三六零“财务造假”风波:资本迷局还是公司困局?

Core Viewpoint - The recent allegations by former employee Yu Hong against 360 (601360.SH) regarding financial misconduct have caused significant market turmoil and raised concerns about the company's financial integrity and management stability [3][4][14]. Group 1: Allegations and Market Reaction - Yu Hong accused 360 of inflating game revenues by at least tens of billions through practices like "self-recharge" and inconsistent contracts [3][4]. - Following the allegations, 360's stock price dropped for two consecutive days, resulting in a market value loss of approximately several billion yuan [4][15]. - The allegations may stem from previous disputes over equity and profit distribution between Yu Hong and the company [4][15]. Group 2: Company Performance and Management Issues - 360 was founded in 2005 and went public in the U.S. before being privatized in 2015 for about $9.3 billion. It returned to the A-share market in 2017 through a reverse merger valued at 50.4 billion yuan, reaching a market cap of over 440 billion yuan at its peak [5][16]. - The company reported net profits of 3.372 billion yuan and 3.535 billion yuan in 2017 and 2018, respectively, with a peak of 5.98 billion yuan in 2019. However, since 2020, the company has faced declining performance, with a 9.55% drop in revenue and a 51.3% drop in net profit [6][16]. - From 2022 to 2024, 360 experienced consecutive losses totaling 3.79 billion yuan, with significant management turnover impacting strategic continuity [7][17]. Group 3: Strategic Direction and Challenges - 360 has undergone multiple strategic shifts, including a focus on enterprise security and digital safety, but has struggled to maintain a competitive edge against rivals like Qihoo 360 and Deepin Technology [7][10]. - The company's recent initiatives, such as launching "360 Smart Brain" and pursuing AI and metaverse projects, have faced slow commercialization and raised questions about strategic coherence [10][20]. - The founder, Zhou Hongyi, has gained significant media attention, which some investors believe detracts from effective management during critical business transitions [20][21].