Archive for the ‘life’ Category

Renault: not high end by the end of 2014

June 21, 2011 - 11:04 am Comments Off

It will still wait to see Renault to build a new high-end model. The next generation of the Laguna and Espace, which is currently working on the group, "come out from the end of 2014," said Jerome Stoll, the commercial director. Replacement of the Vel Satis, ie the launch of a large luxury sedan, however, is not expected at this time, unlike what was envisaged in the fall in 2 to 3 years.

Frozen during the crisis, the renewal of Renault's high-end drags on. Originally planned for 2010-2011, the output of the successor of the space has continued to be shifted. Last September, the group was a sale of this vehicle in 2013-2014.

Yet it is urgent. The manufacturer has stopped production of its Vel Satis end of 2009. Last year it sold just 53,700 17,000 Laguna 3 and 4 space, two models from 2007 to 2002."As a carmaker, it is vital for Renault to be present on the high end" in order to have an offer modern hotel located above the Scenic MPV, Jerome Stoll said. Another issue this type of product takes the image of the entire line up.

PSA on the offensive

The subject was presented recently to the agenda by the government, major shareholder of the manufacturer, who insists that Renault acquires a high-end product in France high quality business cards. The next Laguna and Espace, however, could also be manufactured abroad, to markets outside Europe, according to an internal source.

The weakness of Renault on the high end is more apparent than his rival PSA increases the offensive in this niche. Citroën has introduced the DS4, the second model in its distinctive range DS. And Peugeot marketed earlier this year its 508.Originality of the approach, the 508 and the future DS5 will be manufactured and sold in both Europe and China, to amortize development costs.

If he wants to go upmarket, Renault will be faced with the difficulty of having to do the splits. For the same time, the group intends to accelerate the development of its low-cost Dacia brand, to bring it to 2% market share in Europe in 2013. Counting models of this type sold under the Renault brand internationally, this range could be up to 30% of sales of the manufacturer in this horizon.

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Fillon is considering taxing businesses that pay too bosses

June 19, 2011 - 1:00 pm Comments Off

Overtax businesses too generous with their leaders. The idea was launched by Prime Minister Francois Fillon in an interview published Saturday in Nice Matin: "With the government, I think about a device that is to overtax the companies issuing exorbitant fees." François Fillon and takes position on an issue that divides the majority.

The head of government is responding to the proposal of Xavier Bertrand, Minister of Labour and Employment, to "tax" or "frame" the "extravagant salaries." It lampooned in an interview published Thursday by Les Echos code of conduct drawn up on the subject of big salaries. "Write a code of conduct is good. The enforcement is better, "he said. Considering that some large companies did not comply with these principles, the Minister has threatened to legislate on the issue.

Shocked by some earnings

In Nice Matin, François Fillon rejects such an approach in trying to punish companies through a tax rather than the bosses through a ceiling unsurpassable. If it says "shocked" by some remuneration of senior executives, the Prime Minister "not [believe] not the regulation of wages for some totally disconnected from economic reality of the business and wage negotiations." However, he called the companies to regulate themselves. If they do not, the government will make decisions, he added.

François Fillon's statement takes an idea Baroin. The services of the Minister of Budget are working on the issue from the perspective of the tax reform of heritage to be considered in the fall paydayloans. Baroin said he wants "an exceptional contribution on income, not an outstanding contribution."The advanced solution: drain on companies making non-deductible from corporate tax wages too high.

The salaries of officers of the CAC 40 rose 19% in 2010 compared to 2011 according to a study of the expansion. Their average salary was 4.2 million. And increases do not always correspond to performance industrial markets.

No revaluation of the minimum wage

François Fillon said in the same interview in Nice morning that there would be no boost given to the minimum wage at its next revaluation. "Today, it would be an economic mistake. This will overwrite the hierarchy of wages and would drive up labor costs and thus unemployment, "he justified.

François Fillon has argued that "before 2000, the labor cost of products manufactured in France was on average 15% cheaper than in Germany."However, "since the 35 hours, this advantage was lost in some sectors such as agriculture and services, we are overtaking Germany," he said.

According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the next automatic adjustment of minimum wage-price inflation when the achieved 2% since the previous revaluation, "could take place" in August.

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The tax-free donations to the descendants relaxed

June 9, 2011 - 3:20 pm Comments Off

The government hopes to facilitate donations between generations. Under the supplementary budget reforming the ISF, he filed an amendment to amend the rules for tax-free cash grants, aimed at children, or failing that, nephews and nieces.

