NOK vs CSCO

For growth investors, Cisco Systems, Inc.

(CSCO) is the stronger pick with 5. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 5% for Nokia Oyj (NOK). 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 Nokia Oyj (NOK) a "Buy" — based on 52 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.

On trailing P/E, Cisco Systems, Inc.

(CSCO) is the cheapest at 35. 9x versus Nokia Oyj at 102. 2x. On forward P/E, Cisco Systems, Inc. is actually cheaper at 22. 1x.

Over the past 5 years, Nokia Oyj (NOK) delivered a total return of +182.

0%, compared to +89. 7% for Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CSCO returned +299. 4% versus NOK's +156. 6%. 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 Nokia Oyj's 0. 97β — meaning NOK is approximately 5% more volatile than CSCO relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Nokia Oyj (NOK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 25% versus 63% for Cisco Systems, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(CSCO) is pulling ahead at 5. 3% versus 3. 5% for Nokia Oyj (NOK). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Cisco Systems, Inc. grew EPS 0. 4% year-over-year, compared to -52. 2% for Nokia Oyj. 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 3. 3% for Nokia Oyj — 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 3. 9% for NOK. 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.

On forward earnings alone, Cisco Systems, Inc.

(CSCO) trades at 22. 1x forward P/E versus 39. 6x for Nokia Oyj — 17. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CSCO: 5. 3% to $96. 50.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) offers the highest yield at 1. 8%, versus 1. 2% for Nokia Oyj (NOK).

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). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CSCO: +299. 4%, NOK: +156. 6%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

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.