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Can Salesforce's Data Cloud Business Offset Slowing Growth Trends?
ZACKS· 2025-10-27 13:51
Core Insights - Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) has experienced a slowdown in growth, transitioning from double-digit revenue increases to single-digit growth over the past year, prompting inquiries about future growth drivers [1][10] - The Data Cloud business is identified as a potential key contributor to restoring double-digit revenue growth, with significant customer adoption and integration with other Salesforce products [1][3][10] Financial Performance - In Q2 of fiscal 2026, Salesforce reported a 140% year-over-year increase in customer adoption of its Data Cloud platform, with over half of Fortune 500 companies utilizing it [2][10] - The Data Cloud business is estimated to generate approximately $7 billion annually, indicating substantial revenue growth potential due to its consumption-based pricing model [4] Competitive Landscape - Salesforce faces competition from Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) and Snowflake Inc. (SNOW) in the data cloud service sector [6] - Microsoft integrates its Azure Data platform with existing productivity tools, enhancing user experience and attracting new clients [7] - Snowflake specializes in cloud-based data warehousing, focusing solely on data management and analytics, which differentiates it from Salesforce [8] Valuation and Estimates - Salesforce shares have declined by 23.8% year-to-date, contrasting with a 21.2% growth in the Zacks Computer – Software industry [9] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 20.72, significantly lower than the industry average of 33.24 [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 and 2027 earnings suggests year-over-year increases of approximately 11.4% and 11.3%, respectively, with recent revisions indicating upward adjustments for fiscal 2026 and downward adjustments for fiscal 2027 [13]
Will Xbox Content Strength Continue to Lift MSFT's Gaming Revenues?
ZACKS· 2025-10-23 18:31
Core Insights - Microsoft's gaming division shows strong performance, with Xbox content and services revenues increasing by 13% year over year in Q4 fiscal 2025, driven by first-party titles and Xbox Game Pass expansion [1][9] Gaming Division Performance - Xbox Game Pass generated nearly $5 billion annually and reached 500 million monthly active users as of June 2025, solidifying its role in Microsoft's recurring revenue model [2] - The gaming division is projected to grow by 2.1% in fiscal 2026 and accelerate to 14.9% in 2027, indicating long-term momentum [4] Innovation and Expansion - Microsoft is enhancing its hardware and cloud offerings, introducing Xbox Cloud Gaming in vehicles through partnerships and launching the ROG Xbox Ally handheld series with Asus [3] Competitive Landscape - Take-Two Interactive is recognized for its blockbuster franchises and strong live-service revenues, with a focus on high-impact IPs and strategic acquisitions [5] - Sony Group Corp. remains a key competitor with its PlayStation ecosystem, premium consoles, and a strong user base of 123 million monthly users [6] Share Price and Valuation - Microsoft's shares have increased by 23.4% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Computer – Software industry growth of 20.1% [7] - The company trades at a forward Price/Sales ratio of 11.54X, higher than the industry's 8.54X, indicating a premium valuation [10] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Microsoft's fiscal 2026 earnings is $15.40 per share, reflecting a 12.90% year-over-year growth [13]
Salesforce Bets on Agentforce 360: Will it Spark the Next Growth Leg?
ZACKS· 2025-10-15 15:02
Core Insights - Salesforce has launched the Agentforce 360 platform, aiming to unify human and AI workflows across various business functions, marking a significant step in its AI strategy [1] - The platform builds on previous Agentforce releases and integrates core products like Data Cloud, Customer 360, and Slack into a single AI-driven system [1] Adoption and Growth - In Q2 of fiscal 2026, there was a 60% increase in customers transitioning from pilot projects to full production, with notable enterprises like FedEx, Reddit, and Under Armour leveraging Agentforce for improved operations and sales engagement [2] - Annual recurring revenues from AI and Data Cloud reached $1.2 billion, reflecting a 120% year-over-year increase, indicating strong adoption and growth potential [3] Pricing and Revenue Model - Salesforce introduced a new pricing model called flex credits, which now accounts for approximately 80% of Agentforce bookings, enhancing the scalability of recurring revenues [3] - This pricing strategy is expected to support Salesforce's top-line growth over time [3] Future Outlook - Sustained adoption of Agentforce could signal the beginning of a new growth cycle for Salesforce, with Zacks Consensus Estimates projecting revenue increases of 8.8% and 9.0% for fiscal 2026 and 2027, respectively [4] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Microsoft and ServiceNow are also advancing AI automation in the enterprise market, with Microsoft integrating AI features into Dynamics 365 and ServiceNow deploying industry-specific AI tools [5][6] Valuation Metrics - Salesforce shares have declined by 28.1% year-to-date, contrasting with a 20.6% growth in the Zacks Computer – Software industry [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 20.28, significantly lower than the industry average of 33.22 [10] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Salesforce's fiscal 2026 and 2027 earnings suggests year-over-year increases of approximately 11.3% and 11.5%, respectively, with recent revisions indicating upward adjustments for fiscal 2026 and downward for fiscal 2027 [13]
Will Microsoft's $30B AI Build-Out Power Its Next Growth Phase?
