Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) have been assigned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-three analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $186.9048.

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Susquehanna lifted their target price on Alibaba Group from $170.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a report on Friday, May 15th. Nomura lowered their price target on shares of Alibaba Group from $207.00 to $178.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, June 25th. BNP Paribas Exane assumed coverage on shares of Alibaba Group in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $209.00 price objective for the company. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $174.00 to $164.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Alibaba Group from $200.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 14th.

Alibaba Group News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Alibaba Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: China approved Apple Intelligence for launch with Alibaba’s Qwen AI integrated into Apple devices in China, strengthening Alibaba’s position in a major AI rollout and fueling a rally in the stock. Apple Intelligence approved for launch in China with Alibaba’s Qwen AI
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple reports highlighted that Alibaba’s shares jumped in Hong Kong and U.S. trading on optimism that the Apple partnership could accelerate AI adoption and improve growth expectations. Alibaba’s U.S.-listed shares rise 4% after Qwen AI set to be integrated in Apple Intelligence
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts continue to view Alibaba as having significant upside potential, though one firm recently trimmed its price target while keeping an Overweight rating. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA): 12 Strong Buy Stocks with High Upside According to Analysts
• Negative Sentiment: Rosen Law Firm and Pomerantz LLP both announced investigations into possible securities claims against Alibaba, citing alleged misleading business information, which could create legal risk and weigh on shares. Alibaba Investor News: If You Have Suffered Losses in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE: BABA), You Are Encouraged to Contact The Rosen Law Firm About Your Rights

Insider Transactions at Alibaba Group

In related news, President J. Michael Evans sold 720,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.95, for a total transaction of $68,364,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president directly owned 28,000 shares in the company, valued at $2,658,600. The trade was a 96.26% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Fang Jiang sold 4,898 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.09, for a total value of $59,216.82. Following the transaction, the insider owned 5,559,511 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $67,214,487.99. The trade was a 0.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 920,303 shares of company stock valued at $70,796,370. Corporate insiders own 12.50% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Alibaba Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Capital World Investors boosted its position in shares of Alibaba Group by 7.7% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 6,505,165 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $953,527,000 after acquiring an additional 466,847 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its position in shares of Alibaba Group by 7,680.3% in the fourth quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 6,014,147 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $881,554,000 after purchasing an additional 5,936,847 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Alibaba Group by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 5,335,894 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $782,135,000 after purchasing an additional 42,297 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Alibaba Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $594,477,000. Finally, AMF Tjanstepension AB raised its stake in Alibaba Group by 4.1% in the first quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB now owns 2,206,634 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $276,844,000 after purchasing an additional 86,613 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 13.47% of the company’s stock.

Alibaba Group Price Performance

Alibaba Group stock opened at $117.61 on Friday. Alibaba Group has a one year low of $91.99 and a one year high of $192.67. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $117.16 and a 200-day moving average price of $135.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $282.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.31, a PEG ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.51.

Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 31st. The specialty retailer reported $0.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $35.30 billion for the quarter. Alibaba Group had a return on equity of 4.76% and a net margin of 10.31%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Alibaba Group will post 6.28 EPS for the current year.

Alibaba Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared an annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 11th were issued a $1.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 11th. This represents a dividend yield of 93.0%. Alibaba Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 16.91%.

Alibaba Group Company Profile

Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a Chinese multinational conglomerate founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, by Jack Ma and a group of co‑founders. The company built its business around internet-based commerce and related services and has grown into one of the largest e-commerce and technology companies in the world. Alibaba completed a high‑profile initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014.

The company operates a portfolio of online marketplaces and platforms serving different customer segments: Alibaba.com for global and domestic B2B trade, Taobao for consumer-to-consumer shopping, and Tmall for brand and retailer storefronts targeted at Chinese consumers.