'Michael, why don't we try a different way of cooperation that will allow us to continue our long-term cooperation while also protecting the interests of HSBC?'
Shen Bi was curious and asked, 'What way?'
Norman Shi Yahuai told him about the plan that had just occurred to him,
'HSBC will sell me the shares of the Swire Pacific Group, Swire Pacific Group and Swire Pacific Group and their subsidiaries. I don't want the shares of the other companies, and I am willing to trade these shares in part for cash and in part for a secured loan.'
'For the remaining shares, I will cooperate with HSBC to set up a bidding situation with Jiuding Securities, driving up the price and allowing HSBC to make a huge profit.'
'In this way, HSBC will gain at least three benefits: first, the Swire consortium will not collapse, but at most it will streamline its strength and be able to continue to cooperate with HSBC for a long time; second, you will not go back on your promise, and you will be able to do what you just promised to do, which is to notify Jiuding Securities, without offending them; and third, HSBC will be able to gain even greater benefits.'
'Michael, what do you think?'
After saying that, Norman Shi Yahuai stared at Shen Bi with burning eyes, expecting him to say yes.
Shen Bi did not immediately say yes, but carefully weighed the matter.
In fact, he had already made up his mind about one thing, and that was that the Swire Group could not fall. If the Swire Group was swallowed up by the Chinese-owned capital led by the Jiuding Group, it would definitely be detrimental to HSBC.
Because Jardine Matheson and Hutchison Whampoa were dismembered and merged before, HSBC's business volume has dropped significantly, especially last year. Although overall revenue has been increasing, the growth rate has dropped significantly. Combined with the economic growth rate of the whole society, HSBC is actually in decline, and the impact will continue for many years.
Standard Chartered Bank is not joining forces with HSBC, but instead is siding with Jiuding Bank. If the Swire Group were to collapse, and HSBC were to lose the business of the Swire Group, how would it compete with Jiuding Bank and Standard Chartered Bank?
Therefore, the Swire Group must not collapse!
However, he also knew that the Shih Yahui family was no longer strong enough to protect the entire Swire group. Fortunately, Norman Shih Yahui was brave enough to make the decision to cut his losses and save only the core group of companies.
To be honest, if Norman Sze-Ya-Wai had told him at the beginning that he was prepared to cut his losses and shrink his capital, then he would have definitely let the Taikoo Group go.
Fortunately, Norman Sze-Ya-Wai had a plan, and he also thought of setting up Jiuding Securities to benefit HSBC even more.
With this interest to compensate, then he can completely let Norman Sheawei have his way.
However, Shen Bo still had one concern, and he said to Norman Sheawei, 'Norman, there is still a drawback to your plan, and that is, after the lack of the three major blocks of the Swire Pacific Group, the Swire Pacific Group and the Swire Pacific Group, the remaining company shares, Jiuding Securities Company may not necessarily want them, and our plan may not necessarily work.'
Norman Shiyawei frowned for a moment and suggested, 'Michael, we can do it this way. You can just say that you made a mistake and that you actually sold the shares. It doesn't matter if Jiuding Securities believes you or not.'
'You can release the news about the remaining company shares, and I will fully cooperate with you in the speculation.'
'Although I don't want to see something happen, I can predict that, this time, in addition to the Jiuding consortium and the Song family, there will definitely be other Chinese-funded consortia involved. These shares that Jiuding Securities doesn't want will always be wanted by other Chinese-funded consortia.'
'For HSBC, it's even better if these shares are not sold to Jiuding Securities, don't you think?'
Shen Bi thought about it for a moment and nodded slightly: 'You make sense. As long as you are willing to cooperate fully, you should be able to protect our interests.'
Norman Shi Yahuai said decisively: 'Of course I will cooperate fully. No one else would ever expect me to give up these shares and join forces with you.'
Norman Shi Yahuai had already said everything, and Shen Bi's last concern was dispelled.
