Archive for July, 2010

Lafarge: margin fall

July 31, 2010 - 11:16 pm Comments Off

Lafarge, the group specializes in building materials, has announced a decrease of 3% of its turnover for the first half of 2010. At constant exchange rates and constant perimeter, the decrease amounted to 4%. The operating income showed a decline of 5% to 1.072 billion euros (-9% at constant scope and exchange rates).

Net income from Lafarge withdrew its side of 29% to 233 million euros. The current operating margin shows finally a decrease of 30 basis points to 13.9%.

In the second quarter alone, sales rose 2% to 4.436 billion euros but, at constant perimeter and constant exchange rates, sales rose 2%. The operating income increased 5% to 836 million euros.It is stable at constant exchange rates and constant perimeter.

New measures to reduce debt

Brunot Lafont, CEO of Lafarge, said in a statement that "the pace of economic recovery remains uncertain and highly variable from one country to another," led the group to adjust its market forecast for the year 2010. Lafarge table so now on a variation of the demand for cement between -1 and +3% on the year compared to 2009 (against 0% to 5% expected in late March).

The band announced further steps to reduce its debt amounting to 15.16 billion euros (down 1% in the first half). Thus, it will "limit its investments in 2011 to 1 billion euros" and sets "a new goal of structural cost reductions of more than 200 million euros."

The "Safely" will eliminate nearly 4,000 jobs

July 30, 2010 - 7:00 am Comments Off

"The goal at the end of 2013 is to reduce the number of 3950, which represents half of 8400 anticipated retirements over the period, plus a bonus of 250, just respond to AFP chairman Michel Régereau (CFDT). The council must decide on the draft agreement on objectives and management (COG) on Thursday afternoon.

The pill is all the more bitter for the staff unions of sickness, such as primary agents of funds or regional health insurance (CPAM, CRAM), have declined steadily for several years.

From 85,000 in 2003, they returned to 75,243 in 2009, according to the draft agreement on objectives and management (COG) which AFP has obtained a copy. Like all governments, the CNAM is subject to the rule of non-replacement of a staff of two. But already, Michel Régereau announced he would vote against.This could lead, if followed by his counsel on a "blocking" quite rare in the annals of Secur. "So far, the presidents of unions secu supported the compromise reached with the government and sought to obtain a majority," he said.

"For the first time a president of CNAM will vote against the government decision on a matter as important," he said. "I think it's a first," concurred Carolina Ferrera, Director CGT, adding that the central union "can not condone such job losses.

According to Michel Régereau, the Fund had estimated it had saved 850 jobs, bringing the losses in 3350. But with nearly 4,000 positions eliminated, "then we can not.""Our network of primary funds is to be a challenge (…), it will be very hard for regional banks, they will retreat to their core business and our strategy to improve the efficiency of the health system will be lost, "he added.

For example, the Fund wishes to develop information to health professionals, improve the conditions of discharge from hospital for patients, and developing diabetes prevention, "he listed. "To develop these programs, we need means," he said.

"It will be a disaster is already explosive into the coffers of secu!" For both the personal to the insured, Carolina Ferreira warned, saying the government demands "unacceptable.""We are dealing with a government that is deaf" and "blindly applying the rule of RGPP," the General Review of public policy, "she accused.

Remains to be seen what the outcome of the vote of the board of directors, composed of 35 members (unions, employers, mutuality, qualified individuals, patients' associations, family associations and professions). If he had voted against the COG 2010-2013, "is the state that (would) hand to the application," said Carolyn Ferrera, and could possibly refer the matter to Parliament, according to Michel Régereau.

Dilemma for voting against unions because they would lose part of their role.

The Paris Bourse remains in positive territory

July 28, 2010 - 4:04 pm Comments Off

Bank stocks they reach to support the rating for a third consecutive session on the Paris Stock Exchange? It is certainly a good start for. The CAC 40, which began sitting on a small rise of 0.39% to 3680.60 points, is already supported by industry: Societe Generale (3.55%), BNP Paribas (3.02%) and Credit Agricole (2.82%) took the top spot.

Marcoéconomique side, the Paris markets react to the employment figures fell after the stock market yesterday. After a bad month in May, June is a very moderate decline in the number of job seekers registered at employment center Class A (2,691,000 in metropolitan France, down 0.3%).

In addition, other indicators are expected: durable goods orders in the U.S. in early afternoon and the conclusions of the Fed's Beige Book in the evening.

But it was the avalanche of publications that draws attention:

Saffron (4.90% to 21.19 euros) has announced its first-half adjusted net income rose 8% to 223 million euros, above the consensus. The turnover amounted to 5.19 billion euros. The group plans for the rest of the income year similar to those of 2009.

Rexel (3.47% to 12.95 euros) has announced a turnover up 2.4% to 5.7 billion euros in the first half. The company expects a slight growth in sales on a comparable basis and constant number of days over the year and EBITA margin of an adjusted 4.5%.

ArcelorMittal (-1.78% to 24.28 euros) has reported net earnings of 1.70 billion dollar in the second quarter, well above the 1.16 billion expected by the markets. In contrast, the turnover of 21.65 billion, below the 23.1 billion expected.

