Virtu Financial LLC Purchases 29,771 Shares of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA)

Key Points

• Virtu Financial LLC increased its stake in Alibaba Group by 152.4%, acquiring an additional 29,771 shares, bringing their total to 49,306 shares, valued at approximately $6.52 million.
• Several institutional investors, including Accent Capital Management and Greenleaf Trust, made incremental increases to their holdings in Alibaba, signaling continued interest in the stock.
• Alibaba Group declared a dividend of $0.95 per share recently, with a payout ratio of 12.75%, despite the stock facing mixed ratings from analysts.

Virtu Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA - Free Report) by 152.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 49,306 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 29,771 shares during the quarter. Alibaba Group makes up 0.4% of Virtu Financial LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest position. Virtu Financial LLC's holdings in Alibaba Group were worth $6,520,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Accent Capital Management LLC lifted 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 worth $209,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Greenleaf Trust lifted its holdings in Alibaba Group by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 8,336 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,102,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares in the last quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Alibaba Group by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC now owns 2,745 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $363,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. lifted its holdings in Alibaba Group by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 16,823 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $2,225,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Institute for Wealth Management LLC. lifted its holdings in Alibaba Group by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. now owns 8,578 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,134,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 13.47% of the company's stock.

Alibaba Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE BABA opened at $120.34 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $287.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 0.17. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a 1-year low of $77.74 and a 1-year high of $148.43. The stock's 50-day moving average is $115.78 and its 200 day moving average is $119.40.

Alibaba Group Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a -- dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 12th were given a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a yield of 80.0%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 12th. Alibaba Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 12.75%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BABA has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen cut Alibaba Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, June 27th. Loop Capital set a $176.00 price target on Alibaba Group in a report on Friday, May 16th. Mizuho lowered their price target on Alibaba Group from $170.00 to $160.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 16th. Barclays lowered their price target on Alibaba Group from $180.00 to $145.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Finally, Benchmark reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Alibaba Group in a report on Monday, July 21st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $153.29.

Alibaba Group 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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