Alibaba has added agentic and payments capabilities to its consumer-facing artificial intelligence (AI) app Qwen App.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.With new features that are now available for publ ...

Core Viewpoint - Alibaba Group Holding is positioned as a strong investment opportunity in the AI cloud sector, potentially outperforming major competitors like Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet by 2026 [2][15]. Company Overview - Alibaba has a market capitalization of $375 billion, significantly smaller than the $2.5 trillion market caps of Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet [3]. - The company operates a global wholesale B2B marketplace, Alibaba.com, featuring over 5,900 product categories and more than 200 million products available for trade in over 200 countries [4]. E-commerce Performance - Alibaba's e-commerce revenue for the quarter ending September was $14.46 billion, reflecting a 9% year-over-year increase [5]. - Including "quick commerce" sales, Alibaba's total e-commerce revenue reached $18.62 billion, a 16% increase from the previous year, with international digital commerce revenue at $4.88 billion, up 10% [6]. - In comparison, Amazon's e-commerce revenue for the same quarter was $147.16 billion, with a 12% year-over-year growth [6]. AI Cloud Growth - Alibaba's Cloud Intelligence Group generated $5.59 billion in revenue for the September quarter, marking a 34% increase from the same period last year, driven by public cloud revenue growth and AI product adoption [10]. - The company holds a 35.8% market share in China's cloud computing market, the largest in the region [11]. Valuation and Future Outlook - Alibaba is noted for having the most attractive forward price-to-earnings and price-to-sales ratios among cloud computing stocks [12]. - Revenue growth for Alibaba is projected at 9% for the next fiscal year, surpassing expected growth rates for Amazon (1.45%) and Alphabet (4.7%), while Microsoft is expected to grow by 17.8% [14].

Core Insights - Alibaba (BABA) reported non-GAAP earnings of 61 cents per ADS for Q2 fiscal 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.58% and showing a 71% year-over-year decline in domestic currency [1] - The company achieved revenues of $34.8 billion for the same quarter, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.09%, with a 5% year-over-year increase in domestic currency [2] Revenue Performance - Revenue growth was primarily driven by the Cloud Intelligence Group and the domestic e-commerce platform, while aggressive investments in quick commerce pressured margins [3] - Alibaba's China E-commerce Group generated RMB 132.6 billion ($18.6 billion), a 16% increase year-over-year, with customer management revenues growing 10% [4] - The core e-commerce vertical generated RMB 102.9 billion ($14.5 billion), reflecting a 9% increase year-over-year [5] - Quick commerce revenues surged 60% year-over-year to RMB 29.7 billion ($4.2 billion), significantly contributing to user engagement [6] - The International Digital Commerce Group generated RMB 32.4 billion ($4.6 billion), a 10% increase from the previous year [7] Segment Analysis - Cloud Intelligence Group revenues increased by 34% year-over-year to RMB 39.8 billion ($5.6 billion), driven by public cloud growth and AI adoption [9] - AI-related product revenues maintained triple-digit growth for nine consecutive quarters, now representing over 20% of revenues from external customers [10] Operating Expenses - Sales and marketing expenses rose to RMB 75.0 billion ($10.5 billion), accounting for 30.3% of total revenues due to investments in quick commerce [13] - Adjusted EBITDA fell 78% year-over-year to RMB 9.1 billion ($1.3 billion), with the adjusted EBITDA margin contracting to 3.7% from 17.4% [15] Financial Position - As of September 30, 2025, cash and cash equivalents were RMB 188.4 billion ($26.5 billion), an increase from RMB 183.1 billion ($25.6 billion) [16] - The company generated RMB 10.1 billion ($1.4 billion) in cash from operations, down 68% year-over-year [17] - Free cash flow was an outflow of RMB 21.8 billion ($3.1 billion), attributed to increased CapEx investments in AI and cloud infrastructure [18]

Alibaba Group Holding (NYSE:BABA) posted better-than-expected second-quarter results on Tuesday.The company posted quarterly revenue of $34.81 billion, up 5% year-over-year, surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of $34.43 billion. The adjusted earnings per American Depositary Share (ADS) came in at 61 cents, topping the analyst consensus estimate of 49 cents.Adjusted net income declined 72% to $1.45 billion, while adjusted EBITA slipped 78% year-over-year to $1.27 billion, reflecting investments in Taob ...

