Archive for the ‘finance’ Category

The successor to Tim Cook has a clear path

October 10, 2011 - 10:31 am Comments Off

Everything is planned for the next five years. Even the price performance has been limited, rising 0.9% yesterday afternoon in the U.S., despite the death of the Wizard of Apple. Steve Jobs had prepared his succession to the millimeter. Six weeks ago, he had entrusted the keys of the company to Tim Cook, his loyal second, which made the group very profitable. He even left a road map for future innovations. "I think the list of products is stopped for three to five years ahead," said Pierre Peladeau, vice president of consulting firm Booz & Co.

The iPhone is growing at a second screen and payment functions, to become a real game console and an electronic purse. Most importantly, Apple will continue in his way, his real trademark, oversimplify the use of machines which become, therefore, luxury goods, high-margin.The speech recognition system "Siri", presented this week for the iPhone 4S by Tim Cook, should get on Macintosh computers and iPods the most advanced. Recognition of movements and even that of the user, as is the case for the Microsoft Xbox 360, should be to integrate other functions in future products. Shelves, computers and phones all have a camera that could be used to identify its owner.

"The strategy of" multiple monitors "will continue", provides an employee cash advance no faxing. After the computer and the telephone, television and its contents will be the next land to conquer. All television programs around the world could be available on future Apple-branded TVs, thanks to icloud, the system of cloud computing.As was the case for music, applications, newspapers and books, television programs are distributed by Apple. The company would then play a role of reseller and could strengthen in the business of advertising.

Demanding

The road map is drawn, the organization and working methods are arrested, men of valor are in place, including "designer" Jonathan Ive, and the director of marketing Phil Schiller, who "knows so intimately the competitive products, "said Carolina Milanesi of Gartner. In addition, "Tim Cook is as demanding as Steve," provide the employees of Apple. It has the same attention to detail and perfection "that are hallmarks of the group." But without Apple embodied the soul of Steve Jobs, the group may he continue to impose its laws to the content owners? It is not safe.In addition, the future is not written competitors, especially Google's married to Motorola. These competing strategies could encourage Apple to change the line to follow. The future would become uncertain.

Driving without insurance is costly to the community

October 8, 2011 - 10:07 am Comments Off

Driving without insurance is not a "marginal phenomenon." Between 370,000 and 740,000 vehicles traveling in France are not insured, according to a report submitted to the Bercy Guarantee Fund compulsory insurance (FGAO), which compensates victims of road accidents when the person is not identified or assured. This represents 1-2% of the total circulation. "Signing a contract of insurance is the only approach someone who does not normally allowed to drive can not do," said François Werner, CEO of FGAO. Indeed, it is possible in France to buy and register a car without a permit, or else to borrow the car of a friend.

For several years, the trend is upward. Road Safety has noted, between 1999 and 2009, a 50% increase in the number of uninsured vehicles responsible for fatal accidents."This practice is approximately 78 million euros each year," said Francois Werner. "The burden falls on the insured who finance the fund with a contribution of 1.2% levied on insurance premiums, or about 2 euros per contract."

Device control incompletD'après the report, which aimed to establish a diagnosis on the degradation of Finance Guarantee Fund, 60% of the uninsured are between 18 and 35. Francois Werner are two categories of drivers are driving without insurance. The "sloppy" on the one hand, that knowingly or not missed steps to ensure their car. They have, for example, not paid their premiums or said buying a new vehicle. "The anti-social and dangerous" on the other hand, are those drivers who simply should not drive. These are people who have never had a license or whose license has been removed for serious and recurrent.In 40% of cases, the vehicles are not insured because of non-payment of premium, says the FGAO. Finally, two-wheelers are over-represented (5.1% of uninsured mopeds and motorcycles 3.1%).

"Very few drivers are aware of the risks they face while driving without insurance," says François Werner, pointing to "an almost non-existent awareness" and offers an auto insurance inadequate personal loans for people with bad credit. "Prices remain inaccessible to some audiences," especially young people. Finally, the Director General of FGAO believes that the repression of the phenomenon is "scattered and based on unreliable information." To overcome this weakness, the Guarantee Fund calls for the creation of a "central repository of files provided," he would manage.

This tool, already in place in several European countries, including Spain, Italy and the UK, would be powered by the file registrations (registration cards) and statements of insurance companies and brokers. A huge database which, in the overlapping information, detect uninsured vehicles without waiting for the fraud was discovered during a traffic stop or accident.

A tool "win-win"

This project could still face the fears of motorists on their privacy. The Director General of FGAO therefore emphasizes the fact that this mega-file does not include "any personal data" and would not be "marketable". It is hoped that consultation with stakeholders – insurers, consumer groups and governments – will start soon in order to establish the terms of this file.If this proposal were adopted, it would take about three years to implement.

