Alibaba reported its first-quarter revenue on Thursday that beat analysts' estimates with consumer sentiment improving from the same time a year earlier when there were strict pandemic-related lockdowns.

The Chinese firm posted revenue of $32.29 billion in the quarter.

The company's U.S.-listed shares rose nearly 4% in pre-market trading. The latest revenue figure represents an improvement from flat to 3% growth in the past four quarters.

The earnings come at a time when fears have grown about China's economy, which has weakened after an initial brisk recovery from the lockdowns.