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Item 11 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Vnet Group, Inc. · 20-F · FY 2025 · Period ended Dec 31, 2025
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Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to interest expenses incurred in respect of borrowings, finance lease liabilities as well as interest income generated by excess cash, which is mostly held in interest-bearing bank deposits. As of December 31, 2025, we had (i) short-term bank borrowings with an aggregate outstanding balance of RMB1,172.6 million, (ii) long-term borrowings (current portions) with an aggregate outstanding balance of RMB2,059.2 million, and (iii) long-term borrowings (excluding current portions) with an aggregate outstanding balance of RMB11,579.7 million. The short term bank borrowings and the long-term borrowings bore weighted-average interest rate of 3.18% and 3.90% per annum, respectively. A hypothetical one percentage point (100 basis-point) decrease in interest rates would have resulted in a decrease of approximately RMB144.3 million in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2025. We have not used derivative financial instruments to manage our interest risk exposure. Interest earning instruments and interest-bearing obligations carry a degree of interest rate risk. We have not been exposed to, nor do we anticipate being exposed to, material risks due to changes in market interest rates. However, our future interest income and interest expenses may fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates.
Foreign Exchange Risk
We earn most of our revenues and incur most of our expenses in Renminbi, and most of our sales and purchase contracts are denominated in Renminbi. However, we have significant amount of U.S. dollar-denominated debt instruments outstanding and our functional currency is the U.S. dollar. We use forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge against fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. We enter into these derivative financial instruments as risk management tools and not for speculative or trading purposes. The Renminbi depreciated by 1.5% against the U.S. dollar in 2024 and then appreciated by 2.2% in 2025. The Company intends to hold U.S. dollar-denominated financial assets and will convert to RMB according to the trend of exchange rate changes. The Company may also consider converting RMB to U.S. dollar to make interest, principal or repurchase payments for our U.S. dollars-denominated debt instruments. As of December 31, 2025, we had total U.S. dollar-denominated cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments in the amount of US$220.6 million. A hypothetical 10% increase in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the RMB would have resulted in an increase of RMB154.3 million in the value of our U.S. dollar-denominated financial assets as of December 31, 2025.
The conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, is based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China. Since June 2010, the RMB has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably, and in recent years the RMB has depreciated significantly against the U.S. dollar. It is difficult to predict whether the depreciation will continue and how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar in the future. As our costs and expenses are mostly denominated in RMB, the appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would increase our costs in U.S. dollar terms. In addition, as our operating subsidiaries and VIEs in China receive revenues in RMB, any significant depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar may have a material and adverse effect on our revenues in U.S. dollar terms and financial condition, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ordinary shares. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for capital expenditures and working capital and other business purposes, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the RMB amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs, making interest, principal or repurchase payments for our U.S. dollars-denominated debt instruments, strategic acquisitions or investments or other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.
Inflation Risk
In the last three years, inflation in China has not materially impacted our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the annual average percent changes in the consumer price index in China for 2023, 2024, and 2025 were 0.2%, 0.2%, and 0%, respectively. Although we have not been materially affected by inflation in the past, we cannot assure you that we will not be affected in the future by higher rates of inflation in China.