Cisco Systems Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NASDAQ:CSCO)

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) was the target of unusually large options trading on Tuesday. Investors bought 107,384 call options on the stock. This is an increase of 47% compared to the typical daily volume of 73,008 call options.

Trending Headlines about Cisco Systems

Here are the key news stories impacting Cisco Systems this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Cisco unveiled Cisco Cloud Control, a unified platform for managing and defending critical infrastructure with AI agents, which strengthens its position in enterprise AI and cybersecurity. Cisco Unveils Agentic Platform for Operating and Defending Critical IT Infrastructure
• Positive Sentiment: The company is promoting new AI-powered cybersecurity products, including Live Protect, which could support future product demand and revenue growth. Cisco Live Protect cybersecurity software to combat AI-powered attacks
• Positive Sentiment: Recent coverage also points to record revenue, strong AI infrastructure orders, and guidance above expectations, which adds to the bullish tone around CSCO. Cisco Systems (CSCO) Valuation Check After Record Revenue And Strong AI Infrastructure Momentum
• Positive Sentiment: Unusually heavy call-option buying suggests traders are positioning for more upside in the stock. Cisco Advances 5% to Record Highs on AI Cybersecurity Push, Arista Climbs as Networking Trade Extends
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader commentary notes Cisco has already had a strong multi-week run, so some investors are now weighing whether the rally has gone too far. Is It Too Late To Consider Cisco Systems (CSCO) After Its Strong Share Price Run
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts remain generally constructive, with brokerages maintaining a moderate buy stance, supporting the stock but not adding a new catalyst. Cisco Systems, Inc. Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Cisco Systems Stock Up 5.5%

CSCO stock traded up $6.72 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $128.05. 23,937,699 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 27,487,546. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.81. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $94.31 and its 200-day moving average is $83.61. The company has a market cap of $504.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.39, a PEG ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 1.01. Cisco Systems has a 12 month low of $62.71 and a 12 month high of $121.95.

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 13th. The network equipment provider reported $1.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $15.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $15.56 billion. Cisco Systems had a return on equity of 28.44% and a net margin of 20.14%.The business’s revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.96 EPS. Cisco Systems has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.160-1.180 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.270-4.290 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Cisco Systems will post 3.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Cisco Systems Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 22nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 6th will be paid a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 6th. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. Cisco Systems’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 54.55%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Oliver Tuszik sold 3,132 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.74, for a total value of $249,745.68. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 188,613 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $15,040,000.62. This represents a 1.63% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Jeetendra I. Patel sold 7,169 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.28, for a total value of $840,780.32. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 246,737 shares in the company, valued at approximately $28,937,315.36. This trade represents a 2.82% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 51,324 shares of company stock worth $5,559,834. 0.01% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cisco Systems

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. MidAtlantic Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Cisco Systems during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Intesa Sanpaolo Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Cisco Systems during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Networth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Cisco Systems by 276.4% during the first quarter. Networth Advisors LLC now owns 335 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 246 shares during the last quarter. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in Cisco Systems during the first quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Manning & Napier Advisors LLC lifted its position in Cisco Systems by 137.0% during the first quarter. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC now owns 346 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. 73.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently commented on CSCO. New Street Research raised their price objective on Cisco Systems from $82.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. Rosenblatt Securities reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $100.00 price objective on shares of Cisco Systems in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Bank of America raised their price objective on Cisco Systems from $114.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 26th. Evercore raised their price objective on Cisco Systems from $110.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. Finally, Citic Securities raised their price objective on Cisco Systems from $90.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Friday, May 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $119.09.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc is a global technology company that designs, manufactures and sells networking hardware, software and telecommunications equipment. Its core business focuses on enabling enterprise and service-provider networks through products such as routers, switches, network security appliances and wireless systems. Over time Cisco has broadened its portfolio to emphasize software-defined networking, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure and edge computing solutions that help organizations build and manage modern IT environments.

In addition to hardware, Cisco offers a growing range of software platforms and subscription services for network management, security, analytics and collaboration.