Archive for the ‘special’ Category

Copper finds the strength

June 2, 2010 - 3:56 am Comments Off

The oil found 70 dollars

Optimism returns on oil markets. On Thursday, oil prices have ended on a 4% rise to 74.55 dollars in New York, gaining 8% in two sessions. The $ 70 threshold was crossed on the rise Monday and picked up the rebound Wednesday. That day, Brent took $ 2.15 (3.09%) to 71.70 dollars, ending a run of nine consecutive sessions of declines.

"The market has received a good dose of optimism," said Phil Flynn of PFG Best Research. "It was time, prices had fallen by 87-65 dollars." For Ellis Eckland, an independent analyst, "it is a rebound in the wake of the stock markets. People are more optimistic about the fact that the euro will not collapse and less frightened about the economy. " Another factor supporting prices: the six-month extension of the moratorium on offshore oil drilling decided by Barack Obama."The United States derive a third of their crude production offshore drilling if we do drill more, this production may simply disappear", said Ellis Eckland.

But the week was also marked by a one-time relapse occurred below 70 dollars Tuesday. Investors, troubled by geopolitical tensions between the two Koreas, suffered a renewed concerns about the pace of global recovery.

If the courts now seem to settle in the range of 70-75 dollars, the volatility is always present. Especially as the U.S. Agency for Energy Information (EIA) announced that crude oil reserves rose 2.4 million barrels to 365.1 million, exceeding their year's level last at the same time.Economists on average had expected an increase of 200,000 barrels only.

Tuesday, Kuwaiti Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah al-Sabah, said he was "not yet" worried by the decline in crude prices. If no emergency meeting of OPEC is scheduled, the oraganisation plans to "call for more respect of production quotas.

Note that oil prices have tumbled more than 20% since the beginning of the month.

Base metals: purchases restart

Prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have started to increase last week on the basis of a wave of buying on the cheap. The increase was frankly started Thursday, following the easing of world stock markets after China denied its intention to reduce the share of its assets in euros.The euro strengthened against the dollar, making them more attractive purchases of raw materials with the U.S. currency.

Copper prices have soared to 7,043 dollars per tonne on Friday, a level last seen two weeks. The aluminum prices reached 2,086 dollars per tonne on Friday, their highest in two weeks. Lead, nickel and zinc gained respectively 0.6%, 1.8% and 3.4% payday loans online.

However, caution remains the watchword. The price volatility is high as evidenced by the slowing of the rebound Friday after the publication of consumer spending by American households down in April after six consecutive months of increases. Overproduction of copper in Chile and increased reserves of aluminum could also disrupt markets.

Precious metals: the gold recovery

Fell from its pedestal last week, gold has recovered to historical levels last week in favor of a new wave of market stress in midweek. Alarmed by the risks in the euro area, investors have once again flocked to the safe haven, pushing prices up to U.S. $ 1218.47 on Thursday, not far from the record of U.S. $ 1249.40 May 14 On the London Bullion Market, an ounce of gold finished at 1207.50 dollars at auction Friday night, cons 1179.75 dollars the previous Friday.

And the prospects of rising oil prices are good for the yellow metal. According to the World Gold Council (BMC), consumption should be taken this year by the expansion of the jewelry in China and India.

The ounce of silver has followed the movement of gold, finishing at 18.53 dollars Friday, against 17.72 dollars last Friday.The platinum group metals have also returned to form more than the football World Cup in South Africa could lead to tensions on the country's electricity supply. A situation that could force the mining groups to reduce their production. The ounce of platinum finished at 1555 dollars per ounce of palladium finished at 471 dollars against 419 dollars a week earlier.

Corn and soybeans climbed in Chicago

The corn and soybean prices rose Thursday on the Chicago futures market, driven by the exchanges and oil. More broadly, the decline of the dollar against the euro makes U.S. production more attractive for export.A bushel of corn ends at $ 3.60 (1.12%) and soybeans to close an $ 9.38 per bushel (0.48%).

Cocoa prices have in turn touched a new high in London this week, boosted by the prospect of tight supplies and growing global demand. Thursday, cocoa for July delivery climbed to 2,451 pounds in London, prices not seen for 32 years, while the same term contract in New York reached 3018 dollars.

Sugar, for its part failed to continue its rebound from the previous week. On Liffe in London, a tonne of white sugar for August delivery was worth 475.80 pounds on Friday. On the NYBOT U.S. a pound of raw sugar for July delivery was worth 14.83 cents.

