Speaking carefully, Simon is actually not too worried about the prying eyes of the outside world.
Even if the huge amount of original capital accumulated through the financial market was obtained several times in a row, the operations were still within the scope of the rules.
As for Simon's biggest secret, he has never revealed it even to the people closest to him. To figure this out, one would have to get inside his head.
Apparently no one can do this.
Therefore, if one had to find an explanation for the various extraordinary qualities that Simon has shown over the years, it can probably only be described as being gifted.
Simon is indeed 'gifted'.
However, although there is no threat that can be controlled, Simon definitely does not want to be monitored. No one should want to do this.
Quietly making arrangements to find the monitors around him, the time also entered September 1991.
After meeting with Al Gore, the Westeros system began to use resources to promote the "Information Highway Act."
Not only private political lobbying, but also in order to build momentum for Cisco's listing on September 6, with the help of the Westeros system, there are more and more discussions about the Internet in various media channels in North America.
On September 1, the "New York Times" published a special article called 'The Coming Internet Era', with the headline on the front page, signed by none other than Simon himself. Subsequently, this article was reprinted by mainstream newspapers on the east and west coasts of the United States and the Igret portal.
The article was indeed written by Simon himself, but that is not entirely correct.
Last year, Simon compiled a memorandum on various aspects of the Internet industry and its future prospects to executives of several companies, including Ygritte. The dozens of pages of the memo roughly discussed portals, e-commerce, big data, Cloud computing and other core concepts of the Internet era in Simon's memory.
This article only captures part of the 'prospects' contained in the original memorandum.
Simon has only been interviewed a handful of times since his rise, let alone published a signed article in a newspaper. This article first published in the New York Times undoubtedly aroused very strong attention and discussion.
Although there is no lack of some media criticizing Simon’s article’s view that the output value of the Internet industry will reach trillions of dollars in the next ten years, it is a kind of sensationalism with ulterior motives. However, the most direct repercussion of this article was that in the new week of September 2, technology stocks related to the Internet industry in the U.S. stock market rose sharply across the board.
Cisco's IPO road show also saw a sharp increase in the number of stock subscriptions because of Simon's signed article.
As of the end of the road show, the number of Cisco shares subscribed has reached 530 million shares, more than 13 times the number of 40 million new shares issued, and even twice the current total share capital of Cisco.
Unlike traditional wealthy people such as Sam Walton, John Kruger, and Warren Buffett, who have used decades to accumulate substantial wealth, Simon's personal asset accumulation speed can only be described as miraculous.
Moreover, Simon’s article is definitely not without purpose.
In the past year or so, there have been many signs that an emerging industry is rising rapidly.
Because the world's largest personal computer market is in an economic recession, the industry originally predicted that PC shipments in 1991 would stagnate, remaining the same as 1990 at 20 million units.
However, the fact is that as of the past August, global PC shipments have actually reached 15 million units, and are expected to reach 23 million units throughout the year, an increase of 15% compared to 1990.
According to the results of the agency's survey, a large part of this is due to consumers purchasing or replacing PCs for Internet surfing.
Prior to this, because personal computers were more focused on office work and lacked entertainment properties, as long as the PC they owned was not completely scrapped, few people would consider replacing the machine.
In addition, the increase in Internet users in North America is obvious to all.
As of the end of August, the number of Internet users connected to the World Wide Web platform in North America had exceeded 8 million, with the number of users in a single month approaching one million. Throughout 1991, this figure is even expected to hit the 13 million mark, among which North America is the largest America Online, the Internet service provider, once again revised its full-year expected number of users to between 6.5 million and 7 million.
In terms of the content of the World Wide Web platform, in addition to the Yigrit portal, according to the statistics of Yigrit, as of the end of August, the number of Internet sites connected to the World Wide Web platform has officially exceeded 20,000.
This number cannot be compared with the hundreds of millions of Internet sites many years later, many of which are just personal sites with some simple web pages. However, in the past August alone, the number of Internet sites connected to the World Wide Web increased by 1,800 in a single month. This is the key.
