Empowered Funds LLC Makes New Investment in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA)

Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new stake in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 2,540 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, valued at approximately $215,000.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BABA. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its holdings in Alibaba Group by 3,180.1% during the 3rd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 3,857,760 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $409,385,000 after purchasing an additional 3,740,150 shares during the last quarter. Hhlr Advisors LTD. raised its holdings in Alibaba Group by 64.1% during the 3rd quarter. Hhlr Advisors LTD. now owns 8,827,600 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $936,785,000 after purchasing an additional 3,448,152 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its holdings in Alibaba Group by 454.2% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,611,571 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $383,260,000 after purchasing an additional 2,959,954 shares during the last quarter. Aspex Management HK Ltd bought a new position in Alibaba Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $115,995,000. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in Alibaba Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $63,929,000. Institutional investors own 13.47% of the company's stock.

Alibaba Group Stock Up 5.7 %

NYSE BABA traded up $7.70 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $143.67. The company's stock had a trading volume of 73,657,797 shares, compared to its average volume of 39,341,764. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $95.43 and its 200 day simple moving average is $92.88. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a twelve month low of $68.36 and a twelve month high of $145.30. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $341.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.76, a PEG ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 0.31.

Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 20th. The specialty retailer reported $2.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 return on equity of 12.90% and a net margin of 12.29%. Analysts anticipate that Alibaba Group Holding Limited will post 7.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently commented on BABA. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $117.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $130.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $92.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Alibaba Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $131.93.

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.