Is Adobe a Better Buy Than Salesforce?
Salesforce fell -15% during the past Month. You may be tempted to buy more, or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out, its peer Adobe gives you more. Adobe (ADBE) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Salesforce (CRM) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in ADBE
- ADBE’s Last 12 Months revenue growth was 11.5%, vs. CRM’s 11.0%.
- In addition, its Last 3-Year Average revenue growth came in at 11.0%, slightly ahead of CRM’s 10.0%.
- ADBE marginally leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 36.1% and 3-year average of 35.9%.
These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how CRM’s fundamentals stack up against those of ADBE on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| CRM | ADBE | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 14.1 | 8.6 | ADBE |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 13.3% | 12.7% | CRM |
| Last 12 Months | 11.0% | 11.5% | ADBE |
| Last 3 Year Average | 10.0% | 11.0% | ADBE |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 21.9% | 36.1% | ADBE |
| Last 3 Year Average | 20.3% | 35.9% | ADBE |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | -27.1% | -60.6% | CRM |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
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See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell ADBE Stock and Buy or Sell CRM Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.
Historical Market Performance
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| CRM Return | 14% | -48% | 98% | 28% | -20% | -41% | -29% | ||
| ADBE Return | 13% | -41% | 77% | -25% | -21% | -44% | -61% | ||
| S&P 500 Return | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 8% | 98% | <=== | |
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| CRM Win Rate | 58% | 33% | 50% | 67% | 42% | 17% | 44% | ||
| ADBE Win Rate | 67% | 33% | 67% | 33% | 25% | 33% | 43% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 67% | 50% | 62% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| CRM Max Drawdown | -20% | -50% | -16% | -31% | -37% | -41% | -33% | ||
| ADBE Max Drawdown | -20% | -51% | -18% | -31% | -33% | -44% | -33% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -5% | -25% | -10% | -8% | -19% | -9% | -13% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] 2026 data is for the year up to 6/18/2026 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read ADBE Dip Buyer Analyses and CRM Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.
Still not sure about CRM or ADBE? Consider a portfolio approach.
The Right Way To Invest Is Through Portfolios
Single stocks swing wildly, but staying invested matters. A well-built portfolio helps you stay invested, captures upside, and softens the blows from individual stocks.
Why settle for average market returns? The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio invests in a diverse group of 30 stocks that have collectively delivered stronger upside with reduced volatility compared to the broader indices. Discover the methodology behind these smoother, higher returns by checking the HQ Portfolio performance data.