Banco Santander S.A. Sells 25,060 Shares of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA)

Key Points

• Banco Santander S.A. has reduced its stake in Alibaba Group by 33.8%, selling 25,060 shares, and now holds 49,124 shares valued at approximately $6.5 million.
• Analysts have mixed views on Alibaba, with Arete Research downgrading the stock from a "strong-buy" to a "hold," while a majority continue to rate it a "buy" with a consensus target price of $153.29.
• Alibaba has a current dividend yield of 80.0% after declaring a dividend of $0.95, though its payout ratio is only 12.75%.

Banco Santander S.A. lowered its position in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA - Free Report) by 33.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 49,124 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 25,060 shares during the period. Banco Santander S.A.'s holdings in Alibaba Group were worth $6,496,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its position in shares of Alibaba Group by 40.4% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,411 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $289,000 after acquiring an additional 981 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 488,356 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $41,408,000 after purchasing an additional 10,057 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 24.0% during the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 2,602 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $221,000 after purchasing an additional 504 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors boosted its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 10,660 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $904,000 after purchasing an additional 408 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arete Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 8,249 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $700,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 13.47% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently commented on BABA. Arete Research lowered Alibaba Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 24th. Benchmark reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Alibaba Group in a research report on Monday, July 21st. Citigroup lowered their target price on Alibaba Group from $170.00 to $169.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Morgan Stanley set a $180.00 target price on Alibaba Group in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $147.00 to $142.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Alibaba Group currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $153.29.

Alibaba Group Stock Down 3.0%

Shares of NYSE BABA opened at $117.06 on Friday. 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. The company has a market cap of $279.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.71, a PEG ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 0.17. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $115.61 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $118.20.

Alibaba Group Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a -- dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 12th were issued a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 12th. This represents a dividend yield of 80.0%. Alibaba Group's payout ratio is presently 12.75%.

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.

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