Archive for the ‘economics’ Category

Renewal of Nuclear Eldorado or mirage?

March 8, 2010 - 3:26 pm Comments Off

It is the global rush on atomic reactors. Nicolas Sarkozy opened Monday morning an international conference on access to civilian nuclear technology that would bring together a thousand participants including some forty foreign ministers and the new Director General of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), Japan Yukiya Amano.

Not less than sixty States have shown in recent years with the Vienna their desire for nuclear reactors to generate electricity. "The expectation in these countries is very strong," said an organizer of the conference. Iran and North Korea, which have violated their international obligations, have not been invited to Paris, unlike Syria and Libya.

Click on image to enlarge.

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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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.

Alcatel is the challenge of saving energy

January 12, 2010 - 7:06 am Comments Off

The world of telecom and Internet is one of the largest energy consumers in the world. Also, the giants of the industry can not stand idly by. Alcatel-Lucent and its famous Bell Labs in the United States have therefore taken the initiative to create a consortium, called "Green Touch" to floor on this issue. From the outset, the consortium brings together the best researchers. Around the Bell Labs of Alcatel and research laboratories of Samsung of South Korea are three of the most prestigious American universities specializing in technology: Stanford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard. The National Institute for Research in Computer Science (INRIA) and laboratories from CEA-Leti in Grenoble are part of the French side, and the Belgian research institute IMEC.Finally, two operators, Telefonica, and Swisscom, join the adventure.

For six months, Bell Labs, the famous centers of R & D of Alcatel-Lucent, consider a crucial question: "How much energy a telecommunications network can it be reduced without affecting capacity information transmission? "

Networks must be completely redesigned, including the architecture should be changed. For example, "wireless telecommunications are one of the largest contributors to the energy needs of a network. It is easy to reduce the power emitted by an antenna, and therefore consumption, removing his show in all directions in space and focus the signal to the next station or end user, "says the boss research at Bell Labs.Moreover, the power of an antenna of a wireless network can be reduced by using tricks to encode the signal. "Thus, information can be extracted even if the noise level is high." Architecture is another central point: "To perform a calculation, the human brain needs a million times less energy a computer, thanks to its apparently chaotic! "

Consumption divided by 10 000

"After six months of work, we have calculated, based on our many disciplines such as physics, mechanics and quantum computing, it is possible to reduce, at most, by 10 000 energy d a telecommunications network, "said Gee Rittenhouse, head of research at Bell Labs. "We can not do everything alone.We have therefore decided to create a consortium, called "Green Touch," whose objective is already reduced by 1 000 the energy of a telecommunications network within five years. This consortium will bring together four groups of actors: universities, industrial laboratories, research institutes, non-profit and telecommunications operators, "said Gee Rittenhouse.

Besides protecting the environment, this research will have another impact: Increase the amount of data transmitted in the network without increasing the radiation, which concern both consumer groups.

Offices: the market is recovering

January 8, 2010 - 11:06 am Comments Off

According to preliminary data released this morning by Immostat-IPD, the total investment in commercial property (offices, shops, warehouses) in Ile-de-France for the past year totaled 5.2 billion euros. This figure compares with a volume of 8 billion in 2008. This is the bottom of the range anticipated by the professional last October. In fact, the last quarter that saved the furniture with a total investment of 2.54 billion euros, or nearly half the activity of the year.

Also in Ile-de-France region, which contains 70% of national activity, take-up, which agglomerates investments by enterprises for their own needs and leased, moved it to 1, 8 million square meters for all of 2009, against 2.4 million in 2008 and 2.7 million in 2007.At the same time, the supply of offices immediately available is up 6% at the beginning of the year compared to last quarter, representing 3.26 million square meters.

For 2010, even if professionals are optimistic, they believe that further improvement observed in late 2009 will depend on the quality of provision and financing needs. Many uncertainties remain, particularly on the employment front, leaving fear tougher price point operators. In terms of rental values, "the time is still correcting, notes and DTZ. After declines of 10 to 25% depending on the relevant markets, the movement should continue, says the consultancy. Accompanying measures (exemption from rents and attendance), already strengthened in 2009, should still be denser.

Car sales at the highest since 1990

January 5, 2010 - 10:26 am Comments Off

This is the highest level since 1990. In total, more than 2.268 million new registrations were recorded in 2009 against 2.050 in 2008 according to figures released Monday by the Committee of French Automobile Manufacturers (CCFA). Sales of new passenger cars rose by 10.7% in raw data in 2009 compared to 2008. December to sign a noteworthy performance. In that month alone, the new car registrations in France rose by 48.6% from December 2008 to 228,451 vehicles. It was the eighth consecutive month of increases.

Regarding manufacturers, the Renault group that makes the best sound of the game's pin registrations totaled 566,240 cars in 2009, up 14.9% over 2008. The Renault brand is up 12.5% over 2008 to 505,521 vehicles.Dacia, the Romanian subsidiary of Renault, which truste third place cars most reliable according to a survey UFC Que Choisir, has gone to 60,719 copies, an increase of 39.5% compared to 2008. For December alone, group sales jumped 94.3%. Bernard Cambier, which argued that these figures before publication in micro BFM on Monday morning was not far short.

