Archive for the ‘world’ Category

The Murdoch family will not let go its empire

August 12, 2011 - 11:48 am Comments Off

"Frankly, I'm the only one who can clean it all," said Rupert Murdoch, tapping his fist on the table, at the hearing by the Cultural Committee of the British Parliament last month. Open-tapping scandal, the media mogul has not yielded an inch on the issue of governance of the group whose history is intertwined with that of his family. Wednesday, publication of successful annual News Corp has confirmed this position. He and his family will remain at the head of News Corp and any jolt the market or its shareholders will do deviate from their course.

"Never Rupert Murdoch will not yield to pressure. Neither in a million years or two million years. If a change is to occur, it will be by his own will and when he decides, "recently told a source close to the clan, The Guardian newspaper.During his hearing in July, Rupert Murdoch did not hesitate to declare that he wanted "to see his son and daughters to continue the road, if they are interested." Wednesday night, he reiterated his confidence in his son James, who oversees the group's activities in Europe and Asia.

Yet the issue of governance is more than ever at the heart of the reflection of the market on the future of the empire built by one man, who hammered Wednesday night: "The job is not to be filled in the near future. "

Voices begin to rise among the shareholders to demand an overhaul of the board of News Corp fast cash advance. With 12% of the capital and 40% of the voting rights, Rupert Murdoch and his two son, Lachlan and James, occupy three seats out of the seventeen that make up the governing body.Before exploding the case of the tabloid News of the World that led to its closure, it was also expected that Elisabeth, her second daughter, occupies a fourth seat. What it has temporarily waived. Besides the fact that James has yet to respond to the inquiry on the sheets, making his position as director of News Corp chief operating and its subsidiary, BSkyB, more and more complicated. "It is time to end management of a decent grocery store around the corner," a shareholder storm quoted by the Anglo-Saxon.

Rise of Chase Carey

Six months ago, Chase Carey, the News Corp. chief operating, popular markets, was to chair the group in preparation for the arrival of James Murdoch to the position. In vain.However, there is a manager in whom Rupert Murdoch has the most confidence, the point of saying Wednesday night: "If I go under a bus, is to him that my job will come back."

Theoretically, News Corp has nine independent directors can tilt the board. But as the experts point out, "it is very difficult to agree nine people at once. This is not a malfunction, it is a non-functioning board. "

In the back kitchens of rating agencies

August 10, 2011 - 7:16 pm Comments Off

Last Friday, a small twenty senior analysts from the rating agency Standard & Poor's had noted in their agenda a top secret conference call. In fact, they were about to make history: the meeting focused on the debt rating of the United States. After several hours of deliberations, the leading world power has lost its prestigious AAA. Not a word has filtered out of the meeting.

Rating agencies cultivate secrecy around these appointments called "rating committees." The heart of their power: analysts will decide the fate of nations by voting financial, away from the public on the future of the country note. No list of participants has not been released. However, the assessment can set the tone to the market.Law and internal regulations require many investors to buy or sell some of their shares according to the decisions of the trio of major Anglo-Saxon agencies Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch.

The theory and practice

At the beginning of the procedure leading to the convening of a committee must be an event that could have an impact on the rating of a country, a new government or the publication of statistics. That's the theory. In practice, agencies are not locked in their ivory towers. "The noise of the markets or the hype, the phenomena of modes outside the agency also cause internal discussions that may cause the reopening of cases," says a former senior analyst at Moody's.

To prepare for a summit meeting, the analyst in charge of the target country meets members of the tax administration.Once or twice a year in general, often in a crisis. He did not have access to more information than large investors also regularly received by the authorities. Following a strict methodology and specific to each agency, he wrote a memo and draft a proposal for the "conf call." On the day, it will have to convince between 4 and 20 of his colleagues, a figure which varies depending on the size of the country but also … each holiday, a former gliding.

One man, one vote

One man, one vote: in principle, democratic rule prevails in rating committees. In practice, less glorious. Clan wars and other struggles for influence can disrupt the debate. As in any large company. "It can heat from analysts," says Pierre Cailleteau, ex-head of sovereign ratings at Moody's, now adviser at Lazard.For example, he says, "we were very divided about Greece last year. We had some very important debates internally. "Moody's, which was the first to lower the rating of Athens in 2009, then sharply deteriorated four notches, out of season.

