Archive for the ‘people’ Category

Speedy is preparing again to change hands

September 19, 2011 - 1:40 pm Comments Off

For employees of Speedy, the turbulence is not over. They thought that the actual sale in July, Kwik-Fit, Speedy UK parent company, Itochu in Japan ended the uncertainty born in October 2010 when the investment fund PAI Partners had announced its intention to sell the shares.

Itochu, however, was only interested in the activities of British and Dutch Kwik-Fit, and not by the French pioneer of the automotive fast, with 474 service centers and a turnover of 200 million euros. And as soon as August, the Japanese group has a mandate to sell this French branch. And things are going very fast, since according to our information, potential buyers must submit their bids on Wednesday 21 September.

Three candidates are in the running of the company, with 2500 employees. All three know the business.Jacques Le Foll plays continuity as it is the current president of Speedy. He wants to continue the strategy it has put in place when he took control of the group three years ago. With some success since Speedy returned to financial balance last year.

The second candidate also knows the house well. Gilles Chauveau's predecessor Jacques Le Foll at the head of Speedy. And he led the company for eighteen years. Its offer is supported by Butler Capital, an investment fund specializing in the mean values. The two leaders have very different personalities. And they cause internal reactions extremely trenches.

Option Green Light

Last candidate, Green Light, a direct competitor of Speedy. A reconciliation between the two companies is regularly mentioned.In 2007, Kwik-Fit had even launched a bid for the Green Light, but the fund Qualium, a subsidiary of Caisse des Depots, had finally won the day. A few months ago, tried to sell Qualium Green Light evoked the interest and some of PAI. The operation did however not made and the funds from the CDC now seems willing to invest to strengthen the position of the company.

In addition to price, the buyer will also put money in Speedy. PAI has indeed invested poorly in recent years. We must renovate the center, develop a communications policy more dynamic and intensify efforts in training. The profession is indeed changing. Historical benefits of Speedy-exhausts, brakes and shock absorbers, are declining because of their sustainable growing.The growth drivers, which already represent 60 to 65% of the activity, are to be found in more technical areas such as revising or air conditioning.

These investments must be decided and launched quickly or fall behind the competition. You should know who will be future leaders. This should go fast: Itochu is pressed and the case is expected to close before the end of the year.

The Paris Bourse keeps morale in mid-session

September 17, 2011 - 10:56 am Comments Off

After a third round of chained up on Thursday, the CAC 40 is hesitant. In this Friday called "the four witches' mature futures in the U.S., which always increases volatility.

After opening up 1.21%, the benchmark index of the Paris Bourse is pressed into the red in the morning before showing a slight increase of 0.54% to 3062.14 points. Sign that markets are not completely reassured by the decision of the central bankers of the richest countries to mobilize to prevent the drying up of banks' liquidity in dollars. "There is no particular news. The market is perhaps a little profit after rising in recent days, "says Dov Adjedj, vendor shares at Aurel BGC.

In turn, other European financial centers are currently in the green: the Footsie-100 from the London Stock Exchange rose 0.84% ​​to 5382.27 points, the Dax in Frankfurt in 5570 to 1.14% , 82 points, but the Madrid Ibex-35 yields 0.17% at 8323.7 points while the FTSE Milan Mib rose 0.82% to 14,763.22 points.

Thursday night, the European Central Bank (ECB), the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Bank of England, Swiss National Bank and the Bank of Japan reopened their facilities dollar loans to European institutions to three months, at their request . The decision was hailed by leading international institutions including the IMF, through its President Christine Lagarde: "This is a clear indication from the two largest euro area members of a economic point of view that Future of Greece is truly in the euro area.This appears to be strongly rooted in them both, "she said Thursday, referring to the Franco-German tandem. The same applies to the ECB: "We are all very closely 'united in one purpose,'" said Thursday Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the ECB.

A meeting of finance ministers in Poland

Still, brokers are concerned that this improvement was not part of the time. "The coordinated central bank takes the market on Friday," noted Toshiyuki Kanayama, broker at Monex, quoted by Dow Jones Newswires. But this does not solve the problem of the euro area should have a temporary effect. "And for him to echo, the Austrian Minister of Finance, Maria Fekter, has not ruled on Friday that a failure of Greece is a better alternative to a bailout too expensive."We should consider this alternative," she started.

