Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Carvana (CVNA)
This page compares Alibaba Group (BABA) with Carvana (CVNA) using historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation metrics.
Company Profile
Alibaba Group (BABA) and Carvana (CVNA) both fall under the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group, but BABA is classified in Broadline Retail while CVNA is classified in Specialty Retail.
Carvana (CVNA) trades as a standard ordinary-equity line, while Alibaba Group (BABA) is an ADR tied to a foreign-share or depositary-receipt structure — compare with FX exposure, program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Symbol | BABA | CVNA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alibaba Group Holding Limited | Carvana Co. |
| Country/Region | Hong Kong | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry Group | Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail | Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail |
| GICS Industry | Broadline Retail | Specialty Retail |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Broadline Retail | Automotive Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 315.41 billion USD | 70.63 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | September 19, 2014 | April 28, 2017 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
Carvana (CVNA) has a highly aggressive beta of 3.47, indicating much higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, while Alibaba Group (BABA) is defensive at 0.48 and tends to be less market-sensitive — a wide gap in beta profiles.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | CVNA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -4.71% | -4.14% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -13.67% | -3.26% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -14.84% | 1.07% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 7.44% | 10.22% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.96% | -18.66% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -8.26% | -23.71% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 15.29M | 9.39M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 11.77M | 17.01M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 42.04% | 57.08% |
| Beta | 0.48 | 3.47 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Carvana (CVNA) at 51.60% ranks in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM), ahead of Alibaba Group (BABA) at 10.22%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
10.22%
- Max
- 67.95%
- Q3
- 38.08%
- Median
- 15.30%
- Q1
- 4.14%
- Min
- -36.11%
CVNA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
51.60%
- Max
- 67.95%
- Q3
- 38.08%
- Median
- 15.30%
- Q1
- 4.14%
- Min
- -36.11%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Alibaba Group (BABA) at 10.35% ranks in the top quartile for Net Profit Margin (TTM), ahead of Carvana (CVNA) at 6.40%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
10.35%
- Max
- 17.58%
- Q3
- 8.90%
- Median
- 4.27%
- Q1
- 0.65%
- Min
- -9.03%
CVNA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
6.40%
- Max
- 17.58%
- Q3
- 8.90%
- Median
- 4.27%
- Q1
- 0.65%
- Min
- -9.03%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both Alibaba Group (BABA) at 4.90% and Carvana (CVNA) at 9.12% post Operating Profit Margin (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on operating profitability.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
4.90%
- Max
- 25.31%
- Q3
- 11.55%
- Median
- 5.77%
- Q1
- 1.83%
- Min
- -7.21%
CVNA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
9.12%
- Max
- 25.31%
- Q3
- 11.55%
- Median
- 5.77%
- Q1
- 1.83%
- Min
- -7.21%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | CVNA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 10.22% | 51.60% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.63% | 12.48% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.35% | 6.40% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.90% | 9.12% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.81% | 20.13% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Alibaba Group (BABA) at 1.28 keeps Current Ratio (MRQ) within its industry mid-range, while Carvana (CVNA) at 4.09 sits above the industry mid-range — comfortable liquidity, though possibly with more idle current assets relative to peers.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
1.28
- Max
- 2.65
- Q3
- 1.82
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.06
- Min
- 0.45
CVNA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
4.09
- Max
- 2.65
- Q3
- 1.82
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.06
- Min
- 0.45
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Both Alibaba Group (BABA) at 0.25 and Carvana (CVNA) at 1.39 post Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on leverage.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
0.25
- Max
- 3.27
- Q3
- 1.55
- Median
- 0.48
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
CVNA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
1.39
- Max
- 3.27
- Q3
- 1.55
- Median
- 0.48
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
Carvana (CVNA) reports a problematic Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) of -0.76; operating income or EBIT does not fully cover interest expense, so the ratio points to interest-payment strain. Meanwhile Alibaba Group (BABA) reports 14.21, ranking against industry peers normally.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
14.21
- Max
- 79.22
- Q3
- 35.15
- Median
- 6.48
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- -45.33
CVNA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
-0.76
- Max
- 79.22
- Q3
- 35.15
- Median
- 6.48
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- -45.33
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | CVNA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.28 | 4.09 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.75 | 2.57 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.25 | 1.39 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 14.21 | -0.76 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | CVNA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 2.93% | 51.98% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 2.74% | 51.72% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 5.62% | 14.31% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 7.37% | 29.47% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | CVNA |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 104.01% | -77.71% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | -17.80% | 126.86% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 17.04% | -- |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | -4.24% | -- |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Carvana (CVNA) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — often a deliberate choice to reinvest earnings rather than return cash. Meanwhile Alibaba Group (BABA) reports a yield of 2.85%, ranking against industry peers normally.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
2.85%
- Max
- 6.22%
- Q3
- 2.85%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CVNA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 6.22%
- Q3
- 2.85%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Alibaba Group (BABA) reports an unusual Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) of 187.88% — outside the typical 0–100% range; Carvana (CVNA) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%).
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
187.88%
- Max
- 74.93%
- Q3
- 32.52%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CVNA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 74.93%
- Q3
- 32.52%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | CVNA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.85% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 187.88% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Alibaba Group (BABA) at 20.75 carries typical industry Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM), while Carvana (CVNA) at 49.01 sits in the higher-multiple quartile — CVNA carries a higher trailing earnings multiple relative to peers.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
20.75
- Max
- 59.06
- Q3
- 30.67
- Median
- 20.75
- Q1
- 11.68
- Min
- 1.76
CVNA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
49.01
- Max
- 59.06
- Q3
- 30.67
- Median
- 20.75
- Q1
- 11.68
- Min
- 1.76
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Both Alibaba Group (BABA) at 2.15 and Carvana (CVNA) at 3.14 trade in the higher-multiple quartile for Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) among industry peers, indicating higher trailing revenue multiples than typical peers.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
2.15
- Max
- 4.21
- Q3
- 1.93
- Median
- 0.66
- Q1
- 0.38
- Min
- 0.09
CVNA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
3.14
- Max
- 4.21
- Q3
- 1.93
- Median
- 0.66
- Q1
- 0.38
- Min
- 0.09
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Alibaba Group (BABA) at 1.92 carries typical industry Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), while Carvana (CVNA) at 18.52 sits in the higher-multiple quartile — CVNA carries a higher book-value multiple relative to peers.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
1.92
- Max
- 22.43
- Q3
- 10.49
- Median
- 3.65
- Q1
- 1.73
- Min
- 0.50
CVNA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
18.52
- Max
- 22.43
- Q3
- 10.49
- Median
- 3.65
- Q1
- 1.73
- Min
- 0.50
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | CVNA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 20.75 | 49.01 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.15 | 3.14 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.92 | 18.52 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 133.67 | 95.18 |