Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA - Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 43,930,000 shares, an increase of 7.8% from the April 15th total of 40,760,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 15,370,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.9 days. Approximately 1.8% of the company's stock are sold short.

Alibaba Group Price Performance

NYSE:BABA traded up $5.72 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $86.71. The stock had a trading volume of 47,167,508 shares, compared to its average volume of 18,409,555. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 1.80 and a current ratio of 1.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $220.03 billion, a PE ratio of 16.00 and a beta of 0.44. Alibaba Group has a 52 week low of $66.63 and a 52 week high of $102.50. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $74.44 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $75.09.

Alibaba Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a None dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 12th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 13th will be paid a $1.66 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 3%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 13th. Alibaba Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 18.08%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Alibaba Group

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Oxford Wealth Group LLC purchased a new stake in Alibaba Group in the 1st quarter worth about $1,010,000. Elkhorn Partners Limited Partnership grew its position in Alibaba Group by 18.1% in the 1st quarter. Elkhorn Partners Limited Partnership now owns 3,400 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $246,000 after acquiring an additional 521 shares during the last quarter. Invenomic Capital Management LP increased its stake in Alibaba Group by 9.7% in the first quarter. Invenomic Capital Management LP now owns 110,001 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $7,960,000 after purchasing an additional 9,761 shares during the period. Kamunting Street Capital Management L.P. lifted its position in shares of Alibaba Group by 265.4% during the first quarter. Kamunting Street Capital Management L.P. now owns 193,861 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $14,028,000 after purchasing an additional 140,809 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Progeny 3 Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group during the first quarter valued at $9,986,000. Institutional investors own 13.47% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently commented on BABA. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price objective on Alibaba Group from $121.00 to $105.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Alibaba Group from $124.00 to $122.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $109.00 to $107.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. StockNews.com raised shares of Alibaba Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. Finally, Susquehanna decreased their target price on shares of Alibaba Group from $150.00 to $135.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $109.96.

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.