Today, only people aged under 65 years can make a donation to a limit of 31,865 euros per child every six years, provided that the recipient is an adult. Which severely limits the use of this measure introduced in 2007 as part of the TEPA: few were those who could frequently reiterate their giving, while bringing its conditions. Now, if this amendment is passed, the age limit be raised to the donor, until age 80, currently the age limit applies to donations made to the grandchildren.

However, the government plans to extend the period of six to ten years, two tax-free donations guaranteed high risk personal loans. According to Les Echos, the amendment would increase the cost of these donations for the state of about 200,000 euros, while the expenditure had amounted to 190 million euros in 2008.

The tax on estates will also be heavier, to offset the cost incurred by the reform of the ISF. The rates for the last two installments of the tax scale progressive succession on each of five percentage points to 45% maximum. According to the supplementary budget, 1600 heirs should be affected by this weighting, a gain estimated at more than 130 million euros.

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The French anti-nuclear

June 5, 2011 - 3:32 pm Comments Off

Nearly two in three French (62%) want that France is phasing to operate its nuclear plants. By adding the 15% of the population favored a quick halt French nuclear program, 77% of the French population is now opposed to this energy source. That is what emerges from the last Ifop poll, conducted from June 1 to 3 of 1005 people aged 18 and over, for the Journal du Dimanche. Only 1% of the panel interviewed did not comment. Supporters of a soft stop is at 74% of supporters of the Socialist Party, the Greens 61% and 37% of the UMP.

The German example

The gradual change of mentality of the French would not only result from the shock wave caused by the nuclear disaster in Japan, but also that of the German decision to phase out nuclear energy by 2022.Last Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, under pressure from Germany's Green Party, announced his decision to close the 17 German plants, within 10 years.

What might convince a few more French, interviewed after the announcement, the possibility for a developed country to live without this source of energy. Still, the German and French positions are far from comparable, France still produces 73% of its electricity by nuclear power, against 25% in Germany.

Stating his position on this issue, François Hollande, Socialist Party MP and the Corrèze Socialist candidate primary, moved elsewhere, always in the JDD, reduced initially by 75% to 50% dependence on French nuclear. For its part, Europe Ecology-The Greens called for a total abandonment of the atom.Final lesson revealed by the survey on Sunday, if the government is opposed to nuclear stopping, the UMP adhere less to this position, 55% of them sharing the wishes of their fellow citizens. These supporters are nonetheless the most pro-nuclear, with 37% of them advocating the continuation of nuclear program, and construction of new plants.

The state park is also hexagonal become less important to the French. Surprisingly, the hostility to nuclear power is indeed associated with the expression of any concern on the part of the French against nuclear sites. In total, 55% report little or not at all concerned about nuclear power, while only 44% a month ago.

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Stock Exchange: mouth-watering food funds

May 19, 2011 - 9:16 pm Comments Off

Financial markets and agricultural raw materials do not mix. In any case, what does France think G20 chair. The Hexagon actively campaigning for the establishment of a regulatory firmer prices reaching highs that had not been seen since the 2008 food crisis. "The grocery market has become political," Ralf Oberbannscheid annoyed, fund manager DWS Invest Global Agribusiness, the largest sector with a portfolio of $ 5 billion.

While in Paris, he wanted to do an update on this burgeoning sector of agro-industry, he said, "has enormous potential" still under-exploited due to poor image enjoyed investors. "Today, governments assume that all investors are speculators.However, soaring prices is often because of industrial needs, such as when the giant American Pilgrims Pride massively bought seeds to feed his chickens in 2008. " Even if it confirms the need for transparency voiced by France, the professional agricultural investment offended when we talk about regulation. "The country will not follow those rules, and capital will go elsewhere. It's insane, "he slice.

According to him, the debate provoked by soaring food prices should just be an opportunity to call operators to invest more heavily in the entire value chain of the food sector, "farm to plate."

Buy everything from Monsanto to Tesco

This investment policy, DWS Invest Global Agribusiness implements it since the birth of the fund in 2006.The strategy is simple: take stakes in companies related to the sector, from upstream to downstream. In other words, investing in farms, transport companies, restaurants or distributors. "We do not invest directly in commodities which reduces our exposure to volatility," said Ralf Oberbannscheid.

