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He took his time. But the New York jury delivered its verdict on Friday evening the group of telecommunications and media company Vivendi sued by shareholders ruined by its near-collapse in 2002, was convicted of misleading communication. Its CEO at the time, Jean-Marie Messier, has instead been milled.

As expected, Vivendi's lawyer Paul Saunders immediately announced he would appeal, and that he intended to "win". "We are satisfied that the damage is half of what the plaintiffs claimed this side there is a partial victory," said the lawyer. The plaintiff had estimated that damages could rise to 11.5 billion dollars.

Messier absent when the verdict

Jean-Marie Messier and Guillaume Hannezo, its chief financial officer, were absent when the verdict.They have yet to appear in magistrate in Paris in the spring, with five other executives of Vivendi, including responding to charges of disseminating false or misleading information, price manipulation and abuse of social goods, which they could worth up to 5 years in prison and heavy fines, business cards .

After three months of trial, the nine board members of the Federal Court had to decide on 57 points very technical. After answering a series of questions establishing the guilt of the accused or not, they have, for each trading day occurring between October 2000 and August 2002, "determine the amount of inflation being caused by the fraud alleged" .

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The time of discord between Cadbury and Kraft Foods U.S. suitor would be gone. The BBC and The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that even the banns could be published on Tuesday. An agreement had indeed been found between the two groups on the basis of an offer revalorized Kraft Foods.

The amount of this new proposal to be about 19 billion dollars, according to the U.S. economic daily, citing sources familiar with the matter. The British radio advance estimates of the same order.It expects an offer increased to 850 pence per share, at most, on the recovery of Cadbury at 11.7 billion pounds, or 13.3 billion euros, equivalent to 19.148 billion dollars at current exchange rates of one euro to 1.4397 dollars.

Based on closing prices Friday, the previous offer of Kraft, open until February 2, Cadbury valued at 10.5 billion pounds, about 12 billion euros or 17.2 billion dollars. Kraft Foods has finally decided to upgrade its offer in response to rumors of interest from the U.S. confectioner Hershey. British law gave him until Tuesday, January 19 to change the amount of its proposal.

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If one were to designate a culprit in the matter of the contract failed to Abu Dhabi, it would not Areva. Here is essentially the message that Anne Lauvergeon, CEO of the giant nuclear delivered Wednesday before the Commission on Sustainable Development of the National Assembly. Better, Anne Lauvergeon refer to the former boss of EDF, Pierre Gadonneix, as responsible for the loss of the mega-contract. While Emiratis wanted an electrician at the head of the consortium which also includes GDF-Suez, Total, Vinci and Alstom, it would pass. "The president of EDF refused. The first time he told me 'no' because it was a project that would not exist, and the second time he told me 'no' because it was not a strategic country. We, we did everything to win this case, "says she. After long hesitation, EDF has finally joined the consortium.Too late for Anne Lauvergon which regretted the "cacophony" of the French team.

Implicitly, the president of Areva has denounced the lack of organization of the entire French nuclear industry, one really responsible for the loss of the contract. It specifically faults EDF want to claim leadership of the sector at the expense of others. "I think very frankly that in this area if we wish the team of France walk, everyone must stick together." The boss of Areva was referring to remarks made by the new CEO of EDF, Henri Proglio, who upon taking office had campaigned for his group to become the leader. Before being called to order by the government. "To each his job.While some may want to do our jobs, we in any case, it is clear we are on our territory and we did not want to do the work of others, "Anne Lauvergon Assen.

Redefining roles

To avoid further mishaps, the owner of Areva said after the mission entrusted to Francois Roussely the Elysee supposed redistribute roles clearly to 2030. "Let the State decide which operators are likely to be working nuclear export. And given the appropriate means to GDF Suez to take on this role. "

She said the reorganization will allow Areva to ensure reliable partners for the sale of the EPR in the world. "For countries novice, it takes a special organization. You have to know is the head electrician and what model is proposed, "says she.Asked about the high cost of ERP, that might actually played a major role in the victory of Korean Lauvergon Anne replied: "Nuclear safety has always been a cost." She said the levels of security and power of the French EPR of 1,600 megawatts (MW) are superior to those of Korean reactor of 1,400 MW.

The president of Areva therefore calls for standardization of international safety standards to prevent the development of "low cost center" that create "a nuclear two-tier". In conclusion, it announces its firm intention to leave his group to attack the Abu Dhabi for the supply of enriched uranium.

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Around 11:30, the title L'Oreal fell by 2.29% to 69.7 euros on the CAC 40, in a market down slightly from 0.20%. The group's quarterly results released yesterday did not surprise investors, who anticipated the return to growth and bought securities they sell now. In addition, Societe Generale has revised down its rating on the stock following its figures from "buying" to "hold" value. Normal in these circumstances, the title of L'Oreal suffer clearances.

