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The year 2011 started well for Apple! Having dethroned his eternal rival, Microsoft, Exchange, last May the Apple brand has reached in early trading on Monday evening, the $ 330 share, or a market capitalization of 302 billion dollars. The group has a busy time of the second biggest companies in the world.

And even if ultimately, the stock closed Monday night in the 330 dollars to 329.57 dollars exactly (7.01%), Apple confirmed its growing power market. So much so that in less than a year, the gap in funding between Apple and Microsoft has widened by more than 60 billion dollars.

Other innovations and acquisitions to come

But this morning, PetroChina has taken second place with over $ 307 billion capitalization. Apple finds itself third in the world payday loan.Exxon Mobil is still in first place with its 369 billion.

And this is probably not over. The Apple boss Steve Jobs promises because new innovations and new acquisitions in the coming months.

Piper Jaffray, a specialist in the value of Apple, said the group could even integrate the TV market at a time when television connected proliferates. "Apple may soon look to web services, thus strengthening its mechanism (cloud service, MobileMe …). The little apple has not finished building.

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The Christmas period is traditionally very busy for the Post. "We handle about 900,000 packages a month in normal times, and 1.5 million at Christmas. We are preparing well in advance. This peak, we are used to, "says one to the direction of the SOE. But this year the weather was responsible for further complicate the task of Postal Workers. By blocking access to certain roads to trucks, heavy snowfall of last week have delayed many deliveries. "From Wednesday night, 500,000 parcels have accumulated overdue. They are now back in the circuit, and will arrive before Christmas. Yesterday, 80,000 packages have still lagged, but now the situation is almost back to normal, "assures us it to the station. Some regions such as rural areas of Lorraine and the Ardennes, isolated and particularly affected by the snow, however, remain difficult to deliver before Christmas."In the impossible, no one is required," said Tuesday AFP Jean-Claude Sonet, commercial director Coliposte. As for delivery, usually about 48 hours, "he can not now be absolutely guaranteed due to the backlog." Clearly, if you want a package delivered before Christmas, unless you have opted for Chronoposte, it is better to have already posted payday advance lender.

Asked about the issue Tuesday, Pierre Kosciusko-Morizet, CEO and president of the PriceMinister Acsel, an association for the digital economy, also put on hold Internet users: "For those who order on Tuesday or Wednesday, the period begins to be fair. " Most online trading sites are encouraging their customers to use express delivery services, such Chronoposte. Some, such as Pixmania, will offer up a delivery service.Because in case of late or non delivery of parcels, the responsibility is not to the Post, but for online merchants. "The online commerce sites are responsible for full execution of contracts with their customers, including delivery of products," says Patricia Fulcher, a lawyer at the National Institute of Consumption (INC). Although the law does not provide for compensation for late delivery, but the only option to cancel the order after seven days of delay elapsed. "If your package does not arrive in time for Christmas, the best option is to settle the dispute amicably with your online merchant. He may, at best, make a gesture of goodwill ".

Chance of communication: so has been unveiled on Tuesday morning's annual survey Proxinvest on executive compensation of large French companies, unions have now confirmed that the SMIC should grow to a limited extent from 1 January to around 9 euros gross time, under increasing legal minimum, without a "push" additional government and for the fifth consecutive year.

The legal minimum wage for some 2.3 million French people, or about one in ten employees. Since the last increase on 1 January 2010 the minimum wage is 8.86 euros an hour, or 1,343.77 euros gross per month (about 1,056 Euros net) for 35 hours.The revaluation expected (+1.6%) bringing the net minimum wage to about 1073 euros.

The minimum wage earners – who mainly work in small firms and in sectors of trade and services like hotels and restaurants – thus affect some 17 euros more per month in net.

Since the election of Nicolas Sarkozy as president in 2007, no "push" was given to minimum wage during the various revaluations.Xavier Bertrand has defended last week such a choice because the minimum wage increase would affect only "10% of employees" and that he would rather "talk to 100% of employees."

The government will instead play the "game of wage bargaining in all industries," he said arguing that the number of branches with wages above the minimum wage had risen to nine, seven against five years ago.

