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BABA vs BABAF
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) vs. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABAF) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both BABA and BABAF offer direct exposure to Alibaba Group Holding Limited's core businesses in e-commerce, cloud computing, and emerging AI technologies.
- In recent market activity, BABA has delivered year-to-date gains of approximately 11%, while BABAF has shown stronger year-to-date performance around 18%.
- Alibaba's shares have faced downward pressure following a Q3 fiscal 2026 earnings miss, with the stock down about 31% from recent highs amid e-commerce slowdowns offset by cloud growth.
- BABA, traded as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR) on the NYSE, boasts significantly higher liquidity with millions in daily volume, compared to BABAF's OTC trading with minimal volume.
- Recent AI initiatives, including new data centers and investments, signal potential catalysts for Alibaba's cloud and AI segments.
- Tickeron's technical analysis shows BABAF with a slight edge in bullish indicators, though practical trading favors BABA.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines BABA and BABAF, two tickers providing exposure to Alibaba Group Holding Limited, a global leader in e-commerce, cloud services, and AI. BABA trades as an ADR on the NYSE, while BABAF represents ordinary shares on OTC markets. Investors and traders comparing these may seek the optimal vehicle for accessing Alibaba's growth amid China tech sector dynamics, liquidity preferences, or relative performance in volatile markets. This analysis highlights key differences in trading, sentiment, and market positioning for informed decision-making in the current environment.
BABA Overview and Recent Performance
BABA is the American Depositary Receipt for Alibaba Group Holding Limited, listed on the NYSE, providing U.S. investors convenient access to the company's operations in digital retail platforms like Taobao and Tmall, international e-commerce via AliExpress, cloud computing, and AI innovations. In recent weeks, the stock has traded around $131, within a 52-week range of $104 to $193, reflecting broader pressures from regulatory scrutiny and economic headwinds in China. Performance has been influenced by a Q3 fiscal 2026 earnings report in March that missed estimates, with revenue growth tempered by e-commerce softness despite 36% cloud expansion and AI advancements like new chip deployments and partnerships. Sentiment has shifted toward optimism on AI catalysts, though shares remain down significantly from peaks, prompting focus on upcoming quarterly results.
BABAF Overview and Recent Performance
BABAF tracks Alibaba Group Holding Limited's ordinary shares via OTC Pink Sheets in USD, mirroring the Hong Kong primary listing and offering an alternative entry to the same ecosystem of e-commerce platforms, logistics via Cainiao, cloud services, and AI developments. Recently, it has hovered near $15.42, in a 52-week range of $12.60 to $23.99, closely correlating with BABA but at roughly an 8:1 ratio due to ADR structure. Like its ADR counterpart, recent activity reflects earnings disappointment and e-commerce challenges, balanced by cloud momentum and AI investments such as data center launches with proprietary chips. Lower trading volume has amplified price swings, contributing to relatively stronger year-to-date gains amid heightened volatility.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Fundamentally identical in business model, both BABA and BABAF benefit from Alibaba's e-commerce dominance, accelerating cloud growth, and AI expansions like Qwen models and chip initiatives, but face risks from China regulations and geopolitical tensions. Recent momentum shows parallel declines post-earnings, with BABAF exhibiting slightly higher year-to-date returns yet greater volatility due to thin liquidity. BABA excels in sector exposure via high-volume NYSE trading, enabling tighter spreads and institutional participation, while BABAF trades at a modest discount but suits niche strategies tolerant of lower volume. Market sentiment tilts toward AI-driven recovery for both, weighing e-commerce headwinds against cloud catalysts.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward BABA for its superior liquidity, higher trading volume, and better alignment with active strategies in trending market conditions, offering more consistent trend execution and reduced slippage risks compared to BABAF. While both track Alibaba's underlying trends and catalysts like AI advancements, BABA's positioning provides a probabilistic edge for near-term relative performance.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full Disclaimers and Limitations.
