Archive for the ‘money’ Category

Internet operators face "netgloutons"

August 25, 2011 - 3:48 pm Comments Off

Faced with bronce generated by the project operators to end unlimited Internet packages fixed, two questions remain suspens.Premièrement, who are these "netgoinfres" very heavy users of Internet operators that want coach? Opinions differ. "These are 5 to 10% of consumers who use 80% of the bandwidth. They are found in all countries. The population is fairly limited, "says Yves Le Mouël, Director General of the Federation of Telecom.

In Focus: the "geek" who downloads movies and massive music, spends time on YouTube and Dailymotion. "They are also SMEs with a standard Internet connection and download all day, they are hotels or student residences," said an executive at one operator.

David Charles, president and founder of MVNO Prixtel, but rather the fault of television over the Internet.Growing, it smoothly, he said, the networks. "If we want to free up bandwidth, it must be stopped. The TV is made to switch to TNT, especially since the state has paid dearly for the setting up in France. "

Edouard Barreiro, association UFC-Que Choisir, goes further. For him, "the netgoinfres, these are all of us." "During the day fixed networks are not busy. But they explode in the evening when everyone comes home from work, watch movies, videos, updates made its Apple … We all do the same thing at the same time, he says.Talking netgloutons is an excuse not to make the investments. "

Amend contracts

Operators deny it, but if they decided to go into action, could they change the current contracts? "Yes, it's Chatel law: an operator can easily change its offer, but the client is then free to go free, as was the case during the episode of the VAT," said Edouard Barreiro. Clearly, either the consumer accepts the new conditions, it is part.

But leave her Internet provider is not as easy as changing mobile operator. First, we must do without the Internet for about two weeks. Second, number portability works well on mobile remains fragile on the set. "Things are going well when you leave France Telecom to another operator.But when we leave SFR example, sometimes you lose his number, "said Edouard Barreiro. Finally, it must also return the box and be reimbursed for the possible bond. Not so simple!

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The Paris Bourse does not yield to panic

August 8, 2011 - 9:48 pm Comments Off

All weekend, they multiplied the meetings and news: the political leaders of industrialized countries have mobilized to show that they had taken stock of efforts to engage to address concerns about the state of their finances. This will reassure the markets, worried after the announcement Friday after the close of a deterioration in the rating of the sovereign debt of the United States by Standard & Poor's, but also disturbed by the difficulties faced by countries in the region euro to implement the solutions to the crisis in Greece. With always in sight the risk of contagion of debt to other countries.

In the wake of the Asian stock markets, down sharply this morning, the benchmark index in Paris has started his week on a further decline, however, moderate (-0.74%) before recovering quickly in green.Half an hour after opening, the CAC 40 rose 0.58% to 3297.71 points. Sign that the markets have understood, at least in part, statements of intent to both sides of the Atlantic, the austerity measures aimed at fiscal consolidation in industrial countries.

Yesterday, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy reiterated their determination to ensure that the bailout of Greece on 21 July be adopted before the end of September. They also praised the efforts of Spain and especially those of Italy, two weak links in the euro area at present. Indeed, Rome has advanced by one year (from 2014 to 2013) the goal of return to balance its accounts. In addition, the European Central Bank (ECB) said it would implement "active" its buyback program obligations.This measure, taken and announced last week by Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the institution, had absolutely convinced investors. On the contrary …

Relaxation rates in Spain and Italy

This does not seem to be the case this morning. The ECB did not specify to which countries would focus the bond buyback program, but rates in ten years Spanish and Italian relaxed strongly on Monday in the bond market, passing under 6%. Relaxation is expected to continue, while the French Minister of Economy and Finance has confirmed Baroin on Europe 1 that the ECB was ready to buy the Spanish and European debt, if investors withdrew.

Elsewhere in Europe, the trend is much better than the stock market crash feared by investors. In Frankfurt, the DAX opened down 1% to 6170.69 points.A little more for London, the FTSE 100 opened down 1.15%, before recovering slightly (-0.77%) to 6204.12 points. In Madrid, the Ibex 35 index wins more than 2.6% to 9.30 at 8843 points. Finally, Milan sign the best growth (+3%) to 16,500 points.

