Core Viewpoint - The ongoing power struggle within Kexing Biotech has reached a critical point, with significant implications for the company's future and its shareholders, particularly regarding the massive dividend payout and its impact on long-term growth potential [2][10]. Group 1: Shareholder Meeting and Dividend Controversy - A special shareholder meeting on July 9 resulted in a contentious vote to remove the current board and appoint a new one, with both sides claiming legitimacy [3]. - The current board, led by Li Jiaqiang, initiated a $7.5 billion dividend payout as a strategy to secure support from shareholders, while the opposing faction led by Yin Weidong sought to leverage the situation for a board takeover [3][4]. - The total dividend payout reached $124 per share, translating to a staggering yield of over 1900% based on the original purchase price of $6.47 per share [2]. Group 2: Historical Context and Governance Issues - The conflict traces back to a disagreement over privatization strategies in 2015, leading to a split between factions supported by different investment firms [4]. - The board's governance issues have led to significant operational disruptions, including a halt in research and development activities and the resignation of the independent auditing firm [6][8]. - The company has faced legal challenges, including a court ruling that invalidated a previous board's actions, further complicating its governance structure [4]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Future Outlook - Kexing Biotech reported a net profit of $8.467 billion in 2021, but has since experienced significant losses in 2023 and the first half of 2024 [8]. - Following the dividend payout, the company is left with approximately $2 to $3 billion in cash, which raises concerns about its ability to fund future research and development initiatives [8][10]. - Analysts express skepticism about the company's long-term viability without a clear growth strategy or new product pipeline, especially after the decline of its COVID-19 vaccine business [10].
科兴生物75亿美元“清仓式分红”背后：十年内斗掏空现金储备，研发停滞退市风险激增