Posts Tagged ‘customers’

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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Wall Street remains frozen in negative territory

May 13, 2011 - 11:20 pm Comments Off

After a session in the green Thursday, the NYSE should end on the last day of the week in the red. After an opening balance, the losses have increased for the Dow Jones was down 0.97% at 12,574 points. The Nasdaq also lost 1.02% to 2834 points while the S & P coward 0.82% to 13,438 points.

Oil heckled

The tensions are still very vivid in the markets for raw materials and oil. The U.S. House of Representatives Thursday passed a bill to increase oil production in the United States to respond to soaring gasoline prices, despite opposition from the Obama administration to new drilling WedFor its part, China has announced to suspend its exports of diesel and severely restrict its exports of refined products to ensure adequate domestic supply and fight against inflation in fuel prices.

Oil prices have also played a roller coaster, unsettling investors. After opening up in New York, a barrel fell sharply in mid-day, the barrel of light sweet crude (WTI) crude for June delivery yielding 84 cents to 98.13 dollars. Finally, the barrel ends up on redemptions of short positions after previously mounted on reports that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi had been injured. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, the barrel finished at 99.65 dollars, up 68 cents, or 0.69%, after hovering between 97.09 and 100.70 dollars.

The course followed the evolution of currencies.During the session, the sudden inflation of the dollar made it less attractive dollar-denominated assets such as oil, while the volatility of trade was exacerbated as we approach the weekend. The euro initially lost ground Friday against the dollar after the announcement of accelerated economic growth in the first quarter in the euro area, but eventually succumbed to concerns still living on the Greek budget crisis .

Around 18:30 in Paris, the European single currency was worth 1.4091 dollars against 1.4316 at the opening of U.S. markets and U.S. dollar against 1.4244 on Thursday. Yesterday, she already had fallen in session at 1.4124 dollars, its lowest level since April 1.

Consumer confidence rises

Fluctuating oil prices have pushed into the plan's announcement contained inflation.The consumer prices in the U.S. rose as expected by 0.4% in April compared to March because of rising food prices and gasoline, according to statistics released Friday by the Labor Department.

Moreover, consumer sentiment recorded a rise to 72.4 in May unexpected vision against 69.8 in April, the index of the University of Michigan. Analysts were waiting to 70.

Yahoo! penalized

The side of values, the Nasdaq Composite is sealed by the fall of Title Yahoo (-5.18% to 16.28 dollars) after the Internet portal said Alibaba Group has reorganized the capital structure of Alipay, one of the leading online payment systems in China, without being notified when it is a shareholder of Alipay.

The earthquake in Japan, which has disrupted production car in the Japanese archipelago, has claimed its place as world number one sector to Toyota, doubled in the first quarter and probably for the year by the American General Motors ( 0.06% to 31.44 dollars) and Germany's Volkswagen. Toyota sold 1.79 million vehicles worldwide between January and March, down 12% year on year.Meanwhile, GM sold 2.22 million cars, and returning, at least for this quarter, the world number one spot he had sold to Toyota in 2008.

For his part, Nvidia (-6.65% to U.S. $ 19.14) reported after the close of Wall Street, for the first quarter of 2011 from a profit down 0.2% to 135 million. The gross margin was 50.4%, a record level. Sales reached $ 962 million against 948 million and 1 billion expected a year ago.For specialists Aurel BGC, "the group is clearly affected by the downturn in PC sales and growth opportunities on the shelf is far from certain … For the current quarter, the Group expects a growth of 4 to 6% of its sales. "

SunPower (-0.89% to 21.19 dollars) achieved during the first quarter 2011 revenues of $ 451 million against 347 million last year and a loss of $ 0.02 per share against a BPA from $ 0.13 a year earlier. For the current quarter, SunPower expects a turnover of 500 to 550 million.

