After The Bell: Cisco, News Corp Earnings on Tap

Tech company  Cisco Systems (CSCO) is set to declare fourth-quarter earnings with a consensus of Wall Street analysts looking for earnings of $0.38 per share, compared with $0.34 in the year-ago quarter. Analysts will be looking out for management comments on the firm's recent efforts to shape up by trimming workforce and restructuring operations to concentrate on core products.

Investors will also likely question the company on its revenue targets for the full year--it recently said achieving its earlier-stated target of 12%-17% might be difficult given the sluggish economic climate.

Cisco currently has a Morningstar Rating for stocks of 5 stars, signaling that firm's shares trade at a steep discount compared with Morningstar analysts' fair value estimate of the firm.

 News Corp   is also slated to post earnings after the bell. Wall Street expects the media giant to clock earnings per share of $0.30 and $0.25 for its respective A and B shares, compared with $0.34 and $0.34 in the same quarter last year.

But more than earnings, management may find itself at the end of questions relating to the recent phone-hacking scandal that erupted at its U.K. tabloid, News of the World, which had to be shut down. The issue of succession might also come up, and questions could be asked of CEO Rupert Murdoch about whether he is fit to continue in his role as chief executive in the light of the scandal.

Analysts also might question the company on its plans for its use of the cash lying on its balance sheet after the British government shot down its takeover attempt of  British Sky Broadcasting .