3%−4.2%−40.4%+17.6%−0.1%+49.3%+15.0%+6.9%+34.3%−21.9%+5.5%−3.8%+29.3%−27.9%+75.7%+125%−72.5%−20.2%−11.7%−25.6%−12.9%+47.3%−71.5%−79.2%−48.3%+830%+67.6%+57.7%
FFIV F5, Inc.13 of 26+1.5%+40.5%+24.7%−41.3%+39.1%+26.0%−13.8%+23.5%−9.3%+49.3%−25.7%+43.6%−6.5%−8.5%−18.5%+146%+132%−19.8%−23.1%+29.8%+17.4%+94.1%+134%−50.1%+127%−91.7%———
ERIC Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)11 of 29+24.0%+33.5%+13.2%−44.4%−7.2%+38.3%+0.1%+35.2%+16.7%−36.4%−18.1%+2.3%+25.5%+3.4%−9.5%+28.7%+20.9%−30.3%−40.7%+18.8%+10.6%+77.8%+162%−87.1%−53.0%−31.7%+177%+29.3%+24.7%
EXTR Extreme Networks, Inc.14 of 26−0.5%−5.1%−3.7%+16.6%+128%−6.5%+20.8%−51.3%+149%+23.3%+15.6%−49.4%+91.8%+24.7%−5.5%+7.7%+22.7%−33.9%−15.5%−11.8%−27.5%−9.2%+120%−74.7%−67.0%−6.3%———
CALX Calix, Inc.7 of 15+51.8%−20.2%−36.1%−14.4%+169%+272%−17.9%+63.9%−22.7%−2.2%−21.5%+3.9%+25.4%+18.9%−61.7%——————————————
NOK Nokia Oyj13 of 29+50.7%+34.6%−23.9%−24.4%+59.3%+5.2%−34.9%+29.7%−0.3%−27.8%−8.4%+3.0%+105%−11.5%−50.3%−16.0%−14.5%−58.2%+93.4%+13.5%+20.0%−6.1%+12.0%−36.1%−43.0%−8.6%+219%+251%+21.6%
NTGR NETGEAR, Inc.11 of 22−12.0%+91.1%−19.5%−38.0%−28.1%+65.8%−24.1%−11.4%+8.1%+29.7%+17.8%+8.0%−16.5%+17.4%−0.3%+55.2%+90.1%−68.0%+35.9%+36.4%+5.9%+13.6%———————
ADTN ADTRAN Holdings Inc.13 of 29+4.3%+13.5%−59.9%−16.3%+57.4%+54.4%−5.2%−43.2%−12.0%+32.4%−19.3%−18.0%+40.5%−34.2%−15.9%+62.7%+54.2%−29.1%−4.4%−22.5%+57.6%−37.7%+98.0%+28.8%+20.1%−58.7%+181%−33.4%−33.7%
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Risk and diversification

How CSCO has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were CSCO's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents CSCO's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1990, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means CSCO fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringCSCO fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
Dot-com bust−89.3%−45.4%Mar 2000Oct 20022.6 yearsAug 202118.8 years
No named crash−51.3%−2.1%Mar 1994Jul 19944 monthsApr 19959 months
No named crash−38.0%−1.1%Jan 1997Apr 19973 monthsJul 19973 months
2022 bear market−36.7%−24.5%Dec 2021Oct 202210 monthsNov 20242.1 years
No named crash−36.6%−11.0%Aug 1998Oct 19982 monthsNov 19981 month