Suddenly, all eyes have turned to Wroclaw in Poland, where there is a meeting of EU finance ministers on Greece. It should last two days and overcome the remaining obstacles to the implementation of the second aid plan in Athens decided July 21 to avoid a bankruptcy of the country. Note that Timothy Geithneir, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, will attend the round table. Two press conferences are scheduled this Friday at 24:00 and 17:30.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro bought 1.3798 dollars, down 0.61%. Similarly, oil prices down slightly popped, a barrel of "light sweet crude" earned 5 cents to 89.33 dollars."This liquidity will likely prevent the recession to hit the euro area, supporting crude oil prices," said Victoire Shum, an analyst at Purvin and Gertz in Singapore.

On the macroeconomic front, the euro area recorded an external trade surplus 4.3 billion euros in July against 4.7 billion a year earlier, according to first estimates released Friday by the EU statistics office Eurostat .

In France, business start-ups in France rebounded in August after two months of decline. A total of 41,697 companies were created last month, according to Insee, a figure up 7.5% from July, which was the worst month for a year and a half.

In Germany, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said today that German GDP growth would be "closer to 3% than 2.5%" this year.This statement comes as concerns about the impact of cooling of the global economy on the German economy, heavily dependent on exports, are more vivid.

United States, the net capital flows and the index of consumer confidence from the University of Michigan will be published early in the afternoon.

Values ​​to follow

Banking

After the decision by central banks to help European banks, the banks were moving in a disorganized mid-session: Societe Generale (2.40% to 18.77 euros), Credit Agricole (-0.05% to 5 , 52 euros) and BNP Paribas (-1.61% to 30.01 euros)

Air France-KLM (1.39% to 6.14 euros) and EADS (-0.88 to 22.06 euros)

The manufacturer will control 50 devices equally between European manufacturers Airbus and Boeing, for a total of $ 11.3 billion (8.1 billion euros) to ensure the renewal of its fleet, say Les Echos to be published Friday.

Hermes (-7.10% to 249.25 euros)

Resumption of trading on Friday for the title of the luxury group, which was suspended the day pending the decision of the Court of Appeal in Paris on speculation about the fate of its capital due to a possible takeover bid by LVMH.

Areva (-1.62% to 20.66 euros)

The group has suspended two months for the production of two French factories processing of uranium due to the decline in demand for nuclear power plants in Japan after the disaster in Fukushima, officials said Thursday from the French nuclear group.

EDF (3.34% to 21.33 euros)

Group and Electrical Delmi A2A and its majority shareholder, who jointly control Edison, announced the extension of their shareholder agreement until October 31 at number two in the Italian electricity.

Wall Street continues its rebound

August 30, 2011 - 12:04 am Comments Off

Among the statistics expected Monday in Wall Street, the surprise came from consumer spending. The Americans have in fact spent more than expected in July. Up 0.8% on month, consumer spending across the Atlantic more than 0.3 percentage points the level expected by analysts. Because of inflation, which rose 0.4% from June, consumer spending rose 0.5% in real terms. Their progress is the highest since December 2009.

This increase serves as a good sign for U.S. growth in the third quarter. What mood enhancing buyer investors, who already showed optimism prior to publication. At the opening of the session on Monday in New York, the indices showed the green, and have strengthened their gains throughout the day.At the final bell, the Dow Jones advance of 2.26% at 11,539 points, the Nasdaq and Standard & Poor's 500 rising 3.32% respectively in 2562 and 2.83% points to 1210 points, the latter going over the bar of 1200 points, a first for two weeks.

The indices remained in the green while the IMF has revised down sharply its growth forecast for the U.S. this year and next, said Monday the Italian news agency Ansa, quoting a draft of the new economic forecasts Fund. According to the Italian agency, the IMF table than on a 1.6% growth this year in the United States, against a previous forecast of 2.5% published in June, and 2% next year against two , 7%.