Financial Performance - Total revenue increased by 5% year-over-year to RMB 247795 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2025[10] - Income from operations decreased significantly by 85% year-over-year to RMB 5365 million[10] - Adjusted EBITA decreased by 78% year-over-year to RMB 9073 million[10] - Net loss from free cash flow was RMB 21840 million, compared to a positive free cash flow of RMB 13735 million in the same quarter of 2024[10] Segment Performance - Alibaba China E-commerce Group revenue increased by 16% year-over-year[7] - Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group (AIDC) revenue increased by 10% year-over-year[7] - Cloud Intelligence Group revenue increased significantly by 34% year-over-year[7] - All Others segment revenue decreased by 25% year-over-year[25] Business Highlights - Quick commerce revenue increased by 60%, driven by order growth from "Taobao Instant Commerce"[31] - Customer management revenue increased by 10% year-over-year, driven by improved take rate[8] - The company repurchased 17 million ordinary shares (equivalent to approximately 2 million ADSs) for a total of US$253 million[14]

Core Viewpoint - Alibaba Group Holding Limited is expected to report second-quarter fiscal 2026 results on November 25, with revenue estimates indicating a modest increase but a significant decline in earnings per share compared to the previous year [1][5]. Revenue and Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is $34.43 billion, reflecting a 2.17% increase from the same quarter last year [1]. - The earnings estimate is 66 cents per share, representing a decline of 69.3% from the prior-year quarter [1]. Earnings Surprise History - Alibaba has a mixed earnings surprise history, with a negative surprise of 3.29% in the last reported quarter. The company has beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 0.97% [2]. Earnings Prediction Model - The current Earnings ESP is 0.00%, and the Zacks Rank is 5 (Strong Sell), indicating low odds for an earnings beat this time [3]. Market Challenges - The company faces significant challenges, including a deepening deflationary environment in China, with consumer prices falling 0.4% year-over-year in August and 0.3% in September, which constrains Alibaba's core commerce business [6]. - Competitive pressures from PDD Holdings are intensifying, leading to destructive price wars that further squeeze margins [7]. Investment and Margin Pressure - Heavy investments in quick commerce and instant delivery services have compressed margins as the company prioritizes market share over profitability [6]. - The commitment of RMB 380 billion to AI and cloud infrastructure has resulted in substantial capital expenditures, impacting near-term profitability [9]. Revenue Growth Constraints - Revenue growth is likely constrained by weak consumer sentiment and sluggish retail sales growth, despite some strength in the cloud segment [10]. Stock Performance and Valuation - Alibaba shares have surged 80.8% year-to-date, outperforming the industry and major indices, but face tough competition from Amazon, JD.com, and PDD Holdings [11]. - The stock is trading at a premium with a forward 12-month P/S ratio of 2.36X compared to the industry average of 2.26X, indicating a stretched valuation [15]. Investment Thesis - The upcoming earnings report is expected to highlight deteriorating fundamentals due to persistent deflation, aggressive competition, and margin compression from heavy investments [18]. - Investors are advised to wait for clearer signals of a turnaround and more attractive entry points before considering investment in Alibaba [19].

Group 1: Alibaba's Strategic Shift - Alibaba is retiring the Ele.me brand, which has been synonymous with food delivery in China, and is transitioning to a broader "instant commerce" strategy under the Taobao brand [3][4] - This rebranding aligns Alibaba with competitors like JD.com and Meituan, which have unified their delivery services under a single brand, enhancing customer navigation within Alibaba's ecosystem [4] - The shift acknowledges past shortcomings, as Ele.me has lagged behind Meituan in market share since its acquisition by Alibaba in 2018, indicating a renewed focus on the delivery business [5][6] Group 2: WuXi AppTec's Move to Saudi Arabia - WuXi AppTec is pivoting towards the Middle East, planning to build a new facility in Saudi Arabia while selling off non-core assets, driven by U.S.-China trade tensions [7][8] - The move is motivated by financial incentives from Saudi Arabia, which is diversifying its economy away from oil and gas, and is actively attracting high-tech and biotechnology industries [8] - Establishing a manufacturing base in Saudi Arabia allows WuXi AppTec to mitigate risks associated with U.S.-China relations and label its products as made in Saudi Arabia, creating a separation from Beijing [10]

