Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) Short Interest Up 17.6% in April

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 6,490,000 shares, an increase of 17.6% from the March 31st total of 5,520,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 3,280,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Baidu

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Baidu in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Baidu in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Headinvest LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Baidu in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new position in shares of Baidu during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, Pacific Capital Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Baidu during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $48,000.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on BIDU shares. Citigroup cut their price objective on Baidu from $181.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 9th. Barclays lowered their price target on Baidu from $138.00 to $133.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 29th. HSBC cut their target price on shares of Baidu from $157.00 to $145.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Baidu from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, March 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $171.64.

Baidu Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of NASDAQ:BIDU traded up $0.62 on Friday, hitting $100.52. 4,816,699 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,670,415. Baidu has a 12 month low of $94.25 and a 12 month high of $156.98. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $103.06 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $108.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.02 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 3.01 and a quick ratio of 3.01.

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.