Posts Tagged ‘business’

November 26, 2011 - 11:51 am Comments Off

The U.S. stock markets have remained on the defensive on Friday. At closing, the Dow Jones lost 0.21% to 11,233.68 points. The S & P 500 loose 0.26% to 1158.82 points. The Nasdaq Composite Index yield of 0.75% on its side 2441.58 points. U.S. financial markets were closed yesterday, while the country celebrated Thanksgiving. The day before, Wall Street finished in the red.

On this day of "Black Friday", the markets were open for half a session. This day, like every day after Thanksgiving, sounds the start of the race for Christmas gifts across the Atlantic. In this time of economic downturn, observers will be attentive to the behavior of U.S. consumers during this high mass consumption.

Tensions on the debt market

On the macroeconomic front there is no major indicator on the agenda.U.S. investors as their European counterparts, should focus on the developments of the debt crisis in the eurozone.

Tensions remain very strong in the market for government bonds. The performance of the Italian debt in two years reached a new peak since the creation of the euro, exceeding 8%, after an auction of short-term borrowings Italian who saw Rome used a record performance.

In the aftermath of mini-crisis summit between France, Germany and Italy, supposed to "support and ensure the sustainability of the euro", the concern persists. Operators complain German blockages on the tasks of the European Central Bank (ECB). France advocates a more determined it to buy the debt of troubled countries. Germany refuses outright. The issue of Eurobonds is at the center of the debate.

The social cost of rigor will fly mid-2012

October 24, 2011 - 3:14 am Comments Off

Tears and blood. After a "transition year" due to the hope of a recovery – finalementdouché by the sovereign debt crisis – and waiting for the presidential, the French will have to prepare for the worst. This is essentially what promise the combination of HR, Personnel & Company (E & P), in the 2011 vintage of his note of social conditions. "The scenario of the fall of 2012 may be highly deceptive and folders in the news, as detonators, regardless of the majority that won," predicts Jean-Pierre Basilian, the author.

For him, the implementation of a genuine policy of rigor, at the end of the presidential election, is no longer any doubt. "With the electoral process, the implementation of proposals on the table, the French will put their hopes for change in politics," he warns.But these expectations "may be disappointed" by the weight of economic realities. "It regardless of the majority that exit polls, austerity policies, fiscal restraint, increased direct and indirect taxes that lie ahead," says Jean-Pierre and Basilian, with the key "a challenging progressive "social shock absorbers, they have worked well during the crisis, appear outdated.

Chilling post-election

The question is whether more rigor to the sauce Greek or British, will become a reality in France. "In all dimensions of social protection, changes will need to be committed in the name of debt reduction, competitiveness of our economy and employment," swears E & P. The questions are rather on the acceptability of austerity policies developed low fee cash advance."At what point will the social cost he found unbearable, by which social groups?, Asks Jean-Pierre Basilian. Where will the divide? The foundation of social cohesion will break there? "If the worst is never certain, it is still really far away. Everything will depend in the end, according to the association, "the representation that citizens will be social justice" policy implementation "of the fair contribution of each social group efforts."

The shower post-election may be all the more ice that three major social issues are at the heart of the presidential debates. First employment, "the first concern of the French," associated with the competitiveness of the economy and a target of lower labor costs."The sharp slowdown in growth can have a negative effect on the rate of unemployment figures the next few months should not be good and may approach or exceed 10%," says the association. Second, youth employment and efficiency of the education system to find a solution to "lost to 18.0000" coming out every year of school without a diploma. And third, the preservation of a social protection floor. "For a taxation of contributions? A decrease joint benefits? "Asks E & P. "In any case, we will not avoid the issue of cost and financing," predicts Jean-Pierre Basilian.

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The successor to Tim Cook has a clear path

October 10, 2011 - 10:31 am Comments Off

Everything is planned for the next five years. Even the price performance has been limited, rising 0.9% yesterday afternoon in the U.S., despite the death of the Wizard of Apple. Steve Jobs had prepared his succession to the millimeter. Six weeks ago, he had entrusted the keys of the company to Tim Cook, his loyal second, which made the group very profitable. He even left a road map for future innovations. "I think the list of products is stopped for three to five years ahead," said Pierre Peladeau, vice president of consulting firm Booz & Co.

The iPhone is growing at a second screen and payment functions, to become a real game console and an electronic purse. Most importantly, Apple will continue in his way, his real trademark, oversimplify the use of machines which become, therefore, luxury goods, high-margin.The speech recognition system "Siri", presented this week for the iPhone 4S by Tim Cook, should get on Macintosh computers and iPods the most advanced. Recognition of movements and even that of the user, as is the case for the Microsoft Xbox 360, should be to integrate other functions in future products. Shelves, computers and phones all have a camera that could be used to identify its owner.

