XDR

Search documents
Is Cisco Stock's 4.42X PS Still Worth it? Buy, Sell, or Hold?
ZACKS· 2025-09-10 17:10
Core Insights - Cisco Systems (CSCO) shares are currently trading at a premium with a Value Score of D, reflecting a forward 12-month price/sales ratio of 4.45X, which is higher than the Zacks Computer Networks industry's 4.16X but lower than Arista Networks (18.19X) and Broadcom (21.43X) [1][4][18] Stock Performance - Year-to-date (YTD), CSCO shares have appreciated by 13.8%, underperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector (15.9%) and peers Broadcom (46.1%) and Arista Networks (28.4%) [4][7] - Since the fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results were reported on August 13, CSCO shares have dropped by 4.4%, attributed to slowing momentum in networking revenues, which grew by 12% year-over-year to $7.63 billion [5][6] Growth Drivers - AI Infrastructure orders from webscale customers reached $2 billion in fiscal 2025, doubling management's forecast, with over $800 million in orders reported in the fourth quarter [7][9] - Cisco's partnership with NVIDIA is expected to enhance AI capabilities, integrating Cisco Nexus switches with NVIDIA's Spectrum-X architecture for improved networking solutions [11][12] - Networking product orders have shown double-digit growth for four consecutive quarters, driven by demand in webscale infrastructure, switching, enterprise routing, and industrial IoT [13] Security Business - Cisco's security business is experiencing strong demand, with mid-single-digit growth in orders for Cisco Secure Access, Hypershield, and XDR, and a reported 14% year-over-year growth in new logos for Splunk [14] Financial Guidance - For fiscal 2026, Cisco expects revenues between $59 billion and $60 billion, up from $56.7 billion in fiscal 2025, with non-GAAP earnings projected between $4.00 and $4.06 per share [16] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 revenues is $56.58 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 5.2%, while earnings are expected to grow by 6% to $4.04 per share [17] Market Position - Cisco's expanding portfolio and focus on AI and security position the company for sustained growth in a changing tech landscape, despite facing challenges from stretched valuations and competitive pressures [18][19]
Cisco's Security Portfolio Gains Traction: A Sign of More Upside?
ZACKS· 2025-09-01 17:20
Core Insights - Cisco Systems' security business is experiencing strong demand, particularly for Cisco Secure Access, Hypershield, and XDR, with mid-single-digit order growth in Q4 fiscal 2025 [1][2][10] - Security revenues reached $1.95 billion, reflecting a 9% year-over-year increase, driven by offerings from Splunk and SASE [2][10] - Cisco's collaboration with NVIDIA enhances its leadership in security by integrating Nexus switches with Spectrum-X architecture [3] Security Business Performance - Cisco's security revenues were $1.95 billion, up 9% year-over-year, with significant contributions from Splunk and SASE [2][10] - The company added 750 new customers in the reported quarter, with Splunk synergies contributing to a 14% year-over-year growth in new logos [1][10] - Excluding sluggish U.S. federal order growth, security order growth in the rest of the world increased by double digits in Q4 [2] Future Outlook - Cisco expects Q1 fiscal 2026 revenues between $14.65 billion and $14.85 billion, indicating a 6.7% growth from the previous year [4][10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q1 fiscal 2026 is set at $14.77 billion [4] - Earnings per share for Q1 fiscal 2026 are projected between 97 cents and 99 cents, suggesting a 7.7% year-over-year growth [14] Competitive Landscape - Cisco faces increasing competition from Broadcom and Okta in the enterprise security sector [5] - Broadcom's security offerings accounted for 44% of its revenues in Q2 fiscal 2025, with new tools aimed at improving security and operational efficiency [6] - Okta's AI-powered capabilities are gaining traction, enhancing its product offerings in identity security [7] Stock Performance and Valuation - Cisco shares have appreciated 16.7% year-to-date, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector's return of 12.9% [8] - Cisco's forward 12-month price/sales ratio is 4.59X, compared to the industry average of 4.31X, indicating potential overvaluation [12]
深信服(300454):收入端稳健增长,Q2单季度实现扭亏
Shanxi Securities· 2025-08-25 10:53
Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Accumulate-A" rating for the company [1][8][19] Core Views - The company achieved a revenue of 3.009 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 11.16%. The net profit attributable to shareholders was -228 million yuan, a significant improvement of 61.54% year-on-year [5][6] - In Q2 2025, the company reported a revenue of 1.747 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.50%, and turned a profit with a net profit of 22 million yuan [5][6] - The growth drivers include the super-converged and EDS businesses, with the cloud computing and IT infrastructure segment growing by 26.15% year-on-year [6][7] Financial Performance - The company's gross margin for the first half of 2025 was 62.09%, an increase of 0.75 percentage points year-on-year. The gross margin for the cloud computing business improved by 3.46 percentage points [7] - Operating expenses decreased by 6.81% year-on-year, leading to a significant improvement in the net profit margin, which reached -7.56%, an increase of 14.31 percentage points year-on-year [7] - The operating cash flow improved from -977 million yuan in the previous year to -235 million yuan, attributed to increased sales and better supply chain management [7] Revenue and Profit Forecast - The company is expected to see rapid growth in its cloud business driven by the explosion in AI demand, with EPS forecasts for 2025, 2026, and 2027 at 1.23, 1.88, and 2.45 yuan respectively [8][11] - The projected P/E ratios for 2025, 2026, and 2027 are 97.3, 63.8, and 48.9 respectively, based on the closing price of 119.85 yuan on August 22, 2025 [8][11] Market Performance - As of August 22, 2025, the company's closing price was 119.85 yuan, with a year-to-date high of 142.00 yuan and a low of 42.70 yuan [4][5]
深信服(300454):收入端稳健增长 Q2单季度实现扭亏
Xin Lang Cai Jing· 2025-08-25 10:47
Core Viewpoint - The company reported a revenue of 3.009 billion yuan for the first half of 2025, marking an 11.16% year-on-year increase, while the net profit attributable to shareholders was -228 million yuan, a significant increase of 61.54% year-on-year [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, the company achieved a revenue of 1.747 billion yuan, reflecting a 4.50% year-on-year growth, and turned a profit with a net profit of 22 million yuan [1] - The company's gross margin for the first half of 2025 was 62.09%, an increase of 0.75 percentage points compared to the same period last year [3] - The operating cash flow improved from -977 million yuan in the previous year to -235 million yuan, primarily due to increased sales receipts and better supply chain management [3] Group 2: Business Segments - The company's network security business generated 1.435 billion yuan in revenue, a slight increase of 2.61% year-on-year, with strategic areas like XDR and MSS showing faster growth [2] - The cloud computing and IT infrastructure business saw a revenue of 1.395 billion yuan, up 26.15% year-on-year, driven by domestic demand and product quality improvements [2] - The basic network and IoT business reported a revenue of 179 million yuan, down 11.62% year-on-year, mainly due to intensified competition in the enterprise wireless market [2] Group 3: Cost Management and Efficiency - The company implemented cost reduction and efficiency improvement measures, resulting in a 6.81% year-on-year decrease in sales, management, and R&D expenses [3] - The net profit margin improved significantly to -7.56%, an increase of 14.31 percentage points compared to the previous year [3] - The company achieved a turnaround in Q2 with a net profit, indicating effective cost management strategies [3] Group 4: Investment Outlook - As a leading player in network security and cloud computing in China, the company is expected to benefit from the surge in AI demand, leading to rapid growth in its cloud business [4] - The adjusted earnings per share (EPS) forecasts for 2025-2027 are 1.23, 1.88, and 2.45 respectively, with corresponding price-to-earnings (PE) ratios of 97.3, 63.8, and 48.9 [4]
3 Networking Stocks to Consider From a Flourishing Industry
ZACKS· 2025-08-22 15:46
