Shares of VNET Group Inc (NASDAQ:VNET) fell 6.9% on Friday after the company disclosed a private placement of newly issued Class A ordinary shares to institutional investors.
The internet data center services provider said it will offer 81.0 million Class A ordinary shares at a price of $1.70 per Class A share. The company also reported the price equates to $10.20 per American Depositary Share, with each ADS representing six Class A ordinary shares.
VNET noted the private placement is expected to dilute the ownership stake of existing shareholders. Gross proceeds from the offering are anticipated to be approximately $137.7 million, before placement agent fees and offering expenses.
The company stated it intends to allocate the proceeds to general corporate purposes, explicitly listing working capital, capital expenditures and possible strategic transactions as uses for the funds.
VNET said it expects to close the Private Placement on or about March 3, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. The securities are being offered in a transaction that does not involve a public offering and have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933. VNET indicated the offering is being made in reliance on Regulation S of the Securities Act.
Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch and China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited are serving as placement agents for the Private Placement. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is acting as legal advisor to VNET.
Company profile
VNET Group is identified as a carrier- and cloud-neutral internet data center services provider in China.
Implications for stakeholders
The announced private placement directly affects shareholders through dilution of existing ownership percentages. Institutional investors are being given the opportunity to acquire newly issued shares at the stated price, and the completion of the transaction is contingent on customary closing conditions.