Tencent Holdings Ltd., China’s most valuable technology firm, conducted its biggest share repurchase in almost two decades following a sharp stock decline. The selloff occurred after Tencent was added to a US blacklist for alleged ties to the Chinese military.
On Tuesday alone, the company bought back 3.93 million Hong Kong-listed shares worth HK$1.5 billion ($193 million), according to Bloomberg data. It was Tencent’s largest buyback since April 2006. Even with that, the stock lost 7.3% the same day. Tencent denied the claims and said that it would work with the US Department of Defense to rectify the misunderstandings.
The buyback underlined Tencent’s eagerness to firm up its share price and to assure investors. Aside from the company’s moves, Tencent shares were also snapped up by mainland Chinese investors through the Stock Connect programs, worth a total of HK$14 billion and became the most active purchased stock for the day.
Market analysts said the move reflects Tencent’s confidence in valuation amid geopolitical risks emanating from the blacklist. “The share price response seems irrational. Tencent’s significant buyback underlines the company’s disagreement with the US decision,” said Vey-Sern Ling, managing director at Union Bancaire Privée. “However, heightened geopolitical risks could deter some investors.”
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Source: Moneycontrol
News Desk
