Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

The Paris Bourse does not yield to panic

August 8, 2011 - 9:48 pm Comments Off

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

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

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

Relaxation rates in Spain and Italy

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

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

Next on the list?

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

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

The sharp drop in oil

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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Bompard, "We want to build a new Fnac"

July 20, 2011 - 3:52 am Comments Off

LE FIGARO. – How do you solve the structural problem of Fnac, the erosion of its major markets?

Alexandre Bompard. – With the offensive Wednesday unveiled, we want to build a new Fnac looking to the future and whose identity will be based on three strong pillars. The first is the extension of our current product offering. Today, our offer is concentrated around the cultural and digital entertainment. With this plan, we will extend it to other types of activities: those aimed at children and families first, and in the future than in the discovery of the escape or the home and interactive design. The second line requires a paradigm shift for a brand that was built around its product: it aims to put customers at the center of our business and our business, emphasizing the relationship at any time with them.Of these, we will finally pay special attention to customer expectations family: it is the third pillar.

How will decline precisely this strategic plan?

To pass this plan, we will implement a number of levers. With the new consumption patterns, our stores will no longer be organized by product, but by world usage. For music, for example, you will find the same space CD, MP3 players, but also hats, concert tickets … well, we will create a world dedicated to children under 12 years with not only a comprehensive range of books to products edutainment and advanced technology, but also animations and dedicated services. More generally, however, the development of personalized services is a priority.We will innovate in this area soon, especially with takeover bids and the subscription of technical products.

This plan does not sign then the end of your physical network?

On the contrary! To be closer to customers in two French Fnac does not close to home, we take two major initiatives. By 2015, thirty stores will be open as well, on the outskirts of large cities in particular. Furthermore, after signing a partnership with Lagardère Services establish ourselves in stations and airports (the sign will replace the Virgin next week, Ed), we will launch a new store format: fifty Fnac proximity, about 300 square meters, should be released in four years, first in clean and free.These small signs, offering all the universe Fnac, will complement the department stores and will allow us to install in smaller cities. Of course, this is also associated with an increased fnac.com, because customers prefer the greater integration of the two sales channels. With our power in store as on the Internet, we will deploy a multi-channel strategy so successful and will offer such customers to withdraw all their in-store purchases made online or ordering of kiosks in stores.

You mention the date of 2015. Can you elaborate on the timing of this plan?

Speed ​​of execution of this plan is a key to its success. The first initiatives will therefore emerge in the next few months. Openings and reorganization of our stores are involved, they mainly in 2012 and 2013.The mobilization of our people, aware of the need for change, will also be one of the key elements of enforcement. I hope that the implementation of this plan is a lever to renew the social dialogue.

What budget has been earmarked to ensure the success of this plan?

I do not want to give numbers. The planned investments are suitable for our ambitions as we can. It is both a plan of conquest and a realistic plan. Therefore, we will continue to identify what we need to do it alone and that we can do through partnerships, both strategic in nature, as with Lagardère Services, or Screenrush SFR, or commercial, as with Apple, which a dedicated space in stores.

When do you expect to see the first results of this new strategy?

The first effects will be felt in the second half of 2012.Our aim is then to find a sustainable and profitable growth in France and abroad.

The sale by PPR of Fnac it not only jeopardizes the implementation of this plan?

My mission is to ensure the economic development of the Fnac. Since 1994, the PPR Group has played a leading role in particular for the implementation of the Fnac outside France and its growth on the Internet. As it does for all its businesses, the PPR group will manage the Fnac as if it had intended to remain within the group. Proof: This strategic plan is not a buildup of short-term, but a plan of conquest.

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Wall Street sign a great week in the green

July 2, 2011 - 12:04 pm Comments Off

The NYSE has ended sharply higher Friday, boosted by a surprisingly strong industrial indicator in the U.S., allowing the Dow to gain 1.36% and the Nasdaq 1.53% on Friday before a weekend of three day – Monday, the stock market is closed due to national holiday in the United States.

According to final figures, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 168.43 points to 12,582.77 in points and the Nasdaq, dominated by technology, from 42.51 points to 2816.03 points.The broader index Standard & Poor's 500 rose 1.44% (19.03 points) to 1339.67 points.

