The Alibaba Group is delaying a potential $15 billion listing in Hong Kong because of the region's political instability, two sources "with knowledge of the matter" told Reuters.
Alibaba ($BABA) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Report of the delay comes amid ongoing pro-democracy protests in China's special administrative region. Those months-long demonstrations have taken a toll on the region's market, and Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam on Tuesday warned that the economy is "facing the risk of downturn" due to the growing unrest.
In 2014, Alibaba went public on the New York Stock Exchange after disagreements with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange over the shareholder voting rights structure that the e-commerce giant sought (Hong Kong's stock exchange had required Alibaba comply with its "one shareholder, one vote" policy).
Alibaba did list its Alibaba.com business-to-business web operation in Hong Kong in 2007, but took that enterprise private five years later.
The decision to delay this newest Hong Kong listing was made last week before the company released its quarterly earnings report, according to one of Reuters' sources. The listing was originally expected in late August.
Alibaba — one of the largest companies in China, and the country's largest e-commerce company — still hopes to raise between $10 and $15 billion, according to Reuters' other source. The now-postponed listing could come as early as October, should political and financial conditions stabilize.
President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have discussed Taiwan, artificial intelligence and security issues in a call meant to demonstrate a return to regular leader-to-leader dialogue between the two powers.
April is Earth month, and while the green revolution might feel far away, the founder of climate VC Siam Capital says it’s on it’s way, and, even better: it won't cost you more.
From snow in April to heatwaves in December, it’s hard to plan a trip in a climate change world. Startup Sensible Weather thinks weather-based travel reimbursements are the solution.
Between corporate debt and the widening gap between ‘the haves and the have nots,’ there are reasons to be cautious about the economy, even with interest rate cuts on their way.
If the A.I. hype hasn’t given you enough of a reason to be excited (and a little terrified), the CEO of Zapata AI says the next frontier is designing bridges or creating pharmaceutical drugs.
Stocks are near record highs, inflation is moderating, and analyst Deiya Pernas is 'optimistic' the U.S. is heading for a soft landing without a recession – which is good news for your wallet.