"The strategy of" multiple monitors "will continue", provides an employee cash advance no faxing. After the computer and the telephone, television and its contents will be the next land to conquer. All television programs around the world could be available on future Apple-branded TVs, thanks to icloud, the system of cloud computing.As was the case for music, applications, newspapers and books, television programs are distributed by Apple. The company would then play a role of reseller and could strengthen in the business of advertising.

Demanding

The road map is drawn, the organization and working methods are arrested, men of valor are in place, including "designer" Jonathan Ive, and the director of marketing Phil Schiller, who "knows so intimately the competitive products, "said Carolina Milanesi of Gartner. In addition, "Tim Cook is as demanding as Steve," provide the employees of Apple. It has the same attention to detail and perfection "that are hallmarks of the group." But without Apple embodied the soul of Steve Jobs, the group may he continue to impose its laws to the content owners? It is not safe.In addition, the future is not written competitors, especially Google's married to Motorola. These competing strategies could encourage Apple to change the line to follow. The future would become uncertain.

Speedy is preparing again to change hands

September 19, 2011 - 1:40 pm Comments Off

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

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

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

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

Option Green Light

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

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

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

Vallourec reinforces its Brazilian base

September 3, 2011 - 2:12 am Comments Off

His first steel pipes have started to go out there four months. But the new Brazilian plant of the French group Vallourec (Japanese partner Sumitomo is 44%) had Thursday's first critical success: President Rousseff came to inaugurate Jeceaba, a hundred kilometers from Belo Horizonte , the capital of rich state of Minas Gerais.

"This is a very special event for me," confessed Rousseff, born in Belo Horizonte and whose father worked for Mannesmann, the ancestor of Vallourec in Brazil since the French group bought in 2000 the activities of the German inventor of the technology of seamless tube in the nineteenth century. Dilma Rousseff's visit is a nod to the French-Japanese investment of 2 billion euros, thanks to which, in his view, the added value derived from the iron ore Minas Gerais is one of the leading producers a reality at last."Brazil does not want to be considered as a raw material supplier to the world," said Philippe Crouzet, the CEO of Vallourec. The French group has made Brazil a strategic basis. It has the distinction of being integrated with its own raw materials as it has its own iron ore mine and a huge plantation of eucalyptus trees whose rapid growth provides power to the steel coal wood.

Vallourec already produces a quarter of his hits in Brazil and there will soon employ 7,700 people. Plant Jeceaba increase its total production capacity by 10%. The site – 250 acres and about 2 km in length of the blast furnace to finishing shops – is a measure of the target market: VSB will be dedicated to the export of products for the exploration and production of hydrocarbons payday loan lenders.However, investment by oil and gas companies have never been higher. And their needs are ever more technical, as it must look deeper black gold, or in extreme conditions. The new plant should therefore take place in the South-South trade, serving clients in West Africa and the Middle East.

Petroleum potential

Its commissioning will enable the existing plant, VMB, focusing on the Brazilian domestic market: infrastructure, especially as we approach the World Cup and the Olympics, mechanical, automobile Vallourec … but mostly gets in the wheel Petrobras, client history. "Our investment decision in March 2007, spoke before Petrobras does not reveal the end of 2007, the discovery of its giant fields présalifères. At the time, this discovery was often met with skepticism.Today, Petrobras is thought able to produce 5 to 6 million barrels per day by 2020, "said Philippe Crouzet. The potential 50 billion barrels of black gold hidden away Petrobras offshore Brazil, within 7 to 8 km of water, rock, and especially salt. An obvious market for pipes and joints upscale Vallourec, tested by the extraordinary conditions of pressure and temperature.

"Petrobras is planning to invest 224 billion dollars in the coming years, more than any staff" has stressed Rousseff. The rise of Brazil as a major oil producer is an opportunity for Vallourec. As is the U.S. energy revolution: the group is building a U.S. factory dedicated to market exploitation of shale gas and go into production in late 2012.

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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New homes: Sales down but prices rise

August 9, 2011 - 11:56 am Comments Off

The new housing market has definitely signs of weakness. The Federation of developers (FPI) released on Monday of new home sales down 19% in the first half of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010. "It's a market downturn. We are concerned whether the second quarter marked a slight slowdown in the decline (-17%) compared to first quarter (-21%), "responded the president on Monday of the REIT Marc Pigeon.