Also, note that the promises of home sales fell 1.3% in July compared with June, as the market expected, according to figures released by the National Association of Realtors.They increased by 2.4% in June Over one year are up 14.4%.

The final impact less severe than expected from Hurricane Irene passed over New York yesterday, also contributes to investor optimism. Similarly, after being confused by the speech of Ben Bernanke, the Fed chairman, on Friday, market participants regain hope in a possible intervention by the Fed.

The Dow Jones above 11,000 points

According to analysts at Aurel BGC in fact, the announcement by Ben Bernanke, a two-day meeting in September to study in detail the possible deployment of new monetary tools, reassured. "Either the recovery of economic activity is growing, or the central bank will implement new support measures, they summarize.Under these conditions, the U.S. indices rebounded sharply after Bernanke's speech. "

In fact, dropped below the 11,000 points while the Fed chairman began to speak, the Dow finished at 11 284.5, up 1.2% on Friday night. A final increase, which encouraged European stock markets bounce back on Monday morning, except in London, closed due to holiday.

Another indicator which will be followed on Monday, the promises of home sales for July are expected down 0.1% from a consensus of analysts, against 2.4% rise previously.

The bank remained in the spotlight

No major publication is out of business side.

"Come as you are"

August 21, 2011 - 7:52 am Comments Off

In May 2010, McDonald's France was a sensation with a TV spot in which a teenager going on a phone call to her boyfriend before having lunch with his father, who explains that, as he did at that age, it could be a 'real card with the babes. " Advertising has been around the world. In the original French with subtitles in English, it even triggered a controversy in the United States. The conservative Fox News channel has even made a field day. Sacrilege: great American brand in the gay friendly side!

In this spot, designed by BETC Euro RSCG, is not known if the son ends up coming out to her.But the statement by McDonald's, which has declined in all genres, is very clear that you're straight or gay, black or white, young or old, rich or poor, we do not judge, "just like you are. "

Before, we criticized the pub not to be representative of "visible minorities", not to be sufficiently "black-blanc-beur". Today, the debate has shifted to the "non-visible minorities" and still gets carried away on the issues of communalism, which are still taboo in France.

10% of "non-white"

The proportion of ads depicting characters perceived as "non-white" compared to the total advertising (TV, press and poster) distributed and reviewed by the Regulatory Authority's professional advertising (ARPP) reached 7% in 2008 against 3% in 2005, and this share has increased further since then, around 10%."Racial minorities are now represented quite rightly, said Ingrid Zerbib, image editor for the magazine Strategies, who viewed all the ads that come out in France. The next step is in progress. Homosexuals, the disabled and the sick are increasingly visible. "

McDonald's campaign has been emulated. Krys posted Orangina or gays in their pubs. Personalities with disabilities such as Down syndrome Pascal Duquenne for the virtual mobile operator Simyo, or the blind Gilbert Montagne, for heating specialist camera, turned in spots. Diseases are also commonplace."You can be sick without stigma," said Anne Ramon, communications director of the National Cancer Institute (INCA), the last campaign "I am a person, not a cancer," conducted by the agency La Chose , seeks to change social perceptions of one of the most widespread diseases in France.

In another, more commonplace, but also an affirmation of reality: that of the Community consumption, with the campaign launched last year by the brand halal Isla Delight "Proudly halal." On the occasion of Ramadan, for the first time in France, the brand was as diverse a reference food, free of any cliché. "This campaign is a marker, decrypts the marketing consultant Jean-Jacques Urvoy.The brand was treated as the French leader Charal. "On a halal market estimated at over 5 billion euros – and therefore highly competitive – the whole trick of the ad was to challenge the EU labeling, while displaying a rooster and a Charolais beef! A war of images in a way.

Euro: Aubry denounced the "smoking out"

August 17, 2011 - 9:52 pm Comments Off

Marine Le Pen responded first by issuing a press release immediately after the press conference of Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel. For the president of the National Front, the Franco-German summit had one objective: "to organize the sharing of the burden of debt" in deciding "how much further tens of billions of euros in France and Germany will contribute to bail out countries hit by the euro. " "It's irresponsible," she said, denouncing the "ideation" Sarkozy's "rush to the euro area as federalism." The president of FN requires a "top of the eurozone finally useful for people" to "take note of the end of the euro".

