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Compare Stocks › APO vs CRM

Apollo Global Management, Inc. (APO) vs Salesforce, Inc. (CRM): Which Is the Better Buy in 2026?

As of 2026-06-19, APO is undervalued at $138, with a DCF intrinsic value of $260 and a margin of safety of 47%. CRM is undervalued at $152, with an intrinsic value of $274 and a margin of safety of 45%. Of the two, APO has the wider margin of safety.

APO
Apollo Global Management, Inc.
$137.50
VS
CRM
Salesforce, Inc.
$151.78

Rewards

APO
  • ★Free cash flow has grown at a 24.1% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
  • ★Each dollar of retained earnings has created $5.94 of earning power — management is an exceptional capital allocator.
  • ★PEG ratio of 0.73 suggests the stock is undervalued relative to its growth rate — paying less than 1x for each unit of earnings growth.
CRM
  • ★Gross margin of 77.6% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
  • ★Free cash flow has grown at a 31.6% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
  • ★Each dollar of retained earnings has created $5.53 of earning power — management is an exceptional capital allocator.

Risks

APO
  • ⚠Trailing P/E of 86.5x is 338% above the historical average of 19.7x — the stock trades at a premium to its own history.
  • ⚠Altman Z-Score of 0.09 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.
  • ⚠Insiders have sold $7.3M worth of stock in the past 3 months — significant insider liquidation.
CRM

    Key Valuation Metrics

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    APO
    CRM
    Valuation
    N/A
    Free Cash Flow
    $16.55B
    N/A
    FCF Yield
    13.32%
    86.48
    Trailing P/E
    17.57
    12.96
    Forward P/E
    9.77
    Quality & Moat
    4.19%
    ROIC
    9.61%
    8.49%
    ROE
    16.91%
    35.22%
    Gross Margin
    77.64%
    0.73
    PEG Ratio
    0.77
    Balance Sheet Safety
    Net cash
    Net Debt / Equity
    0.90
    N/A
    Interest Coverage
    N/A
    N/A
    Net Debt / EBITDA
    2.38
    1.62%
    Dividend Yield
    1.09%
    APO: 3Ties: 1CRM: 5
    APOCRM

    Historical Fundamentals

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    APO

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

    CRM

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

    $1 Retained Earnings Test

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    APO
    $4.94
    created per $1 retained over 3 years
    Exceptional Value Creator
    Σ Retained
    $9.60B
    Δ Market Cap
    +$47.44B
    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
    CRM
    $-7.99
    created per $1 retained over 3 years
    Market Cap Declined
    Σ Retained
    $14.67B
    Δ Market Cap
    $-117.14B
    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

    Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

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    APO
    47.1% Margin of Safety
    Price is 47.1% below estimated fair value
    Current Price: $137.50
    Fair Value: $259.81
    Strongly undervalued
    Undervalued
    Fairly valued
    Overvalued
    Strongly overvalued
    CRM
    44.5% Margin of Safety
    Price is 44.5% below estimated fair value
    Current Price: $151.78
    Fair Value: $273.71
    Strongly undervalued
    Undervalued
    Fairly valued
    Overvalued
    Strongly overvalued

    Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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    APO

    Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.

    CRM

    What growth rate is the market pricing in at $152?

    +3.6%
    Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
    Standard FCF implies -2.8%

    The market implies +3.6% Owner Earnings growth, below historical trends — potential opportunity.

    Standard FCF implies a more demanding -2.8%, reflecting heavy growth investment expected to generate future returns.

    Economic Moat Score

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    APO
    34/100
    No Moat
    70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

    No durable moat detected, though roic consistency shows some competitive positioning. The business lacks consistent evidence of sustainable advantages.

    Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 5 years of fundamental data.
    CRM
    58/100
    Narrow Moat
    70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

    Narrow moat with revenue predictability as the key competitive advantage. Improving roic consistency would strengthen the moat.

    Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

    Forensic Accounting

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    APO
    -2.31
    Unlikely Manipulator
    Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

    M-Score Trend

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
    CRM
    -2.73
    Unlikely Manipulator
    Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

    M-Score Trend

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

    Ownership Breakdown

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    APO
    Insiders 27.1%Institutions 71.8%Retail & Other 1.1%
    No. of Institutional Holders1,548
    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
    CRM
    Insiders 3.0%Institutions 94.3%Retail & Other 2.8%
    No. of Institutional Holders3,722
    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

    Insider Buying Activity

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    APO
    0
    Buys (3M)
    0
    Buys (12M)
    RICHARDS PAULINE D E
    Director
    $78,071
    @ $141.95 · 2025-05-12
    LB 2018 GST TRUST
    Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
    $67.70M
    @ $111.39 · 2025-04-04
    BELARDI JAMES RICHARD
    Officer and Director
    $281.00
    @ $281.00 · 2025-02-28
    O'NEILL MITRA
    Director
    $100,053
    @ $108.40 · 2024-09-06
    RICHARDS PAULINE D E
    Director
    $246,657
    @ $104.92 · 2024-08-06
    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
    CRM
    0
    Buys (3M)
    5
    Buys (12M)
    Total value (12M): $27.38M
    ALBER LAURA
    Director
    $500,266
    @ $194.58 · 2026-03-19
    KIRK DAVID BLAIR
    Director
    $500,178
    @ $194.62 · 2026-03-18
    KIRK DAVID BLAIR
    Director
    $500,722
    @ $258.64 · 2025-12-17
    MORFIT G MASON
    Director and Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
    $25.02M
    @ $260.58 · 2025-12-05
    KIRK DAVID BLAIR
    Director
    $865,827
    @ $254.66 · 2025-09-09
    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

