Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) Downgraded by Arete Research to “Hold”

Arete Research cut shares of Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Monday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Arete Research currently has $108.00 price target on the information services provider’s stock.

A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on BIDU. Morgan Stanley lowered Baidu from an “equal weight” rating to an “underweight” rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $130.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. Zacks Research lowered Baidu from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Monday, July 20th. Susquehanna decreased their price target on shares of Baidu from $140.00 to $105.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 28th. Citigroup reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Baidu in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. Finally, Barclays cut their target price on shares of Baidu from $124.00 to $96.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Baidu currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $152.94.

Baidu Price Performance

BIDU opened at $92.55 on Monday. Baidu has a twelve month low of $89.60 and a twelve month high of $165.30. The firm has a market cap of $31.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -43.86, a PEG ratio of 4.39 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a current ratio of 2.33, a quick ratio of 2.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $105.05 and a 200 day simple moving average of $116.52.

Institutional Trading of Baidu

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in Baidu by 104.7% during the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 97,981 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $11,198,000 after acquiring an additional 50,126 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc grew its stake in shares of Baidu by 106.1% in the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,834 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $210,000 after purchasing an additional 944 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP increased its holdings in shares of Baidu by 1,234.8% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 3,377 shares of the information services provider’s stock valued at $386,000 after purchasing an additional 3,124 shares during the period. Waverly Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Baidu by 14.5% during the second quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC now owns 2,224 shares of the information services provider’s stock valued at $254,000 after purchasing an additional 281 shares during the period. Finally, Nykredit A S bought a new stake in shares of Baidu during the second quarter valued at about $20,993,000.

More Baidu News

Here are the key news stories impacting Baidu this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Baidu reported increased share repurchases in Hong Kong under its August 2026 buyback mandate. Buybacks can support earnings per share and signal management confidence by reducing the number of shares outstanding. Baidu Steps Up Hong Kong Share Buybacks Under August 2026 Mandate
• Positive Sentiment: Baidu’s Hong Kong-listed Class A shares were added to the Shanghai-Hong Kong and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programs. The inclusion may broaden mainland Chinese investor access and potentially improve liquidity and demand for the shares. Baidu Shares Added to Shanghai and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect Programs
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary highlighted Baidu’s decline ahead of a potential Xi-Trump summit, with traders viewing the weakness as a possible trading opportunity. However, the headline reflects geopolitical uncertainty rather than a company-specific operating update. BIDU Stock Plunges Premarket
• Negative Sentiment: Arete Research downgraded Baidu from “strong buy” to “hold,” although its new $108 price target remains above the reference price. The rating change removes a bullish catalyst and likely contributed to selling pressure. Briefing.com analyst update
• Negative Sentiment: Pomerantz LLP announced an investigation into potential claims on behalf of Baidu investors. The announcement could increase reputational and litigation concerns, though it does not establish wrongdoing or guarantee a successful case. Pomerantz Investor Alert

Baidu Company 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.