Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) Hits New 12-Month High – Here’s Why

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU)’s share price hit a new 52-week high on Saturday . The company traded as high as $151.08 and last traded at $150.30, with a volume of 11973840 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $130.66.

Key Stores Impacting Baidu

Here are the key news stories impacting Baidu this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Baidu announced a proposed spin‑off and separate Hong Kong listing of Kunlunxin, making the plan official and signaling management intends to unlock value and allow the chip arm to raise capital independently. Baidu Announces Proposed Spin-off and Separate Listing of Kunlunxin (PR Newswire)
• Positive Sentiment: Kunlunxin confidentially filed for a Hong Kong listing, confirming regulatory steps are underway and increasing odds the unit becomes a standalone public company — a catalyst for re‑rating Baidu on potential asset monetization. Baidu’s AI chip arm Kunlunxin files confidentially for Hong Kong listing (Reuters)
• Positive Sentiment: Major outlets report the confidential Hong Kong IPO filing and highlight investor enthusiasm for domestic AI chip plays — broad media coverage helps drive demand for BIDU stock ahead of and after the listing. Baidu Files Hong Kong IPO for AI Chip Unit Kunlunxin (Yahoo Finance)
• Positive Sentiment: Unusual options activity showed a pickup in call buying (about 63,458 calls), indicating speculative bullish positioning that can amplify short‑term upside momentum.
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and articles note Baidu’s relatively healthy balance sheet, which supports the company’s ability to execute a spin‑off and for Kunlunxin to operate independently; this is supportive but not immediately catalytic. Baidu Has A Pretty Healthy Balance Sheet (Yahoo Finance)
• Negative Sentiment: A Pomerantz law firm investor alert is investigating claims on behalf of Baidu investors, which could present legal/PR risk if it develops into litigation — an overhang to monitor. Investor Alert: Pomerantz Law Firm Investigates Claims On Behalf of Investors of Baidu, Inc. (PR Newswire)

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Dbs Bank upgraded Baidu from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $85.00 to $177.00 in a report on Thursday, September 25th. Susquehanna restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $110.00 price target on shares of Baidu in a report on Monday, November 24th. Daiwa Capital Markets set a $160.00 price target on shares of Baidu and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Nomura Securities raised shares of Baidu from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, CLSA raised shares of Baidu to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Baidu presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $147.44.

Baidu Trading Up 15.0%

The firm has a market capitalization of $51.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.93 and a beta of 0.30. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $123.20 and its 200 day moving average price is $110.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 1.91.

Institutional Trading of Baidu

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Binnacle Investments Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Baidu during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Winthrop Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Baidu during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in Baidu during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $43,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in shares of Baidu by 65.0% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 340 shares of the information services provider’s stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 134 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameritas Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Baidu by 12,400.0% during the 3rd quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 375 shares of the information services provider’s stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 372 shares during the last quarter.

Baidu Company Profile

Baidu, Inc, founded in 2000 and headquartered in Beijing, is a Chinese multinational technology company best known for operating one of China’s leading internet search engines. The company built its business around online search and related advertising services, providing search, content aggregation and targeted ad placements to consumers and marketers across China. Baidu went public on the NASDAQ in 2005 and has since diversified beyond search into a broader technology and AI-focused portfolio.

Core products and services include the Baidu search platform and mobile app, Baidu Maps and Baidu Baike (an online encyclopedia), along with digital content initiatives.