Cisco Systems Inc., (CSCO) the world's largest maker of computer networking gear, on Tuesday said it's killing its Flip camcorder business as part of a reversal of years of efforts at diversifying into consumer products.

The about-face comes after several quarters of disappointing results and challenges in its core businesses. Analysts say the company has been trying to do too many different things.

A week ago, CEO John Chambers acknowledged the criticism, sending employees a memo vowing to take "bold steps" to narrow the company's focus.

The San Jose, Calif., company said Tuesday that it expects its consumer business shakeup will result in the loss of 550 jobs, or less than 1 percent of its work force of about 73,000.

It also expects to take restructuring charges of no more than $300 million spread out over the current quarter, which ends April 25, and the following one.

Cisco Systems (CSCO) seems out of favor with the market these days. On Friday, the shares closed at $17.04. The 52-week low for the stock is $16.97, while the 52-week high is $27.74. With the company near its low point, should traders be looking at the stock?

According to TheFly, Pacific Crest believes the valuation on the shares is attractive. And at first glance, one might be inclined to agree with such a sentiment. In fact, considering the relatively tight 52-week range, I could easily imagine the stock rising after making what could theoretically turn out to be a bottom.

"We live in a networked world. And much of the backbone of that wired and increasingly wireless data/voice/video network is built on equipment produced by Cisco Systems (CSCO)," says Stephen Leeb.

The editor of Leeb's Income Performance Letter explains, "A colossus of the technology sector, it's the market leader in each of its business segments, including area networks, routing, switching, wireless LANs, web conferencing and digital video.

Prognosticators the world over are throwing in their 2 cents about "my pal Warren's" next market moves; especially since he announced last week that his trigger finger was itchy. When Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A and BRK.B) speaks, investors listen.

On Wednesday March 2, this investor threw in his two cents worth (see:Serious Money: What Should Warren Buffett Do Next?) discussing possible acquisitions. Since all the "pro's", I use the term loosely, have had a say I thought I would give readers a chance to express some of their ideas too.

Analyst Upgrades

• Interpublic Group (IPG) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Radware (RDWR) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• Fluor (FLR) and Waddell & Reed (WDR) to buy from hold, as well as AllianceBernstein (AB) to hold from sell, at Citigroup.
• MetroCorp (MCBI) and American Capital (AGNC) to outperform from market perform at Keefe Bruyette.
• International Flavors (IFF) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• BioCryst (BCRX) and Southern Company (SO) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Bunge (BG) to overweight from neutral at HSBC.

Analyst Upgrades

• Polo Ralph Lauren (RL) to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merrill.
• Sigma-Aldrich (SIAL) to outperform from market perform at Leerink.
• Petrobras (PBR) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Silvercorp Metals (SVM) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• PROS (PRO) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Power Integrations (POWI) and Monolithic Power (MPWR) to buy from neutral at Roth Capital.
• Diodes (DIOD) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Whole Foods (WFMI) to hold from sell at Hapoalim.
• Sinclair Broadcast (SBGI) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Sappi (SPP) to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.
• Alpha Natural (ANR) to buy from hold at BB&T.
• Watts Water (WTS) to buy from hold at Brean Murray.

JPMorgan (JPM) overall option implied volatility of 26 is below its 26-week average of 32, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Cisco (CSCO) overall option implied volatility is at 28, according to Track Data, near its 26-week average into its release of Q2 EPS on February 9, suggesting nondirectional price movement.

Options Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

"We recommend broad portfolio diversification is a core tenet of our investment approach; however, we think the tech sector in particular presents some attractive opportunities, especially in the large-cap arena," says value investor John Buckingham.

The money manager and editor of The Prudent Speculator explains, "One stock we particularly like for the coming year is Cisco Systems (CSCO).

Barron's is forecasting a 10% rise in stock prices in 2011 led by big cap stocks. They argue that the big caps have lagged the market for the past decade and are now poised to take the lead, as reported by CNBC.com.

Here are their top ten picks for this year: Exxon Mobil (XOM), Walmart (WMT), Pfizer (PFE), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), General Motors (GM), Cisco Systems (CSCO), United Continental Holdings (UAL), Barrack Gold (ABX), Entergy (ETR), and PepsiCo (PEP).

Looking for a shopping list of new stock ideas for 2011?

Each year for 28 years, TheStockAdvisors.com has turned to the nation's most respected and well-known newsletter advisors and asked them for their favorite investment ideas for the coming 12 months.

With 65 advisors participating in this year's survey, there's something for every type of investor, from high-quality blue chips to speculative home runs.

Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) December 20 and January 20 calls were active with total call option volume of 497K contracts compared to 143K puts. December and January call option implied volatility is at 22, February is at 26, compared to its 26-week average of 30 according to Track Data. Large volume suggests traders positioning for movement.

Charles River Laboratories (CRL) closed up 3%, on Relational Investors LLC and the California State Teachers' Retirement System having a combined 6.1% stake in the company, and wanting the company to put itself up for sale, reports the Wall Street Journal. January option implied volatility of 29 is below its 26-week average of 34 according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Options Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Analyst Upgrades

• Cisco (CSCO) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• Cognizant (CTSH) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Polypore (PPO) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Elan (ELN) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Millicom (MICC) and NuStar GP Holdings (NSH) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Teekay LNG (TGP) to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• American Railcar (ARII) to outperform from market perform at Morgan Keegan.
• Texas Instruments (TXN) to buy from neutral at Sterne Agee.

Analyst Upgrades

• Qualcomm (QCOM) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• JPMorgan upgraded Allegheny Tech (ATI) to overweight from neutral.
• NetApp (NTAP) was upgraded to buy from hold at Canaccord.
• Estee Lauder (EL) was upgraded to perform from underperform at Oppenheimer.
• Citigroup upgraded Suntech (STP) to hold from sell.

Analyst Upgrades

• Intel (INTC) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight and Autodesk (ADSK) to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• Citigroup upgraded Blackrock (BLK) to buy from hold.
• 99c Only Stores (NDN) was upgraded to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• PetSmart (PETM) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Ruth's Hospitality (RUTH) and Morton's Restaurant (MRT) to overweight from neutral.
• BioMed Realty (BMR) was upgraded to market perform from underperform at FBR Capital.
• Wells Fargo upgraded Piedmont (PDM) to market perform from underperform.

Back in the 1990s, Cisco (CSCO) was a classic growth company. It benefited tremendously from the dot-com boom and offered high-margin products. At the same time, the company was savvy in juicing growth with lots of acquisitions.

But with revenues of $40 billion, it's getting tougher to get traction on the top-line (the long-term goal is to hit 12% of annual growth). True, large acquisitions can help -- but the price tags are often at premium valuations.