Cisco's fourth-quarter sales forecast beat estimates, driven by hyperscaler revenue expected to reach $9 billion for the full year, up from zero seven quarters ago. Gross margins appear to be stabilizing after memory cost pressures in previous quarters. The restructuring to reinvest in silicon optics, security, and AI supports the pivot. The stock has room to run given the strong outlook and investor enthusiasm reflected in the after-hours rally.
Hyperscalers and Mag 7 are finally turning AI from an experimental phase into real revenue and larger growth. Impressive numbers (Azure $100B revenue, AWS margins 37%, Google Cloud up 82%) show capex spending is justified. Diversified mega-cap tech offers quality and protection.
Forgotten high-quality tech companies that were left behind in the AI chase—like SNAP—are showing substantial top- and bottom-line growth. A rotation into these undervalued names with cash flow and future demand is underway.
Semiconductor earnings growth peaked at 130% in Q2 but will stay above 100% for the next two quarters. The correction was a healthy breather, and the story is not over; there is definitely more room to run in those stocks.