Avoid boost

The five experts, whose opinion is usually followed by the government last week advised against any boost, particularly considering that higher minimum wage could "improve the remuneration of persons in employment" but away from the labor market "the more fragile. "

Reasoning that "weakens the mechanism of SMIC," denounces Mary-Alice Medeuf-Andrieu (F0) for whom a significant revaluation of the minimum wage is' good for the economy "because it permits" to increase the purchasing power and to stimulate consumption. "

For Michele Chay (CGT) lack of appreciation beyond the legal minimum is "unacceptable", while "housing costs or energy continue to rise, the crisis is not over and that firms CAC 40 are making profits. "For his part, Laurence Laigo of the CFDT pleads for "a boost of 0.5%" would be "a good signal for consumption."

No money for employees

The minimum wage is "the only tool available to the state in favor of purchasing power," she recalls, as companies "do not play the game more rewarding shareholders than employees."

"Ask a boost was not used to the CFDT before the crisis, but 2010 was marked by continued wage moderation and higher fixed expenses, including fuel and insurance," notes the CFDT responsible.

Gabrielle Simon (CFTC) said he regretted that "there is money for everyone, except for employees.""The government keeps giving relief of employer contributions but this has no effect on wage levels," she notes.

The minimum wage is particularly sensitive for part-time employees, over-represented among minimum wage earners, "they would work more to earn more, to quote the slogan of Nicolas Sarkozy, but this is not possible," says this union.

(With AFP)

One month after the surprise announcement of LVMH's entry to the capital of Hermes, the tussle involved a third player: the Swiss group Richemont, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Lancel. To justify its investment of 17.1% in Hermes, Bernard Arnault and his entourage had reported "rumors" of colonial ambitions for the brand, evoking a share of Chinese funds and, secondly, Richemont, the number two in the world of luxury.

The Swiss group's boss, Johann Rupert, leaves his reservation to deny these allegations.On Friday he wrote a letter to Bernard Arnault, in which he states: "The suggestion that Hermes or excuse may have been needed to be protected against alleged involvement in the affairs of Richemont was obviously shocking and entirely false payday cash loans." In this letter, he asks the boss of LVMH to stop any mention of this type from his family, mentioning the name of Pierre Gode, an adviser to Bernard Arnault.

On the merits, the chairman of Richemont said that the group has "never made a hostile bid of any kind," "it's just not our style."And states that "any circumstances", he or his group would "Hermes investment that would not be known or perceived as hostile by the company and the families that control it."

The Swiss group has owned up to 2% for Hermes

However, the giant clock and jewelry was not always interested in the fate of Hermes.In a statement to Le Monde on Saturday, Johann Rupert said his group has held "there fifteen years," shares some Hermes, never more than 2 million (2% of capital), which we sold in 2006 " before the start of the recent speculation triggered by the departure of former boss and heir of the founder, Jean-Louis Dumas.

The revelation of this investment raises a question: Hermes had he been informed? Its own statutes require that an investor expresses the 0.5% stake, under penalty of deprivation of voting rights. The company recently said not to have traces of a presence today in its capital of Richmond.

In the entourage of Bernard Arnault, we stated yesterday that the group has never said that Richemont had bought shares in Hermes but it was rumored markets, nor Richemont said that was in a hostile approach instant small loans. "Introducing himself as friend of Hermes and guarantor of respect for "culture and identity" of its French houses, like Cartier or Van Cleef, Richemont is a milestone.

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Ireland

• Weaknesses: The banks are the main problem of the Celtic Tiger. Almost all of the deficit abyss of 2010, representing 32% of GDP, is due to the aid plan for banks.

The financial sector had grown beyond the reasonable riding the housing bubble of the 2000s. The crisis has killed the market for construction and real estate. Households find themselves in great difficulties: their debts are often secured on their house, atteingnent 150% of their gross disposable income. "The default rate could rise in coming months, which could weaken banks and indirectly increase the deficit of the state, which would come to their rescue," worries Adele Renaux, economist at Natixis.

• Strengths: Ireland is a highly competitive country, unlike Spain and Portugal.The corporation tax to 12.5%, remains well below that of its European counterparts, between 20% and 30%. The workforce is highly trained.

