LUMN vs CSCO

For growth investors, Cisco Systems, Inc.

(CSCO) is the stronger pick with 5. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 4% for Lumen Technologies, Inc. (LUMN). Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) offers the better valuation at 35. 9x trailing P/E (22. 1x 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.

Over the past 5 years, Cisco Systems, Inc.

(CSCO) delivered a total return of +89. 7%, compared to -15. 8% for Lumen Technologies, Inc. (LUMN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CSCO returned +299. 4% versus LUMN's -31. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Cisco Systems, Inc.

(CSCO) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 92β versus Lumen Technologies, Inc. 's 2. 74β — meaning LUMN is approximately 198% more volatile than CSCO relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Cisco Systems, Inc.

(CSCO) is pulling ahead at 5. 3% versus -5. 4% for Lumen Technologies, Inc. (LUMN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Cisco Systems, Inc. grew EPS 0. 4% year-over-year, compared to -30. 4% for Lumen Technologies, 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.

Cisco Systems, Inc.

(CSCO) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 0% net margin versus -14. 0% for Lumen Technologies, Inc. — 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 -1. 5% for LUMN. 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CSCO: 5.

3% to $96. 50.

In this comparison, CSCO (1.

8% yield) pays a dividend. LUMN does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Cisco Systems, Inc.

(CSCO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 92), 1. 8% yield, +299. 4% 10Y return). Lumen Technologies, Inc. (LUMN) carries a higher beta of 2. 74 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CSCO: +299. 4%, LUMN: -31. 7%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (LUMN (Communication Services) and CSCO (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

CSCO pays a dividend while LUMN does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.