Archive for the ‘opinions’ Category

Further decrease expected on Wall Street

June 7, 2010 - 10:03 pm Comments Off

The U.S. stock market, expected to open down on Monday. The index futures Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 100 fell back in effect respectively from 0.41% to 1061.50 points and 0.50% to 1830.10 points. On Friday, the NYSE has dropped to its lowest level in four months, cooled by the monthly figures of employment in the United States, although less well than expected. The Dow Jones lost 3.16% and the Nasdaq 3.64%. Stock markets in the Asia-Pacific fell sharply on Monday and European markets grind black.

The U.S. economy created 431,000 more jobs than it destroyed in May This is the highest figure since March 2000, but analysts had expected much better. They expected a half-million net new jobs created.The private sector created only 41,000 jobs, five times less than the previous month.

In Europe, a new front in the crisis began in Hungary, where the forint, the local currency, the Budapest Stock Exchange, and covers the failure of Hungarian debt (CDS, credit default swap) tumbled after statements alarmist about the economic situation of the country by the hand of politicians from the majority in place.

On the foreign exchange market, the European single currency settled below $ 1.20 and was trading at 1.1937 dollar in the morning, 1.1972 against the dollar Friday.It fell to 1.1877 dollar in Asian trade, a level not seen since March 2006.

After the disappointment of Friday on the job figures, investors should pay particular attention this week to weekly figures for unemployment benefits that are to be released Thursday easy pay day loans.Among the major events of macroeconomic week, the Beige Book Federal Reserve will be released Wednesday, and on weekends the market will face a survey about the mood of consumers.

On the side of values, the largest U.S. bank, Bank of America, is carried on by former employees for not paying them overtime, according to the text of the complaint partnership.

Exxon Mobil announced that it is negotiating with Chinese oil companies to forge partnerships in China and other countries, said on Monday an official of the U.S. oil giant.

The world of pharmacy, Pfizer announced Saturday that advanced clinical testing showed that the drug Macugen greatly improves vision in patients with diabetic macular edema, a complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness.

Always on the side of values, Standard & Poor's announced Friday it has lowered its rating a notch on the long-term debt of BP, referring to the cost of oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the operational challenges the oil group UK will face. The rating agency, imitating its rivals Moody's and Fitch have announced a reduction on their score on Thursday reduced its rating from AA to AA-with negative implications.

Also note, the retail giant Wal-Mart says it wants to create 500,000 jobs over the next five years and will repurchase $ 15 billion worth of its own shares.

Jean-Louis Beffa joined Lazard

June 4, 2010 - 10:47 pm Comments Off

The retirement of Jean-Louis Beffa has lasted twenty-four hours. The historical pattern of Saint-Gobain – who left Thursday's general meeting president's cap with his dauphin Pierre-Andre de Chalendar – yesterday signed a contract "senior advisor" at Lazard.

As such, Jean-Louis Beffa will in particular industrial experience and knowledge of international markets, including emerging markets, where her counterparts at the head of companies are increasingly likely to want to make mergers and acquisitions .

Change jobs – even if only for one quarter of his time – has clearly seduced Jean-Louis Beffa, however, familiar with the bank to have attended countless presentations in twenty years at Saint-Gobain , much of which led him to make acquisitions pay day loan lenders.

During this period, also primarily by Lazard and BNP Paribas that it was supported. For Lazard, the appointment of a senior advisor of the profile is rather rare. According to the CEO of Lazard France, Bruno Roger, it comes as the bank just full advantage of the success of his model, and its strong presence abroad.

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Brussels inquiry into Areva and Siemens

June 3, 2010 - 6:24 am Comments Off

Brussels puts its nose in one of the most sensational divorces industrial center stage in Europe: Barroso Commission on Wednesday announced the launch of an accelerated procedure against the French Areva and German Siemens for infringement of competition law. This decision confirms the information published as early as Tuesday evening by Le Figaro.

