AE Wealth Management LLC Grows Stake in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA)

Key Points

• AE Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Alibaba Group by 21.7%, acquiring an additional 3,332 shares to reach a total of 18,666 shares worth approximately $2.47 million.
• Alibaba recently declared a dividend of $0.95 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 0.8% with a payout ratio of 12.75%.
• Analyst ratings for Alibaba Group are mixed, with 14 analysts rating it as a "buy" and a consensus target price of $150.80, despite some recent price target cuts.

AE Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA - Free Report) by 21.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 18,666 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 3,332 shares during the quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC's holdings in Alibaba Group were worth $2,468,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of BABA. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 1,960.0% in the 1st quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 206 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 196 shares during the last quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Alibaba Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Inlight Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Alibaba Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Valley National Advisers Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 151.9% in the 1st quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 267 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 161 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA purchased a new position in shares of Alibaba Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 13.47% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently commented on BABA. Mizuho dropped their price objective on Alibaba Group from $170.00 to $160.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 16th. Barclays decreased their target price on Alibaba Group from $180.00 to $145.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Morgan Stanley set a $180.00 target price on Alibaba Group in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Loop Capital set a $176.00 target price on Alibaba Group in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Alibaba Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, June 27th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $150.80.

Alibaba Group Stock Performance

Shares of BABA stock traded down $1.11 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $120.05. 7,032,735 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 14,650,496. The company has a market cap of $286.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 0.21. The company's 50 day moving average is $115.96 and its two-hundred day moving average is $116.90. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a 1 year low of $73.87 and a 1 year high of $148.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.55.

Alibaba Group Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a -- dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 12th were paid a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 12th. Alibaba Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 12.75%.

Alibaba Group 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.