Telecommunications Services
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4 / 10Stock Comparison
UZE vs CSCO vs ANET vs LUMN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Communication Equipment
Computer Hardware
Telecommunications Services
UZE vs CSCO vs ANET vs LUMN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications Services | Communication Equipment | Computer Hardware | Telecommunications Services |
| Market Cap | $1.56B | $364.95B | $178.49B | $8.71B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.91B | $59.05B | $9.71B | $12.12B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $290M | $11.08B | $3.72B | $-1.74B |
| Gross Margin | 57.5% | 64.4% | 63.5% | 35.2% |
| Operating Margin | 4.2% | 23.0% | 42.8% | -2.6% |
| Forward P/E | 20.3x | 22.2x | 40.0x | — |
| Total Debt | $1.71B | $29.64B | $0.00 | $17.71B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $113M | $9.47B | $1.96B | $1.00B |
UZE vs CSCO vs ANET vs LUMN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Dec 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Array Digital Infra… (UZE) | 100 | 71.5 | -28.5% |
| Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) | 100 | 205.9 | +105.9% |
| Arista Networks, In… (ANET) | 100 | 780.6 | +680.6% |
| Lumen Technologies,… (LUMN) | 100 | 86.8 | -13.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: UZE vs CSCO vs ANET vs LUMN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
UZE carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.65, yield 100.0%
- Beta 0.65, yield 100.0%, current ratio 0.72x
- Better valuation composite
- Beta 0.65 vs LUMN's 2.74
CSCO is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 0.92, Low D/E 63.3%, current ratio 1.00x
ANET is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure and long-term compounding is your priority.
- Rev growth 28.6%, EPS growth 23.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 27.1%
- 33.7% 10Y total return vs CSCO's 301.7%
- PEG 0.99 vs UZE's 4.13
- 28.6% revenue growth vs UZE's -95.7%
LUMN is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- +100.0% vs UZE's -11.6%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 28.6% revenue growth vs UZE's -95.7% | |
| Value | Better valuation composite | |
| Quality / Margins | 38.3% margin vs LUMN's -14.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.65 vs LUMN's 2.74 | |
| Dividends | 100.0% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs CSCO's 1.7%, (1 stock pays no dividend) | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +100.0% vs UZE's -11.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 19.7% ROA vs LUMN's -5.3%, ROIC 32.8% vs -0.8% |
UZE vs CSCO vs ANET vs LUMN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
UZE vs CSCO vs ANET vs LUMN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
ANET leads in 3 of 6 categories
UZE leads 1 • CSCO leads 0 • LUMN leads 0 • 2 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ANET leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CSCO is the larger business by revenue, generating $59.1B annually — 30.8x UZE's $1.9B. ANET is the more profitable business, keeping 38.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to LUMN's -14.3%. On growth, ANET holds the edge at +35.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.9B | $59.1B | $9.7B | $12.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $430M | $16.1B | $4.2B | $2.4B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $290M | $11.1B | $3.7B | -$1.7B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $2.6B | $12.8B | $5.3B | $5.4B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +57.5% | +64.4% | +63.5% | +35.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +4.2% | +23.0% | +42.8% | -2.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +15.2% | +18.8% | +38.3% | -14.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +137.8% | +21.8% | +54.4% | +44.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -93.8% | +9.7% | +35.1% | -8.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.8% | +29.5% | +25.0% | 0.0% |
Valuation Metrics
UZE leads this category, winning 4 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 5.4x trailing earnings, UZE trades at a 90% valuation discount to ANET's 51.5x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), UZE offers better value at 1.10x vs ANET's 1.27x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.6B | $365.0B | $178.5B | $8.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.2B | $385.1B | $176.5B | $25.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 5.41x | 36.14x | 51.55x | -4.83x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 20.28x | 22.18x | 40.02x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.10x | — | 1.27x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 26.34x | 44.93x | 9.91x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 9.57x | 6.44x | 19.82x | 0.70x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.61x | 7.87x | 14.62x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 0.59x | 27.46x | 41.97x | 23.49x |
Profitability & Efficiency
ANET leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ANET delivers a 30.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $31 in annual profit, vs $-79 for LUMN. CSCO carries lower financial leverage with a 0.63x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to UZE's 0.66x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CSCO scores 8/9 vs LUMN's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +8.1% | +23.2% | +30.6% | -79.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.8% | +9.0% | +19.7% | -5.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -0.6% | +13.0% | +32.8% | -0.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -0.7% | +13.7% | +30.4% | -0.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.66x | 0.63x | — | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $1.6B | $20.2B | -$2.0B | $16.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $113M | $9.5B | $2.0B | $1.0B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.7B | $29.6B | $0 | $17.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.74x | 9.64x | — | -1.12x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ANET leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ANET five years ago would be worth $69,045 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $7,119 for LUMN. Over the past 12 months, LUMN leads with a +100.0% total return vs UZE's -11.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ANET at 60.1% vs UZE's 18.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +1.5% | +22.3% | +6.1% | +10.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -11.6% | +57.5% | +64.0% | +100.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +64.5% | +109.3% | +310.6% | +267.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -3.9% | +87.2% | +590.5% | -28.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +0.2% | +301.7% | +3374.3% | -35.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +18.1% | +27.9% | +60.1% | +54.4% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — UZE and CSCO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
