The Industrial Giant Reborn

"Although Americans have not been very friendly to foreign investment in recent years, they are all in the manufacturing field, and the main target is Japan. You are Chinese, and the relationship between China and the United States is still good at present, and Hong Kong's special situation does not require me. Needless to say, Costco is in the retail industry and will create a lot of jobs in the United States, so there shouldn’t be much of a problem." Henry Morgan thought for a while and said.

"Every situation is changing. The United States never targeted Japanese companies 20 years ago. Now it is targeting the entire population. No one knows what will happen in ten or twenty years." Chen Zhiwen shook his head and said: "The retail industry will indeed not Like the manufacturing industry, which directly competes for American jobs, as long as it is foreign-funded, it will still be used by competitors for this reason. The current American retail industry, including Celtic Wal-Mart, is not shouting slogans every day to support Made in America?”

Today's United States has not yet reached the era when the manufacturing industry will be completely hollowed out in a few decades. Throughout the 1980s, although a large number of manufacturing industries of all types fled the United States, some companies and factories still persisted in the United States, and the profits were high. It doesn't matter, but if the profit is low, it will be difficult.

These manufacturing industries have also begun to speak out everywhere, which has caused the entire public opinion to discuss the issues of American manufacturing and put considerable pressure on foreign investment.

The biggest enemy among them is naturally the Japanese manufacturing industry. Important industries such as steel, automobiles, chips, chemicals, etc. in the United States have been impacted by their Japanese counterparts. However, because Japan is its ally (dog), the old and American governments cannot directly take action. It was not until next year that the Plaza Accord was used to require the yen to appreciate, which indirectly destroyed Japan's manufacturing industry.

However, no matter what we do, it is impossible to change the process of American industrial decline. However, during this period, various protective measures have emerged one after another, the most direct of which is American supermarkets, because they can purchase local products to support American manufacturing. Industry.

Although Costco can also operate this kind of routine, after all, Costco is a foreign company, and it will be very troublesome if public opinion is manipulated by someone with intentions.

Not to mention, in another ten years, China-US relations will not be as good as they are today.

"You are right to think so. To be safe, you really need to be fully prepared." Henry Morgan nodded and said: "There are many plutocrats who can influence the U.S. Congress, and there are also many who can do this. Which one do you prefer? From one aspect?”

"We should wait until who is willing to invest in Costco before we consider it, right?" Chen Zhiwen smiled and said, "For example, even if I want the military industrial group to invest, will they definitely come?"

"Haha, Eric, as long as you think about it, I will give it a try." Henry Morgan said with a smile: "Although the military-industrial complex itself is also hugely profitable, no one will think that there is a lot of money. Business, who doesn’t know how to invest? If it weren’t for the inconvenience of investment banks to get too involved in company investments, I think Morgan Stanley would want to invest!”

There are certain legal restrictions on what investment banks in the United States can invest in. In addition, Wall Street generally has the principle that investors do not invest on their own. The official capital of investment banks basically does not participate in various investments to avoid risks. Otherwise, there will be many ways to go. Yes, if you make one wrong move, you may lose everything. Investing in Costco before was already a special case.

Although Costco seems to have a high future value, there are too many companies. If the Morgan family invests in every one of them, there will be risks over time.

"It depends on who is interested. As long as the interested person is willing to invest and has enough resources and connections, I will naturally consider it seriously." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile. From beginning to end, this financing is a transaction. Use part of Costco's future interests in exchange for other people's relationships to seek common development in the future.

For these people with resources and connections, they are actually waiting for such an opportunity. After all, in a normal society ruled by law, it is too low-level to directly use power for personal gain. Only those idiots will do this directly. Not only will they earn less, but they will also have a lot of money. If the handle is dropped and interests are exchanged, it is completely illegitimate and reasonable.

"Then if I or Morgan Stanley can find someone in this field for Costco, can the subsequent listing of Costco be handed over to Morgan Stanley?" Henry Morgan asked again.

"I won't agree to this kind of thing directly, because I don't know it myself. Besides, relying on this alone is not worth the value of Costco's listing." Chen Zhiwen shook his head and said: "One code is one code, so let's go first. Consider financing.”

"Okay, Eric, don't worry, we at Morgan Stanley know elites from all walks of life in the United States, and we will definitely find the right person for you." Henry Morgan said.

The listing of a large company will itself be the focus of competition among investment banks. Costco is fully qualified to do so. It is indeed impossible to win this project prematurely, especially since the person in front of you is still a very successful company. Entrepreneurial businessmen will not make any promises so easily.

"Okay, I will stay in the United States during this period. If there is any progress, please contact me." Chen Zhiwen said.

