Core Insights - Cisco's stock has surpassed its dot-com peak for the first time, reaching $80.25, exceeding the previous record of $80.06 set on March 27, 2000 [2] - The company's market capitalization now stands at $317 billion, making it the 13th most valuable tech company in the U.S. [5] - Cisco is positioning itself to benefit from the AI boom, reporting $1.3 billion in quarterly AI infrastructure orders [7] Historical Context - In the early 2000s, Cisco was a key player in the internet boom, providing essential networking equipment [1][3] - The dot-com bubble burst shortly after Cisco's peak, leading to a significant decline in the Nasdaq [3][4] - Despite the market collapse, Cisco survived and diversified through acquisitions, including Scientific-Atlanta and various software companies [4] Current Market Position - Cisco's stock has increased by approximately 36% in 2025, outperforming the Nasdaq's 22% gain [7] - The current AI market is experiencing a level of excitement reminiscent of the dot-com era, with Nvidia emerging as the leading infrastructure provider [6] - Nvidia's market cap is $4.5 trillion, significantly overshadowing Cisco's current valuation [6]