Investing.com -- ByteDance could be open to a joint venture or legitimate sale of TikTok, Wedbush analysts said, as Elon Musk and Oracle’s Larry Ellison emerge as potential key players in a possible deal.
President Donald Trump indicated openness to Musk acquiring TikTok. Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO and Ellison are seen as strong contenders for a deal, with Beijing likely to approve.
Oracle’s existing ties with TikTok and Musk’s relationships with key stakeholders position them favourably, analysts said.
TikTok, under scrutiny due to U.S.-China tensions, is seen as a critical asset. Analysts suggest ByteDance may consider selling TikTok’s U.S. operations, likely without its core algorithm, for $40-50 billion.
“Our view is ByteDance is willing to play ball and look for a legitimate deal/JV partner to keep TikTok up and running while protecting its algorithm,” analyst at Wedbush said.
Wedbush expects multiple bids in the coming weeks, as the platform’s fate could impact broader U.S.-China negotiations. The deal-making process is set to feature significant twists, keeping TikTok’s future in flux.