Sowell Financial Services LLC Invests $903,000 in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA)

Sowell Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 6,828 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, valued at approximately $903,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Alibaba Group during the first quarter worth about $31,000. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new stake in Alibaba Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. IAG Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in Alibaba Group by 67.2% in the 1st quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 515 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $68,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. grew its stake in shares of Alibaba Group by 217.6% during the 1st quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 524 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 359 shares during the period. Finally, Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL increased its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 59.0% during the 4th quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL now owns 539 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. 13.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Alibaba Group Price Performance

BABA stock traded down $1.65 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $113.38. The company's stock had a trading volume of 13,953,384 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,969,197. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The company's 50 day moving average is $119.05 and its two-hundred day moving average is $111.51. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a fifty-two week low of $71.80 and a fifty-two week high of $148.43. The stock has a market cap of $270.44 billion, a PE ratio of 15.22, a P/E/G ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 0.22.

Alibaba Group Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a -- dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 12th will be given a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 12th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.8%. Alibaba Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 13.83%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on BABA shares. Morgan Stanley set a $180.00 price target on shares of Alibaba Group in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. Benchmark lowered their target price on shares of Alibaba Group from $190.00 to $176.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Barclays raised their target price on Alibaba Group from $130.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Mizuho lowered their price target 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. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Alibaba Group from $125.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $154.21.

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.