Archive for the ‘finance’ Category

The draft JK Rowling unveiled

June 23, 2011 - 5:12 pm Comments Off

The excitement around the new project of the author of the Harry Potter saga was finally lifted on 23 June at 13h. In a video posted on the site and account pottermore.com youtube, JKRowling addressed her fans.

The website will therefore pottermore.com to create enhanced versions of books, with details given by the author. It will also offer for sale the digital and audio formats of each volume. Until October, when the public opening of the site, the author proposes an interactive treasure hunt to identify the fans who access this information in preview.

Each user is thus invited to register on the site by choosing a name for identity sorcerer.They will then answer a series of questions to be admitted to one of the "houses" where students are divided Hogwarts School of Witchcraft as Harry Potter and his friends are introduced to magic.

On twitter account "pottermore," the novelist wanted to cut short the rumors of false advertisement: "I can confirm that it's me on the video."

This new project had created a real rivalry over the Internet. On June 16, the novelist had launched a site called pottermore.com mysterious business

IMF: Christine Lagarde is favorite

June 11, 2011 - 7:52 pm Comments Off

Click image for larger graphic.

The post of IMF managing director will be between the Mexican Agustin Carstens and the French Christine Lagarde. On Friday, the third declared candidate, the Kazakh Grigory Marchenko, threw in the towel … As the former Minister of Finance of South Africa, Trevor Manuel, whose name was cited, he said Friday that it was beyond not in the race.

Friday night, the closing date for applications, no other competitor had not said. A surprise could only come from a night deposit: Applications must arrive before midnight, Washington time – or 6 o'clock in the morning in Paris. The IMF plans to publish the names of candidates early next week, if there are three or fewer candidates.In the event that other names would arise, the Board shall give one week to agree on three people, the best position, he will request a hearing in Washington. The appointment must then occur before the end of the month.

"We clearly have two outstanding candidates," said Domenico Lombardi, an economics professor and former adviser to the IMF. Agustin Carstens is a candidate who has experience, combining four and half years as head of the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Mexico. He also plays the card of emerging countries. But French is still the favorite to succeed Dominique Strauss-Kahn to head the international organization.People as influential as the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, British Prime Minister David Cameron or the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin himself has publicly supported. Interpersonal skills in major international summits in recent years of crisis, has left its mark need a personal loan with bad credit.

Operation seduction with emerging

Christine Lagarde is assured of winning the votes of Europe, which represent just under a third of votes in the IMF, the Americans, who own 17%, will act as arbitrator. Officially they have not taken a position, but the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, personally, that Christine Lagarde would make an excellent director. Friday, finally, Africa has expressed support for the French.

An election would have the widest possible more panache.Why the French minister – as its Mexican competitor for that matter – has launched a huge operation seduction, these days, with emerging countries. Brazil, China, India, she gave pledges, while they want to question the tacit division of positions that enabled Europeans to lead the IMF and Americans to chair the World Bank continuously since 1946. None of these great country has officially declared for the moment for either candidate …

Remains the shadow of the Tapie affair. If Christine Lagarde said to be "very calm" on the subject and "being aware quite quiet, nobody today can predict that will turn the proceedings. On Friday, the French court postponed to July 8 decision on the possible opening of an investigation for abuse of authority.Christine Lagarde said on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the African Development Bank in Lisbon, that the postponement of the decision "does not change anything." At that time, she hopes to be already named yet … Some speak of a "time bomb".

Bertrand Puech: "Hermes is the subject of constant attacks"

May 30, 2011 - 2:20 pm Comments Off

Hermes is Monday night in Paris the first general meeting of shareholders since its entry in October 2010, the capital of LVMH (with 20% today). The heirs, who hold 72% stake, hoping to get the green light in September the Court of Appeal of Paris to their proposed freezing holding a majority of shares, to defend against a raid by Bernard Arnault. Bertrand Puech, president of Émile Hermès family (sole general partner of the listed company Hermes International), a member of the fifth generation of heirs, is against the proliferation of litigation against the project, including those of the Association for the Defence of Minority Shareholders chaired by Colette Neuville.

LE FIGARO. – What will you announce to the general meeting of Hermes on Monday night?

