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Xiaomi Raises $5.5 Billion in Share Sale to Accelerate EV Plans

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Xiaomi Corp, the world’s third-largest smartphone maker, announced on Tuesday that it raised $5.5 billion in an upsized share sale as the company ramps up its electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plans. The company sold 800 million shares at a price of HK$53.25 each, according to a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Originally planning to sell 750 million shares, Xiaomi decided to increase the size of the offering due to strong investor interest during the bookbuilding process. The final share price, which was at the lower end of the HK$52.80 to HK$54.60 price range, represented a 6.6% discount to Xiaomi’s closing price of HK$57 on Monday.

Investor enthusiasm for Xiaomi’s EV plans has played a significant role in the company’s stock performance, with its share price surging nearly 150% from HK$21.5 in the past six months. The sale attracted over 200 investors, with the book being oversubscribed multiple times. The top 20 investors purchased about 66% of the stock offered.

The funds raised will be used to further accelerate Xiaomi’s business expansion and invest in research and technology development, particularly in the EV sector. Xiaomi entered the electric vehicle market last year with the launch of the SU7 sedan. The company reported a 50% jump in fourth-quarter revenue and raised its target for EV deliveries this year to 350,000, up from 300,000.

Xiaomi’s EV business generated 32.1 billion yuan ($4.4 billion) in revenue in 2024, delivering more than 135,000 SU7 sedans. The company plans to start shipping cars overseas in 2027 and is expanding its production capabilities with a new land purchase for its auto factory in Beijing.

In addition to its EV ambitions, Xiaomi is also focusing on AI, planning to allocate 7-8 billion yuan out of its 2025 total R&D budget of 30 billion yuan to AI development. The share sale comes amid a wave of tech-focused capital raisings from Chinese companies, as positive sentiment around the tech sector grows, partly fueled by easing government scrutiny.

China’s Commerce Minister Welcomes Apple’s Investment Expansion in China

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China’s Commerce Minister, Wang Wentao, expressed to Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday that the company is welcome to expand its investments in China. The two leaders discussed topics including Apple’s business development within China and the broader China-U.S. economic and trade relations.

Their conversation took place during the China Development Forum in Beijing, an event attended by foreign CEOs. Some of the attendees are expected to meet President Xi Jinping later this week, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

China Equity Issuance Doubles as Tech Race Draws Global Investors

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China’s stock markets are seeing renewed interest from global investors, with equity issuance in the first quarter of 2025 nearly doubling compared to the previous year. The surge, totaling $16.8 billion, reflects a shift in investor sentiment as government scrutiny of technology firms eases and emerging tech players like AI software developer DeepSeek gain traction.

The first-quarter equity issuance represents a 119% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Investment activity is being driven by a re-rating of China’s stock market, with investors shifting their focus from caution to seeking opportunities. Despite ongoing risks, especially regarding U.S.-China tensions, China’s valuation gap compared to other global markets is becoming more apparent, attracting long-term investors.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index has surged 21% this year, outperforming international markets. The MSCI China index is also trading at lower price-to-earnings ratios compared to U.S. and other global markets, making it an attractive option for global investors.

Key to this shift in investor outlook is the easing of government restrictions on China’s tech sector, highlighted by a summit led by President Xi Jinping with top tech leaders. The rise of DeepSeek, an AI company, has further fueled optimism in China’s tech market. The Chinese government’s support for private tech companies, especially in AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors, is being seen as a positive development for foreign investors.

Chinese companies, including those in the AI sector, are helping to drive IPO activity in Hong Kong. With continued strong support from mainland and Hong Kong regulators, the market’s recent surge in activity is expected to remain sustainable.