Alibaba shares jump after founder Jack Ma re-emerges with praise of Chinese giant’s ‘transformations’

Technology
Wednesday, April 10th, 2024 2:16 pm EDT

Key Points

  • Jack Ma praises Alibaba’s reorganization: Ma commends the company’s significant overhaul and management changes aimed at revitalizing growth, marking his second major public statement to employees within a short period.
  • Challenges faced by Alibaba: Alibaba underwent substantial upheaval due to regulatory pressures and increased competition, resulting in a significant decline in its market value in recent years. Ma’s disappearance from public life coincided with Chinese regulators halting the Ant Group IPO, leading to intensified scrutiny on his business empire.
  • Strategic changes and Ma’s vision: Alibaba underwent its largest restructuring to date, dividing into six business groups to enhance agility, accompanied by sweeping management changes. Ma emphasizes the importance of forward-looking strategies, praising leaders for their vision and highlighting the need to envision the future of e-commerce in the context of artificial intelligence.

Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, has publicly commended the company’s significant reorganization and adaptation during what he described as a challenging past year. This marks his second major statement to employees within a short span. Amidst internal and external doubts and pressures, Ma noted the emergence of a resilient and courageous Alibaba team. The company’s U.S.-listed shares reflected a positive response, showing a 2% increase in pre-market trading. Ma’s public appearances had been scarce since the end of 2020 when Chinese regulators halted the highly anticipated Ant Group IPO, triggering a regulatory crackdown on Ma’s business empire. Alibaba, facing challenges from regulatory changes and intensified competition, underwent substantial restructuring, dividing into six business groups to enhance agility, accompanied by significant management changes. Notably, Daniel Zhang stepped down as CEO, succeeded by Eddie Yongming Wu, with Joe Tsai assuming the role of chairman. Furthermore, Alibaba canceled the IPOs of its cloud division and logistics unit. Ma’s re-emergence coincides with a crucial time for Alibaba’s workforce, likely in need of morale support. He praised Tsai and Wu for their forward-looking strategies and emphasized the need for Alibaba to envision the future of e-commerce, particularly considering the impact of artificial intelligence in the next three years.

For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/10/alibaba-founder-jack-ma-re-emerges-with-praise-of-transformations.html