Numericable Launches Social Internet package to 9.99 euros

February 9, 2010 - 12:40 am Comments Off

While the Internet has become as indispensable as water or electricity, Pierre Danon, CEO of Numericable, announced that the cable operator will introduce a social tariff, responding to the request of the Prime Minister.

LE FIGARO. – For 9.99 euros per month, which will service the right customers?

Pierre Danon. – The Prime Minister had asked the operators a triple play package of around 20 euros for the poor. Numericable goes beyond and offers 9.99 euros a month for 60 channels of television (DTT channels and a selection of foreign channels), Internet access at 2 Mbps and unlimited calls in metropolitan France.There are two requirements to be eligible for this offer: being beneficiary of the RSA or disabled adult allowance and live in housing benefit service unique digital Numericable.

Will you receive compensation from the state?

The universal service fund, managed by the Caisse des depots, should pay a subsidy of 4.21 euros per month per subscriber to Numericable. This package will therefore revert to 5.99 euros a month to subscribers, 4 euro is already included in the charges. I sent a letter yesterday with the offer to Prime Minister, Arcep and services Bercy. If they approve our offer within two months we could launch it this summer.

What advantage Numericable?

It is primarily a historical constant of the cable as being involved in social housing and community.On the other hand, Numericable, who will work with municipalities and departments on this job should be able to equip a large number of new homes. Some customers take the social tariff, but others choose our offerings more upscale. I think that with this offer we can win new customers. We are now at 25% market share on the recruitment of new Internet subscribers. This should enable us to progress further. Not to mention that in dealing with public housing offices, Numericable reduces acquisition costs and delinquency risks.

You had already launched in November offer "low cost" to 19.90 euros. What is the result?

This offer works very well. It represents approximately one third of our new subscribers. Auchan is also to engage the clutch on this niche, because there is a real logic to segment the market.They are not social but tender offers "low-cost targeted. For example, many people do not use the TV service yet they pay their standard Internet package at 30 euros a month. We must stop the dictatorship of the package at 30 euros, which was a stroke of genius Free, but has not moved for four years.

After Darty and Auchan Bouygues Telecom, will you welcome new operators on your fiber network?

We are in discussions with various partners, but he must first deal with the influx of new customers for our partners. Auchan has trained 1 200 hypermarkets in 72 vendors!

The picture improves Numericable does to customers?

Yes. Having been a champion of consumer complaints, admittedly, we're totally out of radar DGCCRF.The service was bad a year ago, we made a lot of work, it is now correct. And we will still improve.

Having renounced the 4th license, what are your plans in the mobile?

Our priority remains the fiber. On the mobile, we are virtual network operator Bouygues Telecom. We will soon launch a 3G and a key card offer prepaid. But we do not support the pedal fully, because we can not afford to spend millions of euros to acquire a subscriber base.In 2010-2011, Numericable focuses on profitable growth.

Are you still handicapped by the weight of your debt?

Having renegotiated our debt with the bankers in November, we loosened the noose and we are perfectly comfortable with our deadlines for repayment of 1.5 billion euros by 2014.

The connected TV is it a concern for you, whose job is to aggregate a bunch of strings?

It is a subject that we anticipated early 2009 with our range of interactive TV "2.0", and we continue to invest. We have discussions with several manufacturers of televisions. In April, Numericable present its first applications in the form of widgets available on the TV screen.We will launch thematic portals (youth, sports, entertainment …) which will become real media capable of guiding the client and recommend programs.

Berlin completes his tax plan antifraudeurs

February 7, 2010 - 12:56 am Comments Off

Angela Merkel has found his political instinct thanks to German tax evaders. Criticized since the inauguration of his new center-right government in late October for his lack of leadership, the chancellor has imposed against the will of its partners liberal FDP and the barons of his party, the CDU, the purchase files containing the names of thousands of taxpayers who have hidden assets in Switzerland. The German opinion ranks behind Merkel's opinion and personalities of all political gradually overcome their moral reservations about buying stolen data, to endorse its decision.

100 000 taxpayers

According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, citing sources close to the investigation, fraud could be much more massive than was originally estimated.After studying hundreds of cases randomly draws the German tax authorities now believes it could recover up to 400 million euros. According to several sources, the data come from the second Swiss bank, Credit Suisse, also reaffirms the daily despite the denials of the institution. In addition, an "internal estimate" of the bank can show that up to 100 000 taxpayers German practice of tax evasion in Switzerland, for a total of 34 billion Swiss francs (23 billion euros), says Süddeutsche Zeitung cash till payday .

