America's Road to Wealth

Chapter 336 The Disappointed Hollywood She-Wolf
"I never treat my friends badly, and I'm not a stingy person."

On an open-air balcony on the second floor of the Murdoch villa.

Abel faced the CEOs of five large Wall Street investment institutions, and he threw out other temptations to these guys.

"I've always believed that if everyone earns money together, there will be many opportunities for us to cooperate in the future."

"Some of my companies may need your financial support in the future to achieve better and faster development. What do you think?"

The corners of Abel's mouth were raised, revealing his white teeth. He looked at each of them with bright and sharp eyes, and threw out a huge bait to shake their minds.

This time, the CEOs of the five investment institutions were shocked.

Faced with this deadly bait thrown by Abel Smith, no investment institution can refuse.

Investment banks across America, including Wall Street, know one thing.

That's Abel Smith except for Smith Capital.

The development potential of any of the several companies in his hands is huge.

Like Elizabeth Back Garden Company.

The company has only been around for a year now.

But in just one year, it has already achieved 180 stores in the United States, 75 stores in Europe, and an exaggerated annual turnover of 25 billion US dollars.

Its valuation in the market has exceeded 30 billion US dollars.

But up to now, it has not conducted a financing.

What is more striking is Smith Media in the hands of Abel.

Abel has stated on many occasions that Smith Media will go public in the future.

Once it goes public, with its current scale, it can definitely reach tens of billions of dollars.

With Abel's strong reputation, it seems that it is not a big problem to surpass Disney.

If you can invest in it in advance, you can easily get a few times the profit when it goes public.

There is also Abel's new start real estate company, which has been buying real estate across the United States in the last year.

From last year to the present, the national average house price in the United States has risen by about 10%.

In other words, this company has earned at least 10% from last year to now.

The key is that all investment institutions know now.

The White House and the Federal Reserve will vigorously stimulate the US real estate market next.

This means that a large number of good land has been hoarded in advance, and a large number of luxury houses have been hoarded in the new starting point real estate. It will definitely have a terrible value increase in the future.

If it can be listed, it will also be a company with multiple profits.

Abel still has several companies like this.

These companies, if they can be allowed to buy shares, get a part of the shares.

When it goes on the market one day, it will definitely make them a lot of money.

Abel looked at the five with a calm and confident smile.

He had too many chips in his hand, and he didn't worry that these vampires would resist the temptation at all.

Looking at it now, throwing out one casually made them look greedy.

At this time, William, the CEO of State Street Bank, was finally the first to bear it. He said:

"Mr. Smith, State Street believes that having you on the board of American Express will be of greater benefit to the future development of American Express. State Street has decided to support you."

"That would be great." Abel said with a smile, "How about the stake in Elizabeth's back garden? 5%, $1.5 million."

William smiled: "Very good, State Street is willing to subscribe!"

Although it is only the pre-dinner beet Isa company, the shares are only 5%.

But if Yisha goes public in the future, at least it can bring more than double the profit.

CEO William feels that buying shares at this time is not a loss at all.

Abel also felt good.

His total investment in Elizabeth's back garden company only cost about [-] million US dollars.

After the success of that marketing, it has been able to start self-production.

It has always been its own profits to support its own development.

If all five investment institutions want it, 5% each, after a total of 25% of the shares are sold.

Abel would still own the remaining 75%.

And this 25% stake is worth 7.5 million US dollars, which is more than Aber's investment in Isha!

What's more, Abel already wants to engage in the ab stock model with Yisha Company.

At that time, Abel only needs to hold a small amount of voting shares to control Isa Company and indirectly control the angels. Wouldn't it be great?

In this way, you can play, use other investors' money to make money, and use it to exchange benefits in other fields.

Abel found it perfectly acceptable.

Seeing that State Street got the benefits first, the CEOs of several other major investment institutions couldn't bear it.

"Well, I agree with William, I'm fine!"

"Mr. Smith, our Pioneer Group supports your joining. If the price is right, we are willing to sell a part of the shares! Of course, we also want the shares of Isha! Maybe it can be exchanged for shares?"

"No problem. Over the past few years, AmEx's magic has faded, and its revenue and earnings growth has declined. I am very much looking forward to Mr. Smith's ability to continue the magic of Amex!"

"We at Fidelity very much hope to become better friends and deepen cooperation with Mr. Smith."

"."

The upward arc of Abel's mouth got bigger and bigger, and he smiled confidently with a sharp edge.

A play ticket nature, mainly for playing model Isa company.

It only has shares with dividend rights, but it can be exchanged for shares in such an important company as American Express.

Who's to make sense of this?

But in reality it just happened.

The reason is only because of the Yisha company at this time, it can obviously bring more benefits!
In the stock market!

In the capital market!

No matter which country's capital market it is, investors like to invest in companies that can tell stories.

There is no doubt that the current Elizabeth's back garden tells a particularly good story.

The annual turnover is 25 billion US dollars, and the profit margin is as high as 66%.