In this case, it is the folder Areva NP, the ex-Framatome, owned 35% by Siemens and 65% by Areva. The German group announced in early 2008 its decision to exit the venture, after several years of fruitful cooperation.

Areva has taken note of this decision but said that Siemens was unable to compete with it for several years because of an agreement signed between both parties. And it is this clause that Siemens is trying to quash the Commission.A clause also crucial for the French group that tries to turn the cash in order to lower the purchase price of 35%.

Addressing what looks like a cartel, while the separation between the two European giants of nuclear consumed is therefore paradoxical only in appearance. Siemens, unable to compete with its former French partner by one of the clauses of the marriage contract of 2001, seeks in effect to part of a last thread to the leg. Moreover, the German group discreetly that he looks forward to the debut of the Commission.

The shareholders agreement signed in honeymoon Franco-German, January 30, 2001, has never been made public.The clause that is now the competition commissioner, Joaquin Almunia, evoked precisely the scenario of a separation for at least eight years after the divorce, it prohibits Siemens rival Areva to come on the market for nuclear reactors, according to one of the parties in conflict.

Partnership with Rosatom

The decision by Joaquin Almunia opens investigation against "violations" of sections 101 and 102 of the Treaty of Lisbon by Areva SA, Siemens AG and their subsidiary Areva NP. The procedure "does not mean that there are strict proof" of infringement of competition law, but simply that the case will be handled on a priority basis, according to the draft obtained by Le Figaro.

The non-competition, held by Areva and Siemens today denounced, no objection was raised in 2001 during the passage of the shareholders before the European authorities.Has it been so deliberately ignored? Or added a posteriori? In any case, it returns to haunt the two partners.

And because it prohibits the German group to realize its nuclear partnership with the Russian company Rosatom. Siemens announced March 3 – with the blessing of Vladimir Putin – the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for a joint venture with the public group. It is developing the technology Russian pressurized water reactors. This alliance has created a noisy side reaction of Areva, which has denounced "a unilateral breach of contractual obligations" by the German group.

Beyond the bitterness born of a failed marriage, is a cut-throat competition looming on one of the most lucrative markets for decades to come: that of civilian nuclear reactors, each of the two firms in tens of units.Unless he can get Brussels to outright cancellation of the disputed clause, Siemens would like to see at least his initial handicap reduced by several years.

That complex is more of a rebound near. While Siemens sentence actually formalized its alliance with Rosatom – the German press has recently indicated that there would be no breakthrough until 2011 – and rumors have circulated about a possible return behind the German group. So a partnership with Areva reactivated.But recent developments in Brussels show that this scheme will be hard to reappear.

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More than 2 billion euros

How is the participation of Siemens in Areva NP? Estimates are circulating that the French group will put on the table between two billion and 2.5 billion euros. To agree on the amount of the transaction, both groups have appointed an independent expert. No timetable has been set officially, but the findings should be made before the end of 2010. Meanwhile, Areva has singularly need to restore its financial leeway.

For the period 2008-2012, Miss nuclear group has estimated its investment needs about 6.5 billion euros.While a capital increase is planned – up to 15%, through three foreign partners – but the government delayed giving the green light.

NicOx drug lighthouse on the hot seat

May 11, 2010 - 1:11 pm Comments Off

Evolution of stock price of NicOx last month.

ExonHit offered a U.S.

April 27, 2010 - 11:52 am Comments Off

The name of his new baby is revealed. ExonHit, which raised 15.6 million euros fons last December, had then told him that this money would be used to buy a company in the field of Diagnotic. On Tuesday, the French biotechnology company announces that this is American and her name Redpath Integrated Pathology Inc..

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Redpath has a technology platform based on the DNA that provides information for an individual diagnosis and clinical treatment decision tailored to each patient.

A purchase of $ 32 million

For this first acquisition since its inception in 1997, ExonHit will spend more than $ 32 million, or 24 million euros.The payment will be distributed to 12.5 million dollars in cash (EUR 9.4 million), 10 million shares (7.5 million euros) at the close of the transaction, and from 2012, Redpath's current shareholders will receive up to $ 9.5 million (7.1 million euros) in the form of milestone payments related to the achievement of sales targets.

