Archive for the ‘features’ Category

October 29, 2011 - 4:24 pm Comments Off

After five years of modest harvest, France regains its position as the leading European producer of wine. Harvest forecasts for the entire French vineyards have reported 50 million hectoliters (hl) harvested in 2011, up 11% from 2010.

Latest estimates from the European Commission, the great Italian rival, the only one that can steal the top spot of the podium in France, saw its production drop by 17% to 42 Mhl. The proliferation of uprooting explains much of this performance-cons. Spain, meanwhile, was down 9% to 36.5 Mhl.Last year, at the same time, the cooperative had requested an increase of "at least 10%" rates, while the treasury operations were nearly 80% in the red paperless payday loans. This objective was met or exceeded. "The producers have done well: the price of wine out of the property, that is to say, those paid to producers have risen to 15% and even 20%," says Denis Verdier. It is mostly entry-level wines that benefited from the largest increases. Consumer side, "the increases were controlled by large retailers who had not passed on the cuts in previous years," said Denis Verdier.

In the difficult years should succeed to catch up needed for producers who can smile again after three years of crisis.

October 28, 2011 - 5:36 am Comments Off

Nothing tempers the optimism of Flemming Morgan, head of the division of Danone Medical Nutrition. Four years have joined the global leader in fresh dairy products, it wants to move up a gear. "We want to accelerate the growth of our business, says Scot, who runs for five years the former business of Numico, which was acquired in 2007. We want to innovate and introduce new segments of medical nutrition in new countries. "

Medical nutrition business is the most misunderstood of Danone, which represents only a third of sales of Activia. In annual growth of 10% in four years is the most profitable activity of the group.One that Franck Riboud, Danone CEO, says she has "tremendous potential mechanical unstoppable" because of the aging world population, the spread of diseases such as diabetes and allergies, or the progression of plagues such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

This is a world market for $ 8 billion still focus on Europe and the United States. A new hunting ground for agribusiness payday loan lenders. Danone and Nestle also covet the nutrition branch of Pfizer. "We are halfway between food and pharmaceuticals, says Flemming Morgan, claiming first place in Europe at Abbott and Nestle. We develop our products with a pharmaceutical approach, but they are nevertheless food.This is not about to replace drugs but to provide complementary solutions. "Danone has brought his knowledge of consumer tastes and textures by improving products.

Specific segments

These are not sold in supermarkets but in half pharmacies generally prescribed and reimbursed. Administered orally or by means of a tube or a tube, they are also prescribed in hospitals and nursing homes. Faced with GPs overwhelmed and poorly trained in nutrition, Danone is betting on its relations with researchers or with associations to serve as opinion leaders.

Danone has chosen to focus on specific segments. Neocate Infant with his powder, it offers an alternative to milk for babies allergic to cow's milk.

The offenses of the leaders of Dexia

October 21, 2011 - 7:12 pm Comments Off

The fall was accelerated by Dexia irregularities. A document written by the supervisory authority in 2010 reported several violations of the Franco-Belgian bank, reported Liberation.

The body responsible for regulating the banking sector would have directly challenged the previous management but also the leaders still in office. The report was quoted as saying, "number of findings concerning mechanisms for managing derivative positions are likely to contravene the regulations." Regulators cite "in 2007 and until 2008, the disclosure of Dexia Credit Local has remained evasive about the increasing risks, including the CEO and directors were aware. She ignored the violations of regulations and monitoring liquidity risk. "And the report says "the information to the public was not accurate, precise and sincere."

These omissions or falsehoods for the purchase of a portfolio of bonds and speculative securities amounting to 100 billion euros, an "illogical financing local government, the report quoted by Liberation. Regulators also suggest a failure on the part of the Dexia value of this portfolio of assets, both at the time of purchase as to resale. Worse, the leadership in place deliberately magnified the value of assets. The "overvaluation is estimated at at least 2 billion euros." Auditors such as Deloitte and Mazars have closed their eyes, the report said.

Loans to shareholders to purchase securities

The management team in place is also not spared.In a letter dated September 4, 2009, the report stresses that "the director of the institution has provided an underestimation of the volume of transactions."

Meanwhile, the Financial Timesaffirme that Dexia has paid 1.5 billion euros in its first two institutional shareholders before 2008 so that they carry out acquisitions of securities of the Franco-Belgian bank. But Dexia would, at the time, not breaking the law then in effect. The question is whether the court will examine the case Dexia.

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The New York Stock Exchange paused

October 19, 2011 - 7:08 pm Comments Off

After his recovery in the day Wall Street takes a break. The Dow Jones falling by 0.25% to 11,549 points and the Nasdaq 0.70% to 2639 points. Investors should indeed play the card of caution before the release, after closing, the beige book of the U.S. central bank. This snapshot report on the health of the U.S. economy is still highly anticipated by the markets.

Meanwhile investors remain focused on company results and the problems of sovereign debt in Europe. After the warning on the sovereign rating of France, Moody's downgraded by two notches on Tuesday night the note of Spain. This goes from A1 to Aa2 with negative outlook. The rating agency believes that the country remains vulnerable to difficulties in credit markets.In addition, Moody's does not exclude a further reduction if the crisis worsens in the euro area.

Paris and Berlin would be willing to strengthen the stability fund

Rumors press reported an agreement between France and Germany to increase the capacity of European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) to 2000 billion. But European officials have denied the existence of a formal agreement. This issue should be at the heart of the EU summit on Sunday. Yesterday, however, German Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated that the top of Sunday should be an "important step" but that the crisis can not be resolved "in a single peak."

At the macroeconomic level, housing starts in the U.S. rebounded strongly in September (15%), driven by the community housing sector, according to figures released Wednesday in Washington by the Department of Commerce.The consumer prices increased in September (0.3%) for the third consecutive month, continuing to erode the purchasing power of households. Investors will also monitor the weekly report on Wednesday oil stocks.

On the foreign exchange market, the European currency climbed to 0.60% in mid-session 1.3825 dollars against 1.3752 dollars late Tuesday.Oil, however, is more mixed.

The barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery lost four hundred, to 88.30 dollars a barrel while Brent North Sea crude for December delivery was appreciating by 13 cents to 111.28 dollars.

Mixed results

• Morgan Stanley (2.77% to 17.09 dollars)

The bank on Wednesday reported a profit of $ 2.2 billion in the third quarter against a loss a year earlier, along with a sales increase, both worn by an accounting adjustment.

• AMR (-7.80% to 2.60 dollars)

The parent of the airline American Airlines, announced Wednesday a net loss of $ 162 million for the third quarter, stronger than expected, partly attributed to rising fuel prices no fax payday advances.

• United Technologies (-0.39% to 73.83 dollars)

Technology Group has announced a 10.5% increase in profit to 1.32 billion in the third quarter and raised its forecast for annual results.

• Abbott Laboratories (4.50% to 54.80 dollars)

The health group will split into two listed companies, one centered on the biotechnology and pharmaceutical drugs, the other on medical devices, diagnostics, nutritional supplements and generic drugs, announced the laboratory management.

After the close of Wall Street, Tuesday, several big names from the coast, including three technology giants Apple, Intel and Yahoo! have announced their quarterly results.

• Apple (-5.17% to 400.41 dollars)

The company issued a apple annual net profit up 85% to 25.22 billion dollars but less than market expectations, with a fourth quarter hit by the slowdown in sales of iPhones. The turnover stood at $ 28.3 billion against $ 29.6 billion expected. The firm at the apple has sold 17 million iPhones during the quarter (as against 20 million expected), 4.89 million Mac computers (4.4 million expected) and 11.12 million iPads. For the current quarter, the group of Cupertino expects earnings per share of 9.3 dollars against 9.02 dollars estimated by analysts.

• Intel (4.40% to 24.43 dollars)

Micoprocesseurs a giant in the third quarter against a BPAD $ 0.65 $ 0.61 expected and $ 0.52 last year.The turnover stood at 14.23 billion against $ 13.87 billion a year earlier. The group also increased the amount of its share repurchase program to $ 10 billion.

• Yahoo! (4.46% to 16.16 dollars)

The engine iinternet published for the third quarter EPS of $ 0.21 against $ 0.17 expected. The revenue excluding traffic acquisition costs amounted to $ 1.07 billion, as expected. For the current quarter, the company expects a turnover of 1.13 billion dollars against 1.24 billion expected by analysts.

• Cree (-8.17% to 25.52 dollars) has reported a turnover of 269 million dollars in the first quarter of 2011/2012, stable over one year. Net income fell 58% to 28 million.For the current quarter, Cree expects a net profit of 29-33 million.

• CSX (1.63% to 21.05 dollars)

The group of small electrical equipment achieved a turnover up 11% to $ 2.96 billion. Net income was $ 464 million against $ 414 million a year earlier.

After the close American Express and eBay announce their figures.

Trichet supports a review of the European Treaties

October 16, 2011 - 3:00 pm Comments Off

As his term ends at the head of the European Central Bank (ECB) October 31, it is not a Jean-Claude Trichet to lecture who spoke Sunday at the Grand Rendez-Vous on Europe 1 / Le Parisien-Aujourd'hui en France / i> Télé, to discuss the crisis at the moment Europe.

With his experience of eight years at the head of the institution, who was also governor of the Banque de France, has recommended that Europeans hear the messages addressed to them. His advice? First, be "extra vigilant" with regard to public finances. Rejecting the idea that the euro area and its currency are "threatened" by the crisis, it nevertheless stated that "all countries without exception must be extremely careful." "Protect yourself rather than cure," he summarized, adding that "it depends on us that we can have the least slower growth."

Then you have to "think about the future," stressed the President of the ECB. "Tomorrow, I think we need to change the treaty to be able to prevent a member of the euro area to roam and create problems for everyone else," he said, referring to the Greek crisis that Europe in a hard to control. He called for a reform that would make the European Council "able to impose decisions" in a country slide, with "possible sanctions".

It includes some of the "outraged"

"We must strengthen the management and governance of globalization in all fields," he also said in reacting to the movement of indignation that spreads in several major cities."There are obviously a number of lessons from the crisis that the lessons are harsh: it is not possible to leave a financial system and consequently a global economic system that is as fragile." This does not mean "demolish" the banks, he insisted, recalling that "pay three-quarters of the economy."

That he referred to as de-globalization theme is in vogue right now, as advocated by the Socialist-Arnaud Montebourg, and one can imagine Jean-Claude Trichet tense in his chair … and find that it is a call to strengthening of global economic governance.

Nobel: Beijing takes it out on Norwegian salmon

October 8, 2011 - 8:52 pm Comments Off

The award, last year's Nobel Peace jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo was an unexpected victim: salmon from Norway, host of the committee awarding the famous distinctions.

Furious at the sudden media exposure of Liu – they consider a "criminal" – Chinese authorities have in fact increased the veterinary strengthened against Norwegian salmon. The AFP ensures that the health tests are so extensive that these fish end up rotting in warehouses.

Result, exports of Norwegian salmon in China have fallen by half during the first eight months of 2011, Oslo hoped an increase of at least 30%. Three figures sum up the confusion of Scandinavian fishermen. December 2010, the date of the ceremony: 1000 tons sold. January 2011: 315 tonnes. February 2011, 75 tonnes.Norwegian exporters have tried to go through Hong Kong, but this shortcut stale quickly resulted in an impasse.

The operation antisaumon is very symbolic, since the other Chinese imports from Norway were up by 16% because of higher commodity prices. It is true that to meet their urgent needs of the Chinese energy resources are much less fussy.

Eurazeo would be interested in Axa Private Equity

September 30, 2011 - 8:44 am Comments Off

All on a diet! Insurance companies to banks, asset sales affecting the entire financial sphere. So after Groupama, Societe Generale, BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole is now the turn of Axa confirmed the reduction of its balance sheet in order to cope with the crisis.

The French insurer has confirmed the sale of its subsidiary's equity division, widely reported in the press. "The purpose of this review, which could lead to a transaction or not, is to explore strategic options for the participation in the group Axa Axa Private Equity," the insurer said in a statement easy to get unsecured personal loans.

And pretenders abound. According to The Tribune on Thursday, the group would be interested Eurazeo.The U.S. Carlyle and KKR would also have views of the largest private equity fund French.

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Paris sailing around the equilibrium

September 29, 2011 - 5:32 am Comments Off

The Paris Bourse, after changing course several times in the morning, remains close to balance mid-term. The CAC 40 in advance symbolically from 0.38% to 3034.20 points. The day before, was awarded the CAC 40 5.74% to close at 3023.38 points. Same trend in Frankfurt the Dax gleans 0.32% and the FTSE in London ahead of 0.18%. Fears about the strength of global growth are making a comeback. Economist Nouriel Roubini known to have foreseen the financial crisis of 2008 before anyone else, believes that the United States and most advanced economies are already in recession.

The Paris Bourse keep their eyes on the crisis in public finances in Europe and particularly Greece. For several days, investors expect tough decisions to stem the debt crisis in the eurozone.Europeans should take measures to stabilize Greece and the banking sector. Strengthening the emergency fund indebted countries (EFSF) was particularly mentioned. Donors of the "troika" must return to the country Thursday confirmed aa the European union. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday await the outcome of the audit of the troika on the financial situation of Greece, to determine whether or not to renegotiate the terms of the second aid plan in the country decided July 21 .

Meanwhile in Europe, the rigor needed everywhere. After Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Italy, it was the turn of France to deliver a message of rigor.The government will finalize a 2012 budget of rigor at 17:00 with a public debt of 87% in 2012 and a tax ratio that exceeds the 44% of GDP next year, against 42.9% in 2011.

The numbers of zero growth (0.0%) in the second quarter were confirmed by INSEE on Wednesday morning. Other macroeconomic indicators are expected across the Atlantic: orders for durable goods in August, the United States will be published at 14.30 and the weekly crude oil inventories at 16:30.

As for the oil markets, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery lost 1.25 dollars to 83.20 dollars in the morning. A barrel of Brent North Sea crude for November delivery gave 96 cents to 106.18 dollars.The previous day, oil had spread over 4 dollars in New York.

The bank to follow

Among the values ​​to be followed, the bank, which had literally flown Tuesday, evolve piecemeal. BNP Paribas advance of 3.59% to 31.13 euros.

Societe Generale (-0.02% to 20.50 euros) also seeks to sell its stake in Newedge, a subsidiary jointly owned with derivatives Crédit Agricole (0.91 to 5.23 euros), as part of its plan to sell non-strategic assets, according to Reuters.

Green Bank is expected to announce a sale of assets today, reports the Financial Times. Following the example of BNP Paribas and Societe Generale, Credit Agricole and wants to improve its solvency ratios.The amount of the sale, however, was not known by the British newspaper.

The Franco-Belgian bank Dexia (0.33% to 1.51 euros) examine options to strengthen its balance sheet but excludes any split in the group, said Tuesday its chairman at the end of a board whose held fueled much speculation.

Neopost (-2.34% to 56.36 euros) on Tuesday announced an increase of 2.7% of its turnover in the first half (+5.9% excluding currency effects).The solutions specialist courier has confirmed its forecast 2011 and launched a plan to optimize its structures in the United States and Europe which should generate annual savings of about 7 to 8 million euros in 2013 .

Renault (-1.83% to 25.79 euros): According to a source close to the deal quoted by Reuters, its partner Nissan will invest $ 1.5 billion (1.1 billion) in building a factory in Brazil, capable of producing electric cars.

Alten (-3.79% to 21.55 euros) back fortementmalgré the publication of a net income up sharply in the first six months of the year (+26% to EUR 31.9 million) and perspectives optimistic about the rest of 2011.According to analysts of Gilbert Dupont, "the key issue now is the level of activity in 2012," for which the markets seem pessimistic

Goldman Sachs lowered its recommendation to "neutral" to "sell" and target price of 40 euros to 26 euros previously Peugeot (-1.06% to 16.74 euros).