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, chairman of the Left Party, also expressed his disapproval."Instead of concrete measures to protect the people of the assault Markets, Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel persist without imagination, to comply with the requirements of finance," said the former senator.

On the contrary, Jean-Francois Cope, secretary general of the UMP, was "glad" that Sarkozy and Merkel have "reiterated the importance of adopting a" golden rule "on the whole budget Member States of the euro area ".

I-TV, Martine Aubry denounced the "smoking out of communication" by Nicolas Sarkozy on the "golden rule" that France and Germany proposed to be entered in the constitutions of 17 countries in the euro area. It is "a vague rule that does not solve anything," said the Socialist candidate in the primary by confirming that the PS did not vote when the Congress was convened."The president has made reforms that are financed and saddled deficits," said Aubry.

Unusually, the side of the Rue de Solferino issued a statement co-signed by Harlem Désir, near Martine Aubry and Michel Sapin, close to François Hollande. Together, they denounced "a summit of the powerless." "Unable to propose an ambitious joint response against speculation and recession, the Conservatives do not know French and German co-ordinate the restraint they impose on the peoples of Europe," say the two socialist, criticizing the ads "waves" on Tax on financial transactions no fax payday loans.

Asked on Europe 1 on Wednesday morning, François Hollande regretted his part that France has given up on the issue of eurobonds in the meeting between Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel on Tuesday.The member for Corrèze, Nicolas Sarkozy has given on this point against Angela Merkel, Germany is opposed to this economic instrument. "Nicolas Sarkozy has lost his hat" on this issue, he said. "We have a head, but he (Nicolas Sarkozy) has no arms."

Former Minister of Economy and Finance Laurent Fabius is "disappointed" by the end of the Franco-German summit. "The president has set on the Eurobonds. This is a major fault to be a serious consequence," the socialist RTL. "If the goal was to show that there is a pilot in the plane is missing," said he. "The French are not fools. Nicolas Sarkozy deficit record holder but he wants to impose the golden rule after 2012. It's like saying that the arsonist wanted to be fire chief." "What is lacking also in yesterday's meeting is a support for growth.We must not only manage budgets seriously, "he said.

As the president of the Radical Party, Jean-Louis Borloo, he "welcomes the Franco-German joint decision to set up as soon as possible" this tax. He saw a "critical point" in recalling that he had sent Monday to Angela Merkel an open letter calling for its introduction.

If Marielle de Sarnez, Vice President of the Democratic Movement, said that the proposals of France and Germany will "in the right direction," it remains "cautious as accumulated, over time, statements and announcements on these major issues. " She adds that "it will not solve the problems of France who value their continued economic weakness and concern. It's good on this front where the battles will engage key. "

The employment figures merely alleviate Wall Street

August 6, 2011 - 9:56 am Comments Off

In the aftermath of a black day on world financial markets, U.S. equity markets continue to brood. Despite an early trading in the green, the indices fro significantly negative territory 30 minutes after opening, despite the announcement earlier this afternoon in U.S. unemployment figures better than expected for the month of July. A 16h Paris time, the Dow Jones falling 0.48% to 11,328 points, the Nasdaq lost 1.46% more frankly to 219 points and the S & P was down 0.69% to 1191 points.

A move followed by other European stock markets. In Paris, the political mobilization against the bear market of Europe, however, allows to limit the drop in European indexes.

The employment figures dictate trend

In this context the assumption of a recession in the U.S. or the world, is today one of the main fears of the markets, the announcement of a significant improvement in job creation last month seems calm people down on Wall Street Friday after a collapse in U.S. up over 4% yesterday. In recent weeks, disappointing publications on the state of the U.S. economy had, in fact, chained, challenging the idea of ​​resumption of the world's largest economy. This publication confirms the figures released Wednesday by ADP, reports of more new jobs than expected for the month of July.

At 21 hours the numbers of U.S. consumer credit for the month of June will end this week full of macroeconomic data.