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Hiring Intentions up early 2010

April 18, 2010 - 11:20 pm Comments Off

And three! The number of declarations of non-temporary employment of more than one month has increased over the first three months of 2010, for the third consecutive quarter, to just over 4.8 million, according to the latest Figures released by ACOSS, the federation of URSSAF. The increase was 3.5% at the beginning of the year (after an increase of 2.3% and 2.6% in the previous two quarters), bringing to 8.2% growth over one year. By including more contracts of less than one month, the total number of non-temporary hiring intentions even grew by 4.1% in first quarter 2010 and 9.6% over one year. And IDUs benefit (up 6.1% in the first quarter).

Western dynamic

The recovery is generally whatever the size of the company.But it is more significant for companies with more than 20 employees where the quarterly growth 5.3% (4.4% and only on the intentions of more than one month). It is also significant in all major sectors of activity. For the first time since the third quarter of 2008 and the outbreak of the crisis, both the industry, construction and services are in green. Hiring intentions are and remain "supported" in the industry (up 3.5% over three months) and were once again positive in the construction (0.5%) after fifteen months of declines.As the tertiary sector, the increase in hiring intentions continued (at a rate of 4% in the first quarter) everywhere, "except acyclic sectors", says ACOSS, either in the public administration, human health, welfare and education "which have continued to hire during the economic crisis.

The upturn in hiring intentions is also felt on the whole territory, except in the regions of Basse-Normandie (down 2.1%), Champagne-Ardenne (- 2.4%), Reunion (- 3 , 1%) and Guyana (- 6%). But also in Poitou-Charentes, Corsica Franche-Comte and where they stagnate. In one year, the West of France is the most dynamic area.

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.

New challenges for Arc International

March 30, 2010 - 11:25 am Comments Off

A symbol: the oven that produced crystal Arques was definitely off last month. He had worked for two months last year. Instead, the site of Blaringhem, 7 kilometers from the headquarters of Arques (Pas de Calais), the electrician private Poweo studying the construction of a power plant. No more crystal, Cristal d'Arques now focusing on DIAMAX a new material just developed, 20% less expensive to produce, more robust and resistant to washing dishes.

The group Arc International (Luminarc, Arcoroc, Pyrex) account such innovations to resume growth. In 2009, the company owned 100% by the Durand family has experienced a drop of 14% of its turnover and, after two years of profits, fell into the red.The operating loss reached 26 million euros for a turnover of one billion.

"2009 was an extremely difficult year, said William de Fougi?res, became chairman of the board earlier this year. The tableware are among the first purchases that consumers mediate in times of crisis. And they head towards the products of entry level where our margins are low or even negative. "The decline in activity was particularly strong in Europe, an area served by the plants Arques, reflecting a decline of 25% their activity.Conversely, a recovery was observed in mid-2009 in the production sites of the group in the United States, the United Arab Emirates and China, who are now "all overheated.

This year, Arc International is pursuing a modest growth, mainly driven by emerging countries, with a stable activity in Europe fast cash online. It's objective is a return to financial balance.

As a result, the restructuring will continue on the site of Arques, which has for ten years bleeding Name: numbers are increased from 12 000 to 6 500 people. After two social plans, management plans already one of 400 people redundant at the end of the year. So far, all departures were held without layoffs, mainly by age measures, outsourcing and support entrepreneurship.The decline in activity last year was dampened by a heavy emphasis on partial unemployment, on average four to five days per month per employee.

Fear of social

Staff representatives are again very worried. After a demonstration and three-day strike in early March for wages and work organization, they fear further downsizing.

"For the first time, our President declared in the works the word" dismissal "is concerned Elizabeth Jacques, Associate CFE-CGC. We expect that we announced in May a third redundancy. "

For William of Fougi?res, one thing is certain, "there is no early retirement" as possible. According to him, "improving productivity at Arques is essential in order to regain our competitive product entry level."Meanwhile, the group is studying the possibility of establishing factories in Latin America or Russia.

Axa will leave Wall Street in ten days

March 17, 2010 - 12:58 am Comments Off

Ten days. This is the time remaining to AXA shares for a listing on the American Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange. As announced January 25 last, the French insurer plans to leave the financial markets overseas March 26. Axa filed in that document with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. markets. Unsubscribing should be effective within 90 days.

Axa has been listed since 1996 in New York through ADS (American depository shares), certificates of deposit. "Subsequently, the ADS should be negotiated on the market for U.S. OTC (TBT) and will be quoted on the OTC platform QX low interest rate personal loans . The quotations are available on www.otcqx.com "warns a statement from the group.

