Three of Cisco’s four product categories surpassed estimates, though. The most important, the Infrastructure Platforms segment, which includes data-center networking switches, had $7.16 billion in revenue, above the FactSet consensus estimate of $7.14 billion, StreetAccount said.
Cisco “continues to achieve success” in selling its Catalyst 9000 switches, and the fact that they require customers to also buy software licenses supports the company’s transition toward a larger focus on software, Raymond James analysts led by Simon Leopold wrote in a May 10 note.
Cisco will introduce more software services, including in association with routing products, CEO Chuck Robbins told analysts on the company’s earnings call with analysts on Wednesday.
“It will create short-term headwinds, but we think long-term for the business, it’s absolutely the right thing to do,” Robbins said.
The Other Products segment missed expectations, with $249 million in revenue, below the $253 million consensus estimate. Revenue in that category was down 6 percent, Cisco said.
Daniel Flax, senior research analyst at Neuberger Berman, said the stock may be selling off because it’s done very well this year.
“Cisco is continuing to drive its mix towards more software and services. This is leading to an increase in recurring revenue and really making the business a lot more durable than it has been historically,” Flax said on “Closing Bell.”
Couple that with the fact that the company is leading solutions in areas such as security and is returning a significant amount of capital to shareholders, Flax says, and “it’s a good story over the medium to long term.”
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