Alibaba takes control of film group in $160M share purchase

BEIJING - 10 December 2018: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA.N) said on Monday it will increase its stake in Hong Kong-listed Alibaba Pictures (1060.HK) to 51 percent, taking control of the film unit’s board.

Alibaba Pictures will issue one billion new shares to Alibaba at HK$1.25, valuing the exchange at roughly HK$1.25 billion ($159.9 million), the e-commerce firm said.

Currently, Alibaba owns a 49 percent stake in the firm.

“The proposed share purchase is a vote of confidence in Alibaba Pictures, and we will continue to invest resources,” Alibaba chief Daniel Zhang said.

Alibaba Pictures, which listed in 2016, operates under Alibaba’s Digital Media and Entertainment business.