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After several weeks of reflection, the verdict has finally fallen on the new method of fixing gas prices. The Ministry of Economy, which was to maneuver, just send the document to refer to the Regulatory Commission of Energy (CRE), for entry under the next year, after the publication of a decree .

The government, which ruled until then every three months on possible changes in gas prices, trying to remove a little of the game, at least in appearance. It will no longer once per year, one component of overall framing of the price curve of the molecule. This scheme seeks to prevent the State to meet in full psychodrama whenever Bercy opts for a rise in gas prices.

So now the company, GDF Suez, which will seize the regulator for a rate increase.Which regulator, after watching whether the incumbent's request is consistent with the pricing formula, make a binding opinion. Until now, the opinion of the CRE in the record setting gas prices was only advisory. In the new scheme, the Commission will therefore pose a greater weight.

However, uncertainties remain. In particular, what happens if gas prices are indexed on oil prices should fall? In the reference document, it is not called GDF Suez to decide in what direction. Similarly, it does not ask the regulator to pressure the company to obtain a reduction in charges.

"Let's just common sense: since oil prices are public, they bend permanently, GDF Suez will be forced to seek lower fares.Or the group will draw the wrath of both consumers and government, "says an industry expert.

Psychodrama

So much for the new scheme, at least in theory, developed by the government with the approval of other partners, beginning with GDF Suez. It remains now to see how it will apply in practice. It is hard, in fact, the government remain inactive in the face several repeated hikes in gas prices. Especially during elections, where the energy bill is regularly found in the heart of debates.

In short, despite government efforts, it is feared that this new device does not put an end to psychodramas on gas prices.

As the end of appointment of Pierre Gadonneix head of EDF had fed the speculative discussions for several months, the succession of Didier Lombard, head of France Telecom should not give rise to so many vicissitudes. St?phane Richard, the current number 2 of the French incumbent operator, has already announced its intention to become the new CEO as soon as the mandate of Didier Lombard will end in 2011."If the board is willing, if the shareholders agree and if the little pigs did not eat me by then I will become CEO at that date," he said in an interview with the daily Progress on Friday.

"Organizing the systematic mixing of people didn't make sense"

Asked about the atmosphere prevailing within the group after the wave of human tragedies that rocked France Telecom in recent months, St?phane Richard hopes that "the pressure was released (…) with the possibility for employees to express themselves . The Director General in charge of France operations has also qualified as "inept" the principle of mobility managers every three years."Organize brewing methodical individual has no meaning (…) this represents significant costs for interest difficult to collect," he said.

In early December should be made public the results of the survey on psychosocial risks launched by France Telecom with its 102,000 French employees. The firm Technologia, which was assigned to the case, expects a turnout particularly high 75% or about 76,000 responses.

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A decline in new listings in unemployment in the United States and the optimistic forecasts of telecoms equipment manufacturer Cisco has propelled the Dow Jones-immediately above the 10,000 points, a day before the report on employment in October the government. The flagship index of the NYSE is 2.08% at 10,006 points and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 2.40% to 2105 points.

New entries in weekly unemployment in the United States declined to 512,000 new applications for benefits, while analysts predicted 522,000. Moreover, the productivity of U.S. companies (excluding agriculture) increased in the third quarter, 9.5% annual rate. It is the largest increase in six years. The market expected a 6.3% increase. These publications, better than expected, reassured investors.

On Wednesday, the Dow Jones gained 0.31% Wednesday, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.09%.

Summary of values

Net earnings from Cisco down 15% in first quarter (ended in late October), $ 2.1 billion. The group said however that he thought back to growth of its business to the next quarter.

Qualcomm posted a profit of $ 803 million in the fourth quarter, down 9%.

Microsoft will cut 800 additional positions, plus the 5,000 announced in January. These cuts will take place in the world.

The media group News Corporation has announced a profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 of $ 571 million. Earnings per share amounted to 22 cents against 18 cents expected by analysts.

JPMorgan has an agreement with the regulator of financial markets, the SEC, to terminate proceedings in a case of influence peddling to local elected officials in the United States.JPMorgan will pay $ 25 million and 50 million dollars to the local authority, county of Jefferson.

The Iraqi Oil Ministry has awarded Thursday to a consortium led by Exxon Mobil exploitation of oil field west Qourna-1.

Research in Motion announced a buyback program of action for an amount up to $ 1.2 billion. It will start on November 9th and will be valid for a period of twelve months.