Then there's no need to waste any more time...
He said very decisively, 'Norman, I agree with your plan, and I can sell you all the shares associated with Swire Pacific, Swire Pacific Limited and Swire Properties.
'As for the price...'
With Norman Shiawei watching nervously, Shen Bi smiled and said, 'I won't raise the price anymore, and we'll do it at a 200% premium. I think if the stock market continues to be so speculative, the stock price could multiply five or six times. You set the price yourself, so it's not expensive.'
Norman Shiawei quickly smiled and said, 'Of course it's not expensive, Michael, thank you!'
Shen Bi smiled and shook his head, saying, 'You're welcome.'
'I'll have someone do some calculations right now to find out how much the company's shares are worth...'
...
That day, the stock market was fiercely competitive. Capital from all walks of life rushed to the stock market like cats that had smelled fish, attempting to get a piece of the pie.
This further pushed up the share price of the Swire Group's listed companies.
By the afternoon break, the core Swire Pacific share price had risen to HK$18.86 per share, with a market value of over HK$8.49 billion, directly surpassing the normal market value before the loss of Swire Pacific Airways. This shows just how fierce the competition was.
Despite this, the closing price only rose by about 42% compared to the opening price, because the Swire Pacific Group is so large.
The Swire Pacific Group is not listed, but its subsidiaries Swire Pacific Limited and Swire Pacific Shipping Limited are. The closing prices of the two companies rose by 52 and 51 points respectively compared to the opening prices.
The market value of Swire Pacific Limited has risen to more than 1.89 billion Hong Kong dollars.
The market value of Swire Pacific Shipping was fixed at HK$2.52 billion.
As for the Swire group, which the Song family needed, the closing price rose 48% compared to the opening price, and the share price was fixed at HK$11.1 per share, with a market value of HK$3.167 billion.
The share prices of some other listed companies rose by at least 40%.
The transaction price of unlisted company shares is unknown, but it is certain that the rise in the share price of listed companies will serve as a guide for the seller's opening price.
As soon as the stock market closed, Norman Sjöwall, who had already counted the number of shares, immediately negotiated with Shen Bi.
Shen Bi and Norman Sjöwall had not expected the stock price to rise so sharply today. After counting, they found that based on the closing price in the afternoon, the real-time value of the shares Norman Sjöwall needed reached 1.116 billion Hong Kong dollars.
With a 200% premium, Norman Sze Ya-wai would have to pay HK$3.348 billion.
Feeling immense pressure, Norman Sze Ya-wai was also a little relieved that he had decided to give up some companies, otherwise he really wouldn't have been able to compete with the Jiuding consortium!
A 200% premium was really not that high!
He then immediately negotiated with Shen Bi, and the final result was half paid in cash and half purchased with a loan secured by pledged assets.
Shen Bi was also very generous and gave Norman Shi Yahuai the most lenient pledge rate – 50%.
This means that Norman Shi Yahuai only needs to pledge equity assets worth 3.348 billion Hong Kong dollars to be able to borrow 1.674 billion Hong Kong dollars.
The two agreed to complete the transaction within two days, depending on how quickly Norman Shih Yawei could raise the funds and sort out the assets.
Once the transaction was successfully completed, in addition to the Swire Pacific Group, which he already effectively controlled with over 51% of the shares,
the Shih Yawei family's cumulative shareholding in Swire Pacific Warehouse would increase to 55.9%.
The cumulative shareholding in Swire Pacific Shipping would increase to 49.9%.
Swire Pacific's shareholding will increase to 47.8%.
Based on this situation, Norman Shih Yawei is fully confident that he can control all four listed companies. In the worst case scenario, the Jinding consortium will infiltrate and gain a veto power, and the battle will continue. At least the company will be saved, and the battle can be discussed later.
Unfortunately, Norman Shi Yahuai's optimism is only applicable to normal situations.
When encountering some special circumstances, it's hard to say...