BABA
Alibaba Group Holding Limited
Specialty Retail
Market Cap$319.30B
5Y Perf.-36.2%
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Stock Comparison
BABA vs AMZN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
AMZN
Amazon.com, Inc.
Specialty Retail
Market Cap$2.94T
5Y Perf.+124.0%
BABA vs AMZN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | BABA | AMZN |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Specialty Retail | Specialty Retail |
| Market Cap | $319.30B | $2.94T |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.01T | $742.78B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $123.35B | $90.80B |
| Gross Margin | 41.2% | 50.6% |
| Operating Margin | 10.9% | 11.5% |
| Forward P/E | 3.9x | 35.1x |
| Total Debt | $248.49B | $152.99B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $181.73B | $86.81B |
BABA vs AMZN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
BABA
AMZN
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alibaba Group Holdi… (BABA) | 100 | 63.8 | -36.2% |
| Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) | 100 | 224.0 | +124.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: BABA vs AMZN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: AMZN leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Alibaba Group Holding Limited is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
BABA
Alibaba Group Holding Limited
The Income Pick
BABA is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 1.21, yield 1.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.21, Low D/E 22.8%, current ratio 1.54x
- Beta 1.21, yield 1.3%, current ratio 1.54x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
AMZN
Amazon.com, Inc.
The Growth Play
AMZN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 12.4%, EPS growth 29.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 11.7%
- 7.3% 10Y total return vs BABA's 73.6%
- 12.4% revenue growth vs BABA's 5.9%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | AMZN | 12.4% revenue growth vs BABA's 5.9% |
| Value | BABA | Lower P/E (3.9x vs 35.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | AMZN | 12.2% margin vs BABA's 12.2% |
| Stability / Safety | BABA | Beta 1.21 vs AMZN's 1.51, lower leverage |
| Dividends | BABA | 1.3% yield; 2-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | AMZN | +46.8% vs BABA's +6.1% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | AMZN | 11.5% ROA vs BABA's 6.7%, ROIC 14.7% vs 9.6% |
BABA vs AMZN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
BABA vs AMZN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLAMZNLAGGINGBABA
BABAAlibaba Group Holding…
1leads
AMZNAmazon.com, Inc.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs BABAMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
AMZN5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
BABA6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
AMZN7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
AMZN6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AMZN leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BABA and AMZN operate at a comparable scale, with $1.01T and $742.8B in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 12.2% (AMZN) to 12.2% (BABA). On growth, AMZN holds the edge at +16.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | BABAAlibaba Group Hol… | AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.01T | $742.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $114.6B | $155.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $123.4B | $90.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $2.6B | -$2.5B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +41.2% | +50.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +10.9% | +11.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +12.2% | +12.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +0.3% | -0.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.8% | +16.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -52.0% | +74.8% |
AMZN leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
BABA leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 16.8x trailing earnings, BABA trades at a 56% valuation discount to AMZN's 38.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, BABA's 12.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than AMZN's 20.6x.
| Metric | BABAAlibaba Group Hol… | AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $319.3B | $2.94T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $329.1B | $3.01T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 16.84x | 38.15x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 3.87x | 35.07x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.36x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 12.77x | 20.64x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.19x | 4.10x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.00x | 7.20x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 27.89x | 382.27x |
BABA leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AMZN leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AMZN delivers a 23.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $23 in annual profit, vs $11 for BABA. BABA carries lower financial leverage with a 0.23x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to AMZN's 0.37x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), BABA scores 7/9 vs AMZN's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | BABAAlibaba Group Hol… | AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +11.2% | +23.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +6.7% | +11.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.6% | +14.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +10.4% | +15.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.23x | 0.37x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $66.8B | $66.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $181.7B | $86.8B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $248.5B | $153.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 15.74x | 39.96x |
AMZN leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
AMZN leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AMZN five years ago would be worth $16,726 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,035 for BABA. Over the past 12 months, AMZN leads with a +46.8% total return vs BABA's +6.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AMZN at 37.3% vs BABA's 18.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | BABAAlibaba Group Hol… | AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -15.1% | +20.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +6.1% | +46.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +64.5% | +158.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -39.6% | +67.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +73.6% | +730.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +18.0% | +37.3% |
AMZN leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — BABA and AMZN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
BABA is the less volatile stock with a 1.21 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than AMZN's 1.51 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. AMZN currently trades 98.2% from its 52-week high vs BABA's 68.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | BABAAlibaba Group Hol… | AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.21x | 1.51x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $192.67 | $278.56 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $103.71 | $183.85 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +68.6% | +98.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 51.2 | 79.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 10.1M | 45.6M |
Evenly matched — BABA and AMZN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates BABA as "Buy" and AMZN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 46.9% upside for BABA (target: $194) vs 12.2% for AMZN (target: $307). BABA is the only dividend payer here at 1.34% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | BABAAlibaba Group Hol… | AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $194.23 | $306.77 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 59 | 94 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.3% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $12.14 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +4.0% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
AMZN leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). BABA leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallAmazon.com, Inc. (AMZN)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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BABA vs AMZN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is BABA or AMZN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Amazon.
com, Inc. (AMZN) is the stronger pick with 12. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 9% for Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA). Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) offers the better valuation at 16. 8x trailing P/E (3. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) a "Buy" — based on 59 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — BABA or AMZN?
On trailing P/E, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) is the cheapest at 16.
8x versus Amazon. com, Inc. at 38. 1x. On forward P/E, Alibaba Group Holding Limited is actually cheaper at 3. 9x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — BABA or AMZN?
Over the past 5 years, Amazon.
com, Inc. (AMZN) delivered a total return of +67. 3%, compared to -39. 6% for Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AMZN returned +730. 1% versus BABA's +73. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — BABA or AMZN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
21β versus Amazon. com, Inc. 's 1. 51β — meaning AMZN is approximately 25% more volatile than BABA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 23% versus 37% for Amazon. com, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — BABA or AMZN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Amazon.
com, Inc. (AMZN) is pulling ahead at 12. 4% versus 5. 9% for Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Alibaba Group Holding Limited grew EPS 70. 9% year-over-year, compared to 29. 7% for Amazon. com, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, AMZN leads at 11. 7% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — BABA or AMZN?
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) is the more profitable company, earning 13.
1% net margin versus 10. 8% for Amazon. com, Inc. — meaning it keeps 13. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BABA leads at 14. 1% versus 11. 2% for AMZN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AMZN leads at 50. 3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is BABA or AMZN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) trades at 3.
9x forward P/E versus 35. 1x for Amazon. com, Inc. — 31. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for BABA: 46. 9% to $194. 23.
08Which pays a better dividend — BABA or AMZN?
In this comparison, BABA (1.
3% yield) pays a dividend. AMZN does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is BABA or AMZN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.
21), 1. 3% yield). Amazon. com, Inc. (AMZN) carries a higher beta of 1. 51 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (BABA: +73. 6%, AMZN: +730. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between BABA and AMZN?
Both stocks operate in the Consumer Cyclical sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: BABA is a large-cap deep-value stock; AMZN is a mega-cap quality compounder stock. BABA pays a dividend while AMZN does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(BABA: 4.8% · AMZN: 16.6%)Net Margin>
%
(BABA: 12.2% · AMZN: 12.2%)P/E Ratio<
x
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