World News, Financial News, Breaking US News

The French Association of Private Enterprises (Afep), which includes very large groups, will this evening at dinner Xavier Bertrand. Labour Minister and his guests have something to talk about everything found: the taxation of the remuneration of top managers.

Xavier Bertrand Tuesday reiterated the government's intention, not to establish a "maximum wage", but to increase the levies on companies' pay extravagant wages "- which in his view, means" several million euros. " The idea was initiated by a part of the majority in the debate on the alleviation of the ISF and the end of the tax shield. The Left had also seen a way to feel good after a "gift to the rich" … The measure should be passed in the fall.It could take two forms: a new tax or the inability to deduct the payments of the tax base of companies. "I favor the latter possibility," the minister said Tuesday.

"Branding a category»

Neither of the two formulas, in any case not suitable for Afep. Its chairman, Maurice Levy (Publicis Groupe), found the need to "be bad enough faith to consider that there is a problem together" on the compensation of top managers of French companies. Based on a study Aon Hewitt, he assured that they are on average paid less than their counterparts at the head of U.S. companies, Swiss, British, Spanish or German. "It's not healthy to attack a general executive compensation. This leads to stigmatize a category, "says Maurice Levy."I'm not at all support the idea that decides what should be the compensation of one or the other, in a total abstraction of what the company," he says. As to subject executive compensation to the general meeting of shareholders, rather than the board or a special committee, the president of the Afep sees "no need to submit to such AG decision over another ", saying that there is already" in the company a democracy that works very well. " Annual reports, accessible, detailed executive compensation.

"Personally," Maurice Levy, however, sees "no objection" that the persons whose total income is high "contribute more in difficult times," as an "element of solidarity."

See also:

"Chérèque does not believe in a maximum salary

Monitor prices and margins on agricultural products launched in September 2010 will make its findings on Monday. According quotidienLes Echos, the 250-page report, commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with INSEE and Agrimer, the responsibility of leading retail chains in maintaining the sales price to consumers despite lower commodity prices.

Cherries five times more expensive

The experts, headed by Philippe Chalmin, an economics professor at the University of Paris Dauphine, studied agricultural production subject to the most serious crises in the last ten years such as milk, beef and pork, and fruits and vegetables. According to their findings the distribution has made such an important and constant gross margin of red meat even though the farmers of this category recorded the lowest incomes.

The situation is similar with regard to pork. In ten years from the final price going to farmers has increased from 45% in 2000 to 36% in 2010. At the same time, one devoted to retailers jumped 39% to 55%. The long-life milk, gross margin was doubled when the signs that producers declined. Distributors also apply high margins on fruits and vegetables. Cherry cherry has been charged five times more expensive to consumers that it was paid by the distributor free credit score. Only segment where margins have been reduced signs: the yoghurt.The report provides no explanation but Les Echos believe that the power companies such as Danone, which reach more to negotiate prices is one reason.

Annual Report

The report, which should help parliamentarians better navigate the debate between producers, manufacturers and distributors for years, however, said it is difficult to track the price of a product from production to its exposure on the shelf. Investigators also complain that the distributors did not provide all the necessary elements to determine the composition of the margins.Information they hope to meet next year, the Observatory should indeed provide an overview of the situation every year.

ALSO READ:

»Food: price increases are inevitable

"Average basket price: 2.4% (association)

"The bread rose by 18.6% in 5 years

"In ten years, the price of meat increased by 24%

"Agriculture: price observatory ready

"The government soothes irritated farmers … but distributors

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is preparing to open an antitrust investigation of Google, said the Wall Street Journal last night. According to the daily U.S. economy, sending requests for information would be imminent. A committee of five people in the U.S. federal agency seeks to determine whether Google has abused its dominant position in the Web, particularly in the context of its advertising activities. They represent 97% of its turnover.

So far, the U.S. competition had not addressed the situation as Google through various acquisitions, such as the acquisition of DoubleClick Internet governance, governance AdMob mobile or, recently, the specialist ITA Tourism Online. The investigation by the FTC in addition to the one that opened in November the European Commission.Google is particularly suspected of promoting its own services in search results.