The acquisition, subject to approval by shareholders of ExonHit, should be completed by mid-July 2010. The company has e equally on the drug market of neurodegenerative diseases and the diagnosis of cancer.

Best Diagnotic Cancer

The analytical tool of Redpath improves diagnostic accuracy in difficult cases where cancer or precancerous conditions can be characterized by conventional pathological examination, explains ExonHit.

The company, which will be part of ExonHit operations in the U.S., markets a molecular diagnostic test for cancer of the pancreas. A second test able to distinguish primary tumors from metastases is being launched.

The company's portfolio also includes two tests in the final stages of development and several programs in early development in the field of oncology.

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The news of the return

April 20, 2010 - 1:08 am Comments Off

This is the chore of spring fill the tax return. "It is very important that taxpayers do not spend too much time," even insisted Monday the Minister of Budget, Baroin at the press conference presenting the income statement of 2009. These forms will be sent between April 20 and May 5 to 36 million taxpayers. This year, the new measures primarily enable the administration to save money!

A revised schedule

This is the main innovation of 2010: Targets for declaration online no longer depend on the area of school holidays (A, B or C) but the department. Residents departments numbered 1 to 19 (of Ain Corr?ze) have until June 10 at midnight to Electronic Filing, those departments from 20 to 49 (of Corsica in Maine-et-Loire) until 17 June and all the others until June 24This reform simplifies the task of tax authorities, which will not need to prop up on changing the dates of the holidays. Electronic Filing on impots.gouv.fr is open from April 26.

Proponents of the paper have them until May 31 to return their declaration. This year, households will receive a single paper return. Without wishing to send two such until 2008, Bercy saves 360 tonnes of paper and 1.7 million euros.

A "GDI" to send

The pre-filled boxes are the same as last year: salaries, pensions and "income from securities and movable capital (income from life insurance, stocks …). Moreover, the tax would ask those who do not pay by bank transfer to state their bank loan no payday instant TeleCheck.Thus, the administration shall reimburse the taxpayer (for the earned income tax, the shield, tax credits) by transfer rather than by check. The 8 million checks sent each year by the tax cost him 5 million euros in printing, paper and postage. But this demand for bank details (RIB) is optional, not mandatory.

Family autoentreprise: new boxes

Under "marital status", the taxpayer must check a new box if one has raised a child for at least five years.

To qualify for the additional half-share, it will also make a sworn statement. Children in alternative custody this year are to be reported in the main declaration, and not in the supplementary declaration.In the latter, a category "autoentrepreneurs" was created.

Phone: Bercy hangs

Like last year, taxpayers no longer need a certificate so they can remote declarations from any computer. The number of remote declarations rose from 7.4 million in 2008 to 9.7 million in 2009. Baroin in hopes more in 2010. However, validation by phone is abandoned: only 5 000 taxpayers had used last year.

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The CAC 40 up the slope

April 9, 2010 - 4:08 pm Comments Off

While Asian markets are changing this Friday morning in the wake of the rise on Wall Street Thursday night, the Paris Bourse their cue from opening, posting an increase of 0.75%. the CAC 40 and the bar returns of 4000 points, 4008 points exactly.

Thursday evening, the CAC 40 lost 1.2% and has crossed back to the lower threshold of 4000 points. The other major stock markets fell back in unison. In London the FTSE lost 0.86% while in Frankfurt the Dax has yielded 0.81% at closing.Note that the LSE has found its place in the first quarter from a number of European IPOs, according to PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

The concern of financial markets is felt continually faced with the fragility of public finances of several countries, particularly Greece.

Statistics in Europe

This Friday the INSEE published before the commencement of trading, industrial production for the month of February. The same statistics institute will release the results of its monthly surveys of the European economy for March, at noon. Other indicators monitored by the markets, the index of cost of construction, and commercial rents in the fourth quarter.

