Archive for the ‘features’ Category

Wall Street began with the announcement of Cisco

March 10, 2010 - 12:58 am Comments Off

U.S. operators could choose to pocket a share of the gains made last week by caution before a salvo of indicators in the coming days. But it was not including the announcement on Tuesday launched by Cisco Systems for a new ultra-powerful router, which mulitiple twelve Internet capabilities.

Towards 20h30 (Paris time), the Dow Jones, Nasdaq 100 and S & P 500 rising erespectivement 0.5% to 10,606 points, from 0.81% to 2351 points from 0.58% to 1145 points.

It was exactly one year, March 9, 2009, the major stock indexes have hit a "low point". Since the S & P 500 has started the largest rally in history. In one year, the U.S. index has increased by almost 70%!

The next U.S. statistics are expected tomorrow with the traditional weekly report on unemployment.Weekly Market in the United States, will then be placed under the sign consumer. The two major economic indicators this week, published Friday, will be the sales details for the month of February and the preliminary estimate of consumer confidence.

Oil prices retreated Tuesday in New York, a barrel of reference giving 38 cents to 81.49 dollars, penalized by the strengthening of the dollar no fax payday advances .

Boeing soars above the market

The values listed, Cisco Systems (-0.24% to 26.07 dollars) today announced a new bid to speed internet connections.Analysts said the group could announce as Google, investments in new broadband network.

Also in the technology sector, the U.S. manufacturer of electronic components, Texas Instruments (-1.33% to $ 24.36) has revised upward its earnings forecast for the first quarter.

In the wake of this news, AT & T, a major customer of Cisco, up from 1.73% to 25.7 dollars, and Apple climbed 2.54% to 224.7 million.

After the withdrawal of EADS and its U.S. partner Northrop's tanker contract to the Pentagon, whose first installment is only valued at 35 billion dollars, Boeing remains alone lice.Les Boeing shares advance of 1.06% to 67.95 dollars and Northrop Grumman back to him, from 0.3% to $ 64.

UAL shares climbed 8.3% after posting profits in February increased by 17% in one year.

French Cheese: weak exports

March 8, 2010 - 9:23 am Comments Off

Exports of French cheeses have dried up in 2009, according to French customs. In value exports fell 4.8% to 2.5 billion euros as in volume, with a decline of 1.7% to 591,121 tonnes. Exports represent 30% of French production.

The price of milk in question

The primary cause of this decline is the price of milk. Highest average of 15% in France compared to Germany and 9.5% from the Netherlands. Germany is Europe's largest exporter of cheese in front of France since 2003 in volume and value since 2006.

This drop increases with the cheeses using milk as much of the Emmental. Its exports fell 10% in 2009 and processed cheese, like Saint-Moret or Laughing Cow, requiring a lot of milk, they decreased by 13.5%.These high prices are crises repetitions of French dairy farmers, worried about the fall of their income.

For other reasons, Gruyère is also in a delicate situation. The European Commission may not give the French Gruyere the protected designation of origin (PDO), leaving the field open to Swiss Gruyere . The decision will be made in a few months.

Prospects in the U.S.

However, signs of recovery in the high end is particularly noticeable in the U.S. market, the first destination of French cheeses outside the European Union ahead of Switzerland and Japan. Arnaud Gauthier, cheese and creator of Frenchcheese club, said that "the U.S. market is a huge potential."He created a club offering premium products and to penetrate different markets in terms of complicated legislation. Example: the tripling of tariffs on Roquefort cheese in January 2009.

French cheesemakers are two sides to the Paris Bourse. Bel Cheese (The Laughing Cow, Boursin, Babybel …) and Bongrain (Caprice gods, Coeur de Lion, Tartar …). At the opening of trading on Friday, as the Cheese Fair was up 2.38% to 129 euros and that of Bongrain at equilibrium (0.06%) to 54.55 euros.

ALSO READ:

The pie heckled by the feta and mozzarella

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.

ALSO READ:

SPECIAL FOCUS – Greece, a challenge for Europe

"Greece can not be excluded from the euro area

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.

ALSO READ:

"The Asian exchanges still sluggish

Warren Buffett looks for a successor Family

December 28, 2009 - 10:27 am Comments Off

Who will succeed? That is the question to 150 billion dollars – the value of its holding – that everyone asks about Warren Buffett, the guru of American finance, 79 years old, second wealthiest world. This week his company Berkshire Hathaway was appointed Member of the Board Stephen Burke, the number two U.S. cable operator Comcast, which just bought NBC Universal.

At 51, Burke will be part of the young guard of that noble assembly of twelve people, half of which has more than 70 years and four members over 80. It will sit alongside Bill Gates (54), a former head of Coca-Cola (whose capital is the largest shareholder), Donald Keough (83), Charles Munger (85), right arm Buffett and Howard Buffett, eldest son of the "Oracle of Omaha". The latter, who just turned 55, is a philanthropist, photographer and farmer in his spare time.It has been designated as future president of the board, which does not mean he would succeed his father as head of investment holding.

Found this gem is also the main task, according to Warren Buffett, the board of directors. "Nothing is more important: nobody can say where I'll be the day", he justified in an interview in March. At the general meeting of the company in May, he had been pressed by shareholders to disclose the name of a successor.

