
You know I’m no fan of George Soros, (especially since he gave $1 million to reelect Gavin Newsom) but when it comes to BlackRock and their meddling in China, he has a point.
In a recent op-ed, Soros points out the hypocrisy in BlackRock’s promotion of ESG funds here in the United States, and its foray into Chinese investing. He wrote:
BlackRock takes its responsibilities for its clients’ money seriously and is a leader in the environmental, social and governance movement. But it appears to misunderstand President Xi Jinping’s China.
The firm seems to have taken the statements of Mr. Xi’s regime at face value. It has drawn a distinction between state-owned enterprises and privately owned companies, but that is far from reality. The regime regards all Chinese companies as instruments of the one-party state.
This possible misunderstanding could explain BlackRock’s decision, but there may be another explanation. The profits to be earned from entering China’s hitherto closed financial markets may have influenced their decision.
You know I think BlackRock’s ESG efforts are driven more by EGO and profit than a genuine desire to do good by the world, or by investors.
If Soros is correct, and BlackRock’s Larry Fink simply misunderstands China’s markets and government, it could lead to disastrous results for the asset manager. Look at what is happening to China’s fabled “ghost cities,” built as investments but never even inhabited.
Re-upping the stunning demolition videos showcasing housing oversupply in China: 15 skyscrapers in China that were part of the Liyang Star City Phase II Project were just demolished after sitting unfinished for eight years due to absent market demand. pic.twitter.com/UByqjk8QXX
— Jon Hartley (@Jon_Hartley_) September 15, 2021
The big three asset management firms, BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street, have become kingmakers in shareholder votes. With their power consolidated, they can control nearly every vote in America’s public company elections. That puts immense power in the hands of a small number of people running these asset managers.
Assets at the big firms are growing, fast. In 2017, Bloomberg predicted the combined assets under management at BlackRock and Vanguard would hit $20 trillion by 2028. As of June 20, 2021, the combined assets of the two companies were $17.5 trillion, well on their way to meeting the $20 trillion goal that the Financial Post said would make them the owners of “almost everything.”
Action Line: Unless you want someone at BlackRock or Vanguard using the power of your investments to achieve their own goals, avoid index mutual funds and ETFs, and instead invest in individual stocks and bonds in a balanced portfolio. If you need help, I’d love to talk with you.
P.S. Click here to read Part II of “I Can’t Believe I’m Agreeing with George Soros, Here’s Why.”
Originally posted on Your Survival Guy.