CSCO vs. ANET

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

CSCO (Cisco Systems, Inc.) and ANET (Arista Networks, Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Technology sector — CSCO in Communication Equipment, ANET in Computer Hardware. Over the past 10 years, CSCO returned 18.92%/yr vs 43.12%/yr for ANET. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CSCO vs. ANET - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) and Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CSCO achieves a 58.91% return, which is significantly higher than ANET's 24.58% return. Over the past 10 years, CSCO has underperformed ANET with an annualized return of 18.92%, while ANET has yielded a comparatively higher 43.12% annualized return.

CSCO

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 18.88%
• YTD: 58.91%
• 6M: 57.34%
• 1Y: 90.30%
• 3Y*: 37.33%
• 5Y*: 20.60%
• 10Y*: 18.92%

ANET

• 1D: 4.37%
• 1M: 16.03%
• YTD: 24.58%
• 6M: 30.84%
• 1Y: 70.45%
• 3Y*: 57.04%
• 5Y*: 48.31%
• 10Y*: 43.12%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

CSCO vs. ANET - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.	58.91%	33.47%	21.00%	9.30%	-22.46%	45.76%	-3.49%	13.81%	16.57%	31.27%
ANET Arista Networks, Inc.	24.58%	18.55%	87.73%	94.07%	-15.58%	97.89%	42.86%	-3.46%	-10.56%	143.44%

Correlation

The correlation between CSCO and ANET is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2014	0.49

The correlation between CSCO and ANET has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.43 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

Fundamentals

Market Cap CSCO : $482.83B ANET : $207.94B
EPS CSCO : $3.00 ANET : $2.92
PE Ratio CSCO : 40.40 ANET : 55.91
PEG Ratio CSCO : 33.90 ANET : 1.31
PS Ratio CSCO : 7.95 ANET : 21.42
PB Ratio CSCO : 9.88 ANET : 15.42
Total Revenue (TTM) CSCO : $60.75B ANET : $9.71B
Gross Profit (TTM) CSCO : $39.08B ANET : $6.17B
EBITDA (TTM) CSCO : $13.98B ANET : $4.21B

Return for Risk

CSCO vs. ANET — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CSCO

CSCO Risk / Return Rank: 95
CSCO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
CSCO Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
CSCO Omega Ratio Rank: 95
CSCO Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
CSCO Martin Ratio Rank: 95

ANET

ANET Risk / Return Rank: 78
ANET Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
ANET Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
ANET Omega Ratio Rank: 74
ANET Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
ANET Martin Ratio Rank: 78

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CSCO vs. ANET - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) and Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	CSCO	ANET	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.94	1.32	+1.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	1.90	+1.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.24	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.69	2.50	+4.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.37	5.20	+13.17

CSCO vs. ANET - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CSCO Sharpe Ratio is 2.94, which is higher than the ANET Sharpe Ratio of 1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CSCO and ANET, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CSCO vs. ANET - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CSCO drawdown since its inception was -89.26%, which is greater than ANET's maximum drawdown of -52.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CSCO and ANET.

Drawdown Indicators

	CSCO	ANET	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.26%	-52.20%	-37.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.57%	-28.33%	+14.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.16%	-50.42%	+30.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.68%	-50.42%	+13.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.95%	-52.20%	+10.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.85%	-8.15%	+1.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-40.11%	-15.39%	-24.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.93%	13.60%	-8.67%

Volatility

CSCO vs. ANET - Volatility Comparison

Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) and Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET) have volatilities of 17.31% and 16.62%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CSCO	ANET	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.31%	16.62%	+0.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.29%	40.79%	-13.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.93%	53.57%	-22.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.88%	47.23%	-22.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.89%	45.00%	-19.11%

Dividends

CSCO vs. ANET - Dividend Comparison

CSCO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, while ANET has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ANET Arista Networks, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.	1.36%	2.12%	2.69%	3.07%	3.17%	2.32%	3.20%	2.88%	2.95%	2.95%	3.28%	3.02%

Financials

CSCO vs. ANET - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Cisco Systems, Inc. and Arista Networks, Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

CSCO - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cisco Systems, Inc. reported a gross profit of 10.08B and revenue of 15.84B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 63.6%.

ANET - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Arista Networks, Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.68B and revenue of 2.71B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 61.9%.

CSCO - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cisco Systems, Inc. reported an operating income of 3.96B and revenue of 15.84B, resulting in an operating margin of 25.0%.

ANET - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Arista Networks, Inc. reported an operating income of 1.16B and revenue of 2.71B, resulting in an operating margin of 42.7%.

CSCO - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cisco Systems, Inc. reported a net income of 3.37B and revenue of 15.84B, resulting in a net margin of 21.3%.

ANET - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Arista Networks, Inc. reported a net income of 1.02B and revenue of 2.71B, resulting in a net margin of 37.8%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CSCO and ANET in my portfolio?

CSCO and ANET have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CSCO or ANET?

CSCO has higher volatility (17.31%) compared to ANET (16.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CSCO dropped -89.26% vs ANET's -52.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CSCO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 1.32), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.