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Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW)

This page compares Alibaba Group (BABA) with Lowe's (LOW) using historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation metrics.

Company Profile

Alibaba Group (BABA) and Lowe's (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 (LOW) 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.

SymbolBABALOW
Company NameAlibaba Group Holding LimitedLowe's Companies, Inc.
Country/RegionHong KongUnited States
GICS SectorConsumer DiscretionaryConsumer Discretionary
GICS Industry GroupConsumer Discretionary Distribution & RetailConsumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail
GICS IndustryBroadline RetailSpecialty Retail
GICS Sub-IndustryBroadline RetailHome Improvement Retail
Market Capitalization325.42 billion USD122.30 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateSeptember 19, 2014March 17, 1980
Security TypeADRCommon Stock

Historical Performance

BABA
LOW
Loading price history…
Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolBABALOW
5-Day Price Return-6.97%-2.90%
13-Week Price Return-12.73%-24.14%
26-Week Price Return-15.65%-6.44%
52-Week Price Return10.31%-6.92%
Month-to-Date Return2.85%-8.70%
Year-to-Date Return-7.46%-9.60%
10-Day Avg. Volume16.28M2.69M
3-Month Avg. Volume11.82M2.77M
3-Month Volatility42.02%31.17%
Beta0.480.90

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

Lowe's (LOW) posts Return on Equity (TTM) of 264.53%, above its industry benchmark range, while Alibaba Group (BABA) at 10.22% 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%

LOW

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

264.53%

Max
67.95%
Q3
38.08%
Median
15.30%
Q1
4.14%
Min
-36.11%
Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW): A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

Alibaba Group (BABA) at 10.35% ranks in the top quartile for Net Profit Margin (TTM), ahead of Lowe's (LOW) at 7.71%, 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%

LOW

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

7.71%

Max
17.58%
Q3
8.90%
Median
4.27%
Q1
0.65%
Min
-9.03%
Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW): A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

Lowe's (LOW) at 11.77% ranks in the top quartile for Operating Profit Margin (TTM), ahead of Alibaba Group (BABA) at 4.90%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

4.90%

Max
25.31%
Q3
11.76%
Median
5.77%
Q1
1.83%
Min
-7.21%

LOW

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

11.77%

Max
25.31%
Q3
11.76%
Median
5.77%
Q1
1.83%
Min
-7.21%
Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW): A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolBABALOW
Return on Equity (TTM)10.22%264.53%
Return on Assets (TTM)5.63%13.34%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)10.35%7.71%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)4.90%11.77%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)39.81%33.47%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Alibaba Group (BABA) at 1.28 and Lowe's (LOW) at 1.08 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
2.65
Q3
1.82
Median
1.40
Q1
1.06
Min
0.45

LOW

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

1.08

Max
2.65
Q3
1.82
Median
1.40
Q1
1.06
Min
0.45
Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW): A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

Alibaba Group (BABA) at 0.25 is around its industry mid-range for Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ), while Lowe's (LOW) at 52.23 sits above its industry benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

0.25

Max
3.27
Q3
1.55
Median
0.48
Q1
0.01
Min
0.00

LOW

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

52.23

Max
3.27
Q3
1.55
Median
0.48
Q1
0.01
Min
0.00
Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW): A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

Both Alibaba Group (BABA) at 14.21 and Lowe's (LOW) at 7.22 post Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on interest-coverage headroom.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

14.21

Max
79.22
Q3
35.15
Median
6.48
Q1
1.53
Min
-45.33

LOW

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

7.22

Max
79.22
Q3
35.15
Median
6.48
Q1
1.53
Min
-45.33
Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW): A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolBABALOW
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.281.08
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.750.19
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.2552.23
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)14.217.22

Growth

Revenue Growth

Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

Revenue Growth at a Glance

SymbolBABALOW
Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY)2.93%10.94%
Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY)2.74%3.12%
3-Year Revenue CAGR5.62%-3.85%
5-Year Revenue CAGR7.37%-0.75%

EPS Growth

Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth at a Glance

SymbolBABALOW
EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY)104.01%-10.49%
EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY)-17.80%-2.89%
3-Year EPS CAGR17.04%5.22%
5-Year EPS CAGR-4.24%8.84%

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Alibaba Group (BABA) at 2.85% reports Dividend Yield (TTM) in the top quartile of industry peers, ahead of Lowe's (LOW) at 2.16%, which sits around the industry mid-range.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

2.85%

Max
6.39%
Q3
2.85%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

LOW

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

2.16%

Max
6.39%
Q3
2.85%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW): A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Alibaba Group (BABA) reports an unusual Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) of 187.88% — outside the typical 0–100% range, indicating either negative earnings (negative ratio) or dividends above current-period earnings (above 100%), both signaling sustainability concerns. Meanwhile Lowe's (LOW) reports 39.62%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

187.88%

Max
74.93%
Q3
33.16%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

LOW

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

39.62%

Max
74.93%
Q3
33.16%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW): A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolBABALOW
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.85%2.16%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)187.88%39.62%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

Both Alibaba Group (BABA) at 20.74 and Lowe's (LOW) at 18.36 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

20.74

Max
58.62
Q3
30.54
Median
19.27
Q1
11.31
Min
1.87

LOW

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

18.36

Max
58.62
Q3
30.54
Median
19.27
Q1
11.31
Min
1.87
Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW): A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

Lowe's (LOW) at 1.42 carries typical industry Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), while Alibaba Group (BABA) at 2.15 sits in the higher-multiple quartile — BABA carries a higher trailing revenue multiple relative to peers.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

2.15

Max
4.20
Q3
1.90
Median
0.65
Q1
0.35
Min
0.08

LOW

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

1.42

Max
4.20
Q3
1.90
Median
0.65
Q1
0.35
Min
0.08
Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW): A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

Alibaba Group (BABA) at 1.92 hovers around the typical industry Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), while Lowe's (LOW) at 316.28 sits above its industry benchmark range — an elevated book-value multiple for LOW relative to peers.

BABA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

1.92

Max
18.52
Q3
10.49
Median
3.65
Q1
1.73
Min
0.50

LOW

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

316.28

Max
18.52
Q3
10.49
Median
3.65
Q1
1.73
Min
0.50
Alibaba Group (BABA) vs. Lowe's (LOW): A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolBABALOW
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)20.7418.36
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)2.151.42
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)1.92316.28
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)133.5615.97