Salesforce Stock Plunges 28% YTD: Should You Exit the Investment?

Core Insights - Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) is experiencing significant underperformance, with a stock decline of 28% in 2025, compared to a 13.5% drop in the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector [1][8] - The company's revenue growth has slowed considerably, with a 7.7% increase in Q1 of fiscal 2026, leading to cautious investor sentiment [5][8] - Salesforce's earnings per share (EPS) growth is projected to decline significantly, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9% expected over the next five years, down from 27.8% in the previous five years [9] Sales Performance - Salesforce's revenue growth has decelerated, with Q1 fiscal 2026 revenues rising only 7.7% year-over-year, and non-GAAP EPS increasing by just 5.7% [5][8] - Analysts predict mid-to-high single-digit growth for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, indicating a continued trend of cautious enterprise spending [6] Financial Estimates - Current Zacks Consensus Estimates for Salesforce's upcoming quarters and years are as follows: - Current Quarter (7/2025): $10.13 billion - Next Quarter (10/2025): $10.29 billion - Current Year (1/2026): $41.15 billion - Next Year (1/2027): $44.94 billion - Year-over-year growth estimates are projected at 8.66% for the current quarter and 8.58% for the current year [7] Valuation Analysis - Salesforce's stock trades at a low forward P/E ratio of 20.08, significantly below the sector average of 28.16 [8][10] - Compared to peers, Salesforce's P/E is lower than SAP (38.32), Oracle (36.17), and Microsoft (33.42), suggesting a potential undervaluation [12] Strategic Implications - The current valuation may attract investors; however, the ongoing challenges related to slowing sales growth could indicate a value trap [13] - The company needs to adapt its strategy to remain competitive, as businesses are shifting towards smaller, lower-risk IT investments rather than large digital transformation projects [9] Conclusion - Salesforce is no longer viewed as a growth powerhouse, with limited upside potential due to slowing revenue and earnings growth [14] - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), suggesting that investors may want to consider other opportunities in the tech sector [14]