The Dow Jones ended in green all sessions of the week on which it jumped 5.4%, its best performance since July 2009

The day before, now, Wall Street had closed on an open rise, encouraged in this direction by the Chicago PMI – and the relief felt on both sides of the Atlantic after the second vote in Parliament in Greece. Voting allows the application of the austerity plan as expected, and the release of 12 billion euros in aid to Athens.However, the agreement of the Eurogroup surl second aid plan, expected this weekend, take a little longer than expected, according to diplomatic sources.

U.S. Policy and Debt

Another current, more American and more uncertain, however, could be followed by operators, mindful of the political context, while U.S. debt back on the front of the stage: the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States Timothy Geithner, in fact, consider soon resign from his post.Information reported yesterday by the Bloomberg financial news agency and other U.S. media, but qualified this morning.

Consumption, construction and industrial activity

In terms of macroeconomic indicators, the activity of manufacturing accelerated in June in the United States, according to an index released Friday by the professional association ISM, which stood at 55.3% as against 53 3% month précédent.Cet index, analysts expected a decline to 51.1%, is above 50%, the line between expansion and contraction, for the twenty-third consecutive month.

Consumer confidence fell in June in the United States, according to the index of U.S. consumer confidence released Friday by the University of Michigan, who finally stood at 71.5, lower than analysts had thought .A first estimate, released in mid-June, the index stood at 71.8 and analysts expected that this figure does not change pas.Après two months of increases, this index declined 2.8 percentage points at the end of May, and falling to its lowest level since April.

$ 4.5 billion for Nortel patents

On the corporate side, the maker of BlackBerry phones Research In Motion (RIM), is 0.28% to 28.93 dollars after the announcement yesterday of an agreement avoiding, at the General Meeting of July 12, vote on a motion challenging the operation of its management.Turbulent in recent times, the action RIM has tumbled almost 41% in one year, closing at 28.85 dollars Thursday on the Nasdaq, while the S & P 500 gained at the same time 28.55%.

Apple (2.26% to 343.26 dollars) Research in Motion and Microsoft (0.08% to 26.02 dollars), however, are part of a group of six companies that got their hands on the latest patents The telecoms equipment maker Nortel (1.82% to 29.14 dollars). The acquisition represents $ 4.5 billion (3.10 billion euros), after an auction that Google has removed (2.89%) and Intel (1.67% at 22, $ 53)

EMC Corp., and Sony Ericsson are the other members of the winning consortium, Nortel said in a statement released Thursday night.Telecommunications giant to the Internet bubble burst, Nortel filed for bankruptcy in January 2009 and has since liquidated most of its assets, raising about $ 3.2 billion.

In any other industry, General Mills (0.35% to 37.35 dollars) announced Friday the completion of the acquisition of half of the yogurt maker Yoplait, which he was the franchise in the United States. General Mills bought for about $ 1.2 billion (830 million), with the investment fund PAI Partners and the cooperative Sodiaal, 51% stake in Yoplait SAS and 50% of the entity holding world Yoplait brands.

The draft JK Rowling unveiled

June 23, 2011 - 5:12 pm Comments Off

The excitement around the new project of the author of the Harry Potter saga was finally lifted on 23 June at 13h. In a video posted on the site and account pottermore.com youtube, JKRowling addressed her fans.

The website will therefore pottermore.com to create enhanced versions of books, with details given by the author. It will also offer for sale the digital and audio formats of each volume. Until October, when the public opening of the site, the author proposes an interactive treasure hunt to identify the fans who access this information in preview.

Each user is thus invited to register on the site by choosing a name for identity sorcerer.They will then answer a series of questions to be admitted to one of the "houses" where students are divided Hogwarts School of Witchcraft as Harry Potter and his friends are introduced to magic.

On twitter account "pottermore," the novelist wanted to cut short the rumors of false advertisement: "I can confirm that it's me on the video."

This new project had created a real rivalry over the Internet. On June 16, the novelist had launched a site called pottermore.com mysterious business

Greece: the United States urged Europe to act

June 21, 2011 - 6:44 pm Comments Off

Greek in the storm, the galley of the euro features a 18th passenger. It is not a secret, he even want to take orders. The United States is also concerned about a shipwreck in Greece that the Old Continent. They have continued to print their tempo in recent days to force the European crew to recover.

