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The rise of the Swiss franc does not penalize only the inhabitants of the Helvetic Confederation. It also makes havoc among bank customers. The French Association of bank users (AFUB) has already received nearly a hundred and fifty complaints from individuals who have subscribed to loans indexed to the Swiss currency. "But according to our estimates, at least fifteen thousand people were involved across France," Serge evaluates Master, managing director of the association. Financial products attractive at first sight, but which have proved extremely costly since the flight of the franc.

Almost all the loans that AFUB is aware have been contracted in 2008 or 2009 with Crédit Agricole and BNP Paribas. In one third of cases, these loans were to finance the purchase of a principal residence, the others having been made in the context of a rental investment."It's BNP Paribas has been the most offensive. 70% of the loans we have studied have also been contracted to her. These banks were dangling their customers better rates, while ensuring that the franc would remain stable, "said Serge Master.

A law in Hungary

This analysis proved wrong. Safe haven in the crisis, the Swiss franc has appreciated almost 25% between early January and late summer, causing an extra cost of the same magnitude for the subscribers. With money borrowed in the range of 200,000 euros to 300,000 euros, the difference is significant.

If the monthly payments have not changed, the duration of loans as the amount still outstanding has increased drastically. On a forum, a client of BNP Paribas complains, for example, seeing his outstanding capital increase from 133,000 euros to 162,000 euros in the space of a year and a half.

Solutions seem possible, however, in each case. "For three cases, the banks agreed to enter into an agreement with their client. They could exchange their loans indexed to the Swiss franc against a loan in euros. But the whole point of the negotiations is who supports the additional costs of increasing the currency of Switzerland. Banks have sometimes agreed to take half their dependents, "said Serge Master.

In Hungary, where the phenomenon took on a different scale – two thirds of the loans are currently denominated in Swiss francs – the government took drastic measures. A recent law forced banks to exchange the loans against loans in forints, with a fixed preferential 25% below the current market rate. For banks, this measure will cost. Austrian institutions, highly established in Hungary, could include losing the order of 6 billion euros.Furious, the sector has entered the Hungarian Constitutional Court, without success. But the EU could declare the process illegal.

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"Hundreds of cities on the verge of bankruptcy

The atmosphere is dull on the Bourse de Paris. The CAC 40 has started the last quarter of 2011 in very bad auspices. It lost 1.85% to 2926.83 points in trading volume reduced by about 2.5 billion euros. In the third quarter, the index in Paris had already sold nearly a quarter of its value. Since the beginning of the year, the CAC 40 listed companies have fallen dramatically. Some of them are worth less than their enBourse assets.

The debt crisis in Europe and fears of more and more vivid on the strength of global growth continue to weigh on equity markets. Elsewhere in Europe, London has also fallen by 1.03% and 2.28% in Frankfurt.

Wall Street also continued to brood despite two indicators of good quality. The ISM manufacturing index rose unexpectedly in September and construction spending rebounded in August.Sitting in the Dow retreated, however, and the Nasdaq 0.81% from 0.66%.

Greece shower markets

Greece literally showered the markets by announcing Sunday night that it would lack its budget deficit targets. The news comes particularly ill at a time when the country is in discussions with the Troika of its creditors, which brings together the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund – and while the finance ministers of the euro area meet Tuesday in Luxembourg and those of the entire European Union, in order to advance the implementation of secondary debt to Greece business cards.

Athens puts out all the stops, however, multiplying the austerity measures to obtain payment by October 8 billion euros in loans promised in the first part of its rescue plan.Without this money, Greece may be in default in the coming weeks.

Banks are feeling the pinch

Brunt of fears in the eurozone, banking stocks always accused the coup, like BNP Paribas (-4.64% to 28.65 euros), Credit Agricole (-3.84% to 5.03 euros) and Society General (-5.15% to 18.97 euros). For its part, Dexia plunged nearly 9%. Moody's threatened to degrade the Franco-Belgian bank. The rating agency is concerned mainly financing conditions of the group in a very difficult market environment, in turmoil for French banks.

Cyclical stocks were affected by their side signs of slowing global economic growth. Technip has lost 6.39%, 2.37% and STMicroelectronics Schneider Electric 2.76%.Even the titles of the car manufacturers have suffered while registrations leveled off in September. Renault finished on down 2.93%, 3.97% of Michelin and Peugeot SA dropped to 2.10%.

Alcatel Lucent (-11.61%) registered the largest decline in the CAC 40, Nomura has damaged the entire industry.

