Alibaba (BABA) released its Q2 2026 earnings yesterday, Nov. 25. The stock whipsawed after that report, but eventually closed lower, as it beat on the top line but missed earnings-per-share (EPS) estimates. Moreover, its adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) fell by a whopping 78% year-over-year. The company’s adjusted EBITDA saw a double-digit dip in the previous quarter, as well. Meanwhile, despite the pressure on profitability, BABA stock is up a cool 85% for t ...

Core Insights - Alibaba has launched a fast delivery service called "instant commerce," leveraging its established delivery capabilities and investments in the Freshippo grocery chain [1] - The instant retail market in China is projected to grow significantly, with current estimates of 500 million to 600 million consumers, potentially reaching 1 billion in the future [2] - Alibaba's logistics system is described as "extremely robust and mature," which is essential for supporting instant commerce [2] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Consumer behavior has shifted post-COVID, making fast and reliable delivery a necessity for retailers [3] - Major retailers like Walmart are setting ambitious delivery goals, such as reaching 95% of U.S. consumers within three hours by year-end [3] - Companies must balance competing demands of money, time, and carbon footprint to succeed in the logistics race [4] Group 2: AI and Cloud Services - Alibaba reported an 18% increase in revenue from its AI cloud model for the quarter, with AI-related product revenue experiencing triple-digit growth for seven consecutive quarters [5] - The adoption of AI services is expanding beyond early adopters in sectors like Internet finance and education to include a wider range of industries [6]