Chapter 1494: The financial war is coming!

In early February, Sweden, located within the Arctic Circle, experienced short days and long nights.

After receiving a phone call from André Wallenberg,

Peter Wallenberg, with his bottom in flames, directly arranged for a Nordic Airlines expedited flight to return him to Sweden.

When he arrived home,

It was already 6:45 pm in Sweden, and it was completely dark, with all the lights on.

When Peter Wallenberg's figure appeared in the castle, the group of people sitting in the magnificent hall all stood up.

'Peter, you're finally back!'

Andre Wallenberg, the leader, called out with relief.

Peter Wallenberg glanced around and saw that all the key figures in the family were present.

Without further ado, he found the vacant seat in the middle of the table and sat down, then said, 'André, you didn't explain everything clearly over the phone, so you can tell me the details.'

'I'll spare you the details, they're all in this document, just read it.'

'I've given everyone a copy,'

André Wallenberg said, taking a printed copy from the table and handing it to Peter Wallenberg.

The latter didn't waste any time, taking it and immediately beginning to read it.

Even though the others had already read it, they didn't feel comfortable discussing it at the moment, so they took the document again and read it, unlike Peter Wallenberg, they paused from time to time and frowned in deep thought.

After a long time,

Peter Wallenberg finally finished reading everything.

Seeing him look up, someone with a relatively impatient personality couldn't help but ask, 'Peter, now that you understand the situation, we should discuss how to respond.'

'The situation is already very clear, Kirin Capital is trying to completely snipe our family.'

'You're right, we must defeat the enemy, otherwise the entire financial order of Sweden will collapse!'

'...'

One person spoke, and the others expressed their opinions.

Peter Wallenberg listened silently, not knowing what he was thinking.

At that moment.

Andre Wallenberg, who was sitting closest to him, asked a very critical question: 'Peter, what is the situation on your side? What are the specific results of the acquisition and the amount of funds used?'

'It seems that the acquisition of National Westminster Bank is not going well?'

The living room fell silent, and everyone's attention was focused on Peter Wallenberg.

Peter Wallenberg nodded slightly and sighed, 'It hasn't been going well.'

'So far, we have acquired 16.29% of the shares of National Westminster Bank for £1.124 billion.'

'We have acquired 34.28% of the shares of Lonza Asset Management in Geneva, Switzerland, for $389 million.'

'And... some other company stakes, which cost a total of 413 million US dollars.'

'In US dollar terms, that's a total of 2.495 billion US dollars!'

Hearing this figure, the crowd quickly calculated a rough figure based on the current exchange rate.

More than 16 billion Swedish kronor!

For the Wallenberg family, this is also a very large sum of money!

It's real liquid capital that's being taken out!

'The acquisition is not going well. If it continues, it will require even more capital...'

Someone couldn't help but whisper an analysis.

There have been some results.

For example, the Swiss company Lonza Group has already acquired a 34.28% stake, which is a relative controlling stake.

As long as they continue to work hard, they don't need to completely merge or absolutely control the company. Just holding more than 50% of the shares is definitely an encouraging result for the Wallenberg family.

It is just that continued implementation of the strategy requires real working capital.

But in the current situation, working capital is very important.

Because no one knows how much capital will be needed to resist the enemy's attack.

'Let's talk about it. What about the situation of the assets you manage, especially the working capital? How much can you come up with right now, and how much can you raise in about half a month?'

Peter Wallenberg finally spoke up at this time.

'I can come up with 800 million Swedish kronor now, and in half a month I should be able to raise another 1 billion Swedish kronor without affecting the company's operations.'

'I can come up with 650 million Swedish kronor...'

'...'

After careful consideration, everyone spoke up with their specific situation.

Peter Wallenberg took down each one.

After everyone had finished, he calculated two figures based on the situation of the Silverada Group and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, which he managed.

He did not hide it and directly told the crowd, 'According to statistics, our current liquidity should be 24.3 billion Swedish kronor, and we can raise another 29 billion Swedish kronor in half a month.'