The growth rate is 9% in a single month, and it is still accelerating. This expansion rate once again shows the ultra-high growth of the Internet industry.
Finally, the continuous increase in revenue figures of Igret in advertising, software sales, space leasing, etc. has also allowed the outside world to see the profitable side of the Internet industry.
Therefore, Simon's signed article is more like a catalyst, completely igniting the explosive trend of the entire industry when all the prerequisites are mature.
After several adjustments, Cisco's new share issuance price was finally confirmed to be US$18, 40 million new shares were issued, and the total financing amount was US$720 million.
Compared to the $17 to $19 issuance range submitted to the SEC, Simon finally made some concessions.
However, for a company with annual revenue of only US$1 billion, a valuation of nearly US$5 billion and a one-time financing of US$720 million, if successful, this is definitely a pioneering undertaking.
In fact, the listing and trading of corporate stocks is only the last step of the corporate IPO. Before that, the success or failure of the IPO has been decided. Compared with the 40 million new shares issued, the number was 13 times oversubscribed, which obviously represents a great victory for this IPO.
Many investors are actually betting.
Bet on Simon Westeros to do wonders like he has done in previous years.
You know, just in terms of investment in the technology field, Simon's series of bets have already made him a lot of money.
The most typical one is undoubtedly Microsoft.
Affected by the continued popularity of the Windows operating system, Microsoft's market value had reached US$12.6 billion at the close of trading the day before Cisco was officially listed.
The value of Westeros' 20.3% stake in Microsoft increased to $2.55 billion.
Intel, whose alliance with Microsoft is becoming more and more obvious, has seen its stock price grow very rapidly this year due to the continued growth of the PC industry and the increasing demand for high-performance personal computers. At the close of trading the day before Cisco's listing, Intel's share price increased by more than 35% compared to the same period last year, with a market value of US$10.7 billion, officially becoming a giant with a market value of tens of billions.
Westeros holds 15.6% of Intel's shares and is the largest shareholder of this high-tech company that has long become a publicly held company.
Intel's market capitalization reached US$10.7 billion, and the value of Westeros' shares increased to US$1.67 billion.
The investments in Microsoft and Intel alone have far exceeded the returns Simon originally received from the 1987 stock market crash. Companies such as Oracle, SUN, and Silicon Graphics held by Westeros have also grown at a very impressive rate this year.
With the listing of America Online and Cisco, the proportion of the Westeros system in the new technology industry has reached a level comparable to that of the media and entertainment industry.
Cisco is listed on the market, and Simon cannot be absent.
Arriving in New York one day in advance, Simon stayed in an apartment on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan that night. Just after seven o'clock in the morning on September 6, Simon hurried to the Nasdaq Exchange in Midtown.
Due to the recent series of operations surrounding Cisco's IPO, this bell-ringing ceremony was more lively than AOL's in July. Even Daenerys Entertainment's Amy Pascal, Robert Egger and other executives attended. , in addition to the strong supporting cast from Hollywood, the Cisco team also invited a large number of politicians and celebrities.
After taking some photos and chatting briefly with the guests, Simon was quickly introduced to the interview hall of the Nasdaq exchange.
The battle this time was almost the same as two months ago.
Although Simon had already answered many questions when AOL was listed last time, the media's curiosity about him was obviously not something that could be satisfied in just ten minutes last time.
"Simon, Cisco's IPO has basically been successful. However, the valuation of US$5 billion is still a bit crazy in my opinion. How did you make up your mind?"
"Because I believe Cisco has such market potential, just like I did when I invested in companies such as Microsoft and Intel. This is a very obvious industry trend. How big is the output value of the traditional telecommunications equipment market? The emerging Internet industry is based on The same should be true of capacity in the equipment market. Cisco is just getting started."
"Traditional telecommunications equipment manufacturers, such as Motorola, have a market value of only around 10 billion US dollars. Simon, do you believe Cisco can surpass Motorola?"
"I've sold Motorola stock."
