World News – International Headlines, Stories

In 2009, net income of Amazon rose 40% to $ 902 million or $ 2.04 per share. The U.S. Internet provider has presented these figures Thursday after the close of Wall Street, at the same time it announced its net profit for the fourth quarter, which soared 71% over the same period a year earlier, and rising to $ 384 million, or $ 0.85 per share.

During the last three months of 2009, marked by the holiday shopping season, Amazon's sales jumped 42%. Its turnover in the fourth quarter then reached $ 9.52 billion, which is better than expected. Due to a favorable currency effect, sales in the fourth quarter rose more rapidly in international markets (ie markets UK, French, German, Japanese and Chinese, which together grew by 49%) on the northern markets American (36%).But the two geographical areas show a growth rate similar sales since the currency effect is offset, and equivalent volumes.

This dynamic sales at year-end allows Amazon to total $ 24.51 billion worth of sales throughout the year, or 28% more than in 2008 low fee payday loans .

The group attributes this performance to the success of its electronic book reader, the Kindle, released in a hundred countries. "Millions of people now have the Kindle, and those who have a Kindle read a lot. When we have two editions (print and digital), six editions we sell Kindle books for 10 paper, "said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.

On its forecast for first quarter 2010, Amazon is planning a sales growth of about 32 to 43%.Its quarterly revenue could be up to 7 billion dollars. Over the period, operating profit could rise by 13% to 50%, Amazon said.

The group finally warned that its Board of Directors has endorsed a program of share repurchases by the group, amounting to 2 billion dollars.

"IPad: strengths and weaknesses of the Apple tablet

Who will succeed? That is the question to 150 billion dollars – the value of its holding – that everyone asks about Warren Buffett, the guru of American finance, 79 years old, second wealthiest world. This week his company Berkshire Hathaway was appointed Member of the Board Stephen Burke, the number two U.S. cable operator Comcast, which just bought NBC Universal.

At 51, Burke will be part of the young guard of that noble assembly of twelve people, half of which has more than 70 years and four members over 80. It will sit alongside Bill Gates (54), a former head of Coca-Cola (whose capital is the largest shareholder), Donald Keough (83), Charles Munger (85), right arm Buffett and Howard Buffett, eldest son of the "Oracle of Omaha". The latter, who just turned 55, is a philanthropist, photographer and farmer in his spare time.It has been designated as future president of the board, which does not mean he would succeed his father as head of investment holding.

Found this gem is also the main task, according to Warren Buffett, the board of directors. "Nothing is more important: nobody can say where I'll be the day", he justified in an interview in March. At the general meeting of the company in May, he had been pressed by shareholders to disclose the name of a successor.

Stephen Burke, the newcomer, a veteran of Disney, "is an expert in the business, mindful of the interests of shareholders and very interested in Berkshire," Buffett said. He could follow his professional development has long been the father of Stephen, Daniel Burke, had been head of Capital Cities / ABC, a major investment success of Berkshire Hathaway in the 1990s."It's how to do everything Buffett family," said Jeff Matthews, author of a book on finance.

Year tormented

Still active, Warren Buffett has once again assign a block of shares in the credit rating agency Moody's, whose reputation has been tainted by the financial crisis, cutting its stake from 34% since June In early November, he was surprised by launching a takeover bid to $ 26 billion on rail freight company Brulington Northern Santa Fe has also recently invested in ExxonMobil, Nestlé and doubled its stake in Wal-Mart.

Investors scrutinize any decision papy finance to learn about the crisis. However, his company completed one years tormented.If it posted earnings much better than expected in the third quarter of $ 3.2 billion, three times more than the year before, she had begun the year in the red. Affected by the financial crisis, the group had experienced a loss of 1.5 billion dollars in the first quarter, came close a grim series of six quarters of decline. Over the year, the action Berkshire Hathaway has grown by only 2%.

The flash composite PMI index, which integrates the services and industry, has reached the highest since January 2008 to 58.4 against 54.8 in September, said Markit Economics (preliminary). This strong growth away permanently index the 50-point threshold above which economic activity is expanding.

The manufacturing index rose to 55.3 against 53 in September, its highest level since November 2006. The services index gained 4.6 points to 57.8, its highest level since February 2008. These publications are above analysts' expectations.

"France has a real resurgence of growth that seems fairly well distributed between industry and services, businesses and consumers," judge Chris Williamson, economist at Markit Economics. "We are at a level consistent with GDP growth of around 0.6% quarterly," says he.

Note that employment records its 17th consecutive month of declines.

The monthly survey of Markit and Company executives and buyers from France (FASC) is made from 750 companies in industries and services. The final indices will be published November 2 for industry and 4 services and the composite.