Alibaba Group Announces Proposed Offering of Approximately US$3.2 Billion of Zero Coupon Convertible Senior Notes
Alibaba Group will use the net proceeds from the Notes Offering for general corporate purposes, with a strategic focus on strengthening its cloud infrastructure capabilities and international commerce business operations. Specifically, the allocation will include approximately
To reduce the potential dilutive effect of the Notes and/or any cash required to be paid by the Company to settle any converted Notes, the Company expects to enter into derivative transactions under which the Company will purchase from one or more of the initial purchasers and/or their affiliates and/or other financial institutions (the “Option Counterparties�) capped call options that effectively increase the conversion price of the Notes to the “cap price�, which is expected to be
When issued, the Notes will be general senior unsecured obligations of Alibaba Group. The Notes will mature on September 15, 2032 unless earlier redeemed, repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date.
Upon conversion, the Company retains flexibility to control any potential dilution with full discretion to settle the conversions in cash or ADSs, or a combination of both. The initial conversion rate and other terms of the Notes will be determined at the time of pricing of the Notes.
Capped Call Transactions
In connection with the pricing of the Notes, the Company expects to enter into derivative transactions of capped call options with the Option Counterparties. When the Company exercises the capped call options, the Option Counterparties will be required to deliver shares, cash, or a combination of both to the Company, at a value corresponding to the amount by which the market price of the ADSs exceeds the strike price of the capped call options purchased by the Company (equivalent to the initial conversion price for the Notes), but subject to the cap price, which is expected to be
In connection with establishing their initial hedges of the capped call transactions, the Option Counterparties expect to purchase the ADSs and/or ordinary shares and/or enter into various derivative transactions with respect to the ADSs and/or ordinary shares concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the Notes. This activity could affect the market price of the ADSs and/or ordinary shares, other securities of the Company or the price of the Notes at that time. The effect, if any, of this activity, including the direction or magnitude, on the market price of the ADSs and/or ordinary shares or the price of the Notes will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, and cannot be ascertained at this time.
In addition, the Option Counterparties may modify their hedge positions from time to time by entering into or unwinding various derivative transactions with respect to the ADSs, the ordinary shares, the Notes or other securities of the Company and/or purchasing or selling the ADSs, the ordinary shares, the Notes or other securities of the Company in secondary market transactions following the pricing of the Notes and prior to the maturity of the Notes (and are likely to do so following any conversion of the Notes, repurchase of the Notes by the Company on any fundamental change repurchase date or otherwise, in each case, if the Company opts to unwind the relevant portion of the capped call transactions early). The effect, if any, of this activity on the market price of the ADSs and/or the ordinary shares, or the price of the Notes will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, and cannot be ascertained at this time. Any of this activity could, however, also cause or avoid an increase or a decrease in the market price of the ADSs and/or the ordinary shares, other securities of the Company or the price of the Notes, which could affect whether the holders convert the Notes and value of the consideration that the holders will receive upon conversion of the Notes. In addition, any of the Option Counterparties may choose to engage in, or to discontinue engaging in, any of these transactions and activities with or without notice at any time, and their decisions will be in their sole discretion and not within the Company’s control.
Other Matters
The Notes, the ADSs deliverable upon conversion of the Notes, if any, and the ordinary shares represented thereby or deliverable upon conversion of the Notes in lieu thereof (collectively, the “Securities�), have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities, in
This press release contains information about the pending Notes Offering and capped call transactions, and there can be no assurance that the Notes Offering and/or capped call transactions will be completed.
About Alibaba Group
Alibaba Group is a global technology company focused on e-commerce and cloud computing. We enable merchants, brands and retailers to market, sell and engage with consumers by providing digital and logistics infrastructure, efficiency tools and vast marketing reach. We empower enterprises with our leading cloud infrastructure, services and work collaboration capabilities to facilitate their digital transformation and grow their businesses.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor� provisions of the
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Source: Alibaba Group Holding Limited