Internal documents from Credit Suisse from 2004 might suggest that "over 80% of all Germans who deposit money into accounts at Credit Suisse, Switzerland, German tax authorities to conceal the proceeds of their interests" .An informant offers to sell the files to the German government, for 2.5 million euros a bargain defended the more convinced by the Chancellor that some fraudsters have engaged in concealment amounting to several million euros. "I think there is a common interest in the information. Tax evasion is not a crime chivalrous, "said Friday, the Chancellor.

Legal experts have now the treasury verified all the legal implications related to the purchase of the list, and the way is clear for its acquisition. Fraudsters have only a few hours to withdraw without risking additional sanctions.

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2009, black year for French hotels

February 5, 2010 - 7:16 am Comments Off

The crisis has sealed the budget holiday tourists. La France, the most visited country in the world, made the charge. And the hotel industry has been the first victim in 2009, according to research firm Protourisme published Thursday. It shows a decrease of 5% of overnight stays in France compared to 2008, 9 million fewer nights. This represents a shortfall of 1.5 billion euros of turnover.

Half of this amount lost on the niche hotels 4 stars whose revenue per available room fell by more than 15% because of declining attendance and lower average price per room. One third of this decrease, approximately 500 million euros, was recorded by the 3 stars with a fall of 11% of revenue per room.

The 2 star hotels and super-economy (0 and 1 star) has offset the decline in occupancy rate by an increase in average revenue per room.Nevertheless, the overall turnover of the industry is down by 300 million euros.

"It's a black year for the hotel. They talk of the campsite but outperformed the revenue it has generated are only 300 million euros, "says Didier Arino, director Protourisme.

Ile-de-France and PACA, the first victims

In detail, the Ile-de-France appears in the study as one of the most affected. The region, which weighs approximately one third of hexagonal nights, lost 4 million nights with a decrease of 6% of its annual attendance. Paris has seen its overnight decline of 1.2 million (-4%) for a total of 31.8 million nights in 2009. "A good number anyway. Paris is the capital of Europe in decline the least, "relativize Didier Arino saving account pay day loan . "The way to help, not only applaud, is to establish a monitoring tool and monitoring the implementation of this program" fiscal recovery, "said European Commissioner for economic, Joaquin Almunia. "For the first time we put in place a monitoring system as intense and almost continuous, but is necessary given the circumstances."

Confidence does not reign. Greece has for several years, played the unreliability of its statistics.In this regard, it will be an infringement procedure.

After the announcement of the Commission, the Greek bond yields back down to 6.516% against 6.742% on Wednesday morning around 8:30.

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Vivendi penalizes the CAC 40

February 2, 2010 - 12:13 am Comments Off

The Paris Bourse opened the week and the month of February, down from 0.48% to 3721.66 points in the wake of the decline on Wall Street Friday. The same applies to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange decline of 0.38% at 5587.5 points, and that of London which yields 0.38% to 5168.64 points. After a week punctuated by a sharp increase from 1.37% to 3.739.46 points, investors should be preparing to take their profits.

Markets were awaiting major publications in the United States. Around 12 o'clock, the President of the United States, Barack Obama has proposed a 2011 budget of 3.834 billion dollars. The White House said Monday that the draft budget for next fiscal year (October 2010-September 2011) showed a deficit of 1.267 billion dollars, down 19% due to higher expected revenue.In the afternoon, indicators follow overseas spending and household income for the month of January (1430), construction costs for the month of December (16 hours), the ISM index of manufacturing activity January (16 hours). On Friday, the U.S. GDP figures for the fourth quarter, came out up 5.7%.

The results season of American companies continues its course on Monday with those of Exxon Mobil, the world's oil.

In France, prices for production in French industry decreased by 2.9% in 2009, a decline limited to 1.3% for foreign markets, according to figures released Monday by the INSEE. In all markets (French and exports), the producer prices are down 2.4% a year, says the National Institute of Statistics.In December 2008, prices remained stable (0%) in the industry for the French market.

Sales of new vehicles surged 14% in January by the Committee of French manufacturers (CCFA).

Side currencies and commodities, oil off again on the rise (+0.22% to 73.21 dollars), while the euro strengthens against the dollar (+0.25% to 1.3899 dollars).

Vivendi unscrewed, Ipsen well oriented

Vivendi (-3.42% to EUR 18.2), largest drop in the CAC 40, was convicted by an American jury to have provided misleading information to shareholders in connection with a proceeding initiated in partnership 2002 in the United States by minority shareholders. The New York jury has acquitted the other hand Jean-Marie Messier, CEO of the group of telecommunications and media at the material time and the former CFO Guillaume Hannezo.