Pay gold more expensive than platinum? Before 2008, impossible for investors to believe this hypothesis. At that time, an ounce of platinum, the metal so rare and more precious than gold, skirting peaks close to 2200 dollars, while the gold turned laboriously around the bar in 1100 dollars. That gold can fill such a gap appeared unlikely. Yet three years later, this is real. Since the beginning of September, gold has repeatedly passed the plate at the meeting.

What happened in three years for such a reversal of steam takes place? The answer lies in the United States. In September 2008, Lehman Brothers went bankrupt and causes his fall in the economy and global finance. Or "platinum, like palladium, is a precious metal that is used to build cars.The automotive sector, linked to economic conditions, decreased high during the crisis. The platinum price has consistently dropped sharply during this period, "said Steve Allard XTB.

The evolution of the gold price since February 2010 (top) and platinum in February 2006 (below). Source: XTB France

The Paris Bourse finally returns to the threshold of 3000 points. On Thursday, the CAC 40 closed up on 3.27% to 3045.62 points. Other European markets follow the same path: Milan ended up 3.56%, 2.11% from London, Frankfurt and Madrid from 3.15% to 3.63%. Wall Street was also in the green fence at the time in Europe.

Investors seem reassured by the willingness of European leaders to develop concrete actions to leave the eurozone its difficulties. Among them is the establishment of an agreement in principle to toughen the Stability Pact and fiscal discipline common in the EU, which provides for sanctions for countries that would leave too lax spinning their deficits. Another reassuring element: the willingness of German and French leaders to avoid an out of Greece in the euro area and the Greek government's determination to break the budget impasse.

Brazil and Russia have also said they were considering a support action. While international solidarity is organized to support Europe, Christine Lagarde since Washington recalled the need for world leaders to "common front" to avoid falling into a global recession will spare "person."

These statements on the euro area, combined with bargain hunting, did overshadow the release of mixed U.S. indicators (including the employment front) and European (growth on less-than-expected expected in the second half).

Side values, the banking sector was further illustrated by a sharp rise. Operators have particularly appreciated the decision taken by the central banks of the richest countries to take concerted action to expand the supply of banks in dollars.BNP Paribas is the largest increase in the ACC (13.38% to 30.50 euros). It is followed by Natixis (7.12% to 2.49 euros), Axa (6.49% to 9.89 euros), Credit Agricole (5.89% to 5.52 euros) and Societe Generale ( 5.44% to 18.33 euros). The area was not affected by the announcement of the massive fraud that hit UBS.

Another day value, LVMH, which climbed 3.44% to 115.65 euros after announcing choosing Jordi Constans, come to Danone, to succeed Yves Carcelle at the head of Louis Vuitton in 2013.

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The Department of Defense is mobilizing to help reduce public spending. Authorized since 2004 to sign agreements of public-private partnership (PPP), the military have a growing use, like other state services.

The Air Force is leading. It announced yesterday the award of the contract to upgrade its computer networks and communications in a pool of companies led by Alcatel-Lucent. This contract runs on sixteen for a value of 350 million euros, the amount of royalties to be paid by the Air Force over the period. The state expects "tens of millions of euros in savings" through the pooling of engineering resources used on other projects as well as the speed of network deployment."Without the PPP, we would never have as quickly renovate and take advantage of new technologies," says Marc Leclere, director of central purchasing in the Directorate General for Armaments (DGA).

Financial arrangements entrusted to the Caisse des Depots

PPP is the second signed by the DGA and the first for the Air Force. The yard is huge. This is to equip a hundred bases, to wire several hundred buildings and installing 36,000 "access points" (for computer, telephone or system) to build high speed, with the latest fiber optic generation, the future "Internet protocol network service" of the Air Force (Air-RDIP). The construction should start in the coming days with commissioning of the first "positions" equipped end of 2012. The deployment should be completed in 2014. Alcatel-Lucent's partner INEO, an infrastructure specialist defense techniques.

As for the financial package, it is entrusted to the Caisse des depots associated with the Luxembourg investment funds SEIEF. The pool of partners committed to cede 10% of contracts outsourced to SMEs and to provide reclassifications to hundreds of military and civilian personnel involved. Alcatel-Lucent will assume management and maintenance of networks of Air Force with the requirement, half-life of RDIP-Air, an "update" so that it benefits from technological developments.

