Nasdaq 100: Cisco Pops After Hours on AI Boost and Upbeat Stock Market Forecast

Cisco Surges on Strong Earnings and Upbeat AI-Fueled Forecast

Cisco Systems rallied in after-hours trading Wednesday after beating fiscal Q3 earnings estimates and lifting its full-year outlook, powered by robust demand from AI-focused cloud clients. The networking giant posted adjusted earnings of 96 cents per share on $14.15 billion in revenue, both ahead of LSEG analyst forecasts. Shares climbed 4% after hours, signaling renewed optimism in the company’s AI and cloud exposure.

How Did Cisco’s Core Business Perform?

Networking remained the backbone of Cisco’s performance, generating $7.07 billion in revenue—up 8% year over year and ahead of StreetAccount’s $6.81 billion estimate. This gain highlights stable enterprise spending despite macro concerns. Security, meanwhile, spiked 54% to $2.01 billion, though it slightly missed consensus targets. The unit includes contributions from the $27 billion Splunk acquisition, emphasizing Cisco’s push to expand its cybersecurity footprint.

What’s Driving the Optimism in the Outlook?

Cisco raised its full-year revenue guidance to between $56.5 billion and $56.7 billion, topping its prior range and slightly beating analyst estimates. Adjusted profit is now seen between $3.77 and $3.79 per share, up from the earlier forecast of $3.68 to $3.74. Management cited over $600 million in AI-related infrastructure orders during the quarter, bringing fiscal year totals to $1.25 billion—a milestone reached a quarter ahead of schedule. The uptick reflects aggressive investment from hyperscalers building out generative AI capabilities.

How Are AI and Product Innovations Shaping Cisco’s Trajectory?

The AI trend continues to act as a key revenue lever. Cisco launched a Webex AI agent for customer service and introduced Ethernet switches with AMD Pensando chips to aid in data center consolidation. These product updates position Cisco to capture more wallet share in enterprise AI deployments, an area where cloud providers are accelerating capital expenditure.

What Should Traders Watch Going Forward?

With shares up 3.5% year-to-date before Wednesday’s report, Cisco’s performance has lagged broader tech peers. However, its raised guidance and solid AI order growth suggest a potential inflection. Traders should monitor the pace of cloud spending and any fallout from newly factored-in tariffs, which Cisco noted in its updated forecast. The next key signal will come from broader sector earnings and Fed commentary, as interest rate expectations continue to shape tech valuations.

More Information in our Economic Calendar.