• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI

2

Even as Elon Musk calls philanthropy ‘very hard,’ everyday Americans gave a record $617 billion—despite feeling the squeeze over the cost of living

3

The stock market is about to suffer a 'snapback' and will lose much of this year's gains as 'speculation is hitting extreme levels,' BofA warns

1

Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI

2

Even as Elon Musk calls philanthropy ‘very hard,’ everyday Americans gave a record $617 billion—despite feeling the squeeze over the cost of living

3

The stock market is about to suffer a 'snapback' and will lose much of this year's gains as 'speculation is hitting extreme levels,' BofA warns
TechAlibaba Group
Asia

A series of bad news stories—including an abandoned cloud spin-off plan—wipe billions from Alibaba’s market cap

By
Lionel Lim
Lionel Lim
Asia Reporter
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Lionel Lim
Lionel Lim
Asia Reporter
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 17, 2023, 4:26 AM ET
Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. signage outside the company's offices in Beijing.
Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. signage outside the company's offices in Beijing.Kuang Da—Jiemian News/VCG via Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

The Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is now worth $20 billion less, following a day of unveiled share sales, abandoned corporate plans, and a near-double-digit plunge in stock prices.

Recommended Video

The company’s Hong Kong-traded shares fell by almost 10% on Friday. Post-drop, Alibaba is now worth just over half of its arch-rival, WeChat owner Tencent. (Alibaba is valued at $201 billion, Tencent at $391 billion)

The plunge in share prices followed a series of bad news stories for the e-commerce company, prime among which was a big reversal in corporate strategy.

Alibaba is shelving its plans to spin-off its cloud computing unit as an independent company, Alibaba announced on Thursday as part of its earnings release.

The company blamed U.S. tech export restrictions for the decision. In October, the Biden administration expanded rules barring the sale of advanced chips to China, making it more difficult for Chinese companies like Alibaba and Tencent to get their hands on the advanced semiconductors needed for data centers and AI applications.

“We believe that these new restrictions may materially and adversely affect Cloud Intelligence Group’s ability to offer products and services and to perform under existing contracts, thereby negatively affecting our results of operations and financial condition,” the company said in a statement.

“Inability to access H800 and A800 Nvidia chips [two models particularly useful for AI] creates a huge issue in finding computing power,” Ray Wang, CEO of tech and advisory firm Constellation Research, says. “Overall China-U.S. geopolitical tensions are the root cause resulting in global companies having to make tough choices and choose sides.”

Alibaba’s plan to spin-off the cloud division was part of a broader re-organization of the sprawling company. Earlier this year, Alibaba announced that it would transform itself into a holding company, and pursue listings of its different divisions. The company would retain majority ownership of the newly-public companies, with one exception: the cloud division, which would become fully independent.

Cainiao, Alibaba’s logistics unit, plans to have a $1 billion IPO in Hong Kong later this year.

Alibaba Cloud is a significant part of the company’s business. The unit generated 12% of Alibaba’s revenue last quarter, according to an earnings statement released Thursday.

On Thursday, Alibaba said that the new U.S. rules meant that a full spin-off of the cloud division may not “achieve the intended effect of shareholder value enhancement”.

Even more bad news

Alibaba’s abandoned spin-off plan isn’t the only bad news to come out about the company in the past day.

Family trusts from Alibaba founder Jack Ma will sell 10 million American Depository shares in Alibaba for about $871 million, according to filings to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The sale is part of a sell-down plan initiated on Aug. 16, and will be completed by Nov. 21.

Alibaba’s fintech affiliate company Ant Group also earned 65% less profit last quarter compared to a year ago, according to Fortune’s calculations based on Alibaba’s earnings reports. Ant Group recently paid an almost $1 billion fine to Chinese regulators for allegedly violating consumer protection and anti-money-laundering rules. Alibaba owns about a third of Ant Group, which was also founded by Jack Ma.