Massively present in the United States (36.8% of its portfolio) and emerging markets (25% to 30%), the fund holds stakes in more than 800 groups as diverse Danields Archer Midland, Syngenta, Monsanto, Unilever and Tesco. The choice of companies is, as the manager, on financial grounds but also ethical. "We strive to meet our own farmers to make sure they practice an agriculture that respects the environment", explained Ralf Oberbannscheid.

The potential of emerging

In the area of ​​agro-industries, this fund was born five years ago is the oldest, demonstrating the reluctance of investors to enter this minefield. The high volatility of this market, linked to climate change is one of the biggest barriers to ambition. "There is indeed a rising number of disasters. But the tools of analysis and forecasts are now more reliable than before, "says Ralf Oberbannscheid. Investment opportunities are also large enough to offset this effect difficult to control. "Countries in the process of urbanization attract richer people, who eats better and will expand the segment of organic food for example. This is the case of China, Brazil, Russia and Ukraine, "said the latter. Biofuel, despite the controversy it generates, should also put greater pressure on demand.Finally, inflation in food prices should benefit distributors groups. Because as pointed out by the investor, "you can go without gasoline, but no food."

For the manager of DWS, "there is still much to do." FAO says that "it will produce more food in the coming decades that whatever was produced on the last 10,000 years." Demographic studies estimate that the world population will surge to 9 billion by 2050. In other words, tomorrow. "In the past 40 years, we have not invested enough in the diet, so it was done in copper or iron. It also explains the sharp rise in food prices, "said Ralf Oberbannscheid. Remarks confirmed by the report Cyclops 2011 on commodities."Beyond the economic outlook in the short term, we must hear the message of the market: the world is hungry and we must invest to be able to feed," noted Philippe Chalmin, coordinator of the study.

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United States: the debt crisis postponed to August 2

May 3, 2011 - 11:36 pm Comments Off

The event that would trigger a financial calamity improbable was postponed a month. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, has de facto given up until August 2, 30 days longer in Congress to negotiate with the White House a compromise budget cutting public spending in exchange for a higher ceiling of public debt.

Without a vote of Congress to raise the maximum amount authorized in outstanding debt today of 1429 billion, the Treasury is indeed found quickly running out of ways to prevent America falling into default.Now this event would trigger a serious crisis of confidence as the global financial system based on the principle that Uncle Sam by definition always pays his debts.

In a letter to leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Tim Geithner said that in his view, there is an urgent need to raise the debt ceiling by May 16. Otherwise it is forced to take extraordinary measures to limit government bonds and earn a little time. The reason for the additional period of one month is estimated by the Treasury relatively good news: the fiscal revenues are higher than expected.

Republican obstruction

However, it is unlikely that Democrats and Republicans agree fall before May 16 on a package of budget savings.Tim Geithner is preparing to suspend certain loans made on behalf of local communities and states. The Treasury had already arrived at this end in 2006 and 2007. Even then, Congress was reluctant to raise the debt ceiling.

But at the time the Democrats were the resistance against President Bush. They called for higher taxes on the rich. Barack Obama, the Illinois senator, had even voted in 2006 against raising the ceiling. Today, it is the Republicans who are filibustering. Majority in the House of Representatives since January, they require substantial reductions of public expenditure.

Their leaders are conscious of playing with fire by letting approach the fateful date of a possible default.But they are equally sincere in saying that raising the ceiling systematic debt without cuts in spending has finally put the U.S. in an untenable financial situation. They are joined in their efforts, especially in the Senate, by many centrist Democrats. All were alarmed about the risk of loss by the U.S. of its AAA rating. That, however, three years that the U.S. budget deficit between 9 and 11% of gross domestic product (GDP). Worse, medium and long term, even with a return to sustainable growth, this deficit will not recede fast enough. At the direction of Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden will begin negotiations with Congress on Thursday. The White House wants them carried out independently of raising the debt ceiling. The Republicans did not intend it that way.

The Paris Bourse resumes from the front

April 28, 2011 - 10:00 am Comments Off

The Paris Bourse, which closed yesterday up 0.58%, is trying to take another step forward Wednesday. Halfway through, the CAC 40 advances from 0.49% to 4065.18 points. The good humor that has helped U.S. markets finish the day on Tuesday to their highest level in three years boosts the morale of investors. Asian stock exchanges have also sent a positive signal in spite of bad news in Japan, including the threat of degradation of the country's sovereign rating by rating agency Standard & Poor's.

