Hong Kong Island's New Rich Era

Chapter 286 New Year

Liu Zhicheng rarely seeks others' opinions on major company decisions.

However, recently Asia Satellite TV has severely suppressed Dragon TV, and he suddenly feels that perhaps there is no need for a satellite TV network.

He is in the entertainment industry, not the news industry.

Zhou Liang Shuyi thought about it seriously and said, “In fact, we are already a TV network. If we can have more satellite receivers, or set up one at a very low cost, it will be very cost-effective.

Because we currently plan to shoot 30 to 40 dramas every year, plus the planned programs, music, etc., which is more than enough for the four channels.

Moreover, Asia Satellite TV's influence in Asia is gradually increasing. It currently has 4000 million viewers, and world-class companies are our advertisers. It has fully achieved the effect of promoting Hong Kong culture."

Hearing this, Liu Zhicheng suddenly realized that it was indeed the case.

Although Dragon TV has four channels, three of them are broadcast programs and only one is a self-produced program.

Moreover, their programs are played in a rolling manner, playing once, twice, and then three or four times.

Liu Zhicheng nodded and said, "I've been thinking the same thing recently, so let's see what happens later!"

Phoenix TV in its previous life looked impressive, but in fact it was worthless.

Entertainment is the way to go!
If you want to acquire Dragon TV from Li Chaoren's family, it will probably cost 40 billion Hong Kong dollars. This is because the emergence of Asia Television has caused Dragon TV to depreciate by one third.

With such a high price, let Murdoch pay the tuition.

After AsiaSat-1995 was launched in , he went to get a few more satellite receivers to see if he could add a channel.

After discussing some issues with Zhou Liang Shuyi, she left Liu Zhicheng's office.

The bigger the Asia Television Company becomes, the more Liu Zhicheng likes to direct the company through senior management. Now, most of the time, he only communicates about issues with a few core senior management.

Of course, commanding a company is one thing, but Liu Zhicheng still likes to wander around the ATV building at will.

See if there are any new ones. No, let’s see if there are any new female stars worth cultivating.

Liu Zhicheng seemed very busy in January. He had to inquire about the earnings of several companies last year and was also concerned about foreign exchange and gold investments.

Last year, Liu Zhicheng's companies all fought well. The Whampoa Group had an annual profit of HK$95 billion, the Crocodile Group had a profit of HK$10.2 billion, and Asia Television had a profit of HK$10.5 billion.

This is the profit situation of the three listed groups, which are also blue-chip stocks in Hong Kong. The total market value of the three companies has reached HK$1500 billion, accounting for 11% of Hong Kong’s total market value.

This proportion is second only to HSBC Group and higher than Cheung Kong Group's more than 1000 billion.

Hongli Investment.

Liu Zhicheng called Huang Zuxu and asked, "How are the foreign exchange and gold investments going?"

Huang Zuxu immediately said: "Foreign exchange can be completed this week. Recently, the US dollar and the yen have been running above 124 points. It is estimated that there will be further increases."

“No matter whether it goes up or not, or how much it goes up, if it goes above 124 points, I will sell short.”

"Okay! All the gold has been bought, the average price is $330 per ounce."

Liu Zhicheng had no idea either, so he only planned to cover his position once. If the price dropped to 315, he would cover his position once; if it dropped to 300, then he would be out.

There is no such worry for spot goods. Anyway, he thinks it will rise to $400 per ounce. Once it reaches $400 per ounce, he will sell it to the market.

Investing in foreign exchange and gold is quite worrying, so Liu Zhicheng thinks he should just invest in stocks in the future.

Thinking about stock trading, he remembered that the Hong Kong stock market would surge 100% this year, from the current 5500 points to 11000 points by the end of the year; Singapore was not bad either, as it seemed to have a premium of more than %.

These few years were the time when bubbles appeared in Asia, with real estate and stock markets rising.

The economies of Europe and the United States will gradually improve starting next year, so this year is a good day to buy at the bottom.

After thinking for a while, Liu Zhicheng said to Huang Zuxu: "Help me invest in the Hang Seng Index Futures and set up a professional team. I can only tell you,

Hong Kong's economic and real estate situation is very good this year. The Hang Seng Index may increase by 60% to 70%, which is the best trend in history. The second half of the year should be even better.

You can also invest in index futures in the first half of the year. You can invest well and set the fund at 8 million Hong Kong dollars!"