Analysts viewed the massive fine imposed on Ant Group, as well as a $410 million fine on Tencent, as a possible end to Beijing’s years-long crackdown on the country’s tech sector—which arguably started when officials killed Ant Group’s planned IPO in November 2020.

Even as Beijing eases its pressure on the tech sector, Alibaba still faces a weaker Chinese economy, as consumers scale back on spending. The e-commerce is trying to bounce back from the pandemic, but now has to contend with newer players like PDD Holdings and platforms like Kuaishou. Alibaba did not reveal its revenue figures from its mega-shopping festival Singles Day, held on Nov. 11, for the second year in a row.

Alibaba generated $31 billion in revenue during the quarter ending Sep. 30, a 9% increase year-on-year. The company earned $3.7 billion in net income, versus a $3.1 billion loss during the same quarter last year.

About the Author
By Lionel LimAsia Reporter
LinkedIn icon

Lionel Lim is a Singapore-based reporter covering the Asia-Pacific region.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

EasyJet’s stock shows Castlelake bid is far from a done deal
InvestingEasyJet
EasyJet’s stock shows Castlelake bid is far from a done deal
By Kate Duffy and BloombergJuly 6, 2026
2 hours ago
Torsten Slok holds his hands apart as he speaks on stage.
AIProductivity
Top economist says AI just hasn’t delivered on the productivity hype—and it means a ‘painful repricing’ of markets is very possible
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 6, 2026
3 hours ago
In this photo illustration, a Microsoft logo is displayed on a smartphone with Artificial Intelligence (AI) symbols on the background.
AICFO Daily
Microsoft’s Frontier push aims to turn AI spending into measurable returns
By Sheryl EstradaJuly 6, 2026
4 hours ago
A businesswoman uses a smartphone in modern conference room.
NewslettersFortune Workplace Innovation
The tech attention crisis has hit the workplace. One company thinks AI is the cure
By Kristin StollerJuly 6, 2026
4 hours ago
David Senra smiles in front of a white background
Startups & VentureTerm Sheet
David Senra, your favorite billionaire’s favorite podcaster, has turned down every acquisition offer. Here’s why
By Lily Mae LazarusJuly 6, 2026
5 hours ago
katie
CommentaryData centers
Katie McGinty: The energy economy’s biggest waste problem is already inside the system
By Kathleen “Katie” McGintyJuly 6, 2026
5 hours ago

Most Popular

Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI
AI
Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJuly 5, 2026
1 day ago
Even as Elon Musk calls philanthropy ‘very hard,’ everyday Americans gave a record $617 billion—despite feeling the squeeze over the cost of living
Success
Even as Elon Musk calls philanthropy ‘very hard,’ everyday Americans gave a record $617 billion—despite feeling the squeeze over the cost of living
By Preston ForeJuly 4, 2026
2 days ago
The stock market is about to suffer a 'snapback' and will lose much of this year's gains as 'speculation is hitting extreme levels,' BofA warns
Investing
The stock market is about to suffer a 'snapback' and will lose much of this year's gains as 'speculation is hitting extreme levels,' BofA warns
By Jason MaJuly 5, 2026
20 hours ago
Egg companies made $1.22 billion in profit off a $6 carton — now they’re buying their way out of a price-fixing case with 53 million donated eggs
Law
Egg companies made $1.22 billion in profit off a $6 carton — now they’re buying their way out of a price-fixing case with 53 million donated eggs
By Wyatte Grantham-Philips and The Associated PressJuly 2, 2026
4 days ago
Meet the Zillennials: The luckiest micro-generation in the workforce, born between 1993 and 1998
AI
Meet the Zillennials: The luckiest micro-generation in the workforce, born between 1993 and 1998
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 3, 2026
3 days ago
Mark Zuckerberg takes business calls on a jet ski wearing his $800 Meta glasses—and insists 'the other person could not tell'
Big Tech
Mark Zuckerberg takes business calls on a jet ski wearing his $800 Meta glasses—and insists 'the other person could not tell'
By Sydney LakeJuly 5, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.