CRM

We rate Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) as a Hold with a composite score of 50.0/100 at a current price of $184.10. The stock presents a mixed quantitative picture — neither compelling enough to warrant new accumulation nor weak enough to justify selling for existing holders. Our factors are split, and the overall profile suggests patience is warranted.

The rating is primarily driven by strength in stability (74th percentile) and value (57th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. Offsetting weakness in momentum (38th percentile) and investment (41th percentile) tempers our overall conviction. We assign a Narrow Moat rating (48/100), Low uncertainty, and Standard capital allocation.

Key items to watch: momentum to confirm whether the current price trend has legs. Any material change in these dynamics could warrant a reassessment of our rating. The moat trend is stable, which suggests the competitive landscape is stable for now.

Salesforce, Inc. holds a top-quartile position (#0 of 50) within the Services sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 50.0/100 places it at rank #2018 in our full 7,333-stock universe. As a mega-cap company with a $247.9B market capitalization, Salesforce, Inc. benefits from significant scale, distribution networks, and brand recognition that smaller competitors cannot easily replicate.

Revenue is growing at 10%, though momentum at the 38th percentile suggests the market has not yet fully recognized this trajectory. This potential disconnect between fundamental improvement and market recognition could represent an opportunity for patient investors if the growth trend persists.

The margin cascade tells an important story: gross margins of 77% (+17.9pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of 21% (+17.1pp vs sector) and net margins of 16.5%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of 21%. This conversion rate is typical for the sector, suggesting a standard cost structure without notable efficiency advantages or disadvantages.

At a current price of $184.10, Salesforce, Inc. is trading near fair value based on current fundamentals. Our value factor score of 57/100 reflects a composite assessment across multiple valuation metrics including price-to-earnings, price-to-book, EV/EBITDA, and price-to-sales ratios relative to both sector peers and the broader market. Valuation metrics are mixed, with no strong signal of mispricing in either direction.

The stock currently trades at a P/E of 26.7x (roughly in line with the sector median of 23.7x), EV/EBITDA of 15.1x (at a premium), P/B of 2.8x, P/S of 4.4x. The above-sector P/E multiple suggests the market is pricing in superior growth or quality, which our analysis finds only partially justified by current fundamentals.

We assign a Low uncertainty rating to Salesforce, Inc.. The company exhibits strong financial stability with a beta of 1.04, conservative leverage (14% D/E), and a stability factor in the 74th percentile. The predictable nature of the business model and solid financial position reduce the range of potential outcomes, giving us confidence in our fair value estimate.

We identify no major risk factors at this time. The company's stability factor sits at the 74th percentile with quality at the 53th percentile, both of which support our low-risk assessment. The absence of material leverage, profitability, or volatility concerns reduces the likelihood of a permanent capital loss scenario.

Key risk mitigants include: healthy gross margins of 77% provide a buffer against cost pressures; conservative leverage (14% D/E) limits balance sheet risk; above-average stability (74th percentile) suggests predictable business dynamics. These factors partially offset the identified risks and provide downside protection in adverse scenarios. On balance, the risk-reward profile is favorable for long-term investors.

We rate Salesforce, Inc.'s capital allocation as Standard. Management has shown adequate — though not exceptional — stewardship of shareholder capital. Returns on equity stand at 10.6%, and the balance sheet is managed within acceptable parameters (D/E: 14%). Exemplary allocators typically sustain ROE above 20% and D/E below 50%; Salesforce, Inc. falls short on at least one dimension.

There is room for improvement in optimizing the capital structure or enhancing shareholder returns. The 0.63% dividend yield provides some income return, but the overall capital allocation framework would benefit from either higher reinvestment returns, improved balance sheet efficiency, or increased shareholder distributions. We will monitor for signs of strategic improvement that could warrant an upgrade.

In summary, Salesforce, Inc. receives a Hold rating with a composite score of 50.0/100 (rank #2018 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a Narrow Moat (48/100, trend: stable), Low uncertainty, and Standard capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 53/100.

Our analysis supports a neutral stance on Salesforce, Inc.. While the quantitative profile is not weak enough to warrant selling, it lacks the multi-factor strength required for a buy recommendation. Existing holders should maintain positions and monitor for catalysts — either fundamental improvement or valuation compression — that would shift the risk-reward balance.