For François Werner, the device is a win-win. "A 50% decrease in the number of uninsured vehicles could eventually provide the Fund a saving of 40 million euros. Above all, this central repository would be a valuable tool to prevent tragedies road, it would identify some reckless drivers and put them out of harm's way.. "

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The PagesJaunes sanctioned by the CNIL

September 22, 2011 - 9:52 pm Comments Off

Red card. CNIL, which met Wednesday, has decided to award a public warning to PagesJaunes that had indexed 25 million profiles gleaned from the web and presented them on their site, under the phone numbers. Le Figaro was able to consult the decision made Thursday to the company. The information posted on social networking sites like Facebook, Buddies before, LinkedIn, Twitter, Trombi were collected without the knowledge of Internet and presented when you typed their name (or near) the PagesBlanches. Was discovered and pictures, names, pseudonyms, schools, employers, occupation and geographic location of a person. The French placed on red list were not spared. While their number was not revealed, but absolutely all other personal information collected on networks were disclosed. The directory included minors in the service of "webcrawler".A public considered particularly sensitive by the CNIL, as often little concerned about protecting his privacy. Those not wishing to appear on the site could oppose it. But a posteriori, by completing a very complicated and attaching a scan of their ID card … had to repeat the process for each of the social networks shown on the page. A procedure considered too complex by the CNIL. And often failed because they have provided all the required documents.

Two complaints last year

In addition, the profiles presented by PagesBlanches were not automatically updated business card. So that those who deserted Facebook saw months later, still exhibited their picture in the online directory …

Two people alerted the CNIL and filed a complaint last year. In June 2010, the Data Protection Commission has carried out inspections.The PagesJaunes had then argued that the collection was lawful. Because users choose to deliver the information on social networks and have the opportunity to limit access to their profiles. If they do not, they accept, in a way that their data public Internet, called the directory.

An argument rejected by the CNIL, which estimates that this information is public course on the Net, but that does not allow "a third party to conduct a massive collection, repetitive and undifferentiated data without informing the persons concerned" . Especially adding the lawyers of the CNIL, the PagesJaunes are not "search engine". These can aggregate data from the Web.Google also displays the Facebook profiles are not protected, that people have not always aware of this exhibition.

After months of training, and although the book has meanwhile suspended the service, the CNIL, which has changed its chairman, has finally decided to punish the PagesJaunes. "Given the sensitivity of the service (…) the number of people involved in the service in question." And also to warn users of the possible fate of their data on the Net.

A trader fraud cost $ 2 billion to UBS

September 15, 2011 - 3:56 pm Comments Off

New Jerome Kerviel is it about to be unmasked? That's the question must be asked on Thursday morning the leaders of UBS. The Swiss bank has in fact announced a fraud due to unauthorized trading operation carried out by one of its traders. The man, of unknown identity but not yet working in the equity markets division in London according to the Swiss newspaper NZZ, has been arrested in the British capital, said the financial police of the city.

In a very brief statement released this morning on its website, the group Zurich estimated the loss caused by fraud 2 billion, or $ 1.46 billion. "Customers' accounts will not be affected," says Officer, explains, however, that the extent of fraud will most likely accounts plunge into the red for the current quarter, the third of its fiscal year.

In late August, the Swiss giant has already announced that its quarterly accounts would be burdened by restructuring charges related to his economic plan of 2 billion Swiss francs (1.8 billion) by 2013. At that time, management had considered these exceptional charges of 550 million Swiss francs (456 million). With two billion dollars of potential losses announced this jeudimatin, so the bank could announce a major deficit. In the second quarter, UBS had announced a net profit group share of 1, 01 billion Swiss francs (840 million euros).

An image more tarnished

The precise cost of such fraud is still unclear but the bank should give more details on the occasion of the publication of accounts for the third quarter, scheduled for 25 October.Although the amount of fraud is still well below the losses caused by Jerome Kerviel, the former trader the most notorious of the Societe Generale (4.9 billion euros of losses also unauthorized operations) . However, this new financial scandal should put on the front of the stage vulnerabilities of control systems of banks, on policy positions of its brokers.

Furthermore, this case should a little dent the image of the Swiss bank. In 2008, she was among the banks most exposed to subprime. In total, in 2007 and 2008, UBS had thus unveiled record losses related to its exposure to toxic assets: 5.24 billion and 19.7 billion francs (4.35 and 16.37 billion euros).Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) even accused of having sold $ 4.5 billion of toxic assets to mortgage refinancing agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and is seeking in return for $ 900 million . Finally, the Swiss bank is also under investigation in France on suspicion of using tax evasion.

