News Summary SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking and security, unveiled the results of its 2026 Data and Privacy Benchmark Study, showing a striking shift in how organizations approach data privacy and governance. As AI adoption accelerates, nearly all companies are expanding privacy programs and governance frameworks to protect their data and innovate at scale. The growing demand for high-quality data to power AI is exposing gaps in overs ...

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades, downgrades and initiations, please see our analyst ratings page.Considering buying CSCO stock? Here’s what analysts think: Photo via Shutterstock ...

Core Viewpoint - Tech investor Dan Niles anticipates a volatile market in 2026, with a strong first half driven by "easy money" and a challenging second half due to inflation and political instability [2][3]. Tech Plays: Apple, Cisco, Impinj - Niles is optimistic about Apple, predicting a significant upgrade cycle with the launch of an AI-enabled Siri and a foldable iPhone, which he believes will revitalize its growth [4]. - Cisco Systems is viewed as a value play in AI infrastructure, expected to benefit from post-COVID upgrades in enterprise networks, trading at a discount compared to the S&P 500 [5]. - IMPINJ Inc. is identified as a leader in RFID technology, poised for expansion into the food and grocery market as chip costs decrease, with major adopters like Walmart [6]. Betting On Turnarounds: Boeing And Nike - Boeing is highlighted for its recent regulatory clearance to self-certify planes, which is expected to boost shipment volumes and generate significant free cash flow [7]. - Nike is seen as a prime buying opportunity due to its decade-low valuation and a new "back to basics" strategy under CEO Elliott Hill, with North American revenues already recovering [8].

Core Insights - CrowdStrike and Cisco Systems are prominent players in the cybersecurity sector, with CrowdStrike focusing on endpoint protection and AI-native cloud security through its Falcon platform, while Cisco is enhancing its offerings in Threat Intelligence, Detection, and Response [1][2] Industry Overview - The cybersecurity market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.28% from 2026 to 2030, driven by increasing complex attacks such as credential theft and social engineering [2] CrowdStrike Analysis - CrowdStrike's Falcon platform is recognized as the first multi-tenant, cloud-native security solution, securing various environments and endpoints [4] - The platform offers 29 cloud modules under a subscription model, with subscription sales increasing from 72% in fiscal 2017 to 95% in fiscal 2025 [5] - In Q3 fiscal 2026, Annual Recurring Revenues (ARR) from Falcon Flex customers reached $1.35 billion, growing over 200% year-over-year, indicating strong customer value perception [6] - However, CrowdStrike's revenue growth has decelerated from over 35% year-over-year in fiscal 2024 to an expected 21-22% in fiscal 2026, with projected revenues between $4.797 billion and $4.807 billion [7] Cisco Systems Analysis - Cisco Systems is expanding its security business with new products like Secure Access and AI Defense, achieving good customer adoption with nearly 3,000 customers purchasing new solutions in Q1 fiscal 2026 [8][10] - The acquisition of Splunk has contributed to strong growth in ARR and performance obligations, with significant deals enhancing Cisco's security portfolio [9] - Cisco's new products, such as Cisco Unified Edge and Cisco Data Fabric, are designed to support AI-related needs, further strengthening its market position [11][12] Earnings Estimates Comparison - CrowdStrike's fiscal 2026 earnings estimate is $3.71 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 5.6% [13] - In contrast, Cisco's fiscal 2026 earnings estimate is $4.10 per share, indicating a year-over-year increase of 7.61% [14] Price Performance and Valuation - Over the past six months, Cisco shares have risen by 11.2%, while CrowdStrike shares have decreased by 5.8% [16] - Cisco is trading at a forward sales multiple of 4.81X, significantly lower than CrowdStrike's 19.75X, making Cisco more attractive for value-seeking investors [17] Conclusion - Cisco Systems has a competitive edge over CrowdStrike due to its strong security portfolio and reasonable valuation, making it an appealing option for investors looking for growth in the cybersecurity sector [20][21]

Core Insights - Cisco has announced a multi-year partnership with Georgetown University to implement one of the largest Wi-Fi 7 initiatives in higher education, modernizing the campus network and enhancing digital experiences [1][5]. Group 1: Partnership and Deployment - The collaboration will feature a significant rollout of Wi-Fi 7 technology across various campus locations, including classrooms, dorms, and stadiums, positioning Georgetown as a leader in wireless innovation [1][2]. - Georgetown University is investing in a future-ready network to support its academic mission, enabling faster speeds and lower latency for real-time information retrieval [2][3]. Group 2: Network Infrastructure and Security - Cisco's solutions are designed for high-density environments, providing automation and advanced analytics for real-time insights into network performance, which simplifies operations and enhances user experience [3][4]. - The university is adopting a multi-layered security framework powered by Cisco's portfolio, ensuring the protection of digital assets and campus community [4]. Group 3: Broader Impact and Future Initiatives - The partnership includes Cisco serving as the presenting partner of the "Hoya Forward" platform, which will focus on innovation and preparing students for the future through technology [5]. - This collaboration follows Cisco's recent partnership with Monumental Sports and Entertainment, which is undergoing an $800 million transformation, further showcasing Cisco's commitment to enhancing connectivity in high-tech venues [6].

