Arista Networks, Inc. vs CISCO SYSTEMS, INC., two Computer Hardware stocks. A side-by-side on valuation, growth, margins, returns, and what each price is betting.
Arista and Cisco both make the switches that move data through networks, and Arista is the higher-margin upstart. It keeps a 38% net margin to Cisco's 20, the reward for focusing on high-end data-center gear, and runs debt-free. Cisco is the cheaper and higher-yielding, near 41 times earnings with a 1.3% dividend to Arista's 57 and none. The market is paying up for Arista's exposure to AI-driven data-center spending; Cisco is the diversified incumbent priced for slower growth. Arista is the specialist riding the buildout, Cisco the broad franchise defending its base.
Comparison updated 2026-06-15.
| Metric | ANET | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $186.90 | $121.24 |
| Market cap | $238.1B | $482.8B |
| Sector | Computer Hardware | Computer Hardware |
| Stage | Growth | Mature |
| P/E | 64.2 | 40.3 |
| P/B | 17.65 | 9.88 |
| P/S | 24.52 | 7.95 |
| EV/EBITDA | 55.5 | 36.0 |
| Revenue growth | +30.5% | +9.2% |
| Gross margin | 61.9% | 63.6% |
| Operating margin | 42.7% | 25.0% |
| Net margin | 38.3% | 19.7% |
| Return on equity | 27.6% | 24.5% |
| Return on assets | 17.2% | 9.5% |
| Return on invested capital | 24.8% | 14.2% |
| FCF yield | 2.2% | 2.4% |
| Dividend yield | — | 1.3% |
| Debt / equity | 0.00 | 0.71 |
| Current ratio | 2.83 | 0.92 |
| Altman Z (solvency) | 7.97 | 4.34 |
| Piotroski F (quality) | 5 / 9 | 6 / 9 |
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The stronger value is highlighted per metric where one is strictly better on that single number; it is not an overall verdict on either company. For informational and research purposes only. Not investment advice. Not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. boothcheck is not a registered investment adviser. Past performance does not guarantee future results.