Wilson Asset Management International PTY Ltd. Raises Stock Position in Alibaba Group Holding Limited $BABA

Key Points

• Wilson Asset Management International PTY Ltd. increased its stake in Alibaba by 20.2% in Q4, buying 10,633 shares to hold 63,338 shares valued at about $9.284 million, making BABA its 17th-largest position (≈2.4% of the firm's holdings).
• Alibaba reported $0.13 EPS and $40.71 billion in revenue for the quarter; the stock trades with a market cap of $317.22 billion, a P/E of 24.95, and a 52-week range of $103.71 to $192.67.
• Analysts have a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with a consensus target price of $188.75, though estimates vary materially (e.g., Nomura raised its target to $237 while several firms trimmed theirs recently).

Wilson Asset Management International PTY Ltd. boosted its holdings in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA - Free Report) by 20.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 63,338 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after buying an additional 10,633 shares during the period. Alibaba Group accounts for approximately 2.4% of Wilson Asset Management International PTY Ltd.'s holdings, making the stock its 17th biggest position. Wilson Asset Management International PTY Ltd.'s holdings in Alibaba Group were worth $9,284,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BABA. Brighton Jones LLC grew its position in shares of Alibaba Group by 40.4% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,411 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $289,000 after purchasing an additional 981 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Alibaba Group during the first quarter worth $254,000. Bank of Nova Scotia boosted its stake in Alibaba Group by 313.0% during the second quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 21,778 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $2,470,000 after buying an additional 16,505 shares during the period. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Alibaba Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $1,613,000. Finally, Ieq Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Alibaba Group by 51.9% during the second quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 70,060 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $7,946,000 after purchasing an additional 23,925 shares during the period. 13.47% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Alibaba Group Stock Performance

Shares of BABA stock opened at $132.23 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.33, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The stock has a market cap of $317.22 billion, a PE ratio of 24.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 0.50. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $132.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $150.93. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a 52-week low of $103.71 and a 52-week high of $192.67.

Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Saturday, February 14th. The specialty retailer reported $0.13 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $40.71 billion during the quarter. Alibaba Group had a net margin of 9.12% and a return on equity of 7.43%. On average, equities analysts expect that Alibaba Group Holding Limited will post 4.33 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on BABA shares. Nomura boosted their price target on Alibaba Group from $193.00 to $237.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, January 26th. Erste Group Bank cut Alibaba Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Mizuho lowered their price target on shares of Alibaba Group from $195.00 to $190.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 20th. DZ Bank cut Alibaba Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $135.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Friday, March 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Alibaba Group from $215.00 to $205.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $188.75.

About Alibaba Group

Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a Chinese multinational conglomerate founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, by Jack Ma and a group of co‑founders. The company built its business around internet-based commerce and related services and has grown into one of the largest e-commerce and technology companies in the world. Alibaba completed a high‑profile initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014.

The company operates a portfolio of online marketplaces and platforms serving different customer segments: Alibaba.com for global and domestic B2B trade, Taobao for consumer-to-consumer shopping, and Tmall for brand and retailer storefronts targeted at Chinese consumers.

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