Total (2.67% to 41.99 euros).The oil company should take its decision on the future of the Dunkirk refinery by the end of the first half of 2010.

A reconciliation between EDF (+1.26% at 39.52 euros) and Veolia (+2.18% at 24.36 euros) is not on the agenda, said Prime Minister Francois Fillon, adding he continued to favor a gradual departure of Henri Proglio Veolia.

Ipsen (+3.44% at 39.61 euros), the second largest increase of the SBF 120, published Monday sales up 8.2% for the 4th quarter 2009 to 255.3 million euros thanks to its activities in the medical specialty.

PSA Peugeot Citroen (0.55% to 23.77 euros after having opened down 1.73% to 23.23 e uros) confirmed the preventive recall of 97,000 cars for a problem of faulty accelerator pedal that affects also models of Toyota.Saturday a spokesman for the French manufacturer had told Reuters that the recall campaign targeting models Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1 would cover fewer than 100,000 vehicles.

According to information from BFM Sales of new registrations should increase 15% for the month of January 2010. But on the whole year, the Committee of French automobile manufacturers expected a general decline of 20%.

France Telecom (+1.11% to 16.81 euros after a decline of 0.24% to 16.59 euros at the opening). According to The Tribune.fr, the government has been seized by the telecom authority (Arcep) a request for higher rates for operator service providers Internet alternatives.

United States: exceptional growth in late 2009

January 30, 2010 - 9:45 pm Comments Off

Year End Spectacular for the U.S. economy. According growth reached 5.7% in the fourth quarter. Economists had forecast between 4.7% and 5.4%.

This unexpected development will limit the historical downfall of GDP over the year to -2.4%. The U.S. economy had not experienced such a decline since 1946.

In the fourth quarter, growth was supported by the recovery in business inventories, the resumption of investment and exports, says the Federal Bureau of Statistics payday loans for bad credit . In addition, imports, which are deducted from GDP, slowed. These factors have offset the slowdown in federal spending and household consumption.

The Kindle boosts Amazon results

January 29, 2010 - 1:45 pm Comments Off

In 2009, net income of Amazon rose 40% to $ 902 million or $ 2.04 per share. The U.S. Internet provider has presented these figures Thursday after the close of Wall Street, at the same time it announced its net profit for the fourth quarter, which soared 71% over the same period a year earlier, and rising to $ 384 million, or $ 0.85 per share.

During the last three months of 2009, marked by the holiday shopping season, Amazon's sales jumped 42%. Its turnover in the fourth quarter then reached $ 9.52 billion, which is better than expected. Due to a favorable currency effect, sales in the fourth quarter rose more rapidly in international markets (ie markets UK, French, German, Japanese and Chinese, which together grew by 49%) on the northern markets American (36%).But the two geographical areas show a growth rate similar sales since the currency effect is offset, and equivalent volumes.

This dynamic sales at year-end allows Amazon to total $ 24.51 billion worth of sales throughout the year, or 28% more than in 2008 low fee payday loans .

The group attributes this performance to the success of its electronic book reader, the Kindle, released in a hundred countries. "Millions of people now have the Kindle, and those who have a Kindle read a lot. When we have two editions (print and digital), six editions we sell Kindle books for 10 paper, "said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.

On its forecast for first quarter 2010, Amazon is planning a sales growth of about 32 to 43%.Its quarterly revenue could be up to 7 billion dollars. Over the period, operating profit could rise by 13% to 50%, Amazon said.

The group finally warned that its Board of Directors has endorsed a program of share repurchases by the group, amounting to 2 billion dollars.

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The Paris Bourse remained in negative territory

January 27, 2010 - 6:13 pm Comments Off

The CAC 40 fell back into the dark red. After a morning spent in sharp decline, the index in Paris was trying to recover. The index began in Paris plunges more clearly in the red at mid-session.

Around 1530, ACC fell 1.26% to 3.7591,15 points.

"The results of U.S. companies in 2009, better than expected, are completely ignored by markets that focus on three issues: Obama and his banking project, the re-appointment of Ben Bernanke to head the Fed and the organization of economic slowdown China by the Beijing authorities, "said Xavier de Villepion, fund manager at Global Equities.

This decrease in the overall rating takes place amid concerns over banks, while in Davos, experts discuss the modalities of regulation put in place in this sector."Investors fear that they reduce their size or they are prohibited from carrying out activities on their own funds," says Alice Lhabouz, manager Turgot Asset Management.

