Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA) Downgraded by Arete Research to Hold

Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA - Get Free Report) was downgraded by research analysts at Arete Research from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report issued on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently commented on BABA. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Alibaba Group from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and increased their price objective for the company from $104.00 to $165.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. Loop Capital set a $176.00 target price on Alibaba Group in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Arete lowered Alibaba Group from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $153.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Tuesday. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Alibaba Group from $147.00 to $142.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $170.00 to $160.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Alibaba Group has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $154.13.

Alibaba Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BABA traded down $0.73 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $113.82. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,492,718 shares, compared to its average volume of 23,588,244. Alibaba Group has a one year low of $71.80 and a one year high of $148.43. The company has a market cap of $271.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 0.22. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $119.56 and a 200 day moving average price of $112.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Alibaba Group

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. North Ridge Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Alibaba Group in the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. Summit Securities Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Alibaba Group by 100.3% in the 1st quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 200 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 59,000 shares during the last quarter. Ransom Advisory Ltd bought a new stake in Alibaba Group in the first quarter worth $26,000. 1248 Management LLC acquired a new position in Alibaba Group during the first quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. raised its holdings in Alibaba Group by 1,960.0% during the first quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 206 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. 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.