How Should You Play Salesforce Stock Ahead of Q3 Earnings Release?

Core Insights - Salesforce (CRM) is set to release its third-quarter fiscal 2026 results on December 3, with expected revenues between $10.24 billion and $10.29 billion, indicating an 8.7% increase year-over-year [1][9] - The company anticipates non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) in the range of $2.84 to $2.86, reflecting an 18.3% increase from the previous year [2][9] Revenue and Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter revenues is $10.26 billion, aligning closely with Salesforce's expectations [1][9] - The consensus estimate for non-GAAP EPS has remained stable at $2.85 over the past 60 days [2] Performance History - Salesforce has beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 3.2% [3] Factors Influencing Q3 Results - The company is well-positioned for strong results due to its focus on digital transformation and cloud solutions, which align with global business needs [6] - Demand for generative AI-enabled cloud solutions has been a significant growth driver, enhancing customer engagement and competitive positioning [7] - Salesforce's expansion in key geographic markets and the public sector has unlocked new growth opportunities [8] Strategic Acquisitions - Recent acquisitions, including Waii, Convergence.ai, and Zoomin, have enhanced Salesforce's capabilities and diversified its revenue base, likely boosting subscription revenues [10] - Key cloud service revenue estimates for Q3 include $2.3 billion from Sales, $2.49 billion from Service, and $2.07 billion from Platform & Other [11] Cost Restructuring Initiatives - Ongoing cost restructuring is expected to improve profitability, with a non-GAAP operating margin of 34.3% in Q2, up 60 basis points [12] Stock Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, Salesforce shares have declined by 31.7%, underperforming the Zacks Computer – Software industry, which has risen by 6.6% [13] - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 4.92, compared to the industry average of 7.39 [15] Competitive Position - Salesforce maintains its leadership in the customer relationship management industry, consistently outperforming competitors like Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP [18] - Strategic acquisitions, such as the $27.7 billion acquisition of Slack, have significantly enhanced its market position [19] AI Initiatives - The introduction of Einstein GPT and the expansion of AI functionalities across its ecosystem have solidified Salesforce's competitive edge in the market [20] Conclusion - Despite potential near-term challenges from softening IT spending, Salesforce's leadership in CRM and aggressive AI expansion provide a solid foundation for sustained growth [22]