WallStSmart

Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO)vsHewlett Packard Enterprise Co (HPE)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Cisco Systems Inc generates 63% more annual revenue ($63.33B vs $38.79B). CSCO leads profitability with a 20.9% profit margin vs 4.0%. CSCO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.10. CSCO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B).

CSCO

Strong Buy

75

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 8.5Value: 5.0Quality: 4.8
Piotroski: 4/9

HPE

Buy

51

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 6.0Profit: 4.5Value: 3.0Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 0.69

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CSCO6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Market CapQuality
$444.99B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

EPS GrowthGrowth
52.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 52.0% YoY

Return on EquityProfitability
26.4%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 26 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
20.9%9/10

Keeps 21 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
27.7%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 27.7%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
17.6%8/10

17.6% revenue growth

HPE3 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
40.0%10/10

Revenue surging 40.0% year-over-year

Market CapQuality
$73.14B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Price/BookValuation
2.8x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

CSCO2 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
33.6x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
8.8x4/10

Trading at 8.8x book value

HPE4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Return on EquityProfitability
6.0%3/10

ROE of 6.0% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
4.0%3/10

4.0% margin — thin

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
4.752/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : CSCO

The strongest argument for CSCO centers on Market Cap, EPS Growth, Return on Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.9% and operating margin at 27.7%. Revenue growth of 17.6% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : HPE

The strongest argument for HPE centers on Revenue Growth, Market Cap, Price/Book. Revenue growth of 40.0% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : CSCO

The primary concerns for CSCO are P/E Ratio, Price/Book.

Bear Case : HPE

The primary concerns for HPE are Return on Equity, Profit Margin, Piotroski F-Score. A P/E of 50.2x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 4.0% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

CSCO profiles as a growth stock while HPE is a hypergrowth play — different risk/reward profiles.

HPE carries more volatility with a beta of 1.44 — expect wider price swings.

HPE is growing revenue faster at 40.0% — sustainability is the question.

CSCO generates stronger free cash flow (5.0B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

CSCO scores higher overall (75/100 vs 51/100), backed by strong 20.9% margins and 17.6% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

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.

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co

TECHNOLOGY · COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT · USA

The Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) is an American multinational enterprise information technology company based in Houston, Texas, United States.

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