Posts Tagged ‘global’

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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The reduction of the ISF adopted

June 10, 2011 - 8:44 pm Comments Off

The vote was taken freehand. The National Assembly on Friday passed the relief measures of the solidarity tax on wealth (ISF) contained in Section 1 of the supplementary budget (supplementary budget Ed.) 2011qui door for the tax reform Heritage .

Threshold at 1.3 million euros

This article provides for the abolition of the first tax bracket to the ISF by raising the entry threshold of 800,000 to 1.3 million euros of assets. This measure should allow taxpayers to exempt 300,000, which corresponds, according to the government, owners of a principal residence whose value has soared because of the explosion in property prices in recent years.

Two rates of 0.25% and 0.5%

Section 1 provides further reduce the progressivity of the ISF. The schedule now has six units which techniques are applied six rates ranging from 0.55% to 1.80%.If the text is finally adopted by the Assembly and the Senate, it restr only two tax brackets: 0.25% for those whose assets do not exceed 3 million euros and 0.5% where the estate is greater.

This Friday, the resumption of debate, an amendment allowing a small reduction in ISF extra part dependent children has been strongly denounced by the left. In detail, the amendment of the rapporteur Gilles Carrez UMP plans to "increase the amount of reduction for each dependent from 150 euros to 300 euros, including adult children who are studying business card. "Interesting," said Budget Minister Francois Baroin, who relied on the "wisdom" of the Assembly. "You have no shame.It's outrageous, "launched the PS deputy Christian Eckert, denouncing" 150 euros reduction for people whose assets exceed $ 1.5 million, even though the school year allowance is granted conditionally for income below 23,000 Euros.

On June 14 the Senate

The reduction of the ISF is the corollary of the abolition of the tax shield, a key measure of quinquénat adopted in 2007 which provided for the tax cap to 50% of revenues.The fate of the latter, under section 13 of the supplementary budget will be sealed within hours or days ahead, examining the text to run until Tuesday, June 14, the date set for the formal vote and Transmission of the Senate.

(With agencies)

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The Franco-Belgian bank Dexia goes steel wool accounts

May 28, 2011 - 9:00 am Comments Off

It's official. As Le Figaro had revealed the Franco-Belgian bank Dexia announced Friday after its board, accelerate the restructuring of its balance sheet. Consolidation has a cost: 3.6 billion euros, which will be recorded in the accounts of the second quarter and that will put the bank into losses for the full year 2011. Dexia said however that his credit will remain good (with a tier one ratio above 11% at end-June 2011).

The plan is initiated by Dexia in two essential points. First, the group begins experiencing sell its portfolio of U.S. assets more toxic, by adding a provision of 1.8 billion euros, which puts the market value of listed securities of $ 9.5 billion in the accounts.And discounted, these assets could find buyers, "the depth of market exists for us to divest these assets within a reasonable time," says Pierre Mariani, Dexia's director general. Dexia not only get rid of a risk of exposure to U.S. housing market, but at last liberated state aid: the portfolio called "financial products" is guaranteed by the Belgian and French.

Second branch, Dexia is a "general provision" of $ 1.8 billion of other assets to be divested. Without elaborating.In fact, the bank plans to accelerate sales of its bond portfolio – over 100 billion today – and make disposals of subsidiaries (Sabadell in Spain and especially Italy Crediop) who do not find today ' Today at a price taker in the accounts of Dexia.

These provisions made, and if sales planned in the short term are actually realized, Dexia has a very significant given plumb its balance sheet, characterized by a massive gap between the tempo of its liabilities (long term) and the maturity of its resources (short term). A "model" that explains a little crazy that Dexia has grazed the worst in 2008, justifying state intervention at the time.

Rebalanced, the Dexia Group will be found very soon to face his recurring strategic questions.Will he keep this curious state alloy Franco-Belgian, born of the marriage of a Belgian retail bank and a former department of the Deposit specializes in local government finance (Crédit Local France), all of which are boosted by the profits of a subsidiary … Turkey? It's a safe bet that the speculation of a chronic cutting Dexia resume shortly …

Dexia shares was suspended while she was 3.24% at 2.514 euro, lost 3.3% since the beginning of the year after dropping 38.9% in 2010.

Libya: SocGen was leveraging of funding

May 26, 2011 - 3:48 pm Comments Off

It's a story that Societe Generale would have preferred to keep to herself. Since the freezing of Libyan assets earlier this year, the French bank has made its discreet yet welcomed funds investments of the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA), the country's sovereign wealth fund of Muammar Gaddafi. According to a document published by the NGO Global Witness and Le Monde on Thursday, the LIA has investments in three funds of SocGen, now frozen: Soc Gen Europe Medium, Soc Gen CODEIS Strategic Equity Fund, and Soc Gen Cross Roads 5Y Link Notes. This is a set of structured products that allowed Libya to diversify its portfolio.

The case was not even interesting for the French bank that has faced very disappointing returns in 2010.Thus, the value of the three financial products is increasing between the first and second quarters last year, 1.8 billion dollars (1.27 billion euros) to 1.05 billion. The only funds specializing in Europe, Soc Gen Europe Medium, which alone weighed 1 billion dollar saw its value drop by 43% to 498 million.