Nexans (-2.70% to 54.50 euros) has reported a net loss after minority interests of 17 million euros for a turnover of 2.1 billion euros in the first half of 2010 (-5.3% in organic). The group, which says its target operating margin of 4% over the period, expects improved sales in the second half and a return to net profit.

Atos Origin (1.34% to 34.01 euros) announced Wednesday for its first half operating margin above expectations of 150 million euros, with a rate of 6% against 4.6% a year earlier. The focus group confirmed a slight decrease in organic turnover in 2010, but less marked than the 3.7% decline in 2009.

Bull (-15.93% to 2.48 euro) recorded a first half net loss of 18.4 million euros, against a net profit of two million euros a year ago.While it expects operating profit of between 35 and 40 million euros in fiscal 2010, he now sets out "a minimum of 30 million euros."

PSA Peugeot Citroen (-2.37% to 24.28 euros) Wednesday said profit from operations $ 1.137 billion in the first half against a loss of 826 million a year earlier. Net income group share of 680 milllion euros against a loss of 962 million. The manufacturer anticipates an operating profit of around 1.5 billion euros.

The announcement could also be reacted rival Renault (1.24% to 35.24 euros).Also in the automotive sector, Valeo (5.02% to 27.20 euros) a statement Tuesday its margin target in 2010 after a first half marked by a return to net income and a continued recovery in automobile production despite end of car scrapping.

EDF Energies Nouvelles (-0.20% to 32.65 euros) Wednesday reported an Ebitda up 15.2% to 168.9 million euros in the first half, below market expectations. The sales were meanwhile up 28.1% in the first half, to 545 million euros.

PagesJaunes (-1.70% to 9.07 euros) has reported a turnover down 3.5% to 542.3 million euros in the first half, below the 545 million expected.The publisher of printed directories expects a drop in revenues of 1% to 3% this year and confirms its margin target of between 510 and 530 million euros in 2010.

EDF and Areva: Following the serial

EDF (1.46% to 32.71 euros) and Areva (-0.57% to 338.05 euros) shall enter into a strategic partnership agreement covering all their areas of common interest in the Nuclear, said Tuesday the Elysee. The possibility of a stake in the capital of EDF, Areva will be considered in the context of this agreement.

LVMH (2.45% to 94.52 euros) Tuesday reported a strong rebound in sales and profitability in the first half, driven by the performance of Louis Vuitton.

Vinci (+1.66% at 38.31 euros) has returned to growth in the first half thanks to the first effects of the acquisition of Cegelec.The turnover of the first half came out up 1.8% on an actual structure, to 15.4 billion euros.

Air France-KLM (4.29% to 11.43 euros) on Tuesday confirmed the target return to balance its operational activity in 2010-2011 but remains cautious about the economic developments in the second half.

M6 (0.59% to 17.76 Euros) Tuesday posted first half results exceeded expectations, including increases of 9.4% of consolidated sales and 7.4% of advertising revenue M6, 12% in the second quarter alone. In an interview with Le Figaro, Nicolas de Tavernost, chief executive, hailed "a relevant model in crisis and recovery."

Crédit Mutuel-CIC announced Tuesday a partnership with Banque Casino, to acquire 50% stake in the subsidiary from the distributor.

Compagnie des Alpes (-1.96% to 20.51 euros) warned Tuesday that its sales in the theme parks is projected to decline in 2009-2010. The total turnover decreased by 7.9% in the third quarter, to 120.7 million euros.

Spir Communication (1.22% to 16.60 euros) again suffered in the first half with a decline in its turnover from 10% to 280.7 million euros.

BP unveils losses abyssal

July 27, 2010 - 2:00 pm Comments Off

BP dark under the cost of the spill. For the second quarter, the company posted a record loss for a British company. In the quarter, the oil group announced a net loss of 17.15 billion against a profit of 4.38 billion dollars last year. The adjusted loss totaled $ 16.9 billion, within the scope of provisions booked to pay heavy costs of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The tanker registered in effect a pretax charge of $ 32.2 billion in its accounts. An amount which includes the escrow account of $ 20 billion promised to the U.S. authorities to ensure all compensation and cleanup costs and damages incurred to date, 2.9 billion dollars.The loss, compared to that office, is limited by a good result of oil and a favorable tax effect of about 7.188 billion dollars.

And to honor this provision, the Group announced the sale of 30 billion dollars in assets over the next 18 months, including assets related to oil exploration.

The ownership policy has been revised

The group's ownership policy is revised. Management pointed out "our shareholders have received a dividend since the explosion of the platform and the oil spill that followed it." The leaders said "the Council will decide whether to distribute a dividend in the publication of results for the fourth quarter of 2010 to February 2011.

Finally, the announced departure of Tony Hayward is now official.The CEO of the group notorious for its mismanagement of the oil spill will be replaced by the American Robert Dudley. Hayward will share the leadership for its non-executive of TNK-BP. He will receive compensation equivalent to one year's salary, or 1,045,000 pounds (1,250,000 euros). Hayward had angered the U.S. administration for having complained of being overstretched since the beginning of the disaster and for having, during his congressional testimony, tried to dodge responsibility for his group.

