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It is a revolution as important as the emergence of the credit card there are more than thirty years! Within a few months, the mobile phone will be used to pay for purchases, store loyalty points, get discounts … It is a certainty, while Google announced yesterday the launch of its electronic wallet from that Google Wallet been to San Francisco and New York.

Mobile payments, we talk a long time. Japan had taken a step ahead. European operators will all work. The French have even launched last year in Nice with success, and Eric Besson, Minister of Industry, has promised that 9 other cities would quickly adopt it. But the announcement of Google reshuffles the cards and give a real boost. For three reasons.

First, its strike force.It is a global leader enters the market with other global giants MasterCard and Citibank, bank side, Ingenico payment terminals and telecom operator like Sprint. He wants to generalize his service in 20 U.S. cities by the end of the year. And already negotiate with major European operators to launch in Europe next year. Second, to pay with his mobile, it is that traders are also equipped with readers. Now Google will subsidize the market by financing the equipment traders.

Thirdly, Google goes far beyond the mere payment: the Google Wallet is a real vacuum services: it helps make couponing, store loyalty points and activate automatically. "It's awesome in terms of promise and customer value creation.Mobile payment alone is not profitable, what counts is the whole ecosystem of services around, "said Stéphane Dubreuil, director of the firm Sia Council.

Specifically, Google knows, thanks to Google Search, a search engine, you went 20 times on the Internet sites of course. He knows with Google Maps that you walk near a golf shop. He can with Google Wallet send you a promotion that will make you enter the store. Then you will pay and store your loyalty points. "There is a side Big Brother, which can be a hazard if struck public opinion, but the attractiveness and ease of product should forget that aspect," said Virginia Laz, associate director at Bryan Garnier.

The delay of Apple

This is the first time a giant web between and walk-in retail."Google returns to the brick and mortar and will potentially be able to receive a commission on all transactions in the physical world. It's huge! , "Says Stéphane Dubreuil.

The arrival of Google, if it gives a boost to mobile payments, is also dangerously compete others. From yesterday, eBay and its payment subsidiary PayPal, which represents 20% of traffic off the credit card payments over the Internet, filed suit against Google, accusing it of stealing trade secrets, especially in recruiting one of its leaders.

Apple, far behind mobile payments, is obligated to respond. Even if the future iPhone 5 allows to make payment, their model risk is still very closed to show its limitations.

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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The U.S. stock market return in the green Wednesday. After a cautious start, the Dow Jones up 0.44% at 12,434 points, the Nasdaq climbed 1.03% to 2812 points and the S & P advance of 0.66% to 1338 points.

The indexes have regained upward shift after the publication of the conclusions of the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Fed in April. Participants spoke at length about inflation that has plagued the country prior to deduce that it was only "temporary." They also confirmed that interest rates would remain low until at least late June.

One solution is looming for Greece

Furthermore, advances in the Greek case are relieved. The option of rescheduling the debt held by creditors Hellenic both public and private, has gained momentum Tuesday in Europe, given the difficulties the country out of crisis.If Greece is making efforts, "we will see if it is possible to have a smooth restructuring of the Greek debt, has said the leader of the finance ministers of the eurozone, Jean-Claude Juncker. Restructuring "soft" requires longer periods for repayment and possibly lower interest rates.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro fell slightly against the dollar at 1.4222 dollars against 1.4234 dollars late Tuesday. For their part, oil prices recorded a sharp rebound on Wednesday in New York, a barrel of benchmark win $ 3.19 to 100.10 dollars. U.S. inventories of crude oil fell against all odds last week, said Wednesday the U.S. Agency for Energy Information (EIA). Crude inventories were down 15,000 barrels to 370.31 million. Economists on average had expected an increase of one million barrels.Gasoline inventories rose much less than expected, rising by 119,000 barrels to 205.94 million, against an estimate of an increase of 800,000.

Staples plummet, Dell flies

The side of values, the number two U.S. computer, Dell (5 online payday loan lenders.72% to 16.81 dollars) on Tuesday after the close of Wall Street net profit more than doubled and exceeded expectations for its first quarter of year 2011/12 to $ 945 million, but with a disappointing sales, up only 1%.

