Benchmark Boosts Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA) Price Target to $190.00

Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA - Free Report) had its target price boosted by Benchmark from $118.00 to $190.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the specialty retailer's stock.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $125.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $133.00 to $138.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 10th. StockNews.com raised shares of Alibaba Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $130.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Alibaba Group has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $131.93.

Alibaba Group Stock Up 5.7 %

Shares of NYSE:BABA traded up $7.70 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $143.67. The company's stock had a trading volume of 73,657,797 shares, compared to its average volume of 39,341,764. Alibaba Group has a 12-month low of $68.36 and a 12-month high of $145.30. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $95.43 and a 200-day moving average of $92.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $341.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.76, a PEG ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 0.31. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16.

Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 20th. The specialty retailer reported $2.77 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.84 by ($0.07). The firm had revenue of $38.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $38.19 billion. Alibaba Group had a net margin of 12.29% and a return on equity of 12.90%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Alibaba Group will post 7.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Concord Wealth Partners lifted its position in Alibaba Group by 155.0% in the third quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 255 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. bought a new stake in Alibaba Group in the fourth quarter worth $31,000. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new stake in Alibaba Group in the fourth quarter worth $32,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Alibaba Group in the third quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Assetmark Inc. lifted its position in Alibaba Group by 225.4% in the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 397 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. 13.47% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Alibaba Group Company Profile

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.