From this Tuesday, June 14, the fish will be on the shelves of foreign origin. In any case, this says a study published by the NGO OCEAN2012 and Nef (new economics foundation). Dubbed "the EU's growing dependence compared with fish from elsewhere," the survey said that from Tuesday, "We go fishing for fish other" because the reserves in the waters of the European Union are exhausted . For the Hexagon, "the date of self-sufficiency in marine products now comes six weeks earlier than in 2000." Without aquaculture, France even become dependent upon May 7

The country is obviously not the only one to get his fish outside EU waters. Further, where the fisheries sector is less developed, starting much earlier. This is the case of Austria, an enclave in the mountains, has to import from January 15, or of Germany (April 27)."It is surprising to note that this is also the case in some Member States with access to substantial EU marine waters, including Portugal (April 26), Italy (April 30), Spain ( May 8), "says the report.

Overall, the rate of self-sufficiency of the French following a downward trend common to all 27 EU countries. The average date on which member countries must import is currently July 2. "Last year was July 9, this indicates a decline of fishery resources in the EU of about 200,000 tons in twelve months," adds the study.

"We play with the future of stocks"

The French situation is, however, made more remarkable by the boom in demand for fish.The French consume twice as effects of seafood (34.2 kilograms per person per year) than the global average (17.1 pounds) according to 2008 figures from FAO and Eurostat, cited by study. The EU average stands at 22.1 pounds. "By eating more fish than the waters of the EU can not produce, we play with the future of fish stocks and communities dependent on fishing. We are risking the jobs and livelihoods, both within the EU and beyond, "says Rupert Crilly, co-author of the report no faxing payday loan.

"Fish stocks are a renewable resource. Yet, according to figures from the European Commission, we draw the fish faster than the stocks are able to rebuild, "says the study.The conclusion is clear: "In the EU, most of overexploited fish stocks is valued and many of them face a high risk of exhaustion."

Reforming the CFP

How then to match the ever increasing demand for and supply of fish within the EU? For the authors of the study, the answer is in the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This must be reformed next year for an application to January 1, 2013. To put the stocks in good condition, OCEAN2012 therefore demands a review of access rights to resources for each country. "We should set up an evaluation grid with criteria such as environmental impact on the capture of juveniles, on the release of CO2, illegal catches," said Stephan Beaucher policy adviser for fishing OCEAN2012 and co-author of the study."The criteria are also social because 100 tonnes of fish can provide 15 permanent jobs." Based on this grid, a bonus-malus loaded weight of the fishing rights for the member countries would be established.

While waiting to present his ideas to the European Commission, the NGO has read the first draft of reform. It includes bans on ocean dumping, an objective of maximum sustainable yield by 2015 expected to provide only the surplus fishing stocks and the introduction of individual transferable fishing quotas between countries."We must focus on environmental sustainability but the Commission refuses to make this a priority," says Stephan Beaucher which provides that "power relations are being put in place and it'll be hot."

ALSO READ:

"France is a great maritime nation unwitting"

"Uncertainties about the future of bluefin tuna

The French did not wait to see their incomes grow to consume more. Consumption expenditure of households are divided up in 2010 to 1.3% in volume against a slight increase of 0.1% the previous year. They contributed well to the tune of two thirds of the growth of the French economy last year, even though the purchasing power slowed its progression, according to a study by the INSEE.

Indeed, the rising purchasing power of the French was 0.8% in 2010, against +1.3% in 2009, hit by rising prices driven by oil. The Institute of Statistics shows that even if one deducts the expenditure incurred under a contract renegotiable difficult in the short term (rent, water, gas, electricity, insurance, telecommunications, etc..) Purchasing power individual level falls slightly down.

"The increased consumption for almost all positions," notes INSEE. Clothing costs rebounded 0.4% after falling 4.2% the previous year. After falling 3.5% in 2009, spending at hotels, cafes and restaurants are also lifts, 1.1% by volume. The cost of heating and lighting by volume rose 4.8% and spending on services of the information economy such as telephones or computers rose 4.2%. Conversely, with the end of the scrapping, purchases of new cars fell by 4.9% in 2010 after they jumped 18% in 2009.

