Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) has earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-three brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have issued a hold recommendation, sixteen have issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $162.5789.

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on BIDU shares. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on Baidu from $120.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 20th. Zacks Research upgraded Baidu from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, June 15th. Wall Street Zen raised Baidu from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 25th. Nomura boosted their price objective on shares of Baidu from $186.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 20th. Finally, Benchmark reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $215.00 price objective on shares of Baidu in a research report on Tuesday, May 19th.

Baidu Stock Performance

NASDAQ:BIDU opened at $117.53 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $124.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $128.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -979.34, a PEG ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 1.85 and a current ratio of 1.85. Baidu has a 1 year low of $84.64 and a 1 year high of $165.30.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Baidu

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Signature Equity Partners LLC acquired a new position in Baidu in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Binnacle Investments Inc purchased a new position in shares of Baidu during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Sankala Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Baidu during the 4th quarter worth $46,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Baidu by 35.0% during the fourth quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 405 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in shares of Baidu by 25.9% during the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 428 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 88 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.