Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Renewal of Nuclear Eldorado or mirage?

March 8, 2010 - 3:26 pm Comments Off

It is the global rush on atomic reactors. Nicolas Sarkozy opened Monday morning an international conference on access to civilian nuclear technology that would bring together a thousand participants including some forty foreign ministers and the new Director General of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), Japan Yukiya Amano.

Not less than sixty States have shown in recent years with the Vienna their desire for nuclear reactors to generate electricity. "The expectation in these countries is very strong," said an organizer of the conference. Iran and North Korea, which have violated their international obligations, have not been invited to Paris, unlike Syria and Libya.

Click on image to enlarge.

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 ….

Numericable Launches Social Internet package to 9.99 euros

February 9, 2010 - 12:40 am Comments Off

While the Internet has become as indispensable as water or electricity, Pierre Danon, CEO of Numericable, announced that the cable operator will introduce a social tariff, responding to the request of the Prime Minister.

LE FIGARO. – For 9.99 euros per month, which will service the right customers?

Pierre Danon. – The Prime Minister had asked the operators a triple play package of around 20 euros for the poor. Numericable goes beyond and offers 9.99 euros a month for 60 channels of television (DTT channels and a selection of foreign channels), Internet access at 2 Mbps and unlimited calls in metropolitan France.There are two requirements to be eligible for this offer: being beneficiary of the RSA or disabled adult allowance and live in housing benefit service unique digital Numericable.

Will you receive compensation from the state?

The universal service fund, managed by the Caisse des depots, should pay a subsidy of 4.21 euros per month per subscriber to Numericable. This package will therefore revert to 5.99 euros a month to subscribers, 4 euro is already included in the charges. I sent a letter yesterday with the offer to Prime Minister, Arcep and services Bercy. If they approve our offer within two months we could launch it this summer.

What advantage Numericable?

It is primarily a historical constant of the cable as being involved in social housing and community.On the other hand, Numericable, who will work with municipalities and departments on this job should be able to equip a large number of new homes. Some customers take the social tariff, but others choose our offerings more upscale. I think that with this offer we can win new customers. We are now at 25% market share on the recruitment of new Internet subscribers. This should enable us to progress further. Not to mention that in dealing with public housing offices, Numericable reduces acquisition costs and delinquency risks.

You had already launched in November offer "low cost" to 19.90 euros. What is the result?

This offer works very well. It represents approximately one third of our new subscribers. Auchan is also to engage the clutch on this niche, because there is a real logic to segment the market.They are not social but tender offers "low-cost targeted. For example, many people do not use the TV service yet they pay their standard Internet package at 30 euros a month. We must stop the dictatorship of the package at 30 euros, which was a stroke of genius Free, but has not moved for four years.

After Darty and Auchan Bouygues Telecom, will you welcome new operators on your fiber network?

We are in discussions with various partners, but he must first deal with the influx of new customers for our partners. Auchan has trained 1 200 hypermarkets in 72 vendors!

The picture improves Numericable does to customers?

Yes. Having been a champion of consumer complaints, admittedly, we're totally out of radar DGCCRF.The service was bad a year ago, we made a lot of work, it is now correct. And we will still improve.

Having renounced the 4th license, what are your plans in the mobile?

Our priority remains the fiber. On the mobile, we are virtual network operator Bouygues Telecom. We will soon launch a 3G and a key card offer prepaid. But we do not support the pedal fully, because we can not afford to spend millions of euros to acquire a subscriber base.In 2010-2011, Numericable focuses on profitable growth.

Are you still handicapped by the weight of your debt?

Having renegotiated our debt with the bankers in November, we loosened the noose and we are perfectly comfortable with our deadlines for repayment of 1.5 billion euros by 2014.

The connected TV is it a concern for you, whose job is to aggregate a bunch of strings?

It is a subject that we anticipated early 2009 with our range of interactive TV "2.0", and we continue to invest. We have discussions with several manufacturers of televisions. In April, Numericable present its first applications in the form of widgets available on the TV screen.We will launch thematic portals (youth, sports, entertainment …) which will become real media capable of guiding the client and recommend programs.