The atmosphere was more mixed in the rest of Europe: Dax index featuring the Frankfurt Stock Exchange ahead of 0.59% to 7399.77 points, but the London Stock Exchange was down 0.16% to 6059, 67 points.

In anticipation of the Fed

At the Paris Bourse, the attention is focused on the battery of statistics expected from both sides of the Atlantic.In the euro area, new industrial orders rose less than expected in February by 0.9%. In one year, the figure is higher by 21.3%.

In France, unemployment figures will be announced after the stock market (18 hours). Moreover, the morale of French households remained stable in April compared to March. The indicator of French consumer confidence remains at 83 points, well below its long-term average set at 100 points, according to the National Institute of Statistics.

Britain has in turn reported a GDP growth of 0.5% in the first quarter (first official estimate).

United States, orders for durable goods and stocks of crude will fall in early afternoon. But it is mainly the outcome of the monetary policy committee meeting of the Central Bank (Fed) will be eagerly awaited.The Fed will announce its decision on interest rates and monetary policy should reaffirm its ultra-accommodative.

As for currencies, the euro rose against the dollar in a market without high volume, cautious monetary policy decision by the Fed. Around 11:00 am in Paris, the European currency was worth 1.4682 dollars against 1.4636 dollars on the previous evening.On oil markets, a barrel of light sweet crude for June delivery lost 19 cents to 112.02 dollars and that of Brent North Sea also June delivery yielded 22 cents to 123.93 dollars.

Values ​​to follow

Nexans: + 0.90% to 73.76 euros

The specialist cables, which in February 2011 was a return to a growth of over 5% of its sales and a continued recovery in its operating margin to 5.5%, achieved on the first three months of year a turnover of 1.754 billion euros (+13%).

STMicroelectronics: -3.74% to 8.10 euros (largest decline of ACC)

The Franco-Italian manufacturer of semiconductors said Tuesday net income group share tripled on a year in the first quarter, but below analysts' expectations, to 170 million.Earnings per share were 19 cents, as investors had forecast 20 cents. Turnover increased by 9%.

Dassault Systemes: + 2.76% to 57.75 euros

The French software developer has registered an increase of 31% of its turnover in the first quarter of 2011 to 409,500,000 euros.

Renault: + 4.72% to 41.30 euros (largest increase in the ACC)

The manufacturer has maintained its goals Tuesday 2011 saw a strong first quarter by sales and despite the prospect of a temporary slowdown in production due to the earthquake that hit Japan in March.The designer, who speaks of "record results", also confirmed its objectives of growth, margin and earnings per share for 2011.

In its wake, Peugeot won 1.58% to 30.82 euros.

EADS: -0.07% to 21.42 euros

ILFC announced finalize an order for Airbus aircraft family A320neo, available from 2015.The final agreement is initially on a total of 100 aircraft, split between A320neo and A321neo.

Publicis: -0.82% to 37.10 euros

The group announced the acquisition of advertising agency GP7, based in Sao Paulo specializing in the tourism sector, continuing its development in Brazil.

Unibail-Rodamco: 0.10% to 155 euros

The group reported a growth of 3.3% of its turnover in the first quarter 2011 to 426.6 million euros, and announced it had sold assets during the first three months of the year for a total net 422.5 million euros.

Seb: + 3% at 75.55 euros

The group reported a net revenue growth in the first quarter despite a sluggish macroeconomic environment, and saw its operating margin reached a record level for this time of year.

Sopra: -0.23% to 79.30 euros

The group announced an increase of over 10% of its turnover in the first quarter, driven by growth in all its activities, and confirmed the timing of the proposed demerger of its software division of Axway.

After market, PPR, Klépierre NextRadioTV, Ipsos, Ingenico and Gameloft will publish their turnover for the first quarter.

The princely marriage does not boost the economy

April 26, 2011 - 5:40 pm Comments Off

The princely marriage between William and Kate be enough to revive the British economy? Nothing is less certain. Despite the media whirlwind and the important marketing surrounding the event, the positive impact on the business, whether sales of products or benefits for tourism, a sluggish economy will not reverse (drop 0.5% of GDP in the fourth quarter), weighed down by a severe austerity.

