Alibaba shares rise 6% in Hong Kong debut

Hong Kong, 26th November: Alibaba’s shares began trading in Hong Kong this week. The Chinese e-commerce giant is already listed in the U.S. In its secondary listing in Hong Kong, the company raised approximately US$11.3 billion in one of the most anticipated IPOs of the year.

Alibaba could increase the capital raised to as high as US$12.9 billion if the company exercises an “over-allotment option” within the next 30 days. Alibaba said it would use the capital from the IPO to increase its investment in its online delivery and local services platform Ele.me and in its online travel group Fliggy as well as its investment in Youku, a leading online video platforms in China.

Informa to launch in Indian healthcare event in 2020

New Delhi, 27th November: Informa Markets, the world’s largest international exhibition organiser, has announced plans to launch the India Health Exhibition running from 14th to 16th April 2020.

The three-day exhibition will be held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi and it will feature over 300 international and local exhibitors from a wide range of categories including disposables and consumables, high-tech imaging and diagnostic equipment. Informa Markets expects to attract over 4,000 trade visitors including hospital directors, doctors, medical practitioners, government policymakers, medical laboratory technicians, distributors and traders.

CCID’s revenues up 33% in first nine months

Beijing, 8th November: Recently, CCID Consulting, an IT research and information service provider based in China and listed in Hong Kong, released its financial results for the nine months ended 30th September 2019. Revenues for the period were US$19 million. This represents a 33% year-on-year increase. Net profits in the first nine months of the year grew 25% reaching US$3.1 million. Earnings per share in the period were RMB 0.0316 (US$0.0044).

The Beijing-based company attributed the increases in revenues and profits to growth in new business areas, progress in its digital transformation initiative, and improvements in the branding and positioning of its consultancy services.

New child-focused event to be launched in Bangalore

India, 12th November: Positioned as the largest international trade fair in India for toys, children’s products and sports goods, Kids India will be launched next year. Running from 16th to 17th April 2020, the new show will take place at the Manpho Exhibition Centre in Bangalore.

Organised by Spielwarenmesse India Pvt. Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Spielwarenmesse, the show will target professional buyers based in southern India. According to the organiser, the new show aims to provide a platform for buyers in southern India to meet manufacturers from the Indian toy and sports industries.

1,600+ exhibitors to join CPhI & P-MEC India Expo

Delhi, 19th November: Informa Markets, the world’s largest international exhibition organiser, will open the 13th edition of its CPhI & P-MEC India Expo later this month. More than 1,600 exhibitors from 16 countries will showcase products and services at the three-day show running from 26th to 28th November at India Expo Mart – Greater Nodia.

Launched in 2006, CPhI & P-MEC India Expo has become a leading pharma event in South Asia. According to the organiser, the show will cover the entire pharma value chain from drug discovery to “finished dosage.”

778 exhibitors at BAU China in Shanghai

Shanghai, 11th November: The recent edition of BAU China, one of the leading construction industry events in Asia, attracted a total of 778 exhibitors from 20 countries, representing an increase of 19% compared with the previous edition. The event is organised by Messe München.

BAU China was held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) and the show ran from 5th to 8th November. More than 61,000 visitors from 78 countries attended the show – that figure represents visitor growth of 17% compared to the previous edition. The key international visitor countries were Korea, Japan and Thailand.

Alibaba to launch IPO in Hong Kong

Hangzhou, 15th November: Last week, the leading e-commerce company in China, the Alibaba Group, announced plans for a second initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong. The IPO includes a global offering of 500,000,000 new ordinary shares through the listing of its ordinary shares on the main board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (HKSE).

On 20th November, Alibaba announced the IPO price will beHK$176 per share. The shares are expected to begin trading on the main board of the HKSE on 26th November under the stock code“9988.” The IPO is expected to raise about HK$88 billion (US$11.2 billion).

HKTDC’s autumn fairs draw 156,000 buyers

Hong Kong, 14th November: During the autumn trade fair season, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) attracted nearly 156,000 buyers from 165 countries and regions to its seven trade fairs. Comparisons with 2018 figures were not released. Increases were recorded in the number of buyers from Turkey, Brazil, Iran, Vietnam and Macau.

More than 9,600 exhibitors attended the seven trade fairs, including: Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition), electronicAsia, jointly organised with MMI Asia, Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition), Hong Kong International Optical Fair and Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, all held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), and Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo and Eco Expo Asia, jointly organised with Messe Frankfurt (HK) and held at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE).

Alibaba increases stake in Cainiao

Hangzhou, 8th November: Last week, the Alibaba Group, the leading e-commerce company in China, announced that the company has increased its stake in Cainiao Smart Logistics Network Limited. The additional investment valued at RMB 23.2 billion (US$3.3 billion) increases Alibaba’s holding from 51% to 63%.

Cainiao, which focuses on technology-driven logistics and infrastructure services, has developed a range of robust international and cross-border fulfillment solutions to facilitate and support Alibaba’s international e-commerce business. Cainiao has also introduced IoT (Internet of Things) solutions and smart supply chain solutions designed to improve efficiency in the supply chain. According to the company, this additional investment will enable Cainiao to strengthen its smart logistics network and allow innovation in its business models, services and technological capabilities.

Share price movement in B2B media companies involved in Asia

Figure 1: BSG B2B Media Index vs. All Tracked B2B Stocks (price movement over past 12 months)

Figure 2: BSG B2B Media Index vs. All Tracked B2B Stocks (price movement since January 2019)