BABA vs. MSTR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BABA and MSTR, 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, MSTR is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | BABA | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alibaba Group Holding Limited | Strategy Incorporated |
| Country | Hong Kong | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Broadline Retail | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 302.48 billion USD | 110.56 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | September 19, 2014 | June 11, 1998 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BABA and MSTR 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 | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 4.88% | -3.01% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -4.29% | -3.70% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 26.38% | 19.80% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 56.79% | 196.59% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.16% | -2.98% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 49.62% | 34.62% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 11.40M | 11.42M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 16.86M | 13.43M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 38.28% | 51.00% |
| Beta | 0.11 | 3.93 |
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.
MSTR
18.10%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
MSTR’s Return on Equity of 18.10% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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.
MSTR
1,036.61%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
MSTR’s Net Profit Margin of 1,036.61% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Software industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
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.
MSTR
1,435.93%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
MSTR’s Operating Profit Margin of 1,435.93% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 13.27% | 18.10% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.19% | 13.42% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.99% | 1,036.61% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.14% | 1,435.93% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.95% | 70.10% |
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.
MSTR
0.68
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
MSTR’s Current Ratio of 0.68 falls into the lower quartile for the Software 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
- 2.14
- 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.
MSTR
0.16
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
MSTR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.16 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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.
MSTR
-30.23
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
MSTR has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -30.23. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.55 | 0.68 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.08 | 0.55 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.23 | 0.16 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.56 | -30.23 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BABA
2.85%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.46%
- Q3
- 2.38%
- Median
- 0.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.85%, BABA offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Broadline Retail industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
MSTR
0.05%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.05%, MSTR offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Software industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
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.
MSTR
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSTR has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.85% | 0.05% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 103.01% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BABA
15.70
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 66.12
- Q3
- 35.17
- Median
- 16.29
- Q1
- 10.47
- Min
- 5.94
BABA’s P/E Ratio of 15.70 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.
MSTR
23.33
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
In the lower quartile for the Software industry, MSTR’s P/E Ratio of 23.33 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BABA
2.04
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.40
- Q3
- 3.33
- Median
- 2.04
- Q1
- 0.80
- Min
- 0.16
BABA’s P/S Ratio of 2.04 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.
MSTR
241.87
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
With a P/S Ratio of 241.87, MSTR trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Software industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
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.
MSTR
2.25
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
MSTR’s P/B Ratio of 2.25 is in the lower quartile for the Software 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 | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 15.70 | 23.33 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.04 | 241.87 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.23 | 2.25 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 26.22 | 1,906.66 |