In case of disagreement, how to find a majority? Standard & Poor's has found the solution: the committees are always in odd numbers. Then the strict methodology of the agency under discussion. And, theoretically, the great leader is there to calm things down. "In some cases, the director may have a strong grip on the committee," says Norbert Gaillard, specialist rating agencies *. Analysts may come under pressure, admits to spell Pierre Cailleteau: "We arrived during the session to ask an analyst to reconsider its vote, given the dominant position on the committee."Moody's, the bylaws stipulates, however, to limit the pressure, the lowest in the hierarchy and a vote in the first analyst to appeal a decision.

Subjective criteria

Still, the year-end bonus are set by the Area Manager, at Moody's in particular. The criteria are multiple, subjective: the variable compensation of an analyst depends on the work of presenting and representing the firm on the outside, the frequency of updating of countries covered, or the level of the analyst. "There are good and less good," says Pierre Cailleteau, which concluded: "It is I who stood out on bonuses." Moody's says

The former analyst, who left his practice in 2008, said: "The reports became confrontational, the atmosphere would grow over the independence of opinion. This is one reason I left. "And asks: "Given the importance given to them, is it not problematic that the agencies do not communicate about the independence of their analysts?"

In the end, the committee's decision is published, with an argument, in a press release. But no mention of voting results, the agencies do not want to reveal internal divisions. We do not know if the note of the United States has been lowered with a broad consensus. Or with a voice apart.

Agencies to staff shortages

"Agencies do not have the resources corresponding to the importance of financial regulations and investors give them-and they give themselves," lamented a former Moody's. Standard & Poor's, the largest agency in the world, the Wall Street Journal has only 70 to 80 analysts, juniors and seniors, covering 126 countries.Result, "every senior analyst is responsible for an average of 6 to 10 countries, shows the former analyst. When I was at the International Monetary Fund, an economist focused exclusively on one country. "

Same thing during visits to the Ministries of Finance of the State. Former Moody's drives the point home: "At the IMF, the missions are conducted on site by five and last 15 days. Moody's, we were two, and the visit lasted two to three days. "In Fitch's rating committees collect a minimum of four analysts. At most, 20 people participated, but it is very rare. Contacted by lefigaro.fr, Moody's would not say how many senior analysts it employs.

Rating agencies could afford to recruit: profitability is very high. Moody's expects a gross margin between 38 and 40% in 2011.The past year, Fitch was more than half of revenues (58%) and the Standard & Poor's to 43% on the only first three months of 2011.

* Norbert Gaillard is the author of "The rating agencies", Éditions La Découverte, 2010

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The CAC 40 continues to rise, led by banks

July 23, 2011 - 8:24 am Comments Off

In the wake of a decisive EU summit on the future of the euro area, the Paris market continues its march forward again on Friday, relieved by the solutions provided by the 17 member countries of the euro area to the Greek fire. A mid-term, the benchmark index in Paris frankly advance of 1.08% to 3857.94 points. Yesterday, the CAC 40 1.66% has already been awarded, going above the bar of 3800 points (3816.75 points), and welcoming the draft agreement the EU summit in Brussels which includes a longer the duration of loans in the euro area in need.The countries of the region have also yesterday on the table a new plan to help nearly 160 billion euros to save Greece and prevent contagion from the debt crisis, but at the risk of causing a default the country.

These extraordinary measures were immediately relieved markets, notably in Paris or the Paris index had won more than 9% since the beginning of July. The agreement on debt relief, Greek, amounting to 350 billion euros at present, is still today applauded by investors, as well as the involvement of private banks in the device, even if the modalities of this participation to be defined.

On other European markets, the relief is essential.In London, the FTSE-100 was up 1.10% to 5964.57 points while in Frankfurt the DAX index itself to a more timid step forward from 0.64% in 7336 , 51 points.

Japanese support

The announcement Friday by Yoshihiko Noda of possible support from Japan also supports the upward trend this morning. The Japanese Finance Minister has in fact said on Friday that his country was ready to buy more bonds from the European Financial Stability (EFSF) if necessary. Japan has invested some 2.5 billion euros in the first three issues launched by the Fund since January 2011, to help Ireland and Portugal.The minister said Japan is ready to continue "at the same rate, if it can help stabilize the economies of the European Union."

This global expansion of the Greek fire, which had once benefited the euro yesterday, has not had any lasting effect on the foreign exchange market. At mid session on European markets, the euro was worth 1.4412 dollars, against 1.4417 dollars on Thursday night. In the wake of the announcement of the plan, the euro reached a peak Thursday at 1.4443 dollar. In terms of oil, oil prices start rising, supported by a European, but also by the announcement of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IEA), which has no plans to release a reserve again strategic. In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" took 28 cents to 99.41 dollars, after crossing at the meeting yesterday the 100 dollars.That of Brent North Sea took 23 cents to 117.74 dollars.

