America's Road to Wealth

Since the end of the game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots in Boston.

On the surface, New York is as prosperous and stable as ever.

Secretly, there is a terrible wave that is already surging.

The powerful torrent of time does not care about the dust and turbulence of these mundane things. It flows forward as always.

June 20, 2002 arrived.

This day happens to be the first week since the release of Pixar's latest animated film "The Incredibles."

It is also the first work released by Pixar after becoming a subsidiary of Smith Media.

"The Incredibles" took in $180 million in its first week of release.

Compared with Pixar's previous works, "The Incredibles" is an anomaly.

First of all, the protagonists of previous Pixar movies have been non-human beings, such as toys, insects, monsters, and small fish.

The protagonist of "The Incredibles" is human.

More importantly, unlike Pixar's previous films, "The Incredibles" is not just for children, but also for adults.

Some experts explained that this is also a helpless move by Pixar.

Because after becoming a subsidiary of Smith Media, it can no longer continue to shoot its once famous IPs, such as "Toy Story" and the like.

Those IPs are all works that were once a collaboration between Pixar and Disney, and both parties shared copyrights.

Today Pixar is a subsidiary of Smith Media.

Disney wouldn't allow it, and Pixar couldn't film them.

For this reason, Pixar can only create new IP and new series of profitable animated films for its new boss.

"The Incredibles" is this type, and it seems to be very successful so far.

This animated film has become a sensation in the film market, its reputation is rapidly growing, and a movie-watching wave is taking place across the United States.

Hasbro toy company became one of the most direct beneficiaries of the film.

This is the largest toy company in the United States and even the world.

It was acquired by Smith Media at the beginning of this year for about US$2 billion.

For this reason, Harvey Weinstein, who is already known as "Smith's Hound" in Hollywood, has been busy for more than half a year.

After becoming a subsidiary of Smith Media, Hasbro's stores have a series of IPs belonging to Smith Media.

Like Marvel series, Dark Horse series, etc.

The box office hit of "The Incredibles" has made the traffic at Hasbro stores higher day by day. Americans' huge enthusiasm has indirectly translated into increased revenue.

The revenue of these subsidiaries is converted into an increase in the share price of Smith Media, which is about to be listed.

The time has come for Smith Media to go public.

This day is Monday.

Today is Smith Media’s last press conference before going public.

The IPO price of Smith Media will be officially determined, and it will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange tomorrow to officially start trading.

On this day, before the press conference began.

Already making a name for himself in Hollywood.

It is called "Hollywood's sweet chocolate" by the American media.

Or be bold and go straight to Jessica Alba in "Smith's Chocolate."

At the moment, she is feeding the cats in the living room of her mansion at 357 West 17th Street in Lower Manhattan, New York.

This is a 6-story, 5-bedroom, 12.5-bathroom street-facing townhouse.

The interior area is 11,000 square feet and is located on Chelsea Street in Manhattan.

Jessica, who was on vacation, enjoyed this leisurely and luxurious life. Even though she frequently told Abel that she should be more frugal and not extravagant when at home, she was willing to do all the housework herself.

In the house, there are still a lot of servants, all of whom are the most professional domestic workers in the world.

Their monthly salary alone adds up to almost US$150,000.

At the same time, even when she was filming, she was not here in New York.

The dazzling array of luxury brand stores on Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan still deliver a lot of their new products to this house on a regular basis every month.

There are also chefs from Michelin-starred hotels who are ready to serve her.

When she is out filming or having business activities.

The best security companies in the world will provide her with security services of at least 5 people.

She said it was unnecessary, but in fact, she was not immune to these ostentations and was dependent on them.

She also hopes that the pomp can be bigger.

The TV was on, and in front of Jessica, who was playing with the cat, was a thick prospectus with 127 pages in total.

The cover read 'Smith Media Group's IPO Prospectus', and she watched it with rapt attention.

It is now nine o'clock in the morning, and AMC Bloomberg TV is broadcasting the financial column "American Finance", and the screen is fixed on Smith Media spokesperson Derek Wright.

