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Salesforce Bets on AI Agents to Revive Stock—Will It Work?

  • Editor
  • February 26, 2025
    Updated
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Key Takeaways:

  • Salesforce’s AI-powered tool, Agentforce, is under investor scrutiny as the company’s earnings report will indicate whether AI investments are translating into revenue growth.
  • Salesforce stock has dropped nearly 9% this year and is down 17% from its December peak, despite initial AI-driven momentum.
  • Wall Street analysts are divided on the impact of AI adoption—some see long-term growth potential, while others note that many customers are still in the testing phase.
  • Competition in AI automation is intensifying, with OpenAI and other companies launching similar AI-driven tools.
  • Salesforce shares trade at a discount compared to historical averages, raising expectations that a positive earnings surprise could act as a catalyst for stock recovery.

Salesforce Inc. is set to release its quarterly earnings report this week, and investors are looking for concrete evidence that the company’s AI investments are paying off.

At the center of attention is Agentforce, Salesforce’s AI-powered automation tool designed to handle multi-step processes without human supervision.

Salesforce launched Agentforce in October 2024 and followed up with an update in December, touting it as a major step in AI-driven enterprise software.

The upcoming earnings report will serve as the first real indicator of whether AI adoption translates into meaningful revenue growth or if customers are hesitant to integrate AI at scale.

A strong report could reverse the stock’s downward trajectory and reinforce confidence in AI’s role as a growth driver.

However, if AI adoption remains limited or revenue impact is muted, it could fuel skepticism about how quickly Salesforce’s AI strategy will yield results.


Stock Performance: Struggles Amid AI Optimism

Despite its aggressive AI strategy, Salesforce’s stock has underperformed in 2025.

  • Shares are down nearly 9% year-to-date, underperforming the broader market and the software sector.
  • Salesforce stock fell 0.9% on Tuesday, marking its fifth consecutive day of losses.
  • The stock is down 17% from its December high, when an AI-driven rally briefly pushed shares to a record.
  • Last week was the stock’s worst since August, with Monday marking its lowest closing price since November.

While AI enthusiasm initially fueled a surge in Salesforce shares after its last earnings report, the stock has since struggled to sustain momentum.


Wall Street Divided on AI’s Financial Impact

Analysts and investors are closely watching Salesforce’s earnings to determine whether AI-driven revenue growth is materializing.

Clayton Allison, Portfolio Manager at Prime Capital Financial: “AI agents are now at the forefront of the software trade, and this is the first quarter where we should see hard numbers.”

Some analysts remain optimistic about Salesforce’s AI prospects.

Morgan Stanley’s Outlook:

Salesforce is “in the right place for the shift towards Agentic Computing.”

Scotiabank’s Customer Analysis:

“[Customer checks] highlighted a clear uptick in customers expanding their spend with Salesforce” due to Agentforce.

However, “near-term growth is still an open question” as many customers remain in the testing phase.

These mixed views underscore the uncertainty surrounding AI monetization—while Salesforce is seeing early signs of customer interest, many businesses are still evaluating AI before committing to large-scale adoption.


Competitive Pressures in the AI Market

Salesforce’s AI ambitions are unfolding in an increasingly crowded and competitive market.

  • OpenAI recently launched a research-focused AI agent, adding another major player to the enterprise AI space.
  • Other enterprise software firms are investing aggressively in AI-driven automation, increasing competition for market share.
  • Salesforce has been hiring AI-focused sales teams, even as it cut jobs elsewhere, highlighting the company’s focus on AI as a long-term growth driver.

While Salesforce has a strong customer base, the challenge will be differentiating Agentforce in a market where AI automation is becoming a standard feature.


Valuation and Market Expectations

Salesforce’s recent stock underperformance has made it one of the more attractively valued AI stocks among large-cap tech companies.

  • Salesforce shares trade at 27 times estimated earnings, almost half their 10-year average.
  • The stock is trading at a discount to both the S&P 500 tech sector index and the broader software index.
  • The stock is currently 30% below the average price target, meaning it offers one of the highest implied returns among major tech stocks.

Eric Clark, Portfolio Manager at Accuvest Global Advisors:

“The multiple looks pretty reasonable given Salesforce’s stable and predictable growth, especially since you can bank on an inflection in the next couple of quarters from Agentforce.”

Clark expects Salesforce shares to top $500 in the coming years, compared to Monday’s close of just above $308.

However, he also emphasized that while long-term AI adoption is promising, near-term financial impact may be limited.

“Salesforce has always been sticky with its customers, and I think Agentforce is going to be like superglue,” Clark said.

“It is going to build massive momentum, and even if it takes more time than the market hopes, I don’t think anyone doubts this will be a meaningful part of its business over time.”


Earnings Report: What to Watch

With Salesforce set to release earnings after the market closes on Wednesday, investors will focus on several key factors:

  • AI-Driven Revenue Growth – Did Agentforce contribute to higher sales?
  • Customer Adoption Rates – How many businesses have moved from testing AI to full implementation?
  • Future Guidance – What are Salesforce’s expectations for AI revenue growth in 2025?
  • Market Valuation Impact – Will strong results help reverse the recent stock decline?

While expectations remain cautious, an earnings beat—combined with strong AI adoption data—could serve as a catalyst for a stock rebound.

Salesforce has firmly positioned itself as a leader in AI-powered enterprise software, but this week’s earnings will be the first real test of whether AI is translating into tangible business results.

While some analysts believe AI automation will drive long-term revenue growth, others warn that widespread adoption may take longer than expected.

If Salesforce can demonstrate a clear AI-driven revenue impact, it could restore investor confidence and reverse recent stock declines. However, if adoption remains slow, it may fuel further doubts about near-term growth.

With rising competition and evolving AI market dynamics, this earnings report could shape the trajectory of Salesforce’s AI strategy—and its stock performance—for months to come.

For more news and trends, visit AI News on our website.

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Digital marketing enthusiast by day, nature wanderer by dusk. Dave Andre blends two decades of AI and SaaS expertise into impactful strategies for SMEs. His weekends? Lost in books on tech trends and rejuvenating on scenic trails.

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