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

Shares of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the fifteen analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and twelve have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $112.91.

Several research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on shares of Alibaba Group from $95.00 to $90.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $121.00 to $105.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Macquarie cut Alibaba Group from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their target price for the company from $88.50 to $85.40 in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Barclays reduced their price target on Alibaba Group from $138.00 to $109.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 12th. Finally, Mizuho reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $95.00 price objective on shares of Alibaba Group in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th.

Alibaba Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BABA opened at $68.82 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 1.80 and a current ratio of 1.80. The firm has a market cap of $174.62 billion, a PE ratio of 12.70 and a beta of 0.46. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $73.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is $76.05. Alibaba Group has a one year low of $66.63 and a one year high of $102.50.

Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The specialty retailer reported $18.97 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $19.12 by ($0.15). Alibaba Group had a net margin of 10.75% and a return on equity of 12.65%. The firm had revenue of $260.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $260.26 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.44 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Alibaba Group will post 7.97 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Alibaba Group

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of BABA. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Alibaba Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Baystate Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 184.6% in the fourth quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 333 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group during the third quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC increased its position in shares of Alibaba Group by 116.7% in the 3rd quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC now owns 325 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 13.47% of the company’s stock.

About Alibaba Group

Alibaba Group Holding Limited, through its subsidiaries, provides technology infrastructure and marketing reach to help merchants, brands, retailers, and other businesses to engage with their users and customers in the People's Republic of China and internationally. The company operates through seven segments: China Commerce, International Commerce, Local Consumer Services, Cainiao, Cloud, Digital Media and Entertainment, and Innovation Initiatives and Others.