CRM vs. FLEX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CRM and FLEX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CRM | FLEX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Salesforce, Inc. | Flex Ltd. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Software | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components |
| Market Capitalization | 229.51 billion USD | 22.26 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | June 23, 2004 | March 18, 1994 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CRM and FLEX 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CRM | FLEX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.81% | -5.74% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 0.50% | 22.43% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -15.74% | 43.35% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -28.70% | 58.45% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -6.43% | -4.05% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -27.12% | 56.26% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.35M | 3.78M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 8.36M | 3.83M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 32.37% | 37.98% |
| Beta | 1.29 | 1.26 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CRM
11.03%
Software Industry
- Max
- 65.88%
- Q3
- 22.54%
- Median
- 10.46%
- Q1
- -6.54%
- Min
- -41.05%
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.
FLEX
16.77%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 25.62%
- Q3
- 13.32%
- Median
- 9.23%
- Q1
- 4.70%
- Min
- -3.60%
In the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, FLEX’s Return on Equity of 16.77% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CRM
16.87%
Software Industry
- Max
- 53.50%
- Q3
- 20.30%
- Median
- 9.60%
- Q1
- -4.98%
- 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.
FLEX
3.33%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 18.22%
- Q3
- 10.34%
- Median
- 7.81%
- Q1
- 3.28%
- Min
- -4.57%
FLEX’s Net Profit Margin of 3.33% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CRM
18.89%
Software Industry
- Max
- 61.99%
- Q3
- 23.67%
- Median
- 10.93%
- Q1
- -3.57%
- Min
- -40.19%
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.
FLEX
4.73%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 26.64%
- Q3
- 15.10%
- Median
- 9.55%
- Q1
- 4.57%
- Min
- -7.07%
FLEX’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.73% is around the midpoint for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CRM | FLEX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 11.03% | 16.77% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.82% | 4.59% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.87% | 3.33% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.89% | 4.73% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 77.65% | 9.14% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CRM
1.12
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.01
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.50
- 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.
FLEX
1.30
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.52
- Q3
- 3.20
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.51
- Min
- 0.33
FLEX’s Current Ratio of 1.30 falls into the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CRM
0.14
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.04
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.29
- 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.
FLEX
0.74
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.12
- Q3
- 0.55
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.10
- Min
- 0.00
FLEX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.74. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CRM
19.86
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 33.82
- Median
- 1.59
- Q1
- -10.48
- 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.
FLEX
7.39
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 114.40
- Q3
- 51.32
- Median
- 14.03
- Q1
- 3.74
- Min
- -61.15
FLEX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.39 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CRM | FLEX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.12 | 1.30 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.01 | 0.79 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.14 | 0.74 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 19.86 | 7.39 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CRM
0.68%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.34%
- Q3
- 0.17%
- 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.
FLEX
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.16%
- Q3
- 2.39%
- Median
- 1.18%
- Q1
- 0.12%
- Min
- 0.00%
FLEX 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CRM
23.50%
Software Industry
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 6.56%
- 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.
FLEX
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 197.57%
- Q3
- 87.33%
- Median
- 36.23%
- Q1
- 3.99%
- Min
- 0.00%
FLEX 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CRM | FLEX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.68% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 23.50% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CRM
34.81
Software Industry
- Max
- 142.78
- Q3
- 72.24
- Median
- 36.21
- Q1
- 24.24
- Min
- 4.55
CRM’s P/E Ratio of 34.81 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.
FLEX
25.16
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 71.05
- Q3
- 42.87
- Median
- 27.84
- Q1
- 19.17
- Min
- 7.73
FLEX’s P/E Ratio of 25.16 is within the middle range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CRM
5.87
Software Industry
- Max
- 20.79
- Q3
- 12.71
- Median
- 6.75
- Q1
- 4.56
- Min
- 0.87
CRM’s P/S Ratio of 5.87 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.
FLEX
0.84
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 7.81
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.16
In the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, FLEX’s P/S Ratio of 0.84 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CRM
4.03
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.49
- Q3
- 14.84
- Median
- 8.09
- Q1
- 4.32
- Min
- 0.38
CRM’s P/B Ratio of 4.03 is in the lower quartile for the Software industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
FLEX
2.53
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 7.49
- Q3
- 4.09
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.55
- Min
- 0.44
FLEX’s P/B Ratio of 2.53 is within the conventional range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CRM | FLEX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 34.81 | 25.16 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.87 | 0.84 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.03 | 2.53 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 18.56 | 18.50 |