Oil and euro pressure

Oil prices climbed hesitantly at the opening Friday in New York, despite the employment figures better than expected, as the market wondered if it would be sufficient to support the demand for crude in a very fragile economic environment . On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for September delivery was trading at 87.04 dollars, up 41 cents from the previous day.

This concern also weighs on the currency front, the euro was trying to rebound against the dollar but remained under pressure from macroeconomic concerns.To 15 hours in Paris, the European currency was worth 1.4224 dollars against 1.4106 dollars on Thursday night, after falling to 1 payday loans for self employed.4055 dollars in early Asian trade, its lowest for three and a half weeks.

AIG, GM and Procter & Gamble publish their accounts

On the corporate side, the semi-annual publications still dominate the news on Friday.

Thursday evening after market, the insurer AIG (-0.23% to 26.34 dollars) announced a return to the green of its accounts in the second quarter, with net earnings of $ 1.84 billion over the period, against a loss of $ 2.7 billion a year earlier. Per share, net income totaled $ 1 ($ 0.69 after tax, against $ 0.92 expected by analysts).

At the same time, and its first quarterly since its IPO on May 19, LinkedIn (-2.27% to 93.36 dollars) was positively surprised markets by announcing a turnover more than doubled the second quarter to 121 million dollars (120 euros) and net profit (4.5 million), where analysts expected a loss.

GM Motors (1.27% to 26.32 dolars) Thursday reported quarterly results exceeded expectations, with a near doubling of profits over the period.

Procter & Gamble (1.78% to 60.64 dollars) released before market on Friday for the fourth quarter of fiscal offset, net income up 15% to $ 2.51 billion.Of 2010-2011, so it shows a net profit of 11.79 Annual Statement billion, down 7% from the previous year.

Viacom (3.55% to 53.17 dollars), the parent company of MTV and Comedy Central, has reported a rise than expected in earnings thanks to strong revenue growth in advertising Cable and license agreements with websites. Its quarterly results (Q3) increased to $ 574 million against 432 million

Bank of America (1.70% to 8.98 dollars) is highly exposed to the most fragile countries in the euro zone, according to a document from the bank. The group said exposure to the tune of $ 16.7 billion (11.8 billion euros) in total to Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain in June 30Management has indicated in a document submitted to the regulatory authorities that its losses could reach up to legal $ 2.3 billion in addition to the provisions already passed for this purpose.

The wand is new at McDonald's

July 28, 2011 - 10:00 pm Comments Off

Cocorico at McDonald's. The American chain, famous for its burgers, is preparing to lead a revolution in the world of fast food, introducing the baguette on the card! Later in September, its customers will experience the charm of a breakfast at the French, by having bread and butter and jam on fresh bread in the 130 McCafe chain (separate counters of coffee , cakes and pastries). In the first half of 2012, McDonald's go even further by launching the new sandwich-based wand. Formidable competition for all bakers, especially since McDonald's is decidedly very affordable price.

The bread will be supplied by the Holder Group (owner of Paul Bakeries and Ladurée), which already manufactures the supply of cakes and pastries of McCafe in France."During its first fifteen years in France, in 1980, McDonald's has primarily offered a small slice of America in important model, said Nawfal Trabelsi, senior vice president, McDonald's France and southern Europe. Today, we are part of everyday French. Our priority is to integrate local and tint of French culture history of our offer hamburgers and ice cream, while inventing new forms of sandwiches. The French are passionate about bread, crazy wand. We respond progressively to a natural demand. "According to the firm Gira Council, the French consume nine times as many sandwiches as hamburgers, and more than 60% of sandwiches sold in France are based on baguette.The most acclaimed is the classic: ham and butter (75% of sales of baguette sandwiches).

Success of the wheat cake

By baking fresh bread in the morning, McDonald's hopes to boost its offering of breakfast, while flattering image. "We feel the smell of warm bread at the entrance," says Isabelle Kuster, Vice President of Operations in France and Southern Europe at McDonald's check cash advance. Specifically, from the start, the McCafe offers small individual flutes, two sold with a portion of butter (provided by the cooperative of Isigny) and a small jar of jam (apricot, raspberry and orange), handmade by a producer the Pyrenees. "We are responding to a request, warrant Isabelle Kuster.Our breads are baked on the premises all day, the idea being to sell them warm at all times. "Already, 25% of transactions are McCafé the morning (usually open from 7 to 8 hours), but breakfast is less than 1% of sales of McDonald's. "It would be wonderful to double sales," says Isabelle Kuster.

