Cisco Systems (NasdaqGS:CSCO) Q2 2026 Earnings call February 11, 2026 04:30 PM ET Company ParticipantsAaron Rakers - Managing DirectorAmit Daryanani - Senior Managing DirectorBen Reitzes - Managing Director and Head of Technology ResearchChuck Robbins - Chairman and CEOJames Fish - Managing DirectorKarl Ackerman - Managing DirectorMark Patterson - CFOMeta Marshall - Managing DirectorMichael Ng - Managing DirectorSami Badri - Head of Investor RelationsSamik Chatterjee - Managing DirectorConference Call Parti ...

Cisco Systems (NasdaqGS:CSCO) Q2 2026 Earnings call February 11, 2026 04:30 PM ET Company ParticipantsAaron Rakers - Managing DirectorAmit Daryanani - Senior Managing DirectorBen Reitzes - Managing Director and Head of Technology ResearchChuck Robbins - Chairman and CEOJames Fish - Managing DirectorKarl Ackerman - Managing DirectorMark Patterson - CFOMeta Marshall - Managing DirectorMichael Ng - Managing DirectorSami Badri - Head of Investor RelationsSamik Chatterjee - Managing DirectorConference Call Parti ...

Cisco Systems (NasdaqGS:CSCO) Q2 2026 Earnings call February 11, 2026 04:30 PM ET Speaker7Welcome to Cisco's second quarter fiscal year 2026 financial results conference call. At the request of Cisco, today's conference is being recorded. If you have any objections, you may disconnect. Now I would like to introduce Sami Badri, Head of Investor Relations. Sir, you may begin.Speaker9Good afternoon, everyone. This is Sami Badri, Cisco's Head of Investor Relations. I'm joined by Chuck Robbins, our Chair and CEO ...

Core Viewpoint - Cisco Systems (CSCO) is expected to report its second-quarter fiscal 2026 results on February 11, with anticipated revenues between $15 billion and $15.2 billion and non-GAAP earnings per share between $1.01 and $1.03 [1][10]. Revenue and Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is $15.12 billion, reflecting an 8.1% growth from the previous year [2]. - The consensus estimate for earnings is steady at $1.02 per share, indicating an 8.5% year-over-year growth [2]. Performance Trends - Cisco's earnings have consistently surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters, with an average beat of 3.22% [5]. - The consensus estimate for fiscal second-quarter Networking revenues is $7.74 billion, showing a 13% increase from the year-ago quarter [8]. - Security revenues are estimated at $2.15 billion, reflecting a 2% growth year-over-year [9]. Key Growth Drivers - Strong demand for AI infrastructure and campus networking solutions is expected to benefit Cisco's second-quarter results, driven by its innovative networking portfolio and AI-native security solutions [7]. - The company anticipates shipping its one millionth Silicon One chip in the upcoming quarter, indicating robust demand [7]. - Cisco's strategy of integrating AI across its Security platforms and the acquisition of Splunk are contributing to revenue growth [9]. Market Position and Competition - Cisco shares have appreciated 35% over the past 12 months, outperforming the Zacks Computer & Technology sector and competitors like Dell Technologies, Arista Networks, and Hewlett-Packard Enterprise [12]. - Despite strong performance, Cisco faces stiff competition from companies such as Arista Networks and Dell Technologies in the AI networking and enterprise security markets [15]. Future Outlook - Cisco expects to recognize approximately $3 billion in AI infrastructure revenues from hyperscalers in fiscal 2026, with a growing pipeline exceeding $2 billion for high-performance networking products [19]. - The company is also benefiting from strong demand for ruggedized equipment in its industrial IoT portfolio, driven by onshoring and increased AI workloads [20].