Public debts worry Coface

January 19, 2010 - 2:41 am Comments Off

A shock exceptional in its scope but not its duration. Coface, which examines the risks of outstanding companies, announced Monday at a symposium on the country risk, the end of the credit crisis. While recalling the unprecedented nature of this recession, the worst post-war related to the bankruptcy of Lehman. Between its 2007 peak and the lowest point in 2009, the global economy fell by 6.1 points, two times the oil crisis of the 1980s or the collapse of the dotcom bubble.

"There is a strong correlation between the curve of defaults and that of economic growth, said President Francois David. For six months we see an improvement in creditworthiness of companies. "After rising 19% in the first half of 2009, the total payment incidents has decreased by 40% over the last six months.With this improvement, Coface has revised upwards its ratings, while it had conducted several waves of decommissioning throughout the crisis. Note that unlike traditional agencies, which follow the sovereign debt, the insurance company is only interested in credit risk business. The improvement is true for most industrialized countries. The A2 rating of the United States is no longer under negative watch while France, Germany and Japan, in particular, came under positive watch.

Household debt

But if the bulk of the storm passed, many clouds darken the sky of the recovery. It is primarily the weakness of private demand, which remains constrained by the debt ratio and savings rates, and deterioration of the labor market."The key to growth lies in the particular behavior of the American consumer, accounting for 18% of global GDP," notes Francois David.

Another black spot, the rate of industrial capacity utilization remains limited, especially slowing business investment. "The recovery in 2010 will depend even public spending," says the chief economist at Coface, Yves Zlotowski. With the risk of digging a little more deficits. The situation is particularly alarming for the "pigs" – Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain – where the debt has increased the most between 2007 and 2011. "The markets could force them to implement budget cuts, which contribute more to the recession," said Yves Zlotowski. The economist is also concerned about overheating in China and the rebound of stock markets, including commodities, stronger and faster than the real economy.Coface expects global growth in 2010 of 2.7%, driven by emerging markets (5.3%) against 1.4% for developed countries.

The Cac 40 in the green returns

January 15, 2010 - 7:14 am Comments Off

Optimism is back in the Paris Bourse in mid-afternoon Thursday, while U.S. statistics, published at 14:30, emerged in below expectations. ACC back above the 4,000-point mark.

The number of registered unemployed in the United States was up more than expected during the week ending January 9, according to figures released Thursday by the Labor Department.In data adjusted for seasonal variations, these weekly applications for unemployment benefits rose for the second consecutive week to 444,000 against 433,000 (revised) the previous week.

Another disappointment, retail sales in the U.S. fell against all odds in December, according to official figures released Thursday in Washington, but this masks a bad performance review of their surge up the previous two months.

Around 15.15, the CAC 40 yields 0.08%, to 3997 points, passing under the 4,000 points.

Investors will also pay attention to the news conference the Director General of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dominique Strauss-Kahn, at 16 hours and the speech of the Governing Council of the ECB.

The latter announced that its key policy rate should remain at 1% level where it remains since May 2009.In the U.S., retail sales for December at 14.30, the import price for the same month at the same time, as well as requests weekly unemployment benefits will be scrutinized.

As for currencies, the euro decreased again. The European currency fell by 0.13% to 1.4503 dollars. For raw materials, oil appears in sharp decline. The barrel of light sweet crude for February delivery lost 2.84% to 79.29 dollars, while that of Brent North Sea at the same maturity, lost 2.40% to 77.76 dollars. Oil stocks have risen more than expected last week in the United States.

Ubisoft suffers

The Renault Group (Renault, Dacia, Samsung and Lada) in 2009 recorded a decrease of 3.1% of its global sales to 2.3 million vehicles in global market decline of 3.7% and a slight increase its market share (+0.1 percentage points to 3.7%), it intends to strengthen in 2010. Figures similar to those unveiled by Peugeot (+1.47%) a few days ago. After gleaning 0.1% at the opening, title coward 0.43% to 39.32 euros in mid-session.

