Summary
Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) reported a solid performance for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal year 2012, showing year-over-year growth in net sales and a significant increase in profitability. Net sales rose by 10.8% for the quarter and 7.7% for the six-month period, driven by broad-based growth across geographic segments and product categories, including strong demand in its core switching and routing businesses, as well as growth in newer areas like Data Center and Service Provider Video. The company also saw improved gross margin percentages, particularly in product gross margins, benefiting from lower manufacturing costs, value engineering initiatives, and a decrease in impairment charges on purchased intangible assets, despite some pressure from product mix shifts and increased sales discounts. Operationally, Cisco achieved its fiscal 2012 operating expense reduction goals ahead of schedule, with total operating expenses decreasing by 3.3% for the quarter and remaining flat for the six-month period as a percentage of revenue. This, combined with the sales growth and improved gross margins, led to a substantial increase in operating and net income. Diluted earnings per share grew by 48.1% for the quarter and 19.7% for the six months, demonstrating effective cost management and operational efficiency. The company also continued its commitment to returning capital to shareholders through significant share repurchases and an increased quarterly dividend, while maintaining a strong liquidity position with substantial cash and investments.
Financial Highlights
54 data points| Revenue | $11.53B |
| Cost of Revenue | $4.46B |
| Gross Profit | $7.07B |
| Operating Expenses | $4.33B |
| Operating Income | $2.73B |
| Interest Expense | $150.00M |
| Net Income | $2.18B |
| EPS (Basic) | $0.41 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $0.40 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 5.37B |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 5.40B |
Key Highlights
- 1Net sales increased by 10.8% year-over-year to $11.53 billion for the quarter and 7.7% for the six months to $22.78 billion.
- 2Diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased significantly by 48.1% to $0.40 for the quarter and 19.7% to $0.73 for the six months.
- 3Gross margin percentage improved by 1.1 percentage points to 61.3% for the quarter, driven by lower manufacturing costs and reduced amortization/impairment charges.
- 4Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased by 5.3 percentage points for the quarter due to cost reduction initiatives, contributing to a 7.5 percentage point increase in operating margin.
- 5The company repurchased $466 million of common stock in the quarter and paid $322 million in dividends, highlighting capital return to shareholders.
- 6Cash and cash equivalents and investments totaled $46.7 billion, providing strong liquidity and financial flexibility.
- 7Product categories like Data Center (up 88% for the quarter) and Service Provider Video (up 23%) showed particularly strong sales growth, indicating successful strategic focus areas.