Macroeconomic side, some important indicators are expected on Friday. Orders to industry have increased more than expected, however, in May in the euro area, show the figures by Eurostat Friday. New orders rose 3.6% from one month to another in the 17 countries using the euro and 15.5% year on year. This morning, INSEE reported a sharp deterioration in the morale of French industry in July, the index fell from 110 to 105 a month. This announcement has not scared investors, the index remains above its long-term average (100 points), in which it had sunk in 2008 with the crisis do not exceed once again that the end of 2010 . Across the Atlantic, no major indicator is expected.

As for values.

In the forefront of best performance, the banking sector is surrounded by this Friday, the day after the adoption of the European plan for Greece. Crédit Agricole (3.42% to 9.62 euros), Société Générale (2.24% to 39.08 euros) and BNP Paribas (2.43% to 50.11 euros) in net rise. Axa (1.56% to 14.64 euros) and Natixis (1.60% to 3.41 euros) are also well oriented. 40 CAC Hors, Dexia wins 4.71%, to 2.15 euros.

The rating agency Standard and Poor's raised the rating a notch French TV group TF1 (0.99% to 12.80 euros), to BBB +, saying that despite the increase in sales shy , cost savings were being lead to greater profitability.

Accor (3.71% to 31.76 euros). The hotel group confirmed to be entered into exclusive negotiations with the catering giant Sodexo to give him the caterer Lenôtre.An enterprise value of € 75 million was used for the project.

Lafarge (2.11% to 40.58 euros). The French cement plaster will sell its operations in Australia in the group of German Knauf construction materials for 120 million euros. The operation, which will reduce its debt, expected to close before the end of the third quarter of 2011.

Sequana (-1.62% to 9.60 euros). The group announced half-year net income almost sixfold, to 35 million euros, against 6 million a year ago, and a turnover of 2 billion euros (+1.3% yoy pro forma), supported by higher selling prices last year. However, management has lowered its target EBITDA of "higher" to "close" to that of 2010.

Groupe Eurotunnel (-0.42% to 7.60 euros).The group has published interim accounts showing a net profit of 2 million euros over the first six months of the year against a loss a year earlier. Turnover increased 22% to 396 million euros. Management expects for 2011 an increase in EBITDA.

Air France-KLM (2.84% to 9.92 euros). The order of a hundred long-haul being prepared by the Franco-Dutch company will be shared equally between Airbus (EADS) and Boeing, La Tribune reported Friday. According to the newspaper, the board of directors of the Franco-Dutch company will review the draft July 27, before an announcement expected in September.

Schneider Electric (2.22% to 108.30 euros) announced a partnership with NVC Lighting, a small Chinese company which will take 9.2% of the capital, to strengthen in the Chinese cities of small size.Specialist solutions energy management also announced two acquisitions: that of certain assets in China Chongqing Enlin Electric, and of the Brazilian Steck, specializing in low voltage products.

France Telecom (1.40% to 14.47 euros). Orange has signed Thursday with Free (Iliad: + 1.46%, to 91.45 euros) an agreement to co-finance the fiber-optic networks to the Internet at very high speed, in about sixty cities located in sparsely populated areas and announced in active discussions with other operators.

Pierre & Vacances (stable at 58 euros). The group announced that its summer bookings for the quarter were ahead of last year on all its destinations, including the sea in France.

Bongrain (1.29%, to 65 euros).The food group has reported an increase of 13.2% of its turnover in the first half, but warned that the sharp rise of raw materials created tensions on consumption and margins.

Somfy (-0.01 to 207.98 euros). The roller shutters specialist reported Thursday a turnover up 13.9% to 501.2 million in the first half, up 8.7% on a comparable basis. The strong demand in Germany and France ontéclipsé Asia the impact of the disaster in Japan, Europe and North and South that of British and Greek economic difficulties.

Vivalis (4.50% to 7.89 euros). The biopharmaceutical company, announced in the first half, a product of the ordinary activities of € 4.7 million, up 165%, and consolidated cash of 36.0 million at June 30, 2011.

Debts: Socialists argue their solutions

July 17, 2011 - 11:04 pm Comments Off

While European leaders are working on the Greek crisis to find a solution by Thursday, the Party of European Socialists (PES) advance his proposals. In a joint statement, Martine Aubry and 12 other European socialist leaders have agreed on a roadmap. The Socialists are in power in particular Spain and Greece.

