Darkstone Code-Chapter 793 - 0791 Vulture [This - is sponsored and extended by: Single Promoter_ Sponsored Extension-3/?]
After a period of settling, Bupen’s financial center showed signs of revival once again.
The revitalization of the real economy brought in a substantial amount of capital. Investors, who had weathered a long winter, could not resist jumping back in. The three major exchanges were becoming increasingly crowded, and everyone wore an indescribable expression.
It was as if... this place was bound to return to its most glorious moment.
Standing in a room on the third floor, Lynch watched through the blinds at the brokers in the first-floor hall, constantly raising their hands with various gestures, while the traders on the second floor were also exceptionally busy.
Behind Lynch, Lime stood obediently, not daring to breathe heavily.
This time, he came to do an audit.
During the last two months, Lynch was in Gafura and couldn’t manage the situation here, even if he could call to check his account balances, it wasn’t entirely secure.
Collusion for profit was not uncommon. Besides, people in finance tend to be bold and unscrupulous.
"There’s been no big market movement recently..." Lynch put down his fingers. The bent blinds snapped straight again with a bang as he withdrew his gaze from the outside back into the room.
After glancing at Lime, he walked over to the seat symbolizing power in the room and sat down.
There’s an interesting phenomenon at the financial center in Bupen; for instance, many independent offices here have no sofas or chairs.
If someone enters and wants to say something, they can only stand there.
Some believe that this style embodies the essence of "time is money," as simple conversations might drag on if everyone sits down.
However, others believe that this is the most direct and blatant hierarchy in the financial field.
Those in lower positions do not even have the right to sit in the presence of the superiors!
Regardless of what people say, everyone is used to it. In what is inherently a very busy job, there is no time to sit down and chat leisurely.
Lime stood in front of the desk, head slightly bowed, "Yes, boss, the market is behaving sluggishly, and it’s hard to catch any opportunities."
Lynch nodded noncommittally; Lime wasn’t wrong, of course, these are evident facts.
Some believe that the revitalization of the real economy will inevitably boost various financial indexes. However, this isn’t entirely the case.
After suffering a devastating blow, investors have become rational and timid. It’s not easy to drive them crazy again, at least not in the short term.
Financial investors lack enthusiasm, and since corporate funds haven’t flowed into the financial sector as before but continue with expansion plans, the overall financial market lacks the stimulus of capital, slowing down the pace of rise.
This slow climb, although not significant in increase, wins in stability.
For ordinary shareholders, this is a good time to invest because stability allows their capital in the financial market to safely outpace the rate of currency depreciation.
But for large financial firms, this is not a good investment opportunity.
Like Lime’s company now, he raises funds from the community through contracts, similar to wager contracts.
At different times, he must provide these investors with a certain return rate, not necessarily a full return rate, but definitely not too low.
If it is too low, anyone could raise funds from the community and deposit them in the bank to earn interest, and by year-end, say they didn’t make money but got some interest for nothing.
So there’s no such thing; investors put a stop to such occurrences from the start. They sign agreements with guaranteed returns under various circumstances.
Entering the market now doesn’t offer much good, so they can only seek opportunities elsewhere by independently buying stocks of companies with development prospects or speculating a bit, though overall, it still falls short compared to before.
Lynch had already considered this plan before. In the coming years, social funds are unlikely to flood into the financial market. The financial market will inevitably cool down.
Like futures, which are closely related to national policies, are not something individuals can maneuver. Neglecting Lime’s side would be somewhat a loss, so Lynch had other ideas.
"Now the real economy is rapidly expanding, we must tap into these dividends and simultaneously refine our company’s operating projects," Lynch mused, holding his chin, "Have you heard of the vultures circling over Bupen?"
Lime was stunned for a moment, "You mean... acquisitions and splits?"
Lynch nodded, "The simplest way for real companies to expand is through acquisitions, which gives us a lot of room for operation. There’s enormous profit in it. Given the lukewarm financial sector right now, you have a responsibility to the shareholders and investors, don’t you?"
