Salesforce Stock: AI Investments Signal Potential Rebound

After navigating a difficult period in 2025, Salesforce appears to be laying the groundwork for a potential recovery as the year concludes. A strategic acquisition and a key integration with a leading AI platform are central to this shift. Although the share price remains under significant pressure year-to-date, recent insider buying activity and updated analyst perspectives are injecting optimism into the outlook for the coming year.

A notable vote of confidence has emerged from within the company's leadership. Board member David Blair Kirk recently purchased shares worth more than $500,000. This transaction follows a similar move by Director Mason Morfit earlier in the month, actions that market observers frequently interpret as a sign of internal conviction about the company's prospects.

This sentiment is finding some resonance on Wall Street. Between December 18 and 19, several research firms adjusted their stances:
* Wolfe Research raised its price target to $350, citing substantial upside potential.
* BTIG initiated coverage with a "Buy" rating and a $335 target.
* Mizuho Securities identified Salesforce as a top software pick for 2026.

A Dual-Pronged AI Strategy Unfolds

The company's strategic moves are fueling this renewed attention. On December 18, Salesforce announced the acquisition of the AI marketing specialist "Qualified." This purchase is designed to significantly enhance its proprietary Agentforce platform. By leveraging Qualified's technology, especially the AI-powered sales development tool "Piper," the company aims to advance the automated generation of sales pipelines. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Salesforce?

In a parallel development, the integration with OpenAI is progressing. The "Agentforce Sales App" is now available in open beta directly within ChatGPT. This step embeds the Salesforce data ecosystem more deeply into the popular AI interface, intending to improve usability for sales teams.

Valuation Presents a Contradiction

Despite these positive developments, the stock's performance continues to reflect the skepticism that dominated 2025. Since the start of the year, the share price has declined by approximately 31%, recently trading at €219.80. Analysts at JPMorgan note that Salesforce is now being valued like a mature "value stock," and the market may be underestimating the monetization potential of its AI restructuring.

From a fundamental standpoint, the company has demonstrated stability, exceeding expectations with third-quarter revenue of $10.26 billion. According to data from Simply Wall St, a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model suggests the stock could be significantly undervalued at current levels.

Looking Ahead to 2026

For investors, the focus now shifts to the execution of the new AI strategy and the integration of Qualified. In the near term, shareholders of record as of December 18 can anticipate a dividend payment of $0.416 per share, scheduled for distribution on January 8, 2026. With a combination of insider confidence, a clear product roadmap, and a potentially attractive valuation, Salesforce is positioning itself for a possible resurgence in the new year.