How did CSCO do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far CSCO, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than CSCO.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
CSCO This pageCisco Systems, Inc.—−1.4%−35.4%−29.1%−17.5%−5.3%−22.8%−16.6%−3.1%−60.0%−89.3%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF5 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
FTNT Fortinet, Inc.2 of 8−4.9%−30.6%−36.5%−29.0%−4.4%−50.2%−23.0%−4.1%——
DELL Dell Technologies Inc.0 of 5−5.7%−43.6%−45.9%−28.6%−7.4%—————
PANW Palo Alto Networks, Inc.2 of 6−2.1%−30.6%−46.8%−29.1%−3.3%−40.2%————
HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company1 of 5−7.2%−30.5%−45.3%−27.4%−9.6%—————
LITE Lumentum Holdings Inc.0 of 6−6.5%−36.3%−28.7%−40.1%−5.0%−34.1%————
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation1 of 10−5.0%−60.7%−37.5%−55.9%−8.5%−25.3%−23.8%−1.7%−85.1%−89.7%
ANET Arista Networks, Inc.0 of 6−1.5%−36.6%−31.2%−31.2%−6.1%−36.6%————
CIEN Ciena Corporation3 of 10−2.9%−48.4%−22.4%−11.8%−4.7%−31.7%−41.8%−5.1%−89.5%−98.4%
COHR Coherent, Inc.3 of 10−10.7%−56.3%−43.0%−39.5%−9.8%−15.0%−40.4%−2.1%−68.2%−61.4%
AVGO Broadcom Inc.5 of 8−2.8%−34.3%−46.8%−15.2%−4.5%−21.6%−26.7%0.0%——
FN Fabrinet4 of 7−4.7%−38.7%−25.0%−12.0%−3.8%−10.5%−30.8%———
UI Ubiquiti Inc.2 of 6−3.5%−26.5%−22.7%−17.6%−14.4%−26.2%————
VIAV Viavi Solutions Inc.2 of 10−3.0%−27.2%−37.5%−26.5%−3.0%−27.6%−41.5%−4.5%−86.0%−98.8%
FFIV F5, Inc.1 of 10−5.6%−42.7%−32.1%−24.7%−5.5%−35.0%−31.6%−3.7%−59.2%−96.8%
ERIC Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)3 of 10−2.3%−53.5%−31.3%−13.3%−7.5%−19.2%−31.9%−0.8%−71.4%−98.6%
EXTR Extreme Networks, Inc.0 of 10−4.6%−43.9%−71.0%−23.0%−26.4%−46.8%−30.5%−4.8%−75.8%−98.0%
CALX Calix, Inc.1 of 8−7.8%−56.1%−44.0%−21.9%−2.4%−34.3%−64.5%−10.3%——
NOK Nokia Oyj5 of 10−2.1%−32.1%−42.4%−9.7%−2.8%−23.3%−21.1%0.0%−78.1%−82.1%
NTGR NETGEAR, Inc.0 of 9−4.2%−42.5%−31.1%−26.6%−17.9%−22.7%−41.0%−3.0%−76.6%—
ADTN ADTRAN Holdings Inc.6 of 10−8.6%−28.9%−45.4%−43.5%−2.5%−13.2%−26.6%−0.1%−52.3%−81.1%
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How closely does CSCO move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares CSCO with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than CSCO's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
CSCO This pageCisco Systems, Inc.101%96%1.060.97
DELL Dell Technologies Inc.154%43%3.591.13
PANW Palo Alto Networks, Inc.118%49%2.441.14
CIEN Ciena Corporation129%64%2.021.07
ANET Arista Networks, Inc.174%91%1.921.40
AVGO Broadcom Inc.158%86%1.851.19
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation248%140%1.771.83
FTNT Fortinet, Inc.159%92%1.721.09
LITE Lumentum Holdings Inc.162%101%1.611.24
FN Fabrinet115%72%1.601.12
VIAV Viavi Solutions Inc.98%76%1.300.97
UI Ubiquiti Inc.150%125%1.191.35
HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company116%102%1.141.31
CALX Calix, Inc.96%85%1.141.40
COHR Coherent, Inc.162%146%1.111.80
FFIV F5, Inc.87%84%1.031.04
NOK Nokia Oyj63%72%0.871.01
EXTR Extreme Networks, Inc.144%172%0.841.88
ERIC Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)73%108%0.670.71
NTGR NETGEAR, Inc.45%124%0.361.02
ADTN ADTRAN Holdings Inc.47%150%0.311.46
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What diversifies CSCO?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with CSCO's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing CSCO with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which CSCO lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% CSCO and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2022202020112010200820072005200420022001200080/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc. (this page)1.00+118%0.73−22.5%−3.5%−9.6%−15.5%−39.8%−1.0%−11.4%−20.3%−27.7%−52.6%−28.6%26.0%+17.9%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.21+119%1.48+3.8%−9.0%—————————21.2%+18.2%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.32+225%1.34+6.0%+3.9%−16.1%−1.8%−20.8%−7.4%—————21.7%+20.2%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.26+101%1.04+10.4%−13.4%—————————21.7%+17.9%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.34+83.3%1.00+7.1%−6.5%—————————21.9%+17.2%
FTLS Broad MarketFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF0.46+62.9%0.99−5.6%+2.6%—————————21.6%+16.9%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.45+85.0%0.96−5.1%+2.1%—————————21.9%+17.5%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.07+126%0.96−0.8%+24.8%+9.6%+29.3%+4.9%+30.4%+17.8%————21.3%+18.7%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.07+177%0.93+64.4%−32.7%+2.8%+21.9%−39.0%+36.8%+40.1%+33.8%−14.8%−18.2%+24.4%21.7%+20.0%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2022202020112010200820072005200420022001200080/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc. (this page)1.00+118%0.73−22.5%−3.5%−9.6%−15.5%−39.8%−1.0%−11.4%−20.3%−27.7%−52.6%−28.6%26.0%+17.9%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.17+479%1.55+54.1%+10.1%+8.1%+21.4%−39.6%−9.8%+18.7%−4.7%−8.3%−2.5%+108%22.3%+22.6%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.32+3,143%1.47+1.3%−2.4%−24.4%+2.8%−20.5%−25.7%−25.2%−6.4%−65.1%−25.6%−2.3%26.9%+35.3%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.28+1,636%1.46+17.0%+6.7%−17.0%+8.7%−15.2%+2.1%+20.1%+40.0%−9.4%+73.7%−71.1%24.8%+31.4%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.02+413%1.44+51.8%+27.1%+11.8%+13.8%−40.4%+29.7%+64.9%−1.4%−27.2%+4.9%+61.2%21.5%+22.1%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.11+690%1.41+86.6%−27.4%—————————22.4%+24.8%
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Common questions

