Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
CSCO vs INTC
Cisco Systems, Inc. versus Intel Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
CSCO wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but INTC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
CSCO or INTC — which is better?
CSCO wins this comparison 3–1 across 6 dimensions. CSCO yields 1.45% — higher than INTC's 0.00% — and carries a 8.3/10 dividend safety score (Strong) vs 5.0/10 for INTC (Mixed). CSCO wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but INTC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On dividend safety, CSCO scores 8.3/10 (Strong) vs 5.0/10 (Mixed) for INTC — CSCO has a stronger composite of payout coverage, yield zone, and dividend trend signals.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | CSCO | INTC | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 1.45% | 0.00% | CSCO wins |
| Dividend safety | 8.3/10 | 5.0/10 | CSCO wins |
| Growth trend | -1.34% vs 5y | -2.69% vs 5y | INTC wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 1.01 | 2.19 | CSCO wins |
| Scale | $457.2B | $455.0B | Tie |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 3 wins | 1 wins | CSCO wins |
Dimension by dimension
CSCO wins on yield (1.45% vs 0.00%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $145 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
CSCO's higher yield (1.45%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus INTC's 0.00% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
CSCO wins on safety (8.3/10 vs 5.0/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. CSCO scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
CSCO (8.3/10) scores 3.3 points higher than INTC (5.0/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
INTC shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
INTC's yield is 2.69% below its 5y average, versus 1.34% for CSCO. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
CSCO is less volatile (beta 1.01 vs 2.19)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
Comparable scale ($457.2B vs $455.0B)
Within 1.5x of each other on market cap / AUM — similar institutional footprint.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
Full breakdown per ticker: are CSCO dividends qualified and are INTC dividends qualified — each with the after-tax income at every federal bracket.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice. Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
CSCO or INTC — which is better?
CSCO is better on our scoring, winning 3–1 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. CSCO wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but INTC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, CSCO or INTC?
CSCO wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but INTC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
CSCO vs INTC: which has a higher dividend yield?
CSCO yields 1.45% and INTC yields 0.00%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $145 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is CSCO or INTC a safer dividend in 2026?
CSCO scores 8.3/10 (Strong) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. INTC scores 5.0/10 (Mixed). CSCO is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, CSCO or INTC?
INTC's yield is 2.69% below its 5y average, versus 1.34% for CSCO. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
CSCO vs INTC: which is more tax-efficient?
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
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Compare both against your actual holdings
Put CSCO and INTC into the free analyzer with the rest of your portfolio. You'll see what each one contributes to your annual income, your weighted safety score, and whether adding CSCO diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.