China Inc by BBW

An Apple Anti-Trust Probe, and Hong Kong's Second SPAC Merger

China is reportedly preparing to attack Apple on anti-trust grounds related to its app store operation. What's driving this probe? And steel trader ZG Group nears a Hong Kong listing through a SPAC merger, only the second since the city launched its SPAC program three years ago. Why has progress been so slow?

McKinsey Weighs China Exit, and Shenzhen Rescues Vanke

Some partners at U.S. consulting giant McKinsey are questioning the wisdom of staying in China. What's driving their doubt, and what would a withdrawal signify? And Shenzhen rescues struggling developer Vanke. What is the city demanding in return for its assistance?

A Drug Company's Forced Sales, and a Family Feud in Shanghai

A family of biotech contracting companies in Wuxi has begun selling offshore assets under pressure from Western governments worried about national security. Will other Chinese drugmakers with overseas assets be forced to follow suit? And a family feud in Shanghai has left a $1 billion luxury villa complex in limbo. How much risk does this kind of feuding pose for investors in the many publicly traded Chinese companies dominated by a single family?

What's Ahead for China Inc. Under Trump 2.0?

The new U.S. Trump Administration will need to decide whether to continue earlier policies on restricting trade and IPOs by Chinese companies. Will it break with the previous Biden administration on issues like the TikTok ban, or will it get even tougher?

Alibaba's Sun Art Sale, and a China-Kazakhstan Dual Listing

Alibaba has announced a plan to sell its majority stake in Sun Art, operator of the popular RT-Mart supermarket chain. Is this the end for Alibaba's new retail vision combining e-commerce with brick-and-mortar stores? And a mining startup called Jiaxin has unveiled a plan to list shares in both Hong Kong and Kazakhstan, where it's developing a tungsten mine. What sets this venture apart from China's other big listed mining companies?

A Shifting IPO Tide, and China Stocks Get Cold Shoulder in Europe

Chinese companies are increasingly choosing Hong Kong over New York for their offshore listings. What's driving this tide? And some of those same companies that have listed in Europe are finding a lack of interest from investors in Germany, Switzerland and London. Why the cold reception?

Bubble Tea IPOs Come Back, and an Nvidia Supplier Booms

China’s bubble tea IPO ban ends with the resumption of Guming’s Hong Kong listing. What’s changed in the market? And a nuts and bolts maker called ZJK soared on hopes for a deeper Nvidia partnership. Are the company’s big stock gains justified?

GM’s China Charge, and Nvidia’s Antitrust Probe

GM takes a $5 billion charge related to its struggling China business. Where did the auto giant go wrong in the world’s largest car market? And China probes Nvidia for antitrust behavior in a 4-year-old chip acquisition. Is the move politically motivated?

Two IPOs: One in Autonomous Driving and One in Gold

Robotaxi operator Pony.ai has raised more than $400 million in its U.S. IPO. What political risks could it face in the future? And jewelry store operator Mokginran has raised a smaller $67 million with its Hong Kong listing. But will it take a blow from China's cooling appetite for gold?

A McDonald's Valuation Downsize, and New Medical Plan Additions

The value of McDonald's China operation has plunged by more than half in the last year. What's causing the indigestion? And 91 companies get their drugs added to China's national health plan. But are the steep discounts needed to make the cut really worth it?