Contrary also to countries of the Iberian Peninsula, Ireland specializes in industries carriers. Through pharmacy, chemistry or even the food, the island has a trade surplus. Exports should also be the principal-if not the only engine of growth in the medium term. In 2011, BNP Paribas expects an increase in activity of 1.5%.

Portugal

• Weaknesses: Its economy is specialized in industries with low added value, such as textiles. It is in direct competition with low cost countries such as the Asian tigers, Tunisia or Turkey. In addition, its main customer is none other than Spain, a country in deep trouble.

The economic outlook is bleak. The recent increase in VAT and a labor market should destroy any heavily damaged recovery in consumption. GDP expected to fall 0.2% in 2011, according to BNP Paribas.

• Strengths: "Portugal has launched the 2000 reforms to improve its competitiveness," says Jesus Castillo, an economist at Natixis. "But the compression of wages has cut consumer spending."

Spain

• Weaknesses: As in Ireland, the consequences of the explosion of the housing bubble were terrible. The regional banks are in big trouble. The real estate market and construction industry are affected. For a long time.

• Strengths: The patient self-inflicted shock therapy and public debt should remain well below levels seen in other peripheral countries.On the other hand, "clean the economy continues as the show (…) the sharp increase in household savings and the shift in activity towards the industry," noted economists at BNP Paribas.

Still, activity has been driven, in recent years by the housing boom. Spain now has to find another engine. In the coming years, "the challenge for Spain is to find a new economic model by investing in training in particular, Analysis Jesus Castillo, an economist at Natixis. A metamorphosis that would take time. Meanwhile, the country counts on tourism.

Greece

• Weaknesses: Historically, the Greek public finances have been badly managed, with a side boondoggle spending and tax revenues that did not fit. Blame it on a very strong culture of tax evasion.Result, public debt will peak at 150% of GDP in 2013. A record in the euro area.

The economy remains in recession. The GDP fell 1.1% in the third quarter. Tight budget, business investment and sluggish demand at half-mast should lead to a 3.1% decrease in activity in 2011, according to BNP Paribas.

• Highlights: Greece is the first World owner. This asset should tell him when world trade recovers. Tourism remains a strong point.

His hourly productivity is higher than those of Spain and Portugal. Moreover, it is still catching up with the economic level of the rest of Europe, which ensures a reserve growth over time. Finally, it enjoys substantial EU subsidies (8.5 billion euros in 2008).

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"Everything is a political firebrand." In short, the Head of State summarized the sensitivity of what should be the last major economic reform quinquennium. Nicolas Sarkozy announced yesterday the creation, in a supplementary budget in spring 2011 of a new tax on unearned income. A decision to accompany the abolition of wealth tax and the tax shield. Not since the first removal of tax on capital, which was very expensive to Jacques Chirac in the presidential election of 1988, a leading right-wing had dared to attack again so clearly. The idea of the Elysee is simple: tax the unearned income – dividends, interest, capital gains – rather than wealth itself. "This is the angle of reform," said Nicolas Sarkozy.

Reflections on this issue are already well advanced in the majority."France must not become a nation of renters. We must align the taxation of capital over that of labor, "says Jerome Chartier, National Secretary to the taxation of the UMP. One of the tracks would be to delete the standard deduction, which does tax interest and dividends to 19%. These savings income scale would then be taxed at normal income tax, usually less profitable (the rates are 30% or 41% for high incomes). Another measure considered: raising the tax on capital gains realized on sales of shares and securities or real estate. This reform must be done at constant tax burden. There will be no general tax increases, has once again promised the president because it would harm the competitiveness of France "would therefore fewer jobs, less buying power and less growth."The goal is to make heritage more tax efficient, not more burdensome.

Because the current system accumulates defects. The ISF, first. This tax does not nearly account for revenue. Result, there are still a few years, a household's wealth but little income could see almost all of its resources from Income Tax payday advance. To avoid this absurdity, the Villepin government had introduced the first tax cap set at 60%. Once elected, Nicolas Sarkozy has strengthened the system by assuring the taxpayer that their taxes would not exceed 50% of its revenues. A rule of "common sense" that the majority have never managed to impose in the public opinion. In these times of crisis, the opposition was quick to point out that some very wealthy taxpayers in 1100 hit a tax refund check of 362,000 euros on average.Forgetting that 17,000 other taxpayers – including people with a big heritage but little income – also benefit from the shield. Another drawback: the shield has not stopped the tax exile. 821 subject to the ISF have left France in 2008, against 719 in 2007 and 846 in 2006. Evidence that the shield was never able to erase the flaws of the ISF continues to face foil. Hence the idea of removing it. "And if we have no wealth tax, we do not need a shield," said Nicolas Sarkozy.

