Chapter 678: Cooperation between Finance and Media

Chapter 678: Cooperation between Finance and Media

Chapter 678: Cooperation between Finance and Media
The rapid decline of the stock market immediately became the core reporting direction of the media. In Hong Kong today, housing prices, stocks, and entertainment gossip have become the three most concerned areas for Hong Kong citizens, and the media naturally follow market demand;

The decline of the stock market also immediately triggered a reaction in the real estate market. After all, when too many people have suffered heavy financial losses, especially those who have added leverage, they will inevitably need to sell off the real estate market to fill the gap. The plummeting stock prices will also cause the market to be cautious, and a large amount of funds will be withdrawn from the real estate market, and even from Hong Kong.

Such a big thing naturally could not be hidden from Yang Wendong. After Hong Kong Holdings reported the matter to the police and the rumors of stock fraud were raised, Yang Wendong began to pay attention to the changes in the Hang Seng Index. Within 7 days, the Hang Seng Index fell by 500 points. Among all the stocks, few rose against the trend. All of them fell. Countless shareholders and investment companies were wailing.

"I never thought that the last straw that broke the camel's back was actually the fake stock exchange vouchers of Jardine Matheson." Yang Wendong said with a faint smile after understanding the details.

Originally, the trigger of the Hong Kong stock market crash in 1973 was the stock fraud of Wo Hop Industries, which triggered a selling frenzy. This also led to Wo Hop Industries being severely criticized in the later period, and the company's credit almost dropped to zero. Even though it was also a victim, the market and banks were so unreasonable. For this reason, Hu Yingxiang paid a huge price to save the company.
Today, because of Yang Wendong's butterfly effect, the history of Hong Kong has been greatly affected. Therefore, the timeline of stock market changes has also been affected. The Hang Seng Index reached its highest point in 1947, 200 points higher than the previous history. This is actually normal. After all, the economy of Hong Kong today, and therefore the existence of Changxing Group, is much stronger than in the previous history.
However, for those who want to make fake stocks, the impact may not be great. They still want to break the law. Making money is the most important thing. Because Hong Kong Land launched the acquisition of Dairy Farm International in advance, the stock exchange vouchers can be cashed in at the end of the year, which then became the target of this gang;
When making stock exchange coupons, Hong Kong Holdings was also very cautious and used special materials. However, no matter how special the materials were, they could not compare with the official stocks. After all, stocks, like banknotes, are controlled by the government. No matter how powerful Hong Kong Holdings was, it could not compare with the official ones. So for the counterfeiting gangs, exchange coupons were naturally easier to counterfeit than the stocks themselves.

However, this group of counterfeiting gangs probably never imagined that just because they wanted to make a little money, they triggered a chain reaction collapse of Hong Kong's economy.

Fang Xianming laughed and said, "This group of fraudsters has been caught. It is said that even the arresting police beat them up severely because everyone lost money in the stock market."

"Haha, then they are wronged." Yang Wendong smiled and shook his head and said, "Even if there is no fraud in the stock exchange vouchers, the stock market crash is bound to happen, and there must be other triggers."

Now it seems to be a good deal for Wo Hop Industries, as it can avoid being targeted by the whole of Hong Kong. As a major shareholder of Wo Hop Industries, this result seems to be quite good.

Swire Properties has cheated countless shareholders before, and now it has encountered such a thing again. It will be criticized by thousands of people again.

Fang Xianming said: "Yes, if the Hang Seng Index really breaks through 2000, it will be too outrageous, which means it has increased more than 5 times in 20 years."

At its worst point in 67, the Hang Seng Index was less than 100. Now, it has actually increased by more than 20 times.

Yang Wendong smiled and said, "The stock market crash has already come, but now is not the best time for us to take action. However, Wharf shares are an exception. While most investors are selling, we can buy some shares. As long as we don't attract the attention of Jardine Matheson, it doesn't matter if the cost is a little higher now and we buy more."

Although the stock market crash has already begun, it is still too early to wait until the Hang Seng Index or individual stocks reach their lowest point. According to previous history, by the end of 1974, the Hang Seng Index reached 150 points, and the entire market gradually recovered.

If you want to buy other general company stocks, you will have to wait a little longer. Not to mention the last month, even the last half year will save you a lot.

But Wharf Holdings was his target for acquisition, which was strategic in nature. He could not only consider acquiring it at the lowest cost, but also try to acquire more stocks when the market was not paying attention. Because no matter what the market was like, once the merger and acquisition was launched, it would inevitably cause a sharp rise in the stock price. Therefore, the most cost-effective acquisition in the early stage was a low-key one.
Otherwise, if we wait until the second half of 74, regardless of whether history will change, the economy may recover if we wait longer, and launching a merger and acquisition at that time will only be more costly;
Fang Xianming said, "Mr. Yang, I want to wait a little longer. I have already communicated with Qi Ruifan and Qin Zhiye. In the next period of time, the mainstream media in Hong Kong will hype up that the Hong Kong economy was overheated before, and it will definitely cool down for a while in the future.
Similarly, the target will be specifically British real estate companies, attacking them for their incompetence in the real estate market and wasting the trust of shareholders in them."

