Cisco Fans Eager to See IT Recovery

Monday's selloff notwithstanding, it seems clear the economy is improving. Now Wall Street is itching to see if tech spending is picking up, too.

That's why all eyes will turn Tuesday afternoon to Cisco (CSCO Quote). The big San Jose, Calif., network gearmaker is set to post fiscal third-quarter results. Coming on the heels of last week's solid April jobs report and Monday's inflation-fearing rout, the company's comments should give investors a read on the hotly anticipated information technology-spending recovery.

Some analysts say the stage is set for a return to sunny words from Cisco CEO John Chambers. After long embodying Silicon Valley's sky-is-the-limit side, Chambers in recent years has offered little more than guarded optimism. ...