Goldman Sachs has increased its share in Eurotunnel (0.98% to 6.48 euros), crossing the 25% threshold of voting rights, according to an opinion of the AMF, on Wednesday.

Sanofi (1.43% to 50.23 euros) has successfully placed a bond issue of one billion dollars (0.73 billion) maturing in 2014, with a coupon of 1.20%. The title Sanofi rose 0.73% to 49.88 euros.

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Obama takes effort to "all" Americans

September 19, 2011 - 10:08 pm Comments Off

All Americans should be involved in the effort to reduce the deficit. This is the message sent on Monday by Barack Obama from the White House Rose Garden. The U.S. president, who presented his program of deficit reduction, confirmed a tax plan of 1500 billion to the deficit of 3000 billion over the next ten years. "We can not get out of this abyss only by reducing spending. It is normal that we ask everyone to pay their fair share, "said the president.

In Focus: the wealthiest Americans. Barack Obama chose not to extend beyond the end of 2012, the expiration date, the tax breaks granted to wealthier by the administration of his predecessor, Republican George W. Bush. "We can not afford these tax rates low for the rich.We can not help us while we are suffering large deficits, "he says.

The most significant proposal remains the introduction of a tax, "Buffett," the name of the investor Warren Buffett who has proposed. As expected, Bush did not go into details about the conditions of its applications but according to the New York Times, the tax on millionaires that will concern only 0.3% of taxpayers.

"This is not the class struggle is mathematical"

According to Barack Obama, "it is not the class struggle, it is mathematical," he joked, responding to criticism from his Republican opponents who accuse him of wanting to punish those who have succeeded and discourage "create jobs". "Any reform plan will increase revenues to help reduce our deficit.This must be part of the formula, "argued the U.S. president, noting that" middle-class taxpayers should not pay more taxes than millionaires and billionaires. It is loud and clear, and difficult to contradict. "

The project also includes U.S. President down $ 580 billion (425 billion) in mandatory spending on social programs, including Medicare (health insurance for the elderly) and Medicaid (the federal program for the poor). It is also banking on an economy of one trillion dollars (733 billion) over ten years due to the withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq.

But the camp of the Republicans who control the House of Representatives has already ruled out raising taxes to reduce debt abysmal in the country.The proposals of the White House must still be forwarded to a bipartisan parliamentary committee, which means that this bill is unlikely to be adopted in the state.

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Numericable: unlimited mobile abroad

September 3, 2011 - 2:48 pm Comments Off

After launching its offer in May with mobile calls, text messages and unlimited internet for 24.90 euros monthly subscribers to its box (and 49.90 euro for non-subscribers), Numericable goes further. Reportedly, the operator will now enable call abroad from the mobile unlimited. An option to pay 10 euros per month, which will be available as of September 19 for all.

"This is a world first, exclusive service and unprecedented," enthuses Jerome Yomtov, general secretary of Numericable. "We want to bring all the mobile services already on the box at home, at home or abroad called unlimited," he says. Over 100 countries are included in this offer, including most major destinations throughout Europe, the DOM, the United States, Canada, Asia.It is extended to calls to Morocco and Algeria for Numericable subscribers who have subscribed to the "Maghreb More" on the NCbox.

This new offering "world" not only to make calls to landlines abroad, but also to the Chinese mobile, U.S. and Canada fast payday loan. And supply expected to be enriched in the coming months. "You can call the U.S. since its unlimited mobile to 34.90 euros a month. United States, to call a mobile to mobile unlimited is $ 70. In short, it will be cheaper to call the U.S. from France, than to be there! "Said Jérôme Yomtov.

Numericable says the offer will be profitable.While the cost of communications decline in Europe and the world, he found a business model by negotiating agreements with major international operators such as Verizon, Telefonica, Cable and Wireless, Tata Communications.

One way to cut the grass under the feet of Free which means lower prices but also change the mobile uses. "This is the mobile revolution continues," trumpets for days on Numericable Tweeter … which led to his being sued by Free, which considers the term as its slogan identity. Atmosphere!

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