Hollywood Hunter

new York.

The time is already March 27.

A business reception is being held in the ballroom of the Gramercy Hotel in Midtown.

One week after the news of Igret's external financing was released, although no intention was reached, all the phone calls of the person in charge were exploded.

In order to answer the questions of potential investors in a unified manner, Westeros simply organized this reception in New York and invited a large number of Wall Street investment banks and fund managers to participate.

"Simon, Boeing's recent market value is only less than 12 billion US dollars. Do you think a technology company that has only been established for four years offers 15 billion US dollars? Is this reasonable?"

Inside the reception hall.

Simon listened to the half-truth complaint of Goldman Sachs Chairman Stephen Friedman and smiled: "Steven, if you want to make a stable investment with an annual growth rate of 10% or 20%, you can definitely find Boeing, Aviation The industry is certainly not outdated. However, if you want higher returns, of course you need to take some risks. Speaking of which, I haven’t paid attention to Boeing’s stock price recently. If it is less than $12 billion, I will let Lawrence do the best Maybe buy more."

Stephen Friedman knew that Lawrence Simon said that Lawrence Fink, the head of Cersei Capital's Black Rock Asset Management Company.

After investing in Cersei Capital, Black Rock Asset Management has developed rapidly. The mutual fund investment company has recently controlled assets of more than US$120 billion.

The investment standard of mutual funds is to pursue low-risk, large-cap stocks with stable investment returns and highly rated government bonds and corporate bonds in order to ensure the safety of funds as much as possible.In doing so, although the investment profit will not be too high, but relying on the huge volume of the fund itself, it can still get good returns.

Goldman Sachs cannot be so conservative.

Thinking about it, Stephen Friedman said: "However, Simon, the $1.5 billion quotation is still too high, how about $1 billion, Goldman Sachs is very sincere in reaching this cooperation, $1 billion, and Igri The company promised to conduct an IPO within 3 years, and we can sign an equity transfer agreement in the near future."

Simon smiled and gestured to the crowd around him. "Stephen, you should understand that it is a seller's market now, so you have no room to bargain with me."

Stephen Friedman saw Simon with a smile on his face, but there was no room for concession in his tone.However, these emotions will certainly not appear in his expression. The youth in front of him is not the object that Goldman Sachs can handle. On the contrary, even if this business cannot be done, Goldman Sachs still hopes to get the next Daenerys Entertainment and Igret. IPO underwriting rights for companies and even other companies in the Westeros system.

In recent years, only a few companies in the Westero system have received the most attention from the industry.

As for the equity of Igret, there is also no disagreement within Goldman Sachs. Some people think that it should be eaten all. Some people think that the foam component is very large. Stephen Friedman is hesitant. He has already been 50 this year. Many years old, although able to climb the position of chairman of Goldman Sachs, the ability is absolutely sufficient, but little is known about the emerging Internet industry.

In his view, the stock prices of Cisco and AOL have soared recently, and there are very obvious irrational factors.

However, the advantages of these companies in the industry and revenue data, but it seems real, it is difficult for people to judge the future trend of stock prices.

Of course, with the release of the "Information Superhighway Plan", Stephen Friedman is actually very optimistic about the Internet industry, but now, investing in this area, either risk is too high, or the cost is too high, a little care may result in huge amounts Loss.

The competition within Goldman Sachs is very fierce. Once a serious investment error occurs, his position as chairman will almost immediately abdicate to let Yin Xian.

For the 10% of Igret’s stock, $1 billion is a figure more recognized by Goldman Sachs’ core management.

But, looking at the scene at the reception today, Stephen Friedman understands that Goldman Sachs wants to make this business for $1 billion, and the possibility is almost zero.

In the hall tonight, the heads of Goldman Sachs, Morgan, Lehman, First Boston, and even Solomon Brothers, who are still struggling in the mud, have already been present. In addition, there are fund executives such as Pioneer Fund, Blackstone Group, KKR and some The power of capital outside Wall Street and even overseas.

Although it is in the name of 10% of Igreat's stock trading, everyone is watching the entire Westeros system.

Daenerys Entertainment's cooperation with Morgan Stanley was quite close in the past few years. Next year's IPO, unless there is too much change, the main underwriter can basically be determined to be Morgan Stanley, but Daenerys Entertainment's IPO The scale will be very large, Morgan Stanley eats meat, and it is not impossible for everyone to win some soup.

In addition, within the Westeros system, companies such as Igret, LTD, Tinkerbair, and Verizon Telecom may perform IPO operations in the future.Even after the listing, many companies still have to issue additional stocks or bond financing. These are all big business.

If Simon Westero is smart enough, he will not always work with the Morgan Stanley family.

Considering these, Stephen Friedman couldn't help but increase his thoughts on whether or not to join this group of equity contests. Finally, he chatted with the youth in front of him for a while. Before leaving, Friedman suddenly asked: "Simon, 10 % Of shares, are you going to sell all to a company?"

Simon glanced slightly, saying: "Of course not, $1.5 billion is indeed a large sum of money. If Goldman Sachs and some capital are jointly purchased, as long as both parties can negotiate, of course, there is no problem."

To get the answer he wanted, Stephen Friedman said: "In this case, tomorrow... well, how about next Monday night, let's have a meal together and talk by the way?"

Simon smiled and shook his head: "Next Monday is the Academy Awards."

"Oh, I forgot about it, then..."

Simon interrupted: "Steven, I will be back in Los Angeles tomorrow, and I might not come to New York next week, so if you make a decision, you can talk to James, he is my spokesperson."

Stephen Friedman once again reached out and shook hands with Simon, said: "It seems that this can only be the case, looking forward to more opportunities for cooperation."

"of course."