ALSO READ:

"The price of gasoline is still beating records

"Bercy officially freezes gas tariffs from 1 July

"The French consumption has reached the end of 2010 growth

After losing more than 2% over the last two sessions, the U.S. stock markets continue their descent. This Friday, the Dow Jones lost 0.79% to close at 12,151.34 points, the Nasdaq 1.46% to 2732.78 loose points and the S & P 500 was down 0.97% at 1300.16 points.These statistics had already weighed on the Dow Jones yesterday, which had thus ended down 0.34% to 12,248.55 points.

A trend that has also confirmed Friday with the publication of the monthly report on employment in the U.S. Department of Labor, rather disappointing, the United States that have created 54,000 jobs in May, three times less than expected and not enough to prevent a rise in unemployment to 9.1%, against 8.9% expected.

The increase in activity in services is accelerating

The increase in activity in services has accelerated in the United States in May, more than expected, according to ISM trade association, whose index of purchasing managers in the sector released Friday appeared to increase by from April, to 54.6.

The Fed does not intend to undertake new measures to boost the economy, according to Richard Fisher, one of its members.In an interview with the Wall Street Journal this morning, the president of the Dallas Federal Reserve believes that "the Fed has done its job" and that if necessary additional stimulus measures, "they must come from elsewhere" .

The U.S. Treasury will sell the 6% that still holds in Chrysler to Fiat. The Italian will thus hold a majority stake in U.S. manufacturer. And the state will pocket U.S. $ 560 million.

Short-term domestic concerns will not prevent operators to remain vigilant regarding the conditions for aid to Greece as part of a new plan, unveiled in principle this afternoon Low fee payday loans.

Walgreen: -0.14% to 43.16 dollars

Walgreen announced today, before opening on Wall Street, the level of its sales in May: they rose 7% to 6.08 billion, up 5.6% on a comparable basis.Remember that the title had been boosted on Wednesday by a recommendation by UBS improved, which initiated coverage on the purchase of the title, with a price target of $ 51.

Chevron: -0.12% to $ 101

Chevron announced late yesterday that four people died in the explosion of one of its refineries in Pembroke. A fifth victim was hospitalized in serious condition.

New York Times: 6.34% to 8.05 dollars

For the first time in its history, the New York Times says the direction of writing to a woman. Jill Abramson, now editor in chief, will assume his new duties on September 6. She will replace Bill Keller, who wants to resume writing. The chief editor Dean Baquet will be provided by currently assistant Jill Abramson.

Relax on the raw

As for raw materials, the pressure falls.In this sector, investors await OPEC meeting next Wednesday, which could lead to a decision by the organization to increase its oil production. Despite the many demands and frequent recently, OPEC had refused to put the issue of increased production in its agenda, and has been for four years. The markets will also tend ear to New York, where the French agriculture minister, Bruno Le Maire, must speak about the speculation on raw materials, around 18 pm (Paris time).

ALSO READ:

"American debt: the bad blood between Obama and Congress

"OPEC could decide to increase production

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.

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."

ALSO READ:

"The U.S. Postal Service on the brink of bankruptcy

"A rating agency of the U.S. deficit is moved

Business leaders may have breathed a sigh of relief last night when he saw the plunge of the main raw materials. In recent months, they look indeed with concern the soaring price of those commodities. Their concern was evidenced in the accounts of the first quarter of the year or in the speeches of leaders.

All sectors are however not affected in the same proportions, even if they are likely to be.

Transportation is often the former. Lufthansa has reported such an increase in its fuel bill by almost 30% over the first three months of the year. This charge amounts to 1.4 billion euros over the period, when its billings reach 6.4 billion. The airline spends "overload" fuel to its customers, insufficient to offset any upward.The aim of companies is obviously to cushion the effect of "raw materials" through price increases. Michelin is well to advertise on some of its tires, the costs are related to rubber. The equipment itself as able to compensate 80% of the additional cost of $ 1.8 billion over the year.