All of the information flow internal air bases including allowing the Air Force to conduct its missions – such as surveillance of airspace – will therefore be outsourced. The information will be protected and secured through five levels of privacy from the most basic to the "secret NATO" and "confidential defense".Alcatel-Lucent is also committed to service quality (availability and reliability) together with a penalty system if necessary. The operation could RDIP-Air School with the Navy and the Army in time, although for now the two armies have computer networks and communications referred to as "suitable."

Three sectors where the state says its operations in private

1. The defense pointed

The Army had the ball rolling in 2008 benefiting from the first PPP contract signed by the DGA. Specifically, with the company DCI has taken over the management of flight hours and the helicopter fleet of the School of Dax which trains pilots of the French armies.

The contract worth 400 million euros spread over twenty-two years. It must allow a saving of 600 million euros.But the PPP's most famous landmark is undoubtedly the contract of 3 free 3-in-1 credit report.5 billion euros, signed in early June, with Bouygues to build the "Pentagon in French" (pictured) at Balard. In 2014, 10,000 military and civilian staffs of the three armies and the DGA have to regroup. The PPP is not always the rule to outsource activities and services where military competence is not necessary. After the lawn or airport maintenance (based Cognac), the Ministry of Defence had retained in 2006 the American GE Fleet Services to manage its fleet, more than 20,000 commercial vehicles. With, in sight, a savings of 25% on an annual budget of 90 million.

2. Transportation and Maintenance

Bikers of the gendarmerie and the police accompanying the convoy will soon be a thing of the past exceptional.The state decided to entrust to private companies the management of transportation of wind turbines, ships and other bulky goods. Effective November 1, this measure is indicative of the willingness of departments to focus on their core missions. This is the philosophy of the modernization of the state launched since 2007. The functions called "media" such as purchasing, information technology, are among the first to be restructured. "We look first at the pool," says one at Bercy. A purchasing department of the State, which oversees the current purchases of government departments, has been created. The state also uses outsourcing. No more garages in the ministries: the management of their 72,000 vehicles will be performed by private companies at the end of the year. Caretaking, cleaning, heavy lifting, the reception is already provided by the private staff at Bercy.This is also true at the Musée du quai Branly. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he, a single private provider for the maintenance of its buildings in Paris. The government can also go further, by giving public-private partnership in the management and construction of prisons.

3. Public enterprises

Public companies, subject to increasing competition, should ensure the public service closer to the citizens without increasing their operating costs. It is the object, including the action plan for rural areas launched last year. The plan includes for example the Post Office launches 17,000 "contact points", mainly in shops run by individuals. In this way, 90% of French people will have access to a courier service within 5 kilometers.For their part, the old disused railway stations could be reused to pool several services in one place: social security office, ticket sales SNCF, EDF payment services. The state is full of ideas. Left to ogle the side of the private sector. The opening to competition of regional express trains (pictured) could well tip the railway in the private sector. It is expected that a "social framework harmonized" be defined so that they retain their current benefits. The Elysee confirmed in an engagement letter to the President of the SNCF. And Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, the responsible minister of the SNCF, was asked last June that the negotiations between social partners are committed as soon as possible. These issues should be addressed in the coming weeks as part of Focus on the rail.

World famous for its underground parking, Vinci Park would become better known in Moscow. According to the Russian business daily Vedomosti, the group, in collaboration with its partner, the billionaire Arkadi Rotenberg, a close associate of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has offered his services for the construction of parking in the center of the capital, and extension Moscow metro.

These two proposals, which, according to officials in Moscow, are currently before the town hall. For now, the company manages parking only international airport Sheremetyevo in the north-west of Moscow. But she wants to continue to grow in the country. "Russia is one of our objectives clearly displayed.(..) We have a desire to develop ourselves in this country where the need for parking facilities are very important, "said a spokesman for Vinci, who declined to give further details on the subject.

Demand exceeds supply

Several years ago, the giant French had already proposed to invest $ 300 million (210 million) in the construction of underground parking near subway stations and in the central arteries of the capital (Tverskaya, Lubyanka). "But officials do not have their assigned sites in places as important," the newspaper said. Same for the metro, which is of interest, "which are under state protection."

Previously, the city financed the construction of car parks and subway lines with its budget without resorting to foreign investors.But today, the ability of Russian manufacturers is not enough to complete all projects planned by the city of Moscow. Therefore Vinci "has all these opportunities" to participate in construction programs, the officials commented.

