Alibaba (BABA) vs. Lowe's Companies (LOW)
This page compares Alibaba (BABA) with Lowe's Companies (LOW) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Company Profile
Alibaba (BABA) and Lowe's Companies (LOW) both fall under the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group, but BABA is classified in Broadline Retail while LOW is classified in Specialty Retail.
Lowe's Companies (LOW) trades as a standard ordinary-equity line, while Alibaba (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 | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Alibaba Group Holding Limited SP ADR | Lowe's Companies Inc. |
| 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 | Home Improvement Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 302.17 billion USD | 116.36 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | September 19, 2014 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both Alibaba (BABA) at 19.35 and Lowe's Companies (LOW) at 17.54 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
19.35
- Max
- 49.90
- Q3
- 30.86
- Median
- 19.35
- Q1
- 12.63
- Min
- 1.28
LOW
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
17.54
- Max
- 49.90
- Q3
- 30.86
- Median
- 19.35
- Q1
- 12.63
- Min
- 1.28
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
On Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), both Alibaba (BABA) at 0.30 and Lowe's Companies (LOW) at 1.32 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
0.30
- Max
- 3.68
- Q3
- 1.70
- Median
- 0.66
- Q1
- 0.28
- Min
- 0.03
LOW
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
1.32
- Max
- 3.68
- Q3
- 1.70
- Median
- 0.66
- Q1
- 0.28
- Min
- 0.03
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Lowe's Companies (LOW) reports a negative Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) of -12.56, meaning negative book equity — the multiple itself is not meaningful for valuation. Meanwhile Alibaba (BABA) reports 1.87, ranking against industry peers normally.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
1.87
- Max
- 10.30
- Q3
- 4.84
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- -3.40
LOW
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
-12.56
- Max
- 10.30
- Q3
- 4.84
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- -3.40
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 19.35 | 17.54 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.30 | 1.32 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.87 | -12.56 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | -14.59% | 4.14% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Alibaba (BABA) reports Return on Equity (TTM) of 9.22% and can be ranked against industry peers; Lowe's Companies (LOW) has no value available for this period, so a direct comparison isn’t possible.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
9.22%
- Max
- 61.25%
- Q3
- 30.78%
- Median
- 12.96%
- Q1
- 4.55%
- Min
- -29.94%
LOW
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
--
- Max
- 61.25%
- Q3
- 30.78%
- Median
- 12.96%
- Q1
- 4.55%
- Min
- -29.94%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Alibaba (BABA) at 10.12% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of Lowe's Companies (LOW) at 7.51%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
10.12%
- Max
- 20.45%
- Q3
- 8.59%
- Median
- 3.25%
- Q1
- 0.49%
- Min
- -11.15%
LOW
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
7.51%
- Max
- 20.45%
- Q3
- 8.59%
- Median
- 3.25%
- Q1
- 0.49%
- Min
- -11.15%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Lowe's Companies (LOW) at 11.07% runs core operations around its industry’s norm, while Alibaba (BABA) at 1.02% operates in the bottom quartile.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
1.02%
- Max
- 23.15%
- Q3
- 11.20%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 1.44%
- Min
- -8.07%
LOW
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
11.07%
- Max
- 23.15%
- Q3
- 11.20%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 1.44%
- Min
- -8.07%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.22% | -- |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.12% | 12.79% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.12% | 7.51% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.02% | 11.07% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.81% | 33.29% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 2.74% | 3.12% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 5.62% | -3.85% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | -17.91% | -3.11% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 17.05% | 5.23% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Alibaba (BABA) at 1.28 and Lowe's Companies (LOW) at 1.09 carry Current Ratio (MRQ) within their industry mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
1.28
- Max
- 2.97
- Q3
- 1.88
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.46
LOW
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
1.09
- Max
- 2.97
- Q3
- 1.88
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.46
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Alibaba (BABA) reports Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) of 0.25 and can be ranked against industry peers; Lowe's Companies (LOW) has no value available for this period, so a direct comparison isn’t possible.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
0.25
- Max
- 3.27
- Q3
- 1.82
- Median
- 1.07
- Q1
- 0.71
- Min
- 0.01
LOW
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
--
- Max
- 3.27
- Q3
- 1.82
- Median
- 1.07
- Q1
- 0.71
- Min
- 0.01
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.28 | 1.09 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.25 | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -0.32 | 3.32 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Alibaba (BABA) at 0.83% and Lowe's Companies (LOW) at 2.41% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
0.83%
- Max
- 5.79%
- Q3
- 2.45%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
LOW
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
2.41%
- Max
- 5.79%
- Q3
- 2.45%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Alibaba (BABA) at 17.12% maintains Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) around its industry median — a balanced dividend policy. Lowe's Companies (LOW) at 40.57% sits outside the typical mid-range, leaning toward more retention or more distribution than the industry median.
BABA
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
17.12%
- Max
- 78.51%
- Q3
- 33.46%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
LOW
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group
40.57%
- Max
- 78.51%
- Q3
- 33.46%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.83% | 2.41% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 17.12% | 40.57% |
Performance & Risk
Performance & Risk at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 12.52% | -7.35% |
| 1-Year Volatility | 43.77% | 25.72% |
| Beta | 0.47 | 0.87 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 11.60M | 2.76M |