How much authorization remains under Cisco's buyback program?

The filing discloses $8.1 billion in remaining authorized repurchase capacity with no stated termination date. This gives Cisco substantial flexibility to continue buybacks going forward without requiring board approval for a new program.

How does Cisco's Q4 repurchase price compare to earlier quarters in FY2026?

The Q4 average price of $111.53 was notably higher than the prior three quarters: Q3 at $80.28, Q2 at $76.29, and Q1 at $68.28. This reflects the stock's appreciation during the fiscal year, which benefited from Cisco's strong operational performance and AI infrastructure momentum.

What was Cisco's total share-repurchase activity for the full fiscal year 2026?

Cisco repurchased approximately 76 million shares for $6.1 billion across all four quarters of fiscal 2026, compared to 105 million shares for $6.0 billion in fiscal 2025. The higher total cost despite fewer shares reflects upward price movement, particularly in Q3 and Q4.

Does this filing announce a new or expanded buyback program?

No. This 8-K reports Q4 execution results under an existing program and includes no announcement of a new authorization or increase. The filing is purely an execution and financial results disclosure embedded in the Q4 and FY2026 earnings release.

What role do buybacks play in Cisco's overall capital allocation strategy?

Management states its focus is on 'continued capital returns' in fiscal 2027. In Q4 FY2026, Cisco returned $3.2 billion to shareholders, split between $1.5 billion in buybacks and $1.7 billion in dividends ($0.42 per share). This balanced approach reflects a mature company prioritizing both share count reduction and direct cash distributions.

CSCO 8-K Filed 2026-08-12 Execution disclosure

Cisco repurchased 13M shares at $111.53 average in Q4 FY2026

Q4 execution under ongoing program; $8.1B remains authorized with no termination date.

Shares repurchased13.0M

Avg price paid$111.53

Remaining$8.1B

MechanismRule 10b-18 open-market purcha

What the filing says

Cisco Systems repurchased approximately 13 million shares of common stock in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, at a weighted-average price of $111.53 per share, for a total aggregate purchase price of $1.5 billion. This execution occurred under the company's ongoing stock repurchase program, which the filing characterizes as part of Cisco's capital allocation strategy alongside dividend distributions.

As of July 25, 2026, Cisco reports $8.1 billion remaining authorized under the repurchase program with no stated termination date. In Q4 alone, the company returned $3.2 billion to shareholders through share buybacks ($1.5 billion) and dividends ($1.7 billion at $0.42 per share). For the full fiscal year 2026, Cisco repurchased approximately 76 million shares at a cumulative cost of $6.1 billion (versus $6.0 billion in fiscal 2025).

The buyback activity is referenced in the company's "Capital Allocation" section of its earnings release and detailed in the consolidated statement of cash flows and the "Dividends Paid and Repurchases of Common Stock" supplemental table. Cisco indicates ongoing commitment to capital returns as part of its financial management, stating in management commentary that it will focus on "continued capital returns" in fiscal 2027.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, we returned $3.2 billion to stockholders through share buybacks and dividends. We declared and paid a cash dividend of $0.42 per common share, or $1.7 billion, and repurchased approximately 13 million shares of common stock under our stock repurchase program at an average price of $111.53 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $1.5 billion. The remaining authorized amount for stock repurchases under the program is $8.1 billion with no termination date. — CISCO SYSTEMS, INC. 8-K filing · View on SEC EDGAR →

What this means

This Q4 execution reflects Cisco's ongoing capital return strategy amid record fiscal-year performance (12% revenue growth to $63.3 billion and 31% EPS growth to $3.33). At $111.53 per share, the Q4 repurchase price represents an increase from the three prior quarter's average prices ($80.28, $76.29, and $68.28), reflecting stronger stock valuation later in the fiscal year. With $8.1 billion in remaining authorization and no expiration date, the program provides substantial runway for future buybacks. For context, full-year FY2026 repurchases of 76 million shares reduced share count despite $13.3 billion in net income, a typical capital allocation choice for mature tech companies with strong cash generation.

Frequently asked questions

What did Cisco repurchase in Q4 fiscal 2026, and at what price?: Cisco repurchased approximately 13 million shares at a weighted-average price of $111.53 per share, totaling $1.5 billion. This execution occurred under the company's ongoing stock repurchase program, which had $8.1 billion of authorization remaining as of July 25, 2026.
How much authorization remains under Cisco's buyback program?: The filing discloses $8.1 billion in remaining authorized repurchase capacity with no stated termination date. This gives Cisco substantial flexibility to continue buybacks going forward without requiring board approval for a new program.
How does Cisco's Q4 repurchase price compare to earlier quarters in FY2026?: The Q4 average price of $111.53 was notably higher than the prior three quarters: Q3 at $80.28, Q2 at $76.29, and Q1 at $68.28. This reflects the stock's appreciation during the fiscal year, which benefited from Cisco's strong operational performance and AI infrastructure momentum.
What was Cisco's total share-repurchase activity for the full fiscal year 2026?: Cisco repurchased approximately 76 million shares for $6.1 billion across all four quarters of fiscal 2026, compared to 105 million shares for $6.0 billion in fiscal 2025. The higher total cost despite fewer shares reflects upward price movement, particularly in Q3 and Q4.
Does this filing announce a new or expanded buyback program?: No. This 8-K reports Q4 execution results under an existing program and includes no announcement of a new authorization or increase. The filing is purely an execution and financial results disclosure embedded in the Q4 and FY2026 earnings release.
What role do buybacks play in Cisco's overall capital allocation strategy?: Management states its focus is on 'continued capital returns' in fiscal 2027. In Q4 FY2026, Cisco returned $3.2 billion to shareholders, split between $1.5 billion in buybacks and $1.7 billion in dividends ($0.42 per share). This balanced approach reflects a mature company prioritizing both share count reduction and direct cash distributions.

execution mega-cap tech-sector rule-10b-18 Q4-FY2026

Source. This editorial summary is based on the SEC filing linked above. BuybackStocks aggregates and editorializes publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. Not investment advice. Past authorization announcements do not guarantee future repurchase activity or share price performance. See our full disclosures policy.