Alibaba shares drop after stories of anti-monopoly probe by China

BEIJING — Shares of Alibaba fell in Hong Kong and prolonged-hours U.S. investing as stories surfaced that the Chinese government is conducting an anti-monopoly probe into the tech giant.

China’s Condition Administration for Market Regulation reported through official on the internet channels Thursday it has opened an investigation into Alibaba more than monopolistic practices. The most important problem named was a exercise that forces merchants to select a person of two platforms, alternatively than being capable to operate with both of those.

The information arrives on the heels of an rising — and mostly surprising — press by Chinese authorities to rein in their biggest tech firms via regulatory motion.

Alibaba confirmed the sector regulator’s investigation, and claimed “enterprise functions continue being regular.”

Bloomberg first reported the information, which was announced by Chinese condition information company Xinhua.

Shares of Alibaba closed in Hong Kong by extra than 8% on Thursday and were being down by that amount in premarket buying and selling in New York.

Also Thursday, Chinese authorities mentioned they would meet up with with Alibaba-affiliate Ant to supervise the financial technological know-how corporation on troubles this sort of as operating in a current market-oriented way and with thing to consider for consumers’ rights and passions.

The People’s Financial institution of China stated on its internet site the other participating regulators are the China Banking and Insurance policy Regulatory Fee, China Securities Regulatory Fee, and Point out Administration of Foreign Trade.

Ant confirmed it received a observe Thursday from regulators for a conference. Previous month, regulators abruptly suspended the firm’s significant initial community providing just times right before the planned listing in Hong Kong and Shanghai.