Marc Benioff's Salesforce Spent a Record $27 Billion on Stock Buybacks in a Single Quarter to Fight What He Calls the "SaaSpocalypse." Here's Why the Size of That Repurchase Matters.
Key PointsSalesforce issued $25 billion worth of debt to fund stock buybacks.
Salesforce, the pioneer of the software-as-a-service (SaaS) category, is facing significant challenges due to the emergence of generative AI. This new technology could enable companies to create custom software using "vibe coding," potentially rendering traditional SaaS offerings obsolete. As a result, Salesforce shares experienced a sharp decline, falling nearly 60% from their peak at the beginning of 2025. By mid-2026, the company's stock valuation had plummeted.
In response to this market turmoil, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff made a bold move: he authorized the company to spend a record $27 billion on stock buybacks in a single quarter. This massive outflow of capital, combined with normal repurchases funded by cash flow, underscores Benioff's confidence in the company's long-term prospects.
The decision to use such a substantial portion of its resources to repurchase shares signals Benioff's belief that Salesforce is well-positioned to thrive even in the face of AI-driven disruption.
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