Three of China’s shyest tech CEOs have made rare appearances on their microblogs over the past week, emerging from the shadows after difficult periods for at least 2 of their firms. Liu Qingdong, CEO of e-commerce giant JD.com, was the first to come out of his shell, ending a 19 month self-imposed silence. He was followed by NQ Mobile’s (NYSE: NQ) CEO Lin Yu, whose microblog had gone silent since a scandal last year that saw the security software maker came under a short seller attack. Tencent’s (HKEx: 700) CEO Pony Ma also made a relatively rare posting on his microblog, though in this case his appearance was mostly promotional as he trumpeted another major milestone for his company’s popular social networking services. Read Full Post…
The following press releases and media reports about Chinese companies were carried on April 11. To view a full article or story, click on the link next to the headline.
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eLong (Nasdaq: LONG), Tongcheng Form Strategic Cooperation Agreement (PRNewswire)
Tencent (HKEx: 700) Launches $5 Bln Bond Program (English article)
ZTE (HKEx: 763) Q1 Profit To Surge As 4G Orders Lift Business Outlook (Businesswire)
NQ Mobile (NYSE: NQ) Announces Q4, Fiscal Year 2013 Results (PRNewswire)
Wuxi Suntech (NYSE: STPFQ) Equity Interests Purportedly Transferred To 3rd Party (PRNewswire)
Does the world really need another cool and trendy smartphone maker from China? At least one entrepreneur seems to think the answer is yes, with the launch of a new brand called OnePlus at an event last week in Beijing. Normally I wouldn’t give too much attention to this kind of launch, since everyone in China is rushing these days to try and copy the trend Xiaomi, which itself is trying to copy the success of global tech giant Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL). But the fact that such a new company like OnePlus could attract so much attention for its event, including a blogosphere plug from global chip giant Qualcomm (Nasdaq: QCOM), is making me hedge my bets that perhaps this could be a company to watch. Read Full Post…
US-listed Chinese stocks neared the end of 2013 with a wild ride last week, as 3 major developments provided a glimpse of the bumpy road that lies ahead in the New Year. That performance points to a strong start for new IPOs at the start of 2014, even though momentum could quickly flag due to the highly volatile and unpredictable nature of these stocks. Read Full Post…
After a roaring few weeks in late October, the market for offshore Chinese IPOs has lost some momentum in the last 2 weeks as investors return their focus to important issues like company quality and growth prospects. In the latest sign of the market’s fickle nature, Chinese bank Huishang (HKEx: 3698) has sputtered in its trading debut in Hong Kong, boding poorly for other mainland banks lining up to list there. Another piece of IPO news is less ominous, with media reporting that education services firm Tarena is preparing to list as early as next year, most likely in New York. While that news is relatively neutral, reports are also pointing out that one of Tarena’s top executives recently joined the company from NQ Mobile (NYSE: NQ), the former New York-listed Chinese high flyer whose stock has tanked recently on doubts raised by a short seller. Read Full Post…
Anyone who was worried that the recent short-seller attack on security software provider NQ Mobile (NYSE: NQ) might hurt broader sentiment towards Chinese firms on Wall Street can relax, following word that 1 of 2 upcoming IPOs is drawing strong investor interest. That’s my quick assessment, based on a report that online travel agent Qunar has sharply boosted the price range for its upcoming IPO that will probably launch in the next few days. That could mean another IPO from online classified jobs site 58.com should also price well later on Thursday before its New York trading debut. Meantime, NQ continues to struggle as it comes under yet another attack and a string of rumors about clients who are cutting business ties with the company. Read Full Post…
Just days after I said that NQ Mobile (NYSE: NQ) looked like a company to watch after its issue of $172.5 million worth of bonds, infamous short seller Muddy Waters has launched an assault on the software security maker, sparking a sell-off that has wiped out half of its market value. Internet search leader Baidu (Nasdaq: BIDU) is also coming under assault from different quarters, in this case taking heat from company watchers and regulators after promising returns that many believe are unrealistic on its newly launched investment product. Read Full Post…
The following press releases and media reports about Chinese companies were carried on October 25. To view a full article or story, click on the link next to the headline.
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China’s September 2013 Handset Shipments Down 16 Pct From Year Earlier (English article)
I wanted to take a break from the usual companies I write about to look at the quietly rising NQ Mobile (NYSE: NQ), which has just joined a elite club of top Chinese web firms with a new major bond issue. The fact that NQ, formerly known as NetQin, could issue these bonds at all reflects its growing attractiveness to investors as a strong bet on China’s security software market. I can’t comment too much on its products, as I haven’t used them; but the company certainly looks well positioned to gain share in a market now dominated by Qihoo 360 (NYSE: QIHU), whose free security software is becoming the subject of growing controversy. Read Full Post…
The following press releases and media reports about Chinese companies were carried on October 17. To view a full article or story, click on the link next to the headline.
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PetroChina’s (HKEx: 857) Former Indonesia Chief Under Investigation – Sources (English article)
Yahoo (Nasdaq: YHOO) Reduces Planned Stake Sales To Alibaba On Strong Outlook (English article)
Baidu (Nasdaq: BIDU) In Talks To Acquire Ku6 (Nasdaq: KUTV), 56.com – Source (English article)
NQ Mobile (NYSE: NQ) Completes $172.5 Mln Convertible Senior Notes Offer (PRNewswire)
ZTE (HKEx: 763) Wins Highest EPC Share of China Telecom LTE Tender (Businesswire)
The official start of winter may fast be approaching, but there are growing signs that an early spring has arrived for US-listed China stocks, with Internet security provider NQ Mobile (NYSE: NQ) and e-commerce firm Vipshop (NYSE: VIPS) making headlines that look good for both themselves and the broader sector. NQ, which was formerly called NetQin Mobile, has proven once more that short sellers no longer hold the same kind of influence over these stocks the way they did just 6 months ago, with its shares bouncing back strongly after a recent attack. Meantime, Vipshop, one of only 2 major Chinese firms to list in the US this year, has suddenly become a darling of investors, who have sent its shares to new highs as they scramble to buy a piece of what has quickly suddenly China’s largest listed e-commerce company.
The official start of winter may fast be approaching, but there are growing signs that an early spring has arrived for US-listed China stocks, with Internet security provider NQ Mobile (NYSE: NQ) and e-commerce firm Vipshop (NYSE: VIPS) making headlines that look good for both themselves and the broader sector. NQ, which was formerly called NetQin Mobile, has proven once more that short sellers no longer hold the same kind of influence over these stocks the way they did just 6 months ago, with its shares bouncing back strongly after a recent attack. Meantime, Vipshop, one of only 2 major Chinese firms to list in the US this year, has suddenly become a darling of investors, who have sent its shares to new highs as they scramble to buy a piece of what has quickly suddenly China’s largest listed e-commerce company.
