Ryan Cohen Expands Stake in Alibaba to $1 Billion

BENGALURU, India (AP) — Billionaire investor Ryan Cohen has increased his personal stake in Alibaba Group, investing nearly $1 billion in recent months, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal published on February 20, 2025.

Cohen’s investment amounts to approximately 7 million shares of the Chinese e-commerce giant. This significant purchasing activity reflects Cohen’s ongoing confidence in Alibaba’s future growth potential.

Cohen had started building his stake in early 2023, acquiring shares worth hundreds of millions. Sources revealed at that time that he was advocating for the company to accelerate its share buyback efforts, a move aimed at driving up stock prices amid fluctuating market conditions.

The report did not disclose specific responses from either Alibaba or Cohen regarding this latest investment update, as both parties were unavailable for immediate comment.

Recent trends indicate a resurgence in Chinese tech stocks, driven in part by the rise of domestic artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek. Additionally, a notable meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and business leaders in the tech sector has generated enhanced investor optimism.

Earlier on the same day, Alibaba underscored its commitment to growth by announcing plans to increase investments in its e-commerce divisions and its AI-powered cloud computing businesses. Moreover, the company reported third-quarter revenue that exceeded analysts’ estimates, bolstered by robust year-end sales.

This recent strategic pivot appears to align with broader trends in the market, suggesting increased confidence in the sustainability of e-commerce and AI technologies.

Reporting by Deborah Sophia; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar.