Zacks Research Downgrades Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA) to Strong Sell

Key Points

• Zacks Research has downgraded Alibaba Group from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell," signaling a change in sentiment towards the stock.
• Despite the downgrade, several other analysts have raised their price targets for Alibaba, with Barclays and Susquehanna both setting targets at $190.00 and Jefferies at $230.00.
• The stock currently holds an average rating of "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $188.06, reflecting mixed analyst opinions.

Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA - Get Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at Zacks Research from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Alibaba Group from $145.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, September 8th. Susquehanna lifted their price target on shares of Alibaba Group from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a report on Thursday, September 18th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of Alibaba Group from $178.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Benchmark lifted their price target on shares of Alibaba Group from $176.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Finally, Arete raised shares of Alibaba Group from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $152.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $188.06.

Alibaba Group Stock Performance

Shares of BABA stock opened at $165.88 on Tuesday. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $149.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $128.19. Alibaba Group has a 52 week low of $80.06 and a 52 week high of $192.67. The company has a current ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 1.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The company has a market cap of $395.48 billion, a PE ratio of 19.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 0.18.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. 1248 Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group during the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. North Ridge Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group during the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Summit Securities Group LLC raised its position in shares of Alibaba Group by 100.3% during the 1st quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 200 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 59,000 shares in the last quarter. Ransom Advisory Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 1,960.0% in the 1st quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 206 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. 13.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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