The PES associated himself with the idea of ​​Eurobonds. Concretely, this would be to issue bonds to 17 common European states in the euro area. According to this roadmap, this mechanism would allow to pool risks and protect the weaker states.

In an article published in The Journal of separate Sunday, the candidate for the primary PS Francois Hollande also defends the system of Eurobonds. "They are an effective way to raise money at lower cost," said he.He added that this could be used to "buy Greek debt delisted and to speculators at their own game", the latter focusing on a bankrupt country.

Buy Greek bonds, which are worth more thing: this last idea was put on the table by Germany, reports the magazine Der Spiegel to be published Monday. This technique would save 30 billion euros.

Mutual guarantees

European Socialists also advocate a system of mutual guarantees of European debts to "help the countries attacked by speculators" and would help them "to the costs of stabilization." The PSE also blames rating agencies, criticized for their very recent decisions concerning Greece and Portugal. The party wants to "limit their power" and forbids the creation of a European rating agency.

François Hollande, who associated himself with the JDD many of the proposals of the PES, also calls for merging the functions of president of the European Council (now Herman van Rompuy) and President of the Commission (José Manuel Barroso) to take the head of a real "economic government" of Europe.

"Dangerous" statements

The budget minister Valérie Pécresse denounced statements Socialist Sunday morning, "Francois Hollande and Martine Aubry are engaged in a dangerous competition of statements on the euro that are likely to undermine efforts made by all European and France primarily to protect the euro area ".

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An oil spill a week in the North Sea

July 7, 2011 - 3:52 am Comments Off

Almost every week, oil platforms allow leak of oil and gas in the waters of the North Sea, according to British newspaper The Guardian. The newspaper in fact, a document that identifies leaks in 2009 and 2010 reported by the operators of platforms from the British authorities responsible for health and safety, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). For the first time the name appears and the oil companies responsible for more than 100 leaks during these two years.

The Anglo-Dutch company Shell is at the top of this sad track record, with no fewer than 17 leaks "important" or "major" reported. Brent Charlie platform's alone has seven leaks that have escaped 4.9 tons of gas, of which 4.6 tonnes April 26, 2010, which resulted in a suspension of production.The Guardian notes that last Friday, the HSE has threatened to stop work on Brent Charlie. Shell has already stopped exporting oil from this platform and with three more to address safety issues.

With 5.4 tons of oil and gas spilled in two years, French Total heels Shell. Other companies are involved, such as Danish Maersk and Talisman Canada, and the BP already convicted for his role in the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico in March 2010.

"The tip of the iceberg"

During this disaster, other oil companies had assured that such an explosion could not occur on their facilities cheap pay day loans. "Safety is, was and will always be our number one priority. This is our core value, "yet assured in November 2010 Peter Voser, chief executive of Shell.But the figures published by The Guardian seriously undermine these claims and even the importance that companies attach to the security of their facilities.

Leaks reported by operators would, moreover, that "the tip of the iceberg," according to the log information. Condition of anonymity, employees say, in fact, a "code informal" drives them to silence the accident for fear of losing their jobs. Since each stop represents a loss of production, companies prefer to ignore the incident …. sometimes verges and disasters. "We were very, very close on several occasions, said Jake Molloy, general secretary of the union workers in the North Sea OILC. It is sometimes more a matter of luck than good management. Some companies do not care. Because of high oil prices, they are cutting back costs.Some have already been prosecuted. "

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Pixmania combined with Carrefour to boost online sales

July 1, 2011 - 10:52 pm Comments Off

Carrefour is a step forward to catch up on e-commerce. The group signed an agreement with Pixmania to develop a site selling non-food products in several European countries. Pixmania will be responsible, through its subsidiary e-merchant, to develop the site of the distributor. Some, or perhaps the entire catalog of Pixmania, which sells "everything" according to its CEO, but mainly electronic products, will also be sold under the Carrefour brand and sold in stores in the group.

If both partners remain discreet about the financial terms of the transaction, the aim is to bridge the gap of the distributor, outpaced by the site e-Commerce Casino, Cdiscount, the site recorded 6.8 million visitors Unique in France in May, according Médimétrie / NetRatings.At the same time, there were 7 guaranteed unsecured personal loan.4 million in Cdiscount and the two leading general commercial sites, Amazon and PriceMinister 8.9 and 7.8 million respectively.

