Cisco Systems, Inc.

(NASDAQ Global Select)
Bullish +75

Here's a rapid-fire update on all our AI stocks and 5 names Jim Cramer wants to buy

๐Ÿ“ˆ Jim Cramer and Jeff Marks recently discussed their 32-stock CNBC Investing Club portfolio during the March Monthly Meeting.

โš ๏ธ The market backdrop has shifted negatively due to the war in Iran, benefiting energy stocks over tech.

๐Ÿ’ป Cisco Systems delivered a beat-and-raise quarter but faces pressure from higher memory costs.

๐Ÿ”‹ GE Vernova is favored due to strong data center demand and stable U.S. natural gas futures prices.

โšก Eaton is highlighted as the top electrical equipment specialist with a smart acquisition in data-center cooling.

๐Ÿงฌ Corning is essential for fiber optic needs to prevent electricity degradation in data centers.

โœจ Qnity, spun out from DuPont, has been a big winner since separation and delivered an amazing last quarter.

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ CrowdStrike is seen as the preferred cybersecurity name despite recent software disruption concerns.

๐Ÿšซ Palo Alto Networks is less favored now that CrowdStrike is viewed as the superior security choice.

๐Ÿค– Salesforce's Agentforce shows adoption, but legacy software issues persist and a $25B buyback hasn't fixed them yet.

๐Ÿ“ฑ Microsoft is considered vexing because it may be laggard on AI despite its early partnership with OpenAI.

๐Ÿš€ Meta Platforms is admired for Zuckerberg's track record despite recent lawsuit losses related to addiction.

๐Ÿ” Alphabet is a stock worth owning due to its strong core search, YouTube profits, and growing cloud business.

๐Ÿ“ก Broadcom's CEO Hock Tan continues to win business in networking products and custom chip design.

๐ŸŽฎ Nvidia is recommended as the main enabler of the AI revolution and is trading below 20x earnings.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Nvidia is viewed as cheap since shares trade below 20 times earnings with likely low earnings estimates.

โ˜๏ธ Apple's sales are picking up in China, and its upcoming foldable device lineup is exciting.

๐Ÿ Amazon Web Services growth is accelerating thanks to relationships with Anthropic, not lagging behind Microsoft Azure.

๐Ÿค Apple inked a deal with Google's Gemini model without needing to spend $100 billion on capital expenditures.

โš–๏ธ Capital One is being watched as it awaits its potential emergence as a true competitor to American Express.

Bullish Signals
  • Cisco Systems delivered a beat-and-raise quarter, with recent support from headlines regarding Google's memory innovations.
  • The company is actively working its way back from recent pressure caused by higher memory costs.
  • Jim Cramer explicitly identifies Cisco as one of the five stocks he wants to buy.
  • The article highlights that despite a tough month for tech stocks overall, Jim does not believe it is time to give up on the sector.
  • Cisco's networking position benefits from the broader trend of data center growth and AI infrastructure demand.
Risk Factors
  • Cisco Systems stock was crushed despite delivering a beat-and-raise quarter due to higher memory costs.
  • The networking giant has been working its way back from recent headwinds related to supply chain pressures.
  • Salesforce's legacy software portfolio is underperforming while the company faces a tough bear thesis regarding AI disruption concerns.
  • Salesforce's $25 billion buyback was insufficient to reverse negative momentum in its core business segments.
  • Microsoft has shifted from being an AI early mover to a laggard position after losing ground to competitors like Nvidia and Alphabet.
  • Meta Platforms continues to face significant data center spending pressures and legal risks regarding product addiction lawsuits.
  • Alphabet relies heavily on YouTube's 'profit geyser' status while facing increasing competition in core search and cloud segments.
  • Broadcom faces the risk that its investment thesis will change when businesses move away from its networking products and custom chip design services.
Full Analysis
Jim Cramer and Jeff Marks from CNBC's Investing Club delivered their March monthly update on a 32-stock AI portfolio, offering specific guidance on major technology companies following a recent downturn in tech stocks. Cramer notes that while energy and fertilizer sectors have recently benefited from geopolitical tensions related to the war in Iran, he believes it is not yet time to abandon the tech sector, particularly for high-quality leaders in the artificial intelligence space. The update includes strong bullish sentiment on several key players, characterizing Nvidia as a critical enabler of the AI revolution that should be bought at current prices despite recent market volatility and low earnings multiples. Cramer also highlights Cisco Systems as a positive play following a beat-and-raise quarter and recent news regarding Google's memory innovations which may support the networking giant's stock price amid higher memory cost headwinds. The commentary covers a wide range of tech and energy firms, with particular emphasis on cybersecurity leaders CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks, where Cramer suggests focusing primarily on CrowdStrike due to its dominance in an AI-driven security landscape. He maintains a positive view on Meta Platforms, citing CEO Mark Zuckerberg's track record and the necessity of data center spending, while noting Alphabet remains a top buy for its diverse strengths in search, YouTube profitability, and cloud growth. Microsoft is acknowledged as vexing due to fears it may be lagging behind, though the club keeps their position due to confidence in CEO Satya Nadella's ability to execute. Other significant mentions include Apple, where sales gains in China are offsetting concerns, Amazonโ€™s accelerating AWS margins driven by its relationship with Anthropic, and industrial plays like Eaton and GE Vernova which benefit from the data center cooling and natural gas demands respectively. Throughout the article, Cramer reiterates a disciplined investment philosophy focused on owning the leaders rather than trying to time market turns or avoid sectors entirely based on short-term price swings. He specifically identifies five stocks he would add to or buy more of, including Cisco Systems, Broadcom for its consistent chip design wins under CEO Hock Tan, and Alphabet, noting that investors should not be deterred by temporary dips in mega-cap tech like Nvidia or Microsoft if the long-term AI thesis remains intact. The piece serves as both a tactical update on specific holdings and a strategic defense of the broader technology sector's potential as the economy stabilizes post-inflation and geopolitical shocks.