NEW YORK - US networking giant Cisco warned on Wednesday that its revenue was expected to drop in the current quarter because of the global economic downturn.

Cisco reported net profit in the quarter that ended Oct 25 of US$2.2 billion (S$3.26524 billion), roughly the same as during the same period last year.

But the company warned later during a conference call that revenue could drop between five per cent and 10 per cent during the current quarter.

Cisco lost 6.96 per cent to US$16.18 in after-hours trading in New York following the release of its results.

'Cisco delivered solid revenue and earnings growth in what is clearly a very challenging global economy,' chief executive John Chambers said in a statement on the quarter ending Oct 25.

In that period revenue rose eight percent to US$10.3 billion, in line with the expectations of analysts. -- AFP