We recently compiled a list of the 10 Cheap Technology Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) stands against the other cheap tech stocks.

It seems that technology stocks have had a tough start to 2025. On March 4, 2025, CNBC reported that since President Donald Trump took office in January, the S&P 500 technology sector has dropped 7.5%. Tech stocks have slumped largely due to new tariffs that have set off a trade war and added fuel to the risk-off sentiment on Wall Street.

READ ALSO: 10 Worst Performing Crypto Stocks to Buy Now and 10 Unrivaled Stocks of the Next 5 Years.

Economists had cautioned that tariffs could lead to a rise in inflation and create global economic disruptions. Many leading tech companies assemble and manufacture products outside the US and as a result of the tariffs these companies could see manufacturing costs rise.

Semiconductor stocks have also been hit hard. On March 3, Trump cleared the way for new 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada and smashed hopes of a potential last-minute deal. According to the US President, there was “no room left” for further negotiations after weeks of talks. Trump also put an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports.

In response, Canada said it would impose retaliatory tariffs. Mexico said it will be looking to announce a plan on Sunday. China retaliated with tariffs of up to 15% on some US goods. These developments have added to the uncertainty surrounding the tech sector.

The tech sector has experienced a decline due to economic uncertainty and trade tensions and this might present buying opportunities for some investors. Despite current challenges, some tech stocks show strong potential for growth.

Methodology

To compile our list of the 10 cheap tech stocks to buy according to hedge funds, we used the Finviz stock screener and Yahoo Finance. To find cheap tech stocks, we looked for stocks with a forward P/E ratio of less than 20. We sorted our results based on market capitalization and picked the top 25 technology companies trading at under 20 times their forward earnings as of March 3, 2025. Next, we focused on the top 10 cheap tech stocks most favored by institutional investors. Data for the hedge fund sentiment surrounding each stock was taken from Insider Monkey’s Q4 2024 database of more than 1,000 elite hedge funds. Finally, the 10 cheap tech stocks to buy were ranked in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds holding stakes in them as of Q4 2024.

Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter's strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).

Engineers using the latest Cisco TelePresence technology to collaborate with colleagues around the world.

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO)

Forward P/E: 17.27

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 84

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is an American multinational digital communications technology that designs, manufactures, and sells internet and networking equipment, related software and services for network management, security, collaboration, cloud management, and data center solutions. The company plays a crucial role in building and maintaining the infrastructure of the internet and corporate networks. Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) ranks among the best cheap tech stocks to buy.

On March 3, 2025, Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) announced its Agile Services Networking innovations at the Mobile World Congress. This new architecture is designed to help service providers introduce differentiated services and compete in the AI marketplace by simplifying, modernizing, and enhancing network performance. It combines high-speed, feature-rich Silicon One routing, unified software, and converged IP and optics to create a seamless, scalable network. The system provides real-time visibility into on-network and off-network connectivity, enabling providers to deliver reliable AI-driven experiences for home and mobile users. Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) reported that early adopters of Cisco Agile Services Networking are already improving network efficiency, cutting costs, and enhancing the customer experience. This move is part of a broader strategy that positions Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) as a key player in AI infrastructure and networking solutions.

Overall, CSCO ranks 2nd on our list of the cheap tech stocks to buy according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential of CSCO as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CSCO but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and Complete List of 59 AI Companies Under $2 Billion in Market Cap.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.