Baidu, Inc. told investors its AI-powered business was cushioning the collapse of its legacy search advertising franchise and had grown 49% year over year in the first quarter of 2026. Three months later that same AI business contracted 8% quarter over quarter, and a securities class action alleges the promise was materially overstated.
NEW YORK, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP reminds purchasers of Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) securities, including call options, that a securities class action has been filed on behalf of shareholders who acquired BIDU securities between November 18, 2025 and August 17, 2026. Find out if you could qualify to recover your per-share losses. You may also contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. at jlevi@levikorsinsky.com or (212) 363-7500.
BIDU American Depositary Shares closed at $90.87 on August 18, 2026, a one-session decline of $13.25 per ADS, or 12.73%, on unusually heavy trading volume. That close sat $71.65 below the Class Period high of $162.52 reached on January 22, 2026. The last day to move for lead plaintiff is November 13, 2026.
The Promise
For three consecutive quarters the Company projected that its AI-powered business was absorbing the decline in legacy search advertising. Revenue from AI-powered businesses was reported at roughly RMB 10 billion in the third quarter of 2025, up more than 50% year over year, then RMB 11.3 billion in the fourth quarter, then more than RMB 13.6 billion in the first quarter of 2026, described as exceeding half of Baidu General Business revenue for the first time.
The Reality
Second quarter 2026 results revealed the opposite direction. The Core AI-powered Business fell 8% quarter over quarter to RMB 12.5 billion while legacy revenue kept deteriorating, and the complaint alleges that positive statements about the Company's revenue prospects lacked a reasonable basis and that revenue was reasonably likely to decline.
Promise vs. Actual: By the Numbers
- Projected, Q3 2025: AI-powered revenue of roughly RMB 10 billion, up over 50% year over year, presented as offsetting softness in online marketing.
- Projected, Q1 2026: Core AI-powered Business revenue above RMB 13.6 billion, up 49% year over year.
- Actual, Q2 2026: Core AI-powered Business revenue of RMB 12.5 billion, down 8% sequentially, with year-over-year growth decelerating to 25%.
- Actual, Q2 2026: AI Cloud Infra, the largest AI component, down 17% quarter over quarter from RMB 8.8 billion to RMB 7.3 billion.
- Actual, Q2 2026: Legacy Business revenue down 23% year over year to RMB 10.4 billion; Online Marketing Services revenue down 19% year over year to RMB 13.1 billion.
- The gap: full year 2025 total revenue of RMB 129.1 billion, a decrease of 3% year over year, despite the reported AI expansion.
"Companies that make specific promises to investors about future performance have an obligation to disclose known risks to those projections. Here the complaint alleges that shareholders were told an AI transition was offsetting a 23% collapse in legacy revenue, only to learn that the AI business itself had begun to shrink." -- Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
Submit your information here or call (212) 363-7500.
WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY — Ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report for seven consecutive years, Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation. With a team of over 70 professionals, the firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. Investors who suffered losses have until November 13, 2026 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff.
Frequently Asked Questions About the BIDU Lawsuit
Q: What is the BIDU lead plaintiff deadline? A: The deadline to apply for lead plaintiff appointment is November 13, 2026. This deadline applies only to investors seeking to serve as lead plaintiff. Class members who do not apply may still participate in any recovery without taking action before this date.
Q: How much did BIDU stock drop? A: Shares fell approximately 12.73%, a decline of $13.25 per share, after the Company disclosed second quarter 2026 results showing the Core AI-powered Business fell 8% quarter over quarter while Legacy Business revenue fell 23% year over year. Investors who purchased shares during the Class Period at artificially inflated prices and suffered losses may be eligible to seek compensation.
Q: What specific misstatements does the BIDU lawsuit allege? A: The complaint alleges Baidu, Inc. made materially false or misleading statements regarding the ability of its AI-powered business to mitigate rapid declines in its legacy online marketing business during the Class Period. When the second quarter 2026 contraction in the AI-powered business was disclosed, the stock price declined sharply.
Q: What do BIDU investors need to do right now? A: Investors may gather brokerage records showing purchase dates, share quantities, and prices paid. Submit your information for a no-cost, no-obligation evaluation of your potential recovery. No immediate action is required to remain eligible as an absent class member.
Q: What is a lead plaintiff and why does it matter? A: A lead plaintiff is the investor appointed by the court to represent the entire class. Lead plaintiffs are typically investors with the largest documented losses. Being appointed does not increase individual recovery but gives direct oversight of how the case is run.
Q: What if I already sold my BIDU shares, can I still recover losses? A: Yes. Eligibility is based on when you purchased, not whether you still hold the shares. Investors who bought during the Class Period and sold at a loss may still be eligible to participate.
Q: What does it cost me to participate? A: There is no upfront cost to submit your information and review whether you may be eligible to recover. Should you choose to participate in the securities class action, they are generally handled on a contingency basis, with any attorneys' fees and expenses subject to court approval.
Q: What if I live outside the United States? A: U.S. securities class actions generally cover purchases on U.S. exchanges regardless of the investor's country of residence.
CONTACT:
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
Ed Korsinsky, Esq.
33 Whitehall Street, 27th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Tel: (212) 363-7500
Fax: (212) 363-7171
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