Salesforce's stock gets a boost as J.P. Morgan says AI fears are overblown

By Hannah Pedone

An analyst predicts 29% upside for Salesforce shares, citing some promising AI features

J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee now has an overweight rating on Salesforce shares.

Investors have been jittery over whether Salesforce can withstand artificial-intelligence disruption, but a J.P. Morgan analyst suggests now is the time to consider buying the stock.

Shares of Salesforce (CRM) gained more than 4% on Thursday after analyst Samik Chatterjee set an overweight rating on the stock, after a period in which J.P. Morgan didn't rate it.

Chatterjee also established a $250 price target, which implies room for the stock to run 29% higher through December 2027.

He expects growth in the company's core business to pick up during the coming months. And while he acknowledges that parts of Salesforce's business are subject to AI risk, he thinks that threat is limited to a small portion of the company.

Salesforce also has its own opportunities to cash in on AI, including through its Headless 360 software, which offers tools for AI agents. The software allows businesses to make updates more easily, and Chatterjee is intrigued by its financial potential over the long term.

Another asset is the company's Data 360 platform, which helps companies unleash the value of their data and use it to help build AI. Data 360 could be a major driver of accelerating revenue growth for Salesforce, according to Chatterjee.

Some AI initiatives may take longer to manifest in a way that pleases investors. Chatterjee believes that the company's Agentforce platform, which allows clients to build autonomous agents, is still essential to the company's growth story. This was introduced in 2025, and Chatterjee says it's still "early days" for the company and its newer products.

Agentforce "is crucial for the company's long-term position in a world where the primary interface is not a screen but a collection of agents drawing on data across both Salesforce and third party systems," he wrote.

Chatterjee believes the company is capable of achieving the Rule of 50 - meaning that its annual revenue growth and profit margin would add up to 50% or more - by fiscal 2030. He said that share prices seem to bake in that the company will move backwards rather than progress toward this benchmark.

Investors may get more indications of Salesforce's growth story on on Aug. 26, when the company is due to report earnings.

See also: Software stocks are fading - but these 4 could shine through the rest of the year

-Hannah Pedone

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08-13-26 1807ET