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CHT vs CSCO
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Communication Equipment
CHT vs CSCO — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications Services | Communication Equipment |
| Market Cap | $33.99B | $382.42B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $235.08B | $59.05B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $38.69B | $11.08B |
| Gross Margin | 36.6% | 64.4% |
| Operating Margin | 20.7% | 23.0% |
| Forward P/E | 0.8x | 23.2x |
| Total Debt | $38.02B | $29.64B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $37.09B | $9.47B |
CHT vs CSCO — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chunghwa Telecom Co… (CHT) | 100 | 118.3 | +18.3% |
| Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) | 100 | 201.9 | +101.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CHT vs CSCO
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CHT is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 0.20, yield 3.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.20, Low D/E 9.5%, current ratio 1.48x
- Beta 0.20, yield 3.7%, current ratio 1.48x
CSCO carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 5.3%, EPS growth 0.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 3.2%
- 318.3% 10Y total return vs CHT's 64.4%
- 5.3% revenue growth vs CHT's 3.3%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 5.3% revenue growth vs CHT's 3.3% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (0.8x vs 23.2x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 18.8% margin vs CHT's 16.5% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.20 vs CSCO's 0.90, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 3.7% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs CSCO's 1.7% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +64.5% vs CHT's +7.4% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 9.0% ROA vs CHT's 7.3%, ROIC 13.0% vs 9.1% |
CHT vs CSCO — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
CHT vs CSCO — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CSCO leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CHT is the larger business by revenue, generating $235.1B annually — 4.0x CSCO's $59.1B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 18.8% (CSCO) to 16.5% (CHT). On growth, CSCO holds the edge at +9.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $235.1B | $59.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $87.5B | $16.1B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $38.7B | $11.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $51.3B | $12.8B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +36.6% | +64.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +20.7% | +23.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +16.5% | +18.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +21.8% | +21.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +1.4% | +9.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +3.4% | +29.5% |
Valuation Metrics
CHT leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 27.5x trailing earnings, CHT trades at a 27% valuation discount to CSCO's 37.9x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CHT's 12.7x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CSCO's 27.5x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $34.0B | $382.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $34.0B | $402.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 27.53x | 37.87x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 0.83x | 23.24x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 9.11x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 12.69x | 27.53x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.51x | 6.75x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.66x | 8.24x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 21.49x | 28.78x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CSCO leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CSCO delivers a 23.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $23 in annual profit, vs $10 for CHT. CHT carries lower financial leverage with a 0.09x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CSCO's 0.63x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CHT scores 9/9 vs CSCO's 8/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.8% | +23.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +7.3% | +9.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.1% | +13.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +10.7% | +13.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 9 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.09x | 0.63x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $929M | $20.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $37.1B | $9.5B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $38.0B | $29.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 130.38x | 9.64x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CSCO leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CSCO five years ago would be worth $19,643 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,104 for CHT. Over the past 12 months, CSCO leads with a +64.5% total return vs CHT's +7.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CSCO at 29.8% vs CHT's 4.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +5.0% | +28.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +7.4% | +64.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +15.1% | +118.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +21.0% | +96.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +64.4% | +318.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +4.8% | +29.8% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — CHT and CSCO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CHT is the less volatile stock with a 0.20 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CSCO's 0.90 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CSCO currently trades 99.5% from its 52-week high vs CHT's 93.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.20x | 0.90x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $47.03 | $97.02 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $39.28 | $59.43 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.2% | +99.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 55.1 | 65.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 183K | 19.0M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — CHT and CSCO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CHT as "Sell" and CSCO as "Buy". For income investors, CHT offers the higher dividend yield at 3.66% vs CSCO's 1.67%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Sell | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $99.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 4 | 73 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.7% | +1.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 5 | 15 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $50.30 | $1.61 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.9% |
CSCO leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). CHT leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
CHT vs CSCO: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CHT or CSCO a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Cisco Systems, Inc.
(CSCO) is the stronger pick with 5. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 3% for Chunghwa Telecom Co. , Ltd. (CHT). Chunghwa Telecom Co. , Ltd. (CHT) offers the better valuation at 27. 5x trailing P/E (0. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) a "Buy" — based on 73 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — CHT or CSCO?
On trailing P/E, Chunghwa Telecom Co.
, Ltd. (CHT) is the cheapest at 27. 5x versus Cisco Systems, Inc. at 37. 9x. On forward P/E, Chunghwa Telecom Co. , Ltd. is actually cheaper at 0. 8x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CHT or CSCO?
Over the past 5 years, Cisco Systems, Inc.
(CSCO) delivered a total return of +96. 4%, compared to +21. 0% for Chunghwa Telecom Co. , Ltd. (CHT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CSCO returned +318. 3% versus CHT's +64. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CHT or CSCO?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Chunghwa Telecom Co.
, Ltd. (CHT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 20β versus Cisco Systems, Inc. 's 0. 90β — meaning CSCO is approximately 360% more volatile than CHT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Chunghwa Telecom Co. , Ltd. (CHT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 9% versus 63% for Cisco Systems, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CHT or CSCO?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Cisco Systems, Inc.
(CSCO) is pulling ahead at 5. 3% versus 3. 3% for Chunghwa Telecom Co. , Ltd. (CHT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Chunghwa Telecom Co. , Ltd. grew EPS 4. 2% year-over-year, compared to 0. 4% for Cisco Systems, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CSCO leads at 3. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — CHT or CSCO?
Cisco Systems, Inc.
(CSCO) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 0% net margin versus 16. 4% for Chunghwa Telecom Co. , Ltd. — meaning it keeps 18. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CSCO leads at 20. 8% versus 20. 6% for CHT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CSCO leads at 64. 9%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is CHT or CSCO more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Chunghwa Telecom Co.
, Ltd. (CHT) trades at 0. 8x forward P/E versus 23. 2x for Cisco Systems, Inc. — 22. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — CHT or CSCO?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Chunghwa Telecom Co. , Ltd. (CHT) offers the highest yield at 3. 7%, versus 1. 7% for Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO).
09Is CHT or CSCO better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Chunghwa Telecom Co.
, Ltd. (CHT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 20), 3. 7% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CHT: +64. 4%, CSCO: +318. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between CHT and CSCO?
These companies operate in different sectors (CHT (Communication Services) and CSCO (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: CHT is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; CSCO is a large-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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