"Targeting British companies? That's fine, as it won't be too obvious and easily arouse Jardine Matheson's vigilance." Yang Wendong nodded, and then said, "But if that's the case, Hutchison Whampoa might also be indirectly attacked by us."

As the stock market wailed, no company was spared, including Hutchison Whampoa, which was previously favored. Its share price plummeted. However, after all, it had been promoted in the media market for so long, so relatively speaking, Hutchison Whampoa's stock was still much better than those of the other companies.

Fang Xianming smiled and said, "What does it matter? We have successfully cashed out our Hutchison shares and are no longer shareholders of Hutchison. Besides, even the Hong Kong government is promoting media freedom nowadays. We did not name or slander anyone, we were just describing some facts."

The incompetence of British capital in real estate companies or other areas of the Hong Kong market is also recognized. Except for some monopoly businesses obtained by relying on special status in the early years, others are basically no match for Chinese capital. Otherwise, there would not be the rise of Chinese real estate companies.

Yang Wendong nodded and said, "Okay, you know how to use the media, then let's do this. If Hutchison's stock is suppressed a little, it will also be good for us." According to Qi Dezun's operation, the current debt is heavier than before, but the Hong Kong Electric shares in his hands are also eternal high-quality collateral, but overall, Hutchison's situation will definitely not last long;
According to historical records, Qi Dezun was not ousted by HSBC until early 1975, but now it is estimated that it was even earlier.

"The combination of media and finance is indeed a powerful weapon." Fang Xianming followed up by saying, "It's a pity that we can't participate in the media in the United States or other overseas countries. Otherwise, we would definitely have better results, and the products of our group's many industrial factories would be easier to promote."

High-quality advertising resources are also limited. In many cases, you can’t buy them just by having money. You may need to book them in advance, just like the prime time of Hong Kong TVB in the evening.

"Overseas media? It's not something we can interfere with at will." Yang Wendong thought for a moment and said, "Oh, by the way, can you help me check out a person named Murdoch, an Australian who is somewhat famous in Australia? I want all his information."

Speaking of media, Yang Wendong was reminded of the future world's top media guru: Murdoch, whose News Corporation became the world's top media group;
Anyone who can be No. 1 in any industry is naturally outstanding. An Australian who has broken through the legal restrictions of various countries and become a media tool under the US government must have his own special qualities.

"Murdoch?" Fang Xianming confirmed the name and said, "Okay, I'll arrange for someone to investigate immediately."

The stock market crash has spread across Hong Kong, affecting everyone from the political and business community to the common people. When the stock market was hot before, it attracted countless newbies who knew nothing but wanted to rush in and make money.

Now that the stock market has plummeted, in addition to big capital, these people also want to withdraw, but with too many sell orders, no one is willing to take over the sales. They can only watch the stock price getting lower and lower, and they are anxious, but there is nothing they can do. Even if there is a big crash, those who can run away first are the big capital.

Therefore, some rooftops in Central Hong Kong welcomed some guests. During this period, the Hong Kong police and hospitals were very busy. Those who jumped from the building were basically taken directly to the funeral home, but not everyone had such courage. More people chose to burn charcoal.
"He's just burning charcoal, and he even brought his whole family along." Seeing the family together in the news, including two children, made Yang Wendong feel a little sorry;
It's just that he can't control this kind of thing. Whether he participates or not, the ending of greedy people is actually the same. Those who are forced to commit suicide are not those who simply lose money, but those who borrow money or use leverage to play stocks. Once the position is liquidated, they will immediately lose everything and owe a lot of debts.
In any era, even in ancient times when there was no stock market, there were people who liked to make the "gamble of a lifetime", at most just changing places;

Lottery, stocks, etc., are actually the same, they are just legal channels, most people will not lose a lot even if they are greedy, the only exception is gamblers;

"This kind of thing actually happens every month every year, but when the stock market crash comes, it easily attracts attention and the media pays full attention to it," Fang Xianming replied.

"Well, this kind of person deserves to die, but the poor kid has no choice." Yang Wendong shook his head, and then said: "Check inside our company to see if there is anyone who gambles like this;

In addition, if it is an ordinary family that encounters insufficient real estate mortgage or difficulty in repayment, we can provide appropriate assistance based on the future repayment ability. Outsiders can't control it, but I am an insider, and as long as they are not gamblers, I am willing to help them."

In fact, during this wave of economic crisis, stock prices fell a lot, similar to the housing prices in 67, which had previously fallen to 1/14 of the highest point in history. This time, it is estimated that it will not be much different.
However, housing prices are not that outrageous. After two years of economic crisis, the average price has only dropped by half. In some areas, the price may drop by 60% to 70%.

Compared with the future increase in housing prices, this drop is actually nothing in the long run. The problem is to survive this period of debt collection.
He is still willing to provide appropriate help to his employees. After all, they will have to pay him back in the future, and it can also win their hearts.

"Okay, Mr. Yang." Fang Xianming agreed.

Yang Wendong nodded and asked, "How is the information about Murdoch in Australia going?"

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(End of this chapter)