Investors Buy Large Volume of Call Options on Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU)

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) was the target of unusually large options trading on Monday. Investors purchased 59,509 call options on the stock. This is an increase of 26% compared to the typical volume of 47,208 call options.

Baidu Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ BIDU traded up $7.04 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $100.86. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 6,021,237 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,864,837. Baidu has a 12-month low of $77.20 and a 12-month high of $116.25. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $88.34 and a 200-day moving average price of $89.44. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.00, a PEG ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.47. 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

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Rialto Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Baidu in the 4th quarter worth approximately $42,000. Sycomore Asset Management bought a new stake in shares of Baidu in the 4th quarter worth approximately $51,000. GeoWealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Baidu by 88.5% in the 4th quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 656 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 308 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Baidu in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $72,000. Finally, Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Baidu in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $82,000.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BIDU has been the subject of several analyst reports. Daiwa Capital Markets reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Baidu in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Susquehanna lowered Baidu from a “positive” rating to a “neutral” rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $105.00 to $85.00 in a research report on Monday, November 25th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Baidu from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. China Renaissance lowered 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, Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $130.00 price objective on shares of Baidu in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Baidu has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $111.25.

Baidu Company Profile

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.