4 Dow Stocks Lagging Since 2007’s Record Highs: Bank of America Corp (BAC), Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ) , Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO)

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) , down 35%

Cisco wasn’t even a member of the Dow in 2007, as the company was part of the 2009 shakeup that replaced Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) and General Motors Company (NYSE:GM). But since it set multiyear highs near the time the Dow set its last record, Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) has struggled in its role as leader of the networking industry. Much of the trouble owed to the company’s attempt to expand its reach into much more competitive areas like consumer electronics and commercial computer systems. These moves left Cisco unprepared to handle increased competition when rivals attacked its core networking business. Since then, Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) has refocused its efforts while still trying to become more than a simple networking company, but tough economic conditions, especially among its government customers in the U.S. and Europe, have weighed on the stock.

Can these stocks bounce back?
Just because these stocks have lagged the Dow doesn’t mean they’re doomed forever. They simply show that no matter how well the Dow does, some companies will inevitably get left behind — at least temporarily.

The article 4 Dow Stocks Lagging Since 2007’s Record Highs originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by By Dan Caplinge.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger owns shares of Bank of America. You can follow him on Twitter @DanCaplinger. The Motley Fool recommends Cisco Systems. The Motley Fool owns shares of Bank of America.

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