We have some exciting news to share! The Motley Fool UK has now become The Twelfth Magpie -- an independent, UK-owned company, led by our long-serving UK management team — Mark Rogers, Chris Nials and Heather Adlington. In practical terms, it’s the same team you know, now fully focused on serving our UK readers and members.

Just as importantly, our approach remains unchanged: long-term, jargon-free, and on your side. This site is our new home, and there will be extra tweaks made across the coming few days as we settle in. So if anything looks a little off, please bear with us!

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

This AI growth stock could rise 60%-70%, according to Wall Street analysts

This growth stock has lagged the market in 2025. However, Wall Street analysts expect it to play catch up next year as the company’s AI solutions gain traction.

| More on:
Young female business analyst looking at a graph chart while working from home

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

A lot of AI growth stocks look fully valued right now. Over the last year, many of these shares have risen significantly.

There are still opportunities in this area of the market, however. Here’s a look at a stock that analysts believe could rise 60%-70% over the next 12 months or so.

XXX

An AI stock that’s worth a closer look

The stock in focus today is Salesforce (NYSE: CRM). It’s one of the largest software businesses in the world.

Traditionally, it has specialised in customer relationship management (CRM) software. However, over the last year, it has been focused on developing an agentic AI (digital labour) platform for businesses called Agentforce.

Agentforce momentum

Now, earlier this week, Salesforce posted its earnings for the third quarter of its fiscal 2026 year. And they showed that the company’s AI solutions are really gaining traction with customers.

For the period, Agentforce annualised recurring revenue (ARR) surged 330% year on year to $500m. At the end of the period, the company had 9,500 customers paying for the service, up from 6,000 at the end of Q2.

Note that on the earnings call, CEO Marc Benioff discussed how existing customers are spending more on Agentforce. In Q3, 362 customers “refilled the tank” versus just three customers in Q1.

When combined with Data 360 (Salesforce’s data platform) revenue, ARR was $1.4bn, up 114% year on year. So, this area of the business is certainly growing quickly.

Our Agentforce and Data 360 products are the momentum drivers, hitting nearly $1.4bn in ARR—an explosive 114% year-over-year gain. We now have over 9,500 paid Agentforce deals and 3.2 trillion tokens processed, underscoring our leadership in building the Agentic Enterprise and driving real outcomes.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff

Full-year guidance raised

Zooming out and looking at overall results, total revenue for the quarter was $10.3bn, up 9% year on year. Adjusted earnings per share was $3.25, up 35% year on year and well ahead of the consensus forecast of $2.86.

On the back of this performance, the company raised its full-year guidance. It now expects revenue of $41.45bn to $41.55bn (versus previous guidance of $41.1bn to $41.3bn), up 9%-10% year on year.

Analysts see a lot of potential

Since the Q3 earnings, analysts have been adjusting their price targets for Salesforce stock. Currently, many firms have price targets of $400, which is about 60% higher than today’s share price. The highest target is from investment bank Citizens. It believes Salesforce shares can hit $430 – about 70% higher than the current share price.

My view

Of course, analysts’ price targets need to be taken with a grain of salt. Often, they don’t come to fruition.

There are certainly a few risks that could derail the bullish investment thesis. These include disruption to its core business from AI, competition from other agentic AI solutions, and general economic weakness (which could reduce spending on technology).

I’m quite bullish on this AI stock, however. Personally, I believe it’s worth a look at current prices as the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is very reasonable at around 19.

That said, it’s not the only opportunity I see in the market at present. Right now, there are quite a few stocks that look attractive to me.

Edward Sheldon has positions in Salesforce. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Salesforce. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Friends and sisters exploring the outdoors together in Cornwall. They are standing with their arms around each other at the coast.
Investing Articles

£503 buys 14 shares in this FTSE 250 stock that returned 23.9% annually for the last 15 years

This FTSE 250 stock has averaged a huge return for 15 years. At today's price, £503 buys 14 shares. But…

Read more »

Black woman using loudspeaker to be heard
Investing Articles

£1,000 buys 25 shares in this FTSE 100 stock that’s returned 29.2% annually for the last 10 years

This FTSE 100 mining stock has returned close to 30% a year for a decade. At 3,995p, £1,000 buys 25…

Read more »

Female student sitting at the steps and using laptop
Investing Articles

Down 47%, is this growth stock finally worth buying in May?

With a £288m order book and a hidden pipeline of defence and nuclear contracts, is this growth stock now too…

Read more »

House models and one with REIT - standing for real estate investment trust - written on it.
Investing Articles

2 REITs yielding 7%+ to consider for passive income in 2026

A REIT backed by the NHS and another backed by Tesco and Sainsbury's with both yielding 7%+. Here's why I'm…

Read more »

Woman riding her old fashioned bicycle along the Beach Esplanade at Aberdeen, Scotland.
Investing Articles

Just 97 shares of this UK dividend stock generate £238 in passive income

A 5.7% yield, £238 in passive income from just 97 shares, and one of the most divisive dividend stocks on…

Read more »

ISA coins
Investing Articles

£10,000 in an ISA generates a second income of…

The London Stock Exchange is home to some of the world's most generous dividends. But how big a second income…

Read more »

Shot of a senior man drinking coffee and looking thoughtfully out of a window
Investing Articles

Expert recommendations: 2 top income stocks yielding 7%+!

With yields of 7.2% and 7.8% respectively, these two income stocks are catching the eyes of institutional analysts. Should investors…

Read more »

Illustration of flames over a black background
Investing Articles

3 top income-focused stocks to buy in May 2026, according to experts

Looking for a stock to buy for income in May 2026? Experts have flagged these three UK dividend shares as…

Read more »