ZACKS· 2025-10-09 17:56
Core Insights - Microsoft is heavily investing in artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure, planning nearly $30 billion in capital expenditures for Q1 FY26 to enhance data center capacity and GPU availability [1][9] - The company anticipates Intelligent Cloud revenue growth of 25% to 26% and Azure growth of approximately 37% in constant currency for the same period [2][9] - Microsoft's integration of advanced AI tools like GPT-5 and the launch of the Microsoft Agent Framework are key components of its strategy to expand its AI capabilities [3][9] Investment and Growth Strategy - Microsoft aims to solidify its leadership in the AI economy through significant investments in AI and cloud infrastructure, particularly in international markets such as India and the U.K. [2] - The total revenue growth for Microsoft is projected at 13% for FY26 and 14.3% for FY27, aligning with the expanding AI infrastructure market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 29.1% from 2025 to 2032 [4] Competitive Landscape - Amazon is increasing its AI investments with nearly $100 billion planned for 2025, focusing on AWS expansion and custom AI chips, which positions it as a strong competitor to Microsoft [5] - Alphabet is also ramping up its AI spending to $85 billion in 2025, leveraging its DeepMind and Google Research capabilities to enhance its AI offerings [6] Financial Performance - Microsoft's share price has increased by 24.5% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Computer – Software industry and the broader technology sector [7] - The forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio for Microsoft is 11.68X, indicating a premium valuation compared to the industry average of 8.63X [10] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Microsoft's fiscal 2026 earnings is $15.41 per share, reflecting a 12.98% year-over-year growth [13]
Blackbaud Launches Intelligent AI Innovations for Social Impact
ZACKS· 2025-10-09 15:06
Core Insights - Blackbaud, Inc. has concluded its annual technology conference, bbcon 2025, focusing on the role of AI in enhancing social impact through a vast network of organizations and causes [1] Group 1: Innovations and AI Developments - Blackbaud introduced two major innovations: transforming Blackbaud AI into a system of intelligent action and launching Blackbaud Agents for Good, which are proactive virtual team members [2][3] - New AI-driven features include donor stewardship reports, Recognition Programs, and hyper-personalized donor journeys aimed at enhancing engagement and loyalty [2][9] - Over 70 sector-specific AI capabilities were showcased, including the Development Agent for managing donor portfolios and Prospect Insights Pro for predictive analytics [4] Group 2: Financial Projections - For the full year 2025, Blackbaud projects GAAP revenues between $1.120 billion and $1.130 billion, indicating approximately 5% organic growth at the midpoint [7] - Non-GAAP EPS is anticipated to be between $4.30 and $4.50, an increase from earlier expectations of $4.16-$4.35 [7] Group 3: Company Strategy and Focus - Blackbaud is concentrating on cloud software solutions and data-driven decisions, leveraging AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics [6] - The company is committed to margin expansion opportunities while investing in innovation, AI, and cybersecurity [6] Group 4: Stock Performance - Blackbaud currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), with shares declining 23.5% over the past year, contrasting with a 22.9% growth in the Computer – Software industry [8]
CRM's AI and Data Cloud ARR Surges 120%: Can the Momentum Continue?