In Germany, foreign trade for the month of February will be announced at 8 o'clock.In the United Kingdom, are the producer prices in March which will be published.

In the United States, no statistics major is expected on Friday.

France Telecom provided by the Paris court

France Info radio said the prosecutor of Paris will open a judicial inquiry after the 35 suicides by employees of France Telecom.

Air France posted a traffic increase of 4.7% for the month of March, the first since a year now payday loans. Titles climbed 3.03% to 12.23 euros. The group remains to Ryanair. To also monitor the impact on the airline industry's consolidation movement that hovers now. According to the American press, U.S. Airways and United Airlines are considering a reconciliation. In addition, British Airways and Iberia have finalized their merger agreement.

Areva (-0.17%) and EDF (0.57%) would participate in the growth of nuclear power in Italy. Several agreements have to be signed on Friday between French and Italian companies in the sector reported the Financial Times.

The specialist luxury yacht Rodriguez returned Thursday after the stock market success of the restructuring of its debt. The share price rose yesterday by more than 138.97%. This Friday they are still 9.5%.

Renault, Nissan and its Japanese partner the Italian energy group Enel signed Thursday a Memorandum of Understanding for the development in Italy of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The Renault shares gain 0.94%, to 36 euros in early trade.

Cegid, publisher of management software, announced a 7% decline in net sales in the first quarter to 58 million euros and a gross margin of 87.9% against 87.5% a year earlier.In exchange, Cegid loses 1.34%, to 22.09 euros.

French Cement (3.94%, to 77.6 euros) announces that its takeover bid for all or part of its 2002 and 2006 private placements with U.S. investors is now closed. French Cement will then redeem all shares tendered at a price of 1 065 dollars for each security with a face value of 1 000 dollars. The funds to purchase securities were placed at the disposal of the company and its subsidiary Italcementi Italcementi Finance.

Brokers seduce 22% of French

April 2, 2010 - 1:22 am Comments Off

Despite the crisis, credit brokers have limited the damage in 2009. According to the results of a TNS-Sofres at the upcoming National Real Estate * Meilleurstaux.com for the total amount of loans obtained through a broker, or about one quarter credits – showed a limited reduction of 7%. At the same time the total amount of mortgages granted fell from 140 billion euros in 2008 to 110 billion euros in 2009, falling by 28%.

Fear of rejection

Sandrine Allonier, head of economic studies at Meilleurstaux.com, believes that this resistance is partly cyclical brokers. "In a context of tightened credit conditions for some new borrowers for fear of their project, refused to turn to brokers, not just to get the best loan terms but to find a funding solution" .22% of 1087 respondents by TNS-Sofres and intend to use a broker rather than going directly to banks when they want to borrow. The proportion rises to 26% among persons belonging to AB + (executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, craftsmen …), target population brokers bad credit payday loans. People under 35 are also more attracted to this financing solution as their elders.

Time and money

Save time and money, remain the main hopes of the French who choose to go through a broker to obtain a mortgage. Among those who intend to use one of them, 89% will also for this purpose.Benefit from expert informed, more competitive rates and quick responses to their requests are the other benefits granted to brokers. According to Christian Camus, CEO of Meilleurstaux.com, 50,000 people to file a monthly record of credit application on its website.

* The National Real Estate Fair will be held from 8 to 11 April 2010 at the Parc des expositions, Porte de Versailles.

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"Lyon is a notch above"

March 30, 2010 - 5:17 pm Comments Off

Economic models of these two clubs are comparable?

Both charts show the athletes quite similar, even if they were composed at different times. Lyon as Bordeaux also grow dynamically, while carefully managing their capital players. However, the economic potential of Lyon is a notch above that of Bordeaux due to the size of the city. To qualify for status as a major in Europe, must now have a stadium of 50,000 seats, which regularly displays full, hence the importance of the draft stage for Bordeaux and Lyon, with a potential audience as superior to the Lyonnais. Another difference, OL (Olympique Lyonnais) has managed to build a recurrence sport Champion's League, an area where Bordeaux is being established gradually.Meanwhile, 20 to 30 million euros more in a budget generated by the European TV rights, it makes a difference.

