Listing of Ant Group is unlikely in the short term - state media

FILE PHOTO: A sign of Antchain, the blockchain technology branch under Ant Group, is seen at Ant Group's booth during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China, July 8, 2021. REUTERS/Yilei Sun/File Photo

BEIJING (Reuters) - A listing of Jack Ma-backed Ant Group is unlikely in the short term, state media reported on Saturday, citing people close to regulation.

Earlier this month, Ant Group announced a surprise share buyback that valued the fintech giant at $78.54 billion, well below the $315 billion touted in the suspended IPO.

(Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Mark Potter)