It could even have a cons-effect on production, if one believes, the Federation of Small Businesses, because of the eleven days of vacation grant themselves the British, between Easter and the wedding day, holiday. Federation, quoted by Bloomberg, down from 6 billion pounds (6.75 billion euros) loss for the economy, 10 times more than expected revenue, estimated by Dataminor to 620 million pounds.

"It's wishful thinking to imagine that people will feel better or spend more," said Jonathan Far, chief economist at Capital Economics. As bright as it is, the smiling young engaged does not erase the billions of budget cuts, the 350,000 jobs lost in the civil service, tax increases and inflation, growing twice as wages.

Besides, the English showed little passionate marriage payday loans. According to a recent survey, 45% say they do not want the webcast. They prefer to take the opportunity of a great bridge between Easter and the day of the ceremony, to afford a trip abroad. Of the eleven days they are more than 3.5 million to leave British soil, advance tour operators.An exodus for the season that will boost sales by airlines and travel agencies.

"If marriage boost sales this month, it will not be enough to restore consumer confidence," said Stephen Robertson, director general of consortia in the distribution. The industrial morale, anticipating higher prices, has relapsed in April, according to a monthly survey by the Employers' Confederation, the CBI filed Tuesday.

The index measuring the state of order books deteriorated significantly, falling to -11 points against five in March. And evaluating the export orders himself declined to -6 points against five month précédent.La publication on Wednesday of GDP for the first quarter, will be closely watched.Economists expect a slight increase around 0.3%.

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Oil slick: the owner of the platform accused Deepwater

April 24, 2011 - 4:12 am Comments Off

One year after the worst oil spill in the history of the United States, the U.S. Coast Guard denounced the mismanagement of the Deepwater Horizon platform by its owner, Transocean Swiss. In a report of 288 pages, they are pointing the finger "serious gaps in security." Critical parts of the head of the oil wells were not replaced. The electrical system was poorly maintained. And teams on the platform were poorly trained in safety drills.

The report highlights especially the captain of the platform would not have known he had the right to decide to stop the flow of flammable gases. He would have lost precious minutes trying to get permission from his superiors superfluous. When the alarm sounded, the employee service does not know it was for her to initiate the system shutdown.Yet it would have prevented the explosion, according to U.S. Coast Guard.

Transocean defended himself by arguing that the evidence held by the coast guards themselves were against the same conclusions of the report, reports Bloomberg. "They controlled the platform Deepwater Horizon only seven months before the disaster and have certified that the site met all the requirements of U.S. law and international safety regulations," said a spokeswoman in an email to the agency financial reporting.

The report of the Coast Guard comes amid intensifying legal battle between Transocean, owner of the platform Deepwater Horizon and the British oil company BP, which operated. The latter accuses the first of negligence and asks for damages for the harm suffered.The group felt that disaster has so far cost $ 17.7 billion.

Transocean filed a complaint against BP in return Thursday. The contract between the two groups, said the Swiss company, stipulated that BP was, among other things, "take full responsibility, but also defend and indemnify Transocean for any loss, expense, claims, fines, penalties for pollution or contamination (…) related to operations under the contract. "

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Day hires at Mc Do unprecedented

April 19, 2011 - 3:28 am Comments Off

At McDonald's, it's not just hamburgers that count. There are also teams, hundreds of thousands of men and women to whom the American fast food chain offers the possibility of a long and successful career.

That's certainly the message that McDonald's wants to go, decided to end the inglorious image of the "McJob" that sticks to the skin, considered the ultimate odd jobs, poorly paid and no future. To improve its image on the labor market, the fast food chain wants to create an event by changing its recruitment patterns for the summer.

On 19 April, she organizes the United States a day of unprecedented hiring, with 50,000 jobs in the key (seasonal jobs but also injecting drug users, crew positions, but also managers with higher responsibility) fast cash loans.

By striking hard and fast, McDonald hopes to convince that "a McJob is a job that offers career development and opportunities," says Ashlee Yingling, spokesman for the chain. Hiring 50,000 people a day, often at rates higher than 8 dollars an hour, McDonalds will increase once its U.S. workforce by 7.7% to bring them to 700,000.

But McDonald's does not take risks. Each year, in fact, in anticipation of peak summer activity, the chain is expanding its teams in such proportions. "The number of contracts is similar to those of past years, provides Ashlee Yingling. But recruit 50,000 people in one day is unique. "It's certainly a good shot of the pub, but not necessarily more.