What was CSCO's worst drawdown?

CSCO's deepest decline since it began trading in 1990 was 89.3%, from March 2000 to October 2002. It took about 19 years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were CSCO's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, CSCO's best year was 1998, when it returned 150%. Its worst was 2001, with a return of -52.6%.

Is there a better investment than CSCO?

Among CSCO's popular alternatives, DELL, LITE and PANW were ahead of CSCO in most short and long periods, though with much bigger swings (54.4%, 64.5% and 43.4% volatility against 26.1%). Looking beyond its popular alternatives, AAPL (computer hardware) and ADI (semiconductors) were ahead of CSCO in most short and long periods.

Is CSCO more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. CSCO's volatility over the past 5 years was 26.1%, 1.5 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, CSCO's return lands within 26.1% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is CSCO's Sharpe ratio?

CSCO's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.73, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so CSCO earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is CSCO with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, CSCO's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.60 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against CSCO instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a CSCO holding.

What are the best alternatives to CSCO?

Of the 20 popular alternatives we compared, five outperformed CSCO in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: FTNT, DELL and PANW.

Did CSCO outperform the S&P 500?

CSCO finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 11 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +33.5%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did CSCO do in stock market crashes?

CSCO fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in five of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in five. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when CSCO fell 29.1% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.

What diversifies CSCO?

These had a low correlation with CSCO over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.21), DXJ (correlation 0.32) and EMLP (correlation 0.26); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.17), CLS (correlation 0.32) and FIX (correlation 0.28). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to CSCO

Other stocks and ETFs