Thursday morning, UBS did not give details on the progress of investigations for fraud, saying only that an investigation is underway. Meanwhile, the shareholders of the Swiss bank would have gone well for such a scandal, in a stock market already adverse to bank stocks.At the Zurich Stock Exchange, UBS clinched the title by more than 7% on Thursday, at 10.24 Swiss francs (8.51 euros), with 45% lower as its highest since Feb. 18 annual.

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Libya: oil well soon able

August 31, 2011 - 4:44 am Comments Off

• oil wells in a state "in the coming days"

Oil may be back soon in Libya. The country should rehabilitate wells "in the coming days," announced the new oil minister, Ali Tarhouni, at a press conference in Tripoli. "The situation will not return immediately to normal, but almost," he added.

In Geneva, the World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a tender to supply 250,000 tons of gasoline provisional Libyan authorities to deal with the most urgent needs of the population after six months of civil war .

• Libya buys French wheat with frozen assets

The interim government in power in Libya has signed two contracts for the purchase of French wheat with assets released this month by France, according to sources close to the negotiations.The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs French announced in early August its intention to release $ 259 million to make available to the National Transition Council to rebuild the country after six months of civil war.

Each contract weighs at least 22 million to about 60,000 tonnes of wheat, a senior leader of the French grain trader Bellows, who signed one of the two contracts.

• A four-day ultimatum issued to supporters of Gaddafi

The rebel leader Libyan Tuesday sent an ultimatum expires Saturday supporters of Muammar Gaddafi in the last strongholds of the regime that they surrender, otherwise they would face military operations my credit score.

The head of the National Transitional Council (CNT), Abdeljalil Moustapha said that negotiations were underway with officials of those cities to try to secure their surrender without a fight. "This window of opportunity will expire at the end of the Eid al-Fitr. From Saturday, if a peaceful outcome is still not to the field, we can make a difference militarily, "said Abdeljalil. The launch of the final battle in Libya is "imminent", said the military spokesman of the rebellion Bani Omar Ahmed Benghazi in the east.

• Quiet on the front of Sirte, NATO continues its mission

The situation was calm on Tuesday morning on the front east of Sirte, Gaddafi's stronghold in central Libya. The rebels have increased by about ten kilometers and are line was about 40 km west of Ben Jawad beyond the hamlet of UMR Gandil.

Sirte Sunday has been caught between rebel forces, backed by NATO air strikes. The Atlantic alliance has reiterated its support Tuesday morning the insurgents, saying that his mission would continue "as long as the threat persists."

The Cac 40 expected to rise again at the opening

August 25, 2011 - 4:12 pm Comments Off

The CAC 40, which gained more than 2% over the last two sessions, could open up again this Thursday on the eve of the intervention (16 hours, Paris time) the President of the U.S. central bank, Ben Bernanke, which could signal further monetary easing to support the U.S. economy. Earlier, the U.S. government will plublié its second estimate of GDP figures for the second quarter. The growth rate of the world's largest economy in the spring, which had greatly disappointed a month ago, could then be revised down 0.2 percentage point to 1.1%.

Meanwhile, the stock market should continue to pick up a few points to be closer to the threshold of 3200 points.The session will be punctuated by two indicators are expected before the close of the Bourse de Paris: the index of consumer confidence but also the German weekly claims for unemployment benefits in the United States.

In France, unemployment figures and job seekers for the month of July will be published after-hours trading to 18 hours. Labour Minister, Xavier Bertrand, expects the unemployment figures "are wrong as were those of the previous two months."

Sharp decline in quarterly profit of Crédit Agricole

On the corporate side, the ball of the results continues.

Crédit Agricole has published a net profit down 10.6% to 339 million euros in the second quarter 2011, due to a charge of 640 million related to Greece.In addition, the group could spend 1.5 billion euros to recapitalize its subsidiaries in Southern Europe including the Greek bank Emporiki, according to the Letter of expansion without citing sources cash advance. half-year results of companies, including Credit Agricole and Edenred, the branch of Accor Services.

Edenred announced interim results and annual targets in line with analysts' expectations, the strong activity in Latin America continue to boost the profits of the group.

Cellectis has entered a development agreement and license with the American Recombinetics on "the creation of transgenic large animals" such as pigs, sheep or cattle.

Schneider announced his bid for Telvent Git SA expire 30 August instead of September 12.

Gemalto has reported a strong growth in its half-yearly sales, thanks to the strong growth of its secure transactions that are now the most profitable activity of the group.

