China Inc by BBW

Soaring Stock Brokers, and Rising Tobacco

Online brokers Futu and UP Fintech have recorded banner results, with revenue up by 75% or more for both in the fourth quarter. What's driving the growth, and is it sustainable? And the international arm of China's tobacco monopoly reported 10% revenue growth last year, even as the number of Chinese smokers fell. What's driving the increase?

New solar policy support, and a stock market cleanup

China may be preparing new policy support for its embattled solar companies, possibly in the form of ramped up building of new solar farms. Will such support be enough to raise the sector out of the doldrums? And China's securities regulator has reportedly launched a campaign to stop many smaller firms from seeking overseas listings in New York. What's driving this sudden clampdown?

The Nationalism Factor, and a Forced Asset Sale

The huge success of "Ne Zha 2," partly due to national pride, has lit a fire under the stock of the movie's producer, Enlight Media. How important is the nationalism factor when choosing Chinese stocks? And Hong Kong's CK Hutchinson has sold its two port operations in the Panama Canal after coming under pressure from Donald Trump. Are we likely to see more such forced asset sales over national security concerns going forward?

China's Takeout Delivery Market Gets a Shakeup

China's takeout dining duopoly of Ele.me and Meituan will start offering social benefits for their thousands of drivers. What's driving this change of heart and what will it mean for the market? And JD.com has announced its entering the fray, aiming to take on this established duopoly. What are its chances of success, and what does this mean for the industry?

China’s Box Office Devil Ne Zha, and Burger King's China Flip

A hit animated film about a devil child called "Ne Zha" is breathing new life into China's moribund box office. Is this the start of better days for movie theaters? And Burger King's owner buys out its China franchising partner. What's driving this move, and what does it mean for Burger King in China?

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?