This ability to change its prices based on costs, however, can erode. For steel, the latest report of the consultant CRU reported a slowdown in inflation and even lower in some countries in Europe. Gold, iron ore and coal continue to appreciate. The margins of steel producers could therefore suffer the end of the year payday loans.

Plastics hit hard

Lowest in the industrial cycle, the automotive supplier Valeo has recently detailed the structure of its cost "feedstock."The steel is 35%, followed by plastics (23%), copper (20%), aluminum (19%) and zinc (3%) … all the upside in recent months. Schneider Electric, for his part highlighted the increase of 40% of the money since the beginning of the year to explain an overload of 100 million euros in its accounts.

Chemical groups are now able to pass these increases on to their customers, as witnessed this week the excellent results reported by Rhodia and Arkema, manifestly optimistic about the future. Their customers converters are much less … They find that prices of certain plastics (polypropylene, polyethylene, PET) have almost doubled in two years!

Again, the phenomenon has an impact downstream. The plastic is a constituent of many products. In industry but also in FMCG.The U.S. Procter & Gamble has estimated at about $ 280 million this additional cost in its quarterly accounts.

If the decline recorded yesterday is good news, its magnitude can be a concern. Volatility, that is to say, large variations in a short time, represents an additional risk for companies, including strategies to provide raw materials for the long term or to hedge against inflation, they can be taken cons-foot.

Mohamed Al Fayed at the cinema. The Egyptian billionaire has confirmed his interest in markets for the purchase of Pinewood Studios. "Mr. Al Fayed has noted recent speculation regarding a possible offer of his hand. It confirms the possibility of a cash offer at Pinewood, "says a note sent to the London Stock Exchange.

The announcement comes just two weeks after Pinwood has received a takeover offer by its shareholder Peel Holdings, which owns 29.8% of capital. The latter offers 190 pence per share representing a total supply of 87.8 million pounds (about 99.5 million euros). For now, Mohamed Al Fayed said that "it is not certain that an offer is made" but the markets themselves, are safe. Result: Pinewood share price jumped to 10.4% in session Thursday at 223 pence, giving studios a market capitalization of 100 million pounds.

For Peel, the difficulties accrue while the other shareholder of Pinewood, Crystal Amber Fund (28% stake), considers that the initial offer of 190 pence does not reflect the true value of the company.

The home of James Bond

This battle looming market reflects the growing interest of investors in these studios, the largest in Europe, located in Buckinghamshire (county of south-east England). For nearly 75 years, Pinewood has seen the greatest movie stars. He is best known for being the location of the main James Bond like From Russia with Love, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Moonraker and more recently Quantum of Solace.A studio is even dedicated to James Bond (the "007 course).

Pinwood was also chosen for the filming of blockbusters like the latest Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean, but also The Bourne Ultimatum, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mission Impossible or Lara Croft guaranteed payday loans. It's also where I will turn the next Clash of the Titans.

Very popular, Pinewood has reported a pretax profit of 5.8 million pounds last year, up 31%, and expects an increase in its turnover increase this year. The group also plans a massive investment of £ 20 million to expand the premises in Buckinghamshire.

Bet small productions

Pinewood has also ride the wave of success of the film The speech of a king who has won several Oscars with an initial budget of shooting only 9 million pounds.The low-budget films will be a priority for the studios that will focus on set at 2 million pounds.

The group also put on the hot market of TV and cinema in Latin America. A franchise agreement has been signed to that effect in the Dominican Republic.

Expanding empire

Mohamed Al Fayed, Pinewood get their hands on him to reconnect with his roots. The businessman had indeed already bought a studio in Egypt and participated in the production of the film four times Oscar-winning Chariots of Fire in 1981. The executive producer of this film was when her late son, Dodi al Fayed.

If he makes a bid and wins, especially Mohamed Al Fayed will relaunch its empire, amputated Harod stores, sold to a Qatari fund last year to 1.5 billion pounds.Always very diversified, its acquisitions include the Ritz Hotel in Paris, a hundred apartments in Hyde Park in England, the attraction Falls of Shin in Scotland and the London club football for Fulham.