Posts Tagged ‘blogs’

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

Business tourism: Greater Paris could do better

July 7, 2011 - 5:04 pm Comments Off

Far ahead of London and New York, Ile-de-France is the first tourist metropolis in the world. It is also the first French economic region, with a gross domestic product (GDP) alone accounts for 4% of GDP in the EU! Pride of place, then, but a place increasingly challenged: Paris is losing market share, overtaken by Singapore, Vienna or Barcelona for the organization of congresses. 26 billion euros in 2006, business in France has fallen to 14 billion euros in 2010, according to a barometer American Express. For Bercy, so it was now "urgent to take measures to enable the Grand Paris to retain its preeminence."In February, Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economic Affairs, and Frédéric Lefebvre, Secretary of State for Tourism, has commissioned Gilles Pelisson, Accor's former boss, to develop a precise inventory of the situation and formulate proposals improvement. The report presented yesterday – titled "Business tourism in the Greater Paris: a new ambition" – recommends a score of practical measures, which include both travel, equipment, reception conditions, the organization but also taxation.

Priority to the CDG Express

"Paris is a destination that is well and is efficient in terms of reception bad credit pay day loans. But in a world that moves, other destinations are on the rise, said Gilles Pelisson. A number of handicaps and weaknesses that passed before will be more crippling future. "Her number one priority is to CDG Express project."Like the great European cities, Paris should have a direct fast with its main airport, it said in its report. The project, in the form of public-private partnership of the CDG Express, should be released: it will in the near time horizon (2015-2017) to connect directly (19 minutes) Roissy to Gare de l'Est. "

Paris also lacks large rooms. "There is only one large auditorium of 3000 seats, while most major cities have two or three," said Gilles Pelisson, convinced that it also lacks "a few thousand hotel rooms "and" 100 to 200 employees "to improve service to the border police at Roissy-CDG."Small things" could also make life easier for tourists to encourage taxis to be equipped including electronic payment terminals or negotiate packages for some races (CDG-Villepinte, for example).

Price: supermarkets denounced

June 28, 2011 - 12:56 am Comments Off

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

Cherries five times more expensive

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

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

Annual Report

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

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Wall Street was down to rising unemployment

June 4, 2011 - 5:40 am Comments Off

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

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

The increase in activity in services is accelerating

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

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

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

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

Walgreen: -0.14% to 43.16 dollars

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

Chevron: -0.12% to $ 101

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

New York Times: 6.34% to 8.05 dollars

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

Relax on the raw

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

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Bertrand Puech: "Hermes is the subject of constant attacks"

May 30, 2011 - 2:20 pm Comments Off

Hermes is Monday night in Paris the first general meeting of shareholders since its entry in October 2010, the capital of LVMH (with 20% today). The heirs, who hold 72% stake, hoping to get the green light in September the Court of Appeal of Paris to their proposed freezing holding a majority of shares, to defend against a raid by Bernard Arnault. Bertrand Puech, president of Émile Hermès family (sole general partner of the listed company Hermes International), a member of the fifth generation of heirs, is against the proliferation of litigation against the project, including those of the Association for the Defence of Minority Shareholders chaired by Colette Neuville.

LE FIGARO. – What will you announce to the general meeting of Hermes on Monday night?

Bertrand Puech.- We will announce, as we know already that 2010 was one of the finest, if not the best year, Hermes has lived for 174 years. The results were extraordinary in an economic context that was not favorable. This allows us to pay a dividend of 1.50 euro increased significantly compared to normal.

LVMH will he represented and he can enjoy his voting rights? Are you afraid of possible obstructions of the meeting?

The shareholders are all invited. LVMH said it would. He always said, if his friendship, in any case his pacifism. I am not chairman of the meeting but things should happen normally, as usual.

What do you think of recent legal actions taken by minority shareholders against the proposed family holding Hermes?

I do not understand.It's very sad and painful for members of a family committed to an ethic of openness and honesty for generations to be scratched before the courts, then we're just defending the values ​​of quality. You should know that Ms. Neuville is a minority shareholder, who owns a single share, which represents only herself. She can not speak for the association which is not approved by the AMF. And it is wrong to fight. If she wanted to play a role in defense of minority, why does she not be interested in the fact that one shareholder said suddenly have 17% of our capital, purchased since 2008 without making it to the markets? I think she has given way to a big bad wolf.

IMF: at least 250,000 euros in compensation for DSK

May 22, 2011 - 2:36 am Comments Off

Associated with the circumstances of departure, the figure will not be without cause some backlash. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, managing director resigned from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), should reach about 250,000 euros in compensation, according to several media. The ABC even mentions an amount closer to 300,000 euros.

