Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Alibaba: Too Cheap to Ignore, Despite Risks

Published 09/22/2021, 06:20 AM
Updated 09/22/2021, 09:31 AM
© Reuters.  Alibaba: Too Cheap to Ignore, Despite Risks

© Reuters. Alibaba: Too Cheap to Ignore, Despite Risks

The past few months have been very tough for Chinese equities, with the Chinese government's crackdown on Big Data rattling international investors. The most shocking event in terms of straight damage to shareholder value was the government's ban on for-profit tutoring, which led to shares of New Oriental Education (EDU) and TAL Education Group (NYSE:TAL) nosediving by more than 90% off their past highs.

The Chinese government's wipeout begun with relatively small fines, such as those inflicted on Alibaba (NYSE:BABA). As the government has proceeded to eliminate an entire business model, who cannot understand investors dumping their Chinese stocks en masse?

Not only is the ongoing crackdown showing no signs of a slowdown, but a scenario in which the Chinese government continues to move in towards a "total control" policy, as recently discussed by Dan David, Founder & CIO at Wolfpack Research, seems more likely by the day.

However, in my view, as much pressure as such policies can have on specific industries, China's tech behemoths such Alibaba should be able to weather the storm. The company's operations are well-diversified. Further, it plays a key role in the Chinese economy (implying less incentive for the government to disturb their actions).

More importantly, Alibaba makes a ton of money, as proven by its most recent results. For these reasons, I am bullish on the stock. (See Alibaba stock charts on TipRanks)

A Money-Making Machine

As much as investors would like to focus on the risks attached, it is simultaneously hard to ignore Alibaba's snowballing financials. The company's most recent Q2 2022 results clearly demonstrated Alibaba's strength, despite the turbulent environment.

Revenues grew 34% to $31.8 billion, with Alibaba's worldwide Ecosystem reaching about 1.18 billion annual active consumers. This implies 45 million net user adds from the previous quarter.

EPS per ADS came in at $2.57, 12% higher year-over-year, powered by Alibaba's jaw-dropping net margins, which came in at 21.6%. This figure is quite impressive, because Alibaba even reinvests significantly back into the business to drive growth.

If the company were to reduce its investments, Alibaba's net margins could very reasonably surpass 30%. Even the most profitable American tech companies would be jealous of such margins.

The Stock is Undoubtedly Cheap

Based on Alibaba's FY2022 estimated EPS of $9.73, the stock is trading at a forward P/E of ~15.6. With analysts expecting a very reasonable EPS growth of 20% in the following year (which even implies a slowdown in terms of revenues), shares will be trading with a forward P/E of ~13.6, if the stock does not rebound.

Simply put, the stock's performance greatly mismatches Alibaba's growth and overall profitability. At some point, this mismatch will become so wide (if it hasn't already become so) that the stock will have to follow, eventually. Alibaba's management is also well aware of this, as evidenced by the boosting their stock repurchase program to $15 billion.

Wall Street’s Take

Turning to Wall Street, Alibaba has a Strong Buy consensus rating, based on the 23 Buys, one Hold, and one Sell assigned in the past three months. At $265.09, the average BABA price target implies 76.5% upside.

Disclosure: On the date of publication, Nikolaos Sismanis had a beneficial long position in the shares of Alibaba through stock ownership.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article represents the views and opinion of the writer only, and not the views or opinion of Tipranks or its affiliates, and should be considered for informational purposes only. Tipranks makes no warranties about the completeness, accuracy or reliability of such information. Nothing in this article should be taken as a recommendation or solicitation to purchase or sell securities. Nothing in the article constitutes legal, professional, investment and/or financial advice and/or takes into account the specific needs and/or requirements of an individual, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters or subject discussed therein. Tipranks and its affiliates disclaim all liability or responsibility with respect to the content of the article, and any action taken upon the information in the article is at your own and sole risk. The link to this article does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Tipranks or its affiliates. Past performance is not indicative of future results, prices or performance.

Latest comments

hopeful writing here. there so much more going on.
BABA and BIDU, time to begin buying
Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.