BNP Paribas, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs …

The French bank is obviously not the only one who sows the seeds of funds from the Libyan regime. The names of several banks are well surface, which another French BNP Paribas, as well as American as JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse and Britain's HSBC. In total, these financial institutions managed almost $ 5 billion in assets (3.5 billion euros) over the 55 billion dollars of financial assets of the LIA.Overall, losses collected by these funds would be heavy: their value would be increased from 5 to 3.5 billion dollars last year.

But for NGOs, collected more than the losses is the involvement of these prestigious institution in managing the funds of a scheme which is now discredited defendant. "It is striking to see how many large institutions were ready to do business with the Libyan regime, knowing the potential risk of misuse of state funds for personal use," says Robert Palmer Global Witness, in the columns of the Financial Times.

In his defense, Societe Generale said it acted legally and accurately manage the investments of several state funds in the same way.Remember, the banks and financial institutions held 8.233 billion Libyan dollars (5.84 billion euros) in deposits and loans from French banks to September 30, 2010.

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French chemists confirm the crisis

May 5, 2011 - 3:12 pm Comments Off

The year 2010 had already been an exceptional year, even for groups of historic French chemistry, Rhodia and Arkema. But on Thursday morning, the two companies were again positively surprised markets by announcing strong financial results quarterly.

Alternately, Rhodia and Arkema unveiled a sales growth of 28% for the former and 33% for the second, at 1.77 billion and 1.5 billion euros. On both sides, the Guidelines highlight the sustained increase in volume, about 7% to 9%. In an interview with Le Figaro, Thierry Hénaff, CEO of Arkema, confirms that "the global environment is a carrier for chemists", referring in particular to the dynamism of emerging countries. Yet both groups are very active in high-growth countries.

Historically, Rhodia has developed in Latin America, particularly Brazil, and China.In total, emerging economies account for half its turnover. For his part, Arkema has focused on Asia, especially on China. With 20% of sales in the Asian territory, the group has therefore also a growing market. "In Europe and the United States, we see no sign of abating" moderates Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, the CEO of Rhodia, commenting on trends in other markets.

A positive pricing-power

Beyond these sustained volumes, the French chemists have now the choice made in the mid-2000s, to reposition their activities, and evolve their product lines towards products "performance" or "specialty" in very high added value.For example, include bioplastics produced by Arkema, to limit the weight of cars and therefore reduce the energy consumption of automobiles. For its part, Rhodia offers silicas for tires also reduces energy consumption, or compounds of high performance detergent products or cosmetics (shampoos, detergents …)

This positioning of substitutable products hardly makes them less sensitive to economic fluctuations, the chemists called "core" whose activity is based on the sale, in very large tonnages, minimally processed materials.

This choice also allows both groups to move more easily to their customers of price increases, a critical factor in a context of rising prices of intermediate raw materials, used in the manufacture of their compounds.This "pricing-power" allows them to maintain profitability, while according to Thierry Hénaff, "the raw materials we use have increased on average by 30% over the first three months of the year and sometimes up to 50 % for some petroleum derivatives quick payday loan.

Rhodia, this rise affected negatively for about 100 million euros on EBITDA (EBITDA). "But our pricing-power has led to a positive 51 million euros on EBITDA" said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu. In the first three months of the year, EBITDA recurring group reached 283 million euros, up 28% (margin of 16.8%), while at Arkema quarterly EBITDA reached 287 million euros. Having more than doubled in one year, it shows a margin of 16.6%.On both sides, net income reached a record 151 million euros.

Faced with these early indications of financial year, the leaders were rather confident for the rest of the year. Arkema Hénaff Thierry should not give targets for the year before summer, but said that the second quarter will be a continuation of the first, with fiscal 2011 "very likely higher than last year already historic for our group. " Rhodia, the annual target of a recurring EBITDA of one billion euros for 2011 was revised to "more than 1 billion euros."

Positive stock market reactions

At the Paris Bourse, investors applauded the figures above expectations. Arkema clinching the title with 4.60% in mid-session (71.8 euros), bringing its increase to 35% since the beginning of the year.Since the IPO just last 5 years (May 18, 2006), the title has been multiplied by more than 2.

For its part, the title being fed Rhodia very logically from 0.16% to 31.53 euros, the title remaining aligned with the price of the friendly takeover announced in April by the Belgian Solvay at a price of 31 60 euros per share. The offer, which should be open in June, would allow both groups, if successful, to form a new group of about 14 billion euros in turnover, for estimated EBITDA of EUR 2 billion .

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Day hires at Mc Do unprecedented

April 19, 2011 - 3:28 am Comments Off

At McDonald's, it's not just hamburgers that count. There are also teams, hundreds of thousands of men and women to whom the American fast food chain offers the possibility of a long and successful career.

That's certainly the message that McDonald's wants to go, decided to end the inglorious image of the "McJob" that sticks to the skin, considered the ultimate odd jobs, poorly paid and no future. To improve its image on the labor market, the fast food chain wants to create an event by changing its recruitment patterns for the summer.

