Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) vs Starbucks Corporation (SBUX)
BABA leads on 7 of 13 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Alibaba Group Holding Limited and Starbucks Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
BABA
Alibaba Group Holding Limited
$112.82Consumer Cyclical
SBUX
Starbucks Corporation
$101.59Consumer Cyclical
Total return — BABA vs SBUX
growth of $100 · last 12yBABA +19.7%SBUX +167.1%SBUX compounded faster
BABA SBUX
BABA vs SBUX: by the numbers
- •BABA is the larger company ($270.02B vs $115.80B market cap).
- •BABA trades at the lower earnings multiple (18.22 vs 76.96 P/E).
- •BABA converts more revenue to profit (10.09% vs 3.89% net margin).
- •SBUX grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.03% vs 6.31% CAGR).
- •SBUX pays the higher dividend yield (2.43% vs 0.93%).
Which is better, BABA or SBUX?
Metric tally: BABA 7 · SBUX 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueBABA(lower P/E)
GrowthSBUX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSBUX(higher dividend yield)
QualitySBUX(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | BABA | SBUX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 18.22● | 76.96 |
| Forward P/E | — | 33.20 |
| P/S ratio | 1.87● | 3.02 |
| P/B ratio | 1.77 | — |
| PEG ratio | 0.23 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.88● | 25.90 |
| FCF yield | — | 2.35% |
Profitability
| Metric | BABA | SBUX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 39.77%● | 20.36% |
| Operating margin | 5.78% | 9.28%● |
| Net margin | 10.09%● | 3.89% |
| ROE | 9.58%● | -22.93% |
| ROIC | 3.17% | 8.48%● |
Dividends
| Metric | BABA | SBUX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.93% | 2.43%● |
| Payout ratio | 15.89% | 151.53% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | BABA | SBUX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.31% | 10.03%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -4.87%● | -9.42% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -62.38% | 2.00%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -10.67% | 0.41%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, BABA or SBUX?
- It depends on your goal. value: BABA (lower P/E); growth: SBUX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SBUX (higher dividend yield); quality: SBUX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, BABA leads 7 to 6.
- Is BABA or SBUX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, BABA is cheaper: BABA trades at a 18.22 P/E and SBUX at 76.96.
- Which has grown faster, BABA or SBUX?
- Over the past five years, SBUX grew revenue faster — BABA at a 6.31% CAGR versus SBUX at 10.03%.
- Does BABA or SBUX pay a bigger dividend?
- BABA yields 0.93% and SBUX yields 2.43% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is BABA or SBUX more profitable?
- BABA runs the higher net margin — BABA at 10.09% versus SBUX at 3.89%.
- Which has been the better investment, BABA or SBUX?
- Over the past 10-year, SBUX delivered the higher annualized total return — BABA at 4.31% versus SBUX at 8.56%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Alibaba Group P/E ratioStarbucks P/E ratioAlibaba Group dividend yieldStarbucks dividend yieldAlibaba Group ROEStarbucks ROEAlibaba Group operating marginStarbucks operating marginAlibaba Group revenue growthStarbucks revenue growthAlibaba Group free cash flowStarbucks free cash flow
Alibaba Group & Starbucks appear in these rankings
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 June 15, 2026.