CRM vs. IBM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CRM and IBM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CRM | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Salesforce, Inc. | International Business Machines Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Software | IT Services |
| Market Capitalization | 226.60 billion USD | 223.63 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 23, 2004 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CRM and IBM 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 | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.60% | -4.03% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -17.93% | -5.37% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -28.35% | -5.28% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -5.68% | 26.70% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -8.25% | -5.17% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -29.10% | 9.21% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 8.49M | 6.81M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 7.42M | 4.78M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.02% | 25.75% |
| Beta | 1.22 | 0.69 |
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.
IBM
21.99%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 29.51%
- Q3
- 16.98%
- Median
- 13.47%
- Q1
- 7.93%
- Min
- -3.97%
In the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, IBM’s Return on Equity of 21.99% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
IBM
9.11%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 19.82%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 6.67%
- Q1
- 3.61%
- Min
- -4.62%
IBM’s Net Profit Margin of 9.11% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the IT Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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.
IBM
9.77%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 21.69%
- Q3
- 14.50%
- Median
- 10.06%
- Q1
- 6.98%
- Min
- 0.06%
IBM’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.77% is around the midpoint for the IT Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CRM | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 10.43% | 21.99% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.44% | 4.12% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.08% | 9.11% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.10% | 9.77% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 77.34% | 57.57% |
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.
IBM
0.91
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.42
- Q3
- 1.81
- Median
- 1.47
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.44
IBM’s Current Ratio of 0.91 falls into the lower quartile for the IT Services 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
- 2.14
- 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.
IBM
2.33
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.33
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.54
- Q1
- 0.15
- Min
- 0.00
IBM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the IT Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.33. 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
- 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.
IBM
45.57
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 144.50
- Q3
- 84.49
- Median
- 13.76
- Q1
- 2.59
- Min
- -28.13
IBM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 45.57 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the IT Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CRM | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.07 | 0.91 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.98 | 0.80 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.14 | 2.33 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 19.86 | 45.57 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
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.
IBM
2.77%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.80%
- Q3
- 1.74%
- Median
- 0.62%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.77%, IBM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the IT Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
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.
IBM
75.57%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 147.75%
- Q3
- 63.58%
- Median
- 24.63%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IBM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 75.57% is in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CRM | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.71% | 2.77% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 25.00% | 75.57% |
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.
IBM
38.31
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 41.55
- Q3
- 31.54
- Median
- 23.25
- Q1
- 18.12
- Min
- 6.57
A P/E Ratio of 38.31 places IBM in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
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.
IBM
3.49
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 6.61
- Q3
- 4.37
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.19
IBM’s P/S Ratio of 3.49 aligns with the market consensus for the IT Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
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.
IBM
9.96
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 11.19
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.47
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 0.96
IBM’s P/B Ratio of 9.96 is in the upper tier for the IT 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CRM | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 35.45 | 38.31 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.70 | 3.49 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.25 | 9.96 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 17.39 | 19.01 |