To understand the difference between Alibaba Group Holding Ltd - ADR (BABA) vs. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABAF) it is enough to know the definitions of ADR
ADR - American depositary receipt (ADR) is a certificate issued by a U.S. depositary bank representing a specified number of shares (often 1 share) of a foreign company's stock. ADRs are denominated in U.S. dollars and trade on U.S. stock markets and OTC depending on the ADRs classification.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
BABA’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileBABAF’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- BABA’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- BABAF’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
BABA’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while BABAF’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- BABA’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
- BABAF’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
BABA (@Internet Retail) experienced а +6.51% price change this week, while BABAF (@Internet Retail) price change was +4.69% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Internet Retail industry was -0.16%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.66%, and the average quarterly price growth was -13.22%.
Reported Earning Dates
BABA is expected to report earnings on May 13, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Internet Retail (-0.16% weekly)The internet retail industry includes companies that sell products and services through the Internet. With more and more consumers using online retailers, the companies have seen a big increase in the use of their services. Some of the companies in the group are focused on selling business-to-business products and services. Others sell business-to-consumer products and services. Internet retailers offer a wide variety of products like books, apparel, and electronics. Some companies even specialize in only one or two categories. One potentially critical factor for players to thrive in this space is the quality and speed of product delivery. This requires an investment in efficient distribution networks. Things like logistics are important factors in the success in the extremely competitive industry. For a company to stay relevant in the industry it must have effective pricing strategies and upgraded websites. The websites must be easy to navigate and engaging for customers. In addition to the revenues generated from straight sales, internet retailers can generate revenue from subscription fees and advertising. Amazon.com, Inc., Alibaba Group, and JD.com are some of the global leaders.
| BABA | BABAF | BABA / BABAF | |
| Capitalization | 340B | 340B | 100% |
| EBITDA | 162B | 162B | 100% |
| Gain YTD | -4.448 | 0.148 | -2,996% |
| P/E Ratio | 24.64 | 24.68 | 100% |
| Revenue | 1.01T | 1.01T | 100% |
| Total Cash | 374B | 374B | 100% |
| Total Debt | 282B | 282B | 100% |
BABA | BABAF | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 71 | 32 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 60 Fair valued | 60 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 61 | 61 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 53 | 61 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 25 | 28 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
BABA's Valuation (60) in the Internet Retail industry is in the same range as BABAF (60) in the null industry. This means that BABA’s stock grew similarly to BABAF’s over the last 12 months.
BABA's Profit vs Risk Rating (100) in the Internet Retail industry is in the same range as BABAF (100) in the null industry. This means that BABA’s stock grew similarly to BABAF’s over the last 12 months.
BABA's SMR Rating (61) in the Internet Retail industry is in the same range as BABAF (61) in the null industry. This means that BABA’s stock grew similarly to BABAF’s over the last 12 months.
BABA's Price Growth Rating (53) in the Internet Retail industry is in the same range as BABAF (61) in the null industry. This means that BABA’s stock grew similarly to BABAF’s over the last 12 months.
BABA's P/E Growth Rating (25) in the Internet Retail industry is in the same range as BABAF (28) in the null industry. This means that BABA’s stock grew similarly to BABAF’s over the last 12 months.
| BABA | BABAF | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 80% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 77% | 1 day ago 74% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 69% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | N/A | 1 day ago 76% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 70% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 68% | 1 day ago 68% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 23 days ago 69% | 1 day ago 68% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 77% | 17 days ago 79% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 77% | N/A |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 72% | 1 day ago 84% |
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BABAF and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, BABAF has been loosely correlated with BABA. These tickers have moved in lockstep 57% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if BABAF jumps, then BABA could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To BABAF | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BABAF | 100% | +7.85% | ||
| BABA - BABAF | 57% Loosely correlated | -0.67% | ||
| JD - BABAF | 48% Loosely correlated | -0.26% | ||
| MPNGY - BABAF | 46% Loosely correlated | +0.09% | ||
| VIPS - BABAF | 38% Loosely correlated | -0.55% | ||
| JDCMF - BABAF | 36% Loosely correlated | N/A | ||
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