Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (ZETA) vs SAP SE (SAP) vs Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
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Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | ZETA | 29.7% revenue growth vs SAP's 3.4% |
| Value | CRM | Lower P/E (16.5x vs 27.8x), PEG 1.35 vs 4.20 |
| Quality / Margins | SAP | 19.9% net margin vs ZETA's -2.4% |
| Stability / Safety | SAP | Beta 0.86 vs ZETA's 2.05 |
| Dividends | SAP | 1.3% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs CRM's 0.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | ZETA | -1.5% vs CRM's -34.0% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | SAP | 10.4% ROA vs ZETA's -2.1%, ROIC 16.1% vs 0.8% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Valuation efficiency (growth/$)
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
Zeta Global operates a data-driven marketing cloud platform that helps enterprises predict consumer intent and automate omnichannel marketing campaigns. It generates revenue primarily through its software-as-a-service platform—which includes consumer intelligence tools and marketing automation software—with additional income from data services and professional implementation. The company's key advantage lies in its proprietary opted-in consumer dataset and sophisticated machine learning algorithms that analyze billions of data points to deliver predictive consumer insights.
SAP is a global enterprise software company that provides business applications, technology platforms, and cloud services for organizations worldwide. It generates revenue primarily through software licenses and cloud subscriptions — with cloud services now representing over 40% of total revenue — along with consulting and support services. The company's key advantage is its deep integration across business functions — from finance to supply chain to HR — creating switching costs and network effects within its large enterprise customer base.
Salesforce is a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) software company that helps businesses manage sales, service, marketing, and commerce operations. It generates revenue primarily through subscription fees for its SaaS platform—with sales cloud (~30%), service cloud (~25%), and platform/other (~45%) being its main segments. Its competitive moat lies in its massive ecosystem of integrated applications, enterprise data architecture, and high switching costs for customers deeply embedded in its platform.
Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 3 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
SAP leads in 2 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Analyst Outlook). CRM leads in 1 (Financial Metrics). 2 tied.
Financial Metrics (TTM)
CRM is the larger business by revenue, generating $41.5B annually — 31.8x ZETA's $1.3B. SAP is the more profitable business, keeping 19.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ZETA's -2.4%. On growth, ZETA holds the edge at +25.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ZETAZeta Global Holdi… | SAPSAP SE | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.3B | $36.7B | $41.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $77M | $11.5B | $11.4B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$32M | $7.3B | $7.5B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $185M | $8.4B | $14.4B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +60.6% | +73.3% | +77.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +0.4% | +27.0% | +21.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -2.4% | +19.9% | +18.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +14.2% | +22.9% | +34.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +25.4% | +2.3% | +12.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -51.7% | +14.7% | +18.3% |
Valuation Metrics
At 25.0x trailing earnings, CRM trades at a 12% valuation discount to SAP's 28.5x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), CRM offers better value at 2.04x vs SAP's 4.32x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ZETAZeta Global Holdi… | SAPSAP SE | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $401M | $234.7B | $187.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $81M | $234.5B | $186.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -121.07x | 28.52x | 24.97x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 17.81x | 27.77x | 16.54x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 4.32x | 2.04x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 1.05x | 17.84x | 20.95x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.31x | 5.63x | 4.51x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 4.69x | 4.44x | 3.15x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 2.16x | 25.07x | 13.01x |
Profitability & Efficiency
SAP delivers a 16.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $16 in annual profit, vs $-4 for ZETA. CRM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.11x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SAP's 0.18x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SAP scores 9/9 vs ZETA's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ZETAZeta Global Holdi… | SAPSAP SE | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -3.9% | +16.2% | +12.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -2.1% | +10.4% | +6.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +0.8% | +16.1% | +10.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +0.5% | +18.3% | +11.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 9 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 0.18x | 0.11x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$320M | -$149M | -$590M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $320M | $8.2B | $7.3B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $0 | $8.1B | $6.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -44.26x | 8.94x | 44.14x |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in ZETA five years ago would be worth $19,066 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,104 for CRM. Over the past 12 months, ZETA leads with a -1.5% total return vs CRM's -34.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SAP at 22.4% vs CRM's 6.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ZETAZeta Global Holdi… | SAPSAP SE | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -14.9% | -14.9% | -23.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -1.5% | -25.8% | -34.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +59.8% | +83.4% | +21.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +90.7% | +71.7% | -9.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +90.7% | +193.8% | +192.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +16.9% | +22.4% | +6.6% |
Risk & Volatility
SAP is the less volatile stock with a 0.86 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ZETA's 2.05 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ZETA currently trades 68.1% from its 52-week high vs CRM's 64.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ZETAZeta Global Holdi… | SAPSAP SE | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.05x | 0.86x | 1.04x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $24.90 | $313.28 | $303.07 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $10.69 | $189.22 | $174.57 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +68.1% | +64.3% | +64.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 52.4 | 45.3 | 47.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 7.7M | 2.4M | 8.6M |
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: ZETA as "Buy", SAP as "Buy", CRM as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 106.1% upside for SAP (target: $415) vs 53.5% for CRM (target: $299). For income investors, SAP offers the higher dividend yield at 1.31% vs CRM's 0.85%.