Group 1 - Evercore upgraded Cisco's rating from "In Line" to "Outperform" and raised the target price from $80 to $100, driven by strong growth in AI and cyclical opportunities from enterprise network equipment upgrades [1] - The analyst team believes that multiple favorable factors will support Cisco's high single-digit revenue growth and low double-digit EPS growth over the next few years, with a price-to-earnings ratio of less than 20 times making it attractive compared to other large tech peers [1] - The campus network upgrade cycle is expected to continue growing until 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 6%-8%, as customers upgrade to next-generation solutions after more than eight years since the last update [1] Group 2 - Cisco is projected to achieve around $3 billion in AI revenue for fiscal year 2026, accounting for about 5% of sales, with order amounts exceeding $4 billion, driven by four major hyperscalers [2] - The introduction of the P200 product and expansion into enterprise and sovereign clients are expected to provide further growth opportunities for Cisco's AI business [2] - The recovery in the telecom and core enterprise markets is currently underestimated by the market, providing diverse growth sources as enterprises adapt their network architectures to AI workloads [2] Group 3 - Cisco is expected to achieve EBIT margin expansion of approximately 50-100 basis points annually, supported by mid-to-high single-digit revenue growth [3] - Risks include potential underperformance in security and collaboration business growth targets, as well as unforeseen challenges from fluctuations in the memory industry [3] - As of the last trading day, Cisco's stock rose over 3%, closing at $77.01 [3]

Core Insights - Cisco Systems' first-quarter fiscal 2026 networking revenues increased by 15% year-over-year to $7.77 billion, driven by strong demand for AI infrastructure and campus networking solutions [1] - The company anticipates $3 billion in AI infrastructure revenues from hyperscalers in fiscal 2026, with AI infrastructure orders from hyperscalers reaching $1.3 billion [1][9] - Cisco is expanding its AI footprint through its networking portfolio, which includes Silicon One and AI-native security solutions [1][9] Networking Product Demand - Cisco has a growing pipeline of over $2 billion in orders for high-performance networking products across various customer segments, including sovereign, Neocloud, and enterprise [2] - The increasing AI workloads at the network edge and the rise of physical AI are positively impacting Cisco's industrial IoT portfolio [2] Technological Advancements - The integration of Cisco Nexus switches with NVIDIA's Spectrum-X architecture is providing low-latency, high-speed networking for AI clusters, boosting enterprise AI orders [3] - Cisco's upcoming N9100 switch, based on Spectrum-X silicon, is expected to enhance its presence among sovereign and neocloud providers [3] - The launch of Cisco Unified Edge, a converged platform for the network edge, is anticipated to facilitate real-time inferencing for AI workloads, promoting enterprise adoption [3] Competitive Landscape - Cisco faces significant competition from Arista Networks and Hewlett Packard Enterprise in the networking domain [4] - Arista Networks is gaining traction in high-performance switching products and has partnered with Fortinet to enhance security for AI data centers [5] - Hewlett Packard Enterprise is focusing on AI, Industrial IoT, and distributed computing, linking these areas to its networking business, Aruba Networks [6] Stock Performance and Valuation - Cisco shares have appreciated by 30.3% over the past 12 months, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector, which returned 22.6% [7][8] - Cisco's stock is trading at a premium, with a trailing 12-month price/book ratio of 6.58X compared to the industry average of 6.21X [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cisco's second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings is $1.02 per share, indicating an 8.5% growth from the previous year [13]

Summary of Conference Call Notes Industry Overview - **Industry**: Networking Equipment - **Key Focus**: AI infrastructure and data center networking Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Market Performance**: In 2025, networking coverage increased by approximately 37% year-over-year, outperforming the S&P 500, which grew by 16% [1][9] 2. **Key Players**: - **Celestica (CLS)**: Stock price increased by 213% and is positioned as a leading provider of AI infrastructure equipment [2][9] - **Arista Networks (ANET)**: Valued at a premium P/E of approximately 39X, expected to benefit from AI infrastructure growth [2][4] - **Cisco (CSCO)**: Maintains a neutral stance but is expected to participate in AI infrastructure projects [1][2] 3. **AI Ethernet Switch Market**: Projected to grow from approximately $8 billion in 2025 to around $59 billion by 2029, driven by complex networking requirements for AI data centers [1][4] 4. **Hyperscale Capex Growth**: Expected to grow by approximately 32% year-over-year in 2026, reaching nearly $550 billion, supporting demand for data center networking [2][14] 5. **Data Center Infrastructure**: Major AI players like Meta, OpenAI, and Microsoft are expected to drive continued investment in data center infrastructure, with cloud provider capex projected to grow from approximately $294 billion in 2024 to $1.4 trillion by 2029 [14][18] Additional Important Insights 1. **Campus Networking**: The campus switching market is expected to grow by 6% year-over-year in 2026, driven by device refreshes and modernization efforts [5] 2. **XPU Diversification**: Increasing interest in custom ASICs and alternatives to NVIDIA GPUs is anticipated to create demand for bespoke networking equipment [4][42] 3. **Scale-Up and Scale-Across Opportunities**: - Scale-up networking revenue is expected to grow to approximately $10.7 billion in 2026, while the DCI market is projected to grow by 25% year-over-year to $3.8 billion [4][47] - Ethernet-based scale-out networks are expected to see spending growth of approximately 126% year-over-year in 2026 [47] 4. **Market Share Dynamics**: Celestica and Arista are leading in the backend AI Ethernet data center networking market, with shares of 29% and 22% respectively [52] 5. **Emerging Trends**: Full-rack integrated solutions combining networking and compute are gaining traction, with companies like Celestica and Cisco ramping up offerings [45][46] Conclusion The networking equipment industry is poised for significant growth driven by AI infrastructure demands, with key players like Celestica, Arista, and Cisco positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities. The focus on custom solutions and the expansion of data center capabilities will be critical in shaping the market landscape through 2026 and beyond.

