Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) Sees Large Volume Increase – Still a Buy?

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Monday . Approximately 3,991,747 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 4% from the previous session’s volume of 3,853,191 shares.The stock last traded at $98.50 and had previously closed at $93.82.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Nomura cut Baidu from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of Baidu from $142.00 to $141.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 29th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Baidu from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. China Renaissance cut shares of Baidu from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $86.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Monday, November 25th. Finally, Mizuho increased their target price on Baidu from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $111.25.

Baidu Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $35.89 billion, a PE ratio of 11.15, a PEG ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.47. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $88.34 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $89.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 2.09 and a quick ratio of 2.19.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Baidu

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BIDU. Atria Investments Inc purchased a new position in shares of Baidu during the third quarter worth about $216,000. Apollon Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Baidu in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $315,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP increased its holdings in shares of Baidu by 40.3% in the third quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 4,859 shares of the information services provider’s stock valued at $512,000 after purchasing an additional 1,396 shares during the period. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. raised its stake in shares of Baidu by 6.9% during the third quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 5,563 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $586,000 after purchasing an additional 357 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Natixis Advisors LLC grew its position in Baidu by 18.9% in the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 16,822 shares of the information services provider’s stock valued at $1,771,000 after buying an additional 2,669 shares during the last quarter.

About Baidu

Baidu, Inc engages in the provision of internet search services in China. It operates through two segments: Baidu Core and iQIYI. The company offers Baidu App to access search, feed, and other services using mobile devices; Baidu Search to access its search and other services; Baidu Feed that provides users with personalized timeline based on their demographics and interests; Baidu Health that helps users to find the doctor and hospital for healthcare needs; and Haokan, a short video app.