Does Cisco Systems (CSCO) Pay a Dividend? (2026)
Short answer
Cisco Systems (CSCO) pays a dividend with an approximate yield of $1.68 (paid quarterly at $0.42) as of early 2026, typically quarterly. A dividend is a slice of profits returned to shareholders, and the yield is that payout divided by the share price, so it drifts as both change. Figures here are approximate; verify the current number with your broker.
Does Cisco Systems (CSCO) pay a dividend?
Yes. Cisco Systems distributes an approximate $1.68 (paid quarterly at $0.42) yield (early 2026), usually quarterly. Cisco's trailing P/E of roughly 40x sits meaningfully above its 3-year average of around 21-22x, reflecting the market's repricing of the stock as an AI infrastructure beneficiary rather than a mature hardware company. The forward P/E of approximately 25x suggests analysts expect earnings growth to close some of that gap, but execution on Splunk integration and security revenue recovery will be key. Gross margin compression, from approximately 65.6% to 63.6% GAAP year over year in the most recent quarter, is a metric worth tracking as product mix and memory costs evolve.
How to think about CSCO's dividend
- Yield is a snapshot: $1.68 (paid quarterly at $0.42) today, but it moves with price and payout.
- Total return vs income: dividends are one part of return; price change is usually the bigger part for a name like CSCO.
- Reinvest or take income: a DRIP compounds; taking the cash gives income now.
- For more yield: dedicated dividend stocks and ETFs target higher payouts. See the best dividend ETFs.
The bottom line on the CSCO dividend
Cisco Systems (CSCO) pays an approximate $1.68 (paid quarterly at $0.42) dividend, so it offers some income but is held mostly for total return, not yield. For the full picture see the CSCO guide. Walnut can show how CSCO fits your real portfolio. It is not an investment adviser.
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FAQ
Does Cisco Systems (CSCO) pay a dividend?
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Cisco Systems has an approximate dividend yield of $1.68 (paid quarterly at $0.42) (early 2026). Yields move with price and payout, so treat this as a recent snapshot and verify the current figure with your broker or CSCO's investor relations page.
What is CSCO's dividend yield?
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Approximately $1.68 (paid quarterly at $0.42) as of early 2026 (approximate, verify). Remember a higher yield is not automatically better: it can reflect a falling share price as much as a generous payout.
How often does CSCO pay its dividend?
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US companies that pay dividends, like Cisco Systems if it does, typically distribute them quarterly. Confirm the exact schedule and ex-dividend dates on CSCO's investor relations page before relying on the timing.
Can I reinvest CSCO dividends?
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Yes. Most brokers offer automatic dividend reinvestment (a DRIP) so any CSCO dividend buys more shares automatically. It compounds over time but is still taxable in a taxable account.
Is CSCO a good dividend stock?
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Walnut is informational, not investment advice. With an approximate $1.68 (paid quarterly at $0.42) yield, CSCO is more of a growth or total-return name than a high-yield one. Dedicated dividend stocks and ETFs target higher, steadier yield; match the choice to whether you want income now or growth.
Does CSCO pay a dividend?
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Yes. Cisco has paid a growing quarterly dividend for 14 consecutive years. As of mid-2026 the quarterly rate is $0.42 per share, equating to approximately $1.68 annually. The dividend yield varies with the share price, but has ranged roughly between 1.3% and 2.1% in recent months. The company also runs an active share repurchase program, returning billions of dollars per quarter to shareholders in total.
Walnut is informational, not investment advice. Dividend figures are approximate and dated; verify current yield, schedule, and policy with CSCO's investor relations page or your broker.