The IMF issued a statement challenging the magnitude of the sums advanced. Nevertheless. The contract of a head of IMF does provide for the payment of a "separation allowance" which is triggered automatically if the mandate is terminated before completion.According to the deliberate calculation based on the formula detailed in the contract, the compensation amount to 60% of final annual salary received by Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who is 441,980 dollars (310,000 euros) from the report 2010 of the institution.

A pension supplement

The allowance is supplemented by the payment of retirement by the IMF as DSK has completed more than 3 years in office. "Annual payments for subsequent years will be much less important," the IMF said.

The amounts have not yet been released by the Fund. But the clause providing for the allocation works even in the case of resignation related to legal proceedings, and the IMF should not oppose it. DSK is not the first to receive this allowance. His two predecessors who also left their positions in anticipation hit the allowance.The severance pay granted to a director involved in a sex scandal may be more difficult to sell to the public. When leaving their office, the Spaniard Rodrigo Rato had cited family reasons, while Horst Köhler became President of the Republic in Germany.

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Levy: "Vivendi saw a major turning point"

April 21, 2011 - 8:48 am Comments Off

On Thursday morning, Vivendi held its General Assembly at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. The opportunity for its chairman, Jean-Bernard Levy, back on the recent strategic transactions conducted by the media and telecoms group. The acquisition in early April, the entire capital of SFR marks the end of an era. The former Générale des Eaux was transformed into Vivendi Universal Jean-Marie Messier. This group was then a holding company, often minority participations disparate telecoms, television, cinema, internet, music … After going through a severe debt crisis in 2002, Jean-Rene Fourtou and Jean-Bernard Levy has radically restructured the group .

LE FIGARO. – The purchase of 100% of SFR is it a milestone in the history of Vivendi?

Jean-Bernard Levy. – Since its inception in 1987, we never had sole control of SFR.Jean-Rene Fourtou, upon his arrival, has understood the strategic importance and it has fought since 2002 to buy Vivendi's participation for sale by BT. It is only recently that Vodafone, our partner from the beginning accepted the idea of ​​selling his share. In late 2009, we launched the sale of our 20% stake in NBC Universal, and there is barely three months we have realized. The proceeds from this sale enabled us to negotiate and secure the purchase of 44% of SFR held by Vodafone. It is a major turning point for Vivendi. It marks the completion of a long phase of restructuring and simplification. In less than ten years, Vivendi has experienced a profound transformation.

What is your strategy?

First, Vivendi has strengthened its core businesses into global and national leaders.Then, a conglomerate we have an industry group, managing all its assets and without minority participation. Finally, buying GVT in Brazil, we went looking for growth. Now we focus on organic growth through internal innovation, developing new products and services.

This transaction is financially attractive it?

It is a very good transaction for our shareholders and I am sure they appreciate it. With 100% of SFR, we have better access to its cash, especially a sharp increase in the outcome of Vivendi over 400 million euros in 2011, more than 600 million euros in 2012 and 2013, 350 million euros in 2014. This acquisition will bring us so 2 billion euros in extra profits in four years. Accordingly, we expect to grow our dividend in 2012.However, the dividend will increase more slowly than profit, as our distribution rate, currently 64%, is among the highest.

Are you going to buy out the minority of Canal + and Activision Blizzard?

For our subsidiary Activision Blizzard, world number 1 video games, trading in the United States gives visibility and shows the true value of the company fast cash. It also helps to develop the best talent pay systems that underpin the success of such businesses. Regarding Canal +, Lagardère our agreement with a scheme based on fairly simple: either we reach an agreement on the purchase price of the 20% stake in Canal + France, or it can make the market participation stock. The operation failed OTC, Lagardere launched and then stopped the IPO.We did not reopen negotiations with Lagardere.

Vivendi now appears as a group of telecom. Will you keep the contents?

I reject the relevance of the classification between telecom and media. For me, it is the organization of markets in the last century. Today, we live in a continuity in the value chain to the consumer digital content creation, platform services and applications, network infrastructure. Vivendi has a unique advantage is that it is present at all stages of this chain. Recently, the value focused on platforms such as Google, Facebook, iTunes. We, we, our own specialized platforms that fully meet consumers' expectations and World of Warcraft in-game video, Vevo in music, Canalsat in television.We continue to firmly establish and develop platforms to expand our services, not to be reduced to the role of "dumb pipes" as some would have us confine.

Do you create platforms that will be the future of Facebook or Twitter?

From experience, this is not in large groups to create social networks like Facebook, Twitter or their successors. Our presence in the platforms has a logic of knowledge and travel beyond the borders of our core businesses. Our mission is to cultivate more land to our jurisdiction, our businesses and our territories.

Do you intend to create more synergies between telecom and content?

The group did not need to be justified by synergies artificial. In contrast, we develop joint projects in our activities, piecemeal.For example, Universal Music and GVT created a digital music offering in Brazil, SFR sells offers Canal + in its 820 shops, Morocco Telecom and Canal + are working together on pay-TV platforms in Africa. I think when the synergies they can create additional services and therefore additional growth.