Stephen Burke, the newcomer, a veteran of Disney, "is an expert in the business, mindful of the interests of shareholders and very interested in Berkshire," Buffett said. He could follow his professional development has long been the father of Stephen, Daniel Burke, had been head of Capital Cities / ABC, a major investment success of Berkshire Hathaway in the 1990s."It's how to do everything Buffett family," said Jeff Matthews, author of a book on finance.

Year tormented

Still active, Warren Buffett has once again assign a block of shares in the credit rating agency Moody's, whose reputation has been tainted by the financial crisis, cutting its stake from 34% since June In early November, he was surprised by launching a takeover bid to $ 26 billion on rail freight company Brulington Northern Santa Fe has also recently invested in ExxonMobil, Nestlé and doubled its stake in Wal-Mart.

Investors scrutinize any decision papy finance to learn about the crisis. However, his company completed one years tormented.If it posted earnings much better than expected in the third quarter of $ 3.2 billion, three times more than the year before, she had begun the year in the red. Affected by the financial crisis, the group had experienced a loss of 1.5 billion dollars in the first quarter, came close a grim series of six quarters of decline. Over the year, the action Berkshire Hathaway has grown by only 2%.

France: Consumer stalled in November

December 23, 2009 - 9:23 pm Comments Off

The consumption of manufactured goods rose more households in November. After a 1% increase in October, the index has shown quasi-stable -0, 1%, according to figures from INSEE.

This figure was supported, as in previous months, by buying cars in significant increase of 4.2% in line with the trend observed since August. "The household benefit last months of premium breaks down before his scheduled first next January, said Insee.

In contrast, spending on equipment housing slows markedly, to 0.2%, against 2.1% in October. "If they keep their spending in electrical and electronic households have reduced their spending on furniture," said INSEE.

The week's floating balances authorized in November did not save the textiles and leather. Purchases fell 1.8% in November, two months after dynamic (+2.4% in October and 3% in September).

In 2009, INSEE expects a limited increase in consumption of 0.7%, after 0.9% in 2008. Consumption is the traditional engine of French growth and growing at a rate of 2 to 2.5% until 2007.

Morale still low industrial

December 19, 2009 - 1:23 pm Comments Off

For the third consecutive month, the French industrial morale remains very low in December. The synthetic indicator of business climate has stabilized at 89 points, down one point compared to November, INSEE said on Friday. The long period average is 100 points.

Chilling, INSEE noted that "the reversal indicator" sense "to detect the earliest possible time the industrial economy turns around," came "in the area indicating an economic downturn."

Business leaders note much of the sector increased their activity increased and stocks far below their level a long period, but observed a deterioration in their global order books and abroad. Their production forecasts are less good.

"The personal perspectives of production are less well oriented in November.The industrial and anticipate a slight slowdown in the coming months, "notes the INSEE.

The index had rebounded after the spring after a low of 69 points in March.

ALSO READ:

"Germany: business confidence up

Brussels bends Microsoft

December 16, 2009 - 5:35 pm Comments Off

The European Commission was investigating since January 2008 on possible abuse of dominant position by Microsoft in Internet browsers. If Brussels is to end its investigation, the U.S. giant had to make heavy concessions, agreeing to provide European users with a choice of internet browser to its Windows operating system, then ships only with browser: Internet Explorer.

The lawsuit, initiated by Opera Software, a competitor of the firm of Steve Ballmer, was motivated illegal competitive advantage that the systematic incorporation of Internet Explorer to Windows would have given Microsoft.

Internet Explorer will suddenly face competition

The latter agreed to five years to propose to all European users in Windows versions XP, Vista and 7 to choose their browser.Firefox, Opera and Chrome, the three major browsers Internet Explorer competitors are rubbing their hands when you know that Windows team 90% of PCs worldwide.

Manufacturers of computers equipped with Windows in factory can also completely disable Internet Explorer and install a competing browser.

Microsoft chose to make concessions, risking a fine that could reach 10% of its annual turnover worldwide, is a mere 6 billion euros in fines.

"Millions of European consumers will benefit from this decision with the choice of browser they use," welcomed the Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes.

ThyssenKrupp size dry in its workforce

November 27, 2009 - 6:06 pm Comments Off

The first group of German steel company, ThyssenKrupp announced Friday the creation of a restructuring plan to scale. Severely hit by the economic crisis that has plunged the global demand for steel, the past fiscal year was the worst in company history, the group had announced last November a loss before tax annual 2.4 billion euros. Excluding items, its loss came out to 734 million euros. So, ThyssenKrupp said Friday that it would cut 20,000 jobs worldwide by the end of September 2010, reducing the number of employees to 167,000.

German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp expects the recovery in global economy to return to the path of growth, but "this fledgling economic recovery remains fragile and we believe that improvement will be slow," said Management Board Chairman Ekkehard Schulz, ThyssenKrupp ."For 2010, the risk of a temporary downturn persists," he said. Given the lack of visibility, the group, which produces steel, submarine or lifts, the coup was adjusted slightly downward Friday its medium-term objectives. It now expects sales of between 50 and 60 billion euros, against a previous target of 60 to 65 billion euros and earnings before taxes "over 4 billion euros, rather than between 4 and 5 billion.

ArcelorMittal, the French rival ThyssenKrupp, has also warned that the recovery in 2010 would be gradual and that the environment remains difficult. This lack of visibility had forced him to deliver a very conservative forecast for the last three months of 2009