Next on the list?

However, uncertainty should remain in force on the European markets at the beginning of the week. The decision of Standard & Poor's in the United States continues to claim haunt the minds of the markets, despite a weekend to "digest" the news.Now that the world's largest economy, long considered one of the most reliable borrowers, is not as well marked, which could consider itself safe from degradation? In France, this concern should be limited, however, the chief economist for Europe, Standard & Poor's Jean-Michel Six, who said Saturday that the agency maintained the "AAA" of France, in a stable outlook no fax pay day loan.

Before testing the first effects on the markets of this political mobilization, the announcement of the ECB on repurchase of bonds has already led to support the euro against the dollar. At 7 o'clock this morning, the euro was worth 1.4321 dollars, against 1.4281 dollars on Friday night, after the dollar rose to 1.4370 on Sunday night.But above all concerns macroeconomic benefit to gold, which recorded a new record Monday on the market in Hong Kong, dying for the first time the maximum 1700 dollars an ounce, and benefiting fully from his safe haven status.

The sharp drop in oil

Instead, the side of the oil, oil prices continued to tumble on Monday. Result of numerous concerns about a possible global recession, prices show a sharp decline. In morning trading in Asia, a barrel of "light sweet crude" lost 2.59 dollars to 84.29 dollars, while that of Brent North Sea crude for September delivery fell by 2.48 dollars to 106.89 dollars.

Finally, the political mobilization should remain in force throughout the day, and guide the trend in European markets as U.S.. For the side of the macroeconomic data, the news will remain low in the first day of the week.Unlike last week, no statistics across the Atlantic will not give further details Monday about the health of the U.S. economy or the risk of a possible recession in the country. In France alone were expected business surveys of the Banque de France, unveiled on Monday its growth forecast for the third quarter. For the period, the institution expects an increase of 0.2% of French GDP, the same pace as in the previous quarter.

As for values ​​to follow, business publications are scarce this week.

Battered last week after interim results affected by exposure in Greece, banking stocks offered a nice rally this morning and take the lead increases the Cac 40.BNP Paribas (5.47% to 42.83 euros), followed closely by Credit Agricole (+ 5.01% to 7.51 euros) and Societe Generale (4.83% to 28.76 euros). For its part, Axa wins 3.81%, to 11.99 euros. The entire financial sector benefits from the relief this morning, the insurer CNP Assurances taking his side 3.91%, to 12.37 euros. Outside the CAC 40, ahead of Dexia 5.26% to 1.7 euro.

The manufacturer Archos tablet that will detail its annual accounts after market, has already won 4.77% to 8.35 euros.

Carmat (12.80% to 105.47 euros). The total artificial heart specialist said on Sunday evening the success of its capital increase launched from July 13 to 29. The former subsidiary of EADS has raised 29.3 million euros, which will fund the first clinical trials on humans.

GDF Suez (2.74% to 20.97 euros).The group of energy and services has sealed, according to Les Echos, a strategic Partenaris with the Chinese sovereign wealth fund CIC, which would lead to an acquisition of a 30% interest in the exploration and production arm of French.

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Debt: The Return of the White House brings the calm

July 31, 2011 - 12:00 pm Comments Off

J-2 before the ax fell. The United States still be able to honor their claims after August 2? Barack Obama tackle it. So much so that after being long in the back face long power struggle between Republicans and Democrats, the White House decided Saturday to get involved again in the negotiations. Return ardently desired by the Republicans who wish to be assured that it will not oppose its veto on a possible negotiated settlement to Congress.

If no agreement has so far been found, optimism seems to place the next parliament. The head of the Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate, Harry Reid, who previously showed pessimistic, acknowledged the progress in negotiations with the White House. "Negotiations are taking place in the White House to avoid a catastrophic failure to pay the national debt," Reid said late Saturday.Same story on the Republican side: "I think we have a chance to do," said Mitch McConnell Saturday, head of the Republican in the Senate.

