Why Salesforce Stock Was Sliding Today

A dystopian blog post hit the software sector hard today.Shares of Salesforce (CRM 3.86%) were falling today in line with a broader retreat in software stocks and with major indexes down more than 1%. The only company-specific news out on Salesforce came from a pair of analysts lowering their price targets on the stock. However, flaring trade tensions, a new Anthropic product called "Claude Code Security," and a dystopian blog post detailing an AI depression in 2028 all weighed on the stock. The stock closed down 3.8% on the news. Image source: Getty Images. Salesforce's troubles continue Salesforce stock hit a 52-week low on the news, though its performance was actually ahead of the iShares Expanded Tech-Software ETF (IGV 4.75%), which finished down 4.8%. The reason for the bloodbath in the software sector, which included Salesforce, seemed to be a well-circulated blog post from Citrini Research, which described a scenario in 2028 where unemployment had topped 10% and the software sector unraveled. While the reaction to the post seems exaggerated, it did capture the zeitgeist around software and AI and spelled out the scenario that the recent software sell-off seems to be anticipating. Additionally, two Wall Street analysts lowered their price targets on the stock, but maintained buy ratings. The action reflected the sharp downturn in Salesforce in recent months, as the stock is down 33% year-to-date. ExpandNYSE: CRMSalesforceToday's Change(-3.86%) $-7.14Current Price$178.02Key Data PointsMarket Cap$173BDay's Range$174.60 - $182.0352wk Range$174.60 - $313.70Volume896KAvg Vol10MGross Margin75.43%Dividend Yield0.90% What's next for Salesforce Salesforce was one of the first cloud software stocks, and is generally viewed as a bellwether in the software-as-a-service (SaaS) industry, so it's not surprising to see it fall with the rest of the sector. However, there's still little evidence of AI disruption in reports from these companies. We'll get an up-close look on Tuesday afternoon when Salesforce reports fourth-quarter earnings. Analysts are expecting a 12% increase in revenue to $11.2 billion and for adjusted earnings per share to increase from $2.78 to $3.05. The company is likely to face plenty of questions on what the AI threat means and if it's seeing any disruptive impact. Read NextFeb 18, 2026 •By Neil RozenbaumThis Is Why Investors and The Stock Market Are In PanicFeb 17, 2026 •By Daniel SparksIs Salesforce Stock a Buy After Falling 30% This Year?Feb 13, 2026 •By Sean Williams3 Historically Cheap Software Stocks Begging to Be Bought Amid the Recent Tech RoutFeb 6, 2026 •By Dave KovaleskiShould You Buy Salesforce Stock Before Feb. 25?Feb 2, 2026 •By James HiresThis Beaten-Down AI Stock Could Stage a Comeback in 2026Jan 28, 2026 •By Eric VolkmanWhy Salesforce Stock Dived by Nearly 21% in 2025About the AuthorJeremy Bowman has been a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst, covering technology, consumer goods, and macroeconomic trends since 2011.

Before The Motley Fool, Jeremy was a newspaper reporter, restaurant manager, and English teacher abroad. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Colorado College and a master’s degree in business administration from American University. One of his Motley Fool headlines was briefly featured on Late Night with Stephen Colbert.TMFHoboX@TMFBowmanStocks MentionedSalesforceNYSE: CRM$178.02 (3.86%) $7.14iShares Trust - iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETFNYSEMKT: IGV$76.94 (4.75%) $3.84*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.