World News, Financial News, Breaking US News

Prices have tended to decline slightly during 2010. This is shown by the Observatory's published Tuesday by Rural Families. Since 2006, the Consumers' Association points out six times a year the prices of consumer goods in different shops that are more rural. This year, between the first survey in January and the last in November, prices rose 0.19% on average, all brands combined.

The average price range – a set of 35 products from 13 categories ranging from water to personal hygiene products through frozen foods and feed-stood at 133.19 euros. It is down 0.5% from the panel through the 2009 atteignanit 133.89 euros.The association compares the prices by store type (hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores and hard discount), but also by product type (national brands, private labels, 1st prize). If the range of products sold on average 133.19 euros, the average price falls to 98.28 euros and if we take into account that the first price products. For brands (private label), it amounts to 127.32 euros, rising to 173.97 euros for national brands (+2% in one year).

In five years, prices rose 2.7% on average. The barometer also stresses that these are the first products prices experienced the largest increase since 2007.While retail brands fell 2.2%, the "entry level" took about 8.1%.

The price, at the expense of quality

The study of rural families also shows that it is better to shop in supermarkets, hypermarkets rather than in hard discount store or local shops. National brands are sold cheaper than 1.2% hypermarket, 17.5% also cheaper than in small shops. Supermarkets are also best placed in prices for private label products. 1st prize for the products, hypermarkets and supermarkets are at par, but are cheaper by about 5% of the hard discount retailers. Family Farm Association had already reported a year ago that the hard-discount retailers were not the best position, even for products first prize.According to Yves Puget, editor of the magazine LSA, which specializes in distribution, when asked on Europe 1 radio on Tuesday, major retailers have positioned themselves in the niche products said at the range – 50 to 60% less than marks national face competition from hard discount stores. For him, it was however at the expense of quality that is not there, which explains why sales of these products have stagnated. Rural families complain that the poor are disadvantaged by this practice.

(With AFP)

ALSO READ:

The survey of 2011 Farm Families

The fruit prices rose 11% this summer

"Consumption: the big price gap

"Distributors are flocking into downtown

The Tokyo Stock Exchange finished Friday's session down 0.72% to 10,211.95 points, many investors rushing to take profits in holding that the market was showing signs of overheating. The activity was very high, with 3.12 billion shares traded on the primary market.

Since the beginning of November, the Nikkei was up 12%. After touching a high of seven months in the morning at 10,373.70, it fell as a result of profit taking. The Nikkei remains behind other major international indices. According to analysts, technical signs that the market is overvalued. Coupled with the approaching end of the year, this should be downward pressure on the Nikkei.

On the whole week, the Nikkei has gleaned 0.33%.

The decline so far in the Japanese market is also explained by the index of consumer confidence in Japan continued to deteriorate in November for the fifth consecutive month, after a semester of improvement, including employees holding the poor employment situation, according to data released Friday by the government.The overall index of confidence was established in November to 40.4 points against 40.9 in October, 41.2 in September, 42.4 in August, 43.3 points in July and 43.5 points in June .

Record of Chinese foreign trade

China announced Friday a record level of foreign trade, confirming the strength of its economy ahead of talks with the United States that will address the question of the rate of the yuan.

In November, exports as Chinese imports hit a record high: 37.7% to 130.4 billion dollars. Strong exports, which rose 34.9% year on year to 153.3 billion dollars, is an argument for a revaluation of the yuan, which would relieve pressure on prices by making imports less expensive, according to observers.In total, the trade surplus from October, to 22.9 billion, declined.

On stock exchanges, Shanghai enjoys the CSI: 0.98% to 3153.92 points. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng, himself, was down 0.68% to 23,014.50 points.

Chinese refiner Sinopec on Friday announced the acquisition of the Argentine branch of the U.S. company Occidental Petroleum for $ 2.45 billion, an acquisition that will enable China to better secure its growing energy needs. Through a subsidiary, Western Argentina is involved in production and exploration concessions in over 23 provinces of Santa Cruz, Chubut and Mendoza.

Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific, the S & P / ASX Australian gleaning 0.10% to 4745.90 points.

The India great shape

In India, the BSE is in the form of Bombay: the index was up 1.04% at 19,443 points.

The growth of industrial production in India has clearly rebounded in October, rising 10.8% yoy against 4.4% in September, thanks to strong demand during this period of religious festivals, according to figures official published Friday.

The increased production of factories and mines of the third economic power in Asia in October was higher than analysts' forecasts which projected an increase of 8.5%.

This strong growth was driven by strong demand during religious festivals this month and the strength of the manufacturing sector.

