SINGAPORE, (Reuters) – Chinese financial regulators are in early stages of talks about a possible revival of Ant Group’s initial public offering (IPO). Bloomberg News reported Thursday that this was based on people who were familiar with the subject.

U.S. shares are listed on Alibaba (NYSE:) Group Holdings increased its Ant share to nearly 4% during pre-market trading, according to the report.

COMMENT:

DAVID MADDEN, MARKET ANALYST AT EQUITI CAPITAL, LONDON

There have been worries that Chinese authorities are keen to control businesses and Jack Ma over the past few years. It is clear that the authorities would prefer to be perceived as being pro-market and probusiness, rather than controlling.

“The clampdown on businesses, to the lockdown Shanghai and Beijing – both have been operating at that time – sent a negative signal to the international business community.

They are reducing their crackdown in an effort to reverse the lockdown. Lockdowns have made data from China difficult to obtain in recent months. The last thing that they want is to make it worse. The crackdown by China is likely to be unresolved in the coming three- to six months.

“Also if you decide to IPO your company, it is only when you feel confident that the markets will strengthen again within three to twelve month. This suggests optimism from both parties.”

DICKIEWONG, KINGSTONSECURITIES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HONG KONG

It could be a great time to have the Ant IPO come back. It is important that the Chinese government does something to promote economic growth. Some of the regulations for the tech industry have been relaxed. This indicates that there is less regulatory risk in this sector than before.

The IPO and Ant must be less than the 2020 plan because market conditions have changed.

LOUIS TSE WEALTHY SECURITIES MANAGING Director, HONG KONG

The policies have tried to restrain tech companies and have required them to follow those orders. It would have a positive impact on the sentiment in Hong Kong for IPOs.