The arrival of the baton at McDonalds, so symbolic, is a step in the strategy of teaching to meet specific dietary habits if the French, while working with local suppliers. In 2009, the chain broke new ground with a Big Mac in the bread. In January, it launched a McCantal and in late February, Charolais, Charolais burger with French origin."At McDonald's, we strive to continuously reinvent ourselves," insists Nawfal Trabelsi, stressing that "diversifying the supply of bread is at the heart of our strategy of product development." Since May, McDonald's markets and the McWrap, cooked to order in a large cake topped wheat. France is the second country after Austria to build on this new generation of sandwiches to supplement the supply of burgers and salads. The first results are above expectations. In two months, over 50% of customers have tasted and three quarters have already renewed the experiment.

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Bank stocks saddled the CAC 40

July 12, 2011 - 12:16 pm Comments Off

While Wall Street ended the session and declined Friday Asian stock markets see red on Monday morning, the CAC 40 continues its decline on Monday. Halfway through, he gave up 1.44% to 3858.11 points. The session will be marked by the expectation of the beginning of earnings season in the United States, with the aluminum giant Alcoa, which must publish its figures after the close of Wall Street. Investors are also nervous until the advances of another meeting of central bankers in the euro area held Monday in Brussels.

Van Rompuy, Barroso and Trichet, heads of three major European institutions – the Council, the Commission and the Central Bank – in fact, find themselves on Monday to spur the seventeen countries of the euro, still unable to agree of mounting a second rescue plan for Greece.Then the seventeen ministers of finance are again struggling in the afternoon of the participation of private creditors (banks, insurers and pension funds) to finance the 110 billion euros expected by Athens. In addition, concerns are doing now in Italy. Friday, the country has seen its returns soar. Rumors about a possible resignation of Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti, would have triggered the movement.

These concerns continue to weigh on the euro, which widened its losses against the greenback on Monday. Around 11:00 in Paris, the single European currency was worth 1.4123 dollars against 1.4258 dollars on Friday night, falling to levels seen for two weeks.

The macroeconomic situation across the Atlantic does not reassure the markets more. The United States are also penalized by a debt record. Barack Obama finds MPs on Monday.He said Sunday night, before a meeting with key members of Congress, he "must" that Congress reached agreement on the debt within 10 days. Otherwise, the U.S. could default on August 2.

Chapter macroeconomics, INSEE released the figure in industrial production in France for the month of May Over the period, and after two months of decline, it bounced 2%, against 0.5% expected by the consensus.

Car values ​​down sharply, despite the results of Renault and for values, the release this morning (tomorrow ahead of Peugeot-3, 74% to 30.09 euros) business results Renault (-2.17% to 38.35 euros) was not at all convinced investors. Carlos Tavares went to the site of Flins Monday.The automaker has announced an increase of 1.9% of its global sales in the first half, the strength of demand abroad offsetting supply problems it encounters in Europe. The group also expressed its willingness to establish a new sales record this year by selling more than 2.6 million vehicles due to its growth internationally and despite the poor performance in Europe in the first half, he said Monday.

The financial sector ailing

The financial sector is in bad shape, still weighed down by the debt crisis in Europe. Mid-session, BNP loses 3.92% to 47.87 euros, Axa, plunges 4.69% to 14.53 euros, Crédit Agricole ceded 3.05 9.18% to 3.88 euros and Societe Generale to 37.03 euros.

Air France (-1.37% to 10.06 euros) will propose October 13 routes from Marseille to France, Europe and the Mediterranean from 50 euros one way, a way, she says, to launch an "offensive" against the low cost.

Moreover, the energy values ​​react more weakly to kick off the giant tender (about 10 billion) government on the construction of an offshore wind farm with a capacity of production of 3000 megawatts.