Jean-Cyril Spinetta, 66, is chairman of the board of directors of Air France-KLM. Uncompromising, he rebels against these competitors – or low-cost companies in the Gulf – which grow through subsidies or public support. Benefits suffered by companies history.

LE FIGARO. – Why the Gulf airlines like Emirates and Etihad, they seem unwilling to integrate alliances in the air?

Jean-Cyril Spinetta. – They say they simply do not need it, so it is they need to ask. In reality, these companies are the vast majority of their clients not in their respective countries, whose population is modest, but European markets, Asian or African. Therefore, it is very difficult to integrate an alliance, because there is an imbalance of benefits.When we sign an agreement with China or India, we facilitate the access of companies in these countries the wider European market. In return, we have improved access to Chinese market or Indian. There is a balance, reciprocity. With these companies in the Gulf, no such thing: they claim is open exclusively to their advantage. But there is worse. These companies are managed without the economic and financial profitability necessary in an economy open to all players. The requirement of profitability, which is the primary requirement of any private economic actor, is quite high for these companies. I was, I believe, the first in 2002 at the Cannes Airlines Forum, to denounce this situation. At the time, I was a little lonely. Since then, all airlines in the world are sounding the alarm.Why? Because no other major global economic activity is confronted with such situations. Imagine there be for example one or more automobile manufacturers may say "My purpose is not to win money, but market share? If you let them idly, they would kill the global automotive industry. That is what are these companies doing Gulf for our industry.

Some argue that these airlines are very profitable.

Nobody knows precisely because none of them are not listed. What is certain however is that they all give full support to their respective states.When we combine their existing fleets and their controls in 2020, we arrive at the figure of 800 long-haul aircraft, double the long-haul fleets combined groups Lufthansa, British Airways and Air France-KLM, which are yet Today the first three long-haul carriers in the world. There is an excess. Europeans are beginning to realize these companies, capturing the European traffic, import them from employment and export of unemployment at home.

Why the traditional companies have they left nibble significant market share by low-cost carriers in Europe?

Simply because economic actors operate according to the economic model that is theirs.The major European airlines, which are always the largest international carriers of the world, as the heart of business value for air links between Europe and the rest of the world instant payday loan. They have focused successfully on their model, which is to feed the long-haul flights by arranging matches between these flights and European flights. It's the hub model. But it hampers the ability of medium-haul aircraft to fly more than eight hours per day.This is the essential element of any competitiveness of traditional carriers face low-cost.

However, Air France had the experience of Air Inter, who was a specialist in short-haul?

The company, which only domestic flights, was focused on optimization of short-haul model, in order to be competitive with the TGV or car: aircraft turnaround, revenue management, intensification of cabins, organizing the call … It is true that in the merger, it has too often forgotten that way of working that was the best on a short-haul domestic network. We lost that culture is a pity.The new draft Air France to create databases province is a form of return to this model.

Ryanair said it reached its peak?

When the boss of Ryanair said: "If I am subject to the same charges as the others, so I'm going, I leave Marseille," he recognizes that its business model no longer works if it must meet the same rules as its competitors in continental Europe. He has just done the same thing in Frankfurt. However, European law is clear: any activity based in a country must respect the social rights of this country. It is unacceptable that European rules are so flouted by Ryanair. Without subsidies and with payroll equivalent, the difference in cost between the two models will be significantly less.I who am Corsican, I am amazed by what happens in Figari: 60,000 euros would be missing the promised subsidy to Ryanair, so she decided to stop everything instantly. Michael O'Leary is thus demonstrating that it needs public money to support his model.

What will the air in ten years?

The aviation landscape has been transformed in a decade with the emergence of low-cost carriers in Europe, the emergence of companies in the Gulf and especially the regional consolidation of our industry. It is now three major groups in Europe, the same number in the United States. The big question is whether, in the next decade, a global consolidation, as in the financial services industry, will take place. We are already seeing the first fruits, for example with KLM, which has 25% of Kenya Airways or Lufthansa, which took position at JetBlue in the U.S..We were ten years ago, national players joining our respective countries to the rest of the world we have become players in Europe, linking Europe to the world. Will we be tomorrow's global players present on all world markets? For me the major issue of next decade. That is what we must prepare.

ALSO READ:

"Cargo: fined 310 million euros for Air France-KLM

"Air France-KLM plans a return to profit in 2011

"From next month, half the restaurants business of Air France, managed by the central works council (CEC) could no longer be fed. Imagine the reaction of the mechanics! "This very short-term outlook is one of the practical consequences, reported by a member of the EAC, the cash flow shortages alarming facing the central works of the airline.

