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

Updated on August 19, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	CRM	FOUR
Company Name	Salesforce, Inc.	Shift4 Payments, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Financials
GICS Industry	Software	Financial Services
Market Capitalization	226.60 billion USD	7.97 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 23, 2004	June 5, 2020
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CRM and FOUR 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. FOUR: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	FOUR
5-Day Price Return	-1.60%	8.13%
13-Week Price Return	-17.93%	0.02%
26-Week Price Return	-28.35%	-24.97%
52-Week Price Return	-5.68%	23.46%
Month-to-Date Return	-8.25%	-12.53%
Year-to-Date Return	-29.10%	-13.19%
10-Day Avg. Volume	8.49M	3.53M
3-Month Avg. Volume	7.42M	1.88M
3-Month Volatility	26.02%	44.54%
Beta	1.22	1.73

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CRM

10.43%

Software Industry

Max: 59.01%
Q3: 21.98%
Median: 7.15%
Q1: -11.12%
Min: -51.24%

CRM’s Return on Equity of 10.43% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

FOUR

21.96%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 40.58%
Q3: 20.06%
Median: 10.67%
Q1: 4.19%
Min: -10.31%

In the upper quartile for the Financial Services industry, FOUR’s Return on Equity of 21.96% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

CRM vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Software and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CRM

16.08%

Software Industry

Max: 48.14%
Q3: 18.23%
Median: 5.60%
Q1: -9.22%
Min: -49.36%

CRM’s Net Profit Margin of 16.08% 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.

FOUR

6.11%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 52.86%
Q3: 25.58%
Median: 12.23%
Q1: 6.64%
Min: -9.92%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Financial Services industry, FOUR’s Net Profit Margin of 6.11% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

CRM vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CRM

18.10%

Software Industry

Max: 57.34%
Q3: 20.60%
Median: 7.84%
Q1: -8.72%
Min: -51.37%

CRM’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.10% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

FOUR

7.53%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 77.28%
Q3: 37.68%
Median: 18.17%
Q1: 9.27%
Min: -8.19%

FOUR’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.53% is in the lower quartile for the Financial Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

CRM vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	FOUR
Return on Equity (TTM)	10.43%	21.96%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.44%	3.99%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	16.08%	6.11%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	18.10%	7.53%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	77.34%	30.55%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CRM

1.07

Software Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.31
Median: 1.45
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.24

CRM’s Current Ratio of 1.07 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

FOUR

2.53

Financial Services Industry

Max: 4.58
Q3: 2.59
Median: 1.33
Q1: 0.69
Min: 0.01

For the Financial Services industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

CRM vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CRM

0.14

Software Industry

Max: 2.14
Q3: 0.90
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.

FOUR

2.34

Financial Services Industry

Max: 4.96
Q3: 2.10
Median: 0.57
Q1: 0.12
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Financial Services industry.

CRM vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

CRM

19.86

Software Industry

Max: 67.02
Q3: 19.86
Median: 0.70
Q1: -12.50
Min: -53.00

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.

FOUR

14.17

Financial Services Industry

Max: 136.23
Q3: 56.08
Median: 6.55
Q1: 2.01
Min: -33.27

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Financial Services industry.

CRM vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	FOUR
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	2.53
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.98	2.49
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.14	2.34
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	19.86	14.17

Growth

Revenue Growth

CRM vs. FOUR: 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. FOUR: 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

0.71%

Software Industry

Max: 0.08%
Q3: 0.03%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

CRM’s Dividend Yield of 0.71% 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.

FOUR

0.00%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 8.18%
Q3: 3.60%
Median: 1.56%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

FOUR 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. FOUR: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

CRM

25.00%

Software Industry

Max: 1.32%
Q3: 0.53%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

At 25.00%, 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.

FOUR

0.00%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 155.56%
Q3: 63.71%
Median: 18.08%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

FOUR 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. FOUR: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	FOUR
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.71%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	25.00%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CRM

35.45

Software Industry

Max: 149.35
Q3: 100.21
Median: 47.97
Q1: 26.77
Min: 11.68

CRM’s P/E Ratio of 35.45 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.

FOUR

35.99

Financial Services Industry

Max: 63.23
Q3: 32.10
Median: 14.41
Q1: 10.81
Min: 0.37

A P/E Ratio of 35.99 places FOUR in the upper quartile for the Financial Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

CRM vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CRM

5.70

Software Industry

Max: 25.24
Q3: 13.52
Median: 8.15
Q1: 4.87
Min: 0.98

CRM’s P/S Ratio of 5.70 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.

FOUR

2.20

Financial Services Industry

Max: 11.16
Q3: 5.45
Median: 2.61
Q1: 1.25
Min: 0.04

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Financial Services industry.

CRM vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CRM

4.25

Software Industry

Max: 30.95
Q3: 14.91
Median: 7.75
Q1: 3.60
Min: 0.38

CRM’s P/B Ratio of 4.25 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.

FOUR

5.45

Financial Services Industry

Max: 7.09
Q3: 3.79
Median: 1.46
Q1: 0.83
Min: 0.04

FOUR’s P/B Ratio of 5.45 is in the upper tier for the Financial Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

CRM vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	FOUR
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	35.45	35.99
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.70	2.20
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.25	5.45
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	17.39	20.85