Russell Investments Group Ltd. Sells 57,623 Shares of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. decreased its holdings in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA - Free Report) by 9.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 545,158 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 57,623 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd.'s holdings in Alibaba Group were worth $72,087,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Accent Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Alibaba Group by 5.5% during the 1st quarter. Accent Capital Management LLC now owns 1,582 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $209,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Greenleaf Trust boosted its stake in shares of Alibaba Group by 1.0% in the first quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 8,336 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,102,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC grew its position in Alibaba Group by 3.2% during the first quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC now owns 2,745 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $363,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. Principal Securities Inc. grew its position in shares of Alibaba Group by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 16,823 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $2,225,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the period. Finally, Institute for Wealth Management LLC. raised its position in Alibaba Group by 1.1% during the first quarter. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. now owns 8,578 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,134,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 13.47% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on BABA shares. Arete cut shares of Alibaba Group from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $153.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, June 24th. Arete Research lowered shares of Alibaba Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 24th. Morgan Stanley set a $180.00 target price on Alibaba Group in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on shares of Alibaba Group from $147.00 to $142.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Alibaba Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, June 27th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $153.29.

Alibaba Group Trading Up 3.3%

Alibaba Group stock opened at $122.55 on Wednesday. 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 business has a 50 day moving average price of $116.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $119.86. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a 12 month low of $77.74 and a 12 month high of $148.43. The stock has a market cap of $292.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.17.

Alibaba Group Cuts Dividend

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

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.

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