"This new partnership is a major step in the development of Carrefour's multi-channel strategy," said Lars Olofsson, CEO of Carrefour, said in a statement. Jean-Emile Rosenblum, vice president and cofounder of Pixmania, the site of Carrefour should quickly catch up with the "technology platform and logistics products" of his group of e-commerce. "There are huge market share to conquer the Internet and that have in the physical world," he adds, citing for example the articles bazaar and sale of televisions.

More notoriety for Pixmania

Steve and Jean-Emile Rosenblum, founders of Pixmania. DR.

The Cac 40 ended close to 3800 points

June 28, 2011 - 11:44 am Comments Off

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao expressed his "confidence" in the future of the euro area and promised to continue investing in the region at the beginning of a new tour on the old continent. Financial markets remain strained, however. Activists of Communist front Pame Greek trade union have made Monday morning on the Acropolis in Athens a giant banner advocating "against-attack" against the austerity plan that the country needs to adopt this week to avoid bankruptcy.

Having dropped below the 3,800 points Friday night, the CAC 40 was still open slightly lower on Monday morning. Green, however, made his return in mid-day. The benchmark index of Paris finally closing up 0.31% to 3796.55 points. The London Stock Exchange for its part, closed up, the FTSE-100 index gaining 0.43 of the main values% from Friday's close at 5722.34 points.Featuring Dax index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange ended down slightly from 0.19% to 7107.90 points.

Beyond the caution displayed by investors before the vote on Wednesday and Thursday, the Greek Parliament on the new austerity plan imposed on the country, the benchmark index of the Paris Bourse remains unsure hesitant to Wall Street. The New York Stock Exchange, which accused significant losses Friday night, started to trade the balance before attempting a rebound, too, without conviction.

On Monday, no statistical significance was also to follow the French and European side. United States, consumer spending of U.S. households were unchanged in May for the first time in nearly a year, while revenues increased 0.3%, slightly less than expected, according statistics released Monday by the Commerce Department.Adjusted for inflation, spending fell by 0.1% in May for the second consecutive month. The decline in vehicle sales after the disruption of production caused by the earthquake of March 11 in Japan may explain the decline.

On the currency markets, the euro went back to 1.4264 dollar.

Airbus Boeing has dominated at Le Bourget

EADS (-1.56% to 22.05 euros). The 730 contracts announced in four days propel the backlog of European best-seller over 1000 devices. Airbus, an EADS subsidiary, established a new record with 72.2 billion dollars in contracts.The Paris Air Show, the largest in the world, broke attendance records for both professionals and the general public, in its 2011 edition, which closed its doors Sunday, organizers announced.

After completing its first acquisition in China, the IT services company Capgemini (-0.14% to 38.69 euros) seeks to strengthen the United States, said its chief executive Paul Hermelin the Financial Times. The group, leader in Europe, is particularly interested in the health sector.

The automaker Renault (0.96% to 39.54 euros) account on a flurry of new products to rebound in Europe since 2012, rapporteLa Tribune. Thus, the group plans to launch new models of the car at low cost, Zoe (at a price of 15,000 euros), and Clio IV.In addition, a minivan before the launch of Dacia Logan New and Sander.

Bouygues Telecom has entered the State Council

According to information from Figaro, Bouygues Telecom (+0.02% to 28.85 euros) before the Council of State to challenge certain provisions included in the call for tender for mobile phone licenses in the fourth generation (4G).

The banking sector was misguided. Societe Generale: -0.28% to 37.67 euros, BNP Paribas: -0.06% to 50.16 euros, Crédit Agricole: -0.32% to 9.63 euros. Meeting in Basel, international regulators have agreed on a proposal to impose an additional requirement of capital to banks with systemic risk.The aim is to prevent banks grow larger and become "too big to fail" ("too big to fail").

In addition, the Franco-Belgian bank Dexia (-1.92% to 1.99 euros) is ready to sell its insurance activities in Turkey with French insurers Axa and U.S. Metlife, reported Monday the daily Les Echos.

Carrefour (-1.10% to 26.45%) needs to evolve and perhaps in favor of its hypermarkets a delegation of certain powers, said Sébastien Bazin, CEO of Colony Capital Europe, in an interview published in the 'Monday edition of Les Echos.On the other hand, the distributor announced Friday the acquisition of three minority in China.

Séchilienne Sidec (4.24% to 17.07 euros) The independent power producer said in a statement that its gross operating profit (EBITDA) is expected to grow by at least 15% this year, including with products tax exemption The group also confirmed that it was a growth of 10% of its EBITDA excluding tax exemption in 201.

