Groupe la Francaise Increases Stake in Alibaba Group Holding Limited $BABA

Key Points

• Groupe la Francaise increased its stock holdings in Alibaba Group by 6.8%, bringing its total to 197,992 shares valued at approximately $26.8 million.
• Several large institutional investors, including Van Hulzen Asset Management and 1832 Asset Management, significantly increased their stakes in Alibaba during the first quarter, reflecting renewed interest in the company.
• Alibaba's stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from analysts, with a consensus price target of $159.67.

Groupe la Francaise grew its stake in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA - Free Report) by 6.8% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 197,992 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 12,568 shares during the quarter. Groupe la Francaise's holdings in Alibaba Group were worth $26,847,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of BABA. North Ridge Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group in the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Summit Securities Group LLC increased its position in shares of Alibaba Group by 100.3% during the 1st quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 200 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 59,000 shares during the last quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. raised its holdings in 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 buying an additional 196 shares during the period. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Alibaba Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Inlight Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Alibaba Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. 13.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Alibaba Group Trading Up 4.0%

NYSE BABA traded up $4.7630 during trading on Friday, hitting $122.8530. The stock had a trading volume of 13,809,464 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,180,659. The company has a market capitalization of $292.98 billion, a PE ratio of 16.49, a PEG ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.17. The company has a quick ratio of 1.55, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $116.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $121.31. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a twelve month low of $79.21 and a twelve month high of $148.43.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BABA has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Alibaba Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, June 27th. Benchmark reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Alibaba Group in a research report on Monday, July 21st. Arete cut shares of Alibaba Group from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $153.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, June 24th. Mizuho lowered 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 report on Friday, May 16th. 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. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $159.67.

Alibaba Group Company 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.