Bureau Veritas announced adjusted net income up 10% to 164.2 million euros in the first half, operating margin declined 70 basis points to 16.0%, and confirmed predict a sharp increase in the number and business results in 2011.

Oil prices rise

Oil prices were up Thursday morning during electronic trading in Asia, in a market sensitive to the situation in Libya and cautious speech eagerly awaited the head of the U.S. central bank (Fed).In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October has appreciated by 14 cents to 85.30 dollars per barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery took 21 cents to 110.36 dollars .

The Murdoch family will not let go its empire

August 12, 2011 - 11:48 am Comments Off

"Frankly, I'm the only one who can clean it all," said Rupert Murdoch, tapping his fist on the table, at the hearing by the Cultural Committee of the British Parliament last month. Open-tapping scandal, the media mogul has not yielded an inch on the issue of governance of the group whose history is intertwined with that of his family. Wednesday, publication of successful annual News Corp has confirmed this position. He and his family will remain at the head of News Corp and any jolt the market or its shareholders will do deviate from their course.

"Never Rupert Murdoch will not yield to pressure. Neither in a million years or two million years. If a change is to occur, it will be by his own will and when he decides, "recently told a source close to the clan, The Guardian newspaper.During his hearing in July, Rupert Murdoch did not hesitate to declare that he wanted "to see his son and daughters to continue the road, if they are interested." Wednesday night, he reiterated his confidence in his son James, who oversees the group's activities in Europe and Asia.

Yet the issue of governance is more than ever at the heart of the reflection of the market on the future of the empire built by one man, who hammered Wednesday night: "The job is not to be filled in the near future. "

Voices begin to rise among the shareholders to demand an overhaul of the board of News Corp fast cash advance. With 12% of the capital and 40% of the voting rights, Rupert Murdoch and his two son, Lachlan and James, occupy three seats out of the seventeen that make up the governing body.Before exploding the case of the tabloid News of the World that led to its closure, it was also expected that Elisabeth, her second daughter, occupies a fourth seat. What it has temporarily waived. Besides the fact that James has yet to respond to the inquiry on the sheets, making his position as director of News Corp chief operating and its subsidiary, BSkyB, more and more complicated. "It is time to end management of a decent grocery store around the corner," a shareholder storm quoted by the Anglo-Saxon.

Rise of Chase Carey

Six months ago, Chase Carey, the News Corp. chief operating, popular markets, was to chair the group in preparation for the arrival of James Murdoch to the position. In vain.However, there is a manager in whom Rupert Murdoch has the most confidence, the point of saying Wednesday night: "If I go under a bus, is to him that my job will come back."

Theoretically, News Corp has nine independent directors can tilt the board. But as the experts point out, "it is very difficult to agree nine people at once. This is not a malfunction, it is a non-functioning board. "

The CAC 40 is expected to open lower on the eleventh

August 8, 2011 - 9:32 am Comments Off

All weekend, they multiplied the meetings and news: the political leaders of industrialized countries have mobilized to show that they had taken stock of efforts to engage to address concerns about the state of their finances. What to try to reassure markets, worried after the announcement Friday after the close of a deterioration in the rating of sovereign debt of the United States by Standard & Poor's, but also disturbed by the difficulties faced by countries the euro area to implement the solutions to the crisis in Greece. With always in sight the risk of contagion of debt to other countries.

In the wake of the Asian stock markets, down sharply this morning, the benchmark index in Paris should begin his week on a further decline in the eleventh row. Unheard of since the creation of the CAC 40 index in 1987.At 8:15, the futures on the CAC 40 was down 2.18% to 3209 points. Elsewhere in Europe, the future of the Eurostoxx 50, Dax, German and English are the Footsie down 1.9% to 2.4%.

Of course, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy reiterated yesterday their determination to ensure that the bailout of Greece on 21 July be adopted before the end of September. They also praised the efforts of Spain and especially those of Italy, two weak links in the euro area at present. In addition, the European Central Bank (ECB) said it would implement "active" its buyback program obligations. However, this measure made and announced last week by Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the institution, had absolutely convinced investors.On the contrary …

Next on the list?

Moreover, the decision of Standard & Poor's on the U.S. should continue to haunt the minds of the markets, despite a weekend to "digest" the news. Now that the world's largest economy, long considered one of the most reliable borrowers, is not as well marked, which could consider itself safe from degradation? In France, this concern should be limited, however, the chief economist for Europe, Standard & Poor's Jean-Michel Six, who said Saturday that the agency maintained the "AAA" of France, in a stable outlook.

