2 US stocks to consider buying in July!

US stocks offer UK investors greater exposure to growth-oriented companies. Dr James Fox believes these two deserve consideration in July.

| More on:

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.

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.

Thoughtful man using his phone while riding on a train and looking through the window

Image source: Getty Images

Investors may wish to take a closer look at US stocks Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) and Pinterest (NYSE:PINS) in July. These two technology leaders offer distinct growth profiles, while trading at particularly attractive levels. Here’s why I think they’re worth of consideration.

Salesforce: the next stage of AI

Salesforce remains the dominant force in customer relationship management software. Its integration of artificial intelligence (AI) — notably through its Einstein platform and recent Informatica acquisition — positions it at the forefront of enterprise digital transformation. 

The company is expected to deliver steady earnings growth, with consensus earnings per share (EPS) projected to rise by 10.6% in 2026, 11.9% in 2027, and 14.6% in 2028, averaging just over 12% annually.

Valuation metrics show Salesforce trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) of 23 times for FY26 (the current year), falling to 20.6 in FY27 and 17.9 in FY28, well below its five-year average of over 40 times. 

The forward price-to-earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio is around 1.3. This represents a 26% discount to the information technology sector average. A good sign of value.

Salesforce’s balance sheet is strong. It has $17.4bn in cash and $12bn in debt, resulting in a net cash position that supports ongoing investment and acquisitions. 

However, investors should be mindful of the risks. Execution in AI and continued competitive pressure from Microsoft and Oracle remain ongoing challenges.

Nonetheless, analysts see plenty of potential here with the average share price target 34% higher than the current price. It’s certainly worth considering. It’s already part of my portfolio.

Pinterest: AI could be transformational

Pinterest is undergoing a transformation as AI-driven personalisation and content discovery reshape its platform. And it’s going to drive earnings growth.

Consensus estimates call for EPS to rise by 39.8% in 2025, 18.7% in 2026, and 21.2% in 2027, averaging nearly 26.6% per year. This rapid growth is reflected in its forward P/E, which drops from 19.3 in 2025 to 16.3 in 2026 and 13.4 in 2027, with the PEG ratio sitting at just 0.59.

The transformative impact of AI on Pinterest’s user experience and monetisation potential is significant, positioning the company for further re-rating as margins expand.

However, there are risks still. For one, there’s concern that the US economy may be heading towards stagflation. And that’s very important because North America represents 78% of its revenue generation. A slowing US economy, coupled with tariffs, could see an advertising budgets pullback.

Despite this, I’m investing in Pinterest for the long run and I think investors considering it should think that way too. It’s already trading at a low valuation relative to its growth expectations. Maybe a US downturn is already priced in.

The company’s lower revenue per customer outside North America also represents a huge opportunity. With 570m active users worldwide, and just one fifth of them in North America, Pinterest may be looking harder at how it can monetise this huge market.

James Fox has positions in Pinterest and Salesforce. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Microsoft, Oracle, Pinterest, and 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

Businesswoman calculating finances in an office
Investing Articles

Legal & General’s share price just fell 6%, pushing the dividend yield to 9%. Time to consider buying?

Legal & General's share price is now about 14% below its 2026 high. As a result, the dividend yield on…

Read more »

This way, That way, The other way - pointing in different directions
Investing Articles

Which are the best stocks to buy ahead of a potential market crash?

Should investors follow Warren Buffett and stop buying stocks to build cash reserves? Or are there better ways to prepare…

Read more »

British pound data
Investing Articles

This critical stock market indicator’s flashing red! Should investors be worried?

As a key sign of market overvaluation starts declining, our writer weighs up the likelihood of a stock market crash…

Read more »

Passive income text with pin graph chart on business table
Dividend Shares

1 FTSE 100 share for potent passive income!

I love earning passive income -- money made outside of work. Right now, I'm working on claiming a bigger share…

Read more »

A graph made of neon tubes in a room
Investing Articles

3 dividend shares tipped to increase payouts by 40% (or more) by 2028

Mark Hartley examines the forecasts of three dividend shares expected to make huge jumps in the coming three years. But…

Read more »

BUY AND HOLD spelled in letters on top of a pile of books. Alongside is a piggy bank in glasses. Buy and hold is a popular long term stock and shares strategy.
Investing Articles

A stock market crash could be a massive passive income opportunity

Passive income investors might be drawn towards the huge dividend yields on offer in a stock market crash. But is…

Read more »

Transparent umbrella under heavy rain against water drops splash background.
Investing Articles

Legal & General yields 8.9% — but how secure is the dividend?

Legal & General has increased its dividend per share again and launched a massive share buyback. The City seems lukewarm…

Read more »

UK coloured flags waving above large crowd on a stadium sport match.
Investing Articles

Up 345% with a P/E of just 13.8! I’m betting my favourite FTSE 250 stock keeps smashing it

Harvey Jones celebrates a brilliant recovery play as this beaten-down stock comes roaring back into the FTSE 250. Can its…

Read more »