CA Inc. (-8.86% to 22.84 dollars), formerly Computer Associates International) in the fourth quarter of financial year 2010/2011 a turnover of 1.13 billion dollars against 1.17 billion expected and earnings per share of $ 0.48 against $ 0.5 expected.About its prospects, the group expects a growth in turnover of 6% to 8% at constant exchange rates for the year 2011/2012, and GAAP EPS in the range of 1.79 to 1.86 dollar. In addition, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of 0.05 dollars per share and a stock repurchase plan of $ 500 million. Last night, losing the title

Nordstrom (-1.64% to 48.37 dollars) for the first quarter sales of 2.32 billion dollars, in line with expectations, and earnings per share of $ 0.65 against $ 0.67 and expected $ 0.52 last year. The board of directors also voted a share repurchase plan of $ 750 million.

The wave of mergers and acquisitions continues. Yum! Brands (+0.28% to 54.88 dollars) has announced the launch of a tender on the Asian restaurant chain Little Sheep at a price of 6.50 Hong Kong dollars per share.

Oberthur would sell CardSystems

May 12, 2011 - 4:32 pm Comments Off

Still no comment from Oberthur Technologies on Thursday. Yesterday, Bloomberg launched the rumor of the sale by the specialist of security technology in its field of smart cards CardSystems, then this Thursday's Les Echos that delivers its information on the possible transaction. According to business newspaper, Oberthur want to part with 60% of this activity, which represents 73% of its total turnover, which would be valued over a billion euros. Rothschild and advise the company transaction could be in the form of an LBO is to say, an acquisition by a bank loan.According to Les Echos, the offers of the candidates will be received during the first fortnight of June.

Oberthur, which is no longer publicly traded since November 2008, is the world's second largest smart card with 20% market share worldwide, according to Gemalto, another French side in the Paris Bourse, which claims about 40 %. If smart cards are the heart of business, Oberthur weaker margins amid fierce competition.This could explain why the group wants to break away.

Sell ​​to watchlist De La Rue?

But the transaction would not she intended to make funds available to propose a new offer on the UK's De La Rue, he has failed to buy earlier this year? Oberthur could indeed put on the table more than 1.08 billion euros previously offered to pay for a company that works primarily on the trustee and that prints the tickets of more than 150 countries around the world instant payday loan. Eyeing a lucrative market that Jean-Pierre Savare, CEO of Oberthur, even if it might confront the British government, who intends to protect its business.

In addition, analysts said Exane BNP Paribas, "if the activity CardSystems was sold to an investment fund, it is not certain that the owner undertakes R & D, while at the same time Some key executives could leave the company. " For them, "the industry could then experience a period of turbulence that could lead to Gemalto the opportunity to win market share." Meanwhile, Gemalto folds from 1.37% to 33.73 euros on the Paris Stock Exchange on Thursday to 13 hours.

The activity CardSystems provides smart cards and related services to segments of the mobile but also payment, transport, digital TV and convergence.The other divisions handle everything trustee (bank notes, checks, etc..) Identity (manufacturing and personalization of documents such as passports or driving licenses), and the cash protection ', emerging market of equipments for the protection of banknotes in the distributor for instance. Oberthur Technologies has approximately 6,800 employees in all continents of the world.

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Unlimited calls to less than 25 euros at Numericable

May 11, 2011 - 2:08 pm Comments Off

The veil is lifted. After intrigued the web for nearly a week, Numéricable book details his mysterious "mobile revolution". The cable operator announced with great fanfare the launch of a mobile telephony offer unlimited tariff of 24.90 euros per month for residential customers Numericable, and 49.90 for others.

Numéricable becomes a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO. "We go on the mobile market," with "the best offer on the market in price and service content," said the secretary general of the group Numericable, Jerome Yomtov. The group offers its subscribers an offer of unlimited calls to landlines and mobiles in France, unlimited texting and unlimited internet access (3G up to 500 mega) for 24.90 euros per month.

"To get this offer of 24.90 euros, it is already subscribed Numericable, or you become one," insists Jerome Yomtov.For non-subscribers Numericable, the offer goes to 49.90 euros. Furthermore, the proposal does not include a phone. "Our job is to provide the best possible subscription, the phone is another job, a job distributor of electronics," said the secretary general.

