DCF Advisers LLC Invests $5.13 Million in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA)

Key Points

• DCF Advisers LLC has made a new investment of approximately $5.13 million in Alibaba Group, acquiring 38,800 shares, which now constitutes 2.5% of its holdings.
• Several hedge funds, including Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc., have significantly increased their stakes in Alibaba Group during the 1st quarter, indicating strong institutional interest.
• Analyst ratings for Alibaba Group vary, with some analysts downgrading the stock from "buy" to "hold," while the consensus remains a "Moderate Buy" with a price target of $153.29.

DCF Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 38,800 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, valued at approximately $5,131,000. Alibaba Group comprises about 2.5% of DCF Advisers LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest holding.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. WCM Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Alibaba Group during the first quarter valued at $4,074,000. KMG Fiduciary Partners LLC bought a new stake in Alibaba Group during the 1st quarter valued at $1,948,000. Avaii Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Alibaba Group in the 1st quarter valued at $563,000. Fiduciary Alliance LLC raised its position in shares of Alibaba Group by 18.3% in the 1st quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC now owns 117,943 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $15,596,000 after acquiring an additional 18,230 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Summa Corp. boosted its position in Alibaba Group by 28.7% during the first quarter. Summa Corp. now owns 71,673 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $9,477,000 after purchasing an additional 16,000 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 13.47% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on BABA. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Alibaba Group from $180.00 to $145.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Morgan Stanley set a $180.00 price target on shares of Alibaba Group in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. Bank of America decreased their price objective on Alibaba Group from $145.00 to $135.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 11th. Citigroup lowered their price objective 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. Finally, Mizuho reduced their target price on Alibaba Group from $170.00 to $160.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $153.29.

Alibaba Group Stock Performance

Shares of BABA stock traded down $3.57 on Friday, hitting $117.06. The company had a trading volume of 12,191,248 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,299,974. The firm has a market cap of $279.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 0.17. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a twelve month low of $73.87 and a twelve month high of $148.43. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $115.61 and a 200-day moving average price of $118.45. The company has a quick ratio of 1.55, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

Alibaba Group Cuts Dividend

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