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.

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

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.

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

Yellow number one sitting on blue background
Investing Articles

I asked ChatGPT to pick 1 growth stock to put 100% of my money into, and it chose…

Betting everything on a single growth stock carries massive danger, but in this thought experiment, ChatGPT endorsed a FTSE 250…

Read more »

Portrait of pensive bearded senior looking on screen of laptop sitting at table with coffee cup.
Investing Articles

How little is £1,000 invested in Diageo shares at the start of 2025 worth now?

Paul Summers takes a closer look at just how bad 2025 has been for holders of Diageo's shares. Will things…

Read more »

Aston Martin DBX - rear pic of trunk
Investing Articles

After a terrible 2025, can the Aston Martin share price bounce back?

The Aston Martin share price has shed 41% of its value in 2025. Could the coming year offer any glimmer…

Read more »

Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

How much do you need in an ISA to target £3,000 per month in passive income?

Ever thought of using an ISA to try and build monthly passive income streams in four figures? Christopher Ruane explains…

Read more »

piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

Want to aim for a million with a spare £500 per month? Here’s how!

Have you ever wondered whether it is possible for a stock market novice to aim for a million? Our writer…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Want to start buying shares next week with £200 or £300? Here’s how!

Ever thought of becoming a stock market investor? Christopher Ruane explains how someone could start buying shares even on a…

Read more »

Rear view image depicting a senior man in his 70s sitting on a bench leading down to the iconic Seven Sisters cliffs on the coastline of East Sussex, UK. The man is wearing casual clothing - blue denim jeans, a red checked shirt, navy blue gilet. The man is having a rest from hiking and his hiking pole is leaning up against the bench.
Investing Articles

2 ideas for a SIPP or ISA in 2026

Looking for stocks for an ISA or SIPP portfolio? Our writer thinks a FTSE 100 defence giant and fallen pharma…

Read more »

Midnight is celebrated along the River Thames in London with a spectacular and colourful firework display.
Investing Articles

Could buying this stock at $13 be like investing in Tesla in 2011?

Tesla stock went on to make early investors a literal fortune. Our writer sees some interesting similarities with this eVTOL…

Read more »