Baidu Inc (BIDU) reached a 52-week high, gaining 3.03% in regular trading despite the broader market decline, with the Nasdaq-100 down 1.10% and the S&P 500 down 0.62%.
The company is contemplating upgrading its Hong Kong listing to primary status, which would enhance accessibility for mainland investors and broaden its investor base. Additionally, Baidu's AI chip division, Kunlunxin, has submitted a spin-off application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, potentially paving the way for an independent listing. This strategic move aims to mitigate geopolitical risks and protect against potential delisting threats amid strained U.S.-China relations, contributing to the stock's positive performance.
This consideration reflects Baidu's proactive approach to adapt to market conditions and investor sentiment, positioning itself for future growth in the AI sector and enhancing its appeal to a wider range of investors.
Wall Street analysts forecast BIDU stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for BIDU is 160.67 USD with a low forecast of 100.00 USD and a high forecast of 215.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
13 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast BIDU stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for BIDU is 160.67 USD with a low forecast of 100.00 USD and a high forecast of 215.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
11 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 156.080
Low
100.00
Averages
160.67
High
215.00
Current: 156.080
Low
100.00
Averages
160.67
High
215.00
Barclays
Jiong Shao
Equal Weight
maintain
$100 -> $147
2026-01-26
New
Reason
Barclays
Jiong Shao
Price Target
$100 -> $147
AI Analysis
2026-01-26
New
maintain
Equal Weight
Reason
Barclays analyst Jiong Shao raised the firm's price target on Baidu to $147 from $100 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares.
Morgan Stanley
Gary Yu
Equal Weight
maintain
$130 -> $150
2026-01-20
Reason
Morgan Stanley
Gary Yu
Price Target
$130 -> $150
2026-01-20
maintain
Equal Weight
Reason
Morgan Stanley analyst Gary Yu raised the firm's price target on Baidu to $150 from $130 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm lowered its 2025 and 2026 core revenue estimates to 0% and 5%, reflecting weaker ads, but nudged up its core operating profit estimate for 2026 by 2% as it expects more savings from organizational restructuring and further depreciation savings from asset impairment.
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Freedom Capital
Buy
maintain
$120 -> $160
2026-01-07
Reason
Freedom Capital
Price Target
$120 -> $160
2026-01-07
maintain
Buy
Reason
Freedom Capital raised the firm's price target on Baidu to $160 from $120 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The company's transformation continues, and the scaling of some of its less unprofitable initiatives may drive a recovery in profitability over the medium term, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
Jefferies
Thomas Chong
Buy
maintain
$159 -> $181
2026-01-02
Reason
Jefferies
Thomas Chong
Price Target
$159 -> $181
2026-01-02
maintain
Buy
Reason
Jefferies analyst Thomas Chong raised the firm's price target on Baidu to $181 from $159 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares after the company announced the proposed spin-off of Kunlunxin shares and separate listing on the Hong Kong exchange. Jefferies estimates Kunlunxin's valuation will be between $16B and $23B. This implies a valuation to Baidu of $9B-$13B, considering its stake in the unit, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm believes the spinoff "aims to showcase" Kunlunxin's value and "unlocks" Baidu's value in the artificial intelligence powered business.
About BIDU
Baidu Inc is a Chinese language Internet search provider. The Company operates its businesses through two segments, Baidu Core segment and iQIYI segment. Baidu Core segment mainly provides search-based, feed-based, and other online marketing services, as well as products and services from the Company’s new artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, such as display advertisement and based on performance criteria other than cost-per-click, cloud services, smart devices and services, non-marketing consumer-facing services such as membership, and intelligent driving. iQIYI segment produces, aggregates and distributes a wide variety of professionally produced content, as well as a broad spectrum of other video content, in a variety of formats, including a variety of products and services encompassing online video, online games, online literature, comics and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
