CSCO vs. SMCI
CSCO (Cisco Systems, Inc.) and SMCI (Super Micro Computer, Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Technology sector — CSCO in Communication Equipment, SMCI in Computer Hardware. Over the past 10 years, CSCO returned 18.92%/yr vs 27.77%/yr for SMCI. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
CSCO vs. SMCI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CSCO achieves a 58.91% return, which is significantly higher than SMCI's 4.07% return. Over the past 10 years, CSCO has underperformed SMCI with an annualized return of 18.92%, while SMCI has yielded a comparatively higher 27.77% 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%
SMCI
- 1D
- -4.72%
- 1M
- -4.81%
- YTD
- 4.07%
- 6M
- -5.78%
- 1Y
- -29.75%
- 3Y*
- 7.64%
- 5Y*
- 52.73%
- 10Y*
- 27.77%
CSCO vs. SMCI - 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% |
SMCI Super Micro Computer, Inc. | 4.07% | -3.97% | 7.23% | 246.24% | 86.80% | 38.82% | 31.81% | 74.06% | -34.07% | -25.38% |
Correlation
The correlation between CSCO and SMCI is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 29, 2007 | 0.36 |
The correlation between CSCO and SMCI shifts across timeframes, from 0.26 (3 years) to 0.36 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
CSCO:
$482.83B
SMCI:
$20.52B
CSCO:
$3.00
SMCI:
$2.70
CSCO:
40.40
SMCI:
11.27
CSCO:
33.90
SMCI:
0.25
CSCO:
7.95
SMCI:
0.60
CSCO:
9.88
SMCI:
2.71
CSCO:
$60.75B
SMCI:
$33.70B
CSCO:
$39.08B
SMCI:
$2.83B
CSCO:
$13.98B
SMCI:
$1.47B
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Return for Risk
CSCO vs. SMCI — Risk / Return Rank
CSCO
SMCI
CSCO vs. SMCI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) and Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI). 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 | SMCI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +3.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.42 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.53 | 1.01 | +0.52 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.69 | -0.45 | +7.14 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 18.37 | -0.76 | +19.12 |
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Drawdowns
CSCO vs. SMCI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CSCO drawdown since its inception was -89.26%, which is greater than SMCI's maximum drawdown of -84.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CSCO and SMCI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CSCO | SMCI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -89.26% | -84.84% | -4.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.57% | -66.18% | +52.61% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.16% | -84.84% | +64.68% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.68% | -84.84% | +48.16% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.95% | -84.84% | +42.89% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.85% | -74.36% | +67.51% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -40.11% | -31.98% | -8.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.93% | 39.34% | -34.41% |
Volatility
CSCO vs. SMCI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) is 17.31%, while Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI) has a volatility of 44.32%. This indicates that CSCO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMCI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CSCO | SMCI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 17.31% | 44.32% | -27.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 27.29% | 76.32% | -49.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.93% | 85.20% | -54.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.88% | 86.53% | -61.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.89% | 71.19% | -45.30% |
Dividends
CSCO vs. SMCI - Dividend Comparison
CSCO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, while SMCI has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
SMCI Super Micro Computer, 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% |
Financials
CSCO vs. SMCI - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Cisco Systems, Inc. and Super Micro Computer, Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
CSCO vs. SMCI - Profitability Comparison
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%.
SMCI - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Super Micro Computer, Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.02B and revenue of 10.24B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 10.0%.
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%.
SMCI - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Super Micro Computer, Inc. reported an operating income of 625.87M and revenue of 10.24B, resulting in an operating margin of 6.1%.
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%.
SMCI - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Super Micro Computer, Inc. reported a net income of 1.02B and revenue of 10.24B, resulting in a net margin of 9.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions
CSCO and SMCI have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SMCI has higher volatility (44.32%) compared to CSCO (17.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CSCO dropped -89.26% vs SMCI's -84.84%.
CSCO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs -0.35), 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.
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