The site has created a buzz larevolutiondumobile.com

With this offer comes directly Numericable hunt on the land of Free. The intriguing communication campaign that preceded this announcement is also no secret intentions Numericable. The website created for the occasion, but the "mobile revolution" refers directly to Free. Indeed, Free is the telephone operator at the initiative of triple play in France, and as such, boasts of having "revolutionized broadband in France."He even used the word to his sales pitch, naming "Revolution" the latest version of its box, launched in December.

Furthermore, Numericable used the red color of Free and organized a press conference at the Pershing Hall in Paris, where Free has the habit of organizing its own press conferences!

The communication operation worked: "larevolutiondumobile" has created a buzz on the web with over 50,000 messages on Twitter, affecting over 300,000 people. The Facebook page of the site has involved more than 2,600 fans in less than a week.

But if the teasing is successful, Numericable seems to have attracted the wrath of Free. The case could be settled in court.

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Ireland: the banks need $ 24 billion

April 1, 2011 - 10:32 am Comments Off

The Irish banking crisis broke on Thursday, a new step, long awaited by Brussels, and markets. The Irish Central Bank revealed the results of resistance tests carried out over several weeks out of four banks: Allied Irish Bank (AIB), Bank of Ireland (BoI), Irish Life & Permanent and EBS. Needs additional capital to face a new crisis, amounted to 24 billion euros, or 15% of GDP in the island! – A sum higher than experts expected.

On Thursday, shares AIB, BoI and IL & P, have been suspended from the Dublin Stock Exchange and London, on rumors of nationalization of industry.The bancassurer Irish Life is the latest Irish lending agency not to be nationalized, while the share of the State Bank of Ireland is 36%.

Immediately known the results of resistance testing, Finance Minister Michael Noonan announced in Parliament a tough restructuring of the banking sector, which will be reduced to two entities, and will pass under state care. The minister also urged the private sector to share the burden of this rescue banking, that is to say to accept capital losses on debts "senior". Irish bank plan must now be approved by the European Union.

This assumption of private sector participation thrilled markets since the arrival of the new center-left government, less agreeable with foreign investors.The debt holders are covered by Dublin big German banks, the UK, but also some Belgian or French establishments.

The government wants to spare the taxpayer primarily Irish, who has already paid 45.8 billion euros for its banks in 2010, the price of a deficit of 32% of GDP. If we add 24 billion to pay the bill for the banking crisis in Ireland stands at 70 billion euros, or 43% of Irish GDP …

Support Berlin

In his tussle with bankers in Dublin on Thursday received the support of Germany noted, highly exposed to debt in Ireland. "We must stop signing blank checks to the banks!" Weber said Thursday, the outgoing president of the Bundesbank.While the Irish banking bill will ultimately influence all European taxpayers, including German, Axel Weber insists that private creditors bear some responsibility.

Chancellor Angela Merkel is on the same wavelength. "It would be terrible for the acceptance of the social market economy, if banks should not count on automatic support from governments, simply because of their systemic importance," she said, echoing Weber.

To recapitalize its banks, Ireland will inevitably make use of its European neighbors. The bailout of 85 billion euros to Ireland, the island which contributes up to 17.5 billion, includes 35 billion euros for the banks, of which 10 billion is available immediately.The remaining 25 billion euros are stuck in a reserve fund, which was not supposed to be liquidated this year. Ireland, however, should pay its share for the recapitalization: 10 billion euros. Europe will provide 15 billion euros through a bond issue launched by the European financial stabilization.

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The A330 military won four countries

February 25, 2011 - 1:52 pm Comments Off

The Airbus tanker derived from the long-haul A330 aircraft, will enter service later this year in Australia. Canberra has ordered five copies of this multi-role military aircraft, both tanker and cargo, should receive its first aircraft in spring. "In general, the commissioning follows eight to ten months later," says one Airbus. The European aircraft manufacturer delivers a complete unit which will then be militarized by the client, by the Royal Australian Air Force, for example with cons-measures to protect the aircraft. In Australia, a partner in Airbus, Qantas Air Service, which will implement the rigid pole, called boom refueling.

The A330s will begin in Australia military career already well underway. The European aircraft, also known as KC-45, has won all the latest tenders in the world.He was chosen by the British Royal Air Force who ordered 14 via a leasing agreement unprecedented in military matters, the Saudi army with five units and the army of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) up to three tankers. In total, Airbus has garnered 28 orders from four customers for a value not provided. As a guide, the list price of the A330 is 170 civilian million.

Apparatus assembled in Toulouse

The European supply has received its airworthiness certificate civil March 17, 2010 by the European authorities (EASA). His military certificate was issued by the National Institute of Technology Spanish competent authority in this case as Airbus Military, which is responsible for military programs Airbus is based in Spain. The product however is assembled in Toulouse, France on the same production line as the A330 civilian.

Airbus shows significant ambitions for its KC-45. In his own studies, the potential market is around 250 aircraft in the world outside the United States. France, for its part, could be ordered 15 copies.

Swiss luxury watch resists through Asia

February 12, 2011 - 3:04 pm Comments Off

Despite the rise of the franc, the Swiss watch industry is growing again. In 2010, exports of the sector amounted to nearly 12.3 billion euros, or 22.1% more than in 2009-results that reflected their pre-crisis level, due to the vivacity of Asian market.

After a year of slowdown, how brands have they faced the recovery? Some had anticipated the rise in sales. "In late 2009, our results were already excellent," says Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot watches. We bought more raw materials and hired 60 people! "Other chains have also relaunched the recruitment as Breguet, Tag Heuer and cores. Some, finally, forcing customers to wait. "For a Panerai or a Montblanc, it can go up to a year, said H. Roderich Hess, former CEO of Montblanc Switzerland.Customers know that the luxury watch requires exceptional skill and they patiently wait. "

The industry is optimistic, however, hampered by the rise of the franc. In an interview with the magazine Bilanz, the director of Swatch, Nick Hayek, estimated at 380 million euro loss for 2010 sales caused by depreciation of the euro. The competitiveness of the Swiss watch has declined.

To fix an exchange rate to their disadvantage, producers have raised prices of their watches: +5% in 2010 for Audemars Piguet and Cartier, who think all over again, like Jean-Claude Biver No teletrack payday loans. "While ensuring the value of our currency on forward markets, we have adjusted our prices four times in 2010, an increase of about 20%," says he.

Subcontractors affected

The rise of the franc was not all bad.It allowed the watchmakers to buy at lower prices for raw materials and components abroad. A strategy has its limits: to get the "Swiss Made", these companies must in Switzerland at least 80% of manufacturing costs for mechanical watches.

If large groups are doing well, this is not the case for their sub-contractors, some 600 Swiss companies that still show the effects of the crisis. "They are affected first and the last to resume growth as brands sell their stock before ordering new," said Jean-Daniel Pasche, president of the Federation of Swiss Watch Industry. After losing 20% of its turnover, the director of Pac Team, Alain Borle, "sees a light at the end of the tunnel.Watchmakers have not really launched new programs, but I think imminent. "

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Yoplait bids rise

February 7, 2011 - 9:32 am Comments Off

The investment fund PAI, which has sold its 50% stake in Yoplait, had confirmed the interest in the world number two yogurts. While fourteen suitors had withdrawn an information on the group, they are nine to be filed Friday, an offer "nonbonding." Besides the three investment funds Bain Capital, Lion Capital and Axa Private Equity, Lala is the Mexican, Chinese Bright Food, the American General Mills, Nestle's Swiss or the French Fair. As stated in the JDD, even Lactalis, which had not removed the information memorandum, has applied for membership.

In late 2010, the French group had drafted a proposal to repurchase $ 1.4 billion for the entire share capital of Yoplait. This offer was rejected by PAI and Sodiaal cooperative that owns 50% of Yoplait and intends to remain a shareholder.Good news for the seller, bids exceed 1.5 billion euros, up for some well beyond the price that was articulated by Lactalis hitherto a reference. "It's normal for between-tempsYoplait bought his franchise in Canada and that carries its enterprise value over DE1, 5 billion euros," recounts a close case. PAI should retain in the coming days with some candidates identified for further discussion.