Core Insights - Alibaba's aggressive long-term growth strategy is negatively impacting its short-term financials, with free cash flow turning negative at RMB 18.8 billion in Q1 of fiscal 2026 due to increased capital expenditures of RMB 38.7 billion [1][9] Investment and Growth Strategy - The company is committed to a three-year investment plan of RMB 380 billion ($53 billion) focused on AI and cloud infrastructure, which is expected to maintain pressure on free cash flow in the near term [1][9] - At the Apsara 2025 Conference, Alibaba announced plans to increase AI spending beyond the initial $53 billion budget, emphasizing the belief that AI is a "generational opportunity" [2] - Alibaba Cloud is pursuing a global expansion strategy, including new data centers in Brazil, France, and the Netherlands, with additional locations planned in Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and Dubai [2] Competitive Landscape - Despite leading China's AI cloud market with a 35.8% share, Alibaba faces intense competition from Pinduoduo, ByteDance, and Huawei Cloud, necessitating continued high investment levels to defend its market position [3] - Amazon is projected to exceed $118 billion in capital expenditures in 2025, while Microsoft plans over $80 billion, indicating a highly competitive environment in AI and cloud infrastructure [5][6] Financial Performance and Valuation - Alibaba's stock has increased by 96.6% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Internet – Commerce industry and the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector, which grew by 6.8% and 5.8%, respectively [7] - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price/earnings ratio of 19.74X, lower than the industry's 24.51X, indicating a potential undervaluation [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings is $6.57 per share, reflecting a 14.9% decrease over the past 30 days and a year-over-year decline of 27.08% [13]

Core Insights - Alibaba's aggressive investment in quick commerce is showing promising results, with a 12% year-over-year revenue growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, driven by Taobao Instant Commerce [1][9] - The platform has significantly increased user engagement, achieving over 80 million average daily orders and nearly 300 million monthly active consumers, contributing to a 25% rise in Taobao's MAUs [1][9] - However, this expansion has negatively impacted profitability, with adjusted EBITDA declining by 14% year-over-year and free cash flow turning negative due to high capital demands [2][9] Financial Performance - The quick commerce segment's revenue growth is supported by a large addressable market of 30 trillion RMB, with consensus estimates predicting 5% revenue growth in fiscal 2026 and 12% in fiscal 2027 [4] - BABA shares have increased by 96.7% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Internet – Commerce industry and the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector, which grew by 5.1% and 3.3%, respectively [7] Competitive Landscape - JD.com is a key competitor, rapidly expanding its JD NOW service and ensuring faster fulfillment through its advanced logistics network, although this could pressure its margins due to heavy investments [5] - PDD Holdings is emerging as a strong challenger with its asset-light model, focusing on affordability and social commerce, which poses a strategic threat to Alibaba's capital-intensive approach [6] Valuation Metrics - Alibaba's stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month Price/Earnings ratio of 18.11X, compared to the industry's 23.14X, indicating a relative undervaluation [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings is $6.97 per share, reflecting a 22.64% year-over-year decline [13]

Core Insights - Alibaba's stock has rebounded significantly following its latest earnings call, driven by a shift in focus towards cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and international growth, despite ongoing challenges in its core e-commerce business [1][24]. Earnings Overview - For Q1 FY2026, Alibaba reported revenue of RMB 247.7 billion (US$34.6 billion), reflecting a modest year-on-year increase of approximately 2%. Excluding divested businesses, the growth rate appears stronger at around 10% [2]. - Operating income decreased to RMB 35.0 billion, with adjusted EBITA down 14% year-on-year due to heavy investments in Taobao Instant Commerce and technology upgrades [3]. - Net income surged 76% year-on-year to RMB 42.4 billion, bolstered by investment gains and the sale of Trendyol. However, non-GAAP net profit fell 18% to RMB 33.5 billion compared to RMB 40.7 billion in the same quarter of 2024 [3]. Cash Flow Analysis - Operating cash flow declined to RMB 20.7 billion, a decrease of about 39% from the previous year, while free cash flow turned negative at RMB 18 billion, contrasting with a positive figure a year earlier [4]. - Despite cash flow challenges, Alibaba ended the quarter with RMB 585.7 billion (US$81.8 billion) in cash and investments, providing a buffer for continued growth funding [6]. Growth Drivers - The earnings call highlighted a strategic pivot towards cloud computing and AI, with the cloud division experiencing a year-on-year growth of approximately 26%, breaking a trend of disappointing results [9][10]. - Sales from AI products have reportedly increased at triple-digit rates for eight consecutive quarters, indicating that Alibaba is successfully monetizing its AI initiatives [11][12]. - The introduction of Qwen3-Max, a large language model with over a trillion parameters, and a partnership with Nvidia to develop practical AI tools were also announced [14][15]. Market Dynamics - The ongoing price war in food delivery and instant commerce, particularly between Alibaba's Ele.me and Meituan, has led to cash burn from subsidies and free deliveries, impacting margins [19][20]. - Regulatory intervention from the government aims to curb irrational price cuts, which could alleviate margin pressures for Alibaba's core e-commerce business [21][22]. - A more balanced competitive landscape may allow Alibaba to strengthen its Taobao and Tmall platforms, enhancing recovery prospects [23][26]. Conclusion - Alibaba's stock performance is attributed more to its strategic narrative around cloud, AI, and international growth rather than just financial metrics, with ample cash reserves enabling continued investment in new initiatives while stabilizing its core operations [24][27].