Bright Smart Securities & Commodities Group (01428.HK) saw its stock price soar by 5.59% in pre-market trading on Tuesday, following news of a significant acquisition by Ant Group, an affiliate of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.

Ant Group announced its plans to acquire a controlling stake in Bright Smart Securities for $362 million. This move marks Ant Group's first acquisition of a securities brokerage license, signaling a strategic expansion into the financial services sector. The deal is likely to bring substantial benefits to Bright Smart, including potential technological advancements and access to Ant Group's vast customer base.

Investors reacted positively to this news, driving up Bright Smart's stock price. The acquisition is seen as a vote of confidence in Bright Smart's business model and future prospects. It also highlights the growing interest of tech giants in traditional financial services, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape in the securities brokerage industry.