AMZN vs. BABA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AMZN and BABA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
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.
| 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 | Broadline Retail | Broadline Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 2,386.91 billion USD | 287.31 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 15, 1997 | September 19, 2014 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
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 | -3.10% | -2.28% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 8.56% | -2.82% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -2.85% | -0.04% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 25.58% | 42.40% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -4.40% | -0.95% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 2.01% | 40.92% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 37.19M | 11.26M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 44.00M | 14.09M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.78% | 33.97% |
| Beta | 1.31 | 0.11 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AMZN
23.84%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 49.17%
- Q3
- 28.98%
- Median
- 19.22%
- Q1
- 10.86%
- Min
- -11.14%
AMZN’s Return on Equity of 23.84% is on par with the norm for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
BABA
13.27%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 49.17%
- Q3
- 28.98%
- Median
- 19.22%
- Q1
- 10.86%
- Min
- -11.14%
BABA’s Return on Equity of 13.27% 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
10.54%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 19.78%
- Q3
- 11.90%
- Median
- 8.63%
- Q1
- 5.21%
- Min
- 0.82%
AMZN’s Net Profit Margin of 10.54% 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
12.99%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 19.78%
- Q3
- 11.90%
- Median
- 8.63%
- Q1
- 5.21%
- Min
- 0.82%
A Net Profit Margin of 12.99% places BABA in the upper quartile for the Broadline Retail industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AMZN
11.37%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 27.23%
- Q3
- 15.96%
- Median
- 11.13%
- Q1
- 8.31%
- Min
- 1.77%
AMZN’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.37% is around the midpoint for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
BABA
14.14%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 27.23%
- Q3
- 15.96%
- Median
- 11.13%
- Q1
- 8.31%
- Min
- 1.77%
BABA’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.14% 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) | 23.84% | 13.27% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 11.14% | 7.19% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.54% | 12.99% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.37% | 14.14% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 49.61% | 39.95% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AMZN
1.02
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.54
- Q3
- 2.42
- Median
- 1.49
- Q1
- 1.22
- Min
- 0.67
AMZN’s Current Ratio of 1.02 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
1.55
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.54
- Q3
- 2.42
- Median
- 1.49
- Q1
- 1.22
- Min
- 0.67
BABA’s Current Ratio of 1.55 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
0.15
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 1.34
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Broadline Retail industry, AMZN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.15 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
BABA
0.23
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 1.34
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.27
- 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AMZN
0.62
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 37.34
- Q3
- 20.63
- Median
- 11.28
- 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
- 20.63
- Median
- 11.28
- 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) | 1.02 | 1.55 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.81 | 1.08 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.15 | 0.23 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 0.62 | 9.56 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AMZN
0.00%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.46%
- Q3
- 2.38%
- Median
- 0.43%
- 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
2.79%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.46%
- Q3
- 2.38%
- Median
- 0.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.79%, BABA offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Broadline Retail industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AMZN
0.00%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 131.17%
- Q3
- 63.48%
- Median
- 29.43%
- 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
103.01%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 131.17%
- Q3
- 63.48%
- Median
- 29.43%
- 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AMZN | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.79% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 103.01% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AMZN
34.03
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 66.12
- Q3
- 35.17
- Median
- 16.29
- Q1
- 10.47
- Min
- 5.94
AMZN’s P/E Ratio of 34.03 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.
BABA
16.04
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 66.12
- Q3
- 35.17
- Median
- 16.29
- Q1
- 10.47
- Min
- 5.94
BABA’s P/E Ratio of 16.04 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
3.59
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.40
- Q3
- 3.33
- Median
- 2.04
- Q1
- 0.80
- Min
- 0.16
AMZN’s P/S Ratio of 3.59 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
2.08
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.40
- Q3
- 3.33
- Median
- 2.04
- Q1
- 0.80
- Min
- 0.16
BABA’s P/S Ratio of 2.08 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
6.98
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.06
- Q3
- 5.22
- Median
- 3.48
- Q1
- 1.90
- Min
- 0.74
AMZN’s P/B Ratio of 6.98 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
2.23
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.06
- Q3
- 5.22
- Median
- 3.48
- Q1
- 1.90
- Min
- 0.74
BABA’s P/B Ratio of 2.23 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) | 34.03 | 16.04 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.59 | 2.08 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.98 | 2.23 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 111.85 | 26.78 |