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

Updated on August 19, 2025

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

Company Profile

CRM is a standard domestic listing, while HSBC trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

Symbol	CRM	HSBC
Company Name	Salesforce, Inc.	HSBC Holdings plc
Country	United States	United Kingdom
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Financials
GICS Industry	Software	Banks
Market Capitalization	226.60 billion USD	225.78 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 23, 2004	July 16, 1999
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	HSBC
5-Day Price Return	-1.60%	2.19%
13-Week Price Return	-17.93%	8.97%
26-Week Price Return	-28.35%	12.58%
52-Week Price Return	-5.68%	46.92%
Month-to-Date Return	-8.25%	3.46%
Year-to-Date Return	-29.10%	21.57%
10-Day Avg. Volume	8.49M	15.98M
3-Month Avg. Volume	7.42M	19.78M
3-Month Volatility	26.02%	16.73%
Beta	1.22	1.56

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.

HSBC

13.86%

Banks Industry

Max: 26.37%
Q3: 15.92%
Median: 12.25%
Q1: 8.69%
Min: 0.15%

HSBC’s Return on Equity of 13.86% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

CRM vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Software and Banks 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.

HSBC

34.16%

Banks Industry

Max: 54.20%
Q3: 35.70%
Median: 28.97%
Q1: 22.53%
Min: 6.98%

HSBC’s Net Profit Margin of 34.16% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Banks industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

CRM vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Banks 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.

HSBC

40.44%

Banks Industry

Max: 63.35%
Q3: 44.59%
Median: 37.24%
Q1: 28.25%
Min: 13.37%

HSBC’s Operating Profit Margin of 40.44% is around the midpoint for the Banks industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	HSBC
Return on Equity (TTM)	10.43%	13.86%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.44%	0.85%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	16.08%	34.16%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	18.10%	40.44%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	77.34%	--

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.

HSBC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

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

CRM vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Banks 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.

HSBC

1.91

Banks Industry

Max: 4.75
Q3: 2.62
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.39
Min: 0.00

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

CRM vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Banks 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.

HSBC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

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

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	HSBC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	--
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.98	--
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.14	1.91
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	19.86	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

CRM vs. HSBC: 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. HSBC: 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.

HSBC

6.03%

Banks Industry

Max: 10.27%
Q3: 5.83%
Median: 3.81%
Q1: 2.50%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 6.03%, HSBC offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Banks industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

CRM vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and Banks 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.

HSBC

71.79%

Banks Industry

Max: 147.07%
Q3: 80.55%
Median: 54.40%
Q1: 35.71%
Min: 0.00%

HSBC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 71.79% is within the typical range for the Banks industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	HSBC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.71%	6.03%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	25.00%	71.79%

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.

HSBC

8.58

Banks Industry

Max: 20.05
Q3: 12.65
Median: 10.21
Q1: 7.54
Min: 2.74

HSBC’s P/E Ratio of 8.58 is within the middle range for the Banks 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. HSBC: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Banks 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.

HSBC

1.74

Banks Industry

Max: 5.06
Q3: 2.98
Median: 2.24
Q1: 1.59
Min: 0.45

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

CRM vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Banks 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.

HSBC

1.09

Banks Industry

Max: 2.18
Q3: 1.36
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.81
Min: 0.20

HSBC’s P/B Ratio of 1.09 is within the conventional range for the Banks 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. HSBC: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Banks industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	HSBC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	35.45	8.58
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.70	1.74
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.25	1.09
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	17.39	4.73