Tech

Didi denies it considered to go private after earlier report sends the stock soaring

Key Points
  • Chinese ride-hailing company Didi denied a report saying it could go private to appease Chinese authorities.
  • Chinese regulators have been scrutinizing Didi for cybersecurity and antitrust matters, according to reports.
  • Didi listed shares on the New York Stock Exchange in June.

In this article

Traders work during the IPO for Chinese ride-hailing company Didi Global Inc on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) floor in New York City, U.S., June 30, 2021.
Brendan McDermid | Reuters

Chinese ride-hailing company Didi denied a Wall Street Journal report that said it could go private to appease Chinese authorities scrutinizing its business.

The original Journal report sent Didi's stock soaring nearly 40% during premarket trading Thursday, though it pared gains after the company's denial. The stock closed up 11.2%.

Didi listed its shares on the New York Stock Exchange in June with a modest pop in its share price. Days later, however, the stock dropped after Chinese authorities announced a cybersecurity review of the business. Chinese authorities had also opened an antitrust probe into Didi, Reuters reported.

China has recently tightened its grip on tech companies. Earlier this month, officials announced measures to increase regulation of cross-border data flows, adding scrutiny to companies wishing to list shares in a foreign country.

Last fall, Ant Group delayed its IPO in Shanghai and Hong Kong after Chinese regulators interviewed its top executives. Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba received a $2.8 billion fine for allegedly abusing its market dominance.

Correction: This story was updated to reflect that Alibaba, not Ant Group, was fined $2.8 billion.

Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.

WATCH: China's crypto crackdown wipes out nearly $300 billion in market value

China's crypto crackdown wipes out nearly $300 billion in market value
VIDEO2:0602:06
China's crypto crackdown wipes out nearly $300 billion in market value