'Of course, if we can take over and control the Swiss Geneva Long'ao Asset Management Company, then we will have a relatively large source of funds.'

Add the more than 16 billion Swedish kronor that has already been used, and add these two numbers.

In other words, the Warburg family's ability to mobilise funds within half a month could reach 69.3 billion Swedish kronor, which is more than 10 billion US dollars when converted to US dollars!

This strength is absolutely top-notch in Europe and is completely in line with the strength and status of the Warburg family.

If they were to be more ruthless and sell assets or take out loans at great risk, they would definitely be able to raise even more funds.

However, Peter Warburg did not want to take drastic measures until they were about to run out of money.

'Everyone knows the amount of capital.'

'Now that the family's strategic plan has reached a certain level, let's talk about it. What exactly should we choose in this situation?'

After saying this, Peter Wallenberg scanned the faces of the people in the room, but found that no one spoke immediately.

'I think we'd better be cautious. Apart from continuing to acquire Lonon Asset Management in Geneva, Switzerland, the acquisition of National Westminster Bank will be suspended for the time being, and a decision will be made after the situation in the UK becomes clear. All other acquired equity will be sold.'

'And then bring all the funds that have been transferred abroad back to the country.'

'After all, we all know that the Kirin Capital company in Hong Kong raised 60 billion Hong Kong dollars last month. In terms of liquidity alone, even if we raise funds in half a month, we will not be able to match them.'

'Of course, the premise is that Kirin Capital will use all of the 60 billion Hong Kong dollars to deal with us.'

'But we also have to consider the terrifying power of the Jiuding consortium behind Kirin Capital!'

One person had just finished speaking at length.

The other person immediately continued, 'Yes, in addition to this, we also have to consider international hot money.'

'Everyone should be able to imagine that once we fail to scare off Kylin Capital in a short period of time, then other international hot money will pounce on us and take a bite out of us, and at that time we will be in even greater trouble.'

'I think we need to prepare for the worst. That is, to completely abandon the strategy of acquiring National Westminster Bank. If we can really get it in our hands, with the financial support of this bank, we will have more confidence. But obviously, this is now impossible. Instead of being locked in with 1.124 billion pounds, it is better to withdraw in time and shrink back to protect ourselves.'

'I agree!'

'...'

'André, what's your opinion?'

When everyone else had finished speaking, Peter Wallenberg looked at his brother again.

'Let's prepare for the worst. Compared to exploring new territory, it is more important for us to protect our original assets.'

'If Kirin Capital infiltrates on a large scale, we will have a hard time in the future.'

'After all, we are still in a critical period. The family's reform plan is only halfway through, and there are still many risk points.'

Andre Wallenberg solemnly expressed his opinion.

The reform he mentioned had begun after Peter Wallenberg took over the family's power in 1982, but it was only last year that it really began to be implemented in a drastic manner. It is indeed very important to the Wallenberg family.

The results of the reform have also been very significant.

Peter Wallenberg pauses for a moment and says slowly, 'Since everyone's opinions are so unified, then I will express my opinion.'

'The acquisition of Lonon Asset Management in Geneva, Switzerland will continue.'

'The acquisition of National Westminster Bank will be put on hold. We will wait and see what happens. If it is impossible, I will sell it.'

'All other assets that have been acquired recently will be disposed of and the funds transferred back to the country.'

'Everyone else will raise funds. Starting tomorrow, Andre and I will take the lead and buy up shares in our core companies from the stock market to protect our assets.'

'Tonight, we will make detailed plans and try to arrange meetings with shareholders of important companies tomorrow.'

'Do you have any comments?'

'No!' Everyone shook their heads.

Peter Wallenberg clenched his fists and suppressed his inner reluctance, continuing, 'Okay, let's continue to discuss the detailed plan.'

...

The lights at the Wallenberg family castle did not go out until the early morning.

The next day.

With the Wallenberg family's huge capital entering the market, the battle for and against the Stockholm stock market began in full swing!