5 Safe Stocks to Buy for the Long Term in 2026

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

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 97

On May 26, BofA raised the firm’s price target on Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) to $135 from $114. It reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. The analyst said Cisco’s recent fiscal Q3 results, along with management’s comments about continued strong demand for Acacia, support a positive view on the underlying demand environment for optical networking.

On May 15, HSBC upgraded CSCO to Buy from Hold. It raised its price target on the stock to $137 from $77. As previously reported, the firm said the company delivered a “modest” beat in fiscal Q3, though new AI orders shifted the conversation around future growth. Management expects FY27 AI revenue to reach at least $6B, which implies roughly 50% year-over-year growth, the analyst told investors. HSBC said stronger momentum in AI infrastructure and improved earnings visibility were key reasons behind the rating upgrade and higher price target.

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) designs and sells a range of technologies that power the internet. The company is integrating its product portfolios across networking, security, collaboration, applications, and cloud services.