As for Allianz, which has its withdrawal from the New York Stock Exchange, AXA believes that the liquidity and volume traded on the NYSE were not developed. "The market has not developed sufficient liquidity to be attractive for most institutional investors, who continue to prefer our primary market of Euronext Paris, justified, in January, Chief Executive Henri de Castries.

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Veolia Environnement: 2009 earnings better than expected

March 5, 2010 - 2:10 pm Comments Off

Veolia Environment is doing well in 2009. The group, which publishes Better Canada on Friday reported a net profit group share of 584 million euros, a sharp rise of 44% compared to 2008. It is far more than expected by the markets as analysts expected an increase of 34%.

Regarding turnover, however, performance is online. The group's revenues decline by 3.4% to 34.551 billion euros. Observers expected a decline of 2%.

The group expects an increase in its operating performance in 2010, further reducing costs.

Veolia Environnement intends to pay its shareholders a dividend of 1.21 euro per share for the year 2009. This proposal will be voted at the General Meeting of May 7

More details to follow ….

Companies want to encourage the loyalty of their small shareholders

February 10, 2010 - 1:12 am Comments Off

"We are exploring ways to provide benefits to small holders faithful, these solutions exist, and we're working on." That was the message delivered by Pierre Bellon, the boss of Sodexo at the last general meeting of the group that denounced the attitude of speculators "that enter and leave."

How to build a strong relationship with individual shareholders? The question hangs over the board: whether to protect themselves from the vagaries of the Stock Exchange or the appetite of a rival, small holders, shareholders are stable and frequent strong allies. For loyalty, companies are using every weapon at their disposal. And to fly, nothing can replace the hard cash.

The payment each year of a generous dividend, indicating a continuous and healthy growth is certainly the most effective way to reward its shareholders.For the most faithful, "who hold their shares for more than two years, companies may pay a dividend plus a maximum of 10%," explains Eric Bleine, Director General of JRC Asset Management. "These same shareholders may also benefit from plans to award free shares also increased to a maximum of 10%.

Another lever: the right to vote can be doubled beyond a certain period of detention. Another technique that has proved itself: shares in registered form, directly into the records of the company make quick cash .

A variety of tools

For the latter, the advantage is huge. It clearly identifies its shareholders and can detect any movement in the capital, where a significant proportion of the shares are registered in the nominative, as is the case with Michelin, Lagard?re or Air Liquide.For the holder of action, the advantage is twofold: It is generally exempt from payment of custody and is constantly informed of the life of society. In the world of action "father", some titles are in a privileged position as Air Liquide and L'Oreal, darlings of small shareholders. "Among the 410 identified 000 individual shareholders, more than 150 000 were registered," says one from Air Liquide. Its main recipe: distribute generous dividends.

But the group uses almost the entire range of tools at its disposal with many levels of distribution of free shares, plus dividends and many buybacks. L'Oreal led until a different policy focusing mainly on the growth of its shares to pamper its shareholders.But now the group has decided to go further by also rewarding its loyal shareholders with a bonus dividend. The first will be paid in 2012 for profit in 2011.

Berlin completes his tax plan antifraudeurs

February 7, 2010 - 12:56 am Comments Off

Angela Merkel has found his political instinct thanks to German tax evaders. Criticized since the inauguration of his new center-right government in late October for his lack of leadership, the chancellor has imposed against the will of its partners liberal FDP and the barons of his party, the CDU, the purchase files containing the names of thousands of taxpayers who have hidden assets in Switzerland. The German opinion ranks behind Merkel's opinion and personalities of all political gradually overcome their moral reservations about buying stolen data, to endorse its decision.

100 000 taxpayers

According to the S?ddeutsche Zeitung, citing sources close to the investigation, fraud could be much more massive than was originally estimated.After studying hundreds of cases randomly draws the German tax authorities now believes it could recover up to 400 million euros. According to several sources, the data come from the second Swiss bank, Credit Suisse, also reaffirms the daily despite the denials of the institution. In addition, an "internal estimate" of the bank can show that up to 100 000 taxpayers German practice of tax evasion in Switzerland, for a total of 34 billion Swiss francs (23 billion euros), says S?ddeutsche Zeitung cash till payday .