Vote Delayed

Evidence that the climate has calmed a bit, Harry Reid has even delayed by several hours the vote on the plan of raising debt cash advance flexible payments. Originally scheduled on the night from Saturday to Sunday at 1 am (7:00 am Paris time), the vote was postponed to 13 hours (19 hours, Paris time).

However, over the head of the Democratic majority noted that would not give the duration of raising the debt ceiling. The Democrats want a measure that could take until 2013.The Republicans, they insist on a plan in two stages: an initial increase before August 2 and a second early 2012, during an election campaign. "There are ongoing negotiations at the White House to avoid a catastrophic failure on the country's debt, he said. There are many elements to be finalized and there is still some way to go. "

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Greece: France does not want to talk about non-payment

July 22, 2011 - 11:16 am Comments Off

Greece Is in default? For Baroin and Valerie Pécresse, the answer is no. The Minister of Economy, interviewed on RTL on Friday morning, and budget minister, responding to RMC, however, swept this term used by many analysts in the wake of the passage of the bailout of the country, which provides including an extension of the term loan to Greece and lower borrowing rates. "This track is discarded because it would result in the destabilization of the deep zone," said Baroin. "These are not the words we use. Greece will repay its debt, "added Valerie Pécresse.

According to the Minister of Economy, the "partial failure" is that "legal characterization" that rating agencies could use in the coming days. "They will do what they want," says he.The derivatives market professionals, meeting within the International Swaps and Derivatives Association "(ISDA), should just meet in the coming days," probably "even today, to determine whether the new aid plan Greece is a "credit event".

Whatever their decision, Baroin determines that the plan provides an adequate response to address the situation: "This plan is a firewall. There will be the Central Bank to play its role as lender and the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), more flexible, which will intervene to prevent attacks by speculators. "

Banks will no longer be sought in the future

For the Minister of Economy, the agreement reached in Brussels provides answers "exceptional, deep, powerful, durable giving guarantees to Greece to support the continuity of its delivery to an acceptable level.""This is a response to avoid any risk of infection by a public-private and technical arrangements for the European fund, which also outlines the future prospects of the future European economic governance," he added. Regarding private sector involvement, the economy minister reiterated that private creditors are not required to save other countries in the euro area. "This is not one second that the private sector finds himself called for a voluntary basis for Portugal, Ireland, which are two other countries in the European assistance," he said firmly.

"Many things have changed yesterday. It was a real go of history which gives a more stable Europe, "said Baroin. Valérie Pécresse also welcomes the "Instrument for Stability" what happened to the EFSF, "beginning of a European Monetary Fund."She said the new rescue plan was necessary to "save and protect the euro." "This is a reference currency that allows France to have the confidence of investors. If we had dropped Greece, it was the French who would have paid, "she says.

The government spokesman also announced that "the Prime Minister will receive all 11 hours of national representation: the Senate president, the president of the National Assembly, the chairmen of Finance, European Affairs to present the rescue plan for Greece, which was adopted yesterday and tell them the consequences for France. "

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Sponsors cautious against the return of the icon Laure Manaudou

July 14, 2011 - 6:40 pm Comments Off

Objective: London Olympics 2012! The challenge is ambitious Laure Manaudou but probably not impossible. "She recovered in the skin of a champion," said Gilles Portelli, CEO of Havas Sports & Entertainment. Absent from the basins since September 18, 2009, the swimming is preparing to make his comeback this Thursday in Athens to the United States. She has eight months to return to competitive, qualified for the Olympics taking place in mid-March. His former mentor, Philippe Lucas, believes it. "It's a good thing for French sport. It changed, it is a mother. She has thought through many things. Swimming was missing.

The importance of achieving good performance will depend in fact a new interest of major sponsors (Lancel, EDF, Arena, among others) who have stopped working when she announced her retirement. These contracts Lancel, EDF Arena and allowed him to reach about three million euros per year between 2007 and 2009. Reportedly, the contract of sponsorship with the chairman of PPR, through his holding company Artemis, who reported one million euros per year, is suspended and not broken. Discussions are therefore underway between the two parties to try to bring back Laure Manaudou and Francois Pinault.But suddenly, its value would decline significantly Advertising (LPG contract with him would bring 200 million euros per year). Necessarily all brands can not match the prices of luxury brands. " Most experts interviewed do not believe that the financial aspect is the main motivation behind this "comeback". "She would have stopped swimming in this case," explains Gilles Portella.

