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Qudian: A Slow-motion Privatization?
QudianQudian(US:QD) Benzinga·2025-06-06 11:38

Core Viewpoint - Qudian Inc. is contemplating winding down its last-mile delivery service due to intense competition that has led to a significant revenue decline in the first quarter of the year [2][3][7]. Business Performance - The last-mile delivery business experienced a revenue drop of over 50% in the first quarter, falling from 55.8 million yuan to 25.8 million yuan year-over-year [13]. - Despite the losses in the last-mile delivery segment, Qudian reported a profit of 150 million yuan for the first quarter, primarily due to 165 million yuan in interest income from its cash holdings [14]. Competitive Landscape - Qudian faced stiff competition from established local rivals in Australia and New Zealand, as well as from Chinese logistics companies building their own infrastructure abroad [5][6]. - The last-mile delivery market in China is highly competitive, dominated by several companies that are rapidly expanding their global networks [4]. Financial Position - Qudian's cash and restricted cash increased to 5.6 billion yuan at the end of March, up from 3.5 billion yuan at the end of 2022, indicating strong cash management [15]. - The company has been actively buying back shares, reducing its outstanding American depositary shares (ADS) from 265 million to 172 million over the past three years [8][15]. Shareholder Sentiment - Shareholders did not react negatively to the announcement of the potential business closure, with stock prices remaining stable [9]. - Qudian has notable institutional shareholders, including UBS and Morgan Stanley, who may be more interested in short-term gains from potential privatization efforts [10]. Historical Context - Qudian has a history of entering and exiting various business sectors, including consumer loans, education, and prepared foods, often due to competitive pressures [12]. - The company initially found success in fintech but shifted away from that model following regulatory crackdowns in China [11].