Archive for the ‘opinions’ Category

Pain: an ATM in Paris

August 13, 2011 - 12:04 am Comments Off

In recent weeks, a new generation of vending machines first appeared in Paris. Located near the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, the machine offers, 24 and 24 hours seven days a week, fresh bread, sold a euro baguette. One hundred and twenty rods craft, pre-cooked for ten minutes, are placed for maximum seventy-two hours in the refrigerated dispenser. The end of the cooking is done at the pace of demand for ten more minutes. They can then be kept for more than five hours, to ensure consumers of warm bread.

The origin of this world first, as original as vending machines swimwear and sunglasses located at the entrance to the pools, is Jean-Louis Hecht.The baker was able to marry fifties vending, mainly industrial and bakery.

"Small steps slowly"

It all began in 2001 when the contractor completed the first prototype of its distributor, together with a technical school in Moselle. He suggested "small steps small steps" toward a machine patented by the company and assembly of industrial equipment Mecondielle Portuguese. The investment is huge for this baker without the cost of the assembly, the machine comes already at 30,000 euros. Then you would need two hundred and fifty hours of assembly.

The machine, the first of which is in commercial service since January in Moselle, in the other bakery owned by Jean-Louis Hecht, naturally allows to inflate sales, thanks to its opening hours."It is also a strong vehicle for promoting that is not gray at the bakery, says Jean-Louis Hecht. On the contrary, this innovation is a service that complements the baker's trade but do not replace. "

He said it will become indispensable in France and abroad, because of the quality of the product offered and the economic viability extraordinary profits are 30% higher than the store, according to the contractor.

A solution for villages without trade

In Paris, the distributor already sells 80 sticks a day, and Jean-Louis Hecht look forward to go further. The entrepreneur wants to "make the most of" his idea and does not sell his patent. He thinks big and would like to extend it by buying several bakeries and industrial equipment, backed by the facade.

The baker has other ambitions for his vending machine.A consulting firm located in Portugal working on a version independent of any trade, which would be installed in remote locations such as villages, tourist resorts or passage.

With the unmistakable design of his machine, Jean-Louis Hecht even considering creating a string, which spread in the desert regions of all trade, to allow each person to have its traditional fresh baguette every day. He finally claims that his invention has international potential, in Europe or the United States, where consumers are fond of "French baguette."

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The rebound continues on the Cac 40

August 10, 2011 - 3:08 pm Comments Off

Like Wall Street Tuesday night, which has rebounded strongly, and Asian markets Wednesday morning, that show – more moderate – from green, the Paris remains well in positive territory. At the opening at 9 am the Cac 40 rising 1.27% to still 3216.59 points. In London, the FTSE s lead of more than 1.7% in early trade, while the Dax in Frankfurt climbed 2.09% to 5040.68 points.

Investors are relieved by the outcome of the Fed, which ensured that it would extend its monetary policy ultra-accommodating while maintaining zero interest rates until at least mid-2012 and exploring other measures to support economy U.S.. The Fed confirmed that the U.S. economy is in trouble, especially since the deterioration in the debt rating of American long-term.

But the French side, poor statistical stopping the rebound came as the Paris Bourse was trying to afford.French industrial production has displayed sharp decline in June, -1.6% compared to May after a significant increase of 1.9% the previous month, said Wednesday the National Institute of Statistics (INSEE) . In the only manufacturing industry, which excludes mining and construction, production was also significantly decreased in volume compared to May (-1.9%), according to INSEE. She was up sharply in the previous month (+1.4%).

Now that the mood calmed down on the front of the U.S. economy, more eyes turn to Europe, a somewhat forgotten during the American episode, but continues to skate on the issue of debt. But the urgency is "crucial to restore market confidence," stressed the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy.But disagreements between countries are delaying the implementation of the rescue plan agreed in June

U.S. oil stocks on the radar screen

From a macroeconomic point of view, in France, the current account deficit narrowed in June to 3.4 billion euros against 5 Payday advance.5 billion in May, mainly due to a significant decline in the deficit of trade in goods, said Wednesday the Bank of France. The deficit of trade in goods reached 5.8 billion euros (7.5 billion after May) while the surplus in services trade has shown an increase ($ 1.5 billion from $ 0.8 billion) .

This is especially the United States the figures are viewed. Weekly crude inventories will be closely monitored while the oil has again depreciated sharply: Oil prices ended Tuesday to its lowest level since September 29, 2010, yielding about 2.5% in New York under the $ 80.At 20 hours, will be published the figures of budget execution in July.

GDF Suez profits down 23%

Values ​​on the forehead, the only value of the Paris stock to remain in Sanofi ke deckhouse is: -0.06% to 47.23 euros.