Lime nodded again, "I’ll start recruiting people..."
Lynch handed him several lists. These were materials obtained by commissioning some talent management companies in Bupen, including many professionals with significant status.
This wasn’t a sudden idea of Lynch’s. When outlining his financial empire, he had already mapped out such a segment.
In fact, calling it acquisition and split might sound a bit high-end. In simple terms, it’s not much different from asset flipping in another world.
Suppose there is currently a steel plant with a market value of one million, but its land alone is worth nearly a million. This means its market value is severely undervalued.
Such situations are actually quite common; the financial industry doesn’t require sight, like some seemingly worthless patents or even technical personnel—these all can directly tie to money!
When a enterprise’s market value is undervalued, the next steps are straightforward, using this steel plant as an example again.
Lynch could buy it with a shell company or buy its stock to become the majority shareholder, then apply for a loan.
Then package its technicians to sell to another steel plant, sell its equipment at a low price, and sell its patents if it has any.
Finally, sell the factory’s land, separate its liabilities, relocate to the countryside and file for bankruptcy.
The original owner or shareholders of the steel plant, if they are savvy, might get a small share of the money.
If they are not, all that remains for them is a debt-ridden shell, forcefully filed for bankruptcy protection.
Many financial firms in Bupen engage in this business, but during the years of unprecedented financial prosperity, the real economy was constantly shrinking, so although some engaged in this business, it wasn’t really a good time.
Now that the real industry is beginning to revive, this whole approach can be brought out smoothly.
As for ethics?
Please, that’s the government’s problem! 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶
While Lime busily recruited people everywhere, Lynch, accompanied by Penny, attended a charity event organized by the First Lady.
Catherine was not quite suited for this occasion. Firstly, she wasn’t famous enough; secondly, she wasn’t appropriate to appear in public with Lynch at this time, as it related to upcoming promotions and packaging.
People are surprisingly forgiving of strong, independent, and beautiful girls, willing to tolerate all their mistakes and caprices. But they don’t forgive "canaries"; that’s Catherine’s persona, a strong, independent Federation girl who achieved the Federation Dream through her efforts from the grassroots.
Think about how inspiring that is; it’s like the best achievement and proof since the President took over the Federation—the Federation Dream is not just a dream but can be a reality!
After thinking it over, Lynch chose Penny.
Because of her continuous acting in various movies and her pure appearance, she had become a well-known young star among the Federation public, famous and influential, just right.
Lynch and Penny appeared together at the charity event, where flashlights around the red carpet dazzled as if it were daytime. The handsome man and pretty, innocent woman—any casual action was worthy of being a magazine cover.
"Move faster..." Lynch kept a smile, cooperatively facing different camera lenses with a smile, while softly reminding Penny.
The girl pretended not to hear. Appearing at the charity event organized by the First Lady might be one of the brightest moments of a "film star."
Top-tier stars aren’t necessarily invited here; today’s attendees were truly the upper echelons!
Truly!
Not those who after getting some money move their home to Half Mountain and think they’re high society. Those eligible to come here are people invited by either the President or the First Lady—fake genteel folks can’t get invitations.
When she found out Lynch was taking her to this charity event, she excitedly shouted at the film set.
Had the director not known about her rumored fling with Lynch and how it seemed unresolved, she might have been scolded until she couldn’t take care of herself if not.
But when the director and producer learned what she was going to do, they understood her out-of-control behavior on set and even specially approved ample time for her to get ready.
Finally standing on this red carpet, how could she quickly walk past?
Appearing on the cover of "The Wave" is not the same as appearing on the cover of "The Film," is it?
Lynch saw her intentions and tugged at her, "If you don’t move faster, I’ll leave you here alone. Tomorrow, all the media will put you on the front page, do you believe me?"
Penny, who was planning to dawdle a bit more, felt a jolt upon hearing this. She knew Lynch was a jerk and could undoubtedly do it, so she immediately wrapped her arm around his and matched his pace.
They had taken several minutes to walk halfway, but completed the other half in less than 30 seconds.
