Archive for the ‘special’ Category

Bad mood on the stock exchange in Asia

August 18, 2011 - 8:44 am Comments Off

Asian stock markets are in a bad mood on Thursday. Investors in the region are not reassured Wall Street that ended Wednesday in the balance after a volatile session. Fears of an economic slowdown in the world come to the fore.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange sets the tone with an opening in the red, down 0.42% for the Nikkei. The Japanese benchmark index widened its losses in the morning to show a decline of 1.24% to 8944 points at a time of closing. A new mixed indicators on the front disrupted operators: Japan reported in a July trade surplus, four months after the earthquake of March 11, but the surplus has shrunk by more than 90% because of lower exports and a surge in energy costs.The third largest economy last month generated a trading profit of 72.5 billion yen (650 million), confirming a recovery in economic activity, but its exports fell by 3.3%.

Tokyo is hit by a rise in the yen against the dollar, which traded below 77 yen again this morning values ​​exporters are under pressure, in the image of Mazda Motor (-5.65%), Fuji Heavy Industries (-5 , 16%), Nissan (-2.96%). The electronics sector is hit by the fall of Dell in the U.S. markets. Toshiba lost 4.45% and 2.34% Panasonic.

Hong Kong is the perfect balance while in Shanghai, the stock market unscrews from 0.34%. The Korean Kospi lost 2.95%, the S & P Australian loose 1.40% and the Indian Sensex was down 0.73%.

Oil off again down

Oil prices were down Thursday morning in electronic trading in Asia as investors await key U.S. economic indicators, the first consumer of black gold in the world. On the menu, including: the weekly jobless claims, the index of leading indicators and consumer prices.

In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for September delivery lost 33 cents to 87.25 dollars. That of Brent North Sea crude for September delivery yielded 30 cents to 110.30 dollars.

IMF calls for austerity avoid too abrupt

August 16, 2011 - 2:48 pm Comments Off

Fight against the problems of sovereign debt should not kill growth. This is the message sent Tuesday by Christine Lagarde, director of the International Monetary Fund, the world's governments. While massive austerity plans have been passed or are under preparation in several countries, particularly in Europe, it warns against the creation of a "sudden brake budget" that would result in " block the global recovery. "

In this article published by the Financial Times, Christine Lagarde is primarily intended "advanced economies", on the same alarmist tone than its predecessor, Dominique Strauss-Kahn last year. For these governments, while fiscal adjustment "to solve the puzzle is to go neither too fast nor too slow."She said "what is needed is to focus on both fiscal consolidation over the medium-term and short-term support for growth and employment no fax payday loan. This may seem contradictory, but the two are mutually reinforcing, "she writes. "The spending cuts will not suffice, revenue should also increase, and the first choice should focus on measures that affect less demand," said she.

Restoring market confidence

The former French finance minister also notes that "the current market turmoil has shaken confidence in the economy in the world and prompted many to conclude that all the political possibilities had been exhausted."

But "this impression is false and could lead to paralysis," she warns.And remember that "markets can be of two opinions: they disapprove of a high public debt – and may welcome a strong fiscal consolidation – they like even less a low or negative growth."

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"SPECIAL – Depression, fear of debt

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.

China criticizes loud and the United States

August 6, 2011 - 11:12 pm Comments Off

The era of good times is over. China, which for years received lessons in economic policy by the United States, primarily relating to foreign exchange, takes revenge. While S & P has to sacrifice the triple A of the United States, Beijing, the largest holder of U.S. bonds in the world – by far, with 1,160 billion of U.S. Treasuries in the drawers according to figures from Washington published last May – now estimated to have "every right to require U.S. to address their structural problems of debt."