The launch of this major reform will coincide with the publication earlier this year, the report of the Court of Auditors on fiscal convergence between France and Germany. This will be another cornerstone of the French economy: "I want to create with our largest trading partner, Germany, an area of uniform taxation, where our taxes are comparable and compatible," said Nicolas Sarkozy.Germans who have suspended the ISF in 1997 …

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India, which boasts of having the smallest cut diamond in the world (0.0003 carat or 0.00006 gram), can now be proud to host the largest diamond bourse in the world. The realization of a dream dating back to 1992 … and aims to make Mumbai an international center of the diamond trade with the ambition to compete with Antwerp and Tel Aviv.

Located in Bandra, a neighborhood business booming economic and financial capital of India, the new premises of the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) were inaugurated yesterday. "The date is not trivial," says Anoop Mehta, president of the BDB. Yesterday, the Indians celebrated Dussehra, one of the most important festivals of Hindu calendar. It marks the victory of good over evil …

The premises of the Bharat Diamond Bourse extend over 287,700 square meters.They include eight towers of nine floors each and will bring together under one roof sellers and buyers, banks, customs, investors, etc.. The complex will also include vaults. In Bombay, the diamond trade is still in cramped and overcrowded offices, trapped in three buildings located south of the megalopolis. And it was not so long ago, exporters were across town with their precious cargo to go to customs. By December, everyone should have moved to Bandra.

"Globally, the diamond industry is growing very fast, is Anoop Mehta. India is an important center: twelve diamonds in circulation worldwide, eleven are cut and polished in our country.The BDB will undoubtedly India to become an international center of trade in stones and jewelry. "

A project of twenty years

The diamond industry employs some 850,000 Indians. The center of cutting and polishing the most important thing Surat, Gujarat town, 250 kilometers north of Bombay.

The BDB, meanwhile, plans to increase its turnover, currently at $ 28 billion, 10 to 15% per year over the next five years. "We hope that the new infrastructure will more traders from Israel and Belgium," says Mehta.

The completion of this gigantic project costing 240 million dollars has not been without pitfalls. Disputes over land acquisition, disputes between contractors and architects, natural disasters … it took almost twenty years to solve all problems. It was time.If India is indeed leading exporter of cut and polished diamonds, it did not previously asserted as an international trade in these stones.

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September was marked by volatility in Asian stock markets. This Thursday is still shown. After yesterday's gains, the indices évoulent uncoordinated. Wall Street, which ended in a small decrease (-0.21%) after a meeting very hesitant, do not give a direction to follow. Asia dominates the wait before a series of U.S. statistics to be published in early afternoon (the last reading of GDP for the second quarter, weekly jobless claims and the Chicago PMI for September).

The Nikkei since March

Meanwhile, Japan's Nikkei widening its losses: after an opening stable (-0.01%), the key index in Tokyo falling 1.18% to 9446 points. The Topix, broader, loose 1.43% to 834 points.A poor indicator came stopping investor sentiment in early trading as industrial production fell 0.3% in August compared to July. It is his third consecutive monthly decline, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The prospects are not good: "Industrial production has stagnated and is expected to decline," warned the trade. This points to the high price of the yen which inhibits the growth of industry, including the automobile. According to the ministry, Japanese manufacturers expect production continues to decline from 0.1% in September and 2.9% in October. The recovery is not expected before mid-2011.

During the session, the dollar traded at 83.73 yen, near its lowest level since Sept. 15, the date of the last intervention on the Tokyo foreign exchange market.But this news has not been sufficient to support the rating.

Paradoxically, this tough session should not prevent the Nikkei to close the month of September on an increase of about 8%, its best performance since March.

