Chapter 754: CNBC's Report
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CNBC, the full name of American Consumer News and Business Channel, is a global financial cable satellite news station owned by NBCUniversal Group in the United States. Its seven channels provide real-time financial market coverage and business information to 385 million households around the world. is a leader in the field of global business journalism.
Almost all financial practitioners in the United States will learn about financial information through it and Bloomberg News, and the same is true for Guo Shouyun. CNBC's four key programs, including 'Financial Forum', 'Market Watch', 'Market Overview' and 'Business Center', are among the programs he often watches.
"Dr. Rosen, what do you think the impact of the Bruce Foundation, or Mr. Bruce Guo's acquisition of Merrill Lynch, will have on the financial markets of the United States?"
Erin Fink, the host of the CNBC Market Watch show, graduated from the Department of Journalism of Columbia, she not only has a beautiful appearance and a hot body, keen observation and wisdom to the core of the problem, but also the main reason why she became the host of the CNBC Market Watch show and was popular with the audience.
"Personally, I don't think it's a good sign. We all know that the Bruce Foundation is the majority shareholder of the fourth largest bank in the United States, Bank of Phoenix. The latter has annual revenues of more than $30 billion and assets of nearly $750 billion. It has tentacles in all 50 U.S. states and has also entered the Canadian and Mexican markets this year. It is the largest super-financial institution in North America, behind Citigroup, Bank of America and MG Chase. ”
“… Compared with Phoenix, Merrill Lynch, a financial institution established nearly 100 years ago, has more influence and strength. With 975 branches worldwide, it manages a massive $1.75 trillion in assets. It is a comprehensive investment bank on Wall Street second only to Da Mo, and is unique in the field of financial research and private wealth management. At the same time, it is also the largest advisory agency in Washington, the World Bank, and the world's major financial institutions and government financial departments. Its actions have a direct impact on the stability of financial markets in the United States and around the world. ”
“… If Phoenix and Merrill Lynch merged, it would create a world-class financial institution with annual revenues of more than $65 billion, total assets under management of a staggering $2.5 trillion, and operations across all financial sectors. Or 'financial trusts'! It's a terrible thing!"
Mitchell Rosen is a professor at Harvard Business School, a Ph.D. in economics and financial engineering, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, one of the top think tanks in the United States.
"Dr. Rosen, why do you think the merger of Phoenix and Merrill Lynch is a terrible thing? If it's just because of their size, then Citigroup also has more than $2 trillion in assets, and it also has a global presence and touches all financial sectors. ”
"Citi is fundamentally different from Phoenix Merrill Lynch. Mitchell Rosen shook his head.
"Can you elaborate on that?"
"Of course... First of all, I am against the emergence of very large financial institutions. Because these large financial trusts can harm the rights and interests of consumers, breed corruption, hinder fair competition in the financial industry, and stifle economic freedom. Secondly, compared to large financial institutions such as Citigroup and Bank of America. With the merger of Merrill Lynch and Phoenix, the monopolistic nature is more obvious. ”
“… At Citigroup, Bank of America and MG Chase, while the CEO has a lot of power, it is also subject to the board of directors and the board of supervisors. But the situation of Phoenix Merrill Lynch is different, and the Bruce Foundation and Bruce Guo have an absolute controlling stake in it. This means that the supervisory role of the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Board will become very limited. And the absolute power of a $2.5 trillion financial entity is in the hands of one person, which is suffocating to think about. ”
“… Absolute power means absolute corruption. The merger of Merrill Lynch and Phoenix will not only profoundly change Wall Street, but also affect the security and stability of the US financial market, especially the stock market. ”
“… Therefore, I suggest that the Anti-Monopoly Committee of the Ministry of Finance resolutely cannot agree to the merger of Phoenix and Merrill Lynch. and urged Congress to pass legislation to limit the shareholdings of individuals and large institutions in very large financial institutions. In order to maintain the security and stability of the U.S. financial market. ”
"Boss, it's almost time. ”
Wang Jue walked over and whispered.
Guo Shouyun nodded, and after taking one last look at the picture on the TV, he picked up the remote control and turned it off.
It's been a week since Merrill Lynch was bought by him. The joy of success has been lost amid the wave of opposition to the Merrill Lynch and Phoenix merger and restrictions on private and large institutional shareholdings in large financial firms.
He could imagine who was behind it. In fact, as these voices of opposition have expanded, hostile institutions such as Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and Dutch ING Group have long been on the table.
"Let's go!"
Guo Shouyun put on his coat with a calm expression. Since this 'battle' is unavoidable, and it has reached the point of holding on to open fire, he also wants to retreat.
"Since you want to fight, then fight well. It's a big deal!"
With infinite confidence and determination, Guo Shouyun quickly boarded the helicopter inside the villa.
It takes about 15 minutes by helicopter from Kamibayashien on Long Island to Merrill Lynch's headquarters.
"Boss, look!"