The Chinese government estimates that S & P has only confirmed a "horrible truth". One that was highlighted by the rating agency Dagong China, which has degraded the U.S. triple-A immediately after the agreement to raise the debt ceiling.She said "the days of Uncle Sam, crippled with debt, could easily squander endless amounts of borrowing from abroad seem numbered. (…) In order to treat his addiction to debt, the U.S. must restore the principle of common sense that we must live within its means. " For Dagong, the note of the United States increased from A + to A with, again, a negative outlook. According to the official Xinhua news agency, the adoption by Congress of a text to avoid a default of the United States failed to defuse "the bomb of debt." This failure to control U.S. borrowing could affect the "well-being of hundreds of millions of families in the United States and abroad," she lamented a few days ago.

In other countries, tempers

In France, Baroin, Minister of Economy, trying to reassure.First European official to respond to the thunder of the deterioration in the sovereign rating of the debt of the United States, he ensured that France "has full confidence in the strength of the U.S. economy and its fundamentals, and in the U.S. government's determination to implement the plan that was approved by Congress this week. "

Japan, the second creditor of the United States, said that its policy of buying U.S. bonds remained unchanged despite lowering their score. "Our confidence in U.S. Treasuries and their attractiveness as an investment will not change because of this action," said a Japanese government official told Dow Jones Newswires.Japan, which is trying by all means to curb a flight of its currency against the greenback, has no interest in selling its dollar assets for now since it would only strengthen the yen.

In South Korea, senior officials of the Ministry of Finance held an emergency meeting Saturday to analyze the consequences of the downgrade. But the government has warned against overreaction. "We need not be too worried about our economy and financial markets," said Deputy Finance Minister Yim Jong-yong. An Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has also called for calm markets. "At the same time, the other two major agencies, Moody's and Fitch continue to note the U.S. economy AAA. So I think people need to consider all the facts, "she said.In the Philippines, a spokesman for the Presidency said that the downgrade by S & P was "to some extent a wakeup call for the U.S. begin to seriously address their economic problems. We have confidence in their ability to do so. "

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Orange launches into the low-cost counter for Free

July 29, 2011 - 8:24 am Comments Off

After Bouygues Telecom and SFR, it is the turn of France Telecom to engage in the battle of the low-cost mobile phone with a new brand, Sosh. The announcement, made in conjunction with the presentation of interim results of the group, aims to address "the intensity of competition" and prepare "the arrival of the mobile Free," according to the admission of the CEO France Telecom, Stéphane Richard.

Sosh will mark "all digital", only sold on the Internet. If have to wait until September for details and more particularly the rates, Stéphane Richard said it would be a "soft offer, without commitment," which will decline "two kinds of attractive packages in price ", available with and without mobile terminal.Sosh, whose name is "a nod to the term" social network ", wants to build on social networks and user communities, said Stéphane Richard. It offers a low-cost but not low value. "

With this brand, France Telecom follows the lead of its competitors. SFR was the first to lead the way in June 2010 with its "economic advantage". The operator proposed a package on average 10 to 20% cheaper if the customer subscribing or purchasing retaining also his mobile. A year later, at the launch packages "Square", SFR explained that 15% of subscriptions were dry, that is to say without a telephone.

In early July, Bouygues Telecom has taken a step forward in the world of low-cost brand by launching the first low cost of a large operator.The two packages of "B & You" (our editions of July 5) are attractive, for example, 24.9 euros per month for calls, SMS, MMS and unlimited Wi-Fi 24/24, but that a terminal it is associated.

Reduce subsidies

The recent popularity of telecommunications operators for low-cost offers several origins and first of all the expected arrival of Free, renowned for its ability to break the established codes. Whereas in 2012, its competitors are afraid to see him land in October 2011, with rates very low, just like what he has done over the Internet, with the first offers to 29.99 euros. There is also growing competition from virtual operators (MVNO).Finally, the increase in the price of the terminals has also forced the operators to review their business model.

Until now, to lure new customers or retain old, operators put forward the phones heavily subsidized. But the development of smartphones has changed the situation, with the arrival on the market for phones with more than 600 euros 149 euros … sold by subscription.

If operators and manufacturers refuse to disclose the sale price of "professional" and therefore the exact amount of the grant, it is the secret that the cost of acquiring new customers is a clear tendency to increase.The development offers low-cost in telephony, which are essentially free subscription offers mobile, could however not be sufficient to reverse the trend.

