This is the end...
My only friend, the end.
Of our elaborate plans, the end.
Of everything that stands, the end.
No safety or surprise, the end.
I'll never look into your eyes, again.
-- The Doors, 1967
I've tried and tried, but ever since the news came out, I've been unable to get the tune out of my head. On Tuesday, Internet infrastructure superstar Cisco
A dividend? From Cisco? Is this the end?
I understand how many could think so, but my answer is: No, this is not the end for Cisco. In fact, it might just be the beginning of a beautiful relationship with shareholders.
Sure, once upon a time, Cisco's name was synonymous with "tech", and "growth." But lately, Cisco's been growing at a more modest pace -- in line with Intel and Microsoft, in fact, with analysts projecting only 12% growth over the next five years. And if that may not be the kind of pace that sets growth investors' pulses to racing, Cisco has at least evolved into the kind of company that attracts smiles from the value set. With $40 billion in cash on its balance sheet, and another $9 billion in cash pouring into its coffers each year, Cisco's biggest problem these days is figuring out what to do with the cash.
On the one hand, sure, Cisco could reinvest its profits in itself, in hopes of juicing its growth rate. But with a $124 billion in market cap already, I'm not sure how much bigger Cisco can grow. On the other hand, management could try to "buy growth" by acquiring other companies. Indeed, it has made a few savvy acquisitions recently.
But often as not, that path leads to madness. Witness Intel's absurd dabbling in code writing with the McAfee
Foolish takeaway
For every Oracle
