Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) Stock Price Up 1.4% - Investment Insights

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) experienced a positive trading day on Friday, with its shares rising by 1.4%. The stock reached a peak price of $90.92 before settling at $90.69. During the trading session, around 830,695 shares changed hands, which is significantly lower than the average daily volume of 3,655,324 shares. The previous closing price for the stock was $89.48.

Recent Analyst Ratings

Recent comments from various research analysts regarding Baidu's stock indicate a mix of upgrades and downgrades. On August 23, Barclays reduced its price target on Baidu shares from $125.00 to $115.00 while maintaining an "overweight" rating. Similarly, Bank of America cut its price target from $128.00 to $117.00, also giving the stock a "buy" rating. Meanwhile, Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded Baidu from an "outperform" to a "market perform" rating, lowering its price target from $130.00 to $97.00. StockNews.com also downgraded the shares from a "buy" to a "hold" rating. Additionally, Jefferies Financial Group adjusted its target price from $174.00 to $139.00, maintaining a "buy" rating. According to MarketBeat, Baidu has a current average rating of "Moderate Buy" with a consensus target price of $128.36.

Key Financial Metrics

Baidu holds several noteworthy financial indicators: a quick ratio of 2.32, a current ratio of 2.32, and a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The company's market capitalization stands at $31.61 billion, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.10. Baidu's stock has a beta of 0.49, suggesting lower volatility compared to the broader market. The 50-day moving average is noted at $92.19, while the 200-day moving average sits at $94.65.

Institutional Investment in Baidu

Several institutional investors have recently made adjustments to their positions in Baidu. Primecap Management Co. CA increased its stake by 17.2%, now holding 11,947,706 shares valued at approximately $1.03 billion. Federated Hermes Inc. raised its stake by 3.7%, holding 1,884,556 shares worth $162.98 million. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings by 1.1%, possessing 1,344,309 shares valued at $116.26 million. International Assets Investment Management LLC saw the most significant change, with a remarkable 12,065.6% increase in shares during the third quarter, bringing their total to 1,070,694 shares valued at $1.13 billion. Finally, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board raised its holdings by 49.7%, now owning 1,018,685 shares valued at $107.25 million.

Baidu’s Business Overview

Baidu, Inc. is primarily engaged in providing internet search services throughout China. The company operates through two main segments: Baidu Core and iQIYI. Its offerings include the Baidu App, Baidu Search, Baidu Feed, Baidu Health, and Haokan, which is a short video application.

Investment Considerations

Considering Baidu's current performance and analyst outlook, potential investors may want to weigh their options. While Baidu has a "Moderate Buy" rating, leading analysts have identified alternative stocks that may offer better potential for growth.

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