Of large projects

By five years, the mayor of the Russian capital plans to create nearly 2 million parking spaces, and has already launched tenders for the construction of seven parking spaces for a total of 1520 seats. "A place so close to cost 200,000 rubles (500 euros) and will be more beneficial if an investor takes over the construction of a network," says the director of the Department of Antimonopoly Policy of Moscow Gennady Degtev.

As for the extension of twelve subway lines, the mayor of Moscow also has gigantic projects.The plan to build 14 stations expected to open within two years and opening 75 km of new lines paydayloans. To do this, it provides 343 billion rubles (8.5 billion euros) in its budget between 2012 and 2014.

Possible support for Putin

Through collaboration with the contractor Arkadi Rotenberg, Vinci won the 2009 tender to build the first section of the highway Moscow-Saint Petersburg, whose total cost is estimated at 66.081 billion rubles ( 1.65 billion). According to a former official of the Moscow mayor, support Rotenberg, close to Putin, will once again allow the French company won the contract.

The group Vinci has extensive experience in the construction of car parks in the world.He also participated in numerous construction projects in the metro French cities (Paris, Rennes) and abroad (Budapest, Athens, Hong Kong). However, analysts said, one of the main handicaps of Vinci, the lack of experience on the Russian market. And this handicap could be considered by the Russians during the bidding process. Vedomosti also states that the manufacturer Austrian Strabag also plans to get into the race for the extension of the Moscow metro.

The construction of the highway Moscow-Saint Petersburg is controversial

In July 2009, the Russian Federal Agency Rosavtodor decided to entrust the construction of the first section of the highway Moscow-Saint Petersburg (15th to 58th km) to the North-West Concession Company (NWCC), as part of a public-private project.This company is owned 50% by the French Vinci, the remaining capital is shared between the contractor and the fund Arkadi Rotenberg "N-trans." The construction should also be done with funds from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the funds of Russian banks VEB and Sberbank. Investors in the NWCC received in exchange for the right to operate the highway for 30 years. But the construction project, which started in 2010, has generated considerable controversy among associations of environmental protection because the route of the highway, which passes through a protected forest. Work has been frozen by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in August 2010 and were resumed in April 2011. After the withdrawal of the EBRD and the EIB, the group Vinci is the only Western participant in this project.

After the storm that plunged all the stock exchanges, the European stock exchanges succeed they stay in the green on Thursday? In Paris, after opening up 2.96% to 3092.16 points, the CAC 40 went back down just before noon and sank below the threshold of 3000 points, already briefly reached Tuesday. At midday, it loses 0.69% to 2983.16 points. In Frankfurt, the Dax is in the green at 5688.28 points, up 1.33%. In London, the FTSE 100 edged up 0.17% to 5015.86 points.

The concerns are far from being dissipated, particularly those relating to the slowdown in the global economy and the issue of sovereign debt on both sides of the Atlantic.The overwhelming investor nervousness could therefore persist while no major indicator is the program on Thursday.

Wednesday, the markets were shaken by rumors of a deterioration in the rating of France, immediately denied by the rating agencies and the French government, and concerns about the health of the bank Societe Generale. And the CAC 40 plunged 5.45%, narrowly escaping the psychological threshold of 3000 points to 3002.99 points. Other European markets have suffered the same drop Frankfurt dropped 5.13%, 3.05% London. Madrid and Milan 5.49% 6.65%. In New York, the Dow fell 4.62% and 4.09% for the Nasdaq. However, on Thursday, appeasement was back on the Asian stock markets that are returned to the green or showed moderate declines.

Societe Generale attacked again

Gold continues, meanwhile, fly from record to record.The precious metal has crossed the threshold of 1800 dollars. It is this Thursday morning in 1790 dollars, after hitting a new record of 1815.50 dollars. However, oil resumed its decline in Asia. Yet he had resisted the panic the day before with the announcement of a dramatic and unexpected decline in crude inventories in the United States. In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" lost 79 cents to 82.10 dollars and that of Brent North Sea fell by 1.10 dollars to 105.58 dollars.

Among the values ​​to be followed, the bank that have been heavily tested yesterday. The Financial Markets Authority (AMF), the stock market regulator, announced that it will monitor developments in the securities sector.Shortly before noon, BNP Paribas (-5.88% to 33.515 euros), and Credit Agricole (-1.51% to 5.981 euros) and plunged into the red after yet open on a rebound.

