As competition intensifies in nearly every major space on the Chinese Internet, companies are finding themselves increasingly in need of new money as their profits tumble and cash reserves dwindle. The options for new funding are particularly limited for younger private companies, whose main source of money is usually private equity and venture capital that is relatively limited. Older listed companies have more choices, since they can tap financial markets by issuing bonds or new shares to raise money. That distinction is seeing a small but growing number of older Chinese Internet firms raise money by issuing new debt to compete with their smaller but very aggressive rivals in the fight for market share. In the latest development on that front, leading online travel services provider Ctrip (Nasdaq: CTRP) has just announced plans to issue up to $140 million in convertible bonds . (company announcement)
Tag Archives: Youku Tudou
Youku-Tudou: More Trouble As COO Resigns 优酷—土豆：COO辞职，麻烦更多
Jishi the Latest in Low-Key Media Listing Parade 吉视传媒加入中国媒体低调上市大军
It seems that while I’ve been talking for months about the huge potential for video program makers due to demand from online video sites, a steady stream of just such companies have been making low-key IPOs in China. Truth be told, most of these companies look like very regional players connected to larger state-owned groups, but nonetheless they could still provide an interesting investment proposition for those with access to China’s stock markets. In the latest of such offerings, a company called Jishi Media, based in northeastern Jilin province, is getting ready to apply for a domestic listing, Chinese media are reporting. (Chinese article) The offering would follow a relatively high-profile recent listing for another regional player, Jiangsu Phoenix Publishing (Shenzhen: 601928), and other recent offerings by names like Central China Land Media (Shenzhen: 000719), Zhejiang Daily Media (Shanghai: 600633) and Shanghai Worldbest (Shanghai: 600757). Another interesting play could be Toonmax, the animation arm of Shanghai Media Group, China’s second largest media company, which one of my sources also tells me is seeking to make a listing. These companies complement bigger names like US listed Phoenix New Media (Nasdaq: FENG) and Huayi Brothers (Shanghai: 300027), which in my view are better bets due to their national scope. But that doesn’t mean that some of these regional players might not make interesting bets, especially a relatively big name like Animax whose programs would undoubtedly provide high quality offerings for China’s hungry stable of online video channels like Youku (NYSE: YOKU), Tudou (Nasdaq: TUDO) and Sohu (Nasdaq: SOHU), which have all recently signed a number of high profile deals to offer movies and TV programs from major Hollywood studios. I wouldn’t be surprised to see 1 or 2 of these smaller regional programers emerge as big names in the future, much the way regional TV station Hunan Broadcasting has become one of China’s most popular stations by offering popular programs combined with strong marketing.
Bottom line: A growing number of media firms making domestic IPOs could provide an interesting investment option, capitalizing on strong demand for programming from online video sites.
Related postings 相关文章:
◙ Video Makers On Cusp of Renaissance 视频制作商或迎来美好时代
◙ Tudou Surprises With Profit, Licensing Deal 土豆网意外扭亏为盈视频分享市场的好兆头
◙ Sohu’s Blowout Earnings: IPO In Store for Video? 搜狐发喜报视频业务或上市
