Erste Group Upgrades Cisco (CSCO) to Buy After Strong Start to Fiscal 2026

Group 1 - Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is recognized as one of the 15 Best Passive Income Stocks to Buy Right Now [1] - Erste Group upgraded Cisco to a Buy rating from Hold, citing strong operating margins and return on equity, along with an optimistic outlook for fiscal year 2026 [2] - For fiscal Q1 2026, Cisco reported record revenue of $14.88 billion, a 7.53% increase year-over-year, driven by a 10% rise in product revenue due to demand for AI infrastructure and campus networking solutions [3] Group 2 - Cisco has consistently rewarded shareholders with dividends, raising payouts for 18 consecutive years, and maintains a strong presence in IT infrastructure with a diverse portfolio [4] - The company anticipates recognizing approximately $3 billion from hyperscaler AI infrastructure revenue in FY26, with AI infrastructure orders from hyperscalers reaching $1.3 billion in the quarter [3]