Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA) Trading Down 1.7% - Should You Sell?

Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA - Get Free Report) was down 1.7% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $129.93 and last traded at $130.44. Approximately 5,335,425 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 72% from the average daily volume of 19,364,055 shares. The stock had previously closed at $132.70.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have issued reports on BABA shares. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Alibaba Group from $133.00 to $138.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 10th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Alibaba Group from $130.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Alibaba Group from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Arete Research upgraded Alibaba Group to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Alibaba Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $148.14.

Alibaba Group Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The company has a market cap of $276.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.84, a P/E/G ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 0.24. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $125.77 and a 200-day moving average of $103.96.

Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results 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 company had revenue of $38.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $38.19 billion. Alibaba Group had a return on equity of 12.89% and a net margin of 12.29%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Alibaba Group Holding Limited will post 7.86 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Marcum Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Alibaba Group by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC now owns 2,745 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $363,000 after buying an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. Rings Capital Management LLC increased its position in Alibaba Group by 1.4% in the fourth quarter. Rings Capital Management LLC now owns 7,100 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $602,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC lifted its position in Alibaba Group by 3.7% during the fourth quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 2,829 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $240,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. Global Endowment Management LP grew its stake in shares of Alibaba Group by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Global Endowment Management LP now owns 7,570 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $642,000 after buying an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. now owns 3,134 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $266,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. 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.