The French game publisher Ubisoft video Wednesday revised downward its financial targets for its fiscal year 2009/2010 lagged, partly because of disappointing sales of some games and the postponement of several launches. Sanction Immediate Exchange: action coward 4.67%, to 9.6 euros. It is the largest decline of the SBF 120.

GDF Suez has announced the sale to Shell Egypt for a 20% concession in the Alam El Shawish, and keeps 25%.The sign under the worst performance of the ACC with a decline of 2.21% to 29.16 euros.

The group Vivendi (+0.2% at 21.02 euros), which challenged the participation of two of its shareholders and Adam collective proceedings conducted in the United States, was dismissed Wednesday by the Tribunal de Grande Instance Paris.

The French ready-to-wear Camaieu (+4.89% to 148.94 euros) plans to continue its development policy in 2010 and plans to open nearly a hundred shops.

bioMérieux (+3.12% at 83.02 euros) on Thursday announced the acquisition of Meikang Biotech, a Chinese manufacturer of rapid tests, and its production site in Shanghai. Vet'Affaires (7.38%) reported a turnover of 92.7 million euros in 2009. Riber (-2.80%) confirmed its net profit target for 2009.

This is the second day of strike in the Paris airports (ADP).A two flights was canceled Thursday morning following the request of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to Orly airport, the second day of strike among air traffic controllers, has been a journalist from AFP . The action takes ADP 0.68% to 57.81 euros.

A monitor also: Pernod Ricard (-0.05%)) who will make a point about its business. Carrefour (-0.53%) will release its annual results after the stock market.

Car sales at the highest since 1990

January 5, 2010 - 10:26 am Comments Off

This is the highest level since 1990. In total, more than 2.268 million new registrations were recorded in 2009 against 2.050 in 2008 according to figures released Monday by the Committee of French Automobile Manufacturers (CCFA). Sales of new passenger cars rose by 10.7% in raw data in 2009 compared to 2008. December to sign a noteworthy performance. In that month alone, the new car registrations in France rose by 48.6% from December 2008 to 228,451 vehicles. It was the eighth consecutive month of increases.

Regarding manufacturers, the Renault group that makes the best sound of the game's pin registrations totaled 566,240 cars in 2009, up 14.9% over 2008. The Renault brand is up 12.5% over 2008 to 505,521 vehicles.Dacia, the Romanian subsidiary of Renault, which truste third place cars most reliable according to a survey UFC Que Choisir, has gone to 60,719 copies, an increase of 39.5% compared to 2008. For December alone, group sales jumped 94.3%. Bernard Cambier, which argued that these figures before publication in micro BFM on Monday morning was not far short.

In the second place manufacturer, PSA Peugeot Citroën sold 717,485 cars in 2009, up 13.3% over 2008. Peugeot has sold 377,665 models (+9.8%) against 339,820 for Citroën (17.4%). The PSA group sales rose 35.3% in December.

Hyundai is the foreign brand that recorded the strongest growth in 2009: +24.8% to 42 663. Then came Nissan's partner Renault (+20.2% to 45,899 cars) and Ford (+17.8% to 145,066 vehicles).

Scrapping bonus and bonus Green

In a difficult economic environment for the sector, this figure is the unexpected achievement. The area owes its hi in 2009 to support strong measures undertaken at the height of the economic and financial crisis. The automotive sector is crucial for the French economy, then appeared as a major potential victims of the crisis.

The French government had introduced a scrapping bonus of 1,000 euros for the replacement of vehicles over 10 years, as part of its recovery plan of 26 billion euro, introduced in December 2008. The reduction of this premium, which rose from 1,000 to 700 euros on 1 January, said the accelerated rise in registrations recorded at the end of 2009.

This new reacted positively sector securities on the Exchange.Renault signs the strongest increase in the CAC 40: 4.56% at 37, 85 euros, while Peugeot is 1.71% to 24.07 euros.

