Compare Stocks › CSCO vs MS
Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) vs Morgan Stanley (MS)
CSCO
Cisco Systems, Inc.
$78.51
VS
MS
Morgan Stanley
$158.55
Rewards
CSCO
- ★Cisco Systems, Inc. has maintained ROIC above 10% for 4 consecutive years, suggesting solid business economics.
- ★Gross margin of 64.8% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
- ★Cisco Systems, Inc. scores 79/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with reinvestment efficiency as the strongest competitive dimension.
MS
- ★Gross margin of 87.1% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
- ★Each dollar of retained earnings has created $6.65 of market value — management is an exceptional capital allocator.
- ★PEG ratio of 0.75 suggests the stock is undervalued relative to its growth rate — paying less than 1x for each unit of earnings growth.
Risks
CSCO
- ⚠Trailing P/E of 28.2x is 32% above the historical average of 21.4x — the stock trades at a premium to its own history.
- ⚠7 insider sales totaling $3.5M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.
MS
- ⚠High leverage (4.56x debt/equity) combined with thin interest coverage (-1.0x) poses financial risk.
- ⚠Altman Z-Score of 0.29 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.
- ⚠7 insider sales totaling $25.2M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.
Key Valuation Metrics
Learn more →CSCO
MS
Valuation
$13.29B
Free Cash Flow
N/A
4.28%
FCF Yield
N/A
28.24
Trailing P/E
15.53
17.39
Forward P/E
12.89
Quality & Moat
14.60%
ROIC
3.43%
21.90%
ROE
14.42%
64.81%
Gross Margin
87.06%
0.91
PEG Ratio
0.75
Balance Sheet Safety
0.67
Debt / Equity
4.56
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
0.98
Net Debt / EBITDA
N/A
2.14%
Dividend Yield
2.52%
CSCO: 3Ties: 1MS: 5
CSCOMS
Historical Fundamentals
Learn more →CSCO
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
MS
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
$1 Retained Earnings Test
Learn more →CSCO
$7.81
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$13.99B
Δ Market Cap
+$109.24B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
MS
$6.65
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$20.84B
Δ Market Cap
+$138.59B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis
Learn more →CSCO
44.5% Overvalued
Price is 44.5% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $78.51
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $54.34
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
MS
45.5% Margin of Safety
Price is 45.5% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $158.55
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $290.92
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth
Learn more →CSCO
What growth rate is the market pricing in at $79?
+14.1%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +10.5%
The market implies +14.1% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.
Standard FCF implies a demanding +10.5%, reflecting heavy growth investment.
MS
Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.
Economic Moat Score
Learn more →CSCO
79/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. Reinvestment Efficiency is the standout factor.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
MS
32/100
No Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
No durable moat detected, though revenue predictability shows some competitive positioning. The business lacks consistent evidence of sustainable advantages.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
Forensic Accounting
Learn more →CSCO
-2.61
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
MS
-2.09
Possible Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Ownership Breakdown
Learn more →CSCO
Insiders 0.1%Institutions 82.0%Retail & Other 17.9%
No. of Institutional Holders4,670
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
MS
Insiders 24.0%Institutions 62.7%Retail & Other 13.3%
No. of Institutional Holders3,182
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
Insider Buying Activity
Learn more →CSCO
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
MS
0
Buys (3M)
1
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $5,630
PETERSON DOUGLAS L
Director
$5,630
@ $156.39 · 2025-10-17
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.
