CRM vs. LIN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CRM and LIN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CRM | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Salesforce, Inc. | Linde plc |
| Country | United States | United Kingdom |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Software | Chemicals |
| Market Capitalization | 226.60 billion USD | 223.03 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | June 23, 2004 | June 17, 1992 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CRM and LIN 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 | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.60% | 1.32% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -17.93% | 4.67% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -28.35% | 3.25% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -5.68% | 6.46% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -8.25% | 3.34% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -29.10% | 13.61% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 8.49M | 1.53M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 7.42M | 1.91M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.02% | 13.61% |
| Beta | 1.22 | 0.96 |
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.
LIN
17.46%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 26.17%
- Q3
- 13.48%
- Median
- 8.13%
- Q1
- 2.52%
- Min
- -11.86%
In the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, LIN’s Return on Equity of 17.46% 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.
LIN
20.20%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 21.80%
- Q3
- 9.57%
- Median
- 4.44%
- Q1
- 1.14%
- Min
- -11.30%
A Net Profit Margin of 20.20% places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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.
LIN
26.75%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 27.33%
- Q3
- 13.97%
- Median
- 8.08%
- Q1
- 4.46%
- Min
- -8.10%
An Operating Profit Margin of 26.75% places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CRM | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 10.43% | 17.46% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.44% | 8.10% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.08% | 20.20% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.10% | 26.75% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 77.34% | 48.45% |
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.
LIN
0.93
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 3.38
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.55
LIN’s Current Ratio of 0.93 falls into the lower quartile for the Chemicals 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.
LIN
0.67
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.65
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.00
LIN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.67 is typical for the Chemicals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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.
LIN
33.09
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 56.43
- Q3
- 26.33
- Median
- 9.38
- Q1
- 3.10
- Min
- -9.39
LIN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 33.09 is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CRM | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.07 | 0.93 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.98 | 0.70 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.14 | 0.67 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 19.86 | 33.09 |
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.
LIN
1.23%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 6.56%
- Q3
- 4.04%
- Median
- 2.47%
- Q1
- 1.45%
- Min
- 0.00%
LIN’s Dividend Yield of 1.23% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
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.
LIN
40.71%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 181.25%
- Q3
- 95.01%
- Median
- 53.52%
- Q1
- 26.59%
- Min
- 0.00%
LIN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 40.71% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CRM | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.71% | 1.23% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 25.00% | 40.71% |
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.
LIN
33.22
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 42.94
- Q3
- 29.77
- Median
- 20.37
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 6.19
A P/E Ratio of 33.22 places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals 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.
LIN
6.71
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.36
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.01
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.16
With a P/S Ratio of 6.71, LIN trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Chemicals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
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.
LIN
5.73
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.92
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.54
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.30
At 5.73, LIN’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Chemicals industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CRM | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 35.45 | 33.22 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.70 | 6.71 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.25 | 5.73 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 17.39 | 44.00 |