Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA) Trading Down 0.5% - Here's Why

Shares of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA - Get Free Report) were down 0.5% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $84.42 and last traded at $84.60. Approximately 3,216,317 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 81% from the average daily volume of 17,348,654 shares. The stock had previously closed at $85.00.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have commented on BABA shares. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Alibaba Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, December 14th. Bank of America raised their price objective on Alibaba Group from $106.00 to $124.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Alibaba Group from $88.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Alibaba Group from $137.00 to $130.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Macquarie upgraded shares of Alibaba Group from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $145.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $114.07.

Alibaba Group Trading Down 0.8 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.37. The firm has a market cap of $201.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.10, a PEG ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 0.30. The company's 50 day moving average is $92.78 and its two-hundred day moving average is $86.47.

Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 15th. The specialty retailer reported $15.06 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.87 by $13.19. The company had revenue of $236.50 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $239.45 billion. Alibaba Group had a return on equity of 12.28% and a net margin of 8.98%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.82 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Alibaba Group Holding Limited will post 8.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Alibaba Group

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. First Command Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Alibaba Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Concord Wealth Partners grew its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 155.0% in the 3rd quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 255 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Asset Dedication LLC lifted its holdings in Alibaba Group by 315.0% during the 2nd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 527 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. 13.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.