The rise of Hong Kong's wealthy families

Tuesday, February 21st

Shen Dingqian walked into the office very excitedly and reported, "Boss, we already hold 34.5% of the shares of Land Company and are about to touch the boundary of full acquisition. Do we need to initiate it in advance?"

Shen Dingqian was worried about receiving a warning notice from the Securities Regulatory Office at a critical moment. After all, the acquisition case had to deal with the Securities Regulatory Office.

"Okay, then go to the Securities Regulatory Office to apply immediately." He Jiahao issued the order without hesitation. There was no need to save that little money.

"Yes!" After receiving the agreement, Shen Dingqian immediately disappeared from the office.

Before getting off work on the afternoon of the 21st, the Securities Regulatory Office and other agencies approved Taihe Investment Company’s acquisition of Land Company.

On the morning of the 22nd, Taihe Investment Company announced the acquisition at HK$11 per share, a premium of 20%, until it holds 50.5% of the shares.

Although the tense situation in the stock market showed the possibility of Land Corporation being acquired, many investors did not believe that there was a consortium in Hong Kong that could acquire Land Corporation. It was not until the 22nd that investors believed that there was a consortium that was so bold and dared to acquire Land Corporation. .

As a result, the media frantically dug for background information on Taihe Investment Company. When they found out that the boss behind the company was Dividend Development and New World Development, they wrote articles and printed newsprint overnight, preparing to make a fortune on the 23rd.

Xiangjiang citizens also made Taihe Investment Company a topic of discussion.

"I heard that Taihe Investment, which wants to acquire Land Company, is a company owned by Ho Ka-ho. It's really amazing that a 26-year-old young man is starting to challenge Jardine Matheson."

"I heard that Taihe Investment holds more than 35% of Land's shares and is the largest shareholder of Land. It holds 10% more shares than Jardine Matheson. It seems that Taihe Investment is going to dominate Land."

"I don't think so. Jardine Matheson Company has been entrenched in Xiangjiang for many years. A skinny camel is bigger than a horse. Tiger Investment may not be able to win it smoothly."

Although Jardine Matheson Company was prepared, it was still a little panicked. Even the loan from HSBC had not yet been negotiated. Some foreign banks were willing to lend one to two billion Hong Kong dollars. Ximen, who was short of funds, chose 'the more, the merrier'.

I originally thought of making an article about a comprehensive acquisition, but before Ximen could take action, Taihe Investment Company directly announced a comprehensive acquisition plan.

After the three giants of Jardine Matheson Real Estate discussed it, they decided to immediately go to Shen Bi of HSBC Bank to borrow 1.5 billion. However, in order to deal with the acquisition of Taihe Investment Company, they followed the plan they had discussed a few days ago. One share of Jardine Matheson stock + 2 yuan per share in cash in exchange for one Landmark stock', and announced a counter-takeover case.

The stockholders immediately became excited, reminding some experienced stockholders of the 1972 cattle buying war, so most of the stockholders waited for the two sides to raise prices again. However, the stock price of Land Company rose to 11.5 Hong Kong dollars within half a day, which was higher than that of Taihe. The purchase price of an investment company.

Sitting in the office, He Jiahao raised the corners of his mouth and a sly smile appeared on his cheeks, "How many shares of Jardine Company have been acquired?"

Sitting opposite, Shen Dingqian replied seriously, "21.6%, which is about 4% different from the Jardine Matheson shares held by Land Company."

"Initiating the acquisition of Jardine Matheson in the name of Manulife Development Corporation, and issuing a 'request for two board seats' to the Jardine Matheson board of directors, and then protesting to the Securities Regulatory Commission, shows that we do not agree with Simon Keswick and others. The anti-takeover case has seriously damaged the commercial interests of Manulife Development Company," said Ho.

With enough money, Simon Keswick's scheme would be nothing more than a joke.

"Then at what price should we acquire the shares of Jardine Matheson Company?" Shen Dingqian asked.

"The price is 15 yuan per share." He Jiahao said.

"Is it a full acquisition or an acquisition of 34.9%?" Shen Dingqian didn't know what his boss meant, and was afraid of making the wrong announcement.