The expansion is astonishing.

Such a company, even if the upper limit of its field is not large.

But it tells a good story!

If the story is told well, listed stocks can sell well.

The company that invests in it in the early stage can make a lot of money.

This is why the price-earnings ratio and market value of Internet companies can always be high even if they are losing money all the year round.

They can tell a story, and tell it really well!
Abel picked up the champagne that had been on the table next to him, and the others immediately understood what he meant, and each took a glass.

He raised the champagne with a smile, and touched everyone, "Thank you, in the future, everyone will be proud of today's decision! Happy cooperation!"

"Happy cooperation! x5"

At the reception, I occasionally talked with my son.

And Murdoch, who was talking to News Corporation CEO Raven, had actually been paying attention to the situation on the terrace.

At this moment, Murdoch saw on the terrace, those financial giants toasted together.

Murdoch knew that they must have talked about something good.

"I don't know who will be unlucky this time"

Murdoch couldn't help but whispered.

After all, what can make financial giants celebrate, there must be bad luck for companies in other fields.

His son and his CEO, in fact, like Murdoch, are paying attention to the above situation.

In fact, among the participants of the reception, there was no one who didn't care about the above.

"What company is he going to buy this time?"

whispered James Murdoch.

"Who would know?" Murdoch whispered, "Isn't it because he wants to buy News Corporation?"

The old guy made a little joke.

Everyone who knew that the group's shareholding reform had been successful also laughed along with Murdoch.

Including Murdoch's Chinese-American wife who is always by her side and looks gentle and virtuous.

If it was before, Murdoch might really have such worries.

At this time, you will never laugh out loud.

But not anymore.

Because Murdoch has used the ab stock model in his News Corporation through internal equity reforms.

The so-called ab-share model is to divide the stocks into two types in the company's stocks.

That is to say, the voting right of one type of stock is equal to ten votes, and the voting right of another type of stock is only one vote.

If A-shares are ten-vote voting shares, then you only need to hold more than 5% of Class A shares to fully control the company.

Many Chinese Internet companies and mobile Internet companies in later generations have used this model internally.

But this model is obviously not the first in China, let alone the first in Silicon Valley.

As early as the last century, companies of this type had already appeared in the United States, even listed companies.

At present in 2001, there are about 5000 listed companies in the US stock market.

Among them, 236 households use this model.

After adopting this model, unless all shares are sold, the Murdoch family can always control News Corporation.

At this time, if Abel and the five major institutions buy a large number of News Corporation shares.

On the contrary, it is helping Murdoch and raising the stock price of News Corporation.

Murdoch himself was the first to raise both hands and feet in favor.

"Look over there."

Suddenly beside Murdoch, his young Chinese wife whispered:

"Those people are surrounding Anne Hathaway, what are they trying to do?"

Murdoch, Murdoch Jr. and others looked over and saw Anne talking to some Hollywood actresses.

Murdoch frowned. He didn't want Abel's female companion to have any problems at his reception.

Not even the smallest problem.

Murdoch immediately said to his Chinese wife:

"Wendy, go and have a look. Don't let those stupid guys ruin my reception."

Now in 2001, Wendy Deng, who had just been married to him for a few years, was not so active in the social arena.

At this time, she is still trying to win Murdoch's favor and trust.

In parallel time and space, she also gave birth to two children for Murdoch through IVF surrogacy after 03.

It was only then that she gradually gained the trust of Murdoch and was able to display her social skills in the United States.

So now she is not as active as she will be in the future, staying with her husband all night tonight, never far away.

At this time, with Murdoch's permission, Wendy Deng, who had long wanted to take the initiative, was very happy.

She was very happy in her heart, but she still said softly on the surface: "I understand, I'll go right away."

Wendi Deng suppressed her excitement and went over there.

After his young stepmother left, James Murdoch was blunt to his father:

"Father. I still don't like her, even if she's your wife."

Lei Wen, the CEO of News Corporation, was a little embarrassed at this time.

He didn't want to hear about this kind of family affairs of the Murdoch family. If he heard too much, it would only cause trouble.

Murdoch glanced at his son, "Don't mention it in front of her, that's it. Smith and the others are here."

James looked up, and sure enough, he saw the CEOs of five investment institutions and Abel coming down.

Little Murdoch immediately shut up.

Abel and the others who came down from the terrace undoubtedly attracted the attention of everyone at the reception.

Including Anne's coterie who already has an extra Wendy Deng.

In this small circle, members of Hollywood actresses such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie are also there.

However, including Annie and the others, everyone found out after coming down from above.

Abel actually waved at Annie directly, and waited for Annie to pass by.

He took Anne again and went to Murdoch to say a few words.

As a result, Murdoch took his son with a smile and sent Abel out in person.

In other words, Abel and Annie just left the reception.

"what's the situation?"

Gwyneth Paltrow, who had been befriending Annie just now, was dumbfounded.

This acting skill is mediocre, but she has a good Hollywood background, and at the same time, the godfather of Spielberg said in surprise.

