Up Over 50% in 2025, Is Alibaba Stock a Buy Now?

Core Viewpoint - Alibaba is experiencing a resurgence in investor interest due to improved financial performance and prospects in the AI sector, with its stock surging 68% as of now, reaching levels not seen since 2021 [1] E-commerce Business - Alibaba's e-commerce segment has faced challenges from competitors like Pinduoduo and Douying, resulting in stagnant growth over the past two years [2] - The company has made significant adjustments to its business model, focusing on consumer needs, reducing prices, and leveraging AI to enhance user experience, which has shown early positive results [3] - In the quarter ending December 31, 2024, Taobao and Tmall reported a 9% increase in customer management revenue, driven by growth in gross merchandise value (GMV) and take-rate, alongside a double-digit growth in 88VIP members to 49 million [4] - The international e-commerce business is expanding rapidly, with a 32% revenue increase in the same quarter, diversifying Alibaba's revenue base and positioning it for long-term growth beyond the Chinese market [5] Cloud Computing and AI Opportunities - The AI market is projected to grow from $244 billion in 2025 to$827 billion by 2030, presenting significant opportunities for companies prepared to capitalize on this trend [7] - Alibaba is well-positioned in the AI industry, with the largest cloud computing infrastructure in China, making it a preferred choice for companies seeking AI services [9] - The company has invested years in developing AI models and has integrated AI into its operations, giving it a competitive edge over newer startups [10] - Alibaba plans to invest over $50 billion in the next three years to enhance its infrastructure and increase R&D in AI foundation models and applications [11] Investment Considerations - Recent financial performance indicates that Alibaba has likely overcome its worst challenges, with e-commerce growth returning and strong prospects in cloud computing and AI [14] - Despite the recent stock rally, Alibaba's price-to-sales (P/S) ratio stands at 2.5, lower than Amazon's 3.3, suggesting an undemanding valuation [14] - Investors willing to accept China-related risks may find value in Alibaba's stock, given its potential in the e-commerce and AI sectors [15]