Beacon Financial Advisory LLC Grows Position in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA)

Beacon Financial Advisory LLC grew its stake in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) by 4.2% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,323 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after buying an additional 216 shares during the period. Beacon Financial Advisory LLC’s holdings in Alibaba Group were worth $704,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in BABA. Berkshire Asset Management LLC PA purchased a new stake in Alibaba Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $911,000. KMG Fiduciary Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Alibaba Group during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,948,000. Bailard Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 46.3% in the 4th quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 10,245 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $869,000 after acquiring an additional 3,242 shares during the last quarter. Avaii Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group in the first quarter worth $563,000. Finally, Fiduciary Alliance LLC raised its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 18.3% during the first quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC now owns 117,943 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $15,596,000 after purchasing an additional 18,230 shares during the last quarter. 13.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Alibaba Group Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of BABA stock opened at $113.99 on Friday. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a 1-year low of $71.80 and a 1-year high of $148.43. The company has a market cap of $271.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.30, a PEG ratio of 0.48 and a beta of 0.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.48. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $119.66 and a 200-day simple moving average of $112.65.

Alibaba Group Cuts Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on BABA shares. Arete Research lowered shares of Alibaba Group from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Alibaba Group from $170.00 to $169.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Morgan Stanley set a $180.00 target price on Alibaba Group in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. Benchmark reduced their price target on Alibaba Group from $190.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Mizuho lowered their price objective 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. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $154.13.

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.