BSG quoted in reports on Alibaba, Microsoft & Yahoo!

We may be somewhat inaccurately described as an IT consulting firm here (we focus on business media, information and events), but thanks anyway to the XFN for including our comments in this piece on the impact of Microsoft's break-up with Yahoo! on Alibaba:

"I believe the slump in its share price today has more to do with worries about its first-quarter earnings more than Microsoft's decision to drop its takeover bid for Yahoo," said Paul Woodward, principal at information technology consulting firm Business Strategies Group.

"I doubt if there is any direct link between its share price and the proposed Microsoft deal," he said.

"Alibaba.com's earnings depend to a large extent on world trade and with the slowing of the global economy it's understandable for investors to worry about its earnings," he said.

BSG quoted in reports on MSFT/Yahoo! impact on Alibaba

We noted in our Asia Business Media blog yesterday that Microsoft's bid for Yahoo! was causing a fair bit of excitement in relation to Alibaba.com. One of the calls we received was from Xinhua Finance News who's piece is here:

"Alibaba.com appears to be riding on the back of the big surge in Yahoo's share price following news of Microsoft's takeover bid for Yahoo," said Paul Woodward, principal at information technology consultancy firm Business Strategies Group.

"I don't think there is any case yet of anyone, such as Microsoft, showing interest in acquiring Alibaba.com which is small relative to global players," he said.

I won't be going back on the Alibaba Christmas card list any time soon with later comments in the piece about valuations. Not that anybody takes too much notice of what I'm saying on this. I see the stock is up another almost 5% this morning.

Important new Tracker report released

PRESS RELEASE

BSG releases ranking of publicly-listed Asian B2B media companies

Hong Kong, 14^th January: Business Strategies Group (BSG), the only consultancy in Asia specialising in B2B media and events, has released a new report covering all publicly-traded Asian B2B media companies. The report ranks 25 companies by revenue, gross profit and market capitalisation. It also provides profiles of all 25 companies featuring key financial metrics, the share price performance over the past 12 months and other data such as key shareholders and core business description.

In terms of revenues, Pico Far East, which provides marketing, logistical and advertising services to exhibition organizers, is the largest with revenues of US$231 million. Alibaba.com is a new-comer to BSG’s ranking. The company debuts in the number two position with revenues of US$176 million in 2006. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) with revenues of nearly US$173 million for its publishing and exhibitions activities ranks third. Xinhua Finance (US$167 million) and Global Sources (US$156 million) round out the top five.

As of 8 January, the market capitalization of the top 25 companies ranges from Alibaba.com’s US$16.8 billion down to Hong Kong-listed CCID Consulting which has a market capitalization of just US$7.7 million. Three companies have a market cap of over US$1 billion – Alibaba.com, Baidu (US$11.4 billion) and Global Sources (US$1.1 billion). Surprisingly, Shenzhen-listed Zhejiang Netsun with revenues of just US$8 million ranks fourth with a market cap of US$604 million. NASDAQ-listed Xinhua Finance Media completes the top five with a market capitalization of US$383 million.

BSG Principal, Paul Woodward, commented “we expect the top five companies to continue to expand rapidly. Both Alibaba.com and Xinhua Financial recently completed IPOs and BSG anticipates that both companies will pursue acquisitions as a means of growth. Meanwhile, Global Sources is also aggressively expanding its successful series of sourcing trade shows in new locations such as Dubai and India.”

This BSG report was distributed on 10^th January to BSG subscribers of its Asian Business Media Tracker service. It is also available for purchase on a stand-alone basis.

ENDS

BSG caught up in Ali-frenzy

A number of press reports have picked up quotes on us today including:

Associated Press: "It's a great company. But it's very much a proxy for China, the Internet and the appeal of its founder, Jack Ma, and (the price) has nothing at all to do with the business fundamentals put on the table," Paul Woodward, business media consultant at Business Strategies Group, which values the entire business-to-business market in mainland China at $1.41 billion.