Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) Upgraded at China Renaissance

China Renaissance upgraded shares of Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has $180.00 price objective on the information services provider’s stock, up from their prior price objective of $134.00.

Several other equities analysts have also commented on the stock. Susquehanna restated a “neutral” rating and set a $110.00 price target on shares of Baidu in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Daiwa Capital Markets set a $160.00 target price on shares of Baidu and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Baidu from $154.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Macquarie raised Baidu from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating and lifted their price target for the company from $91.00 to $176.00 in a report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Baidu in a report on Monday, December 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $157.05.

Baidu Price Performance

Shares of BIDU opened at $138.96 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $48.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.17 and a beta of 0.32. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $137.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $120.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 1.91. Baidu has a 12 month low of $74.71 and a 12 month high of $165.30.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Baidu

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Binnacle Investments Inc bought a new position in Baidu during the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Winthrop Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Baidu in the second quarter valued at $39,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Baidu during the second quarter valued at about $43,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in Baidu by 65.0% during the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 340 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 134 shares during the period. Finally, Ameritas Advisory Services LLC raised its position in Baidu by 12,400.0% in the third quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 375 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 372 shares in the last quarter.

Key Baidu News

Here are the key news stories impacting Baidu this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Baidu’s Board approved a new US$5 billion share repurchase program effective through Dec. 31, 2028 — a sizable buyback that supports the stock and signals management confidence. Baidu Announces New Share Repurchase Program and Dividend Policy
• Positive Sentiment: Baidu unveiled its first-ever common stock dividend policy, marking a shift toward more explicit cash returns to shareholders (supports yield-seeking investors). Baidu Plans First Dividend, $5 Billion Buyback as AI Rally Fades
• Positive Sentiment: Company has a large cash position (~US$42.7B reported in coverage) and will use cash to fund buybacks/dividend — reduces dilution risk and can materially support EPS over time. Baidu (BIDU) Stock Jumps as Tech Giant Launches First Dividend and $5 Billion Buyback
• Positive Sentiment: China Renaissance upgraded BIDU to a Buy, which can add near-term demand from funds following analyst signals. China Renaissance Upgrades Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) to Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: After-hours and Hong Kong trading showed sharp moves higher on the announcement — a market reaction that may partly reflect repositioning after recent volatility. Baidu Stock Surges on First Dividend, New $5B Stock Buyback
• Negative Sentiment: Shares had recently fallen (about 14% over five sessions) and some coverage warns the broader AI rally may be fading — underlying growth concerns could limit multiple expansion despite buybacks. Baidu Plans First Dividend, $5 Billion Buyback as AI Rally Fades
• Negative Sentiment: Pre-market weakness at one point reflected investor concerns about potential tax or regulatory changes in China that could pressure near-term sentiment. What’s Going On With Baidu Stock Wednesday?

About Baidu

Baidu, Inc, founded in 2000 and headquartered in Beijing, is a Chinese multinational technology company best known for operating one of China’s leading internet search engines. The company built its business around online search and related advertising services, providing search, content aggregation and targeted ad placements to consumers and marketers across China. Baidu went public on the NASDAQ in 2005 and has since diversified beyond search into a broader technology and AI-focused portfolio.

Core products and services include the Baidu search platform and mobile app, Baidu Maps and Baidu Baike (an online encyclopedia), along with digital content initiatives.