Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) Shares Sold by Principal Securities Inc.

Principal Securities Inc. lowered its stake in Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) by 60.2% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 2,854 shares of the information services provider’s stock after selling 4,316 shares during the quarter. Principal Securities Inc.’s holdings in Baidu were worth $241,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of BIDU. Maple Rock Capital Partners Inc. acquired a new position in Baidu in the third quarter valued at about $42,748,000. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund acquired a new stake in shares of Baidu during the third quarter worth about $36,272,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Baidu by 1,111.3% during the fourth quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 360,378 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $30,317,000 after purchasing an additional 330,627 shares in the last quarter. Hhlr Advisors LTD. acquired a new stake in shares of Baidu during the third quarter worth about $31,587,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its position in shares of Baidu by 147.5% during the fourth quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 381,456 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $32,161,000 after purchasing an additional 227,338 shares in the last quarter.

Baidu Stock Up 1.7 %

BIDU stock opened at $91.19 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 2.09, a quick ratio of 2.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Baidu, Inc. has a twelve month low of $77.19 and a twelve month high of $116.25. The company’s 50 day moving average is $87.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $88.98. The stock has a market cap of $31.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.94, a PEG ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.46.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BIDU has been the topic of several research reports. Nomura cut shares of Baidu from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Baidu from $83.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. Daiwa Capital Markets reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Baidu in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Baidu from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Baidu from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $111.25.

Baidu 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.