He Jiahao frowned and thought about it carefully. He originally wanted to acquire 34.9%, but now the situation has changed a bit. He needs to re-judge the situation, otherwise a decision may cause hundreds of millions of losses.

"Boss, I have received news that senior executives such as Simon Keswick have gone to HSBC to prepare to obtain a loan of HK$1.5 billion from Shen Bi. If the loan is successful, Jardine Matheson will have 2 billion in funds. The stock price Will be promoted." Shen Dingqian looked at He Jiahao and said, he also wanted to win the Land Company with 4 billion in cash, which would be a glorious career move. In the eyes of his peers, he would be a super wage earner.

"Let's make a full acquisition and let Jardine Company feel the despair." He Jiahao said with a smile.

Perhaps the method that seems to consume a lot of money is actually the most cost-effective and time-saving solution. Simon Keswick and the others will definitely be in chaos for a while. For He Jiahao, it is also an opportunity to increase the chance of winning.

HSBC bank executive office

Simon Keswick said eloquently, "Mr. Shen Bi, we are all British. Now Jardine Matheson Company and Land Company are in great need of HSBC's help. If Land Company falls into the hands of He Jiahao, the market value of his companies will be It is possible to surpass HSBC. As long as HSBC can lend HK$1.5 billion to Jardine Matheson, we will repel Ho's attack."

Shen Bi was holding a white porcelain cup with coffee. He admitted that what Ximen said made sense, but according to his understanding, Ho Ka-Hao's capital amount had exceeded 10 billion Hong Kong dollars, and Ho Ka-Hao now held nearly 40% of Land Company's shares. However, Jardine Matheson only has about 30%, which is a big gap. Even if it borrows money, Land Company may not be able to get it back.

That means HSBC's 1.5 billion was thrown into the sea, because both Jardine Matheson and Land owed HSBC a lot of money.

"Mr. Shen Bi, for this 1.5 billion loan, Jardine can use physical objects as collateral, but we hope that the loan can be 70% of the collateral." Ximen continued to grit his teeth and increase the chips.

As the chief executive of HSBC, Shen Bi knew that the negotiations between the two countries would definitely be resolved this year by talking to some politicians. In other words, the recovery of the local market would happen this year, and lending money to Jardine Matheson Company was not considered a big deal now. Losing money business.

Suddenly, a bank employee ran in and whispered something into Shen Bi's ear. Shen Bi's eyebrows raised and his face became more and more ugly.

"Before taking the loan, let me tell you the news I just got. Ho Ka-Hao's Manulife Development Company has announced an acquisition of Jardine Matheson Company for HK$15 per share." Shen Bi said in a deep voice.

He did not expect that He Jiahao had such abundant funds and astonishing courage to dare to initiate acquisitions of Jardine Matheson and Land Company at the same time. After all, if it failed, losing 1 billion would be trivial.

"What?" Ximen and the others were shocked. Is this He Jiahao crazy?

"Mr. Shen Bi, can you give us a loan right away?" Bao Weishi asked anxiously.

"Yes, HSBC can provide a mortgage loan of 2 billion for Jardine Matheson Company. Gentlemen, please send someone to discuss it immediately." Shen Bi said.

Bank loans require the evaluation of collateral. Of course, Shen Bi can omit these processes. Unfortunately, Shen Bi is unwilling to take too big risks and still wants to be invincible.

"Thank you, Mr. Shen Bi, for your generosity!" Ximen, who had regained consciousness, quickly thanked him.

"Mr. Ximen and Mr. Bausch, I think you should talk to He Jiahao. As far as I know, He Jiahao has at least 8 billion in cash flow, and Wan Guo Baotong Bank can also provide him with a large amount of loans. Your chances of winning are very low. Yes." Shen Bi said earnestly.

He didn't want to see Jardine Matheson collapse, and he was worried that Ho would target HSBC again.

"Mr. Shen Bi doesn't know. We have already talked with He Jiahao. Unfortunately, he must acquire the Land Company and the negotiation failed." Ximen said half-truthfully.

"In my opinion, the Land Company can no longer be saved. If Mr. Ximen continues to bear the pain of parting ways, I am afraid that even Jardine Matheson Company will be in danger. He Jiahao always makes decisions before acting, and will not make such a big decision without authorization." Shen Bi said.