Before testing the first effects on the markets of this political mobilization, the announcement of the ECB on repurchase of bonds has already led to support the euro against the dollar saving account pay day loan.At 7 o'clock this morning, the euro was worth 1.4321 dollars, against 1.4281 dollars on Friday night, after the dollar rose to 1.4370 on Sunday night. But above all concerns macroeconomic benefit to gold, which recorded a new record Monday on the market in Hong Kong, dying for the first time the maximum 1700 dollars an ounce, and benefiting fully from his safe haven status.

The sharp drop in oil

Instead, the side of the oil, oil prices continued to tumble on Monday. Result of numerous concerns about a possible global recession, prices show a sharp decline.In morning trading in Asia, a barrel of "light sweet crude" lost 2.59 dollars to 84.29 dollars, while that of Brent North Sea crude for September delivery fell by 2.48 dollars to 106.89 dollars.

Finally, the political mobilization should remain in force throughout the day, and guide the trend in European markets as U.S.. For the side of the macroeconomic data, the news will remain poor n this first day of the week. Unlike last week, no statistics across the Atlantic will not give further details Monday about the health of the U.S. economy or the risk of a possible recession in the country. In France alone are expected to 8:30 business surveys from INSEE in the industry and market services for the month of July.

As for values ​​to follow, business publications are scarce this week.

Archos.The manufacturer of tablet detail its annual accounts after the market closes.

Carmat. The heart specialist articificiel total announced Sunday evening the success of its capital increase launched from July 13 to 29. The former subsidiary of EADS has raised 29.3 million euros, which will fund the first clinical trials on humans.

GDF Suez. The group of energy and services has sealed, according to Les Echos, a strategic Partenaris with the Chinese sovereign wealth fund CIC, which would lead to an acquisition of a 30% interest in the exploration and production arm of French.

Regulated tobacco sales in overseas departments

August 1, 2011 - 10:48 pm Comments Off

For the first time, the sale of tobacco is regulated overseas. Following the enactment last Saturday of supplementary budget for 2011, only licensed dealers are now allowed to sell cigarettes in the departments of overseas.

These licenses distributed by the county councils are limited in number for the 540 Martinique, 550 for Guadeloupe, Reunion and 1070 to 300 in Guyana. This provision does not apply to Mayotte for when the tax is not yet aligned with that of other DOM.

This measure looks controversial local shops who use tobacco to attract customers concerned about the financial loss they may sustain same day payday loans. Those who will not benefit, however, the licensing of a transition period of five months.They will then be allowed to "continue the sale to individuals during the period strictly necessary for the depletion of their stock and not later than December 31, 2011," according to the legislation.

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Doctors: the sanctions removed

July 14, 2011 - 4:44 am Comments Off

The Parliament finally approved the bill Wednesday Fourcade whose content had been aligned the day before. The text, originally filed on … October 26, retouching Bachelot law on hospital and health system (Law HPST) with a goal for the majority: to reconcile with the doctors.

It erases two measures passed two years ago and never used: the requirement for general dense areas to give a hand to their fellow country or suburban overworked, under penalty of a fine of 3000 euros per year, and the obligation to report their leave. There were two innovations in the fight against medical deserts. But Xavier Bertrand, the successor to the Health Roselyne Bachelot, has returned to the guideline that was set when he was … his predecessor: to encourage, yes, force, no.Besides these two points, the law includes various provisions, some of which have been amended, deleted and / or re-introduced.

• Transparency partial dentures

Dentists showing the origin of crowns or bridges they intend to ask the patient to know if the prosthesis was manufactured in Europe or China. Dentists will also include an estimate of the cost benefit and the sale price of the prosthesis. He freely establish this distinction: for a total of 1000 euros, it may feel that the prosthesis is 300 euros and 700 work, or that the prosthesis is 600 and delivery 400.

Associations rather wanted to be referred to the purchase price of the prosthesis.But the dentists, who are struggling to explain their expertise and time weigh more in price than the prosthesis, and they do not just do the "somersault" on a purchase-resale, managed to avoid it.

• Mutual: care networks "open"

Mutuals were given the opportunity, already available to insurers, to better pay their members when they are aimed at professionals with whom they have contracted. Except that these care networks should be "open" all the professionals can then join.This will not change much for the professions to insufficient numbers: what a mutual interest to "deprive" doctors scarce? But in the expanding fields, practice selection is a way to bring prices down.

• Liability specialties "at risk"

A public fund is created to cover all private health professionals sentenced to damages exceeding the ceiling of their insurance should be fixed statutorily around 8 million euros. Those who have gone out of business and are not insured are also covered. Are concerned primarily surgeons, anesthesiologists and obstetricians but all professionals (doctors, physiotherapists, nurses, podiatrists …) that will have everyone contribute.