Archive for the ‘technology’ Category

The G20 should allow the CAC 40 bounced

September 24, 2011 - 8:55 am Comments Off

In this eventful weekend, the CAC 40 is expected to rebound on Friday. The benchmark index of the Paris Stock Exchange is expected up 1.5% as planned, after a tumble 5.25% on Thursday at 2781.68 points. Mobilization and call for unity of the G20 (which is to meet at 14 am today) should reassure markets. While Friday morning, Asian stock markets were still sharply lower.

To deal with the stock market crash, the finance ministers and central bankers of the twenty first world economies have pledged to provide "a strong and coordinated international response" to the crisis at a meeting in Washington. In a joint statement, they agreed to ensure that "banks have adequate capital," after the plunge in recent days of European banking stocks, undermined by fears of debt crisis in the euro area .In fire, central banks have promised to make "the necessary liquidity" to financial institutions.

In addition, large emerging group of Brics Thursday said they were "determined to accelerate structural reforms to sustain strong growth" in a joint statement after a meeting in Washington.Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are therefore considering "if necessary, to provide support through the IMF or other international financial institutions, to address the current challenges to the stability financial crisis, according to the circumstances of each country. "

Meanwhile, in response to a request by the G20 in September addressed to Nicolas Sarkozy, the euro zone countries have pledged to implement "necessary measures to increase the flexibility of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF)" to prevent contagion from the crisis in Greece. Yesterday, the possibility of a defect in Athens, though long ruled by EU leaders, was raised by Klaas Knot, Member of the Board of Governors of the European Central Bank (ECB). "This is one of the scenarios," he told the Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad.He added having "long been convinced that the collapse was not inevitable. But the news from Athens, at times, are not encouraging. "

The specter of a recession is not écartéToutefois, the specter of a global recession has not yet ruled out after the ads pessimistic U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), which held that the U.S. economic recovery was "slow "and threatened by" high risk ". Wednesday she has decided to sell by the end of June 2012 for $ 400 billion of treasury bills and to purchase for the same amount with a longer maturity paperless payday loans. But the fact that it favors measures to monetary easing, a depressed market on Thursday, who sees as a sign of impotence.

On the macroeconomic front, France, the monthly business survey by INSEE household, industrial, construction, retail trade, car repairs and services for the month of September include expected. And the index of business climate and economic downturn for the same period.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro appears in small increase compared to the U.S. dollar: it rose on Friday morning from 0.42% to 1.351 dollar. Oil prices also went up, investors sniffing deals after the significant losses suffered by the crude in recent days.Within the scope of a tumble of more than $ 5 Thursday, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in November clinching 53 cents in early electronic trading at 81.04 dollars, a barrel of Brent North Sea crude for November delivery gained 71 cents to 106.20 dollars. "Oil rises due to bargain hunting and redemptions of coverage after several sessions of decline," said Ker Chung Yang, analyst at commodity Phillip Futures in Singapore.

Values ​​to follow

• Banks

The European Banking Authority (EBA) said Thursday there were no plans to force a number of European banks to raise capital more quickly than expected and that the original schedule established at the time of stress tests was valid.According to information published by the Financial Times, European leaders would be willing to accelerate plans to recapitalize banks 16 which narrowly failed to stress test this summer.

• GDF-Suez

There will be no increase in gas prices for individuals to October 1 but enterprises will experience a rate increase of 4.9%, announced Thursday a spokesman for the French Ministry of Industry and the Energy.

• EADS

Airbus, a subsidiary of the European giant, is ready to help customers who are in need of funding due to the debt crisis in Europe and expects a good year in 2011 despite the crisis, said its president Thomas Enders in our columns.

• Groupama

Under the threat of lowering its rating by Standard & Poor's, the company says it wants to save 300 million euros over 2012-2013, we read in Les Echos.

• Technicolor

The group said confirming its forecast for fiscal 2011 the group announced Thursday night, after falling nearly 15% of its share price. It also confirms the intention of France Telecom to give up his development project with a group of next-generation decoder.

The PagesJaunes sanctioned by the CNIL

September 22, 2011 - 9:52 pm Comments Off

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

Two complaints last year

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

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

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

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

UBS revises upwards its bill trader

September 18, 2011 - 8:04 pm Comments Off

UBS revises upwards the amount of losses incurred by its trader Kweku Adoboli: 2 billion dollars announced Thursday they will eventually reach $ 2.3 billion (1.66 billion euros) after further review of the operations in question . "We have now covered the risk from fraudulent transactions and activities of stock markets can function normally again," said the bank in a statement sent Sunday afternoon.

