funbook-pk Chapter 17: Adding fuel to the fire, Jardine Matheson took action.
Chapter 17: Adding fuel to the fire, Jardine Matheson took action.
10 points.
There are already undercurrents regarding "Wharf Holdings".
Just then, Li Junjie's excited voice suddenly rang out: "Young Master, Young Master, look! There are already retail investors putting up orders in the lobby downstairs." He had been watching the situation outside the window and was excitedly reporting this.
Li Jiagang smiled upon hearing this.
"Go, Jay, and spread the word using what I taught you."
"Yes, young master." Li Junjie turned to leave with great interest.
Seeing his anxious and flustered appearance, everyone wanted to beat him to death: "Wait a minute, do you remember?" Li Jiagang asked him, not wanting this guy to spread rumors.
Li Junjie pouted: "Young Master, who do you think you are?"
"HSBC will take a cautious yet optimistic approach to Cheung Kong's acquisition. If Cheung Kong has funding needs, HSBC, as a commercial bank, welcomes it to provide financing."
Just now, Li Ka-shing, the head of Cheung Kong Holdings, appeared at the headquarters of HSBC, seemingly raising funds to fight Jardine Matheson to the bitter end in an attempt to acquire Wharf Holdings.
It should also be noted that Jardine Matheson is also collaborating with other banks and subsidiaries to form a joint venture, sparing no effort to launch a counter-takeover of Wharf Holdings.
Lastly, it must be said that the Wharf Holdings situation will replicate the 1972 Hongkong Land and Dairy Farm incident, and the stock price will definitely skyrocket.
"Isn't that right, my young master?"
"Good that you remember. Go ahead." Li Jiagang waved to him with a smile.
After Li Junjie left, he was alone in the VIP room, and he whistled lightly.
More than ten minutes passed quickly.
A small rumor spread like wildfire.
Li Junjie pretended to be a stock investor, constantly wandering around the stock exchange. Whenever he saw someone talking about "Wharf Holdings" stock, he would immediately join the conversation.
The word spread like wildfire.
The news quickly spread to every corner of the trading hall, reaching retail investors, especially those who dreamed of getting rich quick in the stock market.
They believed it, and they went mad.
No matter which region's stock market, there will always be a group of people who want to gamble and make a fortune. Once they find the right opportunity, they will risk everything to gamble.
It was 11:30 a.m.
The Hong Kong Island Exchange Hall was bustling with activity.
The bustling scene at the stock exchange, rarely seen since the 73 stock market crash, finally occurred today, thanks to the prosperity of "Wharf Holdings" stock.
At this point, Wharf Holdings' share price had reached HK$24.18. Within 90 minutes of opening, it had risen by HK$1.5, a 0.06% increase, exceeding the usual daily increase over the past few days.
The rapid rise in Wharf Holdings' share price, coupled with the rampant rumors circulating outside, has led more and more investors to rush into the stock market to buy Wharf Holdings shares.
Meanwhile, shareholders who held shares in Wharf Holdings were also watching and waiting to see what would happen.
Meanwhile, in Li Ka-shing's office.
He, who is usually calm and composed, seemed somewhat anxious at this moment, and his deep expression showed that he was thinking deeply, which was enough to prove that he was in great turmoil.
"Ring ring ring!!!"
Just then, the phone on the table rang, and he quickly answered it: "This is Li Ka-shing."
"Boss, offer 24.18 per share."
"Why!!!"
Li Ka-shing let out a long sigh.
"There's also a rumor circulating at the exchange that..." the person on the other end of the phone reported truthfully.
Upon hearing this, Li Ka-shing felt even more powerless, and his eyes lost their light, as if he knew that all was lost.
"Continue to monitor the offers and Jardine Matheson's movements."
"Yes, boss."
Meanwhile, at the Jardine Matheson Grand Office...
"Check it immediately, submit an application to check my stock trading records, and carefully examine the stock's movement."
"Also, notify the finance department to mobilize all available funds to prepare for the future. Wharf Holdings is an indispensable asset of the group and must be preserved."
"Notify the publicity department to prepare a media response plan. Once it is confirmed that Wharf Holdings has been targeted, immediately release information to me about the group's determination to resist the takeover."
