Also. . .

* Internet equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc., the world’s third-largest company by market capitalization, is expected to post strong earnings this week. Wall Street is forecasting profits of 23 cents a share, contrasted with 18 cents in the year-ago quarter, according to First/Call Thomson Financial. The Cisco report, due after the closing bell Tuesday, combined with growing enthusiasm for the release of Microsoft Corp.’s Windows 2000 operating system Feb. 17 and expected positive comments at an analysts’ meeting with Sun Microsystems, set a rosy stage for the week.

Other companies handing in earnings report cards this week include Dell Computer Corp., MCI WorldCom Inc., and insurance companies Aetna Inc., AXA Financial Inc., Cigna Corp. and Allstate Corp. Dell warned in January that its earnings would not match Wall Street’s expectations. But the shortfall is not expected to hurt broader sentiment, as the market has had time to price in the lower earnings. The PC maker is expected to post profits of 15 cents a share, matching estimates.