On an annual budget of more than 100 million euros, the instance name is fed by a grant of 42 million euros of the company, and approximately 10 million paid by the EC seafarers.But it would face a hole 15 to 20 million euros.

Faced with this situation, the auditors decided, according to our information, at a meeting Wednesday night to write to the President of the Court of Pontoise to ask him to decide actions: appointing a representative ad hoc or put into receivership. The CEC has authorized its secretary general parallel, Jean-Claude Filippi (FP), to declare insolvency.

260 permanent employees

The failure of the corporate body of Air France could have cascading consequences, including the eight works councils that compose it, to whom he owes money. The agency employs 260 permanent employees, a workforce that can climb to a thousand with seasonal bad credit pay day loans.

The auditors have requested information on the financial position of CEC in the month of June.Postponed several meetings during the summer and September have shifted deadlines. They triggered an alarm at a previous meeting on September 29 and Wednesday, were not satisfied with the answers of the leaders of the EAC which failed to meet a deficit of several million euros at the end of the year Despite a line of credit of $ 5 million and another 1.5 million euros paid recently to 6 million.

This is not the first time that the organization faces financial difficulties. Its offices were raided in January after suspicion of embezzlement. An audit report on the management of previous years had revealed a chronic budget deficit, or nearly 15 million since 2005. The situation had been regularly covered by advances of Air France.For 2009, the CEC had announced last September a historic loss of 11.6 million euros, but said the point of "get out of the rut this year."

ALSO READ:

The CEC Air France affichedes historical loss

The Finance Committee of the Assembly on Wednesday adopted a series of amendments to the draft deBudget 2011. Amendments that will mean more in the direction of higher taxes. It remains to be seen what the members will vote in plenary.

For households, the Commission first noted 11 to 20 euro fine for parking police. It was lowered to 50% of the amount invested, instead of 75% reduction of ISF enjoyed by those who invest directly or through a holding company in an SME (SME scheme ISF). Members of the Commission had deferred for three years the implementation of the reduction in capital gains on securities (2015 instead of 2012). They changed the calculation of the tax shield to reflect the products of euro portion of life insurance contracts MPT.And they noted the taxation of stock options.

Moreover, the Commission decided to address the pension caps, limiting them to 30% of final salary. A penalty that will bring nothing to the coffers! The golden parachutes are also capped poor credit personal loans.

Only positive for households: the Commission has allowed taxpayers lived alone and had raised their children alone for less than five years to receive the half share of income tax until 2013 inclusive (instead of 2011) . Another small step: Taxpayers who have signed a loan at September 29, 2010 may continue to receive the tax credit to 50% on solar panels, even if they have not paid a deposit to the supplier.

Companies are also sentence. The removal of the last installment of fixed annual tax is deferred in 2014.And most importantly, the research tax credit is clipped. Operating expenses are fixed at 50% of staff costs (instead of 75%). The company must itself carry half of its research. Increases under the first two years are removed. Especially, the calculation of turnover thresholds will be at the group level.

France Telecom holds his hand in Morocco. The group announced Tuesday the acquisition of 40% of Meditel, number two in the mobile market, amounting to 640 million euros. Acquisition will return to France Telecom in key markets of North Africa that has eluded him.

Near Telecom Morocco because of historical ties, similar structures and a shared culture, France Telecom in 2001 was the candidate "natural" to enter the capital of the great Moroccan incumbent on the occasion of its partial privatization. But then almost bankrupt because of its record debt, France Telecom had to give.A good bargain for Vivendi, which had immediately seized the Moroccan nugget: the group now owns 53% of Morocco Telecom, which is one of its most successful subsidiaries (839 million euros in net profit in 2009 for a turnover of 2.7 billion euros).

With Meditel, France Telecom thus found a place in the United Shereefian. Type SFR Moroccan Meditel, born in 1999 to compete with Morocco Telecom, became the first few years private telecom operator in Morocco. With 1,000 employees, having recently broke the 10 million customers, representing 37% of the local market, a turnover of 465 million euros and an operating margin of 40% (against 35% for France Telecom Group). Better, "Meditel can still grow strongly backed the Orange brand," said Stéphane Richard, last week, in an interview with Le Figaro bad credit personal loan lenders.France Telecom intends to expand offerings include high-end mobile data, in a market dominated by prepaid offers.

Growth Policy

This acquisition is fully in the group's growth strategy in emerging markets to offset sluggish demand and fierce competition in Europe. "Meditel is the first manifestation of our new policy for growth outside Europe and contributes to our stated goal of doubling our turnover within five years in the Africa and Middle East," said Stéphane Richard Tuesday Rabat, where he was received by the Moroccan Prime Minister and Minister of Industry.

"The idea is participation in a first step but important minority, with a schedule that allows us to run, and after an IPO, to consolidate this operation," also said Stéphane Richard.France Telecom will rise to 45% of the capital by 2011, when the IPO Meditel, then to 49% by 2015.

As always at its facilities abroad, France Telecom is to rely on local partners. Meditel no exception to the rule, with its two shareholders located in the local industry: CDG group, the Deposits Moroccan and diverse group FinanceCom. CDG and FinanceCom had bought Meditel Telefonica and Portugal Telecom in 2009.

ABC News – Where is the bill that protects the personal assets of individual entrepreneurs?

Herve Novelli – The decrees of applications of this law appear before the end of the year for implementation status as of 1 January 2011. We will do everything to create a sole proprietorship with limited liability (EIRL) is simple. It is possible to create an online EIRL site counter-entreprises.fr. I also implemented a feature that allows the entrepreneur to avoid having to give a personal guarantee to the bank when he wants to borrow money, this financial product will be managed by OSEO will guarantee up to 70% maximum loan granted by the bank.

Banks are hostile to the creation of a sole proprietorship to limited liability.How to convince?

Banks must be with contractors, as the state has to be by their side when they needed it. I will ask the banks in September to explain the importance of this reform on 1.5 million individual entrepreneurs. I do not want there to be ruined because of artisans of a bankruptcy professional.

This Order is being signed and will include officials from exercising a complementary service activities to the person.

The study group set up with the budget minister working for the simplicity of the status of self-contractor be extended to 1.5 million self-employed. The aim is that the deadlines for payroll taxes are more in line with sales receipts.It is better to consider the impacts on cash social security contributions, especially when the turnover decreased quick pay day loan. The working group will issue its findings in late September.

I signed on July 28 financing agreements on the training of entrepreneurs with self-insurance fund training. The State will fund this year to the tune of 5 million euros.

Protecting consumers, as business support is essential to revitalize our economy. I decided three types of operation for this semester. The administration of fraud prevention is better control of online commerce sites that are becoming more numerous. It has created 17,000 sites trade thanks to the status of self-contractor. 24 million French people use them, and nearly one in two French selects his holiday on the internet.I will start early September also strengthened controls to enforce the rights of students who rent rooms and furnished and are sometimes subject to unfair terms. Finally, I want to limit the accidents of everyday life that are still too many in connection with the Consumer Safety Commission mandated that I have on this

After several months of negotiations between MEDEF and consumer associations, we have reached an agreement on the protection of personal digital data. Consumers who buy a product on the Internet should give their consent for their personal information is transmitted to other sites. They will oppose it easier to use their personal data for commercial purposes.

ALSO READ:

"France Televisions: Pflimlin takes command

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphics.

The controversy swells daily. After the Europeans, it is now the boss of General Electric to accuse China of putting a spoke in the wheels of foreign companies. "I'm really worried, I am not sure that ultimately they want that we will succeed," he complained to an audience of businessmen from Italy, reported the Financial Times on Friday.

Last Tuesday was a report of the European Chamber of Commerce in Beijing, which accused China to increase the discriminatory measures. He denounced a "discretionary application of laws and regulations, the registration process unnecessarily complicated and" inconsistencies in the application of national criteria.

In Beijing, many business leaders say the word to cover: it is increasingly difficult to work in China."They understand that they can leave if they are not happy," says a corporate lawyer. Since April, the party newspaper, the China Daily, had sniffed the wind of revolt and was almost threatening."When foreign companies encounter difficulties in their projects (…) if they do nothing but complain that the foreign media and amplify the case without analyzing the merits and slandering the Chinese economy, they will end up delaying the process of improving the investment environment, "he wrote.

Funny way to appease the spirits when President Hu Jintao says it wants to "take concrete steps to reject any form of protectionism and unequivocal support free trade."

The World Trade Organization said in its latest report "Interest in China and its foreign suppliers of more rapid liberalization of China's service industries.But Beijing, which, in a gesture of goodwill, will leave July 15 rebates for export taxes on certain sensitive products, prefer to believe that foreigners "grunt" on account of wages.

Rising labor costs

Demonstration of support to employees of Foxconn, Hong Kong in June Photo credits: AFP

"No engagement will not solve the demographic problem," still insisted the prime minister, noting that previous pension reforms of 1993 and 2003 had been "challenged" and "are now accepted by everyone."