Insider Selling Activity
Learn more →CSCO
7
Sells (3M)
40
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $103.59M
SUBAIYA THIMAYA K
Officer
$134,410
@ $77.07 · 2026-03-12
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$42,725
@ $77.54 · 2026-03-11
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$169,395
@ $77.74 · 2026-02-24
SUBAIYA THIMAYA K
Officer
$804,268
@ $78.60 · 2026-02-19
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$3,786
@ $74.24 · 2026-02-13
PATEL JEETENDRA I
President
$854,853
@ $76.00 · 2026-02-13
ROBBINS CHARLES H
Chief Executive Officer
$1.49M
@ $76.00 · 2026-02-13
CAPELLAS MICHAEL D
Director
$2.08M
@ $77.22 · 2025-12-19
JOHNSON KRISTINA MARY
Director
$1.04M
@ $77.13 · 2025-12-18
SUBAIYA THIMAYA K
Officer
$138,658
@ $79.46 · 2025-12-12
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$34,381
@ $80.33 · 2025-12-11
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$748,586
@ $76.38 · 2025-11-24
TUSZIK OLIVER
Officer
$1.06M
@ $79.21 · 2025-11-20
SUBAIYA THIMAYA K
Officer
$4.39M
@ $78.33 · 2025-11-19
PATTERSON MARK
Chief Financial Officer
$5.33M
@ $77.30 · 2025-11-18
ROBBINS CHARLES H
Chief Executive Officer
$46.97M
@ $77.97 · 2025-11-18
TUSZIK OLIVER
Officer
$416,508
@ $76.56 · 2025-11-17
STAHLKOPF DEBORAH L
Officer
$12.82M
@ $77.85 · 2025-11-17
PATEL JEETENDRA I
President
$12.76M
@ $77.86 · 2025-11-14
TUSZIK OLIVER
Officer
$1.19M
@ $67.95 · 2025-09-19
SUBAIYA THIMAYA K
Officer
$116,464
@ $66.78 · 2025-09-12
STAHLKOPF DEBORAH L
Officer
$185,054
@ $68.08 · 2025-09-11
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$29,211
@ $68.25 · 2025-09-11
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$212,739
@ $67.28 · 2025-08-25
SUBAIYA THIMAYA K
Officer
$502,022
@ $66.84 · 2025-08-20
PATTERSON MARK
Chief Financial Officer
$484,294
@ $66.98 · 2025-08-19
STAHLKOPF DEBORAH L
Officer
$651,568
@ $66.60 · 2025-08-15
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$32,590
@ $68.61 · 2025-08-15
PATEL JEETENDRA I
President
$603,437
@ $66.60 · 2025-08-15
ROBBINS CHARLES H
Chief Executive Officer
$2.04M
@ $66.63 · 2025-08-15
SUBAIYA THIMAYA K
Officer
$571,867
@ $65.54 · 2025-06-17
HERREN RICHARD SCOTT
Chief Financial Officer
$1.03M
@ $65.52 · 2025-06-17
STAHLKOPF DEBORAH L
Officer
$172,710
@ $64.04 · 2025-06-12
PATEL JEETENDRA I
President
$57,779
@ $64.27 · 2025-06-12
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$48,821
@ $64.07 · 2025-06-11
ROBBINS CHARLES H
Chief Executive Officer
$1.92M
@ $64.61 · 2025-06-05
TUSZIK OLIVER
Officer
$952,947
@ $63.53 · 2025-05-28
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$265,781
@ $63.51 · 2025-05-28
STAHLKOPF DEBORAH L
Officer
$612,301
@ $63.50 · 2025-05-16
PATEL JEETENDRA I
President
$637,205
@ $63.97 · 2025-05-16
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$46,474
@ $60.99 · 2025-03-12
SUBAIYA THIMAYA K
Officer
$125,344
@ $60.70 · 2025-03-12
STAHLKOPF DEBORAH L
Officer
$173,393
@ $60.71 · 2025-03-12
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$222,901
@ $63.96 · 2025-02-26
STAHLKOPF DEBORAH L
Officer
$760,031
@ $64.37 · 2025-02-21
SUBAIYA THIMAYA K
Officer
$578,958
@ $64.52 · 2025-02-20
ROBBINS CHARLES H
Chief Executive Officer
$2.06M
@ $64.41 · 2025-02-14
HERREN RICHARD SCOTT
Chief Financial Officer
$1.28M
@ $64.41 · 2025-02-14
SUBAIYA THIMAYA K
Officer
$180,058
@ $59.19 · 2024-12-12
STAHLKOPF DEBORAH L
Officer
$157,507
@ $59.21 · 2024-12-12
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$34,392
@ $58.69 · 2024-12-12
JOHNSON KRISTINA MARY
Director
$449,025
@ $59.87 · 2024-12-06
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$291,542
@ $59.73 · 2024-11-27
SUBAIYA THIMAYA K
Officer
$1.21M
@ $57.07 · 2024-11-20
