AMZN vs. BABA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Here’s a clear look at AMZN and BABA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AMZN | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Amazon.com, Inc. | Alibaba Group Holding Limited |
| Country | United States | Hong Kong |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry Group | Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail | Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail |
| GICS Industry | Broadline Retail | Broadline Retail |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Broadline Retail | Broadline Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 2,746.21 billion USD | 336.63 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 15, 1997 | September 19, 2014 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
AMZN is a standard domestic listing, while BABA trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
AMZN’s market capitalization (2,746.21 billion USD) is substantially larger than BABA’s (336.63 billion USD), indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
BABA is an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), allowing U.S. investors direct exposure to its non-U.S. operations. AMZN, on the other hand, is a domestic entity.
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AMZN 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AMZN | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.27% | -1.57% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 10.55% | -15.99% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 18.46% | -17.77% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 47.45% | 17.73% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 22.61% | 8.74% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 10.63% | -6.93% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 49.31M | 10.39M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 47.50M | 11.25M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 33.12% | 37.03% |
| Beta | 1.44 | 0.51 |
AMZN’s beta of 1.44 points to significantly higher volatility compared to BABA (beta: 0.51), suggesting AMZN has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AMZN
21.87%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 52.86%
- Q3
- 29.34%
- Median
- 16.16%
- Q1
- 8.94%
- Min
- -20.75%
AMZN’s Return on Equity of 21.87% is on par with the norm for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
BABA
9.06%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 52.86%
- Q3
- 29.34%
- Median
- 16.16%
- Q1
- 8.94%
- Min
- -20.75%
BABA’s Return on Equity of 9.06% is on par with the norm for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AMZN
10.83%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 23.01%
- Q3
- 12.87%
- Median
- 9.08%
- Q1
- 4.39%
- Min
- -7.13%
AMZN’s Net Profit Margin of 10.83% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Broadline Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
BABA
9.13%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 23.01%
- Q3
- 12.87%
- Median
- 9.08%
- Q1
- 4.39%
- Min
- -7.13%
BABA’s Net Profit Margin of 9.13% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Broadline Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AMZN
11.16%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 26.71%
- Q3
- 18.18%
- Median
- 11.16%
- Q1
- 7.67%
- Min
- 0.27%
AMZN’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.16% is around the midpoint for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
BABA
7.82%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 26.71%
- Q3
- 18.18%
- Median
- 11.16%
- Q1
- 7.67%
- Min
- 0.27%
BABA’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.82% is around the midpoint for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AMZN | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 21.87% | 9.06% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.82% | 5.01% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.83% | 9.13% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.16% | 7.82% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 50.29% | 40.75% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AMZN
1.05
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.72
- Q3
- 2.34
- Median
- 1.48
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- 0.69
AMZN’s Current Ratio of 1.05 falls into the lower quartile for the Broadline Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
BABA
1.33
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.72
- Q3
- 2.34
- Median
- 1.48
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- 0.69
BABA’s Current Ratio of 1.33 aligns with the median group of the Broadline Retail industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AMZN
0.16
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.11
- Q3
- 1.36
- Median
- 0.56
- Q1
- 0.28
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Broadline Retail industry, AMZN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.16 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
BABA
0.25
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.11
- Q3
- 1.36
- Median
- 0.56
- Q1
- 0.28
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Broadline Retail industry, BABA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.25 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AMZN
0.62
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 37.34
- Q3
- 21.16
- Median
- 9.56
- Q1
- 4.22
- Min
- -19.29
AMZN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 0.62 is a critical concern. A value below 1.0 means operating earnings are insufficient to cover interest expenses, indicating severe financial strain and high default risk.
BABA
9.56
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 37.34
- Q3
- 21.16
- Median
- 9.56
- Q1
- 4.22
- 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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AMZN | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.05 | 1.33 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.88 | 0.83 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.16 | 0.25 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 0.62 | 9.56 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | AMZN | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 13.63% | 1.67% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 12.38% | 3.56% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 11.73% | 5.31% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 13.18% | 14.35% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | AMZN | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 5.02% | -66.84% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 29.87% | -22.23% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | -- | 33.08% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | 27.96% | -0.85% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AMZN
0.00%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.75%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- 0.60%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AMZN currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
BABA
2.92%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.75%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- 0.60%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BABA’s Dividend Yield of 2.92% is consistent with its peers in the Broadline Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AMZN
0.00%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 120.88%
- Q3
- 68.73%
- Median
- 26.68%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AMZN has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
BABA
187.88%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 120.88%
- Q3
- 68.73%
- Median
- 26.68%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BABA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 187.88% is above 100%. This means the company is paying out more in dividends than it earned, a practice that is often unsustainable and could indicate a risk to future dividend stability.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AMZN | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.92% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 187.88% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AMZN
34.76
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 47.05
- Q3
- 27.80
- Median
- 22.63
- Q1
- 10.25
- Min
- 6.65
A P/E Ratio of 34.76 places AMZN in the upper quartile for the Broadline Retail industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
BABA
23.12
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 47.05
- Q3
- 27.80
- Median
- 22.63
- Q1
- 10.25
- Min
- 6.65
BABA’s P/E Ratio of 23.12 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AMZN
3.77
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.45
- Q3
- 3.25
- Median
- 1.99
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.20
AMZN’s P/S Ratio of 3.77 is in the upper echelon for the Broadline Retail industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
BABA
2.11
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.45
- Q3
- 3.25
- Median
- 1.99
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.20
BABA’s P/S Ratio of 2.11 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AMZN
6.00
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.90
- Q3
- 5.55
- Median
- 3.50
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.79
AMZN’s P/B Ratio of 6.00 is in the upper tier for the Broadline Retail industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
BABA
2.33
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.90
- Q3
- 5.55
- Median
- 3.50
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.79
BABA’s P/B Ratio of 2.33 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AMZN | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 34.76 | 23.12 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.77 | 2.11 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.00 | 2.33 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 171.98 | 215.81 |