Exclusive: Wedbush Says Alibaba- eBay Merger 'Unlikely'

eBay Inc EBAY investors hoping their company will be acquired by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd BABA may need to re-evaluate their thinking, at least according to Wedbush analyst Gil Luria. Speaking to Benzinga, Luria said that it is "wishful thinking" for eBay owners as it is "unlikely that deal will happen." Luria noted that Alibaba is poised to grow in China by at least 30 percent for several years. The analyst also added that the Chinese-based company will seek out acquisitions in other emerging markets. Luria does see Alibaba entering the developed and more mature U.S. space, just not in the near-term. He suggested an appropriate time frame would be in the next five to 10 years.