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Soon a smartphone signed Aston Martin

April 6, 2011 - 3:36 pm Comments Off

For now, his name is still barbaric. The CPT002, phone signed Aston Martin still makes quite an impression at the show's World Watch and Jewellery Show in Basel in March. Result of unprecedented collaboration between the luxury car manufacturer and designer of mobile high-end Canadian Mobiado, this smartphone, surprised by its design.

Still in prototype stage, the CPT002 indeed has the distinction of being entirely of glass with a transparent central portion, like a giant windshield! The surface of the touch screen is sapphire high strength, unbreakable and impossible to scratch, according to Mobiado. Edges, platinum and titanium, incorporate all electronic components, including battery, two microcameras and location for the SIM card. Aston Martin logo is placed at the back of the camera.

Direct connection to the Aston Martin

This phone will run Android.Like all other smartphones, it will give access to a large number of applications. According to its manufacturers it will be especially characteristic of facilitating travel for holders of Aston Martin. The mobile will thus open, close and start the vehicle paydayloans. The CPT002 will automatically connect to the GPS board and, through its geo-location software Foursquare, it will keep contacts informed Facebook and Twitter to the location of the driver.

The latter, which has installed cameras in the cabin of his vehicle, able to transmit real-time on social networks images captured by the phone. Finally, CPT002, previously installed in the pocket of the driver, will be equipped with an accelerometer that will, in case of accident, the airbags deploy with as much precision as possible.

Fans of Aston Martin, however, must still wait before buying this technological marvel. No date of production or marketing has yet been announced, although some mention the output of a first range in May. Regarding the price, no information either from the two manufacturers. But like the famous cars will need to hand the portfolio. The Mobiado luxury phones are sold on average from 1300 dollars per unit (approximately 915 euros).

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The "hunting land" is open in the capital

March 27, 2011 - 12:04 am Comments Off

In Paris, "a huge chunk of land is common property and land opportunities map does not exist," warns Michael Korsakoff, General Secretary of the Club property developers and land in Ile-de-France (CDIF). If the local development plan (PLU) gives clues to the land of gators, the mutation sites remains difficult to predict. So when a nugget of land is finally identified, "we all meet, as sponsors, on the same projects," says Veronica Guillemin, President of the CDIF. The bidding has become very difficult to measure … "In addition from 3000 € / m2 GFA (Gross Floor Area Net, that is to say actually building), the price of land flies. In a recent vast wastelands of Paris, in the heart of the new district of Batignolles (XVII), the City of Paris ceded the end of 2010 to Cogedim land to 3 800 € / m2 floor area.There are apartments sold off-plan more than 8000 € / m2. Their delivery is expected in 2012, this eco-neighborhood in saving energy. Some buildings will peak at 50 meters, 37 meters beyond the date authorized. The future high court will reach even 200 yards on the ground of a former station. Altitudes deemed inefficient, but that may be authorized by the latest changes in the local plan, currently subject to public inquiry.

In Paris, the property is seeking a future in height. Future but also social. In the eleventh, boulevard de Charonne, 8000 m2 of a former industrial site will give birth to 100 housing units in 2014. Meanwhile, in the thirteenth, a EcoZac flourish on the site of the former goods station at Rungis, which will combine offices, housing and social amenities.In the hunt to land, the BIA (concerted development zones) is cut, it will be understood, the lion's share. Social housing too. Yet in 2001, only the wide range of Paris left bank was a planning area. Teams of the Deputy Mayor of Paris responsible for Housing, Jean-Yves Mano, are on the lookout for the slightest bit. The intervention service division of the Directorate of Planning does not hesitate to preempt. "Provided that motivate the right of first refusal by a social housing project or general interest, it says there. In 2010, 11,831 declarations of intent to dispose (DIA) have been investigated. But only 2736 cases were studied with a magnifying glass, which led to 68 preemptions. "It is far less than in 2009 (93), and especially in 2008, where 146 pre-emptions had been decided …The City Council did, too, the cost of soaring prices, despite an annual budget of preemptions for 100 million euros. In the eighth, the response service to acquire land abandoned building, too expensive.

Paris could catch up by 2014 its backlog in social housing, with six years ahead of schedule. "10% of the space are changing urban Paris, Jean-Yves Mano evaluated. But a hundred other plots may be subject to negotiations, which we could consider 15,000 homes … "The City Council has established in recent years, the list of forty car repair garages … Rue de la Pompe in the sixteenth century, Renault has sold one at Sodearif, a subsidiary of Bouygues. Another avenue Mozart, should follow the same path … Each time, the City negotiates affordable housing, at least half of the program.Private developers and public donors, however, working in concert. Despite political tensions in the sixteenth century, several other sites, blocked for years by the use of residents, should result in parallel, such remedies being depleted easy pay day loans. In the key housing, particularly social services.