Industry Overview - The Zacks Computer - Networking industry is poised for growth driven by advancements in cloud computing, network security, big data, and next-gen connectivity, particularly due to the increasing applications of AI technology [1] - The demand for AI workloads and hyperscale data centers is leading to significant investments in high-speed interconnects, optical networking, and Ethernet switches, with companies aiming to leverage the multi-billion-dollar AI infrastructure opportunity [1] - The rapid deployment of 5G technology is enhancing the Internet of Things (IoT), Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, AR/VR devices, and 5G smartphones, thereby increasing the need for robust networking infrastructure [1] Trends Influencing the Industry - The Wi-Fi 7 upgrade cycle is expected to stimulate demand for innovative networking products, benefiting major players like Cisco Systems, Extreme Networks, and RADCOM [2] - The industry is experiencing heightened uncertainty due to global macroeconomic conditions and volatile supply-chain dynamics, with some telecom operators reducing or delaying capital expenditures [2][7] - The growing popularity of smart home products and IoT devices is driving innovation in networking technologies, including network virtualization and Software-Defined Networking [4] Performance Metrics - The Zacks Computer - Networking industry has outperformed the S&P 500 Composite and the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector, gaining 31.3% over the past year compared to the sector's 18.3% and the S&P 500's 13.9% [11] - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 20.27X, which is lower than the S&P 500's 22.52X and the sector's 27.18X [14] Company Highlights - **Extreme Networks**: The company reported a 20% year-over-year revenue growth in the last quarter, driven by strong demand for its AI-driven cloud networking solutions. Its SaaS annual recurring revenues rose 24.4% year-over-year to $207.6 million [18][19] - **Cisco Systems**: Cisco is enhancing its AI capabilities across its security and collaboration platforms, with notable developments including the launch of AI-driven solutions and partnerships with NVIDIA to create AI-ready data center networks [23][24] - **RADCOM**: The company focuses on cloud-native, automated service assurance for 5G networks and aims for a revenue growth target of 15%-18% for the full year, translating to a midpoint projection of $71.1 million [28][31]
深信服(300454):单Q2实现盈利,云业务增长26%
Guoxin Securities· 2025-08-22 11:23
Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Outperform the Market" [4][12][18] Core Views - The company achieved profitability in Q2, with a revenue of 1.747 billion yuan, representing a 4.50% increase, and a net profit of 22 million yuan, marking a significant recovery [1][7] - The cloud computing business remains the main driver of revenue growth, with a 26.15% increase in revenue to 1.395 billion yuan in H1 2025 [1][2] - The company is expected to release a profit turning point in 2025, driven by AI and security integration, with a focus on XDR and managed security services [2][12] Financial Performance Summary - For H1 2025, the company reported a total revenue of 3.009 billion yuan, an increase of 11.16%, and a narrowed net loss of 228 million yuan [1][7] - The gross margin for H1 2025 was 62.09%, up by 0.75 percentage points year-on-year, with a notable increase in the gross margin of the cloud computing business by 3.46 percentage points [1][2] - The company expects revenues of 8.321 billion yuan, 9.346 billion yuan, and 10.740 billion yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively, with growth rates of 10.7%, 12.3%, and 14.9% [2][12][16] Revenue Breakdown - In H1 2025, cloud computing revenue was 1.395 billion yuan, while security business revenue was 1.435 billion yuan, and basic network and IoT revenue was 179 million yuan [1][2] - The revenue from enterprise customers grew by 6.61%, accounting for 48.75% of total revenue, while government and institutional revenue increased by 16.98%, making up 41.57% [1][2] - International market revenue reached 254 million yuan, reflecting a growth of 35.33% [1][2]
深信服(300454):云计算持续驱动公司营收增长,二季度实现盈利
Ping An Securities· 2025-08-22 07:11
Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommended" investment rating for the company, indicating an expectation of stock performance that exceeds market performance by 10% to 20% over the next six months [1][14]. Core Insights - The company's revenue growth is driven by cloud computing, with a reported revenue of 3.009 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, reflecting an 11.16% year-over-year increase. The net profit attributable to shareholders was -228 million yuan, with losses narrowing by 61.54% year-over-year [5][9]. - The company achieved profitability in the second quarter of 2025, with a net profit of 21.98 million yuan, compared to a loss of 103 million yuan in the same quarter of the previous year [9][10]. - The company is focusing on upgrading its product and service capabilities towards AI, particularly