Cisco completes big buy

Article Excerpt

CISCO SYSTEMS INC. $50 is a buy. The company (Nasdaq symbol CSCO; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 4.05 billion; Market cap: $202.5 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.5; Dividend yield: 3.2%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.cisco.com) has now completed its acquisition of Splunk Inc. (Nasdaq symbol SPLK) for $28 billion. That firm makes software that lets organizations analyze their data in real time. The purchase will enhance Cisco’s current cybersecurity software business. Their combined expertise in artificial intelligence will also help clients better anticipate and prevent cyberattacks. This purchase, the largest in Cisco’s 40-year history, is part of its strategy to cut its reliance on cyclical computer networking products by expanding its software offerings. That lets it offer its customers a better combination of products and services. The company also earns steady revenue streams from selling its software as an ongoing subscription service. The new operations should also lift Cisco’s projected earnings from $3.63 a share in the fiscal year ending July 31, 2024…