Newbikin is the current taipan of Jardine Matheson Group.
After taking office, this Englishman led Jardine Matheson towards internationalization, orchestrated the acquisition of Dairy Farm by Jardine Matheson's subsidiary Hongkong Land, and facilitated Jardine Matheson's rapid development.
Upon seeing the report, he immediately convened a meeting of the Wharf Holdings board of directors and quickly devised a response plan.
After finalizing the plan, a series of countermeasures have been issued to prepare for any eventuality.
Amidst widespread attention.
The stock exchange is taking a midday break.
Wharf Holdings closed at HK$24.96, just a hair's breadth away from breaking the HK$25 mark.
Just as Li Jiagang was leaving the stock exchange.
The "Chinese Building" is two streets away.
A group of reporters had been waiting for a long time, and as soon as Li Ka-shing came out, they swarmed around him.
"Mr. Li! Is it true that you secretly acquired shares in Wharf Holdings, as reported in the Hong Kong Economic Journal?"
Is a 15% stake Cheung Kong's ultimate goal?
"Do you plan to follow the example of Hongkong Land's 'milk-drinking' model in 72 and acquire Wharf Holdings at a premium?"
"Mr. Li! Are you determined to acquire Wharf Holdings? Do you have sufficient funds?"
"There's a rumor going around that you went to HSBC headquarters today. Was it to discuss funding matters?"
"With rumors circulating that Jardine Matheson is facing a takeover bid, Mr. Li, are you confident about acquiring Wharf Holdings?"
Faced with a group of reporters' questions, Li Ka-shing remained calm and composed, showing none of the dejection and helplessness he had displayed in his office earlier.
"Dear reporters, please be quiet." Li Ka-shing smiled and pressed his hands down: "Regarding the questions you just asked, I have read today's newspaper. This kind of news is ambiguous, so please just take it with a grain of salt."
Thank you all for your concern.
After responding, Li Ka-shing, under the protection of his bodyguards, got into his private car and left.
His response to the reporter was essentially non-existent; he neither confirmed nor denied anything, offering no definitive answer.
However, Li Ka-shing's refusal to give a direct response was quickly confirmed by Jardine Matheson.
Jardine Matheson held an emergency press conference at 12:30.
A large group of reporters were present at the scene.
Shortly afterward, Jardine Matheson Chairman Newbeek appeared in person to preside over the press conference.
"Hello, fellow journalists."
"We are very sorry that Jardine Matheson has held this press conference at the last minute and taken up everyone's rest time."
"I believe our journalist friends are aware of the content of this press conference; that's right, it's about Wharf Holdings."
"It has been confirmed that Mr. Li Ka-shing secretly purchased Wharf Holdings shares through multiple retail investors. Jardine Matheson will take the following measures."
"First: Defend control of Wharf Holdings and protect the interests of shareholders and long-term investors."
"Secondly: The fact that Wharf Holdings' value is higher than its market price is a 'rational business decision' by Wharf Holdings, not, as the morning report claimed, a case of 'covering pearls with straw,' implying that the company's value is not being realized and that the potential of Wharf Holdings is not being explored."
"Third: I and the Wharf Holdings board of directors firmly disapprove of and will not tolerate Mr. Li Ka-shing's covert actions against Wharf Holdings."
"Thank you everyone, you've worked hard."
After finishing his speech, Niubijian left the press conference without responding to any questions from reporters.
There is usually no question-and-answer session at press conferences held temporarily.
Of course, individuals are welcome to answer voluntarily.
Soon... the content of Jardine Matheson's press conference was released, and Hong Kong Radio broadcast it immediately, spreading the news rapidly throughout Hong Kong.
All parties are once again paying close attention.
Li Ka-shing sighed again, standing motionless in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in his office, his bewildered eyes fixed on the distance, deep in thought.
The advantage of Hong Kong Commercial Radio is its speed; it doesn't need to wait for editing, approval, printing, or sales of any latest and accurate news.
Once the content is organized, it can be broadcast directly.
However, there are also drawbacks. Commercial radio stations broadcast news through the radio, which has time restrictions. Who would have the time to sit in front of the radio every day waiting for news?
Newspapers remain a primary source of information in this era, serving as the primary choice for understanding both public and international affairs.