The morale of French stable consumption in Germany decreased

The publication this morning by the INSEE, a stabilization of the morale of French households had no impact on investors. The moral of households has remained virtually unchanged in January, the indicator is measured taking 1 point to -29 points, sharply up from the lower reaches in late 2008 but still below the average of the last fifteen years.

From the industry side, INSEE also announced that "the balance of opinion on the overall demand in the fourth quarter picked up strongly, thus approaching its long-term average.For the first quarter 2010, demand prospects remain however below the average long-term view of industry expectations.

The corporate failures of August 2009 will, they are known in 12 hours. After Exchange, 18 hours, Pole employment must disclose the number of requests and offers of jobs in December. Globally, the International Labor Office (ILO) has provided figures on employment depressing. "The number of unemployed worldwide reached almost 212 million in 2009 due to an unprecedented increase of 34 million compared to 2007, the eve of the global economic crisis," says the ILO.

In Germany, consumer prices fell 0.6% in January, posting a year increased 0.5%, said Wednesday the Statistics Bureau of Land. In December, prices had risen by 0.8% over the month as the year.

In the United States, all are attentive to the conclusions of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Fed that interest rates will at 20:15. Before that, Americans will unveil the promises of home sales in December (16 hours) and the weekly oil inventories (16:30) free business cards .

Risk arbitrage STMicroelectronics

As for values, STMicroelectronics reported Tuesday after market loss of $ 70 million in the fourth quarter, or 8 cents per share, against a loss of $ 366 million (42 cents per share) a year earlier. But this figure is below expectations of analysts.In exchange, having been one of the few titles CAC 40 to receive up to the opening (0.82%), the action was down in red, mid-session: — 1.20% to 6.03 euro).

Apple must introduce a new product on Wednesday the United States. It should be a new eBook reader electronic touch and connectable to the Internet. France Telecom (-0.53% to 16.77 euros) through Orange and Vivendi (-1.51% to 19.25 euros) via SFR should look at the new "toy" of the Apple brand.

Thomson (-2.82% to 1.03 euros) meets on Wednesday a special general meeting to discuss the restructuring of its debt and the adoption of its new name, Technicolor.

Spir Communication (-1.23% to 21.71 euros) on Tuesday reported a further decline in sales in the fourth quarter, down 11.4%.

Rusal, the Russian mining group, is listed first in Paris and Hong Kong.The group was not well received on the Chinese markets. He lost 10% in early trade. Investors have booked him in Paris the same cold reception: the title lost 11.10% to 17.70 euros.

Areva (-2.24% to 338 euros) and GDF Suez (-0.44% to 28.08 euros) would be full discussion for several months to conclude a partnership in nuclear power, confirming a report in Les Echos. Cependat No information has been taken in this regard.

Klepierre (-2.91% to 26.66 euros) Tuesday announced a turnover in 2009 increased by 22.6% to 246.5 million euros.

AXA (-0.77% to 15.40 euros) recorded an increase of 11% of its turnover in 2009 to 24.5 billion euros.The growth was 14.5% in life insurance.

Inter Parfums (+0.83% at 18.12 euros) for its part, announced a turnover down 6.2% at constant rates for 2009 to 259.2 million euros.

M6 (-0.03% to 19.12 euros) Lafuma (+0.33% to 11.99 euros) should publish their figures for the fourth quarter after market close.

Eiffage (-1.64% to 39.38 euros) will publish its balance sheet in 2009.

Note that the bank this morning are especially misguided: BNP Paribas (-1.04% to 52.15 euros), Credit Agricole (-1.35% to 11.71 euros) and Societe Generale (-0.85% to 43.15 euros) saddled the index, in a heated in Davos.

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Public debts worry Coface

January 19, 2010 - 2:41 am Comments Off

A shock exceptional in its scope but not its duration. Coface, which examines the risks of outstanding companies, announced Monday at a symposium on the country risk, the end of the credit crisis. While recalling the unprecedented nature of this recession, the worst post-war related to the bankruptcy of Lehman. Between its 2007 peak and the lowest point in 2009, the global economy fell by 6.1 points, two times the oil crisis of the 1980s or the collapse of the dotcom bubble.

"There is a strong correlation between the curve of defaults and that of economic growth, said President Francois David. For six months we see an improvement in creditworthiness of companies. "After rising 19% in the first half of 2009, the total payment incidents has decreased by 40% over the last six months.With this improvement, Coface has revised upwards its ratings, while it had conducted several waves of decommissioning throughout the crisis. Note that unlike traditional agencies, which follow the sovereign debt, the insurance company is only interested in credit risk business. The improvement is true for most industrialized countries. The A2 rating of the United States is no longer under negative watch while France, Germany and Japan, in particular, came under positive watch.