With Liu Zhicheng's analysis of the general situation, Huang Zuxu was naturally full of confidence and said, "Boss, don't worry, we will definitely make the profits more impressive!"

Liu Zhicheng emphasized: "You know, I don't like to disrupt the market, so I pay attention to the influence. After all, the Hang Seng Index futures affect the trend of the market, so don't lose more than you gain."

"Well, we'll pay attention."

.........

Du Huilun, president of Huangpu Food and Beverage, said: "At present, our Jinmailang instant noodles and Wanglaoji have opened up the market.

Currently, the sales volume of Wanglaoji is concentrated in Guangdong Province, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Singapore, while the sales volume of Wanglaoji’s Laotan Pickled Cabbage Instant Noodles is concentrated in the southwest region.

The company’s current finances are sufficient to support the expansion requirements of Jinmailang and Wanglaoji.”

Liu Zhicheng nodded. Huangpu Beverage & Food has divided the mainland into eight regions, and will need to establish multiple production bases in the future.

"I am optimistic about the introduction of the Red Bull brand from Thailand into the mainland. I heard that Red Bull's boss, Xu Shubiao, ran into a wall in the mainland and failed to obtain production and sales licenses.

President Du, please invite him to Hong Kong to discuss cooperation."

Du Huilun replied: "Okay, I'll arrange it as soon as possible."

Xu Shubiao could not obtain the license because he did not understand mainland policies. At that time, the mainland had just begun to develop the market. Faced with the surge of foreign investment, the mainland could only restrain foreign investment through joint ventures.

Otherwise, the mainland market will be completely occupied by foreign capital; after all, the mainland has neither financial strength nor rich market experience management, so it cannot compete with foreign capital.

Therefore, it is simply a fantasy for Xu Shubiao to get the license of Red Bull just by donating a few million in his hometown of Hainan.

Even if Liu Zhicheng were to do it, he wouldn't be able to get you the license directly, after all, the formula of this thing is poisonous.

Of course, if Liu Zhicheng finds China Food Industry Corporation and gives it a 50% stake as a basis for cooperation.

Add to that his connections, and if he modified the formula, there was a good chance he could get permission.

At the beginning of the new year, Liu Zhicheng also plans to let Huangpu Beverage and Food Company establish a sub-brand - Nongfu Spring, which will include bottled mineral water and juice series.

In addition, we also plan to develop Jinmailang's 'Iced Black Tea' and 'Iced Green Tea'.

So this year is a year of great development for Huangpu Beverage & Food Company.

Liu Zhicheng was in his office, looking through the performance of Crocodile Garment Group in the past year.

Crocodile, Giordano and Jeanswest, the performance of the three brands has increased significantly again. The three brands also correspond to mid-to-high-end, mid-to-low-end and low-end brands respectively.

It is precisely this positioning that makes these three brands very popular throughout Asia.

Of course, there are also key markets. For example, Giordano is a best-selling brand in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and Crocodile Shirts is also a best-selling brand in Japan and Hong Kong.

Jeanswest follows the fast-selling route, has stores in many important cities in Asia, and its sales are very good.

Together with fashion retail and British department store Harvey Nichols, Liu Zhicheng has unknowingly built a fashion empire with an annual turnover of HK$130 billion and a net profit of HK$10.2 billion.

You can become a giant without selling luxury goods.

Starting this year, Crocodile Garments Group can begin to reap the dividends of development in the mainland, and will experience explosive growth in the next few years.

In recent years, Liu Zhicheng has insisted that Crocodile Group develop in Asia and not try to develop in Europe and the United States.

The main reason is that the Asian market is still large and Crocodile Group also needs greater foundation.

Crocodile Group has 63 stores in Asia, with more than 30 stores in Hong Kong alone.

In addition, it owns a number of valuable properties in Hong Kong, including the Crocodile Shirt Group Building and two Crocodile Shirt factory properties in Kowloon.

Liu Zhicheng’s idea is very simple. The clothing industry will face strong competition sooner or later, and the brands under Crocodile Shirt will also be greatly affected at that time.

Then, relying on its stores, the Crocodile Group will be able to live a pretty comfortable life.

.........

Today is the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the first working day after the Lunar New Year. Liu Zhicheng and Yang Minli arrived at the headquarters of Shanfeng Investment Group: Whampoa Plaza in Tin Shui Wai on time.