In Luxembourg, held since Sunday in yet another ballet departmental emergency, the American effort has found a leader: John Lipsky, the IMF acting boss since the resignation of Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Monday, early morning, we have even seen take the pen and help correct what would become the final declaration of the Euro, according to several witnesses. Gender confusion? Among the Europeans at least, there is no doubt about the role vested in this native of Iowa, former chief economist at Salomon Brothers and JPMorgan."Lipsky is the U.S. Treasury and defending U.S. interests in Luxembourg, 'says one diplomat. The CEO can afford. Age 62, he announced his retirement before the arrest of DSK.

Under his leadership temporary, the IMF has taken a much more demanding vis-à-vis the financially troubled countries of the European Union. The turning point came during a visit to three with Angela Merkel and Wolfgang Schäuble, on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Deauville, said a European official. Prior to the rescue of countries such as Greece, Ireland and Portugal, the fund was content with a European political commitment. Since then, he stands still as his balls timelines, detailed austerity plans and supports encrypted.This partly explains the surprise decision of the Eurogroup, on Monday, to condition the release of the fifth tranche of the loan to Greece promised a vote by Parliament in Athens, new austerity measures and to a credible plan for privatization.

"Germany, a key country"

There is no mystery no longer on Washington's annoyance at the failure of the seventeen countries to overcome their susceptibilities to seriously address the problem payday loans guaranteed no fax. "Over the past year, the euro will fall into relapse and we see only bandages to stop the bleeding, said a U.S. official. The problem consumes time and energy of the Europeans. The world turns and do not wait. "It is also the best interests of the United States. A weak euro would threaten the sustained U.S. recovery, not to mention a rise in interest rates.More seriously, a European banking meltdown could spread to the other side of the Atlantic, reflecting the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008. For the second time in less than a year, Barack Obama is telling the Chancellor that it needs to hand the wallet in favor of Athens. "Germany is the key country," stressed the president.

Christine Lagarde, a candidate for the succession of DSK, is more eager to place the main shareholder of the IMF. On the night of Sunday to Monday, the French minister took it upon herself to keep closely informed Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. It was not a "phone G7" as improperly submitted.But a conversation to explain that two vital partner why 17 had once again decided not to decide on Greece.

Appointment is made Sunday, July 3 for a new conclave of the Eurogroup dedicated to the Greek debt. With the cap of the IMF, but also speaking on behalf of Washington, John Lipsky has not concealed his impatience Monday. He commanded the Europeans to "immediately put an end" to their debate on the restructuring of debt and start a new fund to rescue the euro. And he clearly put in danger the balance, "This is to prevent the crisis spreading from the periphery of Europe to the center and from there to the rest of the world."

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Renault: the State for a change of management

May 23, 2011 - 10:16 pm Comments Off

The state wants to step into the breach created by the false espionage Renault. Governments that hold nearly 15% stake in the carmaker, would like to take advantage of the replacement of number two Patrick Pelata to overhaul the state headquarters of Renault, says Les Echos.

For several weeks, the CEO, Carlos Ghosn has promoted Carlos Tavares, current head of Nissan's operations in the Americas, to replace Patrick Pelata. However, beyond the choice of a particular person, the debate among officers, directors and major shareholders of Renault is on the group's organization and its relations with the state, according to business daily. The Elysee Palace would have more influence on the choice of industrial builder and limit the power of Carlos Ghosn in particular through the recruitment of new blood in the group.

Several tracks

Reform could take several paths.The functions currently occupied by Patrick Pelata could be divided into several posts. Another track, the future heir of Carlos Ghosn could sit on the board and receive a title of CEO. That title would have the double advantage of providing greater autonomy to the number two group in relation to number one, Carlos Ghosn, and also make a successor designated by Carlos Ghosn. But Carlos Ghosn would not consider replacing it before 2014. The question of bringing the future number two immediately to the board of directors does not seem to have the endorsement of the CEO.

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Facebook founder confirmed eG8

May 17, 2011 - 2:32 am Comments Off

It should not make the trip. Then said "reserve its response". Finally, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder, will indeed be in Paris on 24 and 25 May. He has confirmed his arrival in eG8 forum, organized on the initiative of Nicolas Sarkozy.

The young entrepreneur is one of over 1000 makers of the digital ecosystem to participate in this forum, whose aim is to discuss the Internet's role in economic growth. Among them are also Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia founder, Eric Schmidt, Google's chairman, Rupert Murdoch, or the boss of media group News Corp..

The result of their trade will be presented the next day at Deauville, the heads of state gathered for the G8.They will adopt a "statement" whose implementation will be another meeting in October at the initiative of Minister of Industry and the Digital Economy, Eric Besson.