For its part, Intel (1.19% to 23.83 dollars) has denied rumors that it could produce chips for mobile phones using technology from its competitor ARM.Intel has also maintained a growth forecast of just over 10% for sales of PC processors.

The group office supplies Staples (-14.54% to 16.80 dollars) has reported a quarterly profit below expectations due to rising costs and falling demand in a recovery economically fragile. Net income amounted to $ 198.2 million or 28 cents per share, against 188.8 million or 26 cents per share a year earlier. Analysts on average expected a profit of 32 cents per share. Turnover increased by 2% to 6.17 billion.

Skyworks Solutions (3.38% to 27.54 dollars) has announced the acquisition of SiGe Semiconductor for $ 210 million in cash, which will add 65 million additional cases of achievement.

The shareholders of JPMorgan Chase (-0.41% to 43.63 U.S. dollars) on Tuesday accused the U.S. bank of negligence in the proceedings of foreclosures and the change in loans to troubled borrowers, particularly in relation to ethnic minorities.

Russian oil giant Rosneft said on Wednesday it had received new proposals for cooperation on the part of BP (-0.28% to $ 7), after the failure this week of their proposed strategic alliance to explore the Arctic .

Please note that LinkedIn, a site of exchange of curriculum vitae, announced Tuesday that the actions it intends to market, perhaps as early as Thursday, would be made at prices not between 32 and 35 dollars, as he had announced a week ago, but almost 30% higher, between 42 and 45 dollars for a maximum value approaching 3 but not 4 billion.

The rebound in first quarter will not last, according to the Banque de France (BDF). If it maintains its estimate for first quarter to 0.7%, the institution table effect on an increase of only 0.5% between April and June. Slightly less optimistic, INSEE, which will publish its first quarter on Friday, table for its share of growing 0.4% in the second.

"With 0.7% growth over the first three months of the year as required by the BoF-or 0.8% as we expect, then 0.5% quarter over the rest of the year we get a growth of 2 to 2.1% growth in 2011, "anticipates Pierre-Olivier Beffy, chief economist at Exane BNP Paribas. The government expects its share to grow by 2% over the year.

"Moderate activity"

The first estimate of the BoF is based on the results of its April survey on the work of industry and services.In the first two sectors, the monetary institution observes an activity that is "remained moderate overall, with a business climate in retirement to 107 points in April against 110 the previous month totally free credit score. "This is the largest decline since the crisis began in late 2008," worries Ken Wattret, market economist at BNP Paribas. Economists expected an unchanged index.

While food has grown, other sectors have declined, particularly in the automotive and equipment. "Prices have tended to rising prices has again," notes the BoF, due probably repercussions of price increases of raw materials.

Services, which had been slow to recover in 2010, were known for their full growth "supported", says the BoF.The confidence indicator, lower than in industry, totaled 102 points in April, against 103 in March. Transportation and computer services from the sector, which continued to recruit. Good health services should continue, provided the Bank of France: "The prospects are growth-oriented farm activity."

The observations of the BoF in April similar to those of the INSEE. It had measured a significant improvement of business climate in services as well as stability in the industry.

A month and a half after the start of hostilities, the war in Libya has already cost 50 million euros to France. Gerard Longuet, the defense minister, that figure dropped Tuesday before the Committee on National Defence, says Les Echos.

The invoice missiles fired by fighter planes is around 30 million euros each cruise missile costing nearly a million. We add the operating costs of aircraft: the flight time of a Rafale is estimated at 40,000 euros and time response of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to 50,000 euros. Premiums paid to military also weigh on the bill, amounting to nearly 10 million.

The war is not over and the cost of operations should increase if the conflict stalled. But whatever the final cost of these unforeseen expenses will be funded.The budget of the Ministry of Defence was counting on 900 million euros for external operations in 2011, an amount identical to that of 2010, with approximately $ 500 million for Afghanistan. Of this amount, 630 million euros have been budgeted and 50 million are expected from the UN, says Les Echos. Thus, 220 million are already short and we must add the cost of expenditures in Libya. Part of the money spent in Libya are at present drawn from the budgets of the military trainings that may not be sufficient, however. Time and budget constraints, the sum could be more difficult to refinance.

To international funding Libyan rebels

The "contact group" on Libya has agreed Thursday on the creation of a mechanism of financial support to insurgents fighting against the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.The special fund will be temporary "operational within the next few weeks," said the head of French diplomacy Alain Juppe, after a group meeting in Rome. "The temporary funding mechanism set in Doha is now well defined" so as to be "operational in the coming weeks," said the French minister told reporters.

After the announcement of the participation of the United States, France "also define" the height of his contributions soon, he added.

The National Transitional Council (CNT) formed by the insurgent wants to be granted loans totaling two to three billion dollars to cover its needs for food and medicines, to ensure essential services in areas it controls and to pay salaries.About 250 million has "already" been collected for humanitarian aid to Libya, said the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.

This request has so far been examined carefully in the Western embassies, particularly because of legal obstacles that the Rome meeting was intended to circumvent.

The administration formed by the insurgents is far recognized only by France, Italy and Qatar.

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Mohamed Al Fayed at the cinema. The Egyptian billionaire has confirmed his interest in markets for the purchase of Pinewood Studios. "Mr. Al Fayed has noted recent speculation regarding a possible offer of his hand. It confirms the possibility of a cash offer at Pinewood, "says a note sent to the London Stock Exchange.

The announcement comes just two weeks after Pinwood has received a takeover offer by its shareholder Peel Holdings, which owns 29.8% of capital. The latter offers 190 pence per share representing a total supply of 87.8 million pounds (about 99.5 million euros). For now, Mohamed Al Fayed said that "it is not certain that an offer is made" but the markets themselves, are safe. Result: Pinewood share price jumped to 10.4% in session Thursday at 223 pence, giving studios a market capitalization of 100 million pounds.

For Peel, the difficulties accrue while the other shareholder of Pinewood, Crystal Amber Fund (28% stake), considers that the initial offer of 190 pence does not reflect the true value of the company.

The home of James Bond

This battle looming market reflects the growing interest of investors in these studios, the largest in Europe, located in Buckinghamshire (county of south-east England). For nearly 75 years, Pinewood has seen the greatest movie stars. He is best known for being the location of the main James Bond like From Russia with Love, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Moonraker and more recently Quantum of Solace.A studio is even dedicated to James Bond (the "007 course).

Pinwood was also chosen for the filming of blockbusters like the latest Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean, but also The Bourne Ultimatum, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mission Impossible or Lara Croft guaranteed payday loans. It's also where I will turn the next Clash of the Titans.

Very popular, Pinewood has reported a pretax profit of 5.8 million pounds last year, up 31%, and expects an increase in its turnover increase this year. The group also plans a massive investment of £ 20 million to expand the premises in Buckinghamshire.

Bet small productions

Pinewood has also ride the wave of success of the film The speech of a king who has won several Oscars with an initial budget of shooting only 9 million pounds.The low-budget films will be a priority for the studios that will focus on set at 2 million pounds.

The group also put on the hot market of TV and cinema in Latin America. A franchise agreement has been signed to that effect in the Dominican Republic.

Expanding empire

Mohamed Al Fayed, Pinewood get their hands on him to reconnect with his roots. The businessman had indeed already bought a studio in Egypt and participated in the production of the film four times Oscar-winning Chariots of Fire in 1981. The executive producer of this film was when her late son, Dodi al Fayed.

If he makes a bid and wins, especially Mohamed Al Fayed will relaunch its empire, amputated Harod stores, sold to a Qatari fund last year to 1.5 billion pounds.Always very diversified, its acquisitions include the Ritz Hotel in Paris, a hundred apartments in Hyde Park in England, the attraction Falls of Shin in Scotland and the London club football for Fulham.

"Too big to go away, but not irresponsible." That is essentially the message delivered by the Japanese authorities on Friday after launching Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO), the operator of the nuclear accident in Fukushima, an injunction to compensate victims forced from their homes or stay confined to their homes.

Fixed by the Government, this compensation reaches $ 12,000 (8350 euros) per family and $ 9,000 (6250 euros) for a single individual. In total, about 48,000 homes are affected by the evacuation of the exclusion zone according to Japanese media reports, an estimated $ 600 million (415 million) charge for the group.

A figure confirmed Friday by the operator, the voice of its President Masataka Shimizu, specifying, however, this very tentative estimate.For it is only a first payment, and it is not impossible to imagine a possible increase of compensation in case of extension of the exclusion period. A scenario more than likely in view of the confusion reigning on the site yet, more than a month after the earthquake and tsunami. The first payments to families will take place from April 28, said the leadership of TEPCO.

