Benchmark cuts Alibaba stock price target to $176 from $190

Published 16/05/2025, 15:32
Benchmark cuts Alibaba stock price target to $176 from $190

On Friday, Benchmark analyst Fawne Jiang adjusted the price target on Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) stock to $176 from the previous $190, while continuing to endorse the stock with a Buy rating. Currently trading at $124.70, InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock is undervalued, with a Fair Value calculation supporting this view. The revision follows Alibaba’s reported revenue for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2025, which fell short of expectations. The underperformance was attributed to weaker results in Alibaba’s AIDC division and outdated consensus estimates that did not factor in recent asset divestitures.

Despite the revenue miss, Jiang noted that Alibaba’s core commerce and cloud computing segments demonstrated strong growth. With a robust gross profit margin of 39.95% and overall revenue growth of 5.86% in the last twelve months, the company’s financial health score on InvestingPro stands at an impressive 3.01 (GREAT). The company’s customer management revenue (CMR) saw a 12% year-over-year increase, surpassing consensus projections, bolstered by improved take rates and aligning with general industry Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) trends. Additionally, cloud revenue experienced acceleration into the high teens, driven by robust demand for AI services.

Looking forward, Jiang anticipates CMR to continue outperforming GMV growth through the 2026 fiscal year, supported by sustained gains in take rates. With analysts forecasting EPS of $10.60 for FY2026 and the stock trading at a P/E ratio of 18.02, the growth outlook appears promising. The cloud segment is also expected to maintain its momentum, with new customer onboarding and increased cross-selling efforts. However, growth in the AIDC sector may moderate due to changing global trade dynamics. Alibaba’s food delivery and instant commerce arm, ele.me, is set to increase investment in a strategic partnership with TTG, aiming to compete with JD.com and enhance user engagement through integration with the Taobao app.

For the 2026 fiscal year, Benchmark has revised revenue projections upward for CMR and TTG but has slightly reduced group revenue estimates due to the recalibration of AIDC and potential headwinds facing ele.me. The firm also anticipates a likely increase in instant commerce investments, leading to a reduction in their profitability forecast for FY26 and a warning of potential near-term margin volatility. Despite these adjustments, the analyst remains positive on Alibaba’s strengthening fundamentals in its core segments, including TTG and cloud computing, which justified maintaining the Buy rating but necessitated a lower price target to reflect the revised earnings outlook. For deeper insights into Alibaba’s valuation and growth prospects, including exclusive ProTips and comprehensive financial metrics, visit InvestingPro for the full research report.

In other recent news, Alibaba Group Holding Limited has been the focus of several analyst reports following its recent earnings announcement. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) maintained an Overweight rating on Alibaba, with a price target of $180, citing the company’s potential for growth in its cloud segment and its strong China marketing platform. The firm anticipates an upswing in Alicloud’s revenue growth, driven by increasing demand in the industry. Barclays (LON:BARC) also reiterated an Overweight rating with the same price target, emphasizing the continued acceleration of Alibaba’s cloud business and its role in AI infrastructure in China.

Citi analyst Alicia Yap reaffirmed a Buy rating with a $169 target, highlighting Alibaba’s commitment to AI development and its strategic initiatives to enhance AI applications. Yap noted the company’s focus on sustaining an open-source ecosystem to foster innovation. Meanwhile, ZTO Express (NYSE:ZTO) announced a change in its board of directors, appointing Ms. Di Xu, who brings experience from her role at Alibaba. These developments reflect ongoing strategic moves and analyst confidence in Alibaba’s business trajectory and growth potential in the technology and e-commerce sectors.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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