The Alibaba stock has been experiencing a series of fluctuations, mostly on the downside, due to the concerning state of China’s economy. The latest data paints a grim picture as Chinese imports and exports took a sharp fall in August.
Chinese imports registered a 7.3% annual decline last month, according to official data. Although this decline was somewhat better than anticipated, with expectations of an 11.9% drop, it still had adverse effects on the shares of Alibaba (ticker: BABA). The Chinese tech giant witnessed a 1.9% decrease in its stock during premarket trading. Similarly, shares in its e-commerce peer, JD.com (JD), also experienced a 2.9% decline.
While the decline in imports does offer some solace as it reflects Chinese consumption, which drives revenue for Alibaba, the overall situation is far from satisfactory. China’s economy continues to display signs of a slowdown, and the existing stimulus measures have not been able to alleviate investors’ concerns. This trend also poses a risk to numerous global stocks, with at least 15 companies being vulnerable to the current economic conditions.
Moreover, China’s latest trade data implies a more extensive negative implication. Exports fell by 8.8% annually in August, moderating from a 14.5% decline in July and surpassing the expected 13.2% drop. This decline in exports serves as a worrisome indicator not just for China but for the entire world. It suggests a decreasing international demand for goods produced in China, further exacerbating the global economic pain.
It is crucial to note that data can sometimes outperform expectations while still delivering bad news.