in network security and cloud computing, which is expected to enhance its market position [10]. Revenue Breakdown - In the first half of 2025, the company generated 1.395 billion yuan from cloud computing and IT infrastructure, a 26.15% increase year-over-year, accounting for 46.36% of total revenue [9]. - The network security business generated 1.435 billion yuan, showing a modest growth of 2.61%, while the basic network and IoT business saw a decline of 11.62% to 179 million yuan [9]. Financial Projections - The company forecasts net profits of 409 million yuan, 529 million yuan, and 696 million yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, with corresponding EPS of 0.97 yuan, 1.25 yuan, and 1.65 yuan [10][12]. - The projected P/E ratios for 2025, 2026, and 2027 are 107.4, 83.0, and 63.1, respectively, indicating a potential for improved valuation as earnings grow [12]. Market Position - The company is recognized as a leading ICT provider in China, particularly in the network security sector, and is expected to maintain its competitive edge through continuous innovation and market adaptation [10][12].
Cisco Drops 6% Post Q4 Results: Time to Buy CSCO Shares on the Dip?
ZACKS· 2025-08-18 16:51
Core Insights - Cisco Systems (CSCO) shares have declined 6% following the fiscal Q4 2025 results, primarily due to slowing momentum in networking revenues, which grew 12% year over year to $7.63 billion [1][8] - The decline in stock price presents a potential buying opportunity for investors, especially considering Cisco's strong momentum in AI [1] Financial Performance - In fiscal Q4 2025, AI Infrastructure orders from webscale customers exceeded $800 million, leading to total revenues of $2 billion for fiscal 2025, which is double the management's original expectations [2] - Annual Recurring Revenues (ARR) reached $31.1 billion, up 5%, with product ARR growing by 8%. Total subscription revenues increased 3% year over year to $7.9 billion, accounting for 54% of total revenues [3] - Total Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO) increased 6% year over year to $43.5 billion, with product RPO growing 8% [3] Market Position and Comparisons - Year to date, CSCO shares have appreciated 11.8%, underperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector, which has appreciated 13.7%, and peers Broadcom (AVGO) and Arista Networks (ANET), which have appreciated 32.1% and 24.2%, respectively [4] - Cisco's shares are trading at a premium with a forward 12-month price/sales ratio of 4.65X, compared to the industry average of 4.14X, but are trading at a discount compared to Arista Networks and Broadcom [15][18] Future Guidance - For fiscal 2026, Cisco expects revenues between $59 billion and $60 billion, an increase from $56.7 billion in fiscal 2025, with projected non-GAAP earnings per share between $4 and $4.06 [8][13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 revenues is $56.58 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 5.2%, while the consensus for earnings is $4.02 per share, reflecting a growth of 5.5% [14] Strategic Initiatives - Cisco's aggressive push into AI and its growing security business are significant growth drivers, with strong demand for products like Cisco Secure Access and XDR [9][11] - The partnership with NVIDIA is expected to enhance Cisco's AI capabilities, offering solutions for AI-ready data center networks [12] Investment Outlook - An expanding portfolio positions Cisco for sustained growth in the evolving tech landscape, particularly in AI and security [21] - Cisco currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a favorable investment opportunity for accumulation [21]
Cisco Systems(CSCO) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-13 21:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported total revenue of $14.7 billion for Q4, an increase of 8% year over year [22] - Non-GAAP net income was $4 billion, up 12%, with non-GAAP earnings per share at $0.99, reflecting a 14% increase [22][23] - For the full fiscal year, total revenue reached $56.7 billion, up 5%, with non-GAAP earnings per share at $3.81, a 2% increase [29][31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total product revenue was $10.9 billion, up 10%, while services revenue remained flat at $3.8 billion [23][24] - Networking revenue grew by 12%, driven by double-digit growth in internet infrastructure and enterprise routing [24] - Security revenue increased by 9%, primarily due to growth from Splunk and SASE offerings [24] - Collaboration revenue rose by 