Consumers, especially the French are, by the admission of Stéphane Richard, very attached to offers of renewal.

"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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Twenty European banks have to raise 80 billion

July 19, 2011 - 2:08 am Comments Off

European banks may need to raise 80 billion euros, to reassure the markets. A report by JPMorgan Cazenove, led by analyst Kian Abouhossein, estimates that if the level of reserve requirements is strictly adhered to 7%, nearly two banks will raise new money. French banks Societe Generale, BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole would need twenty billion.After the publication of this note, banking stocks are displayed among the largest declines in the Cac 40: while the benchmark index of the Paris Stock Exchange was down 1.13% to 10.30, Credit Agricole wipes a drop of 1.77%, BNP Paribas was down 2.05% and Societe Generale lost 3.08%.

But French banks are not the only ones to be shamed by JPMorgan Cazenove, which encrypts needs capital to 25 billion euros for UK institutions and 14 billion euros for German lenders, including Deutsche Bank . The Italian UniCredit, Credit Suisse and Santander are also cited in the report.

This study revealed the results of stress tests published last Friday by the EBA.These tests, built on capital requirements as 5%, entered into a need to refinance 2.5 billion euros for eight of the 90 banks assessed, including any French. But investors believe these tests inadequate, particularly criticizing for not sufficiently taken into account the default risk in Greece. JPMorgan Cazenove said the criticism in his study, indicating that these stress tests have "limited value".

The evolution of banking stocks on European stock markets will be very observed on Monday morning to find Investors Arbitration between the reassuring results of stress tests and numerical study of JPMorgan. In March, ratings agency Standard & Poor's had conducted its own tests of resistance.His conclusion: European banks would need 250 billion euros of additional capital.

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The Paris Bourse still in the red

July 16, 2011 - 10:52 am Comments Off

Like their colleagues in Asia, investors showed little enthusiasm in Paris on Friday. Mid-meeting, the CAC 40 lost 0.35% to 3737.93 points. Same movement in the rest of Europe: the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange was down 0.38% at mid-points to 7187.40 and the FTSE-100 index lost values ​​of the main symbols 0, 05% to 5844.12 points.

The attention of the market still focuses on the evolution of the European agenda to discuss aid to Greece and parliamentary discussions slipping in the U.S., about raising the debt ceiling. After Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Fed chairman, Ben Bernanke, the U.S. President, Barack Obama has assured last night that "the time for decisions has come."Barack Obama will hold a press conference to take stock of the subject at 17 hours, Paris time.

In addition, many macroeconomic indicators expected in the day could hold the attention of investors. Foreign trade in the euro area has returned to balance in May in raw data, exports (seasonally adjusted) increased faster than imports, Eurostat said Friday. In April, the deficit was $ 4.8 billion. It was 4.9 billion in May 2010.

The news is also very busy across the Atlantic with the program price index for consumption, the Empire State index of the activity of the New York Fed, industrial production and the first estimate of the index consumer confidence in July.

Note, next currency, the euro has stabilized against the dollar at 1.4140 dollars against 1.4141 dollars last night.The euro rose slightly, however, against the Japanese currency to 112.03 yen against 111.89 yen yesterday. On the commodities market in the current context of heightened uncertainty about the public debt in Europe and the United States, gold is looking for: the metal-King reached a new record yesterday to 1594.45 dollars. It flows back slightly this morning.

A very technical session for

The news should be sparse on the side of the values ​​on Friday, but the session is facilitated by the expiration today of a battery of forward contracts.

Investors remain concentrated in Paris after the close for 18 hours to read the results of resistance testing in the European banking sector.Among the 91 banks assessed in connection with these third annual stress tests, are the French BNP Paribas (-1.10% to 45.54 euros), Societe Generale (-0.66% to 35.28 euros), Crédit Agricole (-1.33% to 8.63 euros), Natixis (-1.55% to 3.18 euros).