| Metric | ZETAZeta Global Holdi… | SAPSAP SE | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $28.86 | $415.33 | $299.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 15 | 43 | 97 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.3% | +0.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 2 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $2.24 | $1.66 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +30.2% | +0.9% | +6.7% |
Historical Charts
Charts are rendered on first load. Hover for details.
Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Jun 21 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zeta Global Holding… (ZETA) | 100 | 210.12 | +110.1% |
| SAP SE (SAP) | 100 | 147.48 | +47.5% |
| Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) | 100 | 86.05 | -13.9% |
Zeta Global Holding… (ZETA) returned +91% over 5 years vs Salesforce, Inc. (CRM)'s -9%. A $10,000 investment in ZETA 5 years ago would be worth $19,066 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zeta Global Holding… (ZETA) | $306M | $1.3B | +326.3% |
| SAP SE (SAP) | $23.5B | $35.3B | +50.7% |
| Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) | $8.4B | $41.5B | +394.8% |
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zeta Global Holding… (ZETA) | -12.6% | -2.4% | +80.8% |
| SAP SE (SAP) | 17.1% | 19.9% | +16.5% |
| Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) | 3.8% | 18.0% | +366.6% |
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 10 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAP SE (SAP) | 33.5 | 40.6 | +21.2% |
| Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) | 393.2 | 25 | -93.6% |
SAP SE has traded in a 29x–93x P/E range over 9 years; current trailing P/E is ~29x. Salesforce, Inc. has traded in a 25x–393x P/E range over 7 years; current trailing P/E is ~25x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zeta Global Holding… (ZETA) | -1.18 | -0.14 | +88.1% |
| SAP SE (SAP) | 3.35 | 5.99 | +78.8% |
| Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) | 0.26 | 7.8 | +2900.0% |
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
Zeta Global Holdings Corp. generated $185M FCF in 2025 (+955% vs 2021). SAP SE generated $8B FCF in 2025 (+44% vs 2021).
ZETA vs SAP vs CRM: Key Questions Answered
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ZETA or SAP or CRM a better buy right now?
Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) offers the better valuation at 25.0x trailing P/E (16.5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (ZETA) a "Buy" — based on 15 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — ZETA or SAP or CRM?
On trailing P/E, Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) is the cheapest at 25.0x versus SAP SE at 28.5x. On forward P/E, Salesforce, Inc. is actually cheaper at 16.5x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Salesforce, Inc. wins at 1.35x versus SAP SE's 4.20x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ZETA or SAP or CRM?
Over the past 5 years, Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (ZETA) delivered a total return of +90.7%, compared to -9.0% for Salesforce, Inc. (CRM). A $10,000 investment in ZETA five years ago would be worth approximately $19K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SAP returned +193.8% versus ZETA's +90.7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — ZETA or SAP or CRM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), SAP SE (SAP) is the lower-risk stock at 0.86β versus Zeta Global Holdings Corp.'s 2.05β — meaning ZETA is approximately 139% more volatile than SAP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 11% versus 18% for SAP SE — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — ZETA or SAP or CRM?
SAP SE (SAP) is the more profitable company, earning 19.9% net margin versus -2.4% for Zeta Global Holdings Corp. — meaning it keeps 19.9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SAP leads at 28.0% versus 0.4% for ZETA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CRM leads at 77.7%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is ZETA or SAP or CRM more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential. By this metric, Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1.35x versus SAP SE's 4.20x. A PEG below 1.5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) trades at 16.5x forward P/E versus 27.8x for SAP SE — 11.2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SAP: 106.1% to $415.33.
07Which pays a better dividend — ZETA or SAP or CRM?
In this comparison, SAP (1.3% yield), CRM (0.9% yield) pay a dividend. ZETA does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is ZETA or SAP or CRM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, SAP SE (SAP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.86), 1.3% yield, +193.8% 10Y return). Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (ZETA) carries a higher beta of 2.05 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (SAP: +193.8%, ZETA: +90.7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between ZETA and SAP and CRM?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both. SAP, CRM pay a dividend while ZETA does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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