For the first time, the bank gives details of the operations that led to the arrest of Kweku Adoboli on the night of Wednesday to Thursday in the City of London. Investments trader's unauthorized focused on various funds speculating on the evolution of U.S. index futures S & P500, German Dax and European Eurostoxx in the last three months."The positions taken were within the normal course of business of a major investment bank and were part of a portfolio normally covered. But the real risk exposure has been distorted because the positions have been hidden in our system by fictitious positions taken on the future ETF (exchange traded funds) that the trader would have performed. These fictitious operations have hidden the fact that the forward positions on the indices violate the limits of risk of UBS, "said the Swiss bank.

The institution confirmed that the trader himself has revealed Wednesday its operations while it had received requests from the supervisory bodies of UBS. The board of directors of the bank has set up a special committee to conduct an independent inquiry into these frauds and failures of any internal control system.The bank repeated position that no customer was affected. Kweku Adoboli, 31, employee of UBS for nine years, was indicted for fraud and abuse of detained Friday by a judge in London.

States should they come to the rescue of banks?

September 12, 2011 - 7:32 am Comments Off

Every day that passes, especially when it is marked on Friday by a whammy on the stock market puts a little more pressure on banks. European states will they, as in 2008, help? No definite answer exists. For those who, at the head of the state, banks and central banks have a clear idea of ​​the seriousness of the situation do not speak or hold soothing speeches to not add to the crisis to the crisis. Those who are not business more freely evoke crisis scenarios. As Ségolène Royal, who on Saturday declared shamelessly that "banks are likely to reapply using the State (…) probably in the week."

• Why would banks they need public money?

Two potential pitfalls they face. The first is the complete drying of resources: banks need to borrow in the markets to finance their activities.But the debt crisis of state in Europe increasingly discourages lenders. The foreclosure market in which victims were successively facilities Greek, Irish and Portuguese, and Spanish and Italian, now seems to win the entire euro area. While the banks are adapting, borrowing more short term, "cutting" their positions to save their cash and, finally, by obtaining new money to the European Central Bank. But these solutions are not sustainable and some European banks now find themselves in a situation of great fragility of the front of the "liquidity".

The second threat to the banks, the losses they may have to cash because of the economic slowdown and the crisis of the State debts, the most immediate threat is that of the Greek debt.According to the German press, Berlin also preparing a plan to support public financial sector, activated in case of bankruptcy of Greece.

• All banks will they need help?

It is likely that some banks will need help. The challenge will be to contain the fire. In the current climate of stress, the announcement of a rescue may create a systemic crisis, investors no longer completing lend to any institution, investors preferring to withdraw their assets. In 2008, states had implemented plans with extensive, the mass drowning in the case of banks the most vulnerable payday loan. This time, large swarm may be against-productive because it gave credence to the thesis is prepared throughout the banking sector to a major shock on sovereign debt."As if the policies were sending a signal that they do not believe in their own measures" to rescue the eurozone, fell last week the boss of Deutsche Bank, Josef Ackermann.

• What form of aid could take?

For banks in need, the ideal would be to recapitalize private funds. In late July, two Greek banks have also announced a merger made possible by a cash injection … Qatar. But, with few exceptions, European states will be well on the front line. This poses two problems. The first is financial: some countries already weakened may be difficult to bring in bank balance sheets at times equivalent to their GDP. The solution could come from the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF). The European Agreement of 21 July – which is not yet approved by national parliaments – provided he can assume this mission.

The second issue is political: public opinion will they accept to "save" the banks again? "Only if they pay a lot more expensive that in 2008 the capital provided to them and the money they are paid," says a policy that "a justified rescue also new requirements for remuneration, renewal management and separation of activities. "

• French banks are they on the front line?

French banks, which had pretty well through the crisis of 2008-2009, are more turbulent than in 2011. Their expansion in Europe, particularly Greece and Italy, has become a weakness.They are also consuming enough liquidity in the markets for two reasons: their "universal" model makes significant players in investment banking and market structure of savings has offset it to the insurance life and mutual funds rather than bank balance sheets. To view added real or perceived weaknesses of each: a large dependence on market funding at Dexia, a reputation started and strong market positions at Societe Generale, a Greek subsidiary Crédit Agricole …

"A turnaround takes shape"

September 8, 2011 - 5:16 pm Comments Off

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Irene transport disrupted on the East Coast

August 27, 2011 - 1:08 pm Comments Off

The people of the East Coast of the United States are preparing for a weekend out of the ordinary. In anticipation of Hurricane Irene, the authorities announced palsy or slowing of most means of transport that normally innervate New York Area. Once is not custom, the inhabitants of the Big Apple, including 250,000 living near the coast are being evacuated, will have to live in slow motion.