Dexia (0.05% to 1.83 euros) filed a complaint Wednesday in U.S. courts against the Deutsche Bank to recover losses related to a billion dollars of U.S. securities backed by mortgages ("subprime").

The automotive sector is also seen on Friday, after the presentation of the number of registrations in Europe in June, which shows a decrease of 8.1% over one year. Over the first half, the market decline is limited to 2.1% with 7.12 million passenger vehicles registered. Renault (1.01% to 37.03 euros), sales fell 20.9% in June and 10.8% for six months.Rival PSA Peugeot Citroen (1.02% to 30.19 euros) saw its sales fall 11.9% in June

In addition, the Wall Street Journal reports that the Indian Bajaj Auto has suspended a project to develop a cheap small car for Renault and Nissan on the grounds that such a model would not be commercially viable.

PPR (1.16% to 126.60 euros) and LVMH (-0.16% to 124.50 euros) not taking advantage of good prospects for German Hugo Boss. The group raised its forecast for 2011 after better than expected second quarter.

Total (-0.50% to 38.40 euros) and Technip (0.91% to 71.90 euros) are little affected by the sharp drop in oil prices in New York. This morning, oil markets are evolving in a piecemeal: a relaxation is observed on the future of Brent North Sea (-0.22% to 116.09 dollars per barrel).In contrast, light crude gained sweed 0.24% to 95.92 dollars a barrel.

The euro falls, a Greek default is "increasingly likely"

July 13, 2011 - 1:16 am Comments Off

Pierre-Antoine Dusoulier, the head of Saxo Bank

Marc-Olivier Fogiel back to the antenna M6

July 9, 2011 - 8:56 am Comments Off

Marc-Olivier Fogiel left mid-February morning of the orders of a Europe that was in September 2008. At 42, he will find at the back of the antenna M6 where he had led the program "everyone to stop you sleeping."

The FIGARO. -You will return to television with a project to M6. What will this new appointment in September?

Marc-Olivier Fogiel – It will be a weekly news magazine providing an update on current events that marked the week with those who make it. If I had to make a comparison, I would say it resembles the concept of the Sunday Journal, a daily newspaper published once a week and often the event. M6 has already emblematic of news magazines and reports of investigation, we want a news program, interviews with no frills and away from the talk-show atmosphere.It will be the opposite of an issue since zapping will be based on in-depth interviews. Thus there will be no more than three guests. They will live on the channel just as was the case for "7 of 7" or "The moment of truth." Moreover, this one-hour program on Sunday at noon.

On this market, competition from other channels is tough …

It is tough but not insurmountable. Of course, we have to create an appointment for a check and content that do not exist today on M6. But if there was no issue, it would not be worth the trouble to launch this new program.To me being able to meet weekly casting and the best to become the M6, like other chains, a place where those with expressed wish in the news.

When you leave the morning of a Europe in February, many gave you leaving for the public service?

He never discussed or near or far no faxing pay day loans. The only contacts I have had were with the news channels free DTT. To redo the TV, it was essential that it be consistent with what I have begun in recent years and therefore in the wake of the info. I admit that it was not easy to match a weekly basis with the passion of the "hard news". What was more, was returning to M6.When I left three years ago, there was a tacit agreement with this system, I've known for twenty years, talk with their leaders if I wanted to remake the TV.

On the occasion of this new project, you again become producer?

Not at all. When I came to Europe 1, I closed my news agencies and production Paf Paf Press and Prod. It seemed important to enroll in the drafting of the radio, as it is clear to me now to work with that of M6. For me the best way to participate in writing the History Channel and be somewhat in the same "juice" that the teams in place.

However, give yourself projects that you started with Matthew Pigasse?

Instead, we move forward. At that time, I become entrepreneur! But at this point we're still thinking.A reflection not only conducted but also Pigasse Matthew David Kessler, who directs Les Inrockuptibles. I stay in the same vein, that of the info. The idea is to propose a new offer but this time on digital. We would like to launch in 2012. If we had originally planned to create a newspaper on the shelves, now we want to expand our project to all digital. We're a team and especially to think about the business model.

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