The title is particularly battered Societe Generale: having lost 14 instant payday loans.74% Wednesday, it opened on a rebound of almost 9%. But again plunges 4.13% to 21.265 euros."The willingness of these attacks is to force the SG to a capital increase, which is the workhorse of some analysts and hedge funds in recent months," said an analyst based in Paris at the agency Reuters. "Their reasoning is that the group does not generate enough capital to cope with the capital ratio of over 9% in 2013." The bank, already shaken in 2008 by the Kerviel affair, only to find the investor confidence after several warnings about its results during the financial crisis.

For its part, the CEO of the bank, Frédéric Oudéa, denounced, in an interview with Le Figaro, "the series of attacks" against the French banking sector "sounds completely fantastic, I struggle with the utmost force, attacked Societe Generale, "he lamented. "We have no fear about our ability to raise capital," he added.SocGen has asked the AMF to investigate the origin of the rumors that have depressed its course Wednesday.

Veolia Environnement (4.61% to 10.55 euros) and STMicroelectronics (3.39% to 4.488 euros), especially titles attacked in recent days, return to the field.

In addition, EADS (1.66% to 20.24 euros), the parent company of Airbus, said Wednesday it will not achieve its objectives in the United States in 2020 without new acquisitions.

Title Alcatel-Lucent (2.11% to 2.324 euros) is expected to rise following the release of quarterly results from Cisco Systems, above the consensus of Wall Street.

L'Oreal (2.29% to 1.73 euros) should benefit from the decision by Goldman Sachs, which added its list of preferred European stocks to buy ("pan-Europe conviction buy list").

Saint-Gobain (1.11% to 31.775 euros) has announced the acquisition of Solar Gard, a subsidiary of Belgian group dedicated to Bekaert Specialty Films, as part of its strategy to accelerate its growth through acquisitions.

Maurel & Prom rose 4.22% to 12.35 euros after opening up over 8%. The oil company reported a surge of 123% of its revenue thanks to increased revenues in Gabon and Nigeria.

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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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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.

Faurecia exceeds its own goals. The automotive supplier announced Tuesday an operating profit (EBIT) up 57% to 340 million euros, giving a margin of 4.2% against 3.2% a year earlier. Net income group share jumped from 82% to 185.8 million euros. The specialist for exhaust systems and car seats, including the manufacturer PSA holds 57.4% stake, has also made the period a consolidated turnover of 8.15 billion euros in the first six months of year, an increase of 19.4%.

"With the strong growth recorded by the group in the first half and improved profitability, Faurecia is now a year ahead of its business plan 2010-2014 presented in June 2010", said the equipment in a statement.

Massive investments outside Europe

In this context, the overall objectives of the group are revised upwards.Faurecia, which estimates that growth "should remain strong in the second half in all regions", is a consolidated revenue of between 15.7 and 15.9 billion euros, against 14.8-15300000000 expected so far, an increase of 13.8% to 15.2% over 2010. Incidentally, the group refines upwards its target of operating profit in the range from 620 to 650 million euros, against a previous range from 580 to 640 million.

Yann Delabrière, CEO of Faurecia, said Tuesday during a presentation to analysts that commodities do not constitute a risk to the second half.

To achieve these results, Faurecia is at 450 million its investment objective for this year, against an initial assumption of 350 million.The effort will be concentrated in low-cost countries where investments will increase by 89% against 16% for countries where the cost base is higher. During the presentation of its strategic plan in June 2010, the OEM had also set a goal of doubling the share of sales outside Europe that carries 42% within five years, against 23% in 2009. In the first half, the share of sales generated outside of Europe had already reached 34%. Yann Delabrière announced that the share of sales outside Europe should strive for 50% of the objectives of the new plan in 2015 to be unveiled in November.

The stock market punishes

In a presentation to analysts, Faurecia said to expect in 2011 a new record in terms of new contracts expected between 13 and 14 billion euros, against 13.1 billion in 2010.According to Yann Delabrière, the group would continue to study small acquisitions to strengthen its technology portfolio, but the priority of the moment was clear to organic growth.

"The results are in line with consensus," said JP Morgan Cazenove soberly in a note. "The EBIT forecast is revised up slightly, but remains in line with consensus, while the increase in investment spending reduces the cash flow outlook," says the broker. Indeed, Faurecia has revised down to 100 million euros its forecast net cash flow in 2011, against 200 million euros expected so far.

It is this last point that holds the attention of investors on Tuesday at the Paris Bourse. In early trade, the title Faurecia drops 1.55% to 29.87 euros in a market up 0.55%.

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