Image Source: UnsplashJuniper Networks Inc (JNPR) designs, develops, and sells products and services for high-performance networks. These products and services enable customers to build scalable, reliable, secure, and cost-effective networks for their businesses, while achieving agility and improved operating efficiency through automation.The company’s high-performance network and service offerings include routing, switching, Wi-Fi, network security, artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-enabled enterprise networking operations (AIOps), and software-defined networking (SDN) technologies.In addition to the company’s products, the company offers its customers a variety of services, including maintenance and support, professional services, Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”), and education and training programs.The company was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.Three key data points gauge Juniper Networks Inc. or any dividend-paying firm.The key three are:(1) Price(2) Dividends(3) ReturnsThose three basic keys best tell whether any company has made, is making, and will make money.JNPR PriceOver the past year, Juniper’s share price fell 13.7% from $30.91 to $26.67 as of Wednesday’s market close.If Juniper’s stock trades in the range of $20.00 to $35.00 this next year, its recent $26.67 share price might rise to $30.00 by next year. Of course, Juniper’s price could drop about the same $3.33 estimated amount, or more.My upside estimate of $3.33, however, is about $1.57 lower than the median of one-year target prices from seventeen analysts tracking Juniper for brokers.JNPR DividendJuniper Networks Inc. has paid generally increasing quarterly dividends since September 23, 2014.  JNPR’s most recent Q dividend, payable December 22 to shareholders of record November 30th is $0.22That Q dividend measures up to $0.88 annually for a forward-looking yield of 3.3%.JNPR ReturnsAdd the $0.88 anticipated annual dividend to Juniper’s estimated $3.33 possible price upside, reveals a $4.21 estimated gross gain per share for the coming year.At Monday’s $26.67 closing price, a little under $1000 would buy 37 shares.A $10 broker fee (if charged), paid half at purchase and half at sale, might cost us about $0.27 per share.Subtracting that likely $0.27 brokerage cost from my $4.21 estimated gross gain per share makes a net gain of $3.94 X 37 shares = $145.78 or about a 14.75% net gain.This could be the time to pounce on Juniper Networks Inc. shares. And beware, JNPR, is a mid-cap California Communication Equipment firm. Furthermore, the estimated $33.00 annual dividend from $1000 invested comes in at almost $6.33 greater than the recent $26.67 single share price.  The question is really, what happens next to the Juniper dividend payout and price?Remember the true value of any stock is best realized through personal ownership of shares.More By This Author:Current Analysis: Corning Incorporated
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