Baidu Announces US$5 Billion Share Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) announced a new share repurchase program authorized by its board, allowing the company to buy back up to US$5 billion of its shares until December 31, 2025. The buybacks will occur on the open market or via private transactions, depending on market conditions. The board will periodically review the program, potentially adjusting its terms and size. This move aims to enhance shareholder value by signaling confidence in the company’s future and improving earnings per share (EPS).

Positive

• Share repurchase program valued at US$5 billion, enhancing shareholder value.
• Program duration until December 31, 2025, indicating long-term commitment.

Negative

• None.

BEIJING, Feb. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Baidu, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIDU; HKEX: 9888) ("Baidu" or the "Company"), a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, today announced that its board of directors has authorized a new share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to US$5 billion of its shares, effective through December 31, 2025.

The Company's proposed repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on market conditions and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The Company's board of directors will review the share repurchase program periodically, and may authorize adjustment of its terms and size.

About Baidu

Founded in 2000, Baidu's mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu is a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, trading on Nasdaq under "BIDU" and the HKEX under "9888." One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Among other things, Baidu's and other parties' strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Baidu may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in announcements made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Baidu's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Baidu's growth strategies; its future business development, including development of new products and services; its ability to attract and retain users and customers; competition in the Chinese Internet search and newsfeed market; competition for online marketing customers; changes in the Company's revenues and certain cost or expense items as a percentage of its revenues; the liquidity condition of Baidu and/its subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities and their respective ability to fulfill payment obligations when due; the outcome of ongoing, or any future, litigation or arbitration, including those relating to intellectual property rights; the expected growth of the Chinese-language Internet search and newsfeed market and the number of Internet and broadband users in China; Chinese governmental policies relating to the Internet and Internet search providers, and general economic conditions in China and elsewhere. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's annual report on Form 20-F and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Baidu does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Baidu undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidu-announces-us5-billion-share-repurchase-program-301752828.html

SOURCE Baidu, Inc.

FAQ

What is Baidu's new share repurchase program about?

Baidu has authorized a share repurchase program allowing up to US$5 billion in buybacks through December 31, 2025.

How does Baidu's share repurchase program affect its stock price?

The buyback program is expected to improve shareholder value and could positively influence Baidu's stock price by reducing the number of shares outstanding.

When was Baidu's share repurchase program announced?

The share repurchase program was announced on February 22, 2023.

What is the purpose of Baidu's share repurchase program?

The purpose is to enhance shareholder value and signal confidence in the company's future performance.

How long will Baidu's share repurchase program last?

The program will be effective until December 31, 2025.