In the second place manufacturer, PSA Peugeot Citroën sold 717,485 cars in 2009, up 13.3% over 2008. Peugeot has sold 377,665 models (+9.8%) against 339,820 for Citroën (17.4%). The PSA group sales rose 35.3% in December.

Hyundai is the foreign brand that recorded the strongest growth in 2009: +24.8% to 42 663. Then came Nissan's partner Renault (+20.2% to 45,899 cars) and Ford (+17.8% to 145,066 vehicles).

Scrapping bonus and bonus Green

In a difficult economic environment for the sector, this figure is the unexpected achievement. The area owes its hi in 2009 to support strong measures undertaken at the height of the economic and financial crisis. The automotive sector is crucial for the French economy, then appeared as a major potential victims of the crisis.

The French government had introduced a scrapping bonus of 1,000 euros for the replacement of vehicles over 10 years, as part of its recovery plan of 26 billion euro, introduced in December 2008. The reduction of this premium, which rose from 1,000 to 700 euros on 1 January, said the accelerated rise in registrations recorded at the end of 2009.

This new reacted positively sector securities on the Exchange.Renault signs the strongest increase in the CAC 40: 4.56% at 37, 85 euros, while Peugeot is 1.71% to 24.07 euros.

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Total new setback for Iraq

December 12, 2009 - 2:32 pm Comments Off

The Iraqi Oil Ministry has awarded this Saturday oilfield Qourna-2 in western consortium of Russian Lukoil and Norway's StatoilHydro. With 12.8 billion of reserves, Qourna in the south, is the largest of the ten fields for auction this weekend in Baghdad.

Lukoil, StatoilHydro proposed to be paid $ 1.15 per barrel to produce 1.8 million barrels per day.

The French group Total was also a candidate. After failing on Friday another mega Majnoon field (12 billion of reserves), the multinational and thus suffers another setback. After two days of the auction will win the total operating a field much smaller than Halfaya and minority partnership with the Malaysian Petronas and China's CNPC. But as its leaders had repeated, Total was not ready to engage in Iraq at any price.The French multinational denounces discounts on their earnings than its rivals agree in hopes of winning these contracts. Absent from Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, Total will have to wait before making his return to a country which has the third largest reserves of oil and where the French group was present for decades.

With five fields awarded since Friday, Iraq is certain to occur in the coming years to 4.485 million bbl / d more.

"BLOG – Total lost the first round of oil bids Iraq

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Crisis: The worst has been avoided by DSK

November 23, 2009 - 6:36 pm Comments Off

The world has reason to breathe. "Thanks to a swift and bold, which took place in an atmosphere of unprecedented political cooperation, world economic activity begun to rise again," said Monday Dominique Strauss-Kahn, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a speech in London at the annual conference of the British employers' federation, the CBI. Believing that "the worst has been avoided," DSK praised the cooperation of various governments and central banks worldwide have injected trillions of dollars into the financial system since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008, now considered the "big bang" that precipitated the global financial mess.

However, if this collaboration has borne fruit, it should not be abandoned while the economic recovery remains very fragile, says DSK. "I think we can limit the risk of further storms in choosing the right policies, and maintaining the successful collaboration between states," he pleaded. "We must keep alight the flame of cooperation," he started again, saying that the world is now at a "critical moment" and that "permanence of recovery will depend on decisions taken in the months come by the rulers. " Dominique Strauss-Kahn also called to fight in every possible way to stem soaring unemployment, while reaffirming that States should begin to prepare their "exit strategies".

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The "big" bottom borrowing visibly

November 6, 2009 - 4:31 pm Comments Off

These days, advocates of fiscal orthodoxy seem to score points on the supporters of a massive debt. The president ruled between 25 and 50 billion euros will be invested in projects that build the future of France. That does not mean that the amount of the "great debt" will be too high.

First difference: the Elysee account used to finance part of the "future costs", public aid granted at the beginning of the crisis with French banks, which are paying off. Or 13 billion euros back into the coffers of the state and which will therefore be recycled. While the state had to borrow funds on the market a year ago before re-lending to banks …

Cofinancing

Second difference: The government has always been clear, most projects will be financed by the state and privately.To allow access to the Internet at high speed throughout, for example, the loan will finance a large part of the deployment of a huge network of fiber optic telecom operators but will also put their hands in their pockets . And their "contribution" could well be recorded in the 25 to 50 milliards displayed, provides a government source. Who goes: "It is true, ultimately, he could not keep a lot of money to borrow." Perhaps no more than 15 billion euros …

"Do not the French credibility differs from that of Germany", explained in any case François Fillon on Thursday at the World.

In other words, Matignon would prevent total borrowings French (to fund all deficits, "great debt" included) than in 2010, that of German broadcasts.

And to avoid a surge in borrowing rates at which Bercy. The Treasury figures the additional borrowing capacity of France "between 20 and 30 billion euros", said the Premier.

Regardless, the executive does not repeat does not all the time that the important thing is not to set the amount of the loan but to define priorities for the future?

"Borrowing" Focus on new technologies and defense "

"Accoyer:" The prime minister has whistled the end of recreation "on the loan