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BABA vs. CPNG: Alibaba vs. Coupang Stock Comparison

How do Alibaba (BABA) and Coupang (CPNG) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Alibaba (BABA) and Coupang (CPNG) are both classified in the Broadline Retail sub-industry within the broader Broadline Retail industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Coupang (CPNG) trades as ordinary local shares, while Alibaba (BABA) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile comparison for Alibaba (BABA) and Coupang (CPNG)
Profile ItemBABACPNG
NameAlibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADRCoupang, Inc. Class A Common Stock
Country/RegionChinaUnited States
GICS SectorConsumer DiscretionaryConsumer Discretionary
GICS Industry GroupConsumer Discretionary Distribution & RetailConsumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail
GICS IndustryBroadline RetailBroadline Retail
GICS Sub-IndustryBroadline RetailBroadline Retail
Market Capitalization272.28 billion USD29.20 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateSeptember 19, 2014March 11, 2021
Security TypeADRCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

BABA
CPNG
GSPC
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Alibaba (BABA) vs. Coupang (CPNG), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Alibaba (BABA) and Coupang (CPNG). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Alibaba (BABA) and Coupang (CPNG). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Alibaba (BABA) and Coupang (CPNG)
MetricBABACPNG
Total Return (1Y)-35.96%-44.02%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)10.68%2.15%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)-6.88%-11.45%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

BABA
CPNG
GSPC
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Alibaba (BABA) vs. Coupang (CPNG), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Alibaba (BABA) and Coupang (CPNG). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Alibaba (BABA) and Coupang (CPNG)
MetricBABACPNG
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)40.95%49.06%
Beta (5Y)0.391.09
Max Drawdown (5Y)-62.51%-69.07%
Avg. Volume (3M)10.02M15.76M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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BABA and CPNG are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Alibaba (BABA) and Coupang (CPNG)
MetricBABACPNG
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.98-0.98
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-1.48-1.37

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Coupang (CPNG) reports a negative ROE of -35.97%; negative ROE can reflect losses or negative shareholders’ equity, so it is harder to read as capital efficiency. Meanwhile Alibaba (BABA) reports 6.36%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

6.36%

Max
62.17%
Q3
29.44%
Median
15.69%
Q1
6.73%
BABA
6.36%
Min
-12.16%

CPNG

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

-35.97%

Max
62.17%
Q3
29.44%
Median
15.69%
Q1
6.73%
Min
-12.16%
CPNG
-35.97%
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Alibaba (BABA) vs. Coupang (CPNG): A comparison of their ROE against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Coupang (CPNG) reports a negative net margin of -3.77%, usually indicating a net loss over the period. Meanwhile Alibaba (BABA) reports 7.04%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

7.04%

Max
16.94%
Q3
8.69%
BABA
7.04%
Median
3.55%
Q1
1.14%
Min
-9.41%

CPNG

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

-3.77%

Max
16.94%
Q3
8.69%
Median
3.55%
Q1
1.14%
CPNG
-3.77%
Min
-9.41%
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Alibaba (BABA) vs. Coupang (CPNG): A comparison of their net margin against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Coupang (CPNG) reports a negative operating margin of -2.03%, usually indicating that operating costs exceeded revenue at the operating-income line. Meanwhile Alibaba (BABA) reports 7.30%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

7.30%

Max
21.45%
Q3
10.89%
BABA
7.30%
Median
5.57%
Q1
2.28%
Min
-7.12%

CPNG

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

-2.03%

Max
21.45%
Q3
10.89%
Median
5.57%
Q1
2.28%
CPNG
-2.03%
Min
-7.12%
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Alibaba (BABA) vs. Coupang (CPNG): A comparison of their operating margin against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Alibaba (BABA) and Coupang (CPNG)
MetricBABACPNG
ROE (TTM)6.36%-35.97%
ROA (TTM)1.56%-3.27%
Net Margin (TTM)7.04%-3.77%
Operating Margin (TTM)7.30%-2.03%
Gross Margin (TTM)38.20%27.63%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Coupang (CPNG) at 14.09% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while Alibaba (BABA) at 2.74% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for CPNG.

