Barclays Ups Cisco (CSCO) Target to $121 Amid AI Shift & Strong Q1

Font: Financial Modeling Prep  • May 14, 2026

Barclays Raises Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) Price Target Amid AI Shift and Strong Financials

• Barclays has increased its price target for Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) to $121.00, indicating a potential 18.78% upside for investors.
• The company is strategically shifting its focus towards Artificial Intelligence (AI), including a restructuring effort with job cuts to reinvest in high-growth areas.
• Cisco Systems reported strong financial results, with quarterly earnings of $1.06 per share and revenues of $15.84 billion, surpassing consensus estimates for the fourth consecutive quarter.

An analyst at Barclays recently increased their price target for Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) to $121.00 from $76.00. Cisco Systems is a technology company that develops and sells networking hardware and software. With the stock trading at $101.87, this new target suggests a potential upside of about 18.78% for investors.

This improved investment outlook follows the company's strategic shift towards artificial intelligence (AI). As highlighted by Fox Business, Cisco Systems plans to cut nearly 4,000 jobs to redirect investments into high-growth areas like AI. This move is part of a restructuring effort to position the company for future growth in the competitive tech landscape.

Investor confidence is also supported by strong financial results. In its latest report, Cisco Systems announced quarterly earnings of $1.06 per share. As noted by Zacks, this figure surpasses the consensus estimate of $1.04 per share and is an increase from the $0.96 per share reported in the same quarter last year.

The company’s revenue performance is also strong. For the quarter ending in April 2026, revenues reached $15.84 billion, a significant improvement from the $14.15 billion recorded a year ago. This marks the fourth straight quarter that Cisco Systems has surpassed consensus estimates for both earnings and revenue.

The market has reacted positively to these developments. As highlighted by Reuters, shares jumped 19% in premarket trading following the news. The stock is currently trading near its 52-week high of $102.01 and has a large market capitalization of approximately $402.38 billion, reflecting strong investor interest.