Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) has been given a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty-three research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have issued a hold recommendation, sixteen have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $165.3333.

Several research firms have commented on BIDU. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Baidu from $135.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 19th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on Baidu from $120.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 20th. Barclays reduced their target price on Baidu from $128.00 to $124.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 13th. Zacks Research downgraded Baidu from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Monday, July 20th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Baidu from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 25th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Baidu

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new position in shares of Baidu in the 1st quarter worth about $334,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Baidu by 71.6% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,182 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $101,000 after buying an additional 493 shares during the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC increased its holdings in Baidu by 53.3% during the second quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 9,670 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $829,000 after buying an additional 3,362 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP raised its position in Baidu by 2.6% in the second quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 50,033 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $4,291,000 after acquiring an additional 1,259 shares during the period. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC bought a new stake in Baidu in the second quarter worth about $254,000.

Baidu Stock Down 0.2%

BIDU opened at $104.68 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 1.85 and a quick ratio of 1.85. The company’s 50-day moving average is $111.43 and its 200 day moving average is $122.89. Baidu has a fifty-two week low of $84.82 and a fifty-two week high of $165.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $35.62 billion, a P/E ratio of -872.26, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.58.

Baidu Company Profile

Baidu, Inc, founded in 2000 and headquartered in Beijing, is a Chinese multinational technology company best known for operating one of China’s leading internet search engines. The company built its business around online search and related advertising services, providing search, content aggregation and targeted ad placements to consumers and marketers across China. Baidu went public on the NASDAQ in 2005 and has since diversified beyond search into a broader technology and AI-focused portfolio.

Core products and services include the Baidu search platform and mobile app, Baidu Maps and Baidu Baike (an online encyclopedia), along with digital content initiatives.