Mr. Wright now wears two hats. He is the president of CAA and one of the spokespersons for Smith Media.

As the first company owned by Abel Smith, CAA has once again become the world's number one agency.

And it successfully opened up several other markets outside of the entertainment industry.

For example, in terms of making money, it is not inferior to commercial sports in the entertainment industry, and there are also high-end and elegant art agents.

Although it has not yet been launched, the current CAA is undoubtedly stronger than in the past.

The TV screen shows Derek Wright, who is broadcasting the prospectus for the listing of Smith Media live:

"Smith Media Group has a total issuance of 1 billion shares, and the total share capital of this issuance accounts for 20% of the pre-listing share capital.

The maximum issuance price is: US$55/share,

Stock code: SMG.US.

Of the US$11 billion raised, approximately 30% will be used for mergers and acquisitions, 60% will be used to expand overseas group business, and 10% will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. "

According to the current stock issuance price, Smith Media's market value is an astonishing US$55 billion.

The original net assets were approximately US$35 billion, so employees and investors who currently hold the original shares of Smith Media can increase the value of their shares by at least 75%.

Tomorrow Smith Media will officially be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. What is the stock price trend? At present, the whole United States is crazy optimistic about it.

Jessica hasn't been studying the stock market for a long time, well, she hasn't really been studying it.

Now, she has someone to help her handle everything. She can get whatever she wants, and it's always the most expensive and best.

Even when you have physical needs, you only need to take a plane to find Abel, and you can be satisfied to the point of being full.

She lacks nothing but love.

As for love, as a precocious woman, it was just a manifestation of hormonal changes in animals like humans.

When love comes, it is the crazy secretion of dopamine and other hormones

If you stop loving when you are tired, it means your ability to secrete dopamine and other hormones has diminished.

She lacks nothing, the only remaining hobby is acting and the feeling of being under the spotlight.

She is not a top student like Anne Hathaway.

She had no interest in learning anything. She lacked financial knowledge and could not predict the trading situation of Smith Media's stock price after it went public.

But Jessica believes that there will be no embarrassment of a break on the day of listing.

You must know that the listing of Smith Media has been wildly hyped for several months.

Some irresponsible tabloids even claim that its market value is at least US$200 billion.

He also said, "A company with Smith is so valuable."

In March this year, Asbury Automobile was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The issue price was US$16.5. It broke directly on the day of listing. Their opening price was US$15.95, a decrease of 3.12%, and the closing price was US$15.79, a one-day decrease of 3.84%.

There are many reasons for the stock price break. The main reason is that the stock pricing deviates from the company's normal profit level and forcibly pushes up the issue price, so the market gives a pessimistic trend. There are also choices to list in a bear market, and the supply and demand relationship is imbalanced, which is dragged down by the market.

Smith Media does not have any negative factors for breaking the stock price. The New York Stock Exchange has established an IPO inquiry system. On May 20, Smith Media has released the application version of the prospectus.

The listing road show lasted for nearly a month, and Smith Media stocks have been promoted to investment institutions around the world. In New York alone, 376,000 retail investors lined up to subscribe.

The issued share capital this time is 20%, and the pricing range is US$50-55.

In view of the excessive enthusiasm of investors, the number of underwriters was originally four, then increased to nine, and finally decided to 11.

The number of new shares subscribed was over 30 times, and the market gave Smith Media ample confidence.

It is said that the film industry is a notoriously high-risk industry, and Wall Street financial institutions even exclude film companies from their lending lists.

But Smith Media is a group company. In addition to film companies, there are also television stations, toy companies, model companies, newspaper companies, publishing companies, and even commercial sports companies.

Its profit direction and profit ability are very broad and powerful.

It is a media brand with huge popularity all over the world.

Movies are only one of its many businesses, and this pan-entertainment diversification directly dispels investors' concerns.

More importantly, Smith Media also owns the two most recognized brands by investors around the world - Smith.

The other one is Buffett.

The valuation of the little-known Tesla Motors has been wildly inflated to an exaggerated level just because of the names of these two people.

