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

Salesforce, Inc. CRM is having one of its worst years in recent memory. The stock has declined 28% in 2025, a steeper fall than the 13.5% drop in the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector.Compared to key competitors like SAP SE SAP, Microsoft Corporation MSFT and Oracle Corporation ORCL, Salesforce’s slump appears even more pronounced. Year to date, shares of SAP, Microsoft and Oracle have risen 18.7%, 23.9% and 50.1%, respectively.YTD Price Return PerformanceImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThis underperformance signals deeper issues within Salesforce’s growth story.Decelerating Sales Growth: A Key Concern for SalesforceSalesforce’s biggest problem is slowing growth, which has turned investors increasingly cautious about its near-term prospects. After years of consistent double-digit revenue increases, the momentum has faded. In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, revenues rose just 7.7% from a year ago, and non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) grew by only 5.7%.This slowdown reflects cautious enterprise spending amid economic uncertainty and geopolitical pressures. Analysts anticipate that this trend will persist, with mid-to-high single-digit growth expected for fiscal 2026 and 2027.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThe impact is also visible in profit forecasts. Salesforce’s EPS is now expected to witness a CAGR of 12.9% over the next five years, a big drop from the 27.8% CAGR it posted over the previous five years.This changing growth profile shows how businesses are adjusting their IT budgets. Instead of large digital transformation projects, many are opting for smaller, lower-risk investments. For Salesforce, this means it has to adapt its strategy to stay competitive and relevant.Salesforce’s Low Valuation: Is It a Trap?Looking at Salesforce’s earnings multiple, the stock looks cheap. Salesforce currently trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 20.08, significantly lower than the sector’s average of 28.15.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThe stock also trades at a lower P/E multiple compared with its top peers, including SAP, Oracle and Microsoft. At present, SAP, Oracle and Microsoft have P/E multiples of 38.32, 36.17 and 33.42, respectively.With CRM’s discounted valuation, investors might be considering buying the stock. However, considering the ongoing challenges related to its slowing sales growth, the lucrative valuations could be a value trap for investors. The slump in its share price and discounted valuation reflects the company’s dismal growth outlook.Conclusion: Sell CRM Stock for NowSalesforce is no longer the growth powerhouse it once was. The slowdown in revenue and earnings growth, combined with a valuation that may be more of a warning sign than an opportunity, suggests limited upside ahead. Until the company can prove it has a plan to return to stronger growth, it’s better to step aside and look for better opportunities in the broader tech sector.Salesforce carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) at present.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.See our %%CTA_TEXT%% report – free today!7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis Report Salesforce Inc. (CRM): Free Stock Analysis Report SAP SE (SAP): Free Stock Analysis Report Oracle Corporation (ORCL): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks