Archive for the ‘features’ Category

SocGen strengthens its fund management

June 15, 2010 - 12:08 pm Comments Off

Societe Generale Securities Services (GSS), a subsidiary specializing in securities trades in Societe Generale, announced in a statement Monday night for a commercial partnership with U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp U.S. Bank. The objective of this association is to provide investors with a global service fund administration, global custody, lending, securities lending or distribution of funds.

The French bank, which is the number six world titles with the conservation of 3.246 trillion euros in assets under custody, has not been quantified business objectives but it does ensure that the alliance is not motivated by reducing costs. "The goal is not cost synergies but revenue synergies", explained Alain Closier, director of GSS, indicating that this type of alliance has never been tied up in securities trades.

No capital alliance

"This is not a partnership capital, held to clarify Alain Closier low fee payday advance. "There is not any exchange of shares between the two groups. We have no agenda or planned merger between the two institutions, "he added. "We always talk about critical mass, to pool plants to decrease costs," said the officer referring to reconcile and partnerships established by other banks in this business.

Also asked about a possible sale of securities of the SocGen activity or a possible strategic partnership, Alain Closier said that the rumors currently circulating were "unfounded"."There are always rumors fed by different sources, such as competitors, then taken over by consultants looking for business. It is difficult to comment on rumors, especially when they become increasingly accurate and increasingly unfounded ", he further said.

The opening of online poker delayed one month

June 5, 2010 - 11:44 am Comments Off

Malta takes a very dim view of the opening of the French market paris online and does everything to slow the process. This is the poker from the first to pay the price. Indeed, the opening to competition of the French market of online poker is postponed for one month, until late June because of an obstruction of Malta under EU rules, said the Agency France Presse (AFP) the entourage of the Department of Budget and confirming information site Challenges.fr

"We can not publish the implementation decree (for poker online) before June 28 It postponed a month because we are forced Malta, "says one with services Françoise Baroin.

A French law "relating to the introduction of competition and industry regulation of gambling and online gambling" was promulgated on May 13, followed by a dozen decrees.This legislation relates to sports paris, the paris horse and poker.

The Regulatory Authority online games (Arjel) should issue next Tuesday fifteen licenses to operators of online games, especially in order to start the paris during the FIFA World Cup (June 11-July 11 ).

Problem European procedure

The government had sent there over a year to the European Commission's draft legislation on online gaming, then notified Brussels implementing decrees, said the Budget Ministry. "Member States (EU) had three months to make their comments and Malta has chosen to do May 27", ie the last moment. France is obliged to meet in Brussels and Malta before issuing his decree. Paris now has one month to respond.

Malta, already established on the market for online games, contests a provision of the French law requiring players to register with an approved operator. This is contrary to the EU principle of free movement of persons and property.

"There is no problem on the merits. It is simply a procedural problem in Europe, as it has been commented at Bercy, stating that the grant Arjel as planned on Tuesday for its amenities paris sports, horse and poker. For the latter, many traders will await publication of the decree in late June. Still, the situation is embarrassing for the operators. Bwin, Unibet and Unibet already offer online poker. And waiting for regulatory approval to regularize their situation.

The cloud of ash does not jam recovery

April 19, 2010 - 10:12 pm Comments Off

"Dust volcanic paralysis airport dangerous for the economy." The Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises (CGPME) became concerned Monday that could have consequences for European sky empty of planes. Dramatization? CGPME quick to point out a little further in his text that only SMEs "whose activity is immediately dependent on air transport" are currently affected.

If paralysis continues, the slow recovery of the economy will she threatened? "If this situation persists, all French SMEs encounter difficulties," worries CGPME. Everything depends on the duration of the flight ban imposed much of European airspace. "The problem is simple: the shock will be there temporarily or not?" Says Philippe Waechter, head of economic research at Natixis."For now, all this is annoying but does not call into question the economic recovery."

"A crisis of this type can be analyzed as attacks or an outbreak, however, significant events that have little overall economic impacts," said Nicolas Bouzou for its part, an economist at Aster. Especially since the paralysis of European airspace should not have a huge impact on trade between Europe and the rest of the world, according to the Economist: "80% of goods moved by boat. And the businessmen will still meet in videoconferencing payday loan instant. "

Attacks and pandemic

The situation is somewhat reminiscent of the paralysis attacks of Sept. 11, which at the time, had greatly affected the airline."This event has changed the behavior vis-?-vis the air, but the current environment is extremely different," relativize Philippe Waechter. "Today, if the ban is lifted, all restarts as before." September 11 has also not necessarily have any impact on the economy, beyond transport. "It is very difficult to detect traces of attacks on the World Trade Center on economic growth," said Nicolas Bouzou.

More recently, influenza H1N1 has raised fears the worst. Especially because of the flight ban could be decided to limit the spread of the virus. The worst-case scenarios developed while anticipating a decline in U.S. GDP by 1.5% year over year. Impact due to paralysis of all types of transport, the cancellation of sporting and cultural events and absenteeism rates of about 30 to 40% in companies.In comparison, the ash cloud would block more than 150,000 French nationals abroad. For a limited time.

See also:

"Economic consequences cascade

"Volcano: expected improvement by the end of the week

"SRI, not a brake on the market performance"

April 15, 2010 - 4:56 pm Comments Off

lefigaro.fr / jdf.com: carbon tax rejected, disagreements at the Copenhagen summit. These events would not they have a negative impact on Socially Responsible Investment (SRI)?

Alain Zeitouni: I think, however, that these cons-time advocate of SRI. They illustrate the inability of states to agree on what policy to adopt and highlight companies that have a real socially responsible approach. Investing in SRI is an investment in a well-run company with good governance and employability positive and more likely to see its share price appreciate.

AFG (French Association of Financial Management) will also require management companies by July 31, a code of ethics which they must answer a series of questions about their SRI policy.Management companies will therefore have an obligation to be transparent with investors in our case, we will put this code available to our customers on our website.

Why did you choose the multi *? How do you reconcile with SRI?

As a society, we believe it is more appropriate to rely on several topics related to SRI, rather than a team with SRI extra-financial analysis.It is well known that our SRI funds Alphastar Barclays profit pricing that allows investors to actively contribute to social awareness, with 20% management fee will be donated to support local civic projects through our structure Barclays Solidarity.

SRI funds are they more efficient than conventional investments?

It is difficult to measure but what is certain is that SRI is more resistant in the phases of market correction and presents a more defensive profile, if uptrend. In other words, there is an outperformance in the market phases. SRI is not a barrier to the market performance. Instead, he must give value added to the fund compared to a traditional investment.The management team should also bring in funds through the performance of traditional criteria such as the revaluation of securities and its prospects.

How do you select your values?

Our management approach is based on a "best in class", that is to say that we select the best titles in their class, whatever the category. In other words, we do not exclude sectors that initially do not appear to be consistent with the ISR, such as the automotive and oil industries, for example.

While values have a real socially responsible approach, we keep them. For example, some car values are investing heavily in R & D to reduce pollution from their vehicles or oil stocks investing in renewable energy. The purpose of a product is primarily SRI performance.We believe it is unnecessary to have a debate about whether a particular value or not SRI.

Why is it your portfolio as concentrated (Barclays Alphastar SRI consists of 13 funds, Ed)?

Our portfolio consists of only 13 funds, because we were not convinced of the other approaches SRI funds, and we believe this issue to make it more readable, it is not necessary to invest in more funds . Accordingly, we are heavily invested on each line, because we have strong convictions on certain themes (sustainable development, corporate governance) that we identify as a source of added value.

Amund and Natixis are historical actors of SRI investing in this topic for many years. They have a database of the oldest of the place.We also returned UFG shares Sarasin Euro Mid-Caps, while our investment universe is large caps. The idea is to identify mid-cap stocks that are concerned with the theme of SRI, but that hardly communicate, because they do not face the same pressure as the major media values.

What is the performance of your fund?

Our fund outperformed the MSCI Europe since its creation of 1.5 basis points (-19.18% against 20.73%) and the underperformed since the beginning of the year (2.98% against 3 57%). This reflects the fact that our portfolio is too concentrated on European values. Because of the difficulties of Greece, the euro has sharply d?sappr?ci? and our portfolio with him. Thus, more than one reason for the market for a reason related to the SRI we underestimate performons index.We therefore decided to refocus on Europe in integrating the England and Switzerland in our portfolio.

That is why we returned OFI leader who is a fund invested in European companies considered in a leadership role within their industry and their competitive universe. We also selected HS Europe, which is invested in European companies also meeting the constraints on environmental, social ethics and governance. We believe that given the pressures on the euro, the single currency will continue to depreciate.

* Multi-management is a technique that selects the most experienced managers and more effective and provide access to larger customer base through a single medium (CPF unit trust or life insurance contract).

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Ousted Generali, Bernheim is preparing its response

April 9, 2010 - 3:00 am Comments Off

LE FIGARO. – Your estate at the head of Generali was held a week ago by Mediobanca, the main shareholder. The agreement was then found that satisfy you?

Antoine Bernheim. – No. Of course I understand that we did not wish to renew for three years president of 85 years. But in this case, it is obvious that age is an excuse. I do not accept the way things have been made against me and against Generali. Me, I was offered an "honorary president", but not at the board of directors! As for the company, its management has been decided from the outside, in Mediobanca. And he provides a board where anyone outside the two managing directors (CEOs, Ed) will not know anything for insurance. They even rejected Claude Tendil, president of Generali France, which is one of the best insurers in the world.Generali deserves better than that. We do not yet know how the powers will be defined between the two managing directors and the president. As for Mr. Geronzi, who must take the presidency, I wonder … This is not an insurer and he always said he did not want this job.

Will you accept this patronage?

Honestly, I do not know yet. Thanks to Mediobanca, I'm not even on the list of directors to be presented at the meeting April 24. Given what I represent in the history of Generali, I think it's an insult. Ultimately, I could accept such a position, if I was director. And then, when we, like me, been kicked out of a masterful kick, one is rather tempted to retaliate. I am.I would add that on April 24, the small shareholders in Generali will, too, have a say.

Vincent Bollore, who is close to you has participated in the council and Mediobanca will become vice chairman of Generali. This does not "compensate" Does not your departure?

Vincent Bollore said he did everything he could within the nominations committee of Mediobanca. I think, though, in reality, I think that he is not against the idea of a withdrawal to my age. He advises me for months already to accept a honorary president for life and the benefits attached to them.Do I need? After all, my phone rings again …

As for the future role within the board of Generali, Vincent Bollore – who, as intelligent and dynamic as it is, is not an insurer – I do not know what he can be when we clearly supports a takeover of Generali by Mediobanca.

What do you mean?

I think if you put me in the door today Generali, because I defend an orthodox management, exclusively serving the interests of the company and its shareholders, not special interests. I also fought for what is Generali of Italy, a treasure, one of his very few companies to be known worldwide. We're number two in France, Germany, Central Europe, in China too (private sector).But for the merchant bank Mediobanca, which is no longer the hub of the Italian economy, it was the time of Enrico Cuccia, the issue has always been to return to power at Generali No teletrack payday loan. What has never been neither in the interests of the company and its customers or the interests of Italy.

The defense of Generali, it was also against the appetites of other insurers. Have you, during your presidency, proposed a marriage with AXA?

My duty has always been to defend, with all my strength, the "Italian character" of Generali. So yes, Axa has always wanted a reconciliation, but I've always been against. And I have often said Claude Bebear.If it was thought at one time or another, the fact that French is the head of Generali was a godsend, he finally had to give in to reason.

Compare yourself today the circumstances of your departure to the 1999?

When I became the CEO of Generali in 1995, it achieved very little of its profit in connection with its object. She was content to sell property to make profits! In four years, I had doubled the turnover consolidated global market capitalization tripled. But Mediobanca from me in 1999. As I said at the time, and this remains true, the recognition is a disease of the dog not transmissible to man!

And then in 2002, Mediobanca, very concerned about the financial situation of Generali, which was lost, asked me to return. What not to the liking of everyone.Antonio Fazio, Governor of the Bank of Italy, has done everything for me put a spoke in the wheels. But he failed. Others were convinced that I would not set goals that I had with the two managing directors: we had developed a considerable business plan, for a term of three years for the management, instead of just one year as was. And as I have done my job, they could not get rid of me … until now.

This special relationship between Generali and Mediobanca did she embarrassed in your plans for the insurer?

Yes, because Mediobanca would not be diluted stake in Generali. They have never wanted me to realize any capital increase. Mediobanca may not, from his point of view, giving room for maneuver to Generali, and I worry for its future.Because if the company has managed to partially rebuild its capital after the terrible financial crisis we went through these past two years, it will not be sufficient to meet future regulatory requirements under Solvency 2 Directive nor more needs to be developed by means not only organic but also by major acquisitions.

At one point, he will make a capital increase. And better sooner than later because the liquidity has been abundant in recent months, will not always what you …

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Peugeot sales rose 21%

April 2, 2010 - 1:21 am Comments Off

The new car sales rose 12% in March over a year in France and 14.5% since the beginning of the year, blew Thursday Olivier Veyrier, marketing director of Peugeot France. His brand has simply grown over the past month 21%, he added.

Remember that vehicles registered in the first months of 2010 were ordered in the previous months, some before the end of 2009, when the scrappage rate was still full. That is to say, 1,000 euros for a replacement of vehicles over ten years.

These numbers confirm the information published this morning Parisian No fax cash advances. The newspaper, which states that brands have started a race promotion in March to try to attract motorists who do benefit more than 700 euros a premium, Citroen would increase the order 12%.

The Committee of French (CCFA) will release the official results at noon with details.

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Beginning of the strike at British Airways

March 21, 2010 - 1:53 am Comments Off

This is the first known strike British Airways for 13 years. Its cabin began Saturday a strike should significantly disrupt air travel in the United Kingdom during the next three days, after the failure on the eve of negotiations between the company and the union Unite. Approximately 1100 of 1950 BA flights planned over the three days will be canceled. British Airways hopes anyway, filling its planes at best, Saturday and Sunday carried 49,000 passengers on 75,000 for a regular weekend of March, up 65%.