Several candidates have already expressed: the consortium GDF Su ez (-0.84% ​​to 24.08 euros), Areva (-0.81% to 24.50 euros) and Vinci (-0.92% to 41.98 euros), another consortium Areva and combining the Spanish giant Iberdrola, EDF EN and all (-0.01% to 39.67 euros), Alstom (-1.2% to 40.76 euros ) and Dong Energy.E. ON and EDP-R have also responded to the tender.

Total (-1.09% to 39.53 euros) could write off some tax benefits. Following the controversy triggered by the imposition of any large groups of the CAC 40, Total could give up to enjoy the tax shelter known as "worldwide profits." The CEO also announced that he would pass to the pump the recent increases in crude oil prices.

Mergers in the telecoms

Bouygues Telecom, a subsidiary of Bouygues (-0.85% to 28.63 euros). The smallest of the three French mobile operators own their own network announced Monday the signing of a framework agreement with Spain's Telefonica, which will allow it to benefit from the infrastructure and the size of its new partner.For its part, rival France Telecom (-0.63% to 14.17 euros) was approached by the television channel in Qatar, Al-Jazeera, for the redemption of Orange Sport. Discussions are in progress.

Sanofi (-0.94%, to 55 euros). The laboratory has sold its dermatology at Dermik Valeant Canada for $ 425 million (300 million) to focus on its platform for growth in the United States and Canada.

Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS (-0.15% to 23.16 euros), would be willing to sell out to rival Boeing. The European aircraft manufacturer could make significant price reductions to crop market share with its U.S. rival in the U.S., in connection with the tender launched by American Airlines, says the Wall Street Journal. The U.S. airline expects to order 250 aircraft.

On the other hand airlines could face a strike in early August.The union of airline pilots SNPL filed a strike notice for all French airlines from August 5 to 8, written Tribunedans his edition of Monday.

Ipsos (-0.06% to 32.76 euros) could be thwarted in his plans to return to UK Synovate. In fact, the British investment fund would be willing to put 675 million euros for the acquisition of Synovate, the tamping pin to French Ipsos already in discussions with the company for market research, according to information from the Financial Times. The Aegis Group, which owns Synovate, however, have rejected the offer.

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The markets fear a contagion of debt to Italy

July 10, 2011 - 12:56 am Comments Off

After attacking the Portugal earlier this week, markets accentuate the pressure on Italy. Friday, the Milan Stock Exchange closed on a fall of 3.47% due to a sharp drop in bank stocks. The Italian 10-year rate reached a record 5.259%, while the gap with the German borrowing rates soared to 242.4 basis points. The markets fear a contagion of debt to Italy, the third economy in the euro zone, whose debt reached 120% of GDP. Under pressure from rating agencies threatening to lower the rating of the country since the spring, Rome adopted an austerity budget of 40 billion euros on Thursday, but the political crisis, revived by Berlusconi's statements could derail everything.

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LeFigaro.fr surpasses 8 million visitors

June 24, 2011 - 6:48 am Comments Off

This is a record for Le Figaro and a record for news sites. In May 2011, lefigaro.fr exceeded 8 million unique visitors monthly, according to figures released Thursday by Médiamétrie / / NetRatings. At the high for the 31st time in three years, the gate ahead and Orange News (6.39 million unique visitors) and the site of the World (6.35 million unique visitors).

The period was marked by a rich news – the announcement of the death of Osama bin Laden in early May to the "DSK affair", to Roland Garros in the sports section. The previous months have been rich in events (revolutions Arab war in Libya), many users began to take their habits on news sites. A favorable environment which has benefited all media.But, "covering a wide range of topics, Le Figaro was able to reach a wide audience," Bertrand analysis Gie, New Media Director Figaro.

Fourth in the ranking falls to the site free 20 Minutes (5.79 million), followed by the Nouvel Observateur (5.79 million) which launched its space over the period participatory "The Plus". First "pure player" of information, The Post comes in 17th position with nearly 3 million unique visitors. The video sharing site Dailymotion has met, as for him, 2.47 million unique users on its news channels.