NEW YORK, Jan 22, 2026, 12:08 PM EST — Regular session
Salesforce (CRM.N) shares climbed roughly 1.7% to $225.25 on Thursday, buoyed by a tech-driven rally in U.S. equities. The stock fluctuated within a range of $221.28 to $226.55.
Salesforce rebounded following a tough stretch. The stock dropped 3.1% on Tuesday, ending the day at $220.07, down roughly 40% from its 52-week peak, according to MarketWatch data.
This is crucial since Salesforce serves as a barometer for major corporate software spending. Investors have slammed cloud stocks at the slightest sign that deal cycles are dragging out. Once risk appetite picks up, shorts and underweight funds tend to react swiftly.
Sentiment lifted after President Donald Trump eased his tariff threat on Europe, with economic data showing steady demand, Reuters reported. “The selloff that we saw had nothing to do with the Sell America trade,” said Elias Haddad, global head of markets strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman. Reuters
Salesforce made news as CEO Marc Benioff called for stricter rules on AI chatbots during the World Economic Forum in Davos. “It can’t be just growth at any cost. There has to be some regulation,” Benioff told CNBC, per SFGATE.
The issue is far from theoretical. Reuters revealed this week that AI hiring platform Eightfold, which counts Salesforce among its clients, faces a lawsuit in California. The suit alleges violations of U.S. credit-reporting laws related to job applicants.
Salesforce, known for its customer-management software, has been promoting “Agentforce,” a new feature that enables clients to deploy AI agents—software designed to process inputs and execute tasks—across various business functions. Reuters
Salesforce was one of the gainers early on, giving the Dow a boost, with Procter & Gamble also playing a key role in lifting the index, MarketWatch reported.
That relief rally might not last. Renewed tariff tensions, changes in rate forecasts, or fresh legal challenges tied to AI tools could drag down pricey software stocks, even without any major company updates.
Next up: earnings. Salesforce hasn’t set a date yet, but MarketBeat projects results will drop Feb. 25 after the market closes. Traders will be zeroed in on guidance and bookings — that’s new contracts signed — for signs of demand heading into the new fiscal year.
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