Cisco Systems reported lower-than-expected fiscal third-quarter revenue
Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ:CSCO) is contributing to the Dow's negative price action this morning, down 10.8% at $43.15 at last glance, after the company slashed its 2022 forecast. Earlier hitting an 18-month low of $41.36, today's gap lower has CSCO down 33% year-to-date.
Supply shortages cut into Cisco's fiscal third-quarter results, as did the war in Ukraine and China's lockdowns, and the networking name's revenue of $12.84 billion missed estimates of $13.34 billion. Earnings of 87 cents per share did beat estimates by one cent, however.
No fewer than 13 analysts cut their price targets after the event, with the lowest from Citigroup to $40 from $45. The ratings are still the same so far, with the 16 analysts in coverage split toward CSC -- nine carrying a "buy" or better rating, and seven a "hold" or worse.
Meanwhile, in the last two weeks, puts have been exchanged at their fastest pace all year. This is per CSCO's 10-day put/call volume ratio of 1.18 at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), which sits higher than all other readings from the past 12 months.
This penchant for puts is still in place today, with 113,000 puts across the tape so far -- 12 times the intraday average -- in comparison to 79,000 calls. The May 40 and 42 puts are the most popular, with new positions being opened at both. It's also worth noting that Cisco stock has landed on the short sale restricted (SSR) list today.