TIMELINE: Cisco CEO Chambers' views on the economy

(Reuters) - Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO.O) CEO John Chambers said on Wednesday the company's revenue could fall as much as 10 percent in the current quarter, and that the downturn in the U.S. economy was spreading to Europe and Asia.

Investors play close attention to Chambers' comments on the economy since the network equipment maker is seen as a bellwether for tech spending, and because he is considered close to government policymakers and other business leaders.

Cisco shares slumped 6 percent in after-hours trade.

The following is a selection of his comments since mid-2007.

NOV. 5, 2008

"We do believe that the challenges that initially affected the U.S. have spread to other countries around the world," he told analysts on a conference call. He forecast that fiscal second-quarter revenue would decline by 5 percent to 10 percent from a year earlier, but said it was hard to be sure.

"It's probably the second most difficult time in my career in terms of my comfort level with the forecast," he said.

SEPT. 16, 2008

Chambers told a financial analysts meeting that Cisco was sticking to its goal of 12 to 17 percent annual revenue growth despite the slow economy. "We've never been more comfortable with our 12 to 17 percent growth long-term projection than we are right now," he said.

August 5, 2008

"While it is very difficult to predict when we may see a stronger spending environment by our customers and return to our 12 percent to 17 percent long-term growth objectives, our best estimate ... is that the current economic challenges (will) remain with us for the next few quarters."

"Our U.S. enterprise was stronger than we expected this quarter. Our U.S. service provider was a little bit weaker.

"But if I look at the total global scenario, (the downturn) is probably going to be a little bit longer than we would have said six months ago. But still, most of my customers see it turning early next year and ... we're budgeting that way."

May 6, 2008

"In terms of what we're hearing from our customers, most of them believe that this (slowdown) will be a relatively short-term phenomenon," Chambers told Reuters in an interview after announcing the company's third-quarter results.

"Most of my customers believe their business will be coming back up by the end of the year and therefore spending that is tied to their economic scenario should pick back up as well."