Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA)vsCato Corporation (CATO)
BABA
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd
$109.30
+0.68%
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · Cap: $281.47B
CATO
Cato Corporation
$2.41
-0.21%
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · Cap: $47.99M
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd generates 162247% more annual revenue ($1.04T vs $643.67M). BABA leads profitability with a 7.0% profit margin vs -0.9%. BABA appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.52. BABA earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 55/100 (C-).
BABA
Buy55
out of 100
Grade: C-
CATO
Hold40
out of 100
Grade: F
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+58.3%
Fair Value
$365.09
Current Price
$109.30
$255.79 discount
Margin of Safety
+75.6%
Fair Value
$12.36
Current Price
$2.41
$9.95 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Growing faster than its price suggests
Reasonable price relative to book value
Reasonable price relative to book value
Areas to Watch
Moderate valuation
ROE of 7.0% — below average capital efficiency
7.0% margin — thin
Weak financial health signals
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
ROE of -3.7% — below average capital efficiency
Revenue declined 6.2%
Earnings declined 83.3%
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : BABA
The strongest argument for BABA centers on Market Cap, Debt/Equity, PEG Ratio. PEG of 0.52 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : CATO
The strongest argument for CATO centers on Price/Book. PEG of 1.17 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bear Case : BABA
The primary concerns for BABA are P/E Ratio, Return on Equity, Profit Margin.
Bear Case : CATO
The primary concerns for CATO are Market Cap, Return on Equity, Revenue Growth.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
BABA profiles as a value stock while CATO is a turnaround play — different risk/reward profiles.
CATO carries more volatility with a beta of 0.55 — expect wider price swings.
BABA is growing revenue faster at 8.6% — sustainability is the question.
CATO generates stronger free cash flow (13M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
BABA scores higher overall (55/100 vs 40/100). CATO offers better value entry with a 75.6% margin of safety. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · INTERNET RETAIL · USA
Alibaba Group Holding Limited, also known as Alibaba Group and Alibaba.com, is a Chinese multinational technology company specializing in e-commerce, retail, Internet, and technology. Founded on 28 June 1999 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, the company provides consumer-to-consumer (C2C), business-to-consumer (B2C), and business-to-business (B2B) sales services via web portals, as well as electronic payment services, shopping search engines and cloud computing services. It owns and operates a diverse portfolio of companies around the world in numerous business sectors.
Cato Corporation
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · APPAREL RETAIL · USA
The Cato Corporation is a specialty clothing and fashion accessories retailer primarily in the southeastern United States. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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