Which levers can build the two clubs?

Whether Lyon or Bordeaux, they have little choice to increase their TV rights to show that performance on the European level. This will happen this year because a French club is guaranteed to be in the semifinals of the Champions League fast payday loan no faxing. Another area of growth will require both improved revenue per game. Today Lyon and Bordeaux to generate 50% more revenue per game less than their main competitors. But the real leverage is on the ticket and the additional revenues generated within the stadium.The filling ratio of Lyon is close to the maximum but in the case of the Girondins, it is still important to retain viewers. The rate of filling the Stade Chaban-Delmas this season rose to 85% against 78% in 2008-2009 (full season) with an average attendance of 29,000 spectators.

Why the French clubs n'animent they not periods "mercato"?

The French clubs are not in the position of "market makers". They do not effect sufficient financial resources to attract the players they want. For one simple reason: the players want to move to clubs who have been dreaming when they were children. But Lyon did not like Bordeaux is in this category at the international level, in the 90s.

The CSA authorized to repurchase TF1 and TMC NT1

March 25, 2010 - 6:21 pm Comments Off

Validated but with conditions. The High Council of Audiovisual (CSA) gave Wednesday the green light to buy the TF1 channel NT1 and TMC Group AB. This agreement follows that of the Competition Authority which had a month ago, accepted the operation through three engagements Group Nonce Paolini. The CSA will further since added eight more in the use of competitors TF1, the world production, but also viewers.

The competition authority had initially maintained its requirement to keep the two separate advertising agencies. Then he demanded that the TF1 group does not promote cross between TF1 and TMC and NT1. Similarly, he had no right to broadcast programs and series flow TF1 on more than one of its new small channels.Finally, the bidding for sports law will not affect more than two access channels.

In turn, the CSA imposes requirements more oriented programs. He asked that TMC NT1 and undertake to disseminate their antennas on the production fresh, original and unpublished and does not serve only the powerful shell programs TF1 their big sister.

The CSA also requires NT1 change its prime time now that ranged between 18 and 23 hours instead of between 12 and 24 hours. Concretely this means that NT1 will "make" its quota distribution of original works in French and European in its prime time and not offer daytime, when the hearing is the lowest.Moreover NT1, will make a special effort in innovation programs and development of new talent.

Positive for TF1

In exchange, permission is granted. Titles TF1 rise of 2.73%, to 13.34 euros, the largest increase of the SBF 120.

For Natixis Securities, "in general, if the restrictions imposed by both the Competition Authority that the CSA should limit the possible synergies between 3trois channels, we welcome validation of the CSA as an overall positive should enable the group to set up the first group of channels in France "payday advance online .

Emissions cultural mandatory

Similarly, the CSA requires that the two channels broadcast every day, on average, unpublished programs between 14 and 23 hours.TMC will broadcast 365 hours in a year while NT1 must fulfill a requirement of 456 hours.

Both chains also undertake to broadcast a cultural viewing hours suitable. Finally, it must offer the performing arts. TMC will produce six recordings of performances per year, while NT1 will make 12.

Aware that the audiovisual rights market, this acquisition strengthens the position of the TF1 group, Constable Audiovisual imposes another drastic measure: visual jargon this is a provision for early release of rights, particularly with regard to series and French fiction. Put simply, the TF1 group has no right to prohibit the sale of his works to other channels competing since they were broadcast on its airwaves.This provision is provided for use by producers so that they can enjoy the benefits of a secondary market, as competing small chains of DTT with the financial means are insufficient to afford strong programs.

Finally, the CSA, as his role requires, took into account the interest of viewers. Sacrificing the Food Charter, NT1 must promise to distribute annually 15 hours of programs to promote balanced nutrition and physical activity. But the chain will also have to commit to titrate in 50% of its programs from 2011 to the deaf and hearing impaired while other stations are forced to a maximum of 40% in 2012.

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