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

Updated on October 8, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	CRM	MS
Company Name	Salesforce, Inc.	Morgan Stanley
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Financials
GICS Industry	Software	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	228.82 billion USD	251.57 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 23, 2004	February 23, 1993
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	MS
5-Day Price Return	-1.93%	-2.22%
13-Week Price Return	-11.68%	9.33%
26-Week Price Return	-10.43%	35.07%
52-Week Price Return	-14.00%	50.78%
Month-to-Date Return	1.42%	-0.86%
Year-to-Date Return	-28.11%	25.35%
10-Day Avg. Volume	7.87M	5.11M
3-Month Avg. Volume	8.61M	5.28M
3-Month Volatility	27.01%	17.88%
Beta	1.25	1.23

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CRM

11.03%

Software Industry

Max: 66.28%
Q3: 21.28%
Median: 9.33%
Q1: -8.77%
Min: -48.16%

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.

MS

13.95%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 13.52%
Q1: 8.61%
Min: -4.25%

MS’s Return on Equity of 13.95% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

CRM vs. MS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CRM

16.87%

Software Industry

Max: 51.92%
Q3: 19.23%
Median: 6.98%
Q1: -7.14%
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.

MS

13.06%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 69.91%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 24.30%
Q1: 13.06%
Min: -15.18%

MS’s Net Profit Margin of 13.06% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Capital Markets industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

CRM vs. MS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CRM

18.89%

Software Industry

Max: 60.40%
Q3: 21.25%
Median: 9.90%
Q1: -4.97%
Min: -43.50%

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.

MS

17.07%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 84.86%
Q3: 47.16%
Median: 32.23%
Q1: 18.65%
Min: -21.87%

MS’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.07% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	MS
Return on Equity (TTM)	11.03%	13.95%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.82%	1.15%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	16.87%	13.06%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	18.89%	17.07%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	77.65%	54.42%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CRM

1.12

Software Industry

Max: 4.29
Q3: 2.37
Median: 1.40
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.

MS

0.29

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.56
Min: 0.04

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

CRM vs. MS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CRM

0.14

Software Industry

Max: 2.16
Q3: 0.86
Median: 0.31
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.

MS

7.68

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.52
Q3: 2.79
Median: 0.96
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.00

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

CRM vs. MS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

CRM

19.86

Software Industry

Max: 89.65
Q3: 32.64
Median: 1.00
Q1: -9.84
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.

MS

1.25

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 107.59
Q3: 48.41
Median: 10.85
Q1: 4.56
Min: -36.26

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

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	MS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.12	0.29
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.01	0.29
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.14	7.68
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	19.86	1.25

Growth

Revenue Growth

CRM vs. MS: 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. MS: 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

0.68%

Software Industry

Max: 0.22%
Q3: 0.11%
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.

MS

2.54%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.02%
Q3: 4.54%
Median: 2.55%
Q1: 1.27%
Min: 0.00%

MS’s Dividend Yield of 2.54% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

CRM vs. MS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

CRM

23.50%

Software Industry

Max: 3.29%
Q3: 2.41%
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.

MS

43.20%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 199.38%
Q3: 99.28%
Median: 60.67%
Q1: 32.00%
Min: 0.00%

MS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 43.20% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	MS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.68%	2.54%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	23.50%	43.20%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CRM

34.41

Software Industry

Max: 145.74
Q3: 94.88
Median: 45.35
Q1: 26.66
Min: 8.80

CRM’s P/E Ratio of 34.41 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.

MS

16.98

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 51.69
Q3: 29.42
Median: 17.58
Q1: 12.55
Min: 5.59

MS’s P/E Ratio of 16.98 is within the middle range for the Capital Markets 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. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CRM

5.80

Software Industry

Max: 25.67
Q3: 13.68
Median: 8.28
Q1: 4.95
Min: 0.90

CRM’s P/S Ratio of 5.80 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.

MS

2.22

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.65
Q3: 7.29
Median: 4.53
Q1: 2.26
Min: 0.04

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, MS’s P/S Ratio of 2.22 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.

CRM vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CRM

4.03

Software Industry

Max: 30.67
Q3: 14.92
Median: 8.52
Q1: 3.89
Min: 0.38

CRM’s P/B Ratio of 4.03 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.

MS

2.08

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.83
Q3: 5.12
Median: 2.66
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.37

MS’s P/B Ratio of 2.08 is within the conventional range for the Capital Markets 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. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	MS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	34.41	16.98
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.80	2.22
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.03	2.08
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	18.34	11.40