NDSN vs. CSCO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

NDSN (Nordson Corporation) and CSCO (Cisco Systems, Inc.) are both stocks. NDSN operates in Specialty Industrial Machinery (Industrials), while CSCO operates in Communication Equipment (Technology). Over the past 10 years, NDSN returned 14.17%/yr vs 18.92%/yr for CSCO. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

NDSN vs. CSCO - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NDSN achieves a 20.24% return, which is significantly lower than CSCO's 58.91% return. Over the past 10 years, NDSN has underperformed CSCO with an annualized return of 14.17%, while CSCO has yielded a comparatively higher 18.92% annualized return.

NDSN

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 3.33%
• YTD: 20.24%
• 6M: 23.21%
• 1Y: 34.03%
• 3Y*: 8.35%
• 5Y*: 6.49%
• 10Y*: 14.17%

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%

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

NDSN vs. CSCO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NDSN Nordson Corporation	20.24%	17.03%	-20.15%	12.39%	-5.93%	28.09%	24.45%	37.88%	-17.65%	31.83%
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.	58.91%	33.47%	21.00%	9.30%	-22.46%	45.76%	-3.49%	13.81%	16.57%	31.27%

Correlation

The correlation between NDSN and CSCO is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1990	0.33

The correlation between NDSN and CSCO shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (1 year) to 0.46 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap NDSN : $16.17B CSCO : $482.83B
EPS NDSN : $9.36 CSCO : $3.00
PE Ratio NDSN : 30.79 CSCO : 40.40
PEG Ratio NDSN : 12.07 CSCO : 33.90
PS Ratio NDSN : 5.60 CSCO : 7.95
PB Ratio NDSN : 5.05 CSCO : 9.88
Total Revenue (TTM) NDSN : $2.90B CSCO : $60.75B
Gross Profit (TTM) NDSN : $1.60B CSCO : $39.08B
EBITDA (TTM) NDSN : $744.50M CSCO : $13.98B

Return for Risk

NDSN vs. CSCO — Risk / Return Rank

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

NDSN

NDSN Risk / Return Rank: 82
NDSN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
NDSN Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
NDSN Omega Ratio Rank: 78
NDSN Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
NDSN Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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

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.

NDSN vs. CSCO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nordson Corporation (NDSN) 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.

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.

	NDSN	CSCO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	2.94	-1.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	3.47	-1.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.53	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	6.69	-4.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.81	18.37	-10.55

NDSN vs. CSCO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NDSN Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is lower than the CSCO Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NDSN and CSCO, 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

NDSN vs. CSCO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NDSN drawdown since its inception was -73.62%, smaller than the maximum CSCO drawdown of -89.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NDSN and CSCO.

Drawdown Indicators

	NDSN	CSCO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.62%	-89.26%	+15.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.15%	-13.57%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.15%	-20.16%	-18.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.15%	-36.68%	-2.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.24%	-41.95%	-2.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.41%	-6.85%	+3.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.24%	-40.11%	+26.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.37%	4.93%	-0.56%

Volatility

NDSN vs. CSCO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nordson Corporation (NDSN) is 8.59%, while Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) has a volatility of 17.31%. This indicates that NDSN 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

	NDSN	CSCO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.59%	17.31%	-8.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.87%	27.29%	-11.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.26%	30.93%	-9.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.78%	24.88%	-0.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.47%	25.89%	+2.58%

Dividends

NDSN vs. CSCO - Dividend Comparison

NDSN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, less than CSCO's 1.36% yield.

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%
NDSN Nordson Corporation	1.12%	1.66%	1.02%	1.01%	0.98%	0.71%	0.77%	0.90%	1.09%	0.78%	0.91%	1.43%

Financials

NDSN vs. CSCO - Profitability Comparison

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

NDSN - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Nordson Corporation reported a gross profit of 404.08M and revenue of 740.85M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 54.5%.

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%.

NDSN - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Nordson Corporation reported an operating income of 197.20M and revenue of 740.85M, resulting in an operating margin of 26.6%.

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%.

NDSN - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Nordson Corporation reported a net income of 117.32M and revenue of 740.85M, resulting in a net margin of 15.8%.

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%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NDSN and CSCO in my portfolio?

NDSN and CSCO have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NDSN or CSCO?

CSCO has higher volatility (17.31%) compared to NDSN (8.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NDSN dropped -73.62% vs CSCO's -89.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CSCO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 1.61), 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.