Note that GDF Suez (3.40% to 20.70 euros) issued a net profit down 23% to 2.74 billion euros in the first half of 2011. Mestrallet, interviewed by Le Figaro on Wednesday that his group believes in the process of deleveraging, which has signed a strategic partnership with China, is well equipped to benefit from growth in emerging markets.

Bourbon (5.90% to 23.34 euros) Wednesday reported a sharp increase in sales in the first half thanks to the continued improvement in the utilization of its fleet of bottom of market recovery.

Scor (3.16% to 15.81 euros) announced in a statement that it has completed the acquisition of the mortality of Transamerica Re, a division of AEGON, and it took effect from Wednesday. The amount of the transaction announced April 26 totaled 912.5 million dollars, said Scor.

Atari (17.69% to 1.73 euro) said Tuesday it has completed the sale of development studio at Cryptic Studios games Chinese Perfect World, listed in the U.S., for gross proceeds of approximately 35 million euros.

Wall Street relapse, despite the agreement on debt

August 2, 2011 - 12:48 am Comments Off

International equity markets, Asia and Europe have already received the news by frank morning hikes. The main interest, Wall Street opens therefore no surprise to any one as beautiful flight. Picking colors after yielding over 4% last week, which will remain the worst of the year, the Dow began the week up 1.10% at 12,277 points. Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 100 rose in turn respectively from 0.86% to 1303 points and 2785 points to 1.05%.

It is in extremis, on the night of Sunday, which is reached an agreement on raising the ceiling of U.S. debt, after a speech critical of President Barack Obama.Two days before the deadline set by the U.S. Treasury, the stakes were high: without this increase, at least 2.1 trillion dollars, the United States, on the edge of default, could sow the wind panic on financial markets.

Barack Obama has managed to generate compelling reconciliation of Democrats and Republicans on this agreement, investors now hope to see a bill passed in the coming days. A condition that Congress gives the green light, no later than Tuesday night.

No one knows for how to react, however, the rating agencies. Despite the compromise finally reached on the debt, the loss by the United States, their AAA rating is not excluded and would have severe repercussions on the economy and markets.

Meanwhile, oil prices rose sharply, driven by the announcement of the agreement.On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for September delivery was trading at 98.18 dollars, up 2.48 dollars compared to the previous day.

Industrial activity and construction spending

At the macroeconomic agenda of the first Monday of August, the ISM manufacturing index for July will be announced (expected at 54.4 according to a consensus of analysts), together with expenses building for the month of June (+0.1% expected).

This week, analysts said Aurel BGC, "investors will focus on indicators confirming whether a rebound in growth. In view of the latest indicators movement is far from certain. Surveys of business advocate for a regional downturn in the ISM manufacturing index for July, which will be released today.Auto sales (Tuesday) and retail sales side of Wall Street in July will also be eagerly awaited. Finally, this weekend, the employment figures will be released by the BLS. They will be very affected by the lay-off of 20,000 staff in the State of Minnesota. "

73% of companies did better than expected

The European steelmaker ArcelorMittal and U.S. mining company Peabody Energy (0.73% to 57.89 dollars) on Monday made a hostile bid on the Australian Macarthur about 4.7 billion Australian (about 3, 6 billion euros), after the failure of talks to reach an amicable agreement.The board of Australian mining group declined Monday to support the joint bid from ArcelorMittal and Peabody to 15.50 dollars per share.

The title of the American manufacturer Ford (2.54% to 12.52 dollars) could take 25% as the group reduced its debt, is launching new models and trying to expand in China and India where he remained late over its competitors, said Monday the magazine Barron's.

Shares of online retail Amazon.com (1.75% to 226.41 dollars), which is just below its record high, could earn 10% to 25% if the investment result rapid growth of its retail operations, cloud-computing and Kindle reading light, said Monday the magazine Barron's.

The railway company of the UAE, Etihad Rail, said Monday it has ordered seven locomotives Electro-Motive Diesel, a subsidiary of U.S. manufacturer of construction equipment Caterpillar (2.36% to 101.13 dollars).

On the corporate side, after Merck (+0.03% to 34.10 dollars) and Chevron (1.57% to 105.67 dollars), which published its quarterly results Friday, the ball of publications in the U.S. coming to an end. Nearly 65% ​​of companies have indeed published their findings in the U.S. and 73% reported earnings above expectations.

Among the publications planned the first week of August, include those closely watched CBS, Cephalon, and Pfizer (Tuesday). Will be followed by Comcast, Time Warner and Mastercard (Wednesday). Then, Kraft Foods (Thursday), Procter & Gamble and Viacom (Friday).

