Cisco Systems (XSWX:CSCO) 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio: 1.20% (As of Apr. 2026) — 14% Below Median

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Dr. Charlie Tian is the founder and CEO of GuruFocus.com, a leading global investment research platform established in 2004. With a Ph.D. in physics, Dr. Tian transitioned from science to finance, applying a data-driven, disciplined approach to value investing.

XSWX:CSCO Cisco Systems Inc XSWX:CSCO
81 GF Score
Price CHF91.93
GF Value CHF55.59
! 9 Warning Signs
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What is Cisco Systems 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio?

Cisco Systems XSWX:CSCO +0.26% 81 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 1.20 as of Apr. 2026, which is 14% below its 10-year median of 1.40. GuruFocus rates XSWX:CSCO with a GF Score™ of 81/100 and a GF Value™ of CHF55.59. The stock has 9 warning signs investors should review. Among 1,614 Hardware companies, Cisco Systems ranks better than 90.4% on this metric.

Shares Outstanding (EOP) are shares that have been authorized, issued, and purchased by investors and are held by them.

3-Year Share Buyback Ratio measures the average annual proportion of a company's outstanding shares repurchased over the past three years. It is calculated as the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. A positive ratio may indicate share buybacks over the period, while a zero or negative ratio may reflect no repurchases or potential share issuance. Cisco Systems's current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio was 1.20%.

The historical rank and industry rank for Cisco Systems's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio or its related term are showing as below:

XSWX:CSCO' s 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: -9.5   Med: 1.4   Max: 5.5
Current: 1.2

During the past 13 years, Cisco Systems's highest 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio was 5.50%. The lowest was -9.50%. And the median was 1.40%.

XSWX:CSCO's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is ranked better than
90.4% of 1614 companies
in the Hardware industry
Industry Median: -1.3 vs XSWX:CSCO: 1.20

Cisco Systems (XSWX:CSCO) 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Explanation

A negative number means the company might be issuing new shares. A positive number indicates that the company is buying back shares.


Be Aware

Investors usually like share buybacks. But as pointed by Warren Buffett, only if a company buys back shares at the prices below the stock's intrinsic value, it rewards remaining shareholders. If a company buys its overvalued stocks back, it destroys shareholder value.


Cisco Systems 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Related Terms


XSWX:CSCO vs CIEN, MSI, LITE: 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Comparison

For the Communication Equipment subindustry, Cisco Systems's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio, along with its competitors' market caps and 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.


Cisco Systems 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio vs Hardware Industry

For the Hardware industry and Technology sector, Cisco Systems's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where Cisco Systems's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio falls into.


XSWX:CSCO
81GF Score
Cisco Systems Inc XSWX:CSCO
3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
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Cisco Systems 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Calculation

This is the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. The annualized percentage change is calculated with expontential compound based on the latest four years of annual data on Shares Outstanding (EOP).

Please click Growth Rate Calculation Example (GuruFocus) to see how GuruFocus calculates Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT)'s revenue growth rate. You can apply the same method to get the average dividends per share growth rate.

What does a 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio of 1.20 mean?
Cisco Systems (XSWX:CSCO) has a 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio of 1.20 as of Apr. 2026. The 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio measures the average annual proportion of a company's outstanding shares repurchased over the past three years. It is calculated as the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. View historical data for Cisco Systems and its competitors. This is 14% below median its historical median of 1.40. According to the industry distribution chart, Cisco Systems ranks #155 out of 1614 companies in the Hardware industry, placing it in the top 9.6%.
Is Cisco Systems' 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio too high?
Cisco Systems' current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio of 1.20 is 14% below median its 10-year median of 1.40. Based on the distribution chart, Cisco Systems ranks #155 out of 1614 companies in the Hardware industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, Cisco Systems has a GF Score™ of 81/100, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Cisco Systems' 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio compare to CIEN and MSI?
According to the Hardware industry distribution chart, Cisco Systems ranks #155 out of 1614 companies for 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio. This places Cisco Systems in the top 10% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio for a Hardware company?
A good 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio depends on the Hardware industry context. However, 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio mean?
A high 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. The 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio measures the average annual proportion of a company's outstanding shares repurchased over the past three years. It is calculated as the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. View historical data for Cisco Systems and its competitors. Cisco Systems's current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 1.20, which is 14% below median its own 10-year median of 1.40. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Cisco Systems stock overvalued right now?
Cisco Systems (XSWX:CSCO) has a current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio of 1.20. The stock's GF Value™ is CHF55.59, compared to a current price of CHF91.93 — trading 65.4% above its estimated fair value. The current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 1.20, which is 14% below median its 10-year median of 1.40. Cisco Systems' overall GF Score™ is 81/100 with 9 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio calculated?
3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Cisco Systems (XSWX:CSCO), the current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 1.20 as of Apr. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is Cisco Systems (XSWX:CSCO) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Cisco Systems stock appears to be overvalued. The current stock price of CHF91.93 is trading 65.4% above its estimated GF Value™ of CHF55.59.

Key valuation signals for XSWX:CSCO:

  • 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio: 1.20 (14% below median its 10-year median of 1.40)
  • GF Value™: CHF55.59 vs. price of CHF91.93 (65.4% above fair value)
  • GF Score™: 81/100 with 9 warning signs

No single metric tells the full story. See the XSWX:CSCO stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


Cisco Systems Business Description

Address 170 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA, USA, 95134-1706
Cisco Systems is the largest provider of networking equipment in the world and one of the largest software companies in the world. Its largest businesses are selling networking hardware and software (where it has leading market shares) and cybersecurity software such as firewalls. It also has collaboration products, like its Webex suite, and observability tools. It primarily outsources its manufacturing to third parties and has a large sales and marketing staff—25,000 strong across 90 countries. Overall, Cisco employs 80,000 people and sells its products globally.
81GF Score

Get the complete analysis for XSWX:CSCO

3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

CHF91.93
Price
CHF55.59
GF Value