Alibaba to Split Into Six Groups and Explore IPOs in a Departure From Jack Ma Era

Chinese tech giant makes announcement just after its co-founder reappeared in China after months overseas

Photo: Hangzhou Yungu School

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. said it plans to split itself into six independently run companies that could seek separate IPOs, effectively dismantling a business empire built over two decades by charismatic entrepreneur Jack Ma just as the tycoon reappeared in China.

The reorganization of one of China’s largest private companies, once valued at more than $800 billion but now worth about a quarter of that, comes after Chinese authorities signaled in recent months they were winding down a sweeping regulatory clampdown aimed at reining in the country’s powerful tech sector.

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