Baidu Inc. (09888.HK) saw its stock price soar by 5.05% in intraday trading on Monday, following the company's announcement of a proposed offering of CNY-denominated senior unsecured notes. The move signals Baidu's strategic effort to leverage international markets for financial growth and has been well-received by investors.
The Chinese tech giant plans to offer the notes in offshore transactions outside the United States to non-U.S. persons, in compliance with Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933. While specific details such as the principal amount, interest rates, and maturity dates are yet to be determined, Baidu stated that the net proceeds would be used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of certain existing indebtedness and interest payments.
Market reaction to the news has been notably positive, with Baidu's Hong Kong-listed shares hitting a near 6-month high. The stock is currently the third-biggest percentage gainer on both the Hang Seng Tech Index and the Hang Seng Commerce & Industry Index. This surge comes as part of a broader upward trend for Baidu, with its Hong Kong stock up 19.8% year-to-date. The proposed notes offering appears to have bolstered investor confidence in Baidu's financial strategy and future prospects.