Mei Ri Jing Ji Xin Wen·2025-10-17 16:16Core Viewpoint - Alibaba and Ant Group have jointly invested $925 million (approximately 6.6 billion RMB) to purchase the top 13 floors of the One Island East office building in Hong Kong, marking a shift from leasing to owning property for their headquarters [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Details - The total acquisition price for the One Island East property is $925 million, with a total building area of approximately 301,600 square feet, resulting in an average price of about 235,500 RMB per square meter [2]. - This transaction sets a new record for the largest commercial property sale in Hong Kong this year, surpassing the previous record of 6.3 billion HKD for the purchase of the top 9 floors of the Central Plaza [2]. - The deal is expected to be completed by December 31, 2025, pending the fulfillment of certain conditions [1]. Group 2: Market Context - The acquisition coincides with a significant recovery in Hong Kong's commercial property market, with multiple transactions exceeding 100 million HKD reported in August [3]. - The market has seen a notable decline in ground floor shop prices, with reductions ranging from 20% to 50%, attracting investors to enter the market [3]. - Institutional investors and long-term funds are actively positioning themselves in the market, indicating a strong interest in commercial properties following substantial price adjustments [3]. Group 3: Company Financials - For the first quarter of the new fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Alibaba reported a slight revenue increase of 2% to 247.65 billion RMB, while net profit surged by 76% to 42.38 billion RMB [2]. - As of June 30, 2025, Alibaba's cash and other liquid investments amounted to 585.66 billion RMB, indicating a strong cash flow position [2].