Deutsche Bank On Baidu: 'Out Of Sight, Not Out Of Mind'

Alan Hellawell III of Deutsche Bank on Friday maintained a Buy rating on shares of Baidu Inc (ADR) (NASDAQ: BIDU) with a $261 price target based on a continued belief that the company will see 40 percent year-ove- year top-line growth in 2015.

“Having spent much of 2014 solidifying its grip on the mobile search market, we expect Baidu this year to up its investment in promotional campaigns around its broadening family of mobile apps and services; from food delivery to other LBS-based offerings,” Hellawell wrote.

The analyst adds that the initiatives should result in at least a 150 basis point improvement in operating margins.

Hellawell also notes that Baidu's inclusion within the MSCI China and MSCI Emerging Market index as a positive development.

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