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 14:21
Core Insights - Salesforce, Inc. reported strong performance in its AI and Data Cloud segments, with Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) from these areas reaching $1.2 billion, reflecting a 120% increase year-over-year [1][9] - The Data Cloud business has grown to a $7 billion segment, with a 140% increase in customer base and a 326% rise in data usage during the second quarter [2][9] - The Agentforce AI platform has signed over 6,000 paid deals, with 60% of customers transitioning from pilot projects to full production [3][9] Data Cloud Performance - Data Cloud is now a $7 billion business, with customer growth of 140% year-over-year and data usage increasing by 326% in the second quarter [2][9] - More than half of Fortune 500 companies are utilizing Data Cloud, indicating strong market penetration [2] Agentforce Growth - Agentforce has signed more than 6,000 paid deals, with 40% of bookings coming from existing customers expanding their usage [3] - The introduction of a new pricing model, flex credits, is contributing to 80% of Agentforce bookings, which may enhance recurring revenue over time [3] Future Growth Potential - The combination of Data Cloud and Agentforce is foundational for the Agentic Enterprise, which leverages accurate data to enhance AI agent performance [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts revenue growth of 8.8% and 9.1% for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, respectively [4] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Microsoft and ServiceNow are also advancing AI automation in the enterprise sector, with Microsoft integrating AI features into its Dynamics 365 platform and ServiceNow deploying industry-specific AI tools [5][6] Valuation Metrics - Salesforce shares have decreased by 25.4% year-to-date, contrasting with a 22% growth in the Zacks Computer – Software industry [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 20.48, significantly lower than the industry average of 33.89 [11] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Salesforce's earnings indicates a year-over-year increase of approximately 11.2% for fiscal 2026 and 11.7% for fiscal 2027, with upward revisions in estimates over the past 30 days [14]
Microsoft's Intelligent Cloud Expands Rapidly: Can the Upside Persist?
ZACKS· 2025-09-16 18:11
Core Insights - Microsoft's Intelligent Cloud segment is experiencing significant growth, with Q4 fiscal 2025 revenues reaching $29.9 billion, a 26% increase year over year, and Azure services growing by 39% [1][10] - The company is enhancing its AI capabilities with innovations such as the rollout of GPT-5 and the opening of a new datacenter in Austria, which positions it to capture rising AI demand [2] - AI is identified as the primary growth driver, with strong demand for AI infrastructure and increased adoption of tools like GitHub Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot [3] Financial Performance - Management has guided Intelligent Cloud revenues for Q1 fiscal 2026 to be between $30.1 billion and $30.4 billion, indicating continued strength [4] - The Zacks model projects Intelligent Cloud revenues to grow by 20.7% in fiscal 2026 and 21.2% in fiscal 2027, supporting a positive long-term outlook [4] Capital Expenditure and Investment - Microsoft has recorded a capital expenditure of $24.2 billion, with plans to increase this to $30 billion in Q1 fiscal 2026 to expand AI infrastructure and data centers [5] Competitive Landscape - Amazon Web Services (AWS) leads the cloud market with a 30-32% share, but Microsoft Azure is gaining traction in enterprise and hybrid adoption [6] - Google Cloud is also rapidly growing, achieving 32% annual growth and $13.6 billion in quarterly revenues, positioning itself as a strong competitor to both Microsoft Azure and AWS [7] Share Price and Valuation - Microsoft shares have appreciated by 22.2% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Computer – Software industry and the broader Computer and Technology sector [8] - The company trades at a forward Price/Sales ratio of 11.45X, higher than the industry average of 8.55X, indicating a premium valuation [12] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Microsoft's fiscal 2026 earnings is $15.35 per share, reflecting a 12.54% year-over-year growth [15]
Salesforce's Data Cloud Adoption Jumps 140%: Will It Aid Sales Growth?
