Salesforce Surges 3.89% on 76.91% Volume Spike Ranks 22nd as Starboard Boosts Stake 50%

On August 15, 2025, Salesforce (CRM) surged 3.89% with a trading volume of $3.13 billion, marking a 76.91% increase from the prior day and ranking 22nd in market activity. The move coincided with renewed activist investor interest, as Starboard Value disclosed a 50% increase in its stake during the second quarter, holding 1.3 million shares by June 30. This follows a 52% boost in the first quarter, reflecting the firm’s renewed focus on Salesforce after previously advocating for operational changes in late 2022 and early 2023.

Starboard’s return to a larger position signals concerns over Salesforce’s performance, despite earlier improvements. The hedge fund had previously pressured the company to enhance margins and efficiency, leading to strategic adjustments. However, most activist investors reduced or exited positions by mid-2023 after Salesforce reported stronger results. Starboard’s current move suggests it believes further operational optimization is necessary, leveraging a 30% stock price decline since early 2025 to amplify its influence. The firm’s track record of revisiting underperforming investments adds weight to its latest stake-building.

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