The bill gets heavier for Tepco

Facing these are deemed insufficient, several families went directly involved in the protest headquarters in Tokyo Tepco. For society, which in 2010 made a net profit of 1.89 billion dollars (1.31 billion euros), the charge may seem bearable.But it adds to the $ 24 billion (16.7 billion euros) required, Masataka Shimizu according to the resolution of current problems (rupture of the cooling circuits, explosions and radiation leaks) and restarting reactors.

Moreover, beyond the displaced families, TEPCO will also likely take into account compensation for loss wider (inability to grow for farmers, contaminated water, etc.).. According to JP Morgan, this compensation could reach a total of 24 billion dollars (16.7 billion euros) for the current fiscal year, while Bank of America-Merrill Lynch estimates that if an extension of the crisis Nuclear bill could exceed $ 130 billion (90.3 billion euros).

The situation may therefore be very critical for the fast group that supplies a third of Japan's electricity.According to the Nikkei newspaper, Tokyo, who could hardly afford to crumble Tepco would train alongside his orders to compensation, to set up an insurance fund guaranteed by the state. The latter, whose amount remains to be determined, would serve both to replenish the coffers of TEPCO and provide additional compensation of victims, also of the order of 12,000 euros per family. The fund would be financed by bank loans guaranteed by the state.

Broad program of cost reduction

The plan, looking like a loan, would allow the nuclear operator to bear the massive costs of compensating victims.This government support is crucial to TEPCO, which before the disaster showed a net debt of $ 91 billion (63.2 billion dollars), since heavier by a new bank loan of 24 billion dollars (16.7 billion euros).

The company will then reimburse the state for several years by a system of special dividends. By then, the company will implement a serious program to reduce costs that go through pay cuts for executives and managers, even for employees. TEPCO could also sell more than 1, 2 billion (0.83 billion) of real estate assets, according to Japanese media.

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THE FIGARO. Switzerland-What is it to the forefront in the fight against illegal money dictators?

Micheline Calmy-Rey. – Switzerland has a fundamental interest that the illegal enrichment of politically exposed persons may not be invested in its financial sector. The Government believes that it is an important asset in the competition between financial markets and the commitment of financial intermediaries at this point is in their interest. Since the 1990s, Switzerland has established a legal arsenal against money laundering, terrorist financing and corruption. Our system rests on two pillars: preventive and active. The law requires financial institutions to report suspicious transactions and where appropriate to freeze the accounts.And we respond to any request for assistance, including when the state is failing with a new law that has just come into force in early February.

Have you used this law to the four recent cases of blockage?

We decided to freeze funds on the basis of the Federal Constitution, under the protection of the interests of the country for a period of three years. The aim is to prevent movement of capital and encourage requests for assistance. Since then, we received a request from Tunisia and Egypt personal loans for people with bad credit.

How much do you think these illegal assets?

Investigations are ongoing. We have lists of people for whom the assets were frozen. At this stage, the estimates refer to several tens of millions of francs.Switzerland now has a legislative deterrent …

But the returned funds are still limited …

This is not true. On 5 billion dollars returned last fifteen years in the world, Switzerland has made more than a third. In this we are truly pioneers. It is a very strong commitment of Switzerland, which seeks not to be a refuge for these assets and that these funds be returned to the people plundered. So is the reputation of our financial center. The procedures are complex and require strong political will of States. It is the experience of the long procedure for funds Duvalier in Haiti that has led us to legislate.

How to fight more effectively against these illegal funds?

We need better international coordination in the G20 and multilateral institutions.We launched several international initiatives on this subject. Switzerland played a particularly active role in implementing the Convention Merida by all signatory States.

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.

U.S. stock markets close an uncoordinated, on Tuesday. The Dow Jones lost 0.03%, while the Nasdaq gained 0.55%. On Monday, Wall Street has ended the session sharply higher, particularly encouraged by the good results of McDonald's.

United States, the news promises to be partculièrement charged Tuesday. Nearly half of the components of the Dow Jones to publish their results this week. Today the numbers are expected including 3M, Kimberly-Clark, Johnson & Johnson, Verizon, United and Continental Yahoo.