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Morale still low industrial

December 19, 2009 - 1:23 pm Comments Off

For the third consecutive month, the French industrial morale remains very low in December. The synthetic indicator of business climate has stabilized at 89 points, down one point compared to November, INSEE said on Friday. The long period average is 100 points.

Chilling, INSEE noted that "the reversal indicator" sense "to detect the earliest possible time the industrial economy turns around," came "in the area indicating an economic downturn."

Business leaders note much of the sector increased their activity increased and stocks far below their level a long period, but observed a deterioration in their global order books and abroad. Their production forecasts are less good.

"The personal perspectives of production are less well oriented in November.The industrial and anticipate a slight slowdown in the coming months, "notes the INSEE.

The index had rebounded after the spring after a low of 69 points in March.

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Brussels bends Microsoft

December 16, 2009 - 5:35 pm Comments Off

The European Commission was investigating since January 2008 on possible abuse of dominant position by Microsoft in Internet browsers. If Brussels is to end its investigation, the U.S. giant had to make heavy concessions, agreeing to provide European users with a choice of internet browser to its Windows operating system, then ships only with browser: Internet Explorer.

The lawsuit, initiated by Opera Software, a competitor of the firm of Steve Ballmer, was motivated illegal competitive advantage that the systematic incorporation of Internet Explorer to Windows would have given Microsoft.

Internet Explorer will suddenly face competition

The latter agreed to five years to propose to all European users in Windows versions XP, Vista and 7 to choose their browser.Firefox, Opera and Chrome, the three major browsers Internet Explorer competitors are rubbing their hands when you know that Windows team 90% of PCs worldwide.

Manufacturers of computers equipped with Windows in factory can also completely disable Internet Explorer and install a competing browser.

Microsoft chose to make concessions, risking a fine that could reach 10% of its annual turnover worldwide, is a mere 6 billion euros in fines.

"Millions of European consumers will benefit from this decision with the choice of browser they use," welcomed the Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes.

Total new setback for Iraq

December 12, 2009 - 2:32 pm Comments Off

The Iraqi Oil Ministry has awarded this Saturday oilfield Qourna-2 in western consortium of Russian Lukoil and Norway's StatoilHydro. With 12.8 billion of reserves, Qourna in the south, is the largest of the ten fields for auction this weekend in Baghdad.

Lukoil, StatoilHydro proposed to be paid $ 1.15 per barrel to produce 1.8 million barrels per day.

The French group Total was also a candidate. After failing on Friday another mega Majnoon field (12 billion of reserves), the multinational and thus suffers another setback. After two days of the auction will win the total operating a field much smaller than Halfaya and minority partnership with the Malaysian Petronas and China's CNPC. But as its leaders had repeated, Total was not ready to engage in Iraq at any price.The French multinational denounces discounts on their earnings than its rivals agree in hopes of winning these contracts. Absent from Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, Total will have to wait before making his return to a country which has the third largest reserves of oil and where the French group was present for decades.

With five fields awarded since Friday, Iraq is certain to occur in the coming years to 4.485 million bbl / d more.

"BLOG – Total lost the first round of oil bids Iraq

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Air France wants to increase the productivity of sailors

December 1, 2009 - 4:14 pm Comments Off

Air France would seek to lower its costs, including the medium-haul. According to The Tribune on Tuesday, the company would increase 15 to 20% the productivity of its flight personnel (pilots, flight attendants) to counter the stiff competition from airlines Low-cost flights and the TGV.

The newspaper said the number of flight hours performed by the pilots could spend an average of 565 per year to 650. They totaled 700 at Easyjet, Ryanair 900 and 850 hours at Transavia, low-cost subsidiary of Air France. The group would however have to review the collective agreements which run until 2011 for pilots and 2013 cabin crew.

The newspaper said that these figures were announced Friday by the Director General Bruno Matheu marketing at an internal meeting between the leadership and cadres of the group.However, management told AFP today that she "had never advanced figure Friday. However, "reform on the short and medium haul should be prior consultation with the aircrew," she added.