New York, Feb 4, 2026, 12:42 (EST) — Regular session underway.
- Cisco shares dipped midday as investors weighed new contracts in sports-event technology.
- The networking giant will report results next week, with investors closely watching its guidance.
- Traders are keen to see if the buzz around “AI networking” will translate into actual orders and improved margins.
Cisco Systems (CSCO.O) shares dropped roughly 1.2% to $82.15 by midday Wednesday, having earlier reached $84.13. On Tuesday, the stock closed at $83.11.
Cisco’s recent pullback arrives amid a string of high-profile showcases, including Olympic broadcasting and Super Bowl connectivity, just days before it reports quarterly results. The big-name wins grab attention, but the numbers will ultimately shape the narrative.
Cisco announced it will release its fiscal 2026 second-quarter results after markets close on Feb. 11 and hold a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET for the quarter ending Jan. 24. 1
NBC Sports has tapped Cisco to supply “AI networking” tech for its all-IP production at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics, Cisco confirmed. The company’s IP Fabric for Media will be installed at the broadcast center in Milan. NBCUniversal’s network engineering lead Cliff Ryan highlighted that automation tools offer “failure analysis and capacity planning insight.” Cisco President Jeetu Patel added that the collaboration involves integrating “more AI into the workflow.” 2
In a related development, Reuters reported from Santa Clara that Cisco has installed about 1,500 Wi‑Fi 7 routers at Levi’s Stadium ahead of Super Bowl LX. The move aims to handle heavier data traffic and growing AI-related cybersecurity threats. Matt Swartz, a Cisco distinguished engineer, compared the upgrade to “adding a bunch of lanes to the highway during rush hour.” 3
Cisco’s November earnings report set the stage for next week’s results. The company forecasted second-quarter revenue between $15.0 billion and $15.2 billion, with non-GAAP EPS ranging from $1.01 to $1.03. It kept fiscal 2026 guidance steady, projecting revenue of $60.2 billion to $61.0 billion and non-GAAP EPS of $4.08 to $4.14. CEO Chuck Robbins highlighted the demand, pointing to the “critical role of secure networking” as customers ramp up AI investments. 4
Zeus Kerravala, principal analyst at ZK Research, called the Olympics deployment “a great proof of concept for the ‘borderless’ data center” in a SiliconANGLE guest column, highlighting a shift toward internet-style networks over traditional closed broadcast systems. 5
When it comes to Cisco, those high-profile sports deployments tie back to the ongoing discussion investors have been focused on: upgrading data centers and enterprise networks to handle more intense AI demands. Competitors like Arista Networks and Juniper Networks are battling for the same switching and routing budgets.
Yet these sports deals come with a known risk for shareholders. Financial details remain under wraps, and investors might see them as mere branding efforts until Cisco proves they lead to consistent product orders and stable margins—particularly if customers delay their spending plans.
This week, tech sentiment has wavered following a steep drop in select software stocks amid concerns that emerging AI tools might disrupt segments of the services and analytics market. At the same time, broader equities held relatively steady. 6
Cisco’s next major event is the Feb. 11 earnings report and conference call. Investors will be watching closely to see if the company meets its guidance and how it views demand heading into spring. 7