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Growth will reach 2.1% this year

June 25, 2011 - 8:24 pm Comments Off

The year 2011 will be marked by beauty "jolts", it should nevertheless result in an increase of 2.1%, according to forecasts released yesterday by INSEE. A figure that – even if it is the thickness of the line – is widely expected to satisfy the government, including the forecast for this year is 2%. It is rare that the institute of statistics is more optimistic than Bercy!

This year has been marked by "shock," said he notes in the introduction of its quarterly. The first months left on the ground running, with a 1% growth in first quarter – "supported in part by exceptional factors, including the effects of catch-up following the strike last fall," and a phenomenon stock, is the INSEE.Industrial production was then greatly accelerated.

This is another backlash that explains the strong slowdown in the spring: the end of the scrapping a car that plunged household consumption, in the face of any support in the international environment.

But after that, the momentum for two years and would resume its place in the third and fourth quarters, growth would return to a rate of 0.5%. Households would resume eating, companies continue to invest and trade would not weigh on growth.

Peak inflation to 2.5% in October

In this context, improving on the employment front would continue. Job creation in the private sector would be of about 106,000 in the first half, then 73,000 the second 100% free credit score.The unemployment rate should fall back and to 9% in mainland France by the end of the year, "still above its pre-crisis", said Insee, however. This improvement, along with higher wages, could have played very positively on the wallets of the French. Especially since the Insee estimated that 1 billion the amount that could be injected by companies to employees by the end of the year (an amount that does not damage their margin, the precise INSEE) for the "premium against dividend" – a device that must still be approved by the Senate.

But did not count on the rise in inflation resulting from higher commodity prices. In October, a peak would be reached, with inflation reaching 2.5% year on year.As a result, gains in purchasing power would be only "moderate" in 2011, and they increase by 1%, after 0.8% in 2010.

The savings rate, which had increased significantly during the crisis, should remain at a high level, 16%.

Insee warns in conclusion that several uncertainties surrounding this scenario. On the negative side, the weakness of the U.S. economy could be more sustainable envisioned the restoration of the Japanese economy may be slower. Conversely, "face to improve the labor market, the French could break with the precautionary behavior they adopted during the crisis," and consumption grow more strongly than anticipated.

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.

Fillon is considering taxing businesses that pay too bosses

June 19, 2011 - 1:00 pm Comments Off

Overtax businesses too generous with their leaders. The idea was launched by Prime Minister Francois Fillon in an interview published Saturday in Nice Matin: "With the government, I think about a device that is to overtax the companies issuing exorbitant fees." François Fillon and takes position on an issue that divides the majority.

The head of government is responding to the proposal of Xavier Bertrand, Minister of Labour and Employment, to "tax" or "frame" the "extravagant salaries." It lampooned in an interview published Thursday by Les Echos code of conduct drawn up on the subject of big salaries. "Write a code of conduct is good. The enforcement is better, "he said. Considering that some large companies did not comply with these principles, the Minister has threatened to legislate on the issue.

Shocked by some earnings

In Nice Matin, François Fillon rejects such an approach in trying to punish companies through a tax rather than the bosses through a ceiling unsurpassable. If it says "shocked" by some remuneration of senior executives, the Prime Minister "not [believe] not the regulation of wages for some totally disconnected from economic reality of the business and wage negotiations." However, he called the companies to regulate themselves. If they do not, the government will make decisions, he added.

François Fillon's statement takes an idea Baroin. The services of the Minister of Budget are working on the issue from the perspective of the tax reform of heritage to be considered in the fall paydayloans. Baroin said he wants "an exceptional contribution on income, not an outstanding contribution."The advanced solution: drain on companies making non-deductible from corporate tax wages too high.

The salaries of officers of the CAC 40 rose 19% in 2010 compared to 2011 according to a study of the expansion. Their average salary was 4.2 million. And increases do not always correspond to performance industrial markets.

No revaluation of the minimum wage

François Fillon said in the same interview in Nice morning that there would be no boost given to the minimum wage at its next revaluation. "Today, it would be an economic mistake. This will overwrite the hierarchy of wages and would drive up labor costs and thus unemployment, "he justified.

François Fillon has argued that "before 2000, the labor cost of products manufactured in France was on average 15% cheaper than in Germany."However, "since the 35 hours, this advantage was lost in some sectors such as agriculture and services, we are overtaking Germany," he said.

According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the next automatic adjustment of minimum wage-price inflation when the achieved 2% since the previous revaluation, "could take place" in August.

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