Bill Gates was stunned. He did not expect Feng Yu to sell his Microsoft shares. Microsoft shares are doing very well now and have been rising steadily.
After the Win98 operating system was launched, the company is set to get high profits. Why did Feng Yu sell his shares?
Forbes looks at Bill Gates. He felt there must be something wrong within Microsoft, or else, why did Feng Yu will sell off his Microsoft shares he acquired over the years suddenly?
“Bill, did you receive the news?”
“Yes. But I don’t understand why he is doing this. Microsoft share prices are rising, and why did he announce to the public that he selling away his shares?”
Feng Yu had started selling his Microsoft shares publicly because he is worried about the Prisoner’s dilemma. If everyone follows him and dump their Microsoft shares, it will cause the share prices to crash, and there will be no buyers.
But announcing the sales publicly is different. Wind and Rain Consulting had contacted a few financial institutions and sold Feng Yu’s shares in large volumes. This way, the share prices will not be affected, and it might even rise slightly.
After Feng Yu’s men spread the news that he wants to sell his Microsoft shares, many financial institutions contacted Wind and Rain Consulting.
Microsoft shares are highly sought after, as no one is willing to sell their Microsoft shares.
Feng Yu is selling his shares at the market rate. The financial institutions do not need to pay a premium price or undertake additional risks.
The reason given by Wind and Rain Consulting is there are shifting their investment direction from overseas to China.
Many financial institutions felt Feng Yu must have some government background. He had made enough money overseas and is going to invest in China.
This is a valid reason, despite many people felt this is a stupid move. Microsoft is going to announce its dividends at the end of the year.
But the financial institutions did not mention the dividends, as they want to buy more shares from Feng Yu.
This period, Feng Yu had met the higher management of some financial institutions secretly. Some financial institutions even felt Feng Yu is selling his Microsoft shares because he was kicked out from the board of directors.
The Chinese have a saying. ‘It is better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond.’ Even if Feng Yu is not holding on to Microsoft’s shares, he is still the World’s Second Richest man and the richest man in Asia.
The Asia markets are emerging, especially the Chinese market. There is nothing wrong with Feng Yu focusing his investments in China.
Bill Gates was even more shocked by Feng Yu’s determination to draw the line between him and Microsoft!
Feng Yu had sold all of his Microsoft shares, including the voting shares. Yes. He sold the voting shares to Ballmer, and Bill Gates had no idea when this had happened. Feng Yu must have met Ballmer in secret and complete the deal.
Ballmer was just promoted to President, while Bill Gates is the Chairman and CEO. This is giving a large part of his authority to Ballmer, but Ballmer had traded with Feng Yu without informing him.
……
“Mr. Allen, there are rumors that Mr. Feng had sold his Microsoft shares because of you. Do you have any comments?”
“Mr. Allen, did you kick Mr. Feng out of the board of directors, and caused Mr. Feng to sell his Microsoft shares?”
“Mr. Allen, why did Mr. Gates choose Mr. Ballmer as the President of Microsoft and not you?” A reporter asked.
“Mr. Allen…..”
Paul Allen is speechless. How would I know why Feng Yu had sold his Microsoft shares?!
Even if I had forced Feng Yu out of the board, what’s wrong? Feng Yu had not been doing his job, and why should the company reward him with a bonus at the end of the year?!
Also, I had mentioned that I don’t have the time to be Microsoft President. How can you imply that I am not as good as Ballmer?!
But Paul Allen also did not expect Feng Yu to sell away all his Microsoft shares so publicly. What made him more furious is Ballmer knows this and did not mention this during the directors’ meeting.
“Ballmer, I want your explanation on this matter.” Paul Allen looks at Ballmer coldly.
Ballmer sighed. He does not know Feng Yu will sell away all his Microsoft shares. If he knows Feng Yu will do this, he will not buy those voting shares. He even had to take a loan for those shares.
“Feng had looked for me. Based on his agreement with Bill, he must sell his voting shares to the existing voting shareholders. So, he came and look for me. I am increasing my stake in the company, is there anything wrong?” Ballmer said.
What Ballmer said was not wrong. He had become the company’s President, and buying the company’s shares shows his confidence in improving the company’s profits. It would be more surprising if he sold the company’s shares after becoming the company’s President.
“When did Feng look for you? How come we are not informed?” Paul Allen questioned.
“About two weeks ago. We had met a few times to negotiate the price of the shares. This is a normal trade, and why should I inform you? Did I break any law or violate the company’s policy?” Ballmer asked.
Did you think I am stupid? If I inform you, will I get the chance to buy those shares? Everyone knows you are looking for the opportunity to increase your shares.
“Hmph! Everyone is saying Microsoft had discriminated against Feng Yu and is racist against Chinese. What are we going to do about it?” Paul Allen asked.
How can a company’s decision to be escalated to racism? Microsoft also has many Asian employees, and they are trying to open the Chinese market. It is the Chinese companies that are offering low prices for their software. It is the Chinese that is discriminating against Microsoft!
“We will not do anything. This is just a normal trade. Feng is selling his Microsoft shares, and the financial institutions are buying the shares from him. What’s there to worry about?”
“Idiot! Do you think the media will think this way? Our share prices will surely be affected tomorrow!” Paul Allen shouted.
“Those are all rumors, and it will not affect our status. We will be inviting more rumors if we try to explain ourselves. Furthermore, our profits this year are not affected, and even if our share prices have dropped slightly, but it is not a problem.” Ballmer replied confidently.
But will it be as optimistic as what Ballmer says?
