MSI vs. CSCO

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI) and Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO).

Performance

MSI vs. CSCO - Performance Comparison

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

MSI vs. CSCO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSI Motorola Solutions, Inc.	13.51%	-16.17%	49.12%	23.04%	-3.81%	61.90%	7.35%	42.19%	29.64%	11.44%
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.	1.27%	33.47%	21.00%	9.30%	-22.46%	45.76%	-3.49%	13.81%	16.57%	31.27%

Fundamentals

Market Cap MSI : $72.95B CSCO : $309.35B
EPS MSI : $12.77 CSCO : $2.77
PE Ratio MSI : 33.97 CSCO : 27.98
PEG Ratio MSI : 2.08 CSCO : 23.48
PS Ratio MSI : 6.26 CSCO : 5.25
PB Ratio MSI : 30.27 CSCO : 6.48
Total Revenue (TTM) MSI : $11.68B CSCO : $59.05B
Gross Profit (TTM) MSI : $5.98B CSCO : $38.28B
EBITDA (TTM) MSI : $3.37B CSCO : $14.30B

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSI achieves a 13.51% return, which is significantly higher than CSCO's 1.27% return. Over the past 10 years, MSI has outperformed CSCO with an annualized return of 20.85%, while CSCO has yielded a comparatively lower 13.89% annualized return.

MSI

• 1D: 1.68%
• 1M: -9.78%
• YTD: 13.51%
• 6M: -4.53%
• 1Y: 0.21%
• 3Y*: 16.16%
• 5Y*: 19.58%
• 10Y*: 20.85%

CSCO

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: -2.35%
• YTD: 1.27%
• 6M: 14.70%
• 1Y: 28.79%
• 3Y*: 17.35%
• 5Y*: 11.52%
• 10Y*: 13.89%

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

Return for Risk

MSI vs. CSCO — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSI

MSI Risk / Return Rank: 40
MSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
MSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
MSI Omega Ratio Rank: 35
MSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
MSI Martin Ratio Rank: 44

CSCO

CSCO Risk / Return Rank: 75
CSCO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
CSCO Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
CSCO Omega Ratio Rank: 72
CSCO Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
CSCO Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

MSI vs. CSCO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI) and Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO). 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.

	MSI	CSCO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.01	1.03	-1.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.17	1.44	-1.27
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.22	-0.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.05	2.25	-2.20
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.11	5.80	-5.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSI vs. CSCO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSI Sharpe Ratio is 0.01, which is lower than the CSCO Sharpe Ratio of 1.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSI and CSCO, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MSI	CSCO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.01	1.03	-1.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87	0.50	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.55	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.57	-0.33

Correlation

The correlation between MSI and CSCO is 0.44, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

MSI vs. CSCO - Dividend Comparison

MSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, less than CSCO's 2.11% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MSI Motorola Solutions, Inc.	1.06%	1.17%	0.87%	1.16%	1.26%	1.07%	1.55%	1.46%	1.85%	2.14%	2.05%	2.09%
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.	2.11%	2.12%	2.69%	3.07%	3.17%	2.32%	3.20%	2.88%	2.95%	2.95%	3.28%	3.02%

Drawdowns

MSI vs. CSCO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSI drawdown since its inception was -93.60%, roughly equal to the maximum CSCO drawdown of -89.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSI and CSCO.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSI	CSCO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-93.60%	-89.26%	-4.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.45%	-13.57%	-11.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.23%	-36.68%	+9.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.81%	-41.95%	+9.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.63%	-10.59%	-2.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-40.81%	-40.33%	-0.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.03%	5.28%	+6.75%

Volatility

MSI vs. CSCO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI) is 5.99%, while Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) has a volatility of 8.22%. This indicates that MSI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CSCO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSI	CSCO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.99%	8.22%	-2.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.46%	21.41%	-4.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.44%	28.03%	-4.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.51%	23.34%	-0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.84%	25.19%	-0.35%

Financials

MSI vs. CSCO - Profitability Comparison

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

MSI - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Motorola Solutions, Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.77B and revenue of 3.38B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 52.3%.

CSCO - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Cisco Systems, Inc. reported a gross profit of 9.97B and revenue of 15.35B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 65.0%.

MSI - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Motorola Solutions, Inc. reported an operating income of 892.00M and revenue of 3.38B, resulting in an operating margin of 26.4%.

CSCO - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Cisco Systems, Inc. reported an operating income of 3.78B and revenue of 15.35B, resulting in an operating margin of 24.6%.

MSI - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Motorola Solutions, Inc. reported a net income of 649.00M and revenue of 3.38B, resulting in a net margin of 19.2%.

CSCO - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Cisco Systems, Inc. reported a net income of 3.18B and revenue of 15.35B, resulting in a net margin of 20.7%.