Household debt

But if the bulk of the storm passed, many clouds darken the sky of the recovery. It is primarily the weakness of private demand, which remains constrained by the debt ratio and savings rates, and deterioration of the labor market."The key to growth lies in the particular behavior of the American consumer, accounting for 18% of global GDP," notes Francois David.

Another black spot, the rate of industrial capacity utilization remains limited, especially slowing business investment. "The recovery in 2010 will depend even public spending," says the chief economist at Coface, Yves Zlotowski. With the risk of digging a little more deficits. The situation is particularly alarming for the "pigs" – Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain – where the debt has increased the most between 2007 and 2011. "The markets could force them to implement budget cuts, which contribute more to the recession," said Yves Zlotowski. The economist is also concerned about overheating in China and the rebound of stock markets, including commodities, stronger and faster than the real economy.Coface expects global growth in 2010 of 2.7%, driven by emerging markets (5.3%) against 1.4% for developed countries.

The Cac 40 in the green returns

January 15, 2010 - 7:14 am Comments Off

Optimism is back in the Paris Bourse in mid-afternoon Thursday, while U.S. statistics, published at 14:30, emerged in below expectations. ACC back above the 4,000-point mark.

The number of registered unemployed in the United States was up more than expected during the week ending January 9, according to figures released Thursday by the Labor Department.In data adjusted for seasonal variations, these weekly applications for unemployment benefits rose for the second consecutive week to 444,000 against 433,000 (revised) the previous week.

Another disappointment, retail sales in the U.S. fell against all odds in December, according to official figures released Thursday in Washington, but this masks a bad performance review of their surge up the previous two months.

Around 15.15, the CAC 40 yields 0.08%, to 3997 points, passing under the 4,000 points.

Investors will also pay attention to the news conference the Director General of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dominique Strauss-Kahn, at 16 hours and the speech of the Governing Council of the ECB.

The latter announced that its key policy rate should remain at 1% level where it remains since May 2009.In the U.S., retail sales for December at 14.30, the import price for the same month at the same time, as well as requests weekly unemployment benefits will be scrutinized.

As for currencies, the euro decreased again. The European currency fell by 0.13% to 1.4503 dollars. For raw materials, oil appears in sharp decline. The barrel of light sweet crude for February delivery lost 2.84% to 79.29 dollars, while that of Brent North Sea at the same maturity, lost 2.40% to 77.76 dollars. Oil stocks have risen more than expected last week in the United States.

Ubisoft suffers

The Renault Group (Renault, Dacia, Samsung and Lada) in 2009 recorded a decrease of 3.1% of its global sales to 2.3 million vehicles in global market decline of 3.7% and a slight increase its market share (+0.1 percentage points to 3.7%), it intends to strengthen in 2010. Figures similar to those unveiled by Peugeot (+1.47%) a few days ago. After gleaning 0.1% at the opening, title coward 0.43% to 39.32 euros in mid-session.

The French game publisher Ubisoft video Wednesday revised downward its financial targets for its fiscal year 2009/2010 lagged, partly because of disappointing sales of some games and the postponement of several launches. Sanction Immediate Exchange: action coward 4.67%, to 9.6 euros. It is the largest decline of the SBF 120.

GDF Suez has announced the sale to Shell Egypt for a 20% concession in the Alam El Shawish, and keeps 25%.The sign under the worst performance of the ACC with a decline of 2.21% to 29.16 euros.

The group Vivendi (+0.2% at 21.02 euros), which challenged the participation of two of its shareholders and Adam collective proceedings conducted in the United States, was dismissed Wednesday by the Tribunal de Grande Instance Paris.

The French ready-to-wear Camaieu (+4.89% to 148.94 euros) plans to continue its development policy in 2010 and plans to open nearly a hundred shops.

bioMérieux (+3.12% at 83.02 euros) on Thursday announced the acquisition of Meikang Biotech, a Chinese manufacturer of rapid tests, and its production site in Shanghai. Vet'Affaires (7.38%) reported a turnover of 92.7 million euros in 2009. Riber (-2.80%) confirmed its net profit target for 2009.

This is the second day of strike in the Paris airports (ADP).A two flights was canceled Thursday morning following the request of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to Orly airport, the second day of strike among air traffic controllers, has been a journalist from AFP . The action takes ADP 0.68% to 57.81 euros.

A monitor also: Pernod Ricard (-0.05%)) who will make a point about its business. Carrefour (-0.53%) will release its annual results after the stock market.