According to news on November 22, in response to recent rumors that Jack Ma has sold a huge amount of Alibaba shares, Jiang Fang, a partner and chief talent officer of Alibaba Group, posted on Alibaba’s intranet today that "Jack Ma has not sold a single share." Chairman Tsai Chongxin also responded, "As long as we have an open mind and innovative thinking, we will have the opportunity to create a different Alibaba."
Recently, the American Stock Exchange listed an application disclosed by the Jack Ma Family Trust for a long-term equity plan that started on November 21. The application sets certain preconditions to choose whether to sell Alibaba shares. This information was interpreted to mean that Jack Ma was about to sell Alibaba's shares, and it even gave rise to many malicious speculations and associations.
Jiang Fang posted a detailed explanation of the matter in an intranet post: In order to need funds to invest in agricultural technology and public welfare projects at home and abroad, Teacher Ma’s office signed a shareholding reduction contract with the stock broker earlier this year in accordance with the US SEC10b5-1 regulations. According to regulations, this preconditional future shareholding reduction plan will be announced to the public in mid-November. The sales price set in August was much higher than the current stock price, so Mr. Ma did not sell a single share!
It is worth noting that Alibaba Group Chairman Joe Tsai also left a reply under the post, "I have been with the company for almost 25 years. Alibaba has been facing various doubts and challenges from the beginning to the present. But we have persisted as always and have overcome difficulties one after another amid doubts and challenges. Because Alibaba's gene is to believe that the future will be better."
In addition, regarding the recent rumors that Alibaba will lay off 25,000 people, Jiang Fang mentioned in her post, "We have called the police to hold the rumor makers accountable. We hope to see the rumor makers take responsibility soon." (Yicheng)
The following is Jiang Fang’s intranet post:
Dear friends, there are two things about Alibaba that have been widely circulated in the past two days, but there are serious fallacies. I will synchronize the real information I know with everyone. You are also welcome to pass the information I provided to colleagues and friends around you who care about Alibaba’s development:
1. Since the group released its quarterly report last Thursday, Mr. Ma’s announcement of his plan to reduce his holdings in Alibaba stock and media reports made the students mistakenly believe that Mr. Ma is not optimistic about the company. Let me clarify the facts here: In order to invest in agricultural technology and public welfare projects at home and abroad, Mr. Ma’s office signed a shareholding reduction contract with the stock broker earlier this year in accordance with the US SEC10b5-1 regulations. According to regulations, this preconditional future shareholding reduction plan will be announced to the public in mid-November.
November 16 happened to be the set disclosure time, but the stock brokers did not know that this day happened to be the day when the company released its financial report. This coincidence was the first reason for the misunderstanding by the outside world.
The sales price set in August was much higher than the current stock price, so Mr. Ma did not sell a single share! This is the second misunderstanding from the outside world.
Mr. Ma’s office has released a statement to the public that Mr. Ma will firmly hold Alibaba. This is not a cliche, it is a fact. Alibaba stock is currently significantly lower than Alibaba's actual value, and he will not sell it.
The outside world's speculation that he is selling stocks shows that he has no confidence in Alibaba's business, completely ignoring the fact that this is a long-term plan and that he believes that Alibaba's business will further increase in value and sets a higher selling price.
2. The rumor that Alibaba is going to lay off 25,000 people: This rumor has been widely circulated in the past two days, and it even made up a story about how we went to the human resources and social security departments to apply for approval. The group has called the police to hold the rumor mongers accountable. I hope to see the rumor makers take responsibility soon.
I think this is not the first time I have come to the intranet to refute rumors, and it most likely won’t be the last. Since the company was founded today, and we have gone through ups and downs with the company over the years, we have never been short of rumors. The important thing is that we always defeat rumors with belief.
We have gone from denial, doubt and even rumors to today. Belief, belief, belief in the future and belief in ourselves are our strength to face all storms. Facing the future, facing the wave of science and technology, and facing endless innovations, we still have many important things to do. Let’s work hard together!
The following is a message from Alibaba Group Chairman Joe Tsai under the post: I have been with the company for almost 25 years, and Alibaba has been facing various doubts and challenges from the beginning to the present. But we persisted as always and overcame one difficulty after another amidst doubts and challenges. Because Ali’s gene is to believe that the future will be better.
Today’s global technology and business models are rapidly iterating, which is a challenge for everyone, but it is also an excellent opportunity. As long as we have an open mind and innovative thinking, we will have the opportunity to create a different Alibaba.
At this moment, it belongs to me. I have full confidence in Ali. Young Ali students, the future belongs to you! Because of trust, it is simple, because of belief, it is visible!