STAHLKOPF DEBORAH L
Officer
$3.34M
@ $57.49 · 2024-11-15
ROBBINS CHARLES H
Chief Executive Officer
$9.87M
@ $57.49 · 2024-11-15
HERREN RICHARD SCOTT
Chief Financial Officer
$4.96M
@ $57.49 · 2024-11-15
SUBAIYA THIMAYA K
Officer
$64,966
@ $48.92 · 2024-09-12
STAHLKOPF DEBORAH L
Officer
$129,335
@ $48.95 · 2024-09-12
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$31,319
@ $49.09 · 2024-09-12
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$170,166
@ $50.36 · 2024-08-28
SUBAIYA THIMAYA K
Officer
$416,248
@ $50.33 · 2024-08-21
HERREN RICHARD SCOTT
Chief Financial Officer
$1.12M
@ $50.00 · 2024-08-20
STAHLKOPF DEBORAH L
Officer
$368,699
@ $49.41 · 2024-08-16
ROBBINS CHARLES H
Chief Executive Officer
$1.34M
@ $49.45 · 2024-08-16
SUBAIYA THIMAYA K
Officer
$629,767
@ $45.32 · 2024-06-14
STAHLKOPF DEBORAH L
Officer
$118,759
@ $45.35 · 2024-06-13
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$34,610
@ $45.42 · 2024-06-13
WONG MARIA VICTORIA
Officer
$155,016
@ $45.89 · 2024-05-29
ROBBINS CHARLES H
Chief Executive Officer
$1.21M
@ $46.10 · 2024-05-29
STAHLKOPF DEBORAH L
Officer
$386,701
@ $48.24 · 2024-05-17
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
MS
7
Sells (3M)
16
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $62.45M
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$6.02M
@ $182.61 · 2026-01-30
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$3.97M
@ $184.00 · 2026-01-20
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$1.44M
@ $183.45 · 2026-01-20
YESHAYA SHARON
Chief Financial Officer
$2.94M
@ $185.77 · 2026-01-20
SMITH CHARLES AUBREY III
Officer
$1.55M
@ $182.08 · 2026-01-20
PIZZI MICHAEL A
Officer
$3.69M
@ $184.55 · 2026-01-20
SAPERSTEIN ANDREW MICHAEL
President
$5.57M
@ $183.62 · 2026-01-20
PICK EDWARD N.
Chief Executive Officer
$16.43M
@ $164.34 · 2025-10-31
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$1.69M
@ $141.12 · 2025-07-17
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$4.09M
@ $141.13 · 2025-07-17
SMITH CHARLES AUBREY III
Officer
$2.81M
@ $140.30 · 2025-07-17
PIZZI MICHAEL A
Officer
$2.53M
@ $140.62 · 2025-07-17
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$3.70M
@ $127.37 · 2025-05-12
HERZ ROBERT H
Director
$95,459
@ $119.32 · 2025-05-02
SAPERSTEIN ANDREW MICHAEL
President
$4.80M
@ $120.00 · 2025-05-02
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$1.12M
@ $111.65 · 2025-04-15
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$1.15M
@ $138.06 · 2025-01-22
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$1.78M
@ $136.20 · 2025-01-21
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$5.00M
@ $136.61 · 2025-01-21
AKRAM RAJA
Chief Financial Officer
$2.38M
@ $136.01 · 2025-01-21
PIZZI MICHAEL A
Officer
$2.52M
@ $136.92 · 2025-01-21
SAPERSTEIN ANDREW MICHAEL
President
$4.20M
@ $136.43 · 2025-01-21
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$368,375
@ $105.25 · 2024-07-26
AKRAM RAJA
Officer
$797,764
@ $106.37 · 2024-07-18
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$4.26M
@ $106.54 · 2024-07-17
HERZ ROBERT H
Director
$106,621
@ $106.62 · 2024-07-17
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$692,663
@ $99.61 · 2024-05-14
GORMAN JAMES P
Officer and Director
$9.02M
@ $90.21 · 2024-04-18
SMITH CHARLES AUBREY III
Officer
$1.01M
@ $90.09 · 2024-04-17
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.
🎭 Mr. Market's Mood
Learn more →CSCO
😐Neutral(54/100)
"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
MS
😐Neutral(48/100)
"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
⚖️ Buffett Signal
Learn more →CSCO
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (54)
MS
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (48)