CRM vs. FFIV: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 5, 2025

Here’s a clear look at CRM and FFIV, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	CRM	FFIV
Company Name	Salesforce, Inc.	F5, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Software	Communications Equipment
Market Capitalization	230.46 billion USD	18.80 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	June 23, 2004	June 4, 1999
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CRM and FFIV by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

CRM vs. FFIV: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	FFIV
5-Day Price Return	-2.18%	-0.39%
13-Week Price Return	-13.32%	9.81%
26-Week Price Return	-15.16%	18.45%
52-Week Price Return	-13.89%	47.58%
Month-to-Date Return	-0.55%	3.21%
Year-to-Date Return	-29.50%	28.52%
10-Day Avg. Volume	8.34M	0.45M
3-Month Avg. Volume	8.65M	0.46M
3-Month Volatility	26.84%	23.27%
Beta	1.25	1.11

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CRM

11.03%

Software Industry

Max: 66.28%
Q3: 21.28%
Median: 9.33%
Q1: -8.77%
Min: -48.16%

CRM’s Return on Equity of 11.03% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

FFIV

20.29%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 32.30%
Q3: 20.90%
Median: 9.10%
Q1: 4.29%
Min: -13.50%

FFIV’s Return on Equity of 20.29% is on par with the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

CRM vs. FFIV: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Software and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CRM

16.87%

Software Industry

Max: 51.92%
Q3: 19.23%
Median: 6.98%
Q1: -7.14%
Min: -41.00%

CRM’s Net Profit Margin of 16.87% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

FFIV

22.06%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 23.65%
Q3: 12.56%
Median: 5.62%
Q1: 2.50%
Min: -3.09%

A Net Profit Margin of 22.06% places FFIV in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

CRM vs. FFIV: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CRM

18.89%

Software Industry

Max: 60.40%
Q3: 21.25%
Median: 9.90%
Q1: -4.97%
Min: -43.50%

CRM’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.89% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

FFIV

24.84%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 25.23%
Q3: 13.72%
Median: 6.44%
Q1: 3.00%
Min: -10.95%

An Operating Profit Margin of 24.84% places FFIV in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

CRM vs. FFIV: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	FFIV
Return on Equity (TTM)	11.03%	20.29%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.82%	11.34%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	16.87%	22.06%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	18.89%	24.84%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	77.65%	81.03%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CRM

1.12

Software Industry

Max: 4.29
Q3: 2.37
Median: 1.40
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.25

CRM’s Current Ratio of 1.12 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

FFIV

1.60

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 3.33
Q3: 2.13
Median: 1.55
Q1: 1.15
Min: 0.91

FFIV’s Current Ratio of 1.60 aligns with the median group of the Communications Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

CRM vs. FFIV: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CRM

0.14

Software Industry

Max: 2.16
Q3: 0.86
Median: 0.31
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

CRM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.14 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

FFIV

0.00

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 1.44
Q3: 0.86
Median: 0.53
Q1: 0.22
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, FFIV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

CRM vs. FFIV: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

CRM

19.86

Software Industry

Max: 89.65
Q3: 32.64
Median: 1.00
Q1: -9.84
Min: -71.23

CRM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 19.86 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

FFIV

55.49

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 55.49
Q3: 34.19
Median: 7.59
Q1: 3.73
Min: -9.94

FFIV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 55.49 is in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

CRM vs. FFIV: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	FFIV
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.12	1.60
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.01	1.50
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.14	0.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	19.86	55.49

Growth

Revenue Growth

CRM vs. FFIV: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

CRM vs. FFIV: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

CRM

0.68%

Software Industry

Max: 0.22%
Q3: 0.11%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

CRM’s Dividend Yield of 0.68% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.

FFIV

0.00%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 8.13%
Q3: 3.29%
Median: 0.94%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

FFIV currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

CRM vs. FFIV: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

CRM

23.50%

Software Industry

Max: 3.29%
Q3: 2.41%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

At 23.50%, CRM’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Software industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.

FFIV

0.00%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 111.16%
Q3: 70.91%
Median: 30.78%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

FFIV has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

CRM vs. FFIV: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	FFIV
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.68%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	23.50%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CRM

34.61

Software Industry

Max: 145.74
Q3: 94.88
Median: 45.35
Q1: 26.66
Min: 8.80

CRM’s P/E Ratio of 34.61 is within the middle range for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

FFIV

27.46

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 103.74
Q3: 61.65
Median: 26.20
Q1: 18.12
Min: 4.19

FFIV’s P/E Ratio of 27.46 is within the middle range for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

CRM vs. FFIV: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CRM

5.84

Software Industry

Max: 25.67
Q3: 13.68
Median: 8.28
Q1: 4.95
Min: 0.90

CRM’s P/S Ratio of 5.84 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

FFIV

6.06

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 6.86
Q3: 6.24
Median: 2.44
Q1: 1.02
Min: 0.48

FFIV’s P/S Ratio of 6.06 aligns with the market consensus for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

CRM vs. FFIV: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CRM

4.03

Software Industry

Max: 30.67
Q3: 14.92
Median: 8.52
Q1: 3.89
Min: 0.38

CRM’s P/B Ratio of 4.03 is within the conventional range for the Software industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

FFIV

4.87

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 6.28
Q3: 5.73
Median: 3.32
Q1: 2.02
Min: 0.42

FFIV’s P/B Ratio of 4.87 is within the conventional range for the Communications Equipment industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

CRM vs. FFIV: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	FFIV
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	34.61	27.46
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.84	6.06
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.03	4.87
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	18.45	19.19