By Ed Ponsi
Publication Date: 2026-05-19 16:15:00
Cisco Systems builds the routers and switches that move data across the internet. The stock first came into prominence in the 1990s, when it helped lead the so-called ‘dotcom’ tech revolution.
Now, the AI revolution is once again thrusting Cisco Systems into the spotlight. After a 56% year-to-date gain in 2026, how much farther can this stock rise?
The Data Must Flow
Just as water must flow, so must data. Since 1999, the amount of monthly data that flows through the internet has increased by a factor of 360,000.
In 1999, global monthly internet traffic was about 28,000 petabytes. Back then, there were about 250 million internet users worldwide.Today, an estimated 5.6 billion internet users are online, and that amount of data passes through the internet in the blink of an eye.
AI Is the Driver
Today, the AI revolution is providing another big increase in data creation and movement. Cisco, along with names like Corning (GLW), will be among the companies…
