BABA vs. IP: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BABA and IP, 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, IP is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | BABA | IP |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alibaba Group Holding Limited | International Paper Company |
| Country | Hong Kong | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Broadline Retail | Containers & Packaging |
| Market Capitalization | 287.31 billion USD | 24.82 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | September 19, 2014 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BABA and IP 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 | IP |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.28% | -1.57% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -2.82% | -6.89% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -0.04% | -15.21% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 42.40% | -1.30% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.95% | 0.58% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 40.92% | -12.65% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 11.26M | 3.60M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 14.09M | 4.33M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 33.97% | 35.68% |
| Beta | 0.11 | 1.12 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
IP
-0.20%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 41.66%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- 14.35%
- Q1
- 6.55%
- Min
- 3.64%
IP has a negative Return on Equity of -0.20%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
IP
-0.12%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 11.61%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.91%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- 0.08%
IP has a negative Net Profit Margin of -0.12%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
IP
-0.07%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 22.03%
- Q3
- 13.17%
- Median
- 8.87%
- Q1
- 6.86%
- Min
- 0.07%
IP has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -0.07%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | IP |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 13.27% | -0.20% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.19% | -0.08% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.99% | -0.12% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.14% | -0.07% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.95% | 28.30% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
IP
1.33
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.13
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 1.27
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.58
IP’s Current Ratio of 1.33 aligns with the median group of the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
IP
0.53
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 4.50
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.22
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.23
Falling into the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, IP’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.53 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)
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.
IP
1.71
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 13.16
- Q3
- 8.10
- Median
- 3.61
- Q1
- 2.94
- Min
- 1.06
In the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, IP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.71 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | IP |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.55 | 1.33 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.08 | 0.96 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.23 | 0.53 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.56 | 1.71 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
IP
3.25%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.37%
- Q3
- 4.07%
- Median
- 3.33%
- Q1
- 1.72%
- Min
- 0.00%
IP’s Dividend Yield of 3.25% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
IP
180.00%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 221.20%
- Q3
- 119.52%
- Median
- 58.05%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- Min
- 0.00%
IP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 180.00% is in the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging 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 | BABA | IP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.79% | 3.25% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 103.01% | 180.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
IP
--
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 35.98
- Q3
- 27.87
- Median
- 16.15
- Q1
- 14.38
- Min
- 8.20
P/E Ratio data for IP is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
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.
IP
1.14
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.91
- Q3
- 1.67
- Median
- 0.83
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.30
IP’s P/S Ratio of 1.14 aligns with the market consensus for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
IP
1.33
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 5.28
- Q3
- 3.30
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.89
IP’s P/B Ratio of 1.33 is in the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | IP |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 16.04 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.08 | 1.14 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.23 | 1.33 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 26.78 | 49.64 |