Ruffer LLP Has $38.86 Million Stake in Alibaba Group Holding Limited $BABA

Key Points

• Ruffer LLP has significantly reduced its stake in Alibaba Group, trimming its holdings by 71.7% to approximately $38.86 million, which now represents 1.7% of Ruffer's investment portfolio.
• Despite this reduction, other institutional investors are increasing their stakes in Alibaba, with Brighton Jones LLC and Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. both boosting their positions in the fourth quarter.
• Analysts are optimistic about Alibaba's stock, with a consensus rating of "Buy" and a target price of $172.81, reflecting growing confidence in the company's future performance.

Ruffer LLP trimmed its holdings in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA - Free Report) by 71.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 342,672 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 867,737 shares during the period. Alibaba Group comprises about 1.7% of Ruffer LLP's investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th largest holding. Ruffer LLP's holdings in Alibaba Group were worth $38,862,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BABA. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in Alibaba Group by 40.4% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,411 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $289,000 after acquiring an additional 981 shares during the period. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. boosted its position in shares of Alibaba Group by 3.6% during the fourth quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. now owns 3,134 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $266,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the period. Lighthouse Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Alibaba Group during the fourth quarter worth about $237,000. Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ acquired a new position in shares of Alibaba Group during the fourth quarter worth about $289,000. Finally, Fairtree Asset Management Pty Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Alibaba Group during the fourth quarter worth about $4,881,000. 13.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Alibaba Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE BABA opened at $176.66 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $132.17 and a 200 day moving average price of $124.18. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a 52 week low of $80.06 and a 52 week high of $180.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 1.45 and a current ratio of 1.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $421.16 billion, a PE ratio of 20.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.11.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on Alibaba Group from $153.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Zacks Research raised Alibaba Group from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 9th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Alibaba Group from $165.00 to $178.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. Barclays increased their price target on Alibaba Group from $145.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, September 8th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price target on Alibaba Group from $149.00 to $159.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Alibaba Group presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $172.81.

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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