BABA vs. EBAY: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BABA and EBAY, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
BABA trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, EBAY is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | BABA | EBAY |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alibaba Group Holding Limited | eBay Inc. |
| Country | Hong Kong | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry | Broadline Retail | Broadline Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 423.30 billion USD | 42.08 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | September 19, 2014 | September 24, 1998 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BABA and EBAY 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 | BABA | EBAY |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -4.34% | 4.16% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 74.44% | 20.65% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 40.04% | 38.76% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 54.12% | 37.91% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.34% | 1.24% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 113.61% | 48.64% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 17.34M | 6.34M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 16.71M | 5.88M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 49.26% | 44.43% |
| Beta | 0.31 | 1.37 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
EBAY
43.08%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 47.53%
- Q3
- 31.20%
- Median
- 16.63%
- Q1
- 10.81%
- Min
- -7.57%
In the upper quartile for the Broadline Retail industry, EBAY’s Return on Equity of 43.08% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
EBAY
20.86%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.63%
- Q3
- 12.77%
- Median
- 8.63%
- Q1
- 4.50%
- Min
- -1.62%
A Net Profit Margin of 20.86% places EBAY 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)
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.
EBAY
21.38%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 27.48%
- Q3
- 17.60%
- Median
- 10.82%
- Q1
- 7.76%
- Min
- -6.73%
An Operating Profit Margin of 21.38% places EBAY in the upper quartile for the Broadline Retail industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | EBAY |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 14.91% | 43.08% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.16% | 11.47% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.82% | 20.86% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.98% | 21.38% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.18% | 71.88% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
EBAY
1.00
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.54
- Q3
- 2.42
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.69
EBAY’s Current Ratio of 1.00 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
EBAY
1.42
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.01
- Q3
- 1.31
- Median
- 0.72
- Q1
- 0.32
- Min
- 0.00
EBAY’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Broadline Retail industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.42. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
EBAY
57.95
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 37.34
- Q3
- 21.16
- Median
- 8.60
- Q1
- 3.22
- Min
- -19.29
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 57.95, EBAY demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Broadline Retail industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | EBAY |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.45 | 1.00 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.97 | 0.97 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.23 | 1.42 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.56 | 57.95 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BABA
1.84%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 4.06%
- Q3
- 2.07%
- Median
- 0.37%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BABA’s Dividend Yield of 1.84% is consistent with its peers in the Broadline Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
EBAY
1.24%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 4.06%
- Q3
- 2.07%
- Median
- 0.37%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
EBAY’s Dividend Yield of 1.24% is consistent with its peers in the Broadline Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
EBAY
24.13%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 114.82%
- Q3
- 62.39%
- Median
- 28.55%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
EBAY’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 24.13% is within the typical range for the Broadline Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | EBAY |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.84% | 1.24% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 103.01% | 24.13% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BABA
21.23
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 62.76
- Q3
- 32.50
- Median
- 17.65
- Q1
- 12.08
- Min
- 6.87
BABA’s P/E Ratio of 21.23 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.
EBAY
19.48
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 62.76
- Q3
- 32.50
- Median
- 17.65
- Q1
- 12.08
- Min
- 6.87
EBAY’s P/E Ratio of 19.48 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)
BABA
3.15
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.19
- Q3
- 3.25
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.21
BABA’s P/S Ratio of 3.15 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.
EBAY
4.06
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.19
- Q3
- 3.25
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.21
EBAY’s P/S Ratio of 4.06 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
EBAY
7.23
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 8.81
- Q3
- 5.19
- Median
- 3.42
- Q1
- 1.75
- Min
- 0.73
EBAY’s P/B Ratio of 7.23 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | EBAY |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.23 | 19.48 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.15 | 4.06 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.90 | 7.23 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 40.60 | 20.00 |