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Alibaba (BABA) vs. Coupang (CPNG): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Coupang (CPNG) at 37.50% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Alibaba (BABA) at -17.91% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for CPNG.

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Alibaba (BABA) vs. Coupang (CPNG): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Alibaba (BABA) and Coupang (CPNG)
MetricBABACPNG
Revenue Growth (YoY)2.74%14.09%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)5.62%18.83%
EPS Growth (YoY)-17.91%37.50%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)17.05%--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Alibaba (BABA) at 1.36 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Coupang (CPNG) at 0.80 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for CPNG.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

1.36

Max
2.62
Q3
1.75
BABA
1.36
Median
1.35
Q1
1.00
Min
0.48

CPNG

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

0.80

Max
2.62
Q3
1.75
Median
1.35
Q1
1.00
CPNG
0.80
Min
0.48
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Alibaba (BABA) vs. Coupang (CPNG): A comparison of their current ratio against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Alibaba (BABA) at 0.24 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while Coupang (CPNG) at 1.78 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

0.24

Max
3.93
Q3
2.14
Median
1.25
Q1
0.73
BABA
0.24
Min
0.01

CPNG

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

1.78

Max
3.93
Q3
2.14
CPNG
1.78
Median
1.25
Q1
0.73
Min
0.01
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Alibaba (BABA) vs. Coupang (CPNG): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Alibaba (BABA) and Coupang (CPNG)
MetricBABACPNG
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.360.80
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.241.78
Net Debt / EBITDA-1.20--

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Coupang (CPNG) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Alibaba (BABA) reports a yield of 6.70%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

6.70%

BABA
6.70%
Max
5.84%
Q3
2.50%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

CPNG

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

0.00%

Max
5.84%
Q3
2.50%
CPNG
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Alibaba (BABA) vs. Coupang (CPNG): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Coupang (CPNG) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Alibaba (BABA) reports a payout of 25.44%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

25.44%

Max
72.73%
Q3
32.44%
BABA
25.44%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

CPNG

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

0.00%

Max
72.73%
Q3
32.44%
CPNG
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Alibaba (BABA) vs. Coupang (CPNG): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Alibaba (BABA) and Coupang (CPNG)
MetricBABACPNG
Dividend Yield (TTM)6.70%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)25.44%0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

An earnings multiple is available for just one side: Alibaba (BABA) trades at 26.50 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while Coupang (CPNG) has no P/E ratio this period.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

26.50

Max
40.50
BABA
26.50
Q3
24.26
Median
19.23
Q1
12.64
Min
4.67

CPNG

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

--

Max
40.50
Q3
24.26
Median
19.23
Q1
12.64
Min
4.67
CPNG
--
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Alibaba (BABA) vs. Coupang (CPNG): CPNG does not report P/E ratio, so it has no value marker; BABA is benchmarked against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Alibaba (BABA) at 0.26 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Coupang (CPNG) at 0.81 prices around its industry’s middle — BABA costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

0.26

Max
4.32
Q3
1.99
Median
0.70
Q1
0.26
BABA
0.26
Min
0.03

CPNG

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

0.81

Max
4.32
Q3
1.99
CPNG
0.81
Median
0.70
Q1
0.26
Min
0.03
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Alibaba (BABA) vs. Coupang (CPNG): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Alibaba (BABA) at 1.63 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Coupang (CPNG) at 10.26 carries an above-peer premium to book — CPNG is pricier on assets.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

1.63

Max
10.96
Q3
5.26
Median
2.16
BABA
1.63
Q1
1.08
Min
-4.45

CPNG

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

10.26

Max
10.96
CPNG
10.26
Q3
5.26
Median
2.16
Q1
1.08
Min
-4.45
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Alibaba (BABA) vs. Coupang (CPNG): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Alibaba (BABA) and Coupang (CPNG)
MetricBABACPNG
P/E Ratio (TTM)26.50--
P/S Ratio (TTM)0.260.81
P/B Ratio (MRQ)1.6310.26
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)-30.35%1.80%