Bertrand Puech.- We will announce, as we know already that 2010 was one of the finest, if not the best year, Hermes has lived for 174 years. The results were extraordinary in an economic context that was not favorable. This allows us to pay a dividend of 1.50 euro increased significantly compared to normal.

LVMH will he represented and he can enjoy his voting rights? Are you afraid of possible obstructions of the meeting?

The shareholders are all invited. LVMH said it would. He always said, if his friendship, in any case his pacifism. I am not chairman of the meeting but things should happen normally, as usual.

What do you think of recent legal actions taken by minority shareholders against the proposed family holding Hermes?

I do not understand.It's very sad and painful for members of a family committed to an ethic of openness and honesty for generations to be scratched before the courts, then we're just defending the values ​​of quality. You should know that Ms. Neuville is a minority shareholder, who owns a single share, which represents only herself. She can not speak for the association which is not approved by the AMF. And it is wrong to fight. If she wanted to play a role in defense of minority, why does she not be interested in the fact that one shareholder said suddenly have 17% of our capital, purchased since 2008 without making it to the markets? I think she has given way to a big bad wolf.

Google goes on the offensive in mobile payments

May 28, 2011 - 8:20 pm Comments Off

It is a revolution as important as the emergence of the credit card there are more than thirty years! Within a few months, the mobile phone will be used to pay for purchases, store loyalty points, get discounts … It is a certainty, while Google announced yesterday the launch of its electronic wallet from that Google Wallet been to San Francisco and New York.

Mobile payments, we talk a long time. Japan had taken a step ahead. European operators will all work. The French have even launched last year in Nice with success, and Eric Besson, Minister of Industry, has promised that 9 other cities would quickly adopt it. But the announcement of Google reshuffles the cards and give a real boost. For three reasons.

First, its strike force.It is a global leader enters the market with other global giants MasterCard and Citibank, bank side, Ingenico payment terminals and telecom operator like Sprint. He wants to generalize his service in 20 U.S. cities by the end of the year. And already negotiate with major European operators to launch in Europe next year. Second, to pay with his mobile, it is that traders are also equipped with readers. Now Google will subsidize the market by financing the equipment traders.

Thirdly, Google goes far beyond the mere payment: the Google Wallet is a real vacuum services: it helps make couponing, store loyalty points and activate automatically. "It's awesome in terms of promise and customer value creation.Mobile payment alone is not profitable, what counts is the whole ecosystem of services around, "said Stéphane Dubreuil, director of the firm Sia Council.

Specifically, Google knows, thanks to Google Search, a search engine, you went 20 times on the Internet sites of course. He knows with Google Maps that you walk near a golf shop. He can with Google Wallet send you a promotion that will make you enter the store. Then you will pay and store your loyalty points. "There is a side Big Brother, which can be a hazard if struck public opinion, but the attractiveness and ease of product should forget that aspect," said Virginia Laz, associate director at Bryan Garnier.

The delay of Apple

This is the first time a giant web between and walk-in retail."Google returns to the brick and mortar and will potentially be able to receive a commission on all transactions in the physical world. It's huge! , "Says Stéphane Dubreuil.

The arrival of Google, if it gives a boost to mobile payments, is also dangerously compete others. From yesterday, eBay and its payment subsidiary PayPal, which represents 20% of traffic off the credit card payments over the Internet, filed suit against Google, accusing it of stealing trade secrets, especially in recruiting one of its leaders.

Apple, far behind mobile payments, is obligated to respond. Even if the future iPhone 5 allows to make payment, their model risk is still very closed to show its limitations.

Wall Street up the slope, reassured by the Fed

May 19, 2011 - 3:44 am Comments Off

The U.S. stock market return in the green Wednesday. After a cautious start, the Dow Jones up 0.44% at 12,434 points, the Nasdaq climbed 1.03% to 2812 points and the S & P advance of 0.66% to 1338 points.

The indexes have regained upward shift after the publication of the conclusions of the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Fed in April. Participants spoke at length about inflation that has plagued the country prior to deduce that it was only "temporary." They also confirmed that interest rates would remain low until at least late June.

One solution is looming for Greece

Furthermore, advances in the Greek case are relieved. The option of rescheduling the debt held by creditors Hellenic both public and private, has gained momentum Tuesday in Europe, given the difficulties the country out of crisis.If Greece is making efforts, "we will see if it is possible to have a smooth restructuring of the Greek debt, has said the leader of the finance ministers of the eurozone, Jean-Claude Juncker. Restructuring "soft" requires longer periods for repayment and possibly lower interest rates.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro fell slightly against the dollar at 1.4222 dollars against 1.4234 dollars late Tuesday. For their part, oil prices recorded a sharp rebound on Wednesday in New York, a barrel of benchmark win $ 3.19 to 100.10 dollars. U.S. inventories of crude oil fell against all odds last week, said Wednesday the U.S. Agency for Energy Information (EIA). Crude inventories were down 15,000 barrels to 370.31 million. Economists on average had expected an increase of one million barrels.Gasoline inventories rose much less than expected, rising by 119,000 barrels to 205.94 million, against an estimate of an increase of 800,000.

Staples plummet, Dell flies

The side of values, the number two U.S. computer, Dell (5 online payday loan lenders.72% to 16.81 dollars) on Tuesday after the close of Wall Street net profit more than doubled and exceeded expectations for its first quarter of year 2011/12 to $ 945 million, but with a disappointing sales, up only 1%.

For its part, Intel (1.19% to 23.83 dollars) has denied rumors that it could produce chips for mobile phones using technology from its competitor ARM.Intel has also maintained a growth forecast of just over 10% for sales of PC processors.

The group office supplies Staples (-14.54% to 16.80 dollars) has reported a quarterly profit below expectations due to rising costs and falling demand in a recovery economically fragile. Net income amounted to $ 198.2 million or 28 cents per share, against 188.8 million or 26 cents per share a year earlier. Analysts on average expected a profit of 32 cents per share. Turnover increased by 2% to 6.17 billion.

Skyworks Solutions (3.38% to 27.54 dollars) has announced the acquisition of SiGe Semiconductor for $ 210 million in cash, which will add 65 million additional cases of achievement.

The shareholders of JPMorgan Chase (-0.41% to 43.63 U.S. dollars) on Tuesday accused the U.S. bank of negligence in the proceedings of foreclosures and the change in loans to troubled borrowers, particularly in relation to ethnic minorities.

Russian oil giant Rosneft said on Wednesday it had received new proposals for cooperation on the part of BP (-0.28% to $ 7), after the failure this week of their proposed strategic alliance to explore the Arctic .

Please note that LinkedIn, a site of exchange of curriculum vitae, announced Tuesday that the actions it intends to market, perhaps as early as Thursday, would be made at prices not between 32 and 35 dollars, as he had announced a week ago, but almost 30% higher, between 42 and 45 dollars for a maximum value approaching 3 but not 4 billion.

Facebook founder confirmed eG8

May 17, 2011 - 2:32 am Comments Off

It should not make the trip. Then said "reserve its response". Finally, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder, will indeed be in Paris on 24 and 25 May. He has confirmed his arrival in eG8 forum, organized on the initiative of Nicolas Sarkozy.

The young entrepreneur is one of over 1000 makers of the digital ecosystem to participate in this forum, whose aim is to discuss the Internet's role in economic growth. Among them are also Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia founder, Eric Schmidt, Google's chairman, Rupert Murdoch, or the boss of media group News Corp..

The result of their trade will be presented the next day at Deauville, the heads of state gathered for the G8.They will adopt a "statement" whose implementation will be another meeting in October at the initiative of Minister of Industry and the Digital Economy, Eric Besson.

The United States within three months of bankruptcy

May 16, 2011 - 12:36 am Comments Off

For several months, the G20 and the IMF, but also Europe, Brazil, China, and rating agencies are urging the U.S. to clean up their deficit and debt dementia. Today, the U.S. federal government has the knife to her throat on Monday, the U.S. debt ceiling should touch her – already noted in January – set at 14.294 billion dollars, from which the U.S. can not borrow more.

In other words, the United States are on the verge of bankruptcy. Given the urgency of the situation, the Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner gave a stay of 30 days to allow Congress to reach agreement with the White House. They have until August 2nd to negotiate a compromise, Republicans in Congress will not agree to vote on raising the debt ceiling until the government has not implemented an austerity budget.The United States shackle in effect three years of deficit exceeding 10% and no concrete and credible program of spending cuts are envisaged. Olivier Blanchard, chief economist of the IMF, the savings plan of 39 billion delivered on April 8 is "insufficient".

Barack Obama has set a goal of reducing the U.S. budget deficit of 4000 billion dollars over the next twelve years. It sets the fiscal deficit to 2.5% of GDP in 2015, and wants it to be achieved by three-quarters of declines in spending.Objectives, but no clear way to reach them: during a visit to Facebook, the president spoke reform fiscalité.Sans give too many details, he has to attack the tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, plans to limit military spending and aid to agriculture, and cutting in the health program, yet very popular Medicare.

"The financial equivalent of a nuclear bomb"

What would happen if the U.S. could no longer meet their debt, as was the case for Greece, Ireland, or Portugal? It would be "the financial equivalent of a nuclear bomb ', warns Aaron Kohli, a specialist in Treasury bills at Nomura Securities. The global cataclysm is such that people do not."They must find a solution, they can not leave the financial world explode," he reassured one analyst, who notes that the financial markets show no signs of concern about the ability of U.S. authorities to agree.

David Wyss, chief economist at ratings agency Standard and Poor's, which recently threatened the U.S. triple-A, not only the Treasury "may continue to operate until August (through accounting manipulations, Ed), leaving the time in Congress to agree, but again, in case of emergency, the government "will pass the debt service as a priority."

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Growth should slow in the second quarter

May 9, 2011 - 9:56 pm Comments Off

The rebound in first quarter will not last, according to the Banque de France (BDF). If it maintains its estimate for first quarter to 0.7%, the institution table effect on an increase of only 0.5% between April and June. Slightly less optimistic, INSEE, which will publish its first quarter on Friday, table for its share of growing 0.4% in the second.

"With 0.7% growth over the first three months of the year as required by the BoF-or 0.8% as we expect, then 0.5% quarter over the rest of the year we get a growth of 2 to 2.1% growth in 2011, "anticipates Pierre-Olivier Beffy, chief economist at Exane BNP Paribas. The government expects its share to grow by 2% over the year.

"Moderate activity"

The first estimate of the BoF is based on the results of its April survey on the work of industry and services.In the first two sectors, the monetary institution observes an activity that is "remained moderate overall, with a business climate in retirement to 107 points in April against 110 the previous month totally free credit score. "This is the largest decline since the crisis began in late 2008," worries Ken Wattret, market economist at BNP Paribas. Economists expected an unchanged index.

While food has grown, other sectors have declined, particularly in the automotive and equipment. "Prices have tended to rising prices has again," notes the BoF, due probably repercussions of price increases of raw materials.

Services, which had been slow to recover in 2010, were known for their full growth "supported", says the BoF.The confidence indicator, lower than in industry, totaled 102 points in April, against 103 in March. Transportation and computer services from the sector, which continued to recruit. Good health services should continue, provided the Bank of France: "The prospects are growth-oriented farm activity."

The observations of the BoF in April similar to those of the INSEE. It had measured a significant improvement of business climate in services as well as stability in the industry.

The Paris Bourse continues to 4100

May 2, 2011 - 8:40 pm Comments Off

The CAC 40 remains in the green for the eighth straight time. At closing, the index in Paris ahead of 0.05% to 4108.77 points. As in Japan on Monday morning as investors welcomed the announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama, death of Osama bin Laden. The leader of al-Qaida was killed Sunday by the United States, during a commando operation in Pakistan. But the positive trend has eroded over the meeting.

Of the other European places, same story, including the Frankfurt stock exchange rises from 0.18% to 7527.64 points. The London Stock Exchange remained closed for holiday.

In addition to boosting the morale of the operators, this new direct consequence of the dollar to rise against the euro. The single currency was worth 1.4771 dollars around 5:15 that French time (at time of announcement), against 1.4864 dollars shortly before 3 o'clock.Similarly, oil prices, affected by the bounce of the greenback fell. Precious metals onte unscrewed, just like the money that has dropped 10% to 42.58 dollars per ounce, or gold, which fell to 1546 dollars against a previous record of 1575.79 dollars. Trends that were chastened during the meeting.

17.30, the euro resumed height against the greenback, and was worth 1.4883 dollars against 1.4808 dollars on Friday night.

Responsible macroeconomic news

In this context, the markets will take time, however, to analyze key indicators of the day. The growth in manufacturing activity in the euro zone accelerated more than expected in April, according to a second estimate of the PMI index published on Monday. The index rebounded to 58 points, against 57.5 points in March, the company said Markit.In France, growth in activity in manufacturing worsened last month, reaching its fastest pace for fifteen months, with beneficial effects on employment, according to Markit.

In the U.S., construction spending gained momentum, knowing their strongest growth in 11 months, 1.4%, according to data released Monday by the Commerce Department. In contrast, growth of manufacturing activity slowed for the second consecutive month in April, but less than expected, according to the index of industrial purchasing managers released Monday. This index, calculated by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), stood at 60.4 in April after already slowed to 61 guaranteed approval cash loans.2 in March, against 61.4 in February.The 72 analysts and economists surveyed by Reuters had forecast an index to 60.0.

Values ​​to follow

Altran: + 3.38% to 5.51 euros

Specialist in High Technology Council has exceeded its goals in the first quarter by signing up at double-digit sales (to 387.7 million, +10.1% at constant perimeter) and announced the sale of all its subsidiaries in Brazil.The group also said to anticipate a significant improvement in current operating profit in the first half compared to the same period last year.

Trigano: + 4.60% to 25.25 euros

For the period September 2010 to February 2011, the specialist for caravans and camper vans, achieved an operating profit of 14.7 million euros, against a loss of 0.8 million a year earlier.

Renault: +0.41% to 41.31 euros, Peugeot: 0.72% to 30.88 euros

Renault and Peugeot stand up well despite the announcement of a drop in their registrations by 19.1% and 21.1% respectively in April.

PPR: – 0.12% to 120.60 euros

The group will launch a friendly takeover Volcom priced at $ 24.50 per share.This friendly offer values ​​the company at 516 million euros.

Technip: – 1.261% to 75.20 euros

The group has won a contract worth 100 million euros for the engineering and equipment supply and construction assistance for the Horizon Oil Sands Project in Canada, according to a statement released Monday.

Vinci – 0.52% to 44.86 euros

The group wants to increase the share of concessions in its revenues and will therefore be a candidate for the privatization of regional airports when it is valid, said Xavier Huillard, CEO of construction and concessions, in an interview published Monday by Les Echos.The group will hold its general assembly in early afternoon today.

Fimalac: 30.45 euro balance

The group will take a 40% stake in Auguri Production, which organizes performances of several famous singers, such as Matthieu Chedid, Vanessa Paradis and Thomas Dutronc, according to a statement released Monday.

GDF Suez will publish its first quarter sales this afternoon.

After market: Areva, CAM, GFI Informatique, Steria and Bollore will publish their quarterly earnings.

Soon a smartphone signed Aston Martin

April 6, 2011 - 3:36 pm Comments Off

For now, his name is still barbaric. The CPT002, phone signed Aston Martin still makes quite an impression at the show's World Watch and Jewellery Show in Basel in March. Result of unprecedented collaboration between the luxury car manufacturer and designer of mobile high-end Canadian Mobiado, this smartphone, surprised by its design.

Still in prototype stage, the CPT002 indeed has the distinction of being entirely of glass with a transparent central portion, like a giant windshield! The surface of the touch screen is sapphire high strength, unbreakable and impossible to scratch, according to Mobiado. Edges, platinum and titanium, incorporate all electronic components, including battery, two microcameras and location for the SIM card. Aston Martin logo is placed at the back of the camera.

Direct connection to the Aston Martin

This phone will run Android.Like all other smartphones, it will give access to a large number of applications. According to its manufacturers it will be especially characteristic of facilitating travel for holders of Aston Martin. The mobile will thus open, close and start the vehicle paydayloans. The CPT002 will automatically connect to the GPS board and, through its geo-location software Foursquare, it will keep contacts informed Facebook and Twitter to the location of the driver.

The latter, which has installed cameras in the cabin of his vehicle, able to transmit real-time on social networks images captured by the phone. Finally, CPT002, previously installed in the pocket of the driver, will be equipped with an accelerometer that will, in case of accident, the airbags deploy with as much precision as possible.

Fans of Aston Martin, however, must still wait before buying this technological marvel. No date of production or marketing has yet been announced, although some mention the output of a first range in May. Regarding the price, no information either from the two manufacturers. But like the famous cars will need to hand the portfolio. The Mobiado luxury phones are sold on average from 1300 dollars per unit (approximately 915 euros).

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