"I don't know." Angelina Jolie said in a muffled voice.

Even though he was very reluctant in his heart, the reality was that Abel ignored the existence of these Hollywood she-wolves, took Annie and left after the talk.

Many of their Hollywood she-wolves' plans came to nothing, and they were all extremely disappointed.

The next day,

This day is April 2001, 11.

While New York was already starting to get cold, it was still very warm here in Los Angeles.

As for the top executives of American Express in the Dow Jones Industrial Index, there are still some shareholders.

Something happened today that made them feel cold inside.

In Los Angeles on the west coast, Abel officially announced that he plans to acquire American Express for US$289 billion.

As soon as the news came out, it immediately shocked the global financial industry and tourism industry.

Abe Smith's Pacific Bank of Commerce plans to launch a tender offer for American Express.

Acquisition of American Express at US$25 per share in cash, involving a total value of US$289 billion.

As of the press time of various media, the stock price of American Express rose more than 5% before the market.

Some media directly estimated in the press release that before the stock market closes today, there is a high probability that the stock of American Express will increase by more than 60%!

Because before Abel launched this tender offer, the stock price of American Express was 17.5 US dollars at that time.

At $25, there's a nearly $8 premium.

This part of the premium has almost reached 50%.

Combined with the person who acquired the American Express Company, it was Abel, the richest man in the world.

There must be a lot of retail investors entering the market, wanting to rush to raise part of the shares of American Express, so as to have some soup in the process of Abe's acquisition of American Express.

That's bound to drive the stock higher, easily above $25 a share.

Some media even claimed that once the transaction is successful, it will not only be the largest merger and acquisition case in the global banking and financial industry this year.

It will also make Abel Smith a real commercial bank giant and consolidate his wealth foundation.

It may even directly have an impact on the existing banking situation in the United States.

Behind this high-priced acquisition plan that may subvert the US banking industry, the 21-year-old genius investor, super media tycoon, and world rich man - Abe Smith has once again become the focus of the world's news media and banking industry.

Although it is still unclear whether the acquisition can actually be completed.

But the acquisition of American Express is in line with the character of Abel Smith's "acquisition maniac" in the past two years.

It seems that there is no sign, but in fact, it has been planned for a long time. When a sudden attack occurs, it will be followed by a strong cash force. As an opponent, it may have no power to fight back.

In the past, there was the Sempra Energy Group, and there were examples of many other companies there.

It makes everyone unconsciously think that it is only a matter of time before Abel Smith's acquisition succeeds.

An hour after Abel's press conference ended.

American Express immediately responded that it will review the proposal and act in the best interests of shareholders.

Kenneth Chenault, CEO of American Express, immediately accepted an interview with the TV media.

The implication of this statement is that American Express is not willing to be acquired, and American Express can create a new round of value for shareholders by relying on its own strength.

However, everyone, including Amex, knows that this is just their wishful thinking.

For Abe Smith, who has been successful in business every time he makes a shot in the past two years, the ideas of the acquired parties are useless at all.

The NBC TV station did not count that time, because both parties are still in contact, and the program has not yet started.

After the press conference, Kenneth Chenault also quickly went to New York.

Kenneth Chenault invited a group of company shareholders who had originally supported him to hold an internal meeting in New York.

At that time, Abel was buying Sempra Energy.

Kenneth Chenault dared to jump out because of the support of these people.

It can even be said to be coercive.

Otherwise, Abel has always been gentle in his treatment of the former management of the acquired company.

Kenneth Chenault, a senior beater, really didn't need to confront him.

It's just that Abel was not the major shareholder at the time, and other shareholders asked Kenneth Chenault to do the same.

Even though the worker Kenneth was a little apprehensive, he had to stand up.

In the media, he maliciously exposed the deal between Abel and Buffett.

They were also slandered as "persons acting in concert".

For Kenneth Chenault, this matter took a lot of risk.

If Abel or Buffett were to join Amex at random, then they would be just to establish their authority.

It will also kick Kenneth Chenault, a CEO who dares to talk nonsense.

Kenneth Chenault was in a dilemma.

But in the end, he succumbed to the pressure of shareholders and chose to stand out.

After all, Abel couldn't do anything to him at that time, but the shareholders could unite to make him step down.

In addition, if Abel really becomes the owner of American Express, there are certain uncertainties.

Kenneth Chenault was somewhat worried, so he stood up.

Well now, here comes the disaster.

Abel put on a show, wanting to get American Express.

Kenneth Chenault felt that he, a small CEO, could not carry it on his shoulders, and he still needed the support of the big shareholders behind him.

He mobilized his contacts and invited the shareholders who asked him to come forward to refuse at that time.

Kenneth Chenault wanted the support of these people.

To prevent myself from being fired by Abel after Abel really succeeded in the acquisition.

Even if you know it's unlikely.

But for this position with an annual salary of more than 1000 million US dollars, no matter what Kenneth Chenault said, he had to do it.

(End of this chapter)