Smartphone Maker Xiaomi Files For World's Biggest IPO Since 2014

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Authors: Jordan
Smartphone and connected device maker Xiaomi filed for a Hong Kong initial public offering on Thursday, in what is expected to be world's
biggest IPO since 2014, according to Bloomberg
The listing could value the company at up to $100 billion and would be the biggest Chinese tech IPO since Alibaba Group Holding Ltd raised
$21.8 billion in 2014
The announcement came as the consumer electronics company gave investors the first detailed look at its financial position ahead of the
much-hyped IPO.The company said its revenue was 114.62 billion yuan ($18 billion) in 2017, up 67.5 per cent against 2016
It also said it made a net loss of 43.89 billion yuan versus a profit of 491.6 million yuan in 2016
Operating profit for 2017 was 12.22 billion yuan, up from 3.79 billion yuan a year ago.Alongside smartphones, Xiaomi makes dozens of
internet-connected home appliances and gadgets, including scooters, air purifiers and rice cookers, although it derives most of its profits
from internet services
In the smartphone market its relatively cheap handsets pose a rising challenge to market leaders Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Apple
Inc.Xiaomi's IPO will be one of the first in Hong Kong under new rules which began on Monday in an effort to attract more tech listings, as
competition for major tech deals heats up between Hong Kong, New York and the Chinese mainland.The exchange is eyeing several tech listings
that are expected in the coming two years from Chinese firms with a combined market cap of $500 billion.CLSA, Morgan Stanley and Goldman
Sachs Group Inc are sponsoring Xiaomi's IPO
($1 = 6.3610 Chinese yuan renminbi)