underlying company

He said it would not be until next year before the company would be able to more accurately predict underlying demand, unaffected by the distorting effect of restocking.

In the latest quarter three of them suffered year-on-year declines in sales or underlying operating profits or both, mirroring the broader pressures on company profits.

One view, which the company itself is vigorously promoting, is that the resignations and the firm's public announcements are indicative of Alibaba’s underlying integrity and quality.