BABA vs. NKE

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

BABA (Alibaba Group Holding Limited) and NKE (NIKE, Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Consumer Cyclical sector — BABA in Internet Retail, NKE in Footwear & Accessories. Over the past 10 years, BABA returned 5.06%/yr vs -0.82%/yr for NKE. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BABA vs. NKE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) and NIKE, Inc. (NKE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BABA achieves a -17.41% return, which is significantly higher than NKE's -31.48% return. Over the past 10 years, BABA has outperformed NKE with an annualized return of 5.06%, while NKE has yielded a comparatively lower -0.82% annualized return.

BABA

• 1D: -3.88%
• 1M: -14.41%
• YTD: -17.41%
• 6M: -23.53%
• 1Y: 2.62%
• 3Y*: 13.71%
• 5Y*: -10.26%
• 10Y*: 5.06%

NKE

• 1D: -1.47%
• 1M: -1.17%
• YTD: -31.48%
• 6M: -33.72%
• 1Y: -29.54%
• 3Y*: -24.47%
• 5Y*: -18.98%
• 10Y*: -0.82%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BABA vs. NKE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BABA Alibaba Group Holding Limited	-17.41%	75.80%	11.77%	-10.83%	-25.84%	-48.96%	9.73%	54.74%	-20.51%	96.37%
NKE NIKE, Inc.	-31.48%	-13.83%	-29.11%	-6.01%	-29.04%	18.70%	40.97%	38.09%	19.87%	24.70%

Correlation

The correlation between BABA and NKE is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2014	0.32

Fundamentals

Market Cap BABA : $292.34B NKE : $63.63B
EPS BABA : $33.90 NKE : $1.52
PE Ratio BABA : 3.57 NKE : 28.27
PS Ratio BABA : 0.36 NKE : 1.37
PB Ratio BABA : 0.28 NKE : 4.52
Total Revenue (TTM) BABA : $811.51B NKE : $46.52B
Gross Profit (TTM) BABA : $332.88B NKE : $18.99B
EBITDA (TTM) BABA : $112.44B NKE : $3.33B

Return for Risk

BABA vs. NKE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BABA

BABA Risk / Return Rank: 42
BABA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
BABA Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
BABA Omega Ratio Rank: 39
BABA Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
BABA Martin Ratio Rank: 44

NKE

NKE Risk / Return Rank: 13
NKE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
NKE Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
NKE Omega Ratio Rank: 12
NKE Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
NKE Martin Ratio Rank: 13

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BABA vs. NKE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) and NIKE, Inc. (NKE). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	BABA	NKE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.06	-0.78	+0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.45	-1.00	+1.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	0.87	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.07	-0.64	+0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.14	-1.25	+1.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BABA vs. NKE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BABA Sharpe Ratio is 0.06, which is higher than the NKE Sharpe Ratio of -0.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BABA and NKE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BABA	NKE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.06	-0.78	+0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.20	-0.53	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12	-0.03	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.06	0.41	-0.34

Drawdowns

BABA vs. NKE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BABA drawdown since its inception was -80.09%, which is greater than NKE's maximum drawdown of -75.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BABA and NKE.

Drawdown Indicators

	BABA	NKE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.09%	-75.19%	-4.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.77%	-46.18%	+9.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.77%	-64.21%	+27.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-72.48%	-74.64%	+2.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-80.09%	-74.64%	-5.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-59.81%	-73.74%	+13.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.53%	-20.91%	-16.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.88%	23.65%	-4.77%

Volatility

BABA vs. NKE - Volatility Comparison

Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) has a higher volatility of 13.26% compared to NIKE, Inc. (NKE) at 9.50%. This indicates that BABA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NKE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BABA	NKE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.26%	9.50%	+3.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.11%	29.21%	-0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.70%	38.14%	+5.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.37%	35.80%	+15.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	43.38%	32.24%	+11.14%

Dividends

BABA vs. NKE - Dividend Comparison

BABA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.65%, less than NKE's 3.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BABA Alibaba Group Holding Limited	1.65%	1.36%	1.96%	1.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NKE NIKE, Inc.	3.79%	2.53%	2.00%	1.28%	1.07%	0.68%	0.71%	0.89%	1.11%	1.18%	1.30%	0.93%

Financials

BABA vs. NKE - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Alibaba Group Holding Limited and NIKE, Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

BABA - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Alibaba Group Holding Limited reported a gross profit of 11.75B and revenue of 35.15B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 33.4%.

NKE - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, NIKE, Inc. reported a gross profit of 4.53B and revenue of 11.28B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 40.2%.

BABA - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Alibaba Group Holding Limited reported an operating income of -135.47M and revenue of 35.15B, resulting in an operating margin of -0.4%.

NKE - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, NIKE, Inc. reported an operating income of 553.00M and revenue of 11.28B, resulting in an operating margin of 4.9%.

BABA - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Alibaba Group Holding Limited reported a net income of 3.69B and revenue of 35.15B, resulting in a net margin of 10.5%.

NKE - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, NIKE, Inc. reported a net income of 520.00M and revenue of 11.28B, resulting in a net margin of 4.6%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BABA and NKE in my portfolio?

BABA and NKE have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BABA or NKE?

BABA has higher volatility (13.26%) compared to NKE (9.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BABA dropped -80.09% vs NKE's -75.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BABA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.06 vs -0.78), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.