Here's How Baidu, Inc. Crushed It in 2017

Here's How Baidu, Inc. Crushed It in 2017

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) had a pretty tough time in 2016. Investments in the online-to-offline (O2O) market failed to gain traction. Chinese regulators cracked down on the company following the death of a 21-year-old college student, who died after receiving an unproven cancer treatment he found advertised on Baidu's search. Later that year, the Chinese government issued revised regulations to address the rise of internet advertising, which hit Baidu particularly hard. In light of these events, investors understandably moved to the sidelines, and Baidu's stock languished.

The company was forced to overhaul the screening used for advertisers doing business on its website. Though these moves to improve the quality of its advertising and reduce government scrutiny would benefit Baidu over the long term, the company suffered several quarters of year-over-year revenue declines.

Baidu produced stunning stock market results in 2017. Image source: Getty Images.

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Source: Fool.com