Is Salesforce Stock Worth Owning Ahead of Q4 Earnings Release?

Core Insights - Salesforce (CRM) is set to release its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on February 25, with expected revenues between $11.13 billion and $11.23 billion, indicating an 11.7% increase year-over-year [1] - The company anticipates non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) in the range of $3.02 to $3.04, reflecting a 9% increase from the previous year [2] Revenue and Earnings Expectations - The consensus estimate for fourth-quarter revenues is $11.17 billion, while the consensus for non-GAAP EPS remains at $3.03 [1][2] - Salesforce has consistently beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 6.9% [3] Factors Influencing Q4 Results - Salesforce's strong positioning is attributed to its focus on digital transformation and cloud solutions, which align with global business needs [6] - The demand for generative AI-enabled cloud solutions has significantly contributed to revenue growth, enhancing customer engagement and competitive positioning [7] - The company's expansion in key geographic markets and the public sector has unlocked new growth opportunities [8] Strategic Initiatives - Recent acquisitions, including Waii, Convergence.ai, and Zoomin, have enhanced Salesforce's capabilities and diversified its revenue base, likely driving higher subscription revenues [10] - Ongoing cost restructuring initiatives have improved profitability, with a non-GAAP operating margin increase of 240 basis points to 35.5% in the third quarter [11] Stock Performance and Valuation - Over the past year, Salesforce's shares have declined by 40.2%, underperforming the Zacks Computer – Software industry, which saw an 11.3% decline [12] - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month P/E of 14.17X, significantly lower than the industry average of 27.7X, indicating a potential investment opportunity [15][19] Investment Thesis - Salesforce maintains its leadership in the customer relationship management market and is evolving into a broader enterprise platform focused on AI, data, and collaboration [20] - The introduction of AI initiatives, such as Einstein GPT and Agentforce, has solidified its competitive edge, with Agentforce generating $540 million in recurring revenues, a 330% year-over-year increase [21][22] - The combination of strong market positioning, aggressive AI expansion, and lower valuation multiples suggests that Salesforce is a solid investment option [23]