"M6 is in an offensive investment"

July 28, 2011 - 6:40 am Comments Off

The private broadcasting group said Wednesday a drop of 3% of its turnover.

LE FIGARO. – How do you explain the 5.3% increase in advertising revenues from M6?

Nicolas de Tavernost. – The group is in a virtuous circle: the one who is to invest in programs to improve the quality of our offer to all our channels (M6, W9, Teva, Paris Première …) and therefore grow our audience and thus make our chain essential to advertisers. In a pub in the TV market declining by almost 100 million euros over the last four years we have increased our advertising revenue (3.1%) of 13 million. In the first half of 2011, the market is stable and the group realizes M6 6.2% growth reaching a market share of over 24%.This reflects our audience ratings: M6 is thus the only channel history to have increased this year to 10.5% audience share. If the duration pub fell slightly, however, we have increased our prices by 11%, in parallel with our audiences.

In 2010 you announced an increase in the cost grid of your chains. This strategy will continue?

We announced an increase in the cost of grid M6 5% in 2011, which remains our forecast. The first half of the increase is 2.3% and very fine programs are planned for the autumn. Similarly, the cost of grid W9 increased significantly over the past two years. It's a winning strategy: M6 was regularly leading the Friday night during the first half and also became the program Monday night with his hit "Love is in the field."We are pleased to have won 400,000 viewers in two years on our JT "The 19.45", gather 3 to 4 million ahead of "Scenes from" and to reach 6.3 million, as last Monday with "The Love is in the meadow. " We are not in a logic of cost reduction but in an offensive position in the investment programs.

You have experienced performance-cons as "X-Factor" and now the series "Soda" ….

X-Factor is a disappointment all the greater as we do not fully understand the failure of the program while at the same time, the program was aired in Belgium very well. As for Soda is a summer program of fiction for young people and, from this point of view, the program fulfills its mission. What matters for a program schedule is a recurrence of his success is created through well established brands.This is the case for the M6.

Diversification of your revenues are falling. These activities need to be restructured?

Our group is based on two pillars: the main advertising, which exceeded the level of pre-2008 crisis, and diversification, which have been in 2009 support our business. There is no going back on that balance online payday advance. Although profitability for some of them is less, the diversification continue to earn money including distance selling. In addition, our business grew strongly and our Internet subsidiary Interactions (music licensing) has redeployed well. For its part, the department Audiovisual Rights, a slight decrease in H1, is subject to the seasonality of film releases. It remains the Girondins, who have experienced difficulties.We reduced payroll accordingly and we hope the new stadium will allow us to Bordeaux, in the medium term to increase our own resources over TV rights.

Your cash flow reached 282 million euros. Will you invest?

We are waiting arms at the opportunities to continue to grow in television. For this, there should have sales or clearances that are proposed and data. We are also ready to develop in the production.

TF1 has requested the passage of LCI free. Do you react?

We had anticipated this possibility since, as of May 28, we seize the Higher Audiovisual Council to say that if the spectrum allocation rules changed, we would be interested in getting free in Paris Première.So far, law enforcement had not anticipated the transition from free to fee. If the doctrine changes, and if, as it seems, the essential criterion of fluidity between paid and free was the diversity and quality of programs, then our chain would be the solution. Unlike the info where several channels exist, Paris Première, with its public + CSP, is actually a complementary, not equivalent free chain and a living creation. We are ready to make commitments to it. Pending the response of the CSA, we concluded a new agreement with CanalSat not to mortgage the future of our channels.

Have you changed your position on the launch of new channels on DTT?

Not at all. Should there be new, we would not be the worst placed to succeed. But we ask for consistency.The market is crowded in France and is not elastic in advertising. Also, reduce the costs of existing channels to create new sense to me! It would therefore be wise to take a break. This would allow players to improve the quality of their program offerings (more original programming and fewer reruns) – that ask the French – their digital services (TV catch-up …) and dissemination (HD …). This would also be the best way to resist the arrival of television connected. Ultimately, our position is simple: a break in the creation of channels may be useful, but if it was not the choice of government, the M6 ​​has rights to assert and skills, proven to enhance .

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Triple expansion plan to calm markets

July 23, 2011 - 4:12 pm Comments Off

EU leaders Thursday night put on the table a series of measures to help Greece, but also to convince that there is solidarity in the euro area payday advance lender.

Save Greece

Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank on Thursday. Photo credits: Georges Gobet / AFP

Competition: A Survey of Google in the U.S.

June 24, 2011 - 7:16 pm Comments Off

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.

