Jack Ma’s Ant Group is seeking to raise at least $35 billion (¥3.65 trillion) in its initial public offering after assessing early investor interest, people familiar with the matter said, putting the Chinese fintech giant on track for a record debut sale.
Ant lifted its IPO target based on an increased valuation of about $250 billion, up from previous estimates of $225 billion, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters. It was earlier expecting to raise at least $30 billion, people familiar have said.
Ant’s simultaneous listing in Hong Kong and Shanghai may mark the biggest IPO ever, topping Saudi Aramco’s record $29 billion sale. Ant could exceed Bank of America Corp.’s market capitalization, and be more than twice the size of Citigroup Inc. Among U.S. banks, only JPMorgan Chase & Co. is bigger at $300 billion.