Cisco Systems vs Tesla: Business Model & Financial Comparison 2026
Cisco Systems · Technology / Communication Equipment·Tesla · Consumer Cyclical / Auto Manufacturers
Financial Comparison
| Metric | CSCOCisco Systems | TSLATesla |
|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | $309.49B | $1.47T |
| Revenue (TTM) | $59.05B | $94.83B |
| Revenue Growth | 9.7% | -3.1% |
| Gross Margin | 64.8% | 18.0% |
| Operating Margin | 24.9% | 4.7% |
| Net Margin | 18.8% | 4.0% |
| Return on Equity | 23.8% | 4.9% |
| P/E (Trailing) | 28.2x | 355.6x |
| P/E (Forward) | 17.3x | 139.2x |
| Free Cash Flow | $10.13B | $3.73B |
| Cash | $15.78B | $44.06B |
| Total Debt | $31.74B | $14.72B |
Data sourced from Yahoo Finance. Green highlights indicate better performance for that metric. Use the interactive tool for real-time data.
Business Model Comparison
Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. stands as a leading company in Technology. Generating $59.05 billion in annual revenue (growing 9.7% year-over-year) and carrying a market capitalization of $316.13 billion, the company has cemented its position as a foundational player in the global Communication Equipment landscape. Under the leadership of its leadership team, Cisco Systems, Inc. continues to execute on a multi-year strategic vision that balances growth inve…
Full Cisco Systems analysis →Tesla
Tesla stands as the leading electric vehicle manufacturer and clean energy company. Generating $94.83 billion in annual revenue (growing -3.1% year-over-year) and carrying a market capitalization of $1.52 trillion, the company has cemented its position as a foundational player in the global Auto Manufacturers landscape. Under the leadership of Elon Musk, Tesla continues to execute on a multi-year strategic vision that balances growth investment w…
Full Tesla analysis →SWOT Analysis Comparison
Strengths
Cisco Systems
- With a market capitalization of $316.13B, Cisco Systems, Inc. is one of the largest companies in its sector, providing the scale advantages of brand recognition, supplier leverage, and capital access
- Cisco Systems, Inc.'s gross margin of 64.8% is well above industry averages, reflecting pricing power, operational efficiency, or a high-value product mix. The operating margin of 24.9% demonstrates d
- A return on equity of 23.8% demonstrates that Cisco Systems, Inc. generates strong returns from shareholder capital, a hallmark of companies with durable competitive advantages.
Tesla
- With a market capitalization of $1.52T, Tesla is one of the largest companies in its sector, providing the scale advantages of brand recognition, supplier leverage, and capital access that smaller com
- Tesla generated $3.73B in free cash flow, providing financial flexibility to invest in growth initiatives, return capital to shareholders, or strengthen the balance sheet.
- Supercharger network: 60,000+ chargers globally, now the de facto standard for EV charging in North America
Weaknesses
Cisco Systems
- Cisco Systems, Inc.'s debt-to-equity ratio of 66.5 indicates meaningful financial leverage. Total debt stands at $31.74B against $15.78B in cash and equivalents.
Tesla
- Year-over-year revenue declined 3.1%, raising questions about demand for Tesla's core offerings and requiring management to articulate a credible recovery path.
- A net profit margin of 4.0% leaves limited buffer against revenue fluctuations or cost increases. Any significant market downturn could quickly pressure profitability.
- With 134,785 employees globally, Tesla faces inherent challenges in agility, decision-making speed, and maintaining a consistent culture across geographies — advantages that smaller, nimbler competito
Opportunities
Cisco Systems
- The rapid advancement of generative AI and large language models presents Cisco Systems, Inc. with opportunities to automate operations, enhance products, and develop new AI-native services. Companies
- Cisco Systems, Inc. operates in the Communication Equipment segment of the broader Technology sector, which represents a $5.0 trillion by 2027 (IDC Global Technology Market). Even modest share gains i
- Emerging markets — particularly India (1.4B people, rapidly growing middle class), Southeast Asia (700M people), and Sub-Saharan Africa — represent significant untapped addressable markets for Cisco S
Tesla
- Tesla operates in the Auto Manufacturers segment of the broader Consumer Cyclical sector, which represents a $28 trillion global consumer spending market. Even modest share gains in this environment t
- Emerging markets — particularly India (1.4B people, rapidly growing middle class), Southeast Asia (700M people), and Sub-Saharan Africa — represent significant untapped addressable markets for Tesla's
- With $44.06B in cash and strong free cash flow generation, Tesla is well-positioned to pursue strategic acquisitions that expand its capabilities, customer base, or geographic reach.
Threats
Cisco Systems
- Global economic slowdowns, inflation, or rising interest rates can reduce consumer and enterprise spending. Cisco Systems, Inc.'s revenue is not fully insulated from macroeconomic cycles, and a recess
- Increasing government regulation — particularly data privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA), antitrust enforcement, and trade restrictions — poses compliance costs and potential restrictions on Cisco Systems, Inc.
- The technology sector evolves at a pace where today's competitive advantages can erode quickly. New entrants with AI-native approaches, open-source alternatives, or disruptive business models could ch
Tesla
- Global economic slowdowns, inflation, or rising interest rates can reduce consumer and enterprise spending. Tesla's revenue is not fully insulated from macroeconomic cycles, and a recession scenario c
- Increasing government regulation — particularly data privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA), antitrust enforcement, and trade restrictions — poses compliance costs and potential restrictions on Tesla's business mo
- Competition for skilled technology, engineering, and management talent remains intense. High employee turnover or inability to attract top talent could slow innovation and execution — particularly cri
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Open Comparison ToolCisco Systems vs Tesla: FAQ
- Is Cisco Systems bigger than Tesla?
- By market capitalization, Tesla is larger at $1.47T vs Cisco Systems's $309.49B.
- Which has better profit margins — Cisco Systems or Tesla?
- Cisco Systems has higher net profit margins (18.8%) compared to Tesla (4.0%). Gross and operating margins are compared in the table above.
- What sectors do Cisco Systems and Tesla operate in?
- Cisco Systems operates in the Technology sector (Communication Equipment). Tesla operates in the Consumer Cyclical sector (Auto Manufacturers).
- How does Cisco Systems's revenue compare to Tesla's?
- Cisco Systems generates $59.05B in annual revenue (TTM) while Tesla generates $94.83B. Tesla is the larger company by revenue as of 2026.