Skip to main content
Sunday, November 15, 2026Nov 15

Glu Mobile lands big China deal that could signal expansion

FILE - In this Nov. 5, 2014 file photo, singer Britney Spears appears on stage at The LINQ Promenade in Las Vegas. Spears is joining Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry on Glu Mobile's roster of celebrity mobile games, the company said on Wednesday, April 29, 2015. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - In this Nov. 5, 2014 file photo, singer Britney Spears appears on stage at The LINQ Promenade in Las Vegas. Spears is joining Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry on Glu Mobile's roster of celebrity mobile games, the company said on Wednesday, April 29, 2015. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Invision/AP, File)

NEW YORK (AP) – A $126 million investment from a Chinese gaming company sent shares of Glu Mobile soaring almost 20 percent Thursday.

Tencent Holdings Ltd., based in Shenzhen, a booming city that borders Hong Kong, acquired 21 million shares at $6 each. With a 14.6 percent stake, it is now Glu Mobile’s largest shareholder.

It’s been a busy week for the San Francisco gamemaker.

After topping Wall Street expectations for the first quarter Wednesday, Glu said it had added to its stable of celebrity-focused games by cutting a five-year deal with Britney Spears. The company already has deals with Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry.

With Tencent’s backing, it appears that Glu is going to broaden its presence in China, said Benchmark analyst Mike Hickey.