Madrid is preparing a plan to strengthen its savings

January 22, 2011 - 12:00 pm Comments Off

Spain does not want to be assimilated to Ireland or Portugal, on the front of the public finances and its banking system. That is why the Spanish government is preparing a new "plan" to strengthen the network of savings banks, the weak link of the country's banking system. This plan is being developed in collaboration with the Bank of Spain and the Confederation of Savings Banks, said the government's number two, Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba on Friday. There is not time to schedule and plan will be announced later when it is completed, he has said.

Madrid would be ready to launch the construction of the privatization of Savings, revealed the news agency Reuters, quoting a source familiar with the matter. Banking violently hit by the economic crisis and financial crisis, the local housing bubble, then the European sovereign debt crisis.And crystallize the doubts among international investors. This large work, which could last two to three years, comes after another major work, which consisted for the Central Bank of Spain has forced some banks to merge, which has reduced their number from 45 to 17.

For these private investors can participate easily in the capital of savings banks, it could be that the legislation be amended. This Friday on its website, the public fund bank restructuring, set up last year, says the goal would be to accelerate the separation between their financial and social activities.

Specifically, the government seeks to control the savings in debt to become traditional banks and try to seek a listing on the Stock Exchange to show they are good investments.The Spanish state does not take partial control of its savings lowest to reassure the markets.

Indeed, if the interest shown by private investors was not at the rendezvous, the Bank Restructuring Fund (FROB), which depends on the Spanish government plans to take stakes in these banks, " cajas no fax needed payday loans. Even in the absence of private investment in these funds, Spain will have the means of rescue, say economists, thus alleviating the pressure on the European Financial Stability (FESF).

Fundraising from 17 to 120 billion euros

The Wall Street Journal on Thursday, Spain would consider lifting more than 30 billion euros to recapitalize its "cajas" regional. An amount denied by a spokesman for the Spanish Ministry of Economy.But it still recognized that the savings banks would need money, more than 11 billion already raised for them.

Arturo de Frias, head of research at Evolution Securities, "Nobody likes to invest in a caja now, but although they try. We are talking about a process that will last two or three years (the IPO of cajas) but you have to start somewhere. Although there is a beginning of something, "said he. The specialist on a table it needs the savings from 40 to 50 billion euros.This range is within the average cost estimates of such recapitalization, ranging from 17 to 120 billion euros.

Nevertheless, Fitch maintained a negative outlook on Wednesday the rating of Spanish Banks, which account for nearly half the country's financial system and whose recapitalization represents an additional difficulty for Madrid.

On Friday, ratings agency again threatens Spain: it could influence the country's sovereign rating if Madrid were to never miss its budget targets. Fitch currently Spain AA + with a stable outlook.

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The CAC 40 caution before U.S. jobs

January 7, 2011 - 10:12 pm Comments Off

After an opening in the red, the CAC 40 was the yo-yo around equilibrium before leaving frankly down. Halfway through, the CAC 40 lost 0.26% to 6963.4 points. At the London Stock Exchange, the FTSE-100 fell by 0.56% to 5,985.65 points and Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the Dax loose 0.26% 6963.40 points.

These hesitations are expected to continue until early afternoon. Investors are waiting in effect until 14:30 the publication of unemployment figures and employment for the month of December in the United States.

Economists polled by Reuters expect 175,000 new jobs outside the agricultural sector for the month of December.In the aftermath, the Federal Reserve chairman, Ben Bernanke, must speak before the Senate Budget Committee.

On Thursday, the CAC 40 has canceled its gain of over 1% at mid-session, after the weekly claims for unemployment benefits rose in the United States.

U.S. employment and unemployment, European unemployment and GDP

On the macroeconomic front, after a miserly start of the week in news, the meeting will be hosted by a number of indicators.