“…”
Such an answer is a bit misleading.
In the interview hall of the Nasdaq Exchange, a group of reporters were stunned at first when they heard Simon's answer, and then some started laughing.
The dispute between Simon Westeros and Motorola has been mentioned all the time in recent years.
Motorola's previous chairman, Robert Galvin, still often criticizes the young rich man's actions in the media.
Many technology stocks have been rising recently.
However, at this time, some reporters thought that because of Simon's remarks at this time, Motorola's stock may fall again after the market opens today.
Although Motorola has developed rapidly in recent years. However, this is a company that even Simon Westeros is not optimistic about.
"So, Simon, what do you think Cisco's market cap potential should be?"
"It depends on how long you're talking about."
"What about five years?"
In this time and space of 1996, the development level of the Internet should be at least equivalent to that of 1998 in memory.
Simon thought about it seriously and replied: "$50 billion."
There was a brief uproar when Simon said the number.
There are a lot of live broadcasts here. Simon Westeros, you must take responsibility for speaking so wildly.
Five years, $50 billion.
Based on Cisco's current valuation of $5 billion, this is a 1,000% growth.
If it goes from US$500 million to US$5 billion, this possibility may still exist. However, the size is there, from US$5 billion to US$50 billion. This is completely a process of quantitative change to qualitative change.
In the entire North America, there are only a few companies with a market value of US$50 billion, such as IBM, General Motors, and AT-T.
"Simon, are you serious?"
"Simon, is this a guarantee, or is it just a joke? You know, there may be tens of millions of people staring at you in front of the TV now."
"Simon, what is your basis?"
"Simon..."
The reporters in the audience were jostling for a while, and even some people watching outside the interview area showed surprised expressions.
Simon sat on the sofa with a relaxed posture, waiting for the commotion around him for a moment, then slightly pressed his hands and said: "No one knows what will happen in the future. 50 billion US dollars is my confidence in Cisco. You can choose to believe it, or you can Just ignore it. Because this is a future thing, I can’t give any guarantee. However, you can refer to what has happened. For example, when I first invested in Microsoft a few years ago, the company was at the lowest level during the stock market crash. The market value of Dot is only over one billion US dollars, and just yesterday, its market value was US$12.6 billion."
"Simon, Microsoft is a miracle."
Simon shrugged and said with a smile: "Who says it isn't? Moreover, Microsoft currently has many competitors, but Cisco does not have any. Not only in the United States, but Cisco does not have any competitors globally. The Internet industry is destined to be It's going to be global. So, who's to say, Cisco won't be the next miracle?"
"Simon, are you saying that Cisco is a monopoly?"
Hearing this question, Simon glanced at the reporter who asked the question and quickly shook his head: "Of course not. I hope that companies that can compete with Cisco will appear in the industry as soon as possible. Lack of competition will only cause an industry to stagnate."
The reporter quickly asked: "But it is an obvious fact that three companies, Cisco, AOL, and Eagle, have a monopoly on World Wide Web technology."
Simon shook his head again and said: "I don't agree with your point of view. It is very irresponsible to rashly use the word monopoly to describe some companies. The current situation, more accurately, should be the result of several companies in the Westeros system. In front of many people, just like Bell did when he invented the telephone many, many years ago, you can't just say that others invented something before you and just call it a 'monopoly'. In recent years, the Westeros Company has Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in promoting the development of World Wide Web technology. We invented the World Wide Web technology, and we certainly have the right to enjoy this leading advantage."
Another reporter asked: "So, will the Westeros system open up core patents to competitors?"
Simon nodded and said: "Actually, we are already doing this now. Otherwise, you would not have seen the emergence of as many as 20,000 network sites on the World Wide Web platform."
After Simon finished speaking, he glanced at the host next to him without any trace. This time, the person in charge of hosting was still the vice president of the Nasdaq exchange during the last AOL bell-ringing ceremony. The other party understood, chose a media that was relatively close to the Westeros system, and directly bypassed the sensitive topic of 'monopoly'.