Every year, the couple distributes red envelopes at this time. Yang Minli is also a member of the management of Whampoa Group and she is also a director of Whampoa Group.

There are nearly 1000 employees of Shanfeng Investment Group at the headquarters, all of whom are high-income earners in Hong Kong. It is equivalent to a central institution.

在香江从事地产和金融的职员，月薪都是2万~6万港币，他们穿着10000港币的西服、1000多港币的皮带、5000港币的手袋、3000港币的皮鞋、2000港币的眼镜。

From head to toe it costs tens of thousands of yuan, but it only costs one month's salary to wear it.

Of course, the average salary in Hong Kong is not that high. According to statistics at the end of last year, the average salary of manufacturing workers was HK$7800, that of hotel and restaurant workers was HK$7500, and that of transportation/warehousing/communications workers was HK$15000.

"Thank you for your encouragement, boss. I will definitely work harder."

This was exactly the effect Liu Zhicheng wanted - a show. He patted the young man on the shoulder and looked at the "fat beauty" who squeezed in.

"Xiaoya, you've become fatter after the New Year, so be careful!"

"Yes, Boss. I will definitely pay attention to my figure and learn from Madam."

"It doesn't matter. You can do a little more at work and treat it as exercise. Isn't that the best of both worlds?"

Everyone laughed.

Xiaoya blushed, but refused to give in and said, "I listen to the boss!"

This seems to be said to colleagues, implying that he is an "acquaintance" of the boss.

Liu Zhicheng smiled and chatted with some employees. Today was the only day he was relatively "free" throughout the year.

There is no shortage of beautiful female employees in Huangpu Group, but Liu Zhicheng can't even remember any of their names, and naturally he won't have any scandals in the company.

Yang Minli also has a certain prestige in the company. She is beautiful and has a good temperament, and is in charge of the company's charity department.

If employees have difficulties, she will be the "Guanyin Bodhisattva", saving them from suffering and embodying the company's humanistic care.

After walking through the office buildings one floor after another, Liu Zhicheng and Yang Minli arrived at his office.

Yang Minli looked around the office and said, "Brother Cheng, why don't you set up a lounge so you can take a break at noon."

Liu Zhicheng welcomed her to his office chair, sat on his desk, and said to her, "I specifically don't want to take a lunch break. I don't like taking a lunch break!"

The work habits of Hong Kong's wealthy people vary:

Li Chaoren is the most diligent, getting up at 5 or 6 o'clock, going to work after playing golf, and arriving at the company on time at 8 o'clock;
Zheng Yutong is the laziest. It may be 10 o'clock or 12 o'clock. In his words, as long as he goes to the company, he can achieve the desired effect.
Li Zhaoji is the most 'weird', he likes to start working at 2pm and work until the early hours of the next morning;
Liu Zhicheng is the most "standard". He goes to work and goes home just like the other employees and rarely works overtime.

Yang Minli looked at Liu Zhicheng and smiled. She knew why Liu Zhicheng didn't rest at noon, because he wanted to accompany them to have lunch and go shopping.

Of course, she was also a beneficiary. Sometimes Liu Zhicheng would ask her to have lunch with him, and then go shopping or exercise with him.

Sometimes, Liu Zhicheng would entertain guests during lunch break, so he didn't deserve a lunch break.

Then, Liu Zhicheng said: "You should go to Huangpu Group to work officially this year. It is most important to be familiar with the company's affairs. You can handle the specific work!"

"Where are the two little ones at home?" Yang Minli said hesitantly.

She also wanted to participate more in the work, but she was worried about her two sons.

"What's there to be afraid of with a nanny! You won't be arranged too much at work, just five or six hours a day, with weekends off. You're just a normal working woman, so why not have children? Of course, I respect your choice!"

Yang Minli immediately said: "I'll listen to you!"

In fact, she certainly wanted to go to work, especially to establish a certain influence in the Huangpu Group. This was also Liu Zhicheng's idea, just in case.

After making an appointment to go out for lunch at noon, Yang Minli returned to her office, which was more like a booth, small in size and also with glass walls.

After a while, Hao Qingwen came to Liu Zhicheng's office.

The senior executives of the Huangpu Group all have one characteristic, that is, they are relatively young, basically around 15 years old. Theoretically, they can still work for more than years.