Internal documents from Credit Suisse from 2004 might suggest that "over 80% of all Germans who deposit money into accounts at Credit Suisse, Switzerland, German tax authorities to conceal the proceeds of their interests" .An informant offers to sell the files to the German government, for 2.5 million euros a bargain defended the more convinced by the Chancellor that some fraudsters have engaged in concealment amounting to several million euros. "I think there is a common interest in the information. Tax evasion is not a crime chivalrous, "said Friday, the Chancellor.

Legal experts have now the treasury verified all the legal implications related to the purchase of the list, and the way is clear for its acquisition. Fraudsters have only a few hours to withdraw without risking additional sanctions.

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Vivendi penalizes the CAC 40

February 2, 2010 - 12:13 am Comments Off

The Paris Bourse opened the week and the month of February, down from 0.48% to 3721.66 points in the wake of the decline on Wall Street Friday. The same applies to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange decline of 0.38% at 5587.5 points, and that of London which yields 0.38% to 5168.64 points. After a week punctuated by a sharp increase from 1.37% to 3.739.46 points, investors should be preparing to take their profits.

Markets were awaiting major publications in the United States. Around 12 o'clock, the President of the United States, Barack Obama has proposed a 2011 budget of 3.834 billion dollars. The White House said Monday that the draft budget for next fiscal year (October 2010-September 2011) showed a deficit of 1.267 billion dollars, down 19% due to higher expected revenue.In the afternoon, indicators follow overseas spending and household income for the month of January (1430), construction costs for the month of December (16 hours), the ISM index of manufacturing activity January (16 hours). On Friday, the U.S. GDP figures for the fourth quarter, came out up 5.7%.

The results season of American companies continues its course on Monday with those of Exxon Mobil, the world's oil.

In France, prices for production in French industry decreased by 2.9% in 2009, a decline limited to 1.3% for foreign markets, according to figures released Monday by the INSEE. In all markets (French and exports), the producer prices are down 2.4% a year, says the National Institute of Statistics.In December 2008, prices remained stable (0%) in the industry for the French market.

Sales of new vehicles surged 14% in January by the Committee of French manufacturers (CCFA).

Side currencies and commodities, oil off again on the rise (+0.22% to 73.21 dollars), while the euro strengthens against the dollar (+0.25% to 1.3899 dollars).

Vivendi unscrewed, Ipsen well oriented

Vivendi (-3.42% to EUR 18.2), largest drop in the CAC 40, was convicted by an American jury to have provided misleading information to shareholders in connection with a proceeding initiated in partnership 2002 in the United States by minority shareholders. The New York jury has acquitted the other hand Jean-Marie Messier, CEO of the group of telecommunications and media at the material time and the former CFO Guillaume Hannezo.

Total (2.67% to 41.99 euros).The oil company should take its decision on the future of the Dunkirk refinery by the end of the first half of 2010.

A reconciliation between EDF (+1.26% at 39.52 euros) and Veolia (+2.18% at 24.36 euros) is not on the agenda, said Prime Minister Francois Fillon, adding he continued to favor a gradual departure of Henri Proglio Veolia.

Ipsen (+3.44% at 39.61 euros), the second largest increase of the SBF 120, published Monday sales up 8.2% for the 4th quarter 2009 to 255.3 million euros thanks to its activities in the medical specialty.

PSA Peugeot Citroen (0.55% to 23.77 euros after having opened down 1.73% to 23.23 e uros) confirmed the preventive recall of 97,000 cars for a problem of faulty accelerator pedal that affects also models of Toyota.Saturday a spokesman for the French manufacturer had told Reuters that the recall campaign targeting models Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1 would cover fewer than 100,000 vehicles.

According to information from BFM Sales of new registrations should increase 15% for the month of January 2010. But on the whole year, the Committee of French automobile manufacturers expected a general decline of 20%.

France Telecom (+1.11% to 16.81 euros after a decline of 0.24% to 16.59 euros at the opening). According to The Tribune.fr, the government has been seized by the telecom authority (Arcep) a request for higher rates for operator service providers Internet alternatives.

United States: exceptional growth in late 2009

January 30, 2010 - 9:45 pm Comments Off

Year End Spectacular for the U.S. economy. According growth reached 5.7% in the fourth quarter. Economists had forecast between 4.7% and 5.4%.

This unexpected development will limit the historical downfall of GDP over the year to -2.4%. The U.S. economy had not experienced such a decline since 1946.

In the fourth quarter, growth was supported by the recovery in business inventories, the resumption of investment and exports, says the Federal Bureau of Statistics payday loans for bad credit . In addition, imports, which are deducted from GDP, slowed. These factors have offset the slowdown in federal spending and household consumption.