The world of cosmetic Thursday reported a turnover of 4.23 billion euros over the period, up 0.8% on a comparable basis."Despite a market that remains difficult, the renewed growth of the cosmetics business in the 3rd quarter was very encouraging and confirms the gradual improvement in sales that we announced," said Jean-Paul Agon, CEO of the group cosmetics. "Each division has improved its performance over the first half," the statement said.

In the nine months of the current year, group sales fall slightly increased by 0.7%, to 13 billion euros (-1.9% on a comparable basis). During a conference call, the chief financial communications Thierry Pr?vot said that L'Oreal has benefited from the dynamism of emerging products, where sales growth "increases quarter after quarter."Sales rose by 18.5% in Asia, but the group continues to record sales declined in Western Europe (-3.5%), in Eastern Europe (-15.3%) or Latin America (-3.8%).

Stable at the opening, the CAC 40 has changed very little throughout the morning. ACC clings to the bar 3700 points ironed Thursday. At 13 hours, it appears to 3706 points (-0.06%). All eyes of investors have turned on the numbers of U.S. jobs that will be communicated to 14:30.

Thursday, stock markets worldwide have been well oriented due to figures released by the U.S. Department of Labor Productivity in the country.

In addition to the monthly report on employment in the United States, markets are also watching puvblication wholesale inventories in September.

Values follow

Lafarge is attacked (-4.5%). The French group has released financial results Friday down sharply in the third quarter. Net income is recorded down 38% year on year to 404 million euros while sales fell 20% to 4.25 billion euros.These results were slightly below analyst expectations.

L'Oreal is sanctioned (-1.46%) after the publication of a revenue deemed disappointing. For its part CapGemini is still undergoing clearances (-2.49%). Several brokers have changed their views following the quarterly judged below investor expectations.

Conversely, Hermes International stands (2.30%). The luxury group has for its part issued Friday sales up 5% at constant rates in the third quarter, to 452.1 million euros. The group said its goal of stable sales in 2009 could be exceeded if the trend continues this year.

Values M6 (6.41%) at the highest for two years and TF1 (4.23%) were also searched.The audiovisual group M6 has exceeded expectations by recording a marked improvement in advertising revenue chain and strong growth of its business diversification. In particular, M6 was confirmed as the month of September showed the first signs of an improving advertising market with stronger demand from advertisers in some sectors the consumer in particular.

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Candidates for acquisition of Areva T & D sharpen their arguments, while the final submission of bids will take place next Monday.

Toshiba, long neglected in this competition is taken more seriously. He muscled his offer by joining two funds: the Japanese INCJ (mostly state-owned nippon) and a fund of Abu Dhabi Taqa. The latter's arrival in the bidding takes on particular importance, while a French consortium (Areva, Total, GDF Suez and EDF) supported by state battle for months to try to sell EPR Abu Dhabi.

Both funds, which provide additional financial strength to Toshiba, hold 40% of the future entity. The Japanese plans, if carried in case of IPO Areva T & D in five to seven years.The prospect of a listing of Areva T & D new version in Paris would be very well received by NYSE Euronext, which suffers from a lack of major operations and would target an ally of Toshiba on this issue. Such a listing would also be the "guarantor" of a French base of activity, in keeping with the country's global headquarters.

The Japanese, who was inspired by the offer from General Electric, has not forgotten to highlight the character "industrial" in its offer. It builds on the geographic – Areva T & D is absent from Asia and Toshiba contributes nearly one billion euros in sales in China – and synergies in research and development and procurement of raw materials.Main downside: Toshiba, owner of Westinghouse, is a very serious competitor Areva in the construction of nuclear reactors.

French base

For his part, General Electric has also revised its copy. Minority shareholder alongside the investment fund CVC in its initial offer, the U.S. conglomerate will position itself in the majority partner in the new offering will be delivered Monday. A decision making more industrial project and facilitate the granting of bank guarantees to Areva T & D when signing contracts.

The project also provides for GE in France to maintain the headquarters of a subsidiary of Areva and introduce the next five years the stock market. Industrial side, GE is the map of complementarity, it would include T & D to access the North American market, albeit less buoyant than Asia for transmitting and distributing electricity.A flat, however, GE sold it eighteen months a part of its T & D, raising questions about the strategic importance of such an event for the American conglomerate.

The presidents of Alstom and Schneider are also mounted to the wall for defending their joint bid. On Thursday, before the National Assembly, they reaffirmed that there would be no site closures or socially, in case of redemption. Schneider may be a cluster "distribution" of 5 billion euros. It would then match its two main competitors in the field, ABB and Siemens. Not enough, a priori, drawing the ire of Brussels. With the "transmission", Alstom is the world leader in this sector. Problem with this offer: it implies a separation of Areva T & D, an idea which irritates its management.

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