Unsecured Notes Propel Alibaba Group Holding’s Bond Sale Amid Low Interest Rates

Monday, 18 November 2024, 08:00

Unsecured notes are at the forefront as Alibaba Group Holding eyes a bond sale. The e-commerce titan is set to sell dollar bonds and yuan bonds to repay debt and fund stock buybacks, leveraging low interest rates for strategic growth.
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Unsecured Notes Propel Alibaba Group Holding’s Bond Sale Amid Low Interest Rates

Alibaba Moves to Tap Debts for Growth

Alibaba Group Holding is planning to sell dollar bonds and yuan bonds to assist in debt repayment and fund stock repurchases. The company strategically aims to capitalize on low interest rates, boosting its capital to **reinforce financial stability**.

Debt Issuance Details

  • The total anticipated raising is US$5 billion, aimed at enhancing shareholder returns.
  • Dollar bonds will be structured for 5.5, 10.5, and 30 years, while yuan bonds offer tenors of 3.5, 5, 10, and 20 years.
  • According to Everbright Securities International, low rates present a strategic opportunity for investments and share buybacks.

Current Financial Landscape

As of September 30, Alibaba recorded 202.2 billion yuan (approximately US$27.9 billion) in outstanding bank borrowings and bonds. This reflects an 18% increase from March 30.

Share Buyback Insights

  1. Alibaba's stock buyback strategy intensified during the pandemic, with US$14.7 billion allocated this year.
  2. They spent US$4.1 billion in the September quarter to lower outstanding shares by 2.1%.
  3. Share repurchases combined for the first and second quarters amount to US$10.6 billion.

Market Impact and Future Projections

Alibaba’s stock remains significantly below its peak, despite strong revenue growth. With total revenue rising 5% and net income surging by 58%, the strategic debt issuance for **buybacks** hints at a calculated effort to optimize shareholder value.

Co-founders Increasing Stakes

Jack Ma and Joe Tsai have become the two largest shareholders of Alibaba this year by aggressively purchasing shares, surpassing SoftBank Group's stake.


This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.


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