APP vs. BABA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at APP and BABA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
APP 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 | APP | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AppLovin Corporation | Alibaba Group Holding Limited |
| Country | United States | Hong Kong |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry | Software | Broadline Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 198.55 billion USD | 434.16 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | April 15, 2021 | September 19, 2014 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of APP 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 | APP | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -18.31% | 4.75% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 70.14% | 76.17% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 107.64% | 41.09% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 334.01% | 65.92% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -18.31% | 4.75% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 81.27% | 120.80% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 7.59M | 21.15M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.91M | 16.68M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 60.93% | 48.99% |
| Beta | 2.57 | 0.31 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
APP
257.74%
Software Industry
- Max
- 66.28%
- Q3
- 21.28%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- -8.77%
- Min
- -48.16%
APP’s Return on Equity of 257.74% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Software industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
APP
45.72%
Software Industry
- Max
- 51.92%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 6.98%
- Q1
- -7.14%
- Min
- -41.00%
A Net Profit Margin of 45.72% places APP in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
APP
52.02%
Software Industry
- Max
- 60.40%
- Q3
- 21.25%
- Median
- 9.90%
- Q1
- -4.97%
- Min
- -43.50%
An Operating Profit Margin of 52.02% places APP in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | APP | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 257.74% | 14.91% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 42.29% | 8.16% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.72% | 14.82% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 52.02% | 13.98% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 80.87% | 41.18% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
APP
2.74
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
APP’s Current Ratio of 2.74 is in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
APP
3.01
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.16
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.01, APP operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Software 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
APP
6.44
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 32.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- -9.84
- Min
- -71.23
APP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.44 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | APP | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.74 | 1.45 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.54 | 0.97 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 3.01 | 0.23 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 6.44 | 9.56 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
APP
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.22%
- Q3
- 0.11%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
APP 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
1.79%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 4.06%
- Q3
- 2.07%
- Median
- 0.37%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BABA’s Dividend Yield of 1.79% is consistent with its peers in the Broadline Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
APP
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.29%
- Q3
- 2.41%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
APP 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
- 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | APP | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.79% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 103.01% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
APP
83.54
Software Industry
- Max
- 145.74
- Q3
- 94.88
- Median
- 45.35
- Q1
- 26.66
- Min
- 8.80
APP’s P/E Ratio of 83.54 is within the middle range for the Software 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
21.77
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 62.76
- Q3
- 32.50
- Median
- 17.65
- Q1
- 12.08
- Min
- 6.87
BABA’s P/E Ratio of 21.77 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)
APP
38.20
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.67
- Q3
- 13.68
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 4.95
- Min
- 0.90
With a P/S Ratio of 38.20, APP trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Software industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
BABA
3.23
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.19
- Q3
- 3.25
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.21
BABA’s P/S Ratio of 3.23 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)
APP
101.50
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.67
- Q3
- 14.92
- Median
- 8.52
- Q1
- 3.89
- Min
- 0.38
At 101.50, APP’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Software 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | APP | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 83.54 | 21.77 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 38.20 | 3.23 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 101.50 | 1.90 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 70.10 | 41.65 |