ABBV vs. BABA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 8, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ABBV and BABA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

ABBV is a standard domestic listing, while BABA trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

Symbol	ABBV	BABA
Company Name	AbbVie Inc.	Alibaba Group Holding Limited
Country	United States	Hong Kong
GICS Sector	Health Care	Consumer Discretionary
GICS Industry	Biotechnology	Broadline Retail
Market Capitalization	413.22 billion USD	436.04 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 2, 2013	September 19, 2014
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ABBV and BABA by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

ABBV vs. BABA: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	BABA
5-Day Price Return	4.82%	4.52%
13-Week Price Return	23.58%	72.98%
26-Week Price Return	11.64%	42.20%
52-Week Price Return	18.84%	63.15%
Month-to-Date Return	1.02%	5.20%
Year-to-Date Return	31.63%	121.76%
10-Day Avg. Volume	6.76M	21.92M
3-Month Avg. Volume	5.66M	16.69M
3-Month Volatility	23.82%	49.21%
Beta	0.36	0.31

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ABBV

95.59%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 97.92%
Q3: 11.99%
Median: -19.30%
Q1: -51.29%
Min: -132.03%

In the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, ABBV’s Return on Equity of 95.59% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

BABA

14.91%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 47.53%
Q3: 31.20%
Median: 16.63%
Q1: 10.81%
Min: -7.57%

BABA’s Return on Equity of 14.91% is on par with the norm for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

ABBV vs. BABA: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ABBV

6.45%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 73.34%
Q3: 18.98%
Median: -12.96%
Q1: -105.72%
Min: -259.82%

ABBV’s Net Profit Margin of 6.45% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Biotechnology industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

BABA

14.82%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 24.63%
Q3: 12.77%
Median: 8.63%
Q1: 4.50%
Min: -1.62%

A Net Profit Margin of 14.82% places BABA in the upper quartile for the Broadline Retail industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

ABBV vs. BABA: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ABBV

18.80%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 78.85%
Q3: 21.90%
Median: -13.30%
Q1: -109.94%
Min: -278.10%

ABBV’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.80% is around the midpoint for the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

BABA

13.98%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 27.48%
Q3: 17.60%
Median: 10.82%
Q1: 7.76%
Min: -6.73%

BABA’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.98% is around the midpoint for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

ABBV vs. BABA: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	BABA
Return on Equity (TTM)	95.59%	14.91%
Return on Assets (TTM)	2.73%	8.16%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	6.45%	14.82%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	18.80%	13.98%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	70.93%	41.18%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ABBV

0.74

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 16.97
Q3: 8.39
Median: 4.11
Q1: 2.64
Min: 0.74

ABBV’s Current Ratio of 0.74 falls into the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

BABA

1.45

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 3.54
Q3: 2.42
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.20
Min: 0.69

BABA’s Current Ratio of 1.45 aligns with the median group of the Broadline Retail industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

ABBV vs. BABA: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Biotechnology and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ABBV

49.22

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 1.92
Q3: 0.79
Median: 0.12
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 49.22, ABBV operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Biotechnology industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

BABA

0.23

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 2.01
Q3: 1.31
Median: 0.72
Q1: 0.32
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Broadline Retail industry, BABA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.23 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

ABBV vs. BABA: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Biotechnology and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ABBV

2.70

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 72.37
Q3: 1.03
Median: -9.59
Q1: -65.05
Min: -163.11

ABBV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.70 is in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

BABA

9.56

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 37.34
Q3: 21.16
Median: 8.60
Q1: 3.22
Min: -19.29

BABA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.56 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

ABBV vs. BABA: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	BABA
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.74	1.45
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.48	0.97
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	49.22	0.23
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	2.70	9.56

Growth

Revenue Growth

ABBV vs. BABA: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ABBV vs. BABA: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ABBV

2.71%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ABBV’s Dividend Yield of 2.71% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Biotechnology industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.

BABA

1.81%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 4.06%
Q3: 2.07%
Median: 0.37%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

BABA’s Dividend Yield of 1.81% is consistent with its peers in the Broadline Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

ABBV vs. BABA: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ABBV

226.84%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

At 226.84%, ABBV’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Biotechnology industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.

BABA

103.01%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 114.82%
Q3: 62.39%
Median: 28.55%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

BABA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 103.01% is in the upper quartile for the Broadline Retail industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

ABBV vs. BABA: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	BABA
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.71%	1.81%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	226.84%	103.01%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ABBV

111.05

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 40.44
Q3: 39.37
Median: 22.12
Q1: 15.76
Min: 3.48

At 111.05, ABBV’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

BABA

21.53

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 62.76
Q3: 32.50
Median: 17.65
Q1: 12.08
Min: 6.87

BABA’s P/E Ratio of 21.53 is within the middle range for the Broadline Retail industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

ABBV vs. BABA: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ABBV

7.16

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 92.67
Q3: 41.36
Median: 8.45
Q1: 4.46
Min: 0.97

ABBV’s P/S Ratio of 7.16 aligns with the market consensus for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

BABA

3.19

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 5.19
Q3: 3.25
Median: 2.13
Q1: 1.01
Min: 0.21

BABA’s P/S Ratio of 3.19 aligns with the market consensus for the Broadline Retail industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

ABBV vs. BABA: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ABBV

261.01

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 22.72
Q3: 10.68
Median: 4.55
Q1: 2.44
Min: 0.59

At 261.01, ABBV’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Biotechnology industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

BABA

1.90

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 8.81
Q3: 5.19
Median: 3.42
Q1: 1.75
Min: 0.73

BABA’s P/B Ratio of 1.90 is within the conventional range for the Broadline Retail industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

ABBV vs. BABA: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Biotechnology and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	BABA
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	111.05	21.53
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	7.16	3.19
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	261.01	1.90
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	22.91	41.19