    Insider Selling Activity

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    APO
    2
    Sells (3M)
    6
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $12.23M
    ZITO JOHN P.
    Officer
    $6.36M
    @ $130.66 · 2026-05-27
    KELLY MARTIN B
    Chief Financial Officer
    $942,514
    @ $134.64 · 2026-05-14
    CHATTERJEE WHITNEY A
    Officer
    $1.24M
    @ $146.03 · 2025-12-10
    KELLY MARTIN B
    Chief Financial Officer
    $788,434
    @ $131.41 · 2025-12-01
    KELLY MARTIN B
    Chief Financial Officer
    $2.25M
    @ $145.11 · 2025-08-12
    CHATTERJEE WHITNEY A
    Officer
    $657,149
    @ $146.03 · 2025-08-06
    KELLY MARTIN B
    Chief Financial Officer
    $530,272
    @ $132.57 · 2025-05-06
    BLACK LEON D
    Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
    $67.70M
    @ $111.39 · 2025-04-04
    BLACK LEON D
    Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
    $71.00M
    @ $142.00 · 2025-03-19
    KELLY MARTIN B
    Chief Financial Officer
    $791,378
    @ $158.28 · 2025-02-13
    KELLY MARTIN B
    Chief Financial Officer
    $1.74M
    @ $173.66 · 2024-12-10
    TANGUY LOUIS-JACQUES
    Officer
    $441,250
    @ $176.50 · 2024-12-10
    KELLY MARTIN B
    Chief Financial Officer
    $863,050
    @ $172.61 · 2024-12-03
    CHATTERJEE WHITNEY A
    Officer
    $1.07M
    @ $173.36 · 2024-12-03
    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
    CRM
    0
    Sells (3M)
    15
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $40.30M
    KROES NEELIE
    Director
    $929,276
    @ $238.70 · 2026-01-14
    HARRIS G PARKER
    Officer and Director
    $31.61M
    @ $234.70 · 2025-12-02
    BENIOFF MARC RUSSELL
    Chief Executive Officer
    $575,140
    @ $255.62 · 2025-10-23
    BENIOFF MARC RUSSELL
    Chief Executive Officer
    $590,102
    @ $262.27 · 2025-10-21
    BENIOFF MARC RUSSELL
    Chief Executive Officer
    $567,631
    @ $252.28 · 2025-10-20
    BENIOFF MARC RUSSELL
    Chief Executive Officer
    $550,430
    @ $244.64 · 2025-10-17
    BENIOFF MARC RUSSELL
    Chief Executive Officer
    $558,810
    @ $248.36 · 2025-10-16
    BENIOFF MARC RUSSELL
    Chief Executive Officer
    $536,322
    @ $238.37 · 2025-10-15
    BENIOFF MARC RUSSELL
    Chief Executive Officer
    $548,796
    @ $243.91 · 2025-10-14
    BENIOFF MARC RUSSELL
    Chief Executive Officer
    $1.10M
    @ $244.75 · 2025-10-13
    BENIOFF MARC RUSSELL
    Chief Executive Officer
    $547,344
    @ $243.26 · 2025-10-09
    BENIOFF MARC RUSSELL
    Chief Executive Officer
    $539,533
    @ $239.79 · 2025-10-08
    BENIOFF MARC RUSSELL
    Chief Executive Officer
    $555,001
    @ $246.67 · 2025-09-23
    BENIOFF MARC RUSSELL
    Chief Executive Officer
    $552,798
    @ $245.69 · 2025-09-19
    BENIOFF MARC RUSSELL
    Chief Executive Officer
    $545,384
    @ $242.39 · 2025-09-15
    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

    🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

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    APO
    FearGreed
    😐Neutral(57/100)

    "Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

    Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
    CRM
    FearGreed
    🥶Extreme Fear(18/100)

    "Mr. Market is panicking — potential buying opportunity if fundamentals are strong"

    Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

    Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

    ⚖️ Buffett Signal

    Learn more →
    APO
    ⚪Awaiting DCF Data

    The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

    DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (57)
    CRM
    ⚪Awaiting DCF Data

    The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

    DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Extreme Fear (18)
    View APO Full AnalysisView CRM Full Analysis

    Frequently Asked Questions: APO vs CRM

    Is Apollo Global Management, Inc. or Salesforce, Inc. more undervalued in 2026?▼

    Based on our discounted cash flow model, APO trades at a 47.1% margin of safety (intrinsic value $260 vs. price $138), compared to CRM's 44.5% margin of safety (intrinsic $274 vs. $152).

    Which stock has a wider economic moat, Apollo Global Management, Inc. or Salesforce, Inc.?▼

    CRM scores 58/100 (Narrow moat), while APO scores 34/100 (None moat). The moat score measures competitive advantage durability across ROIC consistency, margin stability, revenue predictability, and reinvestment efficiency.

    Is Apollo Global Management, Inc. in financial distress?▼

    APO's Altman Z-Score of 0.1 places it in the Distress zone, signaling elevated bankruptcy risk. CRM scores 2.4 (Grey zone). The Altman Z-Score is a five-factor model that predicts insolvency within two years; scores below 1.81 indicate significant distress.

    Which stock has higher return on invested capital, Apollo Global Management, Inc. or Salesforce, Inc.?▼

    CRM earns 9.6% ROIC versus APO's 4.2%. A higher ROIC means the company generates more profit per dollar of capital employed, a hallmark of durable competitive advantage in Buffett-style analysis.

    Which dividend is safer, Apollo Global Management, Inc.'s or Salesforce, Inc.'s?▼

    APO's dividend earns a safety score of 94/100 (Very Safe), compared to CRM's 88/100 (Very Safe). APO has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years.