Arista Networks Takes Aim at Cisco

Cisco Systems investors should consider a switch. The networking giant has returned 43%, including dividends, in the 2½ years since we recommended the shares (“Cisco Battles Back,” Jan. 11, 2014). That compares with 22% for the Standard & Poor’s 500 index. Its younger rival, Arista Networks, rose 23% from the opening price of its stock market debut two years ago.

You can expect Arista (ticker: ANET) to outperform from here, however. It’s quickly gaining market share in high-end network switches at the expense of...