UZE is the less volatile stock with a 0.65 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LUMN's 2.74 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CSCO currently trades 97.3% from its 52-week high vs LUMN's 70.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.65x | 0.92x | 2.15x | 2.74x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $22.35 | $94.72 | $179.80 | $11.95 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.29 | $59.07 | $82.80 | $3.37 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +80.6% | +97.3% | +78.8% | +70.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 63.2 | 63.9 | 41.4 | 73.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 5K | 18.9M | 7.3M | 12.5M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — UZE and CSCO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: CSCO as "Buy", ANET as "Buy", LUMN as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 31.4% upside for ANET (target: $186) vs -16.3% for LUMN (target: $7). For income investors, UZE offers the higher dividend yield at 100.00% vs CSCO's 1.75%.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $96.50 | $186.25 | $7.08 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 73 | 51 | 28 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +100.0% | +1.7% | — | +0.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 15 | — | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $22.76 | $1.61 | — | $0.00 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.4% | +2.0% | +0.9% | 0.0% |
ANET leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). UZE leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
UZE vs CSCO vs ANET vs LUMN: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is UZE or CSCO or ANET or LUMN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Arista Networks, Inc.
(ANET) is the stronger pick with 28. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -95. 7% for Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc. 5. 500% Senior Notes due 2070 (UZE). Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc. 5. 500% Senior Notes due 2070 (UZE) offers the better valuation at 5. 4x trailing P/E (20. 3x 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 — UZE or CSCO or ANET or LUMN?
On trailing P/E, Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc.
5. 500% Senior Notes due 2070 (UZE) is the cheapest at 5. 4x versus Arista Networks, Inc. at 51. 5x. On forward P/E, Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc. 5. 500% Senior Notes due 2070 is actually cheaper at 20. 3x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Arista Networks, Inc. wins at 0. 99x versus Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc. 5. 500% Senior Notes due 2070's 4. 13x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — UZE or CSCO or ANET or LUMN?
Over the past 5 years, Arista Networks, Inc.
(ANET) delivered a total return of +590. 5%, compared to -28. 8% for Lumen Technologies, Inc. (LUMN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ANET returned +33. 7% versus LUMN's -35. 7%. 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 — UZE or CSCO or ANET or LUMN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc.
5. 500% Senior Notes due 2070 (UZE) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 65β versus Lumen Technologies, Inc. 's 2. 74β — meaning LUMN is approximately 322% more volatile than UZE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 63% versus 66% for Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc. 5. 500% Senior Notes due 2070 — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — UZE or CSCO or ANET or LUMN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Arista Networks, Inc.
(ANET) is pulling ahead at 28. 6% versus -95. 7% for Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc. 5. 500% Senior Notes due 2070 (UZE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc. 5. 500% Senior Notes due 2070 grew EPS 823. 9% year-over-year, compared to -30. 4% for Lumen Technologies, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ANET leads at 27. 1% 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 — UZE or CSCO or ANET or LUMN?
Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc.
5. 500% Senior Notes due 2070 (UZE) is the more profitable company, earning 178. 5% net margin versus -14. 0% for Lumen Technologies, Inc. — meaning it keeps 178. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ANET leads at 42. 8% versus -30. 2% for UZE. 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 UZE or CSCO or ANET or LUMN more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.
By this metric, Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 99x versus Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc. 5. 500% Senior Notes due 2070's 4. 13x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc. 5. 500% Senior Notes due 2070 (UZE) trades at 20. 3x forward P/E versus 40. 0x for Arista Networks, Inc. — 19. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ANET: 31. 4% to $186. 25.
08Which pays a better dividend — UZE or CSCO or ANET or LUMN?
In this comparison, UZE (100.
0% yield), CSCO (1. 7% yield) pay a dividend. ANET, LUMN do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is UZE or CSCO or ANET or LUMN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc.
5. 500% Senior Notes due 2070 (UZE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 65), 100. 0% yield). 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 (UZE: +0. 2%, LUMN: -35. 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.
10What are the main differences between UZE and CSCO and ANET and LUMN?
These companies operate in different sectors (UZE (Communication Services) and CSCO (Technology) and ANET (Technology) and LUMN (Communication Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: UZE is a small-cap deep-value stock; CSCO is a large-cap quality compounder stock; ANET is a mid-cap high-growth stock; LUMN is a small-cap quality compounder stock. UZE, CSCO pay a dividend while ANET, LUMN do 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.
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- Sector: Communication Services
- Market Cap > $100B
- Net Margin > 9%
- Dividend Yield > 40.0%
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