ZACKS· 2025-09-15 16:20
Core Insights - Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) reported a 10% year-over-year revenue increase to $10.25 billion in Q2 of fiscal 2026, driven by significant growth in its Data Cloud business, which saw a 140% increase in customer count year-over-year [1][10] - The Data Cloud platform is central to Salesforce's growth strategy, integrating customer data from various sources and enhancing usability across Salesforce products, with over half of the Fortune 500 already utilizing it [2] - Integration of Data Cloud with tools like Agentforce, Tableau, and Slack is expected to enhance data activation and AI application across enterprises, potentially leading to higher contract values and stronger customer relationships [3] Financial Performance - Salesforce's data-related business is estimated to generate around $7 billion annually, with a consumption-based pricing model indicating significant revenue growth potential for the Data Cloud platform [4] - Despite the robust performance of the Data Cloud, overall revenue growth for Salesforce has shown signs of deceleration, with Q1 and Q2 revenues increasing by 8% and 10% year-over-year, respectively, and high single-digit growth expected for fiscal 2026 and 2027 [5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects a year-over-year earnings increase of approximately 11.2% for fiscal 2026 and 11.7% for fiscal 2027, with upward revisions in estimates over the past 30 days [13] Competitive Landscape - Salesforce faces increased competition in the data cloud space from Microsoft and Snowflake, with Microsoft leveraging its Azure Data platform and integrating it with productivity tools to enhance user experience [6][7] - Snowflake focuses solely on data services, providing powerful cloud-based data warehousing capabilities, which allows for easy storage, processing, and sharing of large data volumes [8] Valuation Metrics - Salesforce shares have declined by 27% year-to-date, contrasting with the Zacks Computer – Software industry's growth of 18.7% [9] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.96, significantly below the industry average of 33.11 [11]
Oracle's Monster Rally Puts These ETFs in Focus
ZACKS· 2025-09-11 11:41
Core Insights - Oracle's stock surged approximately 36% on September 10, 2025, following the announcement of significant cloud demand numbers, marking its best day since 1992 [1] - The company reported $455 billion in remaining performance obligations (RPO), reflecting a 359% increase year-over-year [1][2] Financial Performance - Oracle's quarterly adjusted earnings were $1.47 per share, consistent with Zacks Consensus Estimate, compared to $1.39 per share a year prior [5] - The company reported revenues of $14.93 billion for the quarter, slightly missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.59%, compared to $13.31 billion in the previous year [5] Cloud Infrastructure Growth - Oracle anticipates a 77% increase in cloud infrastructure revenues for the fiscal year, projecting $18 billion, up from $10 billion last year [3] - By fiscal 2027, cloud infrastructure revenues are expected to reach $32 billion, with projections of $73 billion, $114 billion, and $144 billion in the following three years [3][4] - Overall, cloud infrastructure revenues are projected to increase by 1298% from 2025 to 2030, with most of this revenue already reflected in the reported RPO [4] AI Developments - During the quarter, Oracle announced the deployment of OpenAI GPT-5 across its database portfolio and SaaS applications [6] - The company expanded its partnership with Google Cloud to provide access to advanced AI models via OCI Generative AI service [6] Valuation Metrics - As of September 5, 2025, Oracle's stock had a forward P/E multiple of 29.88, lower than the Computer – Software industry average of 33.34 and the S&P 500's P/E of 22.1 [7] - Over the past five years, Oracle's stock has traded between a high of 35.93 and a low of 14.17, with a five-year median of 20.88 [8] - The stock has increased by 119.1% over the trailing 12-month period, including the significant gains on September 10, 2025 [8] Market Position and Future Outlook - Analysts from Bank of America noted Oracle's "exceptional backlog," positioning it as a key player in the AI infrastructure market [9] - There is an expectation of stock upgrades from analysts in the near future, despite concerns regarding profitability in the AI segment [9]
Salesforce's Agentforce Bookings Surge: Will Adoption Drive Revenues?
ZACKS· 2025-09-10 15:30
Core Insights - Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) reported strong second-quarter fiscal 2026 results with revenues increasing by 10% and non-GAAP EPS rising by 13.7% year-over-year, driven by the adoption of its AI-driven platform, Agentforce [1][10] Group 1: Agentforce Performance - Agentforce has achieved over 6,000 paid deals since its launch three quarters ago, indicating robust demand for AI tools that enhance enterprise workflows [2][10] - 40% of new Agentforce bookings in the second quarter originated from existing Salesforce customers expanding their usage, showcasing strong early adoption [2][3] - There was a 60% increase in customers scaling Agentforce use quarter over quarter, reflecting confidence in the platform's value [3] Group 2: Revenue Growth Potential - The consumption-based model, along with flexible payment options like Flex Credits, is driving demand for Agentforce, which could lead to recurring revenue growth over time [4] - Annualized recurring revenues from AI and Data Cloud have reached $1.2 billion, positioning Salesforce for significant growth if Agentforce adoption continues at the current pace [5] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) and ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW) are also advancing AI automation in the enterprise market, with Microsoft integrating AI features into its Dynamics 365 platform and ServiceNow rolling out industry-specific AI tools [6][7] Group 4: Valuation and Estimates - Salesforce shares have declined by 24.6% year-to-date, contrasting with the Zacks Computer – Software industry's growth of 15.3% [8] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for Salesforce is 20.81, significantly below the industry average of 32.22, indicating potential undervaluation [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 and 2027 earnings suggests year-over-year increases of approximately 11.2% and 11.7%, respectively, with recent upward revisions in estimates [14]