The rest of the region hesitates

Moreover, caution prevails. Scholarships are reluctant to follow the path, as illustrated by the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and Shanghai. The first loose 0.29% while the second rises of 1.46%.

The U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday passed a law saying that the yuan's exchange rate represents a disguised subsidy. Beijing was quick to respond: "Start countervailing duty investigations on the basis of the exchange rate does not comply with the rules of the World Trade Organization," said ministry spokesman Yao, cited by Xinhua news agency.Just before the vote in Washington, the Chinese central bank had promised "more flexibility" of yuan, but no timetable or specific commitments.

As for values, Industrial And Commercial Bank of China (VSI) down 2.85% in Hong Kong. The Chinese bank, the world's largest by market capitalization, is suffering from yesterday's Decison Goldman Sachs to sell its interest in this property. The U.S. bank would reduce its stake to 3.1% which would allow him to raise $ 2.05 billion.

In Korea, the Kosdaq is 0.76% while the S & P was down 1.08% autralien. The Indian Sensex lost 0.27% while the Pakistani Karachi was up 0.41%.

Oil follows the trend

Crude prices were also mixed on Thursday in trade in Asia, despite the publication of statistics showing a drop of oil reserves in the United States and an indicator showing a significant expansion of manufacturing activity in China, according to analysts.

In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for November delivery retreated 10 cents to 77.76 dollars. That of Brent North Sea due to appreciating identical 4-cents to 80.81 dollars.

"The President of the Republic knows that we pay attention to fairness." While the pension reform should be considered in the meeting in the Senate as of 5 October, the Senate President Gerard Larcher, relaunch the idea of pension reform. "Senators will make proposals for the disabled, long-term unemployed close to retirement, long careers, the hardship," he said in an interview with the Journal du Dimanche. He said the reform could be amended without his balance is altered

Firm and conciliatory

With regard to mothers born between 1950 and 1960 and he is both firm and conciliatory. Closes on age for full retirement at age 67, which he believes is "not negotiable", but conciliatory "since we must move in the direction of fairness.We must address this transitional generation whose careers are sometimes chopped, "he says.

In sum, it remains sensitive to the proposals of the CFDT – "do not slam the door on the fingers of one who cracked open" – but do not forget that "new age limits are the bedrock of reform ", as the government says. Although he denies it, the chairman of the Senate seems to have been called to order by the Elysee on the age of a full pension at age 67. Several weeks ago, he mentioned the idea of holding at 65. "I do not feel that we are corseted," he defends himself.

Nicolas Sarkozy has provided guidance

It does not, however, lies in contrast to say that the President of the Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy, has given guidance on possible improvements to the senators. "I talked with the President.It set the framework and objectives of the bill and the Senate will honor the balance of the reform, "said Gerard Larcher.

Senate President raises further milestones for the future of the pension system, saying it should not only modify the conditions of retirement, but the system as a whole. "It is whether we will engage in a consolidation plan to eventually go to, for example, to a point system. We need to think now. The Senate may establish the principle, "he concludes.

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Yoplait is salivating giants of agribusiness. The U.S. company General Mills, the world number six, which produces including Häagen-Dazs, Green Giant vegetables (Green Giant) and Cheerios, would consider the takeover of French dairy products, according to British newspaper The Sunday Times. It would be ready to put 1.2 billion euros on the table to offer it, the weekly said, citing sources familiar with the matter.

For now, General Mills has a distribution license for Yoplait. But he said Sodiaal (ex Sodima), 50% owner of the trademark with the French investment fund PAI Partners would consider terminating the agreement with General Mills, Yoplait products are distributed in the U.S. for over 30 years guaranteed fast personal loans.

Disagreement over the distribution

In a document sent to the U.S. stock market authority, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), General Mills said he received a letter in early September the French group wanting the contract to manufacture and distribution of Yoplait yogurt in the United States ends September 9, 2012. Citing the terms of the contract, General Mills said that a break is not feasible.

The scenario of an acquisition could enable the U.S. group not to lose hold of the mark in the little flower, which boasts a turnover of 3.5 billion euros worldwide. The U.S. market represents 48% of the volume of Yoplait, said the group of dairy products on its website.

Source: Groupe Yoplait