DA Davidson maintains Salesforce stock underperform rating

Published 27/05/2025, 18:12
© Reuters.

On Tuesday, DA Davidson reaffirmed its Underperform rating on Salesforce.com (NYSE:CRM) shares, with a steady price target of $200.00. According to InvestingPro data, Salesforce currently trades at $277.59, with analysts’ targets ranging from $243 to $442. The company maintains impressive gross profit margins of 77.19% and generates annual revenue of $37.9 billion. The firm’s decision came after Salesforce’s announcement of an $8 billion acquisition of Informatica (INFA - NEUTRAL) at $25 per share, which represents an 11% premium over Informatica’s closing price on Friday. This marks Salesforce’s most significant acquisition since purchasing Slack in 2021 for $28 billion. With a market capitalization of $266.8 billion and a GOOD financial health score from InvestingPro, Salesforce appears well-positioned to integrate this acquisition.

Gil Luria of DA Davidson commented on the acquisition, noting the potential advantages of integrating Informatica’s data management capabilities into Salesforce’s offerings. However, the analyst expressed reservations about the deal, citing concerns about Informatica’s inconsistent execution and dated technology.

The acquisition price of $8 billion takes into account Salesforce’s existing investment in Informatica, and the price per share reflects a premium over Informatica’s recent stock performance. Despite this, DA Davidson remains cautious, highlighting the challenges that may arise from merging Informatica’s operations with Salesforce’s ecosystem.

Salesforce’s strategy of enhancing its platform through acquisitions is not new, with the Slack deal being a prominent example of its expansion efforts. The Informatica acquisition is expected to further Salesforce’s data management and integration services, which could be critical for customers in an increasingly data-driven business environment.

The reaffirmed Underperform rating and $200 price target by DA Davidson indicate a conservative outlook on Salesforce’s stock performance. The price target is based on an 18 times multiple of the forecasted fiscal year 2026 earnings per share (EPS) of $11.41. According to InvestingPro analysis, Salesforce is currently slightly undervalued, with analysts maintaining a bullish consensus recommendation of 1.83 (on a scale where 1 is Strong Buy). Salesforce’s shares will continue to be observed by investors and analysts alike as the company integrates Informatica and aims to leverage its capabilities for future growth. For deeper insights into Salesforce’s valuation and growth prospects, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively on InvestingPro.

In other recent news, Salesforce has been the focus of several analyst updates and strategic developments. Truist Securities maintained its Buy rating for Salesforce, with a $400 price target, emphasizing the potential benefits of its planned acquisition of Informatica, which is expected to enhance Salesforce’s artificial intelligence capabilities and customer success. The acquisition is anticipated to be finalized in FY27 and is projected to positively impact Salesforce’s earnings per share and free cash flow from the second year after closure.

Meanwhile, UBS revised its price target for Salesforce to $300, citing potential risks related to mergers and acquisitions, while maintaining a Neutral stance. Evercore ISI also reiterated an Outperform rating with a $350 target, highlighting the strategic rationale behind the Informatica acquisition, which is expected to enhance Salesforce’s data management capabilities. BMO Capital Markets adjusted its price target to $350 from $367 but maintained an Outperform rating, noting that Salesforce’s upcoming earnings report is expected to align with projections.

Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) Securities continues to support Salesforce with an Outperform rating and a $380 price target, despite challenges in a clinical program related to the company. The firm remains optimistic about the program’s future following a safety event during a trial. Salesforce’s strategic focus on growth through acquisitions and product enhancements, such as its Agentforce and Data Cloud services, remains a key theme, as highlighted by various analysts. Investors are closely watching Salesforce’s performance and strategic moves, particularly in light of its planned integration of Informatica.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.