Core Viewpoint - Cisco Systems Inc has reached a historic high in stock price after a prolonged period of stagnation, largely attributed to the surge in spending in the artificial intelligence sector [1][18]. Group 1: Stock Performance and Market Context - Cisco's stock price rose by 0.9% to $80.25, marking a new high not seen in 25 years, with a total market capitalization of $317.1 billion [1][18]. - The stock's peak in March 2000 is viewed as the pinnacle of the internet bubble, and comparisons are being drawn between the current market dynamics and those of the late 1990s [1][21]. - The stock's recovery is seen as a reflection of investor confidence, despite concerns that it resembles a utility company rather than an innovative firm [11][27]. Group 2: Historical Context and Comparisons - Cisco was once the most valuable company globally during the internet boom, with a market cap exceeding $500 billion, but saw its value plummet by over 85% after the bubble burst [5][24]. - The company has since transformed and increased its stock price by over 800%, although its market cap remains more than 40% below its peak during the internet bubble [11][27]. - Comparisons are being made between Cisco and Nvidia, with some analysts suggesting that both companies are at the center of a potential AI bubble similar to the internet bubble era [3][21]. Group 3: AI Infrastructure and Future Outlook - Cisco's recent stock surge is primarily driven by strong revenue expectations, with the company poised to benefit from significant investments in AI infrastructure [12][29]. - The company anticipates sales of up to $61 billion for the fiscal year ending in July, exceeding Wall Street's expectations by approximately $1 billion [15][29]. - Former CEO John Chambers expressed optimism about AI's growth trajectory, predicting a significant increase in productivity by 2026 and dismissing concerns about an AI bubble [30][32]. Group 4: Strategic Insights and Industry Dynamics - Chambers highlighted the broad applications of AI across various sectors, including retail, automotive, and healthcare, emphasizing the rapid adoption by major companies [30][32]. - He warned that companies lacking a clear AI strategy may face severe challenges, while those with robust plans could thrive through strategic acquisitions and partnerships [32][33]. - The competitive landscape is expected to shift, with larger firms potentially facing setbacks, while mid-sized and smaller companies may encounter greater risks [32][33].

Summary of Cisco Systems FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Cisco Systems (NasdaqGS: CSCO) - **Date of Conference**: December 10, 2025 Key Industry Insights - **AI Infrastructure**: Cisco has seen significant growth in AI-related orders and revenues, with a target of $1 billion for FY 2025, which was exceeded with over $2 billion recognized in revenue. Orders from top hyperscalers reached $1.3 billion in Q1 FY 2026, with expectations to double that to over $4 billion for the year and triple revenue to $3 billion [16][18]. - **Hyperscaler Demand**: The company reported strong demand from four different hyperscalers, each growing over 100% year-over-year in Q1 FY 2026. This indicates a broadening customer base and successful design wins across multiple use cases [26][27]. - **Optics Market**: Cisco holds a market share of over 25% in the hyperscale optics space, supplying to nearly 400 service providers globally. The optics segment is experiencing strong growth alongside the systems segment [30]. Financial Performance - **Order Growth**: Total order growth was up 13%, with a 9% increase when excluding the web scale business. The enterprise and public sector segments showed strong performance [50]. - **Revenue Recognition**: The shift towards cloud offerings has resulted in a timing difference in revenue recognition, with cloud revenues being ratable over the contract life, leading to more revenue in later quarters [69][70]. Product Development and Strategy - **Silicon One**: This product is a key differentiator for Cisco, providing advantages in supply chain management and cost efficiency. The company aims to deploy Silicon One across all networking products by FY 2029 [110]. - **Campus Refresh Opportunity**: Cisco is in the early stages of a multi-billion dollar campus refresh opportunity, driven by aging equipment and the need for upgrades related to AI and security [51][52]. Competitive Landscape - **Market Position**: Cisco remains a dominant player in the networking space despite increased competition from HP and Juniper. The merger of these competitors has created confusion in the market, which Cisco is capitalizing on [56][58]. Security and Observability - **Security Business**: Cisco's security business is expected to take longer to reach double-digit growth due to the drag from prior generation products. However, new products are gaining traction, with 3,000 new customers in the last 18 months [67][68]. - **Observability Growth**: The observability segment is experiencing good growth, although it remains a smaller part of the overall business [82]. Federal Government Dynamics - **Public Sector Performance**: Cisco has seen double-digit growth in the public sector outside the U.S., particularly in defense spending. The U.S. federal government segment is stabilizing with mid-single digit growth expected [90][92]. Margin and Profitability Outlook - **Operating Margins**: Cisco reported strong operating margins at 68.1%. The company is focused on maintaining profitability while managing a diverse portfolio of products [98][99]. Conclusion - Cisco Systems is positioned for continued growth in AI infrastructure, optics, and campus refresh opportunities, while navigating a competitive landscape and evolving customer needs. The company is committed to enhancing its product offerings and maintaining strong financial performance.

Summary of Cisco Systems Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Cisco Systems (NasdaqGS:CSCO) - **Date**: December 02, 2025 - **Key Speakers**: Bill Gartner (SVP and GM of Optical Systems and Optics Group), Sami Badri (Head of Investor Relations and Market Insights) Industry Insights - **Industry**: Optical Systems and Networking - **Key Competitors**: Ciena, Fujitsu, Adva, Infinera, Huawei, ZTE [2][8] Core Business Segments 1. **Optical Systems**: - Focus on DWDM systems for service providers and hyperscalers [2] - Includes chassis-based solutions with line cards and software [2] 2. **Optics Business**: - Short-distance transceivers for switches and routers [2] 3. **Acacia Technologies**: - Provides coherent technology for optical systems and DCO pluggables [3] Demand and Growth - **Hyperscaler Demand**: - Significant increase in demand for DCI optics from hyperscalers, leading to a revised forecast for FY26 [8][9] - FY25 saw $1 billion in AI infrastructure revenues, with expectations of $3 billion in FY26 [64][68] - **Scale Across vs. Traditional WAN**: - Scale across networks allow for direct connections between scale-out networks, bypassing WAN constraints [14][18] - This model is crucial for cost-effective scaling of AI infrastructure [14] Market Dynamics - **Optics vs. Switching**: - Current mix is approximately one-third optics and two-thirds switching, but this can fluctuate based on customer deployment cycles [21][24] - Transition from 400-Gig to 800-Gig optics is underway, with some customers skipping directly to 1.6T [29][30] - **Long Tail of Technology**: - Legacy technologies like 10-Gig still represent a significant portion of the optics business, indicating a slow adoption curve for new technologies [28] Competitive Positioning - **Pluggable Technology**: - Cisco is leading in the pluggable optics market, with a significant share among hyperscalers [75] - Competitors are beginning to adopt pluggable models, which Cisco views as a long-term trend [75] Financial Outlook - **Fiscal 2026 Drivers**: - AI infrastructure is the primary growth driver, alongside a campus refresh cycle [78][80] - The campus cycle is expected to provide steady growth over several years rather than a sharp spike [82] - **Supply Chain Management**: - Cisco is actively managing supply chain challenges, particularly with DRAM and other components, but does not foresee significant disruptions [55][58] Key Takeaways - Cisco is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for AI infrastructure and optical networking solutions, with a strong focus on adapting to customer needs through a component business model [48][86] - The company emphasizes the importance of providing an open solution for AI infrastructure, contrasting with competitors that may offer more proprietary systems [86]