BABA vs. TSM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BABA and TSM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
Both BABA and TSM are American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). This provides U.S. investors with straightforward access to investing in these foreign-listed companies.
| Symbol | BABA | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alibaba Group Holding Limited | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited |
| Country | Hong Kong | Taiwan |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Broadline Retail | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 435.84 billion USD | 1,496.16 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | September 19, 2014 | October 9, 1997 |
| Security Type | ADR | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BABA and TSM 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 | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 4.17% | -2.61% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 60.38% | 20.28% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 34.76% | 33.16% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 72.24% | 17.52% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 2.27% | 12.50% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 115.57% | 21.40% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 21.92M | 36.74M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 16.44M | 33.53M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 49.36% | 24.13% |
| Beta | 0.31 | 1.33 |
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.
TSM
33.51%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 47.13%
- Q3
- 23.50%
- Median
- 9.94%
- Q1
- 0.86%
- Min
- -20.69%
In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, TSM’s Return on Equity of 33.51% 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.
TSM
42.92%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.41%
- Q3
- 23.88%
- Median
- 10.17%
- Q1
- 1.21%
- Min
- -32.15%
A Net Profit Margin of 42.92% places TSM in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.
TSM
48.71%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.09%
- Q3
- 27.54%
- Median
- 11.18%
- Q1
- 3.31%
- Min
- -28.36%
An Operating Profit Margin of 48.71% places TSM in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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 | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 14.91% | 33.51% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.16% | 21.63% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.82% | 42.92% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.98% | 48.71% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.18% | 58.58% |
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.
TSM
2.37
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.58
- Q3
- 4.24
- Median
- 2.73
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 1.02
TSM’s Current Ratio of 2.37 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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
- 2.01
- 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.
TSM
0.21
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.48
- Median
- 0.25
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
TSM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.21 is typical for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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
- 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.
TSM
8.32
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 174.00
- Q3
- 74.71
- Median
- 26.06
- Q1
- 6.43
- Min
- -7.80
TSM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.32 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.45 | 2.37 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.97 | 2.15 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.23 | 0.21 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.56 | 8.32 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BABA
1.88%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 4.06%
- Q3
- 2.07%
- Median
- 0.37%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BABA’s Dividend Yield of 1.88% is consistent with its peers in the Broadline Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
TSM
1.23%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.72%
- Q3
- 1.51%
- Median
- 0.69%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
TSM’s Dividend Yield of 1.23% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.
TSM
28.42%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 205.27%
- Q3
- 88.01%
- Median
- 27.13%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
TSM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.42% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.88% | 1.23% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 103.01% | 28.42% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BABA
20.82
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 62.76
- Q3
- 32.50
- Median
- 17.65
- Q1
- 12.08
- Min
- 6.87
BABA’s P/E Ratio of 20.82 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.
TSM
23.18
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 106.30
- Q3
- 61.93
- Median
- 38.96
- Q1
- 23.71
- Min
- 13.06
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, TSM’s P/E Ratio of 23.18 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BABA
3.08
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.19
- Q3
- 3.25
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.21
BABA’s P/S Ratio of 3.08 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.
TSM
9.95
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 19.99
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 5.23
- Q1
- 2.88
- Min
- 1.13
TSM’s P/S Ratio of 9.95 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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
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.
TSM
6.00
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 14.22
- Q3
- 6.94
- Median
- 4.29
- Q1
- 1.99
- Min
- 0.67
TSM’s P/B Ratio of 6.00 is within the conventional range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BABA | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 20.82 | 23.18 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.08 | 9.95 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.90 | 6.00 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 39.82 | 36.24 |