There are two common interpretations for the word “ba” in Chinese. Literally, it can mean “eight.” Superstitiously, it denotes “fortune.”
It’s no coincidence, then, that Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. -- with back-to-back “ba’s” in its own name -- is targeting a U.S. trading debut of Aug. 8, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The company’s co-founders Jack Ma and Joe Tsai both see it as auspicious, the people said, asking not to be named because the information is private.