In France, the trade deficit rose in November to 3.869 billion euros against 3.712 billion the previous month.

Are also expected economic forecast by INSEE for France in the first quarter 2011 (at 16 hours).

In the euro area, economic growth slowed more than expected in the third quarter of 2010 to 0.3% (against 0.4% previously announced).The unemployment rate, meanwhile, remained stable at 10.1% in November.

United States, in addition to unemployment figures and employment for the month of December (1430), the consumer credit will be announced in 20 hours.

On the currency markets, the euro remains below $ 1.30. About 11:00 am in Paris, the euro bought 1.2985 dollars against 1.3006 dollars on the previous evening.

Record deliveries for Airbus

Against this backdrop of feverish, bank stocks are in decline: Societe Generale lost 1.26% to 41.61 euros, BNP Paribas 1.44% cowardly to EUR 49.12, Credit Agricole dropped 1.14% to 9.787 Natixis Euro yields 1.04% to 3.63 euros.

Renault: + 1.22% to 47.39 euros

In the case of industrial espionage affects Renault, the automaker suspect a Chinese actor, according to information from Figaro economy.For his part, Peugeot advance of 1% to 31.30 euros.

GDF Suez: -1.14% to 27.20 euros

A spokesman for GDF Suez confirmed to AFP Thursday an information website of the magazine Challenges, that the group will abandon stock options.The device should be replaced by performance-related bonus shares in the group.

Hermes: + 4 payday loans for self employed.42% to 161.90 euros, LVMH: -1.41% to 120.28 euros

In the case of Hermes / LVMH, the AMF authorizes the Hermes family not to launch takeover bid for the entire group.

EADS: + 0.42% to 19.16 euros

Airbus (EADS) achieved record shipments in 2010: more than 500 aircraft delivered to airlines Boeing 462 to cons.

Sanofi-Aventis: -0.69% to 49.93 euros

Sanofi-Aventis has announced the appointment, effective February 1, new leaders in emerging markets where the pharmaceutical company wants to strengthen.Patrick Aghanian will be responsible for the Eurasia region, Thomas Kelly of Asia, Heraldo Marchezini of Latin America and Jeremy Moulding of Japan and Pacific area.

Casino-Guichard: -0.16% to 72.77 euros

Casino Guichard now holds 99.6% shareholding in its subsidiary e-commerce Cdiscount.

Schneider Electric: + 0.04% to 114.35 euros

Schneider Electric has signed an agreement to acquire majority shares of APW Président Systems Limited, an Indian manufacturer of enclosures for the telecom and information technology.

Saint-Gobain: + 0.37% to 38.33 euros

The Dutch competition authority said it had fined 17.7 million dollars to several companies, accused of having formed a cartel in the glass, among which is the local subsidiary of Saint-Gobain.

Bourbon: -0.18% to 35.45 euros

Bourbon announced Thursday its decision to separate the roles of Chairman of the Board and Director General from 1 January 2011.Jacques de Chateauvieux therefore yield the reins of the operation to Christian Lefevre.

Axa: -0.48% to 13.44 euros

Axa Private Equity, the private equity subsidiary of Axa, is in exclusive talks with Bain Capital to acquire the French chemicals group Novacap according Agefi.

Dexia: -0.78% to 2.68 euros

Dexia has initiated the process of selling Deniz Emeklilik, its life insurance subsidiary in Turkey, according to Les Echos.

Arcelor Mittal: -1.61% to 27.11 euros

ArcelorMittal called Thursday evening to shareholders of Canadian Baffinland Iron Mines to accept its offer of 550 million Canadian dollars, considering it superior to that of Iron Ore Nunavut.

Thales: + 0.30% to 26.66 euros

Canada has expressed a "strong interest" for the purchase of two vessels Mistral class manufacturer of DCNS, Thales which holds 25%, according to La Tribune.

Remy Cointreau: + 4.14% to 55.30 euros

Goldman Sachs added Remy Cointreau to its list of preferred values and raised its recommendation from "buy," cons "neutral" before.