Kestra Advisory Services LLC Acquires 7,013 Shares of Baidu, Inc. $BIDU

Kestra Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) by 54.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,796 shares of the information services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 7,013 shares during the quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in Baidu were worth $2,206,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Empowered Funds LLC bought a new stake in shares of Baidu in the 1st quarter valued at about $334,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Baidu by 71.6% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,182 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $101,000 after acquiring an additional 493 shares during the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC increased its stake in Baidu by 53.3% in the 2nd quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 9,670 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $829,000 after purchasing an additional 3,362 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP increased its stake in Baidu by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 50,033 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $4,291,000 after purchasing an additional 1,259 shares during the period. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new position in Baidu in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $254,000.

Baidu Stock Performance

BIDU opened at $107.24 on Monday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $121.83 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $128.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -893.59, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 1.85 and a quick ratio of 1.85. Baidu, Inc. has a one year low of $84.64 and a one year high of $165.30.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Baidu from $135.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 19th. Zacks Research raised shares of Baidu from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, June 15th. Susquehanna upped their price target on shares of Baidu from $120.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 20th. Bank of America dropped their price target on shares of Baidu from $180.00 to $165.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and set a $215.00 price target on shares of Baidu in a research report on Tuesday, May 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Baidu currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $165.33.

More Baidu News

Here are the key news stories impacting Baidu this week:

• Negative Sentiment: JPMorgan lowered its price target on Baidu from $230 to $205, even while keeping an overweight rating, reinforcing investor concern that near-term fundamentals may be softer than previously expected. Benzinga report on JPMorgan price target cut
• Negative Sentiment: Another recent analyst note pointed to weaker advertising trends and heavier AI investment, saying Baidu’s core online marketing business remains under pressure as traffic softens. QuiverQuant article on Baidu Slides as Tech Selloff and Advertising Concerns Pressure Shares
• Negative Sentiment: Shares also faced a sector-wide selloff in Hong Kong tech stocks, adding pressure to Baidu alongside broader risk-off sentiment in growth names. QuiverQuant article on tech selloff pressure
• Neutral Sentiment: Baidu announced plans to convert its Hong Kong listing to dual-primary status, which could improve access to mainland investors and support future funding flexibility, but the market appears to be treating this as a longer-term strategic move rather than an immediate earnings catalyst. PR Newswire listing conversion announcement
• Positive Sentiment: Recent reports that Apple approved generative AI features for launch in China, with Baidu involved in the rollout, helped lift sentiment earlier in the week by highlighting potential AI partnership upside. TechCrunch report on Apple Intelligence in China

Baidu Profile

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.