Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA)vsCisco Systems Inc (CSCO)
BABA
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd
$129.87
+3.50%
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · Cap: $299.57B
CSCO
Cisco Systems Inc
$81.83
+1.20%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $319.49B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd generates 1622% more annual revenue ($1.02T vs $59.05B). CSCO leads profitability with a 18.8% profit margin vs 8.9%. CSCO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.32. CSCO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B-).
BABA
Hold49
out of 100
Grade: D+
CSCO
Strong Buy70
out of 100
Grade: B-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-298.4%
Fair Value
$38.22
Current Price
$129.87
$91.65 premium
Margin of Safety
+37.1%
Fair Value
$130.10
Current Price
$81.83
$48.27 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Generating 36.0B in free cash flow
Reasonable price relative to book value
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Every $100 of equity generates 24 in profit
Strong operational efficiency at 24.9%
Earnings expanding 31.2% YoY
Generating 1.5B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
1.7% revenue growth
Earnings declined 70.9%
Moderate valuation
Distress zone — elevated risk
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : BABA
The strongest argument for BABA centers on Market Cap, Free Cash Flow, Price/Book.
Bull Case : CSCO
The strongest argument for CSCO centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 18.8% and operating margin at 24.9%. PEG of 1.32 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bear Case : BABA
The primary concerns for BABA are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.
Bear Case : CSCO
The primary concerns for CSCO are P/E Ratio, Altman Z-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
BABA profiles as a value stock while CSCO is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.
CSCO carries more volatility with a beta of 0.83 — expect wider price swings.
CSCO is growing revenue faster at 9.7% — sustainability is the question.
BABA generates stronger free cash flow (36.0B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
CSCO scores higher overall (70/100 vs 49/100), backed by strong 18.8% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · INTERNET RETAIL · USA
Alibaba Group Holding Limited, also known as Alibaba Group and Alibaba.com, is a Chinese multinational technology company specializing in e-commerce, retail, Internet, and technology. Founded on 28 June 1999 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, the company provides consumer-to-consumer (C2C), business-to-consumer (B2C), and business-to-business (B2B) sales services via web portals, as well as electronic payment services, shopping search engines and cloud computing services. It owns and operates a diverse portfolio of companies around the world in numerous business sectors.
Cisco Systems Inc
TECHNOLOGY · COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT · USA
Cisco Systems, Inc. is an American multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in San Jose, California, in the center of Silicon Valley. Cisco develops, manufactures and sells networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment and other high-technology services and products. Through its numerous acquired subsidiaries, such as OpenDNS, Webex, Jabber and Jasper, Cisco specializes in specific tech markets, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), domain security and energy management. On January 25, 2021, Cisco reincorporated in Delaware.
Visit Website →Compare with Other INTERNET RETAIL Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?