Baidu Sees Unusually High Options Volume (NASDAQ:BIDU)

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) was the recipient of some unusual options trading on Tuesday. Investors purchased 25,740 call options on the company. This represents an increase of approximately 25% compared to the average daily volume of 20,625 call options.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Baidu from $128.00 to $124.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Susquehanna raised their target price on shares of Baidu from $120.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 20th. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of Baidu in a report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Baidu from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 25th. Finally, Nomura increased their price objective on shares of Baidu from $186.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $163.11.

Institutional Trading of Baidu

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Signature Equity Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Baidu during the first quarter worth $25,000. Binnacle Investments Inc purchased a new position in Baidu in the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Sankala Group LLC acquired a new stake in Baidu during the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. grew its stake in Baidu by 35.0% during the 4th quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 405 shares of the information services provider’s stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. increased its holdings in shares of Baidu by 25.9% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 428 shares of the information services provider’s stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the period.

Baidu Stock Performance

BIDU opened at $111.48 on Thursday. Baidu has a 52-week low of $84.64 and a 52-week high of $165.30. The company has a quick ratio of 1.85, a current ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The company has a market cap of $37.93 billion, a P/E ratio of -928.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.56. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $123.05 and its 200-day moving average price is $128.43.

About Baidu

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.