BABA
- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd - ADR
(NYSE
)
Alibaba
Overview
Company Summary
Alibaba Group Holding Limited, or Alibaba, is a Chinese multinational technology company specializing in e-commerce, retail, Internet, and technology. Founded on 28 June 1999 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, the company provides consumer-to-consumer, business-to-consumer, and business-to-business sales services via Chinese and global marketplaces, as well as local consumer, digital media and entertainment, logistics and cloud computing services. It owns and operates a diverse portfolio of companies around the world in numerous business sectors. On 19 September 2014, Alibaba's initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange raised US$25 billion, giving the company a market value of US$231 billion and, by far, then the largest IPO in world history. It is one of the top 10 most valuable corporations, and is named the 31st-largest public company in the world on the Forbes Global 2000 2020 list. In January 2018, Alibaba became the second Asian company to break the US$500 billion valuation mark, after its competitor Tencent. As of 2022, Alibaba has the ninth-highest global brand valuation. Alibaba is one of the world's largest retailers and e-commerce companies.
Alibaba Group Holding Limited, commonly known as Alibaba, is a multinational conglomerate specializing in e-commerce, retail, internet, and technology-related services. Founded in 1999 by Jack Ma, the company is headquartered in Hangzhou, China, but operates globally. Alibaba's primary business operations can be divided into four main segments:
1. E-commerce platforms: Alibaba operates several online marketplaces, the most prominent of which are Taobao, Tmall, and Alibaba.com. Taobao is a consumer-to-consumer (C2C) platform where individuals can buy and sell a wide range of products. Tmall, on the other hand, is a business-to-consumer (B2C) platform that hosts official brand stores. Alibaba.com primarily focuses on business-to-business (B2B) trade, serving as a global wholesale marketplace.
2. Cloud computing: Alibaba Cloud, also known as Aliyun, is the company's cloud computing division. It provides a wide range of cloud-based services, including data storage, computing power, content delivery, and artificial intelligence. Alibaba Cloud is one of the largest cloud service providers globally and competes with the likes of Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
3. Digital media and entertainment: Alibaba has a presence in the digital media and entertainment industry through companies like Youku Tudou (an online video platform), Alibaba Pictures (a film production and distribution company), and Alibaba Music (an online music platform). These entities contribute to Alibaba's strategy of integrating content, commerce, and technology.
4. Innovation initiatives and others: Alibaba invests in various sectors through its strategic investment division, including areas such as logistics, fintech (financial technology), healthcare, and artificial intelligence. These initiatives help drive innovation and position the company as a leader in emerging technologies.
In summary, Alibaba Group Holding Limited is primarily an e-commerce giant, operating online marketplaces connecting buyers and sellers. It has expanded its offerings to encompass cloud computing, digital media, entertainment, and strategic investments in various industries. Alibaba's success has helped shape the e-commerce landscape in China and has further extended its influence globally.