Alibaba Group Holding Limited $BABA Shares Bought by Armistice Capital LLC

Key Points

• Armistice Capital LLC more than doubled its stake in Alibaba Group in the fourth quarter, increasing holdings by 104.6% to 319,100 shares valued at about $46.8 million.
• Wall Street sentiment on Alibaba remains constructive overall, with an average “Moderate Buy” rating and a consensus price target of $188.76 from analysts covering the stock.
• Alibaba is trading well below its 52-week high, and the company recently reported modest quarterly results plus declared an annual dividend, while broader news around AI expansion and geopolitical pressure continues to shape sentiment.

Armistice Capital LLC grew its position in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA - Free Report) by 104.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 319,100 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 163,100 shares during the period. Alibaba Group comprises approximately 0.6% of Armistice Capital LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest position. Armistice Capital LLC's holdings in Alibaba Group were worth $46,774,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Ameriflex Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Alibaba Group by 101.4% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 143 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC purchased a new position in Alibaba Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Costello Asset Management INC purchased a new position in Alibaba Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Palisade Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, Palladiem LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.47% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently weighed in on BABA. BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage on shares of Alibaba Group in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $209.00 price target for the company. Argus upgraded shares of Alibaba Group to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 24th. Mizuho increased their target price on shares of Alibaba Group from $190.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, May 14th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, May 14th. Finally, Nomura raised their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $200.00 to $207.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 15th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $188.76.

Alibaba Group Price Performance

Shares of BABA opened at $107.45 on Thursday. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a twelve month low of $103.71 and a twelve month high of $192.67. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $129.36 and its 200-day simple moving average is $142.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $257.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.64, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21.

Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 31st. The specialty retailer reported $0.01 EPS for the quarter. Alibaba Group had a net margin of 10.31% and a return on equity of 4.76%. The firm had revenue of $35.30 billion for the quarter. Equities analysts forecast that Alibaba Group Holding Limited will post 6.75 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Alibaba Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared an annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 11th will be given a $1.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 11th. This represents a yield of 93.0%. Alibaba Group's payout ratio is 16.91%.

Key Stories Impacting Alibaba Group

Here are the key news stories impacting Alibaba Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Alibaba unveiled new AI models built for robots, signaling a deeper push into “physical AI” and expanding its cloud/AI strategy beyond chatbots. Reuters article: Alibaba unveils AI models for robots, amid shift from chatbots to agents
• Positive Sentiment: The company is also widening its global reach, with reports on Alibaba Cloud’s international expansion and efforts to help Pakistani businesses sell more globally, which could support future revenue growth. China Daily article: Alibaba Cloud eyes faster globalization ProPakistani article: Alibaba Will Help Pakistani Businesses Sell More Globally
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst commentary has been mixed: some see Alibaba’s Qwen-Robot initiative as strategically important, but others say rising costs, a valuation premium, and volatility could limit near-term upside. Zacks article: New Qwen Models Fuel BABA's Robotics Ambitions? Hold the Stock Now?
• Neutral Sentiment: There was also unusual options activity, with traders buying far more put options than usual, suggesting hedging or bearish sentiment, though it does not by itself prove a fundamental change.
• Negative Sentiment: Alibaba remains under geopolitical pressure after the Pentagon blacklisted the company over alleged military ties, a headline that can weigh on sentiment despite Alibaba’s denial. Yahoo Finance article: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA): Looking Beyond Pentagon’s Black List
• Negative Sentiment: Broader market commentary on Chinese stocks has been weak, with investors favoring AI winners elsewhere and leaving internet/consumer names like Alibaba out of favor. Bloomberg/Yahoo Finance article: China Stock Gauge Sinks as Traders Favor AI Winners Elsewhere
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that Alibaba may be pursuing a large bid for grocery delivery company Pupu also raise execution and capital-allocation concerns, especially if the deal is expensive. Benzinga article: Alibaba Reportedly Eyeing A Super-Sized Bid For Pupu Following Meituan's Dingdong Deal

Alibaba Group Profile

Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a Chinese multinational conglomerate founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, by Jack Ma and a group of co‑founders. The company built its business around internet-based commerce and related services and has grown into one of the largest e-commerce and technology companies in the world. Alibaba completed a high‑profile initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014.

The company operates a portfolio of online marketplaces and platforms serving different customer segments: Alibaba.com for global and domestic B2B trade, Taobao for consumer-to-consumer shopping, and Tmall for brand and retailer storefronts targeted at Chinese consumers.

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