In fact, there is no need for Wang Jue's reminder, through the hanging window of the helicopter, Guo Shouyun also saw the crowd gathered outside the headquarters of Merrill Lynch, holding various signs in their hands, protesting against Merrill Lynch's acquisition by him, protesting against the merger of Merrill Lynch and Phoenix, and even holding racist slogans.
The scale is not large, just a few hundred people.
For the United States, where demonstrations of all kinds are often held, this is nothing. In addition to not going to the past, Guo Shouyun didn't take them to heart.
Rather than protesting for the sake of protesting, he should be worried about the upper class of the United States. This is the core of what really holds power in this country.
"Leave that alone. They're just small characters, and they can't afford to make big waves!" paused, "Brent, land at St. Lauren Airport, don't go to Merrill Lynch." ”
After the helicopter pilot answered, Guo Shouyun turned his head, "Matthew, call Smith and drive the car to St. Lauren Airport." ”
"Yes, boss!"
The helicopter, which was supposed to land on the top floor of Merrill Lynch's headquarters, turned a corner and flew over eastern Manhattan.
St. Lauren Airport, located on New York's Upper East Side, is a dedicated airport for CEOs and executives of major companies to park their helicopters.
After Guo Shouyun parked the helicopter here, it didn't take long for the car to pick him up. After the two sides converged, they came to the 'New York Branch of the Cold Mountain Annex'.
The reason why he opened the Hanshan Villa to New York was that he learned it from his father-in-law's family.
As one of the top conventions in New York, the Roosevelt Club is well-known all over the world, and in addition to the United States, London, Magic City, Tokyo and other top cities in the world have its branches, and it is a top presence in the field of private clubs in the world.
With the prestige of the Roosevelt family, the Roosevelt Club not only became the first choice for high-class gatherings in various countries, contributing a lot of income from membership fees and catering, but also laid the foundation for the Roosevelt family to consolidate its position and develop more contacts.
Guo Shouyun did the same, and when his status was high enough and there were enough registered members of the Hanshan Annex, he also opened it to New York.
As the financial heart of the United States, it is also a place where he often comes, and the existence of the Hanshan Courtyard really provides great convenience in terms of banquets.
2039 Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side of New York, this is a 12-storey, 20,000-square-meter baroque high-rise building built in the 40s of the last century, close to New York's landmark Central Park, with exquisite reliefs and beige facades.
Although the rich and wealthy on the east side of Fifth Avenue may not look the most outstanding, the architectural style and quality of the wheel are definitely the best among high-rise buildings.
Originally, it was a four-star hotel called 'Bacchus', but due to poor management, the cost of interior renovation and the expiration of bank loans, the owners had to sell themselves to save themselves. At the end of 2003, Mr. Guo spent $250 million to buy it. It was later renovated with $85 million and was not officially put into use until the end of last year.
Of course, compared to his investment, the price of this building has now nearly doubled with the boom in the American real estate industry.
After asking the driver to park the car, Guo Shouyun got down and walked over.
There are two entrances to the New York branch of Hanshan Annex. The first is a revolving door similar to most hotels. Once inside, there is a second door for the hotel's security staff. You must have a membership card from Hanshan Villa to enter. Each membership card can bring two non-card-not-owning persons into the room.
In addition to the membership card, every visitor is required to undergo a security check for security. Dangerous goods such as firearms and explosives are not allowed inside.
In addition, the bodyguards of the Hanshan Palace are not hired from outside, but from the internal security force trained by him, and their loyalty and ability are trustworthy.
After passing the inspection, Guo Shouyun walked into the lobby. Soon a beautiful waiter came up to greet him. However, the lobby manager, who had already received the news, had already rushed over in front.
"Boss, guests are arranged in box 9 on the second floor. ”
After smiling and nodding, "Got it, you get busy first!"
"Yes!"
It was not the first time for Guo Shouyun to come here, and he took the elevator to the second floor. Compared to the open-plan restaurant on the first floor, the private dining room on the second floor is undoubtedly more private.
Within the clubhouse, the first and second floors are dining areas. The third to seventh floors are the comprehensive entertainment area, including indoor swimming pool, indoor tennis courts, indoor basketball hall, indoor golf, etc., and the eighth floor is the banquet hall, as well as several meeting rooms of different sizes, or reception rooms.
The remaining 9th to 12th floors are 36 luxury suites. Half of them are rented for a long time and half are used as hourly rooms.
Although the New York branch of Hanshan Annex, it has only been open for a quarter in the world. But thanks to Guo Shouyun's increasingly hot popularity and influence. Although it is new, the number of registered members here is increasing. Naturally, the income of Hanshan Villa continues to grow.
In addition to the annual fee of up to 30,000 US dollars per year, the income from various food, drink, and accommodation seems to be higher. In just the first quarter, the main revenue of the New York branch of Hanshan Annex, without counting the annual fee, has exceeded $22 million.