Although he is looking for a partner for Costco, he will not ask for help because Costco's excellent value is enough to make a lot of people excited. It is just an exchange of equal value. Even if the other party has the resources, the money still has to be paid. of.

As for investment banks to find people for themselves, it is indeed a quick and simple method. After all, no matter how good the future of Costco is, in the non-Internet era, only some people will know about this company, and even more people will know that this company is preparing to raise funds. It's a minority.

Only various types of investment banks, law firms and other intermediary institutions have access to many channels for large funds and investors, through which the news can be quickly disseminated.

During this process, Chen Zhiwen will also give them some benefits. The most direct one is the introduction fee, but it is still not worth exchanging for other benefits. Under the same value, when the money is enough, money itself is the cheapest commodity.

"OK." Henry Morgan paused and then asked: "Eric, I want to ask you something privately. Are your Midea and Red Bull companies planning to go public?"

"Not yet. If there is, I will inform you, but it may not be available in the United States." Chen Zhiwen thought for a while and replied.

It is impossible for Red Bull and Chen Zhiwen to be listed in the United States. Although the United States itself is also the largest market, it is not absolutely dependent, and a mere beverage industry is not worthy of breaking the golden title of "free trade".

If Midea is listed, Nasdaq is definitely the most suitable choice. Internet and technology companies are most sought after here, especially during the Internet technology bubble in the late 1990s, which can be described as crazy.

But if it is listed in the United States, the entire company will be regulated by the U.S. government, and the price is a bit high, so Chen Zhiwen has not yet decided on this matter, and he is not in a hurry anyway.

Midea's scale will indeed expand rapidly in the next ten years, but there are many companies in the United States doing the same, and it is not an industry that affects national defense such as control chips and operating systems, so there will not be any big risks.

"Well, okay, in short, if you want to go public in the United States, you should consider Morgan." Henry said with a smile.

"Okay." Chen Zhiwen nodded, just thinking about it or giving it a chance. Agreeing now is just to save face.

"One more thing, I heard that Eric, you are more optimistic about the Japanese market recently?" Henry Morgan asked again with a smile.

"You do know a lot, that's true." Chen Zhiwen said.

Investing in Japan costs too much money, and it is impossible to hide it. Even if the source of the funds is constantly hidden through some legal means, you can't hide it when you invest in Japan, right?

The Japanese market is free, but it is impossible to ignore everything, otherwise it will not be a joke for illegal funds to run in and launder money. Although it is not impossible, it is at least difficult for large amounts of money.

Besides, investing in real estate is not simply about buying a house or property directly. It requires cooperation with local banks to use leverage. Otherwise, the income from the real estate itself will not be high at all. The basic premise for high returns on real estate is to use financial means. Otherwise it is not as good as many other investments.

If you cooperate with a bank and lend billions of dollars, you can't possibly hide it from the other party, right? Banks are not fools.

"I have to say, Eric, you are really awesome. As far as I know, the U.S. government is going to force the Japanese government to raise the exchange rate, and I am also going to make an investment." Henry Morgan laughed.

"Then it should be early." Chen Zhiwen didn't care and said with a smile.

He had no intention of keeping his investment in the Japanese market a secret. There were too many people involved to hide it, and if others, especially a large amount of American capital, participated, he would only make more.

Although the "Plaza Accord" is a matter strictly kept secret by senior White House officials, only its content and execution time are kept strictly confidential. However, the White House's movements cannot be hidden from those who are interested, especially many people with strong vision, who can also rely on the U.S. The trend of various economic data in Japan can be used to judge what may happen in the future.

Just take the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis. Many people have been shorting subprime mortgages since 2006, and finally made a lot of money. However, the risk is also high, but now investing in Japan, the risk is much smaller. No matter how you say it, , Japan is also a developed country with a rapidly developing economy. Even if the judgment is wrong in the end, it is just the difference between earning more and earning less.

"Well, I have been hesitant since I found out about this. After all, I don't have much money. Later I learned that you also invested a large sum of money, and I felt relieved." Henry said with a smile: "Your investment, I I’ve never seen one fail.”

"Don't brag so much." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile: "But there is one little thing. I need your help. I want to acquire this company."

Looking at the paper handkerchief handed over by Chen Zhiwen, Henry saw three English capital letters written on it: k F C.

"You want to buy KFC?" Henry Morgan obviously also knew about this company.

"Yes, it's KFC. Since you know the situation of this company, you don't need me to say more." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

Although KFC is not as large as McDonald's, it has developed over the past few decades and is still somewhat well-known in the United States. It is estimated that even super rich people like Henry Morgan may have eaten there. As far as taste goes, any food is good to eat once in a while.