Committed to a policy of transfer tax, the state adds its contribution to the transformation of land in Paris. According to Jean-Martin Delorme at the regional and inter accommodation and housing (DRIHL), "in 2009, the state has allocated so that the land can be built 329 homes, including 194 social.In 2010, participation has increased, so that 1302 units are produced, of which 859 social. "In 2011, the state has spent on housing in Paris a bigger budget (100 million) for the regions and Rhone-Paca Alps combined.

Buildings over bus depots

Nothing would do but without the SNCF and RATP Réseau Ferré de France (RFF). Heritage Land SNCF? 156 hectares. That of RATP? 260 hectares. As to RFF, the second landowner in France with 103,000 hectares of land. "The RATP has today more than empty land," assures yet Rémi Feredj, director of space and heritage of the RATP, which helped in the 90s, building programs Montsouris, in the nineteenth, in the seventeenth and twentieth. And yet today, boulevard Jourdan, RATP still collaborates with the City of Paris for 200 housing units and 350 students.The buildings rise above a bus depot. Technical prowess. "Here in the twentieth, opposite our office, we will bury another repository, then build on top of offices, a school and a nursery," said Remi Feredj. RATP therefore maintains depots and workshops in Paris, but imagine a new land, while overlays and juxtapositions. Street Desnouettes (fifteenth arrondissement), 47 units will emerge behind a business unit of the metro line 12. According to a performance contract with the state, RFF is committed to mobilizing its land for 1.2 billion euros over five years between 2008 and 2012. Goal: Create 15,000 units in France. A private operator, Pitch Promotion, for example, already won in late 2010, a site RFF Street Castagnary (fifteenth arrondissement). Other rail sites could still mutate, in the twelfth, eighteenth, and nineteenth arrondissements.In all, "1 million square meters of floor area to fifteen years," we are assured at RFF. Meanwhile, in the nineteenth century, a new station-Gospel Aeolus will come with the added bonus of 27,000 m2 of offices and 1000 m2 of shops.

Meanwhile, to release more land more quickly, experts, to the State, reflect on fiscal measures. They are looking to reverse the plan capital gains and taxing landholders refusing to sell them. Tax on undeveloped land is not very effective. "We could consider increasing the property tax on developable land," suggested Poirot Pascale, president of the National Union of developers developers (Snal). Some suggest a tax on the minimum density.More iconoclastic imagine "to add another floor to Paris buildings, because very sparsely protected," recalls Henry Buzy-Cazaux, honorary president of the Institute of Management of real estate services.

The city of Haussmann has long obeyed an ideal city less dense, difficult to reconcile with the height of land planners in the twenty-first century. "You could also consider a rationalization of action, often abusive, hampering construction projects", he explains. An idea that engages players from all sides of the ruthless world of land development.

Earthquake: BoJ takes exceptional measures

March 14, 2011 - 10:24 am Comments Off

While the country remains on alert this morning after a second explosion at the nuclear power plant in Fukushima Daiichi, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to take exceptional measures to counter the effects of the disaster in the economic and financial systems. The BoJ has in effect this morning to four injections of cash for a total of 15,000 billion yen, 175.2 billion euros. The institution hopes to support the markets with its massive influx of cash.

His intervention had immediate effect on the yen, which fell abruptly when he was mounted in the early morning. The Nikkei index of Tokyo Stock Exchange plummeted finished him sitting on a decline of 6.18%.The volume of transactions reached a historic high on Monday to the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with over 4.88 billion shares traded on the primary market, representing more than 2.5 times the average normal. The Tokyo Stock Exchange has nevertheless been valuable to rate.

Automotive and nuclear values ​​fall

The share of the company Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO), which operates nuclear plants in trouble, was particularly affected, it lost 23.57%, all holders of securities rushing to sell. The values ​​are also among the automotive titles most penalized Mitsubishi Motors plunged 10.9% and Toyota 8.1.

Indeed, many Japanese companies are facing serious damage on their production sites.Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Sony, Mitsubishi Motors, Suzuki, Panasonic or Toshiba have suspended their activity in one or more plants.

As for oil prices, they are on the downside on Monday in electronic trading in Asia. A barrel of Brent WTI lost nearly 2% to less than 100 dollars a barrel. The market is worried about a drop in demand in the short term in Japan.

Even if the destruction of the earthquake and resulting tsunami that struck Japan on Friday remain difficult to assess, AIR Worldwide, a specialist in risk assessment, advanced at a cost of $ 34.6 billion to insurance companies.For its part, the rating agency Moody's believes that the consequences of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan will be only temporary for the country's finances.

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