Mediterranean hegemon

"Actually, another reason why I didn't choose Ford is that you can't buy Ford stock in the public market now (Ford stock was not publicly listed until after World War II, but the Ford family still has a controlling stake through a large number of Class B preferred shares). If I acquire others privately, shares, it will cause unnecessary misunderstandings and troubles..." Contini smiled and said, "Ford's dividends in recent years have always been very enviable, so the information I collected shows that their internal stock prices are very high. ”

"It's not difficult to really want Ford shares, especially if the quantity is not large..." Antonio reminded, "The master is in charge of the Ministry of Transportation. It is said that Ford also wants to set up factories in Europe, and is more willing to sell Ford shares to The product is promoted in Italy, so it is not difficult to buy some Ford shares privately, and there will even be a big discount - that's what I said! Anyway, you just want financial investment, and you don't want to covet any board seats."

"Forget it, let's go with GM. I can't afford the Ford stock I got in this way. Bringing Ford to Italy will definitely cause a head-on conflict with the Agnelli family. I don't want to get into trouble for the time being. I still have many industries that need their support. Apart from anything else, if we want to engage in civil aviation and transform bombers for civilian use, Fiat is indispensable.”

Antonio nodded happily. The young master seemed to be very cautious and measured about this matter. He thought twice and approved Contini's investment logic of focusing on the automobile industry and buying GM stocks, and then asked: "More than 10 million yuan will buy GM stocks." It’s so scary. Are there any other promising companies?”

"There is also the American Radio Company - a joint venture between GE, AT\u0026T and Westinghouse Electric (later renamed Westinghouse Electric)."

"What kind of company is this?" Antonio frowned, "I know about GE, AT\u0026T and Westinghouse, but I don't understand this new joint venture they founded."

"This is a new company responsible for the application of radio technology, such as broadcasting and radio..." Contini explained, "Although these things have not yet appeared in Italy and have not been promoted in the United States, their business prospects are very promising. Radios are actually stations that automatically receive signals. A gramophone that also produces sound can produce sound when given a signal by a broadcast station. The range of gramophone records is very narrow, and they are all recorded in advance. Broadcasting is extremely widely used. It can also achieve real-time transmission and interactive communication, and is much more active than records - —You can think of radio as a newspaper sent by radio...not with words, but with sound!"

Antonio finally understood: This is a new medium, and the company is not important. What is important is the content and channels! The reason why these three top electrical companies in the United States jointly created it is because they all saw room for development and did not want to kill each other, so they joined forces.

"Radios are still a little expensive, but they are much cheaper than cars. I predict that every family can own one. In addition, radio stations can also broadcast advertisements, which is more useful than newspaper advertisements. After all, if others don't buy advertisements in newspapers, The placement failed, and as long as the radio is turned on, the ads will continue to be placed," Contini explained, "Not everyone is qualified to promote radio, since this company is a joint venture of three of the most famous electrical companies. , and with the official support of the US government, it can be seen that it will achieve rapid development!”

“You want to start broadcasting in Italy?”

"Broadcasting needs to be done, and radios need to be sold... Domestic radios must be sold!"

"Do you have an ideal partner?"

"Yes, Mr. Marconi is currently developing his career in the UK and his Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company. He has just founded the BBC Radio Station!"

Antonio was startled: "Master, isn't your starting point a bit high?"

Is it good to work with Marconi? Of course it’s high! Marconi is a world-renowned inventor who won the Nobel Prize. He also founded a telegraph company in the UK. He has a series of patents and a large company. Although Contini is currently somewhat wealthy, in front of Marconi Still not enough to watch.

"But I am confident to convince him, because Mr. Marconi is Italian first. He went to England to develop because he could not use his skills in Italy. Didn't he come back to serve the country during the last war?" Kong Tiny winked mischievously, "Besides, don't we still have a father? The two of them had a relationship when they were serving in the navy. Even for my father's sake, he shouldn't refuse to cooperate with me, right?"

In Contini's mind, commercial interests alone cannot ensnare Marconi, only inventions can. But now he has something that can ensnare Marconi: radar! During Marconi's academic exchange in the United States this year, he discussed the preliminary idea of ​​radar. The principles and devices described in Contini's last letter greatly aroused Marconi's interest. This was the key to success.

"As for radio and radio, just copy them from the United Kingdom and the United States. The radio station will imitate the BBC's settings, and the radio will follow the American system. There is no need to be too innovative in this aspect, because technology is not the focus now, content and channels are!"

Antonio reacted when he said this: Now that Mussolini is in power, he will definitely control the field of broadcasting. Contini and Ciano are his own people. Opening a radio station is not a problem. There will be a green light all the way. ; If they were Americans or British, how could he casually allow them to open radio stations in Italy?

"General Electric and American Radio are the most important investment targets. To reduce risks, I will also consider diversifying investments in the electrical field (electrical 3 giants), chemical field (DuPont), pharmaceutical field (Johnson \u0026 Johnson), oil field (Mobil and Chevron), infrastructure field (US Steel, Alcoa), but try to do it through the public market or participate in IPOs..."

American Radio was a super bull stock during the stock market frenzy in the 1920s. The stock price was just over $1 at the time of IPO, and it was more than $2 in 1923. During the period, it rose to $6. If you think that buying at $1 and selling at $6 is a magical operation, then the market will make you stunned in two years - the stock price of this stock will exceed $50 in 1924, and will exceed $300 (adjusted price) at the craziest time in 1929, and it will rise to the point where you doubt your life!

Of course, Contini dare not say such words. He is not God, how dare he deduce such a trend? He has suffered a loss last time when the French and Belgian statements were issued late.

Antonio didn't know the logic behind his investment yet, and only asked: "Do we need to seek cooperation with the country, especially the Ministry of Transport?"

"No, I'm just a financial investment, quietly being a small shareholder waiting for dividends and stock price increases. I won't expect business cooperation or board seats. That's too dangerous for me. I'll be torn to pieces by large consortiums. If you want to introduce American companies, you can't target such giant players. There's no worry about finding some small companies with potential - of course, you have to make money first, Americans only like greenbacks."

"You convinced me, I'll telegraph back to the master, it would be better if the young master could write a letter in person..."

"I've already written it!" Contini said, "I've been writing these things these past few nights, and I'll also write about some industries where I plan to invest in and establish entities , I will report to him in detail after returning home. I have a lot of ideas now, but unfortunately I have too little money. In this era, I can't do anything without money! ”

Antonio looked at him with surprise: "Master, more than 10 million US dollars is not a small amount, and it's all cash. I'm afraid that five people in Italy can't get together this amount of cash without relying on banks."

"But the industry I want to invest in is very large and I have a lot of ideas." Contini sighed, "Time waits for no one..."

"You are only 19 years old, not 49 years old! At your age, let alone 10 million US dollars, I can't even take out 100 US dollars! The master and the family have accumulated so many years, but they haven't earned as much as this week. If you say that time waits for no one, what should others do?" Antonio laughed, "Take it step by step, it's better to set a small goal first..."