Stephen Friedman left, Simon took a sip of the red wine in his hand and stood in the distance thinking about what had just happened.

Goldman Sachs has a very close relationship with Washington, and it is the standard Democratic camp.After Bill Clinton became president, Robert Rubin, who co-chaired Goldman Sachs with Stephen Friedman a few years ago, joined the White House as an assistant to the President’s Economic and Economic Policy. I know that Robert Rubin will become the US Treasury Secretary in a few years.

In the past history, in the subprime mortgage crisis around 2008, Lehman Brothers went bankrupt, Bear Stearns was acquired, and other investment banks were all in the same place. Only Goldman Sachs not only did not make losses, but also made good profits in the subprime mortgage crisis. And then become the strongest investment bank on Wall Street, which definitely has no shortage of influence from the close relationship with the government.

The relationship between the Westeros system and the White House is very precise at this time, and there is no need to establish a relationship with Washington through Goldman Sachs. However, there is no harm in dealing with this investment bank.

Of course, the Morgan system that has established close ties will also not give up.

The focus of the Westeros system on Wall Street's investment banking operations is only Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.

This time, 10% of Igret's shares, Simon did not sell all to a capital from the beginning.

Wall Street Capital seems to be in control of hundreds of billions of dollars of assets, but it is really not much that can pay out $1.5 billion in cash at one time.

Considering the risks, Ken invested $1.5 billion in cash in a new technology company but only obtained 10% of the shares. Wall Street’s openness factor did not reach this level.

Together with other capitals to share these shares, in fact, it has become the best choice.

Facing other capitals, Morgan Stanley was also very interested in these shares, and even worried that these shares were bought by other companies, thereby breaking the good cooperation between the Westeros system and the Morgan system.

Simon's vision is roughly that Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs raised a sum of capital at the same time to jointly eat the 10% stake.

As for the other capital forces in the banquet hall at this time, at least the business in front of him is already in the ranks of PASS in the mind of Simon.

Determined to continue to entertain some guests, Simon just talked with Steve Schwartzman, Chairman of Blackstone Group, and was about to walk to the head of Apollo Management Company, Lawrence Fink, another 50-year-old wearing A middle-aged man with a pair of old-fashioned round glasses came over.

Simon took the initiative to raise the glass to the other side, but his eyes were glanced at the girl A beside him. Alison leaned into his ear and whispered: "Joseph Lewis, chairman of Tavistock Group."

Simon is unfamiliar with the two names mentioned by girl A. The middle-aged man has come to the front, and girl A can't elaborate, and took the initiative to step aside.

"Hello, Simon, this is Joseph Lewis. You can call me Joe."

Simon and Joseph Lewis shook hands and greeted: "Hello, Joe."

After greeting, Joseph Lewis looked around and said, "I'm a little late. This is really nice."

Simon looked at each other and smiled, "Thank you."

Joseph Lewis probably also found the doubt in Simon's eyes, and quickly said: "Actually, Simon, I now run an investment company, and I had a cooperation with Mr. Soros last year."

Simon immediately understood the nature of the Tavistock group that Alison had just said.

Financial speculators.

And it is the international currency speculator who has just'stripped across' in the pound crisis last year.

To be more straightforward, the middle-aged man in front of him must have a lot of cash in his hand.

Joseph Lewis noticed that Simon’s expression was clear. He said no more, and said directly: “Simon, that’s it. I’m very interested in the shares of Igret. When Mr. and Mr. Li contacted, they said that only you can make the final decision. So, when do you think we can talk about the transaction?"

It's really simple.

And bold enough.

If the equity of Igret does not have other meanings, Simon would be happy to say hello to such a person.

However, Simon can only shake his head at this time: "Joe, thank you very much for your interest in Eaglet, but I'm afraid someone has already taken the lead."

Joseph Lewis listened to Simon's words, but was not disappointed. It seemed to have been expected, saying: "I'm sorry, but, I think we will definitely have other cooperation opportunities in the future. Simon, I heard that you are trying to acquire Christie's auction house, yes ?"

The acquisition negotiations at Christie’s auction house are continuing, and since the other party has heard the news, Simon did not hide it, saying: "Yes."

"I'm also very interested in collections, and it seems that Melisandre is still looking for other collaborators. Do you mind if I participate?"

"Of course I don't mind, but Sofia is always in charge of this matter. You can talk to him first."

Joseph Lewis said with a smile: "I still think it is more efficient to talk to you. My company owner requires a 20% shareholding and does not participate in Christie's business. In the future, if you sell the shares, Melisandre also has priority purchase rights. Of course, during the auction of the collection, as a shareholder, I still hope to get some special treatment."

Even if he didn't know the details of Joseph Lewis, the other party was so simple, Simon was not stingy, and quickly reached out to the other party, saying: "So, Joe, I'm glad to work with you."

The middle-aged man in front of him is obviously eager to establish a connection with the Westeros system, and the selected entry point is very good.

Christie's auction house, this is a business of less than 1 billion US dollars, has little effect on the entire Westeros system, the other party only requires holding shares, and does not pursue control, such sincerity is also very sufficient.

As for the deeper purpose, Simon can probably guess some, but he doesn't mind too much.

The two continued to chat for a while, and Joseph Lewis continued to introduce himself unabashedly.

Lewis was an Englishman. He started with chain restaurants and clubs in the early years. He began to venture into financial speculation in the 1980s. He experienced 87 stocks, the Japanese stock market bubble and the collapse of the US bond market. And, most importantly, the 1992 pound crisis.

After several operations, probably enough capital has been accumulated, Joe Lewis recently began to re-enter the real industry investment, if Simon promised, the other party really intends to buy 10% of the company’s shares in one breath, just, Joe Lewis Probably also understand that Simon's sale of this share is not purely to raise funds.