Liu Zhicheng said: "Olympia York Company still declared bankruptcy this month. Richman is preparing to redeem the London 'Canary Wharf' project and plans to invite us to become a shareholder.

So I plan to invest 9% of the equity, which will cost about million pounds."

Hao Qingwen was surprised and asked, "So much investment? That project needs more capital injection, right?"

Liu Zhicheng said: "There is no need for capital injection. We can solve the problem with loans later! This project has a very good prospect and is the best channel for us to enter the European commercial real estate market."

Hao Qingwen nodded. He never doubted his boss's investment vision.

To put it bluntly, now is the time to buy at the bottom!
As for whether it is the bottom, the boss has the most say in this.

"The company also invested in the Diamond Hill land king in February, which is estimated to be more than 40 billion Hong Kong dollars. I estimate that there is only about billion left in the account.

We can only issue convertible bonds recently, but the Hang Seng Index has fallen back to below 6000 points recently, so the market is not particularly good. "

Liu Zhicheng heard this, thought for a moment and said: "Just because others cannot issue convertible bonds at this time does not mean we cannot.

The popularity of the Whampoa Group is unmatched by those companies, so you should communicate more with HSBC and directly issue bonds worth 50 billion Hong Kong dollars.

Of course, I will still subscribe for HK$34 billion personally, so you don’t have to feel any pressure.”

After hearing this, Hao Qingwen immediately said, "Of course there is no problem! The annual report is due in March, how is the boss going to pay the dividends?"

Liu Zhicheng said: "Based on last year's dividend, our company needs to make a large investment, so the dividend can only be like this!"

"Ok"

Whampoa Group's assets are several times that of Henderson Land, but the dividends are almost the same. If it were replaced by another mastermind, investors would definitely be pessimistic.

But Liu Zhicheng is different. He has a strong personal charm, and his overseas investment projects are indeed "bargains", so the low dividend ratio will also cause the stock price to rise.

One advantage of the Huangpu Group is that it can achieve relative financial transparency. For example, the returns from investments in U.S. stocks are reported from time to time.

In this way, investors will know that Huangpu Group's overseas investment is going very smoothly.

However, this is not a solution. Liu Zhicheng is worried about how much money he has and how much he has to spend. If the property above the airport railway station is put up for tender and the Huangpu Group does not have enough cash, it will not be a good thing.

So, he thought about it and said to Hao Qingwen: "Take out 5 million Hong Kong dollars to buy gold futures with a 20-fold leverage."

When he was inspecting Manhattan in the United States some time ago, he recalled that this summer, a terrorist attack occurred in the parking lot of the Times Trade Center in Manhattan, which had a huge impact.

The outbreak of such an event generally causes a surge in gold prices.

So this summer, gold will definitely rise to more than $400 per ounce, while it is currently only $330 per ounce.

Hao Qingwen knew that the boss was raising money for the company again, so he said, "Well, I'll go buy it right away."

5 million yuan, just treat it as a gamble.

In fact, Liu Zhicheng made a rough estimate that the Huangpu Group may have a net profit of more than HK$140 billion this year, plus HK$50 billion in fundraising and a surplus of HK$60 billion last year, so the annual available expenditure may be as high as around HK$260 billion.

By this calculation, after investing in Diamond Hill, London Canary Wharf and spending HK$20 billion on the mainland, Hong Kong Investment is estimated to have less than HK$100 billion in cash flow left.

Starting from February, real estate transactions in Hong Kong have become active again.

The main reason is that major real estate developers have provided additional mortgage services, and even some small and medium-sized banks have begun to secretly increase mortgages.

Major real estate developers took the opportunity to launch some residential units in some large housing estates to stimulate the market and achieve active trading, and the results were very encouraging.

Hong Kong is a highly monopolized place. If outsiders want to come in and invest, they can only rely on local financial groups.

The rise of new chaebols also requires a visit to their fellow countrymen and mentors.

Even though those Nanyang conglomerates brought huge amounts of capital into Hong Kong, they can actually only linger around as second-tier real estate companies.

For example, Kerry Properties and Sino Properties, which are considered to be the best-performing Nanyang conglomerates, still cannot make it into the top ten real estate companies.

Companies like Lippo, Hong Leong, First Pacific and Stewart Industries can only linger outside the second-tier families in Hong Kong.

(End of this chapter)