2%, supported by solid growth in devices [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Product orders in Q4 grew by 7% year over year, with the Americas up 5%, EMEA up 10%, and APJC up 7% [26] - Service provider and cloud orders surged by 49%, while enterprise orders increased by 5% and public sector orders declined by 6% [26][9] - AI infrastructure orders from web scale customers exceeded $800 million in Q4, totaling over $2 billion for the fiscal year [8][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on AI infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on networking and security solutions to support the AI era [7][12] - Cisco aims to leverage its refreshed product portfolio, including Silicon One and AI-native security solutions, to meet increasing network demands [7][12] - The company is positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for AI solutions, particularly in the enterprise and web scale markets [12][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ongoing demand for AI infrastructure and the company's ability to deliver critical solutions [7][12] - The company anticipates a strong fiscal year 2026, driven by continued growth in AI-related orders and a robust pipeline [7][34] - Management acknowledged the complexities of the current operating environment but remains optimistic about future growth opportunities [32][34] Other Important Information - The company returned $2.9 billion to shareholders in Q4, totaling $12.4 billion for the fiscal year, representing 94% of free cash flow [7][30] - The non-GAAP gross margin for Q4 was 68.4%, up 50 basis points year over year, indicating strong profitability [26][27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Regarding guidance and AI opportunity - Management clarified that the anticipated deceleration in growth is related to year-over-year comparisons and not a change in demand [38][39] Question: Outlook for security business growth - Management expressed optimism about security growth, citing strong order growth for new products and double-digit growth outside the U.S. federal sector [44][46] Question: Concerns about order pull forwards - Management stated that there is no significant evidence of order pull forwards affecting the business, based on customer feedback and order metrics [57][60] Question: Sustainability of networking growth - Management indicated confidence in maintaining growth rates, driven by AI demand and upcoming campus upgrades [68][70] Question: AI orders translating into revenue - Management confirmed that approximately $1 billion in revenue was recognized from AI infrastructure orders during FY 2025 [76]
Okta Emphasizes AI-Driven Security: Can PANW Advance Its Lead?
ZACKS· 2025-07-17 17:41
Group 1: Company Strategy and Developments - Okta is enhancing its identity protection efforts by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its security strategy, enabling real-time detection and response to identity-based threats [1] - The company's AI approach supports a growing portfolio that includes Identity Governance, Privileged Access, Fine-Grained Authorization, Device Access, and Identity Security Posture Management, while also expanding tools to protect non-human identities like service accounts and bots [2] - A significant boost to Okta's AI-driven vision comes from a new partnership with Palo Alto Networks, creating a unified security architecture for automated threat detection and response [3][4] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Okta faces increasing competition in the identity and access management (IAM) space from CyberArk Software and Microsoft [5] - CyberArk has shown strong growth with a 43% revenue increase in Q1 2025, bolstered by acquisitions and a robust position in identity security [6] - Microsoft's Entra ID presents a significant challenge with over 900 million monthly active users and advanced IAM tools, reinforcing its dominance in secure identity solutions [7] Group 3: Financial Performance and Valuation - Okta's shares have appreciated 18.8% year to date, outperforming the Zacks Security industry's return of 15.6% [8] - The company is trading at a forward Price/Cash Flow ratio of 21.44, slightly below the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector's 21.7X, with a Value Score of D [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Okta's Q2 fiscal 2026 earnings is 84 cents per share, indicating a 16.67% year-over-year growth, while the fiscal 2026 earnings estimate is $3.28 per share, suggesting a 16.73% growth over fiscal 2025 [13][15]