Cisco Stock Surges Past Dot-Com Peak After 25 Years In AI-Led Comeback - Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO), IBM (NYSE:IBM)

Core Viewpoint - Cisco Systems Inc. has reached a record high stock price, surpassing its previous peak from the dot-com era for the first time in 25 years, driven by strong demand for AI and networking solutions [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - Cisco's stock closed at $80.25, marking a nearly 1% increase and surpassing its previous record of $80.06 set on March 27, 2000 [2]. - The company's market capitalization currently stands at $317 billion [3]. - In Q1, Cisco reported revenue of $14.88 billion and adjusted earnings of $1.00 per share, exceeding Wall Street expectations [3]. AI and Infrastructure Demand - Hyperscalers placed $1.3 billion in orders during Q1, and Cisco anticipates approximately $3 billion in AI infrastructure revenue from these customers in fiscal 2026 [4]. - Cisco's partnership with IBM aims to develop a networked distributed quantum computing system by the early 2030s, which could enhance its market position [4]. Stock Performance and Market Position - Cisco's stock has surged 35.79% year-to-date, reflecting strong market performance [5]. - The company is positioned in the 50th percentile for quality and the 16th percentile for value according to Benzinga's Edge Rankings, indicating a mixed performance [5].