Cisco Systems vs Microsoft: Fair Value & Quality
Both stocks run through our valuation models. Here is how Cisco Systems (CSCO) and Microsoft (MSFT) compare, as of Oct 30, 2026.
Head-to-head numbers
Green is the better side of a row, red the weaker one (for valuation multiples: lower = cheaper). Grey rows are for reference only and are not scored.
betterweakerfor reference, not scored
Microsoft leads: 5 to 10 metric wins.
n/a = not meaningfully computable, for example with negative equity.
Quality in detail
The quality score, broken down into the same factor families as on the stock page, 0 to 100 per family.
What the models say
How far the median fair value (base case) per model family sits from the current price, in percent. The amount in the currency of the trading venue is shown underneath.
▲above the price, more than 15% above ●close to the price, 85% to 115% of the price ▼below the price, more than 15% below
| Model family | Cisco SystemsPrice $105 | MicrosoftPrice $522 |
|---|---|---|
| DCF Models | ▼−28.1%below the price$75.14 | ▼−30.0%below the price$365 |
| Earnings-Based | ▼−69.4%below the price$31.99 | ▼−51.6%below the price$252 |
| Dividend Discount | ▼−70.6%below the price$30.78 | ▼−87.9%below the price$63.20 |
| Multiples | ▼−27.2%below the price$76.10 | ▼−32.8%below the price$350 |
| Asset-Based | n/a | ▼−94.7%below the price$27.44 |
| Growth DCF | ▼−37.9%below the price$64.95 | ▼−51.8%below the price$251 |
| Economic Profit | ▼−66.4%below the price$35.15 | ▼−60.6%below the price$205 |
| Growth Earnings | ▼−36.7%below the price$66.18 | ▼−15.7%below the price$440 |
| Matching families | 7 of 8 | |
| Minimum | ▼−70.6%below the price$30.78 | ▼−87.9%below the price$63.20 |
| Maximum | ▼−27.2%below the price$76.10 | ▼−15.7%below the price$440 |
| Median | ▼−37.9%below the price$64.95 | ▼−51.6%below the price$252 |
| Geometric mean | ▼−51.6%below the price$50.61 | ▼−53.9%below the price$240 |
| Ahead family by family | 4 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
Minimum, maximum, median and geometric mean only use the families both stocks have (matching families: 7 of 8), so a family without a value on one side does not distort the comparison. Ahead in a family is the stock whose fair value there sits higher relative to its price. Geometric because deviations are ratios: half the price and twice the price average to 100%, not 125%.
Family by family: Cisco Systems is ahead in 4 of 7 shared families, Microsoft in 3.
Cisco Systems: 24 of 24 models see the stock below the current price.
Microsoft: 23 of 26 models see the stock below the current price.
Scenario ranges
From our cautious bear scenario to the optimistic bull scenario. The white tick is the current price (value above it), the green tick the fair value (value below it): if the price sits left of the fair value, there is room to rise.
Compare two other stocks
Tap a field and type again, ticker or company name.
Ranked within their sector
Where each stock sits within its sector peer group. Band = middle 50% of peers, tick = median, dot = this stock.
Cisco Systems · Information Technology
Microsoft · Information Technology
Bottom line
As of Oct 30, 2026, Fair Value Calculator sees Cisco Systems as the more attractively valued of the two: Cisco Systems trades at $105 versus a fair value of $123 (+17.2%), while Microsoft trades at $522 versus $584 (+11.9%).
Cisco Systems has the higher quality score (76/100).
Open Cisco Systems live analysis →More comparisons
Popular match-ups from the same sectors, all with fair value and quality score.
See the undervalued quality stocks every month
Just your email for the monthly Top-25 report of the most undervalued quality stocks, with fair value, quality and price target.
Free. You confirm by email (double opt-in) and can unsubscribe anytime in one click. Not financial advice.
A model-based valuation snapshot from 26 models. Values change with price and fundamentals; the date shown above applies.