BEIJING - VNET Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: VNET), a prominent internet data center services provider in China, announced today that its interim CEO and Founder, Mr. Josh Sheng Chen, has withdrawn his proposal to privatize the company. The proposal, initially made on September 13, 2022, aimed to acquire all outstanding shares of VNET.
Following Mr. Chen's decision, the special committee of the board of directors, which was considering the privatization alongside other potential transactions, has recommended the dissolution of the committee. The board has approved this action, effectively ceasing current evaluations of any such transactions.
This step comes after considering an unsolicited bid from the Hina Group and Industrial Bank Co., Ltd., Shanghai Branch in April 2022, which also did not progress to fruition.
Mr. Chen expressed his belief that VNET's current public status aligns more closely with its long-term interests given the current market conditions. He reaffirmed his commitment to the company's growth and its mission to bring green direct-current electricity to households, aiming to capitalize on AI-driven demand in the AGI era.
Co-Chairperson of VNET and CEO of Shandong Hi-Speed Holdings Group Limited, Mr. Jianbiao Zhu, also conveyed optimism for VNET's future as a listed company. Zhu highlighted the collaborative efforts to advance VNET's green, low-carbon transformation and to build an AI-powered, green infrastructure platform.
VNET operates across more than 30 cities in China, offering services that include hosting, cloud services, and business VPN services. The company boasts a diverse customer base, ranging from internet companies to government entities and small to mid-sized enterprises.
This news is based on a press release statement.
In other recent news, VNET Group Inc. has reported encouraging Q1 2024 financial results, largely propelled by the surge in the AI industry. The company's earnings highlight a 5.1% increase in net revenue, with wholesale revenue leaping by a significant 59.1%, while retail revenue saw a 7.1% decline.
VNET's full-year guidance anticipates net revenue to be between CNY 7.8 billion and CNY 8 billion and adjusted EBITDA to range from CNY 2.22 billion to CNY 2.28 billion. Despite noting a net loss of CNY 187 million for the quarter, VNET managed to wrap up with CNY 2.1 billion in cash and generated CNY 267.6 million from operating activities.
BofA Securities has reiterated its Buy rating on VNET, following investor meetings with the company's management. The firm's confidence in VNET is bolstered by the company's recent investment from SDHS, potential synergies with its shareholder, SDHG, and the high demand from leading internet companies and short video platforms.
In terms of plans, VNET aims to capitalize on the expanding AI industry for high-quality growth and is committed to its CapEx goals for 2024. These recent developments suggest a strategic shift in VNET's focus towards the wholesale IDC sector, while still navigating the challenges in the retail space.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of VNET Group, Inc.'s recent announcement to remain a publicly traded entity, investors may be evaluating the company's financial health and market position. According to InvestingPro data, VNET has a market capitalization of 600.47 million USD, signaling its considerable size in the IT Services industry. Despite a challenging market, VNET has maintained a low Price / Book multiple of 0.74 as of the last twelve months ending in Q1 2024, which could suggest that the company's stock is potentially undervalued relative to its assets.
However, VNET's financials also reflect some concerns, as indicated by an adjusted P/E ratio of -3.68, which demonstrates that the company has not been profitable over the last twelve months. Additionally, the company is grappling with a significant debt burden and has been quickly burning through cash, as highlighted by two InvestingPro Tips. These factors, combined with the company's high price volatility and the fact that short term obligations exceed its liquid assets, could be of interest to investors considering the risk profile of VNET.
On the upside, analysts predict that VNET will be profitable this year, and the company has seen a strong return over the last three months, with a 29.31% price total return. This may suggest a turning point for the company's financial performance. For investors seeking more in-depth analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, which can provide further guidance on VNET's market trends and financial outlook. Visit https://www.investing.com/pro/VNET to access these insights and remember to use coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription.
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