Portugal's new prime minister wants to calm markets

June 6, 2011 - 8:32 am Comments Off

The Portuguese prime minister resigned, the socialist Jose Socrates, was not reappointed after the parliamentary elections held Sunday. The President of the Social Democratic Party, Pedro Passos Coelho is now leading the country, winning 105 seats of the 230 elected members of Parliament against a backdrop of record abstention to 41.2%. Shortly after the results, the chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Pedro Passos Coelho wanted to reassure its creditors. He said Sunday night that his country would not be "a burden" for them, promising to "do everything" to "honor the commitments" of the Portuguese State. "We will do our best to honor the agreement between the Portuguese State, the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to regain market confidence," he added.And to avoid political instability, the leader said he would form "as soon as possible" a "majority government headed by the DSP (…) with the CDS-PP, the minority party the right.

Analysts estimate that the net result of the election will be welcomed by investors, who had deserted the Portuguese debt market in recent months. In addition, the government will now hands free to discuss with the EU and the IMF to implement the bailout of 78 billion negotiated by the government resigned in exchange for a program of fiscal discipline and reforms economic over three years.The future government, which could become operational in late June or early July, will help reduce the government deficit of 9.1% of GDP last year to 5.9% this year and drop to 3% by 2013 .

The election comes as Greece, she received a new support plan in exchange for increased rigor in Athens. This second program of aid could exceed 100 billion euros are to believe the German newspaper Der Spiegel on Monday, and would aim to keep the country who still could not borrow in the medium and long term contracts, on a drip until 'in 2014.

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The Cac 40 in heavy decline seen

May 25, 2011 - 1:32 pm Comments Off

On Wednesday morning, the Cac 40 should fall: the index futures yield 0.96% to 8.20am. Yesterday, the index stabilized at above 3900 points, after starting the week on a Loude loss. Concerns over debt crisis persists European: German morale, according to Gfk survey, should continue its degradation in June for the third straight month due to the debt crisis in the euro zone and the outbreak oil. The index shows a decrease to 5.5 against 5.7 in May In addition, the Netherlands and Germany are threatening to commit the privatization of the Greek economy to foreign experts, reveals leFinancial Times.A new threat which seeks to lobby the Greek government to take drastic cost-saving measures.

All eyes are turning to the Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde, the favorite to succeed DSK to head the International Monetary Fund, which should give a press conference "important" to the Department late Wednesday morning. Moreover, in France, we look particularly figures on registered job seekers and job advertisements collected by Pole in April. Baroin, Minister of Labour, has already warned that the unemployment rate would decline again in April for the fourth consecutive month.With regard to the Icelandic volcano, France should be minimally affected, which should reassure the airline industry.

Next major economic figures to be followed today: in France, we will look particularly figures on registered unemployed and job advertisements collected by Pole in April. In Germany, the GfK barometer of consumer sentiment will be released at 8:30. United States, is expected at 14:30 durable goods orders in April, at 16.30, the weekly inventory of crude oil.

Airbus confident for Le Bourget

Side companies, consumer complaints of gas and electricity rose 25% in 2010, about problems with their energy supplier.The mediator of Energy notes that complaints from customers at 43% of GDF Suez, to 38% of EDF, 12% of Direct Energy and 4% of customers Poweo payday advance.

Airbus and its parent EADS were optimistic Tuesday on future orders at the Paris Air Show in June in a market "active."

The French group Alstom and its Chinese joint venture Casco signed two contracts worth a total of 85 million euros for the supply of signaling systems in metros of Shanghai (east) and Kunming (south).

The partner of minority shareholders (Adam) who assigned Tuesday referred the saddle for Hermes "deprive" the essential rights of family voting at the next general meeting, has been confronted with an invalid procedure and case was adjourned to July 12.Or after the meeting to be held June 30

Casino on Tuesday denied having agreed to the opening of the opening of negotiations between the Brazilian distributor GPA, which holds 35%, and Carrefour Brazil.

PPR and Volcom announced Tuesday it had received notification of the end of the statutory review period on the bid of French on the American brand.

Rexel announced Tuesday it had won its bond issue of 500 million euros, whose order book has surpassed 1.8 billion euros.

Eurazeo Tuesday announced a capital increase, offering its shareholders one new share for 20 old shares held as of May 25, 2011.

The land Gecina in 2nd place behind France in Unibail-Rodamco will continue to sell its assets in Spain and in the logistics industry, said Tuesday its chief executive Christophe Clamageran.

BioMerieux announced Tuesday that the Health Authority (FDA) had recorded rapid testing and automated molecular diagnostic NucliSENS EasyQ MRSA screening for patients infected with Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin.

Europacorp publish its annual turnover, while LCD (poultry) will announce its annual results after-hours trading.

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.

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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