Alibaba: Cloud and AI Restore Its Shine

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By Ion Jauregui – Analyst at ActivTrades

In short, Alibaba is expanding its cloud business, launching an AI chip, and regaining ground in e-commerce. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE: BABA) surged 19% on Monday in Hong Kong, its biggest jump since March, following the release of earnings that reinforced perceptions of a positive shift in its operational performance.

Fundamental momentum

The company reported revenues of 247.65 billion yuan ($34.73 billion), slightly below market expectations. However, the standout figure was a 78% increase in net profit, restoring investor confidence.
The main driver was the cloud computing division, which grew 26% year-on-year, benefiting from the boom in artificial intelligence. Additionally, Alibaba is developing its own AI chip, aiming to reduce technological dependence on external suppliers and strengthen its position in a strategic sector against global competitors.
At the same time, its traditional e-commerce business shows signs of recovery. Taobao has introduced a one-hour express delivery model, designed to enhance the customer experience and directly challenge rivals such as JD.com and PDD Holdings.

Strategic context

This rebound comes after years of uncertainty linked to Chinese regulatory measures and the impact of international tariffs. The latest results suggest that Alibaba may be overcoming this phase, supported by technological diversification and operational efficiency.

Technical analysis

In yesterday’s session, Alibaba closed at $138.88, consolidating the upside gap from August 28, which marked the breakout of the consolidation range between $116 and $134 that had been in place since April. This breakout has pushed the price toward the resistance level at $141.34, just below the annual high of $145.98 reached in March.

The move has technical backing: the stock is trading above its 50-day moving average, reinforcing the validity of the bullish breakout. Still, several indicators call for caution. The RSI at 77.59 signals overbought conditions, while the MACD, although still in positive territory, shows a contracting histogram—hinting at the likelihood of a technical pullback and the emergence of a new consolidation zone.

If such a correction occurs, the price could retrace toward the $132–133 range, a key level that would act as a consolidation test before any renewed upward momentum. Below that, the first major support lies at $127.93; if this is breached due to weakening bullish strength, selling pressure could extend toward the point of control (POC) around $117, signaling a deeper retracement within the market structure.

In the short term, buying appetite remains strong, though sentiment indicators—such as the ActivTrades US Market Pulse—show a shift from a “Risk On” to a “Risk Off” environment. This change could trigger selling in large-cap tech stocks, whose valuations remain exposed to risks tied to the ongoing AI bubble.

Cloud business remains in the bubble

Alibaba is back on investors’ radar thanks to the strength of its cloud division and the growth potential of artificial intelligence as a key catalyst. While regulatory pressure and fierce domestic competition remain risk factors, the technical rebound and improving margins reinforce the perception that the Chinese giant is entering a phase of sustained recovery.



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