Although that is related to its industry, it is a high-tech concept after all.

But without the value of Smith and Buffett, it would only be worth a billion dollars at most.

And Smith Media, even with Smith in its name, can be said to be as golden as gold.

What's more, Mr. Buffett is also one of the shareholders.

Just like those tabloids said, the English word "Smith" is worth at least 20 billion US dollars.

The financial market, whether it is stocks, futures or foreign exchange, in the final analysis is essentially about confidence.

Buffett and Smith can bring confidence to investors.

Then the things they recognize are so valuable.

In fact, even Smith Media does not use Abel's name to go public.

Investors will most likely still favor it.

Just take a look at the financial statements of various projects and sectors of Smith Media.

Since the middle of last year, except for investment, there is no word of loss at all, and almost all businesses are making profits.

In terms of movies, "Spider-Man", "Kick-Ass", "The Incredibles", etc., with a global box office of nearly 5 billion US dollars, have begun to encroach on the throne of the world's number one film company.

In terms of television stations, AMC Television Network is now the fifth largest television network in the United States after News Corporation.

The TV series, reality shows, variety shows, and talk shows produced all have amazing ratings. On the various subdivision lists of the U.S. ratings rankings, the AMC TV network is crazy on the list.

In terms of newspapers, Smith Media has also become one of the top five newspaper groups in the United States, and the performance of the publishing company is also very good.

In terms of toys and peripherals, even giants like Hasbro have been acquired and annexed, and no one can stop Smith from advancing in this field.

In terms of commercial sports, Smith Sports is now also a subsidiary of Smith Media. This is a commercial sports giant involving football, basketball, baseball, rugby, F1 racing, etc.

What's more, there's also Elizabeth's back garden.

The latest market value valuation of ISA is almost over 10 billion US dollars.

Although this is a bit false, it is also a subsidiary of Smith Media.

Even without considering the golden name of Abel Smith.

There is no doubt that Smith Media is also a favorite among listed companies. It has too many things worth fantasizing about and highlighting. Its future no longer looks bright, but brilliant.

After Jessica read the prospectus, her eyes fell on the shareholder list at the end.

She couldn't help but calculate how much wealth Smith Media would bring to Abel after it went public.

And her own private money.

Abel applied for a black card for her after he took over American Express.

The black card in her hand now can be easily swiped even on private jets...

But it's not her money, and she has less than $100 million in savings.

These savings are all her salary.

But counting her shares in Smith Media, she can definitely be called a billionaire.

Yes, she has shares in Smith Media.

In fact, it's her, Anne Hathaway, even Liv Tyler, Scarlett, and Nicole Kidman.

Compared with those managers who need to use money to buy original shares, they get these shares without even spending money on them.

But there is a condition, that is, they are not the real holders of these shares.

The owners of these shares have already signed contracts and deeds, which will belong to them and Abel's children in the future...

But until the children grow up and turn 18 years old.

They can always enjoy the dividends and all corresponding rights brought by these stocks.

At this moment, Jessica looked at the prospectus. The list of shareholders showed:

The total share capital of Smith Media is 1 billion shares.

The major shareholder is Abel Smith, with a shareholding ratio of 65.24% and a shareholding of 652.4 million shares.

Calculated at US$55 per share, the listing of Smith Media can bring Abel a worth of US$35.8 billion.

This number alone was enough to rank him third on last year's list of the world's richest people.

The second place is Bill Gates with more than 60 billion US dollars. It goes without saying who the first place is.

Jessica holds 1% of the shares on behalf of the company, worth US$550 million.

She looked at Anne and Charlize again. Anne's shareholding ratio was about the same as hers.

But Charlize is different. This woman holds 1.8% of the shares, a total of 18 million shares, worth US$944 million.

Is this the difference between having a baby and not having a baby yet?

Jessica thought of this quite depressedly, but she was also glad that Annie was the same as herself.

In fact, it wasn't her and Anne who didn't want to give Abel a child.

Last year, the two even went to Europe in person just to try their best.