After accumulating the gold medals like pearls and posted disappointing results, shaken by romantic escapades, Laure Manaudou is trying to write a new story of his sporting career. "She now has a stable life, a companion who is immersed in the world of swimming (Frederick Bousquet) and one child (a little old Manon a little over a year). The risk of "relapse" is lower, "said François Guyot. But not nonexistent.

The CEO of Procter & Gamble seeks five billion customers

July 4, 2011 - 9:00 am Comments Off

The world's leading consumer is again in top form. The annual accounts ended June should show an increase in turnover of 5% over last year, when sales reached 78.9 billion dollars. Bob McDonald, who took over the group in the middle of the crisis in July 2009, was last week in France for his first visit since taking office cheapest personal loan rates. This former military academy at West Point, who spent five years in the U.S. Army before joining Procter in 1980, his book Figaro battle plan to win every year 200 million new consumers.

Click the preview to enlarge the graphic

Legrand goes into overdrive

June 20, 2011 - 8:00 am Comments Off

Just over five years after his return on the stock market, Legrand decided to convene today to financial analysts to present the group's prospects in the medium term. The meeting is held in Limoges, where Legrand has one of the French centers of research and development and a "show room" where he can show his skills in home automation and home assistance.

Legrand is a leading electrical and digital infrastructure in the building. He directed last year's 3.89 billion euros in turnover. Its products are the most visible switches and outlets, but it has extended its offer for several years in the areas of home automation and energy efficiency. Elements that have enabled it to deliver excellent results. And it's not over."We set targets in the medium term annual growth of our average total turnover of 10% and an adjusted operating margin averaged 20% after acquisitions," said Gilles Schnepp, Chairman and CEO Legrand.

To achieve this, the group is a clear acceleration of acquisitions. "Until now, we spend an average of 200 million euros per year to our external growth strategy, says Gilles Schnepp. Now, we have increased the amount to 400 million euros on average per year. Over the past twelve months, we completed seven acquisitions as well, especially in the new segments. "

Focus on emerging economies

The target group now two types of companies. First, the actors in the new economies. "We are already present in these countries. For example, we established in Brazil since 1977.Emerging economies now account for 35% of our business, but we want to increase this share to 50% within five years. "The group also wants to develop or strengthen in new segments. Home automation is to say the pilot via a digital interface functions as diverse as lighting, heating, opening and closing of the shutters or video monitoring of visitors, is in a. Other preferred areas: systems to improve energy efficiency or the digital infrastructure. These activities already account for nearly 20% of its sales and growth is more important than more traditional trades.

This dynamic policy of acquisitions can be done without recourse to debt. Funding is made possible by the structural improvement of the group's ability to generate cash."Five years ago, cash flow (cash flow) of Legrand represented 6% of our sales, says Gilles Schnepp. Last year it had risen to 13%. "

A change made possible by an improvement in its processes, including the decline of its product platforms, much like in the car, or shortening the development time of its products.

Performance that does not go unnoticed by investors. In five years, the stock has gained 49% while the CAC 40 sold 25% over the same period.

Greece pressed a little Wall Street

June 2, 2011 - 10:56 am Comments Off

Wall Street puts an end to four consecutive sessions bearish on Wednesday. The Dow Jones lost 2.23% to 12,290.06 points, the Nasdaq yield 2.33% to 2769.19 points and the S & P 500 was down 2.28% at 1314.55 points.

Tuesday, as all global markets, the U.S. stock market had closed on a sharp rise, the Dow Jones climbed 1.03% and the Nasdaq by 1.37%. Investors, who were returning from a long weekend, had welcomed with relief the press releases stating that Germany would give up a debt restructuring of Greece.