In addition to a base effect related to a strong rebound in sales in 2009 and 2010, this figure reflects the impact of the behavior of investors in the new home market. In 2009 and 2010, they accounted for almost two thirds of acquirers. But the reform of the Scellier, effective in 2011, and rising interest rates since the fall of 2010, helping to discourage this type of buyers.Between the first half of 2011 and first half 2010, sales to investors and have collapsed by 32%.

Meanwhile, the new interest-free loan, the "PTZ +", is still struggling to convince individuals to invest in the new. Over 70% of loans granted by the state were to purchase an old property, say the developers. Finally, sales "in the accession", down 1% in the first half of 2011, therefore not enough to offset falling sales to investors.

Especially as the prices of new homes continue to rise, contributing to a creditworthy buyers months. Despite lower demand and increased supply, prices jump by 9.7% year over year. The increase was more pronounced as ever in the Ile-de-France, due to the scarcity of land (12.5% ​​yoy, against 6.4 in the rest of France).One reason for this paradox lies in the spread of new buildings low consumption, more expensive but higher quality analysis of IPF cash till payday.

Safe haven

This change in the new home market still contrasts sharply with the market of the former. While the lawyers emphasized in July attenuation of the increase in sales in the first quarter, after a very dynamic year 2010. Ile-de-France in particular, the number of homes sold decreased by 4% in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010. A decrease due to the scarcity of goods for sale in Paris, as well as a relative lull after the peak sales in late 2010. But on the whole of France, sales volumes progressed further by 23% in March 2011 over a year.

Despite rising real estate rates, which crowd out some buyers, prices remain steady increase otherwise.In one year, the apartments are in price by 10.5% and 7.8% of the houses, according to latest figures published by notaries in France. But these increases mask contrasting trends. If the prices of apartments in Paris are more than 20%, 21 counties recorded lower prices in one year, find notaries.

Overall, however, the real estate market should remain strong this year. "The fundamentals of the French market are safe," said Olivier Eluère, an economist at Credit Agricole. The granting of credit is not excessive, the presence of property dealers in the market not significant, while the supply of housing remains structurally inadequate in some areas. The real estate market should furthermore continue to benefit from a safe-haven status in an uncertain economy.Devices such as government or Scellier + PTZ can also support the request. Lower prices should not be generalized profile before long.

The CAC 40 is expected to rebound sharply

August 4, 2011 - 6:08 pm Comments Off

And if the Paris Stock Exchange on Thursday ended its eight consecutive sessions of decline that have lost more than 10%? The rebound on Wall Street Wednesday night and Tokyo this morning – although the latter is mainly due to the weakening of the yen against the dollar and the euro – seem to bode well for the Cac 40.According to analysts' estimates, could open the Cac 40 up 1.2%.

On Wednesday, the Cac 40 dropped 1.93% to 3454.94 points, after the yield spreads between bonds to ten years Spanish and Italian have widened compared to German bonds.

Financial markets, however, could play the card of caution pending the meeting of the Board of Governors of the European Central Bank (13.45), which is expected to announce its continued interest rate to 1.50% but especially before the publication of weekly claims for unemployment benefits in the United States (1430), on the eve of the official figures on Friday.

On the corporate side, two companies released this morning:

Veolia Environnement, which warned last Friday that it would not achieve its goals for this year, released on Thursday a net loss of 67.2 million euros in the first half, weighed down by exceptional asset write-downs 800 million euros.The world leader in environmental services will focus its activities "in less than 40 countries in 2013 against 77 today."

However, Axa reported first half net profit more than quadrupled to 3.99 billion ers (324%), driven by gains on sale and very little affected by provisions related to the support plan to Greece.

Vinci said Wednesday QDVC, its joint venture with Qatari fund, won a contract for 374 million euros for a metro project for a new town being built in Qatar.

Vilmorin has confirmed its margin target of 2010-2011 by announcing an increase of 12.1% of its turnover for the year, thanks to the vegetable business, along with the acquisition of assets and maize seed and sorghum Brasmilho of Brazilian society.

Hermès responded Wednesday to the Association of Defence of Minority Shareholders (Adam), who asked why the luxury group spent so much money to buy back its own shares. "Share repurchases are intended to cover the programs free shares to employees," said a spokeswoman for Hermes.

Cegedim dropped its goal of increasing revenue for 2011 but remains confident in its ability to generate an EBIT close in absolute value, that of 2010. The group also announced Wednesday for the second quarter of 2011, a consolidated turnover of 247.1 million euros (+1.6% as reported and 0.1% organic).

Dexia and Natixis will publish their second quarter results after market close.

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. "

»View the complete table published by the Guardian

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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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