Barack Obama speaks on the Union

Also planned a meeting of the U.S. central bank, the president's speech Barack Obama on the state of the Union and the first estimate of U.S. growth in the first quarter."The American President could make proposals to reduce the U.S. budget deficit, without affecting its reform of the health system," which would reassure the market, analysts have estimated Aurel BGC. Last week, ratings agency Standard & Poor's was worried about the lack of real political will of the United States to reduce their debt.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund has just raised its growth outlook on Tuesday morning. The world body is now focusing on a global growth rate of 4.4% this year against a previous assessment of 4.2% made in October 2010.

On the macroeconomic front, house prices fell further in the U.S. in November, dropping 0.5% from October, according to the monthly S & P / Case Shiller index released Tuesday.

Consumer confidence has improved significantly in January, according to an index released Tuesday by the Conference Board, which jumped to 60.6 against 53.3 the previous month.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro started to fall on Tuesday after almost touched the threshold of $ 1.37 on a wave of optimism in the euro zone and facing a dollar weakened by renewed anxiety before the monetary policy decision of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed).By mid-afternoon in Paris, the euro bought 1.3617 dollars against 1.3635 dollars late Monday.

Google promises coupons to users

Travelers: 3.63% to 57.64 dollars, DuPont: -0.57% to 20.93 dollars

Travelers today announced 2010 net earnings were down 11% to 3.216 billion dollars and DuPont on Tuesday posted fourth quarter net profit down 15% year on year to 376 million and an annual profit up 70 % to 3.031 billion dollars.

American Express: -2.16% to 44.80 dollars

American Express announced Monday after the close of Wall Street have more than doubled its profit in 2010 thanks to higher sales and a reduction in provisions for losses. Net income Group share reached $ 4 billion for 2010 against 1.8 billion a year earlier.Turnover was up 13% over the year as the quarter respectively to 27.8 billion, in line with analysts' forecasts.

Texas Instruments: -0.64% to 34.43 dollars

Texas Instruments has published an annual profit more than doubled to 3.23 billion, the fourth quarter with just exceeded expectations both in terms of earnings as revenue. The turnover of the year for its share increased 34% to 13.97 billion dollars.

Google: +0.75% to 615.66 dollars

Also in the universe of technology stocks, Google announced it would launch a service offering coupons to users, the model Groupon. Groupon caused a sensation last week by rejecting an offer from Google for $ 6 billion.It has since raised $ 950 million of securities from investment funds and specialist investors, which is the largest investment ever made by a start-up.

Amgen: 1.17% to 57.96 dollars

For its part, the biotechnology group Amgen has published an annual profit in a very slight increase to just over $ 5 billion for the full year 2010, with results exceeding expectations in the fourth quarter.The turnover rose 3% to $ 15 billion for the full year, marked by the approval of two new drugs, and the ProLiant XGeva, using both the molecule denosumab to fight against osteoporosis and bone lesions.

Genzyme: -0.18% to 71.22 dollars, Sanofi Aventis: -1.12% to 34.39 dollars

Also in the pharmaceutical sector, Sanofi-Aventis has initiated a recruitment for potential candidates for appointment to the Board of Directors of Genzyme, said on Monday sources familiar with the matter, quoted by Reuters. Sanofi-Aventis has extended its offer again on Genzyme to find common ground on the value of the certificate of conditional value (CCV) Lemtrada attached to an experimental treatment group in the U.S. multiple sclerosis.The offer is extended to February 15, the day before nominations may be submitted to the board of directors of Genzyme.

Fannie Mae: 1.14% to $ 0.48; Freddie Mac: 3.45% to $ 0.51

Also note, the U.S. government does not publish on time statutory report on the future financing giants Fannie Mae mortgages and Freddie Mac said an official in the government. The law stipulated that the Treasury should send the report to Congress no later than January 31, but the official said the government gave priority to his State of the Union, to be delivered by Barack Obama this Tuesday, and the proposed budget 2011-2012, also due in February. "Fannie" and "Freddie" have been placed under supervision by Washington in 2008 to prevent their bankruptcy.Since then, the Treasury has injected 152.8 billion dollars in capital. According to the American press, the report should not take a definitive position, but only move tracks between which the executive would leave it to parliament to decide.