For security, the three New York airports – JFK, La Guardia and Newark – will be closed Saturday for aircraft arriving at noon (18 hours Paris time). The flights from these airports, however, may take off until further notice. This is an extraordinary disruption to an area that typically concentrates the air flow one of the densest in the world: each year, as many as 100 million passengers pass through this metropolis.This weekend, nearly 8,000 flights should be canceled.

Like most of his counterparts, Air France announced Friday the cancellation of all flights to New York JFK on Saturday and Sunday, while disturbances are waiting on those provided to and from other cities the coast, like Washington, Philadelphia or Boston. The resumption of service, from Monday, could also be laborious and cause further disruption, have also warned the airlines.

Transport suspended

Measure more tangible for the people, public transport will be suspended in the Big Apple this Saturday from noon until probably Monday rush hour guaranteed online payday loans. The subway, buses and railways do not circulate. Motorists have also been asked to leave their cars at home until the alert is lifted.If winds exceed this weekend 96 km / hour, the authorities of the State of New York have also warned they would close the main roads towards the city, and some bridges.

Given the restriction of transportation and possible damage caused by the passing of Irene, the inhabitants were ordered to stockpile water and food in preparation for the weekend. "Water is our product that sells best," noted the retailer Wal-Mart on Friday. Many are those who are armed with power generators in case of power failure.

To address these potential damages, the cost could rise to nearly $ 12 billion according to consulting firm Kinetic Analysis, U.S. authorities are preparing to deploy in new ways.900 National Guardsmen and 2,500 workers in the electricity sector include ready to intervene in case of power failure. All these measures aim to avoid at all costs repeating a scenario to Katrina, the hurricane that was painfully struck New Orleans in 2005.

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Railing against the excesses of real estate agencies

August 24, 2011 - 12:48 am Comments Off

Estate agents again under fire from critics. The consumer association UFC – Que Choisir has issued a statement on Tuesday vitriolic, denouncing the "little commendable practices" agencies. After a survey of over a thousand branches, the leading association of abuse "at every level," the tenants are the first victims.

Three types of abuses are highlighted by the association. Estate agents do not initially comply with their disclosure obligations of tenants illegally. For example, 21% of agencies tested their fees do not display in the window, "contrary to a legal obligation 20 years old." Like nearly a third still do not respect the obligation to inform the tenant of the energy consumption of their future home, even as energy prices continue to climb.

Prices "prohibitive"

Partly because of tensions on the rental market, real estate will also allow aspiring tenants require more and more collateral. 62% of them are demanding documents allowed for the creation of a file, the certificate of the employer being required more frequently (by 46% of agencies). "This is not an excess of zeal, defends the National Federation of Real Estate (Fnaim). This is only to ensure donors'.

By virtue of this requirement that many agencies require such an identity photograph, a bank account, a check for reservation of accommodation or a social security card … In about 30% of cases, a guarantor is required when the candidate wins the rent three times the rent."This additional requirement makes it clear that agencies are primarily to serve the landlord," interprets the UFC – Que Choisir.

Last black dot underlined by the association: the profession continues to charge a "service only limited" at prices for their "prohibitive". On average, fees and represent 93% of the monthly rent. The UFC – Que Choisir denounced as such "double penalty" is that the indexation of fees on the rent: the more prices rise, more agencies are increasing fees. Only 6% of agencies practice a fixed fee, delivery.

New measures for consumers

All these abuses have repeatedly pointed out by consumer groups, which tend to hinder access to housing.In March, it was this time CLCV denouncing the excessive billing that affect the budget of the tenants: inventory costs (up to 100 euros), fresh stimulus for delay (20 euros on average ) fee for annual reassessment of rental charges (34 euros) … So many illegal practices which continue to proliferate, despite the tightening of the law.

If the profession is a strong advocate of abuse, Fnaim however, that it will present in September new measures "in favor of an overall organization of the profession, faithful to respect the interests of consumers."

The Secretary of State for Housing, Benedict Appeared should follow suit."It is important not to heap opprobrium on a profession that is aware of certain abuses, organized thinking to fight against," he said Tuesday, before announcing that new government measures against the abuses described as "unbearable". Currently "under development", these measures will aim to "protect consumers and support those professionals who are committed to the quality of service." For these traditional signs of strong competition from low cost agencies in full swing, this strategy could indeed be a winner.

Testimonials – Have you ever been abused by estate agents? Have you seen such abuses around you? Tell us your experience in comments below or by email at temoin@lefigaro.fr.

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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.

Regulated tobacco sales in overseas departments

August 1, 2011 - 10:48 pm Comments Off

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

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

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

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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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