On 19 April, she organizes the United States a day of unprecedented hiring, with 50,000 jobs in the key (seasonal jobs but also injecting drug users, crew positions, but also managers with higher responsibility) fast cash loans.

By striking hard and fast, McDonald hopes to convince that "a McJob is a job that offers career development and opportunities," says Ashlee Yingling, spokesman for the chain. Hiring 50,000 people a day, often at rates higher than 8 dollars an hour, McDonalds will increase once its U.S. workforce by 7.7% to bring them to 700,000.

But McDonald's does not take risks. Each year, in fact, in anticipation of peak summer activity, the chain is expanding its teams in such proportions. "The number of contracts is similar to those of past years, provides Ashlee Yingling. But recruit 50,000 people in one day is unique. "It's certainly a good shot of the pub, but not necessarily more.

Fuels: the contribution of oil estimated at 100 million

April 7, 2011 - 8:08 am Comments Off

The events in Libya amplify the concerns of motorists regarding the evolution of crude prices. Thus, the survey of ViaVoice over 70% of French people believe that higher pump prices will continue in the coming weeks. Fuel prices have increased on average by 17% since January 2010.

Faced with these developments, the French government decided to react by increasing tax deductions enjoyed by many consumers who use their vehicles in the workplace. A 'revaluation of 4.6% flat rate mileage applicable to 2010 income tax "was proposed Tuesday by Prime Minister Francois Fillon. Nearly 5 million consumers could benefit.

Contribution of oil companies estimated at 100 million euros

To finance the tax deductions from motorists hit by rising fuel prices, the Energy Minister Eric Besson account the contribution of oil companies. It would be assessed "around 100 million euros," said the ministry statement paperless payday loans. This contribution has been "encrypted services Baroin," Budget Minister, Eric Besson said on the sidelines of a conference on oil in Paris.

A meeting between professionals refining and representatives of the French government is expected next Monday. Minister of Energy and the Economy Minister Christine Lagarde and Secretary of State for Trade Frédéric Lefèbvre with oil companies will define the modalities of this contribution, intended to mitigate rising fuel prices in France.

In the statement released Tuesday after the announcements of the Prime Minister on the regulation of energy prices, UFC-Que Choisir describes the contribution of "drop of water to a sea of ​​expectations", adding that the commitment of France "seems very thin."

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Tunisian financial assets frozen in France

January 15, 2011 - 7:23 pm Comments Off

France asked Saturday free elections "as soon as possible" in Tunisia and announced it had taken measures to block "suspicious financial movements" of Tunisian assets on its territory.

In a statement, the Elysee said he had "taken steps to ensure that suspicious financial transactions involving assets in France are blocked Tunisian administratively under the law."

Paris "is available to the constitutional authorities to respond promptly to any request on Tunisian assets in France," the statement said the French presidency.

Calling for "healing and an end to violence," France has also requested "the organization of free elections as soon as possible" in Tunisia, claiming to be ready to "respond to any request for assistance so that the process democratic place as the most compelling ".

Recalling the principle of "non-interference in internal affairs of a sovereign state," Paris said at last bring a "strong support" to the Tunisian people in its "commitment to democracy."

More information to come.

(With AP)

When the CAC 40 companies are outside the corporate tax

December 19, 2010 - 8:26 pm Comments Off

The largest French companies are not necessarily those that relate most to the state coffers. According to a survey published this weekend in the Journal du Dimanche, a CAC 40 company in four would not pay tax (CIT) last year. Danone, Suez Environment, Total, Saint Gobain, Schneider or completely escape such levy. Half of the CAC 40 companies chose not to respond to questions from the newspaper, but "if they say nothing is that they do not pay much," says in his columns a tax lawyer. As already noted a report by the mandatory withdrawals last October, the CAC 40 companies are taxed at an average height of 8% of their profits, against 33% normally. SMEs, less able to exploit various tax loopholes, by transferring an average of 22%.

Because it is under the tax code that the contribution of big business reached a level so low. Despite the high rate of corporation tax in France, many tax provisions, such as unlimited carryover of losses, the research tax credit or the deductibility of loan interest, they can indeed reduce their payments. According to the Council of compulsory levies, the cost to the state of the various loopholes in the tax and social benefit to companies reached 172 billion euros in 2010 on line pay day loans. Danone, for example, taxes deducted from the borrowing for the acquisition of Numico in 2007, says the JDD. And if other businesses, such Total or PSA, revertants do anything this year for being in the red, they may also limit their payments in subsequent years, with unlimited carry-over losses deplored during the crisis.

Finally, as a result of these multiple devices, the product of the corporate tax is reduced gradually. Hence the idea, supported by the Elysée, an overhaul of the device for more convergence with other European states, particularly Germany. Pressure without success on Ireland to raise its IS – the lowest in Europe at 12.5% – said the crucial for France and Germany at the tax variable. If the establishment of a single rate for all European countries seems unlikely, France and Germany would lead, at least, to fix a similar attitude. The European Commission should make proposals in March.