Microsoft has said that ByteDance, the owner of popular social video app TikTok, has rejected its proposal to acquire TikTok’s US operations. While markets presumed that ByteDance has chosen Oracle, Chinese media has reported that ByteDance wouldn’t be selling the operations to Oracle also. Oracle shares were however up sharply in pre markets today.
Last month, US President Donald Trump through an executive order said that TikTok would have to find a US-based buyer for its US operations by 20 September or risk getting banned from the country. The order gave TikTok 90 days until 12 November to complete the sale process.
Microsoft and Oracle were contenders for TikTok
Oracle and Microsoft were the two contenders for TikTok’s US operations. However, Microsoft confirmed on Sunday that TikTok has said no to its acquisition proposal. “ByteDance let us know today they would not be selling TikTok’s US operations to Microsoft,” said the company in its release.
It added, “We are confident our proposal would have been good for TikTok’s users, while protecting national security interests. To do this, we would have made significant changes to ensure the service met the highest standards for security, privacy, online safety, and combatting disinformation, and we made these principles clear in our August statement. We look forward to seeing how the service evolves in these important areas.”
TikTok might not sell its US assets
Many reports said that TikTok would sell its US operations to Oracle. Last month, Trump had put his stamp of approval behind Oracle and said that it would be a “great company” to acquire TikTok’s US assets.’
However, today, Chinese media has denied reports that ByteDance would be selling TikTok’s US assets to Oracle. Chinese media company CGTN has reported that ByteDance would not be selling TikTok’s US assets to Oracle citing the new export control rules that China announced last month.
“The newly-added article 21 over ‘personalized information push service technology based on data analysis’ and article 18 about ‘artificial intelligence interactive interface technology’ may have something to do with ByteDance,” said Cui Fan, a professor of international trade at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.
Cui added: “If ByteDance plans to export related technologies, it should go through the approval procedures”
TikTok versus the Trump administration
After Trump signed the executive order requiring TikTok to sell its US operations, ByteDance filed a lawsuit against the order. The TikTok issue has added to the long list of flashpoints between the US and China. Relations between the world’s two biggest economies are currently at their lowest levels in decades.
The Trump administration also put new sanctions on Chinese 5G giant Huawei last month crippling its handset business. The US has asked its allies to shun Chinese gear for their 5G infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Oracle shares are up almost 10% in pre markets today despite contradictory reports on whether it would get to buy TikTok’s US operations. Oracle shares are up 9% so far in the year based on last week’s closing prices.
Oracle has underperformed the Nasdaq this year which soared to record highs last month. However, tech stocks have come under pressure this month with stocks like Zoom Video Communications and Tesla down sharply from their recent highs.
Oracle stock could see valuation rerating after TikTok acquisition
If Oracle manages to acquire TikTok’s US assets, it would help the company gain access to its fast-growing operations. Also, there could be a good fit between TikTok and Oracle’s cloud storage business.
Out of the 36 analysts surveyed by Yahoo Finance, 26 have a buy or higher rating on Oracle while nine have a hold rating. The remaining one analyst has rated Oracle as a sell. The stock’s average price target of $62.63 is at a premium of 10% over current prices.
Oracle shares trade at a forward price to earnings ratio of 13.6x. Wall Street might take a fresh look at Oracle and the stock could see a valuation rerating if it manages to acquire TikTok.
You can trade in stocks using several instruments including CFD or Contract for Difference. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best brokers for CFDs. We’ve also compiled a handy guide on how to short stocks.
Trusted & Regulated Stock & CFD Brokers
What we like
- 0% Fees on Stocks
- 5000+ Stocks, ETFs and other Markets
- Accepts Paypal Deposits
Min Deposit
$200
Charge per Trade
Zero Commission on real stocks
64 traders signed up today
Visit Now67% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Available Assets
- Total Number of Stocks & Shares5000+
- US Stocks
- German Stocks
- UK Stocks
- European
- ETF Stocks
- IPO
- Funds
- Bonds
- Options
- Futures
- CFDs
- Crypto
Charge per Trade
- FTSE 100 Zero Commission
- NASDAQ Zero Commission
- DAX Zero Commission
- Facebook Zero Commission
- Alphabet Zero Commission
- Tesla Zero Commission
- Apple Zero Commission
- Microsoft Zero Commission
Deposit Method
- Wire Transfer
- Credit Cards
- Bank Account
- Paypall
- Skrill
- Neteller
What we like
- Sign up today and get $5 free
- Fractals Available
- Paypal Available
Min Deposit
$0
Charge per Trade
$1 to $9 PCM
Visit Now
Investing in financial markets carries risk, you have the potential to lose your total investment.
Available Assets
- Total Number of Shares999
- US Stocks
- German Stocks
- UK Stocks
- European Stocks
- EFTs
- IPOs
- Funds
- Bonds
- Options
- Futures
- CFDs
- Crypto
Charge per Trade
- FTSE 100 $1 - $9 per month
- NASDAQ $1 - $9 per month
- DAX $1 - $9 per month
- Facebook $1 - $9 per month
- Alphabet $1 - $9 per month
- Telsa $1 - $9 per month
- Apple $1 - $9 per month
- Microsoft $1 - $9 per month
Deposit Method
- Wire Transfer
- Credit Cards
- Bank Account
Share
