10 Technology Dividend Aristocrats to Buy in 2025

6. Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 82

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is an American multinational digital communications technology company, headquartered in California. The company offers a wide range of networking hardware, software, and telecom equipment.

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) has a strong dividend history, having raised its payouts for 18 consecutive years. While the company’s revenue growth over the past decade has been modest— averaging between 1% and 3%—its consistent cash generation has supported its ability to maintain and gradually raise dividends. In the third quarter of fiscal 2025, Cisco reported operating cash flow of $4.1 billion, reflecting a 2% increase year-over-year. The company returned $3.1 billion to shareholders during the quarter through dividends and share repurchases.

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO)’s acquisition strategy also plays a supportive role in its dividend policy, especially when these acquisitions contribute positively to cash flow. A prime example is the company’s 2024 acquisition of Splunk, which added approximately $1.4 billion to its fiscal 2024 revenue.

In terms of payout ratio, Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) remains on solid ground. Its five-year average payout ratio sits at 56.6%, suggesting that the company retains enough flexibility to continue rewarding shareholders while investing in growth. It currently offers a quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.47%, as of June 22.