BABA(US:BABA) 36氪·2025-09-11 13:35Core Viewpoint - Alibaba's Q2 2025 financial report shows a lower-than-expected decline in operating profit, an increase in cloud business revenue growth, and a rebound in cash reserves after five consecutive quarters of decline, leading to a more than 20% rise in its stock price since the report's release [4][5][6]. Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, Alibaba's cash reserves reached approximately 183.1 billion yuan, an increase of 37.6 billion yuan from the previous quarter, marking the first rebound after five quarters of decline [6]. - The company reported a net cash outflow of 18.8 billion yuan in free cash flow for the quarter, the first negative figure in three years, prompting a need for increased liquidity [11][12]. Strategic Adjustments - Alibaba's strategy shifted in 2025, with a focus on a 380 billion yuan capital expenditure plan for AI and cloud services, alongside a commitment to instant retail, leading to increased cash requirements [11][20]. - The company reduced its stock buyback amount significantly from approximately 42.7 billion yuan in Q2 2024 to about 5.84 billion yuan in Q2 2025, indicating a strategic pivot towards maintaining liquidity [12][19]. Asset Management - Alibaba's short-term investments totaled 191.7 billion yuan in Q2 2025, a decrease of 37.1 billion yuan from the previous quarter, contributing to the increase in cash reserves [15]. - The company has been actively selling off non-core assets, including shares in various companies, to bolster cash reserves, with total cash generated from these sales estimated at 2 to 3 billion yuan [17][18]. Market Positioning - The increase in cash reserves is seen as a preparation for significant capital expenditures and a signal of Alibaba's commitment to expanding its cloud and AI capabilities [20][22]. - By streamlining its operations and focusing on core businesses, Alibaba aims to enhance its valuation, moving away from a "large and comprehensive" model to a "strong and precise" approach [24]. Valuation Outlook - Alibaba's strategic focus on AI and cloud services, coupled with a reduction in non-core investments, positions the company to potentially align its valuation with leading domestic and international peers in the cloud and AI sectors [25][27].