Thousands of members of Unite, the first British trade union, launched the movement to midnight Friday, hours after a failed final attempt to reconcile the co-general secretary Tony Woodley of Unite and the Director General Company Willie Walsh.The conflict includes the company's decision to abolish the post of cabin crew on fifteen on the long-haul flights, and wage claims of employees. Unite has rejected a deal of 4 years, he said, returning to freeze wages until 2014.

At Heathrow, the world's first airport for international traffic, over 60% of long-haul but only 30% of short-and medium-haul should be provided on three days. At Gatwick, London's other airport, the traffic would be normal for the long haul, and operate at 50% for short and medium haul. Picket lines were in place Saturday morning in many UK airports.

The movement would resume next Saturday

Unite represents 12,000 members of cabin crew for British Airways instant payday loan .According to the union, early indications seemed to show that the movement was widely followed, although the direction of BA had threatened the strikers they remove a number of benefits gained.

British Airways seems better prepared than during the conflict in January 2007, when the strike had been canceled at the last minute. She claims to have found a thousand volunteers from among its cabin crew to fly up Monday and have it properly trained. Sixty other companies have agreed to take on their flights by British Airways customers. The move, which comes just a few weeks of parliamentary elections expected May 6, will last until Monday included initially.But he could resume next Saturday for four days, if no solution is found in the meantime.

After negotiations failed, the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has missed a strike that is' in nobody's interest "and will" cause unacceptable inconvenience to passengers. " He called it "should be lifted immediately" and that union and management "to meet without delay." Co-Secretary Tony Woodley of Unite said he was disappointed that no agreement had been reached. For his part, Willie Walsh has appeared in a video posted on the site of his company and on YouTube, to say "deeply sorry" and call this day "terrible for the company." This move is embarrassing for the Labor government, Unite is the largest financial contributor of Labor.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange resumed its breath

March 19, 2010 - 5:46 am Comments Off

After gaining 1.12% on Wednesday following the announcement of the Bank of Japan to keep rates low, the Nikkei 225 closing displays a decline of 0.95% at 10,774 points. Regarding other areas, the results are mixed. Hong Kong gained 0.16% to 21,418 points, ahead of Taiwan 0.46% to 7883 points, Sydney rose 0.20% to 4863 points, Singapore climbed 0.16% to 2924 points. Conversely, Seoul lost 0.41% to 3538 points, Mumbai was down 0.14% at 17,464 points and Jakarta was down 0.28% at 2748 points.

Japanese carmaker Nissan (-0.78% to 768 yen) announced Thursday that it had retained its English site in Sunderland to assemble its new electric vehicle, the "Leaf", a decision that will keep 2250 jobs in Great Britain."The site of Sunderland reach a production capacity of 60,000 units per year," the company said in a statement, adding that production would begin early 2013 unsecured personal loans .The "Leaf" is the first public electric car that Nissan plans to launch late 2010 on the Japanese markets, U.S. and some European market, before a worldwide release scheduled for 2012.

Following the decision of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) to maintain its production quotas unchanged, crude prices falling Thursday in electronic trading in Asia, wiping out gains in New York, but remain at over $ 80.

In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for April delivery yielded 27 cents to 82.66 dollars, while a barrel of Brent North Sea for May delivery retreated 37 cents to 81 $ 59.

"France held its largest export"

February 5, 2010 - 10:36 pm Comments Off

Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Anne-Marie Idrac, will announce Friday morning trade figures in 2009. France's 5th largest exporter, has eroded market share at the expense of its competitors.

LE FIGARO .- What is the balance of French foreign trade in 2009?

Anne-Marie IDRAC .- 2009 was a year encouraging, marked by a significant reduction in trade deficit due to the strong decrease of the energy bill free credit report . But beyond that figure, the major point is that France has held its largest export in a context of crisis. The world demand in our country has decreased by 13% by volume, and our exports have declined in this order of magnitude.But this movement has been marked elsewhere and, unlike Germany or Italy, France has managed to retain its market share vis-?-vis OECD countries, accounting for 6.6% exports.

Safran pushes his pawns in China

February 4, 2010 - 5:32 am Comments Off

Good news for Safran. Its subsidiary, Turbomeca has been chosen by Beijing to power the Chinese version of the new civilian EC175 helicopter jointly developed with Eurocopter, said its CEO Lutz Bertling. So far, the new helicopter is equipped with American engines Pratt & Whintney, and double engine choices are few things on the helicopters.

According to Voices, the American engine could not get the green light by U.S. authorities for exportrer in China some of its technologies.

This agreement confirms the thrust of Saffron to China. Last month, the group associated with GE in CFM International, has been chosen to equip the C 919 Chinese, the future Chinese medium-haul aircraft, a rival of Airbus A320 and Boieng B737.