On Wednesday, the new no longer effect. Quite the contrary. Moody's has cooled financial markets that had begun to hope that a solution had been found to stabilize the financial situation in Greece.The rating agency downgraded two notches note saying the country more than 50% the risk of seeing the country fail.

This decision adds to several bad macroeconomic news.United States, the employment figures in the private sector show an increase of only 38,000 in May, according to the firm ADP, while analysts were betting on 170,000 net hires.

Construction spending rose 0.4% in the U.S. in April, according to a Commerce Department estimate released Wednesday in Washington, and contrary to that of analysts who had forecast a decline of this indicator.

Manufacturing activity has slowed markedly in the United States in May, according to the index of purchasing managers released Wednesday by the industry trade association and ISM fell to 53.5%.

Side currency, the euro decreased again against the U.S. dollar after the rating is downgraded from Greece at 1 cash advance loans.4330 dollars (-0.46%).For their part, oil prices fell sharply Wednesday in New York, a barrel of benchmark dropping $ 2.41 to 100.29 dollars in a market undermined by disappointing indicators, especially for job creation States USA.

Yahoo!: -4.26% to 15.85 dollars

Yahoo has resolved its dispute with Alibaba Group in connection with the transfer by the Chinese company's online payment system, Alipay, its chief executive Jack Ma said on source familiar with the matter. The two companies reached an agreement before the meeting with analysts from Yahoo last Wednesday. But the agreement requires the green light from the founder of Softbank, Masayoshi Son, who sits on the board of directors of Alibaba. He was quite reluctant, says one. Japanese Softbank is a shareholder of Alibaba and Yahoo Japan.

Google: -0.65% to 525.60 dollars

Eric Schmidt, the executive chairman and former CEO of Google, said Tuesday night had "planted" on social networks four years ago. He takes the responsibility for the error that allowed Facebook to be the undisputed leader in the category.

Phillips-Van Heusen: 0.58% to 66.35 dollars

Phillips-Van Heusen for its part, announced a net profit of $ 58 million (79 cents per share) in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, against $ 28 million loss (53 cents per share) a year before. The turnover was doubled to 1.37 billion against $ 619 million a year earlier. The group is therefore the goal of annual earnings per share to range between 4.80 and $ 5 per title.

Public debt: France must convince in 2012 and beyond

June 1, 2011 - 8:32 am Comments Off

Good student, but must continue its efforts. It is, in short, the message delivered by the rating agency Fitch in France. She confirmed the debt rating "AAA", the best possible, with stable outlook. The French government has taken "a series of measures", says the agency, "which have improved the outlook for public finances." And mention the pension reform, or the draft law in fixing the principle of balance of public finances.

"However, these efforts must be extended to stabilize and then reduce the level of debt of France, which was the end of 2010 to 81.7% of gross domestic product (GDP)," warns Maria Malas-Mroueh, responsible scoring countries at Fitch. A number of risk still hovers in effect on the financial health of the state. Starting with 2012, a major election year.It should not, Fitch warns that the budget skids on the bottom of the presidential election. Especially since the forecast growth in the medium term Bercy (+2.5% per year) are considered "optimistic."

It should not, the agency said that the newly elected unleash the flange to the public finances in 2013. Instead, the agency left little choice to the government that emerges from the polls: "We expect the 2011 budget will meet its objectives (a deficit of 5.7%, Ed), but further efforts are needed to reduce the deficit to 3% of GDP in 2013, as agreed. " Debt levels will then stabilize at a level higher than before the crisis, reducing the flexibility to cope with future crises.

Note "under pressure"

In the medium term, Fitch added that "the memo from France could be under pressure (read: be revised downward, Ed) if the competitiveness of France was deteriorating again and if the position of France was weakening." The agency plans and the current account balance, ie the difference between money coming in and who leaves the territory, will remain negative in 2011 and 2012, approximately 2% of GDP. Fitch impels France to further reduce its "structural rigidities".

Despite these black spots, the Hexagon rest for now, said the agency, a "healthy and diversified economy," equipped "social institutions, civil and effective policies." He added: "financial flexibility reflect its status as a major issuer of sovereign benchmark in the eurozone. Clearly, the markets like, so far, take on France.

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.