Pinduoduo announces pricing of convertible notes and equity offerings, set to raise US$6.1 billion including over-allotment

Rhea-AI Summary

Pinduoduo (NASDAQ: PDD) has successfully completed a fundraising effort totaling US$6.1 billion through offerings of convertible notes and American Depositary Shares. The company issued US$1.75 billion in convertible senior notes due 2025 and priced 28.7 million ADS at US$125 per ADS. The oversubscribed offering aims to strengthen the balance sheet and support strategic investments in infrastructure and acquisitions. With over 700 million active buyers, Pinduoduo is poised to capitalize on changing consumer habits and enhance its platform.

Positive

• Raised $6.1 billion through convertible notes and ADS offerings.
• Oversubscribed offerings indicate strong investor confidence.
• Plans to invest in infrastructure, expand operations, and pursue acquisitions.
• Reported first quarterly profit since listing.
• Surpassed 700 million active buyers.

Negative

• None.

SHANGHAI, China, Nov. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pinduoduo Inc. (“Pinduoduo” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PDD), an innovative and fast-growing technology platform and one of the leading Chinese e-commerce players, today announced the pricing of its offerings of convertible notes and equity, with a total fundraising amount of US$6.1 billion if an over-allotment is included.

The Nasdaq-listed interactive mobile commerce company offered US$1.75 billion in convertible senior notes due 2025, and priced its upsized offering of 28.7 million American Depositary Shares (“ADS”) at US$125 per ADS. The company will sell an additional US$250 million in notes and 4.305 million ADS should a greenshoe option be exercised in full. The offer was oversubscribed.

Pinduoduo expects to use the proceeds to strengthen its balance sheet and make strategic investments in infrastructure, expanding business operations, making future acquisitions, and entering partnerships. Last week, the company reported its first quarterly profit since listing. The total number of annual active buyers surpassed 700 million in five years.

“We are seeing large-scale changes in consumer habits as a result of Covid-19, which are accelerating digital transformation across different sectors,” said Chen Lei, Chief Executive Officer of Pinduoduo. “We are constantly evaluating how technology can be deployed to meet these changing preferences. We are prepared to invest capital and resources to improve our platform and build infrastructure to capture key opportunities.”

Pinduoduo management said on the post-earnings conference call last week that the company will invest in agriculture and manufacturing and help producers move up the value chain.

The company highlighted the online migration of grocery shopping due to Covid-19 and noted the need to develop new infrastructure and technology solutions to serve this shift in consumer behavior. The aim was to meet a growing demand for high-quality produce at attractive prices the following day.

Another area of focus was on helping manufacturers build brands and connect to consumers. Pinduoduo recently expanded its “New Brand” plan as part of its consumer-to-manufacturer (“C2M”) initiative and will direct more resources to support brand development for manufacturers. The company will also help well-known brands incubate sub-brands, support new emerging brands, and rejuvenate heritage brands.

“The strong demand for the offering underscores investor confidence in our company fundamentals and vision to invest in growth,” said David Liu, Vice President of Strategy at Pinduoduo. “Pinduoduo has always been cashflow positive. We are confident of our prospects and focused on the next stage of growth.”

About Pinduoduo Inc.

Pinduoduo is an innovative and fast-growing technology platform that provides buyers with value-for-money merchandise and fun and interactive shopping experiences. The Pinduoduo mobile platform offers a comprehensive selection of attractively priced merchandise, featuring a dynamic social shopping experience that leverages social networks effectively.

For more information on Pinduoduo news and industry trends, please visit our content hub at http://stories.pinduoduo-global.com/. 

FAQ

What is the total amount raised by Pinduoduo in their recent offering?

Pinduoduo raised a total of US$6.1 billion through convertible notes and American Depositary Shares (ADS) offerings.

How much are the convertible senior notes issued by Pinduoduo?

Pinduoduo issued US$1.75 billion in convertible senior notes due 2025.

What are the plans for the proceeds from Pinduoduo's fundraising?

The proceeds will be used to strengthen the balance sheet and support strategic investments in infrastructure, operations, and acquisitions.

How many active buyers does Pinduoduo have as of their latest report?

Pinduoduo reported over 700 million active buyers.

What was the pricing for Pinduoduo's American Depositary Shares?

Pinduoduo priced their American Depositary Shares at US$125 per ADS.