Core Viewpoint - Cisco Technologies has obtained a patent titled "Extending Cluster Member Eligibility to Additional Computing Resources," with the authorization announcement number CN113039520B, and the application date is November 2019 [1] Group 1 - The patent indicates Cisco's ongoing innovation in expanding computing resources within its cluster technology [1]

Summary of the Americas Thematic Focus List Conference Call Industry and Company Overview - **Industry**: The thematic focus is on various sectors across North America and Latin America, particularly in technology, energy, healthcare, and education. - **Companies Featured**: The focus list includes notable companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Eli Lilly, and Walmart, among others. Key Themes for 2026 1. **Tech Diffusion**: Emphasizes the rapid adoption of AI technologies across various sectors, with significant implications for productivity and competitive dynamics [12][14]. 2. **The Future of Energy**: Focuses on the increasing demand for energy driven by AI infrastructure and the transition to renewable energy sources [12][17]. 3. **The Multipolar World**: Highlights the shift towards localized supply chains and national economic security, impacting multinational corporations [12][13]. 4. **Societal Shifts**: Explores the implications of demographic changes, AI-driven employment disruption, and evolving consumer preferences [12][18]. Americas Thematic Focus List - **List Composition**: The focus list includes 18 high-conviction stock ideas, with a target holding period of 12-18 months [9][20]. - **Key Companies on the List**: - **Amazon (AMZN)**: Positioned as a leader in AI infrastructure, with a projected 32% upside to a price target of $238.18 [23]. - **Microsoft (MSFT)**: Expected to capture significant AI spending, with a 42% upside to a price target of $456.66 [23]. - **Eli Lilly (LLY)**: A leader in the GLP-1 market, with a 25% upside to a price target of $1,032.97 [23]. - **Walmart (WMT)**: Leveraging AI for operational efficiency, with a 13% upside to a price target of $119.20 [23]. Methodology and Specifications - **Focus List Size**: 15-20 stocks, with equal weighting upon construction [21]. - **Sector Weights**: No fixed sector weights, aiming for diversification [21][22]. - **Regional Weights**: Targeting 80-85% in the USA and 15-20% in Latin America [28]. Important Insights and Data - **Amazon's Growth**: Amazon's custom silicon strategy has grown 150% sequentially, indicating strong demand for its AI capabilities [29]. - **Eli Lilly's Market Potential**: The global diabesity market is projected to exceed $150 billion by the early 2030s, with significant growth opportunities for Eli Lilly [39]. - **NVIDIA's Dominance**: NVIDIA is positioned to capture a significant share of the projected $3-4 trillion in annual AI infrastructure spending by the end of the decade [53]. - **Walmart's AI Strategy**: Walmart's AI initiatives have led to a 50% automation rate in its supply chain, significantly reducing delivery costs [68]. Conclusion The Americas Thematic Focus List presents a strategic overview of high-conviction investment opportunities across key sectors, driven by transformative themes such as technology diffusion and energy transition. The insights provided highlight the potential for significant growth and the evolving landscape of investment in the Americas.

Core Viewpoint - Cisco Systems, Inc. has shown significant improvement in its performance and market position after struggling for years to adapt to new technologies, particularly AI, and has recently started to attract new clients from competitors [1] Group 1: Company Performance - Cisco has experienced ups and downs, with a notable recovery in the second half of 2024, marking a turnaround in its stock performance [1] - The company has been delivering impressive financial results over the past few quarters, indicating a successful reinvention and adaptation to the modern market [1] - Cisco took approximately 25 years to regain its peak stock value from the dot-com era, highlighting the long journey of recovery and growth [1] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The stock had a strong performance in the first 11 months of the previous year but faced a significant decline in December, which was unexpected and correlated with a gap fill from a rally in November [1] - Cisco's late entry into the AI sector has been acknowledged, but the company is now effectively competing and gaining market share [1]

Group 1 - Cisco Systems (CSCO) is positioned as a stable network equipment manufacturer with potential for growth driven by AI trends, expecting a year-over-year growth of approximately 6-7% [1] - The company employs a value investing approach, focusing on robust business models and strategic foresight to identify high-growth opportunities across various industries [1] - The discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation methodology is primarily used for analysis, complemented by business model frameworks from prestigious institutions for a comprehensive understanding of intrinsic value and strategic positioning [1]

Group 1 - Cisco Systems (CSCO) is positioned as a stable network equipment manufacturer with growth potential linked to AI advancements, expecting a year-over-year growth of approximately 6-7% [1] - The company employs a value investing approach, focusing on robust business models and strategic foresight to identify high-growth opportunities across various industries [1] - The discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation methodology is primarily used for analysis, complemented by business model frameworks from prestigious institutions for a comprehensive understanding of intrinsic value and strategic positioning [1]