Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) vs Meta Platforms, Inc. (META)

A side-by-side comparison of Alibaba Group Holding Limited and Meta Platforms, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

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Different business models: BABA is classified in Consumer Cyclical; META is classified in Communication Services. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.

Total returnBABA vs META

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
BABA +12.7% (+1.2%/yr)META +411.4% (+17.7%/yr)META compounded faster over this window
200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$113$511
BABA META

BABA vs META: by the numbers

  • META is the larger company ($1.65T vs $261.98B market cap).
  • META trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.42 vs 25.88 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • META converts more revenue to profit (29.84% vs 7.02% net margin).
  • META grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.85% vs 5.11% CAGR).
  • BABA pays the higher dividend yield (0.97% vs 0.33%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricBABAMETA
P/E ratio25.8824.42
Forward P/EN/A20.64
P/S ratio1.747.23
P/B ratio1.706.32
EV / EBITDA31.1415.94
FCF yieldN/A2.48%

Profitability

MetricBABAMETA
Gross margin38.12%81.75%
Operating margin4.23%38.08%
Net margin7.02%29.84%
ROE6.83%26.07%
ROIC1.99%17.18%

Dividends

MetricBABAMETA
Dividend yield0.97%0.33%
Payout ratio24.87%7.91%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBABAMETA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.11%16.85%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-4.87%18.60%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-62.38%4.96%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-7.24%11.41%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, BABA or META?
META has the lower trailing P/E: BABA trades at 25.88 and META at 24.42. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, BABA or META?
Over the past five years, META grew revenue faster — BABA at a 5.11% CAGR versus META at 16.85%.
Does BABA or META pay a bigger dividend?
BABA yields 0.97% and META yields 0.33% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is BABA or META more profitable?
META runs the higher net margin — BABA at 7.02% versus META at 29.84%.
How have BABA and META total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, BABA delivered 1.49% and META delivered 17.72% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 10, 2026.