But after receiving so many seeds, both of their stomachs were still indifferent.

Later, Jessica couldn't hold it any longer and went to the hospital for a check-up.

The result of the examination was that there was actually a slight problem with her body. She had a bit of hereditary ovarian syndrome.

This disease is innate and occurs in 10% of women, some are severe and some are mild.

Mild, it just makes it more difficult for women to conceive. In severe cases, it can even render a woman infertile.

Jessica is moderate and needs treatment, but has minor problems.

Later she heard that Annie also went for a check-up and found that there was nothing wrong with her body.

The reason why she wasn't pregnant yet was because Anne didn't want to have a baby so early at first and was taking medicine. What follows is really a matter of probability.

Jessica continued to watch.

The second largest shareholder of Smith Media was originally Buffett. The old man holds 4.46% of the shares, totaling 44.6 million shares, valued at US$2.612 billion.

However, Bloomberg's Bloomberg later invested in Bloomberg's TV station, accounting for 4.87% of the shares, squeezing Buffett out.

Behind them are a lot of Wall Street giants.

There are dozens of companies such as Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, JPMorgan Chase, etc.

However, most of the shareholding ratios are very low. The highest one is JPMorgan Chase, which is only 1.5%, which is even less than Charlize Theron.

Since Smith Media started its road show, capital institutions in the United States and Europe have become extremely ferocious.

Wall Street, in particular, was eager to short all the shares issued by Smith Media.

However, the proportion of this public offering is only 20%, and the amount of controlling shares they can increase is limited.

The pursuit of capital is quite active. When Smith Media is officially listed, the ownership structure will definitely continue to be changed.

Excluding large investors and institutions.

At present, the number of shareholders of Smith Media has exceeded 2,000.

Among them, the original shareholders of the companies that Smith Media annexed and acquired along the way account for more than half, such as Don Graham of the Washington Post.

At the time of the acquisition, these people didn't want cash, they just wanted shares for shares.

In order to grow, Smith Media swapped out many shares.

Including those of Bloomberg, this is actually the model.

Not counting big players like Don Graham and Bloomberg, slightly smaller retail investors have a combined shareholding ratio of about 11%.

Smith Media’s internal management has more than 100 shareholders, with a holding ratio of 5%.

Jessica specifically browsed the situation of these 5% shareholders.

There are more than a dozen managers who are expected to join the ranks of billionaires. Without exception, they are all executives. They hold a total of 3% of the shares.

There are more than 30 elites who can join the ranks of multi-millionaires. Most of them are middle and senior managers of the company. They hold a total of 1% of the shares.

As for millionaires, you can become one as long as you hold shares.

Judging from the issue price, 1% of Smith Media’s shares is US$550 million, which is enough to create 550 millionaires on average.

It is now shared among more than 80 people, each worth more than $6 million.

If it goes on the market, the price can increase by more than 40%.

Then these people can become multi-millionaires.

Therefore, many people say that Smith Media’s listing is essentially a wealth-making operation.

If the stock price of Smith Media continues to rise in the future, the wealth of these shareholders will continue to grow like a snowball.

Jessica read the prospectus in detail, and it was already noon.

Her housekeeper had just asked the Michelin-starred chef to prepare lunch.

Abel took Anne and suddenly arrived at 357 West 17th Street in Lower Manhattan, New York.

That's where Jessica lives.

When Jessica greeted her happily, she wanted to show off her affection to Abel in front of Anne.

She saw Anne Hathaway, triumphantly waving an A4 paper full of patterns and text at her, which roughly looked like a checklist.

Before Jessica could see clearly, she heard her biggest competitor in the past proudly showing off to her:

"Hey, Jessica. Look at this, do you see? I'm pregnant, almost two weeks in! Hey! This time next year, I'll be a mom! Oh my god, I'm not even 20 years old, and I'm going to be a mom. Mom. This is incredible and wonderful to think about!"

Anne spoke for a long time, and Jessica's head was buzzing.

Now she couldn't wait to step forward and give Anne Hathaway's proud face a few hard slaps.

So infuriating!