Company Update (NASDAQ:CSCO): Cisco Slips: Merrill Cuts to Hold on Challenge of SDN, Lack of Catalysts

[at Barrons.com] – Shares of Cisco Systems (CSCO) are down 54 cents, or 1.9%, at $27.60, after Merrill Lynch’s Tal Liani today cut the stock to Neutral from Buy based on an expectation for slowing growth in coming years. … Read more on this. Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) , valued at $139.21B, started the session at $27.64. Looking at today’s trading action, the company’s one day range from $27.46 to $27.83 and has traded between $22.46 and $29.90 over the past 12 months. CSCO shares are currently priced at 12.38x this year’s forecasted earnings, which makes them relatively inexpensive compared to the industry’s 19.74x earnings multiple. And for dividend hunters, the company pays shareholders $1.04 per share annually in dividends, yielding 3.62%. According to a consensus of 35 analysts, the earnings estimate of $0.55 per share would be $0.01 better than the year-ago quarter and a $0.01 sequential decrease. The full-year EPS estimate is $2.30, which would be a $0.09 better than last year. The quarterly earnings estimate is predicated on a consensus revenue forecast of $11.97 Billion. If reported, that would be a 1.40% decrease over the year-ago quarter. In terms of ratings, Jefferies upgraded CSCO from Hold to Buy (Feb 11, 2016). Previously, Macquarie upgraded CSCO from Underperform to Neutral. Given all the information above, we should disclose to readers that the average price target is $28.68, which is 3.76% above than it opened this morning. See more in (NASDAQ:CSCO) Similar Articles: Company Update: Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ:CSCO) – Here’s One Reason Cisco (CSCO) Stock Is Down Today Company Update: Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ:CSCO) – Jim Cramer: Cisco (CSCO) Acquisition of Synata ‘Game Changing’ Company Update: Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ:CSCO) – Cisco (CSCO) Stock Higher on Recent Investments