Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) Trading 0.4% Higher - Here's Why

Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM - Get Free Report)'s share price traded up 0.4% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $358.07 and last traded at $355.63. 1,584,337 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 75% from the average session volume of 6,386,592 shares. The stock had previously closed at $354.31.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. KeyCorp raised Salesforce from a "sector weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $440.00 price target for the company in a report on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Salesforce from $300.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. JMP Securities reiterated a "market outperform" rating and set a $450.00 price target on shares of Salesforce in a research note on Tuesday, December 3rd. Northland Capmk upgraded shares of Salesforce from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Finally, Raymond James boosted their target price on Salesforce from $325.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have assigned a buy rating and four have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $377.24.

Salesforce Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $341.98 billion, a PE ratio of 58.77, a P/E/G ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 1.30. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $318.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $276.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 1.11.

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 3rd. The CRM provider reported $2.41 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.44 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $9.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $9.35 billion. Salesforce had a net margin of 15.96% and a return on equity of 12.34%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.62 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Salesforce, Inc. will post 7.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Salesforce Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 18th will be issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 18th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.45%. Salesforce's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.32%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Amy E. Weaver sold 897 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.29, for a total transaction of $255,905.13. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 52,930 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,100,399.70. The trade was a 1.67 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CAO Sundeep G. Reddy sold 413 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.29, for a total transaction of $117,824.77. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 7,006 shares in the company, valued at $1,998,741.74. The trade was a 5.57 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 138,498 shares of company stock valued at $40,983,349 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 3.20% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Salesforce

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Infrastructure Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Salesforce in the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Clear Investment Research LLC raised its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 816.7% during the 2nd quarter. Clear Investment Research LLC now owns 110 shares of the CRM provider's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 98 shares during the period. Stephens Consulting LLC lifted its position in Salesforce by 3,125.0% during the 2nd quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 129 shares of the CRM provider's stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in Salesforce in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Godsey & Gibb Inc. grew its position in Salesforce by 300.0% in the third quarter. Godsey & Gibb Inc. now owns 120 shares of the CRM provider's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.43% of the company's stock.

About Salesforce

Salesforce, Inc provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. The company's service includes sales to store data, monitor leads and progress, forecast opportunities, gain insights through analytics and artificial intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer support at scale.