FILE PHOTO: A sign bearing the logo for communications and security tech giant Cisco Systems Inc is seen outside one of its offices in San Jose, California, U.S. August 11, 2022. REUTERS/Paresh Dave/File Photo
(Reuters) -Cisco Systems forecast quarterly revenue and profit above Wall Street estimates after posting upbeat first-quarter results, helped by improving demand for its networking gear amid the AI boom.
Shares of the computer networking equipment maker were down 1.4% in extended trading after the company forecast annual revenue broadly in line with estimates.
Companies have been ramping up investments in AI technologies which require heavy computing power, creating a spike in demand for data centers, which use Cisco's products such as ethernet switches and routers.
However, the California-based company has been trying to reduce reliance on its massive networking equipment business, which has suffered in recent years from supply chain issues and a post-pandemic slowdown in demand.
The company had announced two rounds of layoffs this year in a bid to cut costs, as it shifts focus to cybersecurity, cloud systems and AI-driven products.
Cisco completed its $28 billion acquisition of Splunk in March, which aims to boost its software business amid an AI boom while also helping to offset a post-pandemic slowdown in demand by enhancing its cybersecurity capabilities.
The company expects second-quarter revenue to be between $13.75 billion and $13.95 billion, which was above analysts' average estimate of $13.73 billion, according to LSEG-compiled data.
It forecast quarterly adjusted profit per share of 89 cents to 91 cents, compared with estimates of 87 cents.
The company's revenue fell 6% to $13.84 billion in the first quarter ended Oct. 26, beating estimates of $13.77 billion. Adjusted profit per share of 91 cents also beat estimates of 87 cents.
Cisco now expects annual revenue to be between $55.3 billion and $56.3 billion, compared with its earlier forecast of between $55.0 billion to $56.2 billion. Analysts were expecting $55.89 billion.
It raised its annual adjusted profit forecast range to $3.60 to $3.66, from $3.52 to $3.58.
(Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
