VZ vs. CSCO
VZ (Verizon Communications Inc.) and CSCO (Cisco Systems, Inc.) are both stocks. VZ operates in Telecom Services (Communication Services), while CSCO operates in Communication Equipment (Technology). Over the past 10 years, VZ returned 4.44%/yr vs 18.92%/yr for CSCO. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
VZ vs. CSCO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VZ achieves a 21.97% return, which is significantly lower than CSCO's 58.91% return. Over the past 10 years, VZ has underperformed CSCO with an annualized return of 4.44%, while CSCO has yielded a comparatively higher 18.92% annualized return.
VZ
- 1D
- 2.49%
- 1M
- 3.75%
- YTD
- 21.97%
- 6M
- 21.50%
- 1Y
- 19.39%
- 3Y*
- 18.39%
- 5Y*
- 2.74%
- 10Y*
- 4.44%
CSCO
- 1D
- -0.60%
- 1M
- 2.44%
- YTD
- 58.91%
- 6M
- 57.34%
- 1Y
- 93.30%
- 3Y*
- 37.33%
- 5Y*
- 20.60%
- 10Y*
- 18.92%
VZ vs. CSCO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VZ Verizon Communications Inc. | 21.97% | 8.86% | 13.14% | 2.71% | -20.02% | -7.55% | -0.13% | 13.83% | 11.26% | 3.97% |
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 VZ and CSCO is -0.12, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.12 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 3, 2000 | 0.32 |
The correlation between VZ and CSCO shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (1 year) to 0.32 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
VZ:
$202.54B
CSCO:
$482.83B
VZ:
$4.10
CSCO:
$3.00
VZ:
11.72
CSCO:
40.40
VZ:
1.46
CSCO:
7.95
VZ:
1.96
CSCO:
9.88
VZ:
$139.15B
CSCO:
$60.75B
VZ:
$81.89B
CSCO:
$39.08B
VZ:
$48.65B
CSCO:
$13.98B
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Return for Risk
VZ vs. CSCO — Risk / Return Rank
VZ
CSCO
VZ vs. CSCO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) 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.
| VZ | CSCO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.10 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.98 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.53 | -0.35 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.43 | 6.69 | -5.26 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.06 | 18.37 | -15.31 |
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Drawdowns
VZ vs. CSCO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VZ drawdown since its inception was -50.66%, smaller than the maximum CSCO drawdown of -89.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VZ and CSCO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VZ | CSCO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.66% | -89.26% | +38.60% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.32% | -13.57% | +0.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.93% | -20.16% | +5.23% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.38% | -36.68% | -1.70% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.21% | -41.95% | +0.74% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.96% | -6.85% | +1.89% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.82% | -40.11% | +25.29% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.23% | 4.93% | +1.30% |
Volatility
VZ vs. CSCO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) is 6.87%, while Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) has a volatility of 17.31%. This indicates that VZ 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VZ | CSCO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.87% | 17.31% | -10.44% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.91% | 27.29% | -9.38% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.78% | 30.93% | -8.15% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.66% | 24.88% | -3.22% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.36% | 25.89% | -5.53% |
Dividends
VZ vs. CSCO - Dividend Comparison
VZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.75%, more 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% |
VZ Verizon Communications Inc. | 5.75% | 6.68% | 6.68% | 6.96% | 6.53% | 4.85% | 4.21% | 3.95% | 4.22% | 4.39% | 4.26% | 4.79% |
Financials
VZ vs. CSCO - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Verizon Communications Inc. and Cisco Systems, 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
VZ vs. CSCO - Profitability Comparison
VZ - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Verizon Communications Inc. reported a gross profit of 20.77B and revenue of 34.44B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 60.3%.
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%.
VZ - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Verizon Communications Inc. reported an operating income of 8.24B and revenue of 34.44B, resulting in an operating margin of 23.9%.
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%.
VZ - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Verizon Communications Inc. reported a net income of 5.05B and revenue of 34.44B, resulting in a net margin of 14.7%.
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%.
Frequently Asked Questions
VZ and CSCO have a correlation of -0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CSCO has higher volatility (17.31%) compared to VZ (6.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VZ dropped -50.66% vs CSCO's -89.26%.
CSCO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 0.84), 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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