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The CAC 40 is stabilizing in positive territory

July 24, 2010 - 11:16 pm Comments Off

The CAC 40 would he find his way? In any case, this suggests that his continued positive territory by mid-morning, up 0.64% to 3623 points after opening down 0.13% to 3595.66 points.

Elsewhere, the same trend. The London Stock Exchange, which opened down 0.37%, is now up 0.15%. The DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, which had also started the session on a decline of 0.27% is now 0.39%. The Madrid Stock Exchange, where banks are under pressure as explained in the El Pais newspaper in its edition today, regaining ground with a fall of 0.16% against -0.54% in early trade.

The waiting game surrounding the publication of results of stress tests of European banks calls for caution investors. On the currency markets, the euro back a bit against the dollar, under $ 1.29.

Volatility will be the point common to all European trading sessions this Friday.

Asian markets have been chosen more strongly green this morning. Yesterday, U.S. markets have done a great meeting at which time the Dow has gained almost 2%, relatively insensitive to the announcement of a surprise increase in weekly unemployment registration.

Consumption of French decline

In terms of macroeconomic statistics, the session looks very calm. No major indicator is expected in the United States.

In France, the French household consumption of manufactured goods fell 1.4% in June after the previous month was supported by purchases of televisions before the World Cup, according to figures published by INSEE before the opening markets.Throughout the second quarter, it shows a decrease of 0.9% after falling 1.9% on the first three months of the year. Analysts on average expected a rise of 0.2% in June

INSEE also believes that the request to industry has increased significantly in the second quarter but is expected to decline in the third. The balance measures the views of industrialists on the past evolution of aggregate demand was 9 in the previous survey in April to 17 in July, and 4-14 for foreign demand.

In Germany, the business climate has improved significantly more than expected in recent weeks. The Ifo index rose to 106.2 against 101.2 in June (revised from 101.1 in estimating intials) last month. Economists and analysts had expected decline to 101.6.

TF1 jumped after its results

The stress test, however, occupy the banking sector.BNP Paribas (-0.60%), Societe Generale (-0.84%), Credit Agricole (-0.36%), Natixis (BPCE. -0.39%) or Dexia (-0.39%), remain cautious.

Moreover, the markets will again this session to analyze several quarterly publications:

TF1 (4.83% to 12.27 euros) announced before market advertising revenues up 11% in the first semester for a total turnover of 1.28 billion euros, above consensus. Net income group share was 74 million euros over the period. The objectives are significantly revised upward with a turnover in 2010 rose by 7% instead of 4%.

STMicroelectronics (-2.30% to 6.58 euros) reported Thursday a profit above expectations at 18 cents per share, with sales up 27% to $ 2.53 billion.Analysts on average expected a profit of 14 cents per share and a turnover of 2.513 billion dollars.

Pernod Ricard (-1.56% to 63.11 euros) a statement on Thursday its forecast annual operating profit thanks to the improved economic environment and its position in emerging markets. Its turnover in 2009-2010 emerged, up 2% on a comparable basis.

Ubisoft (0.65% to 7.02 euros) issued a turnover up 94% in the first quarter of 2010-2011 to 161 million euros and confirmed its objective of a sales draft 160 million for the remainder of the year.

BioAlliance Pharma (5.29% to 5.77 euros) announced a record turnover of 15.2 million euros in the second quarter against 1.5 million a year earlier, after recording in April in U.S. Loramyc, headlight treatment of fungal infections in patients with oral cancer or AIDS.

As for ads, Alstom (1.80% to 37.83 euros) said it had won contracts valued at about 450 million euros for the construction of two units for a combined cycle power plant in India.

Air Liquide (-0.40% to 86.43 euros) announced Friday the signing of a new contract with Russian steelmaker Severstal for investments worth 50 million euros in total.

Legrand (-0.61% to 25.06 euros) Thursday announced a takeover offer for Indo Asian Switchgear India, where he produced nearly 4% of its annual turnover after the acquisition.Indo Asian Switchgea aims for 2010 sales of more than 35 million euros.

Maurel et Prom (+0.24% to 9.42 euros) announced Thursday it had increased to approximately 70 million euros the amount of its issuance of convertible bonds to five years following the full exercise of the option overallotment.

Saint-Nazaire shipyard launches the "Fantastica"

July 23, 2010 - 8:04 am Comments Off

It will be called Fantastica. The owner of Swiss-Italian MSC Cruises sign this morning at Saint-Nazaire, in the presence of Nicolas Sarkozy, the command of a cruise ship in shipbuilding group STX France (formerly Chantiers de l'Atlantique). The ship, the twelfth of its fleet, will be delivered in May 2012 for an amount of 575 million euros.

"Very stable, will ship with our other two ships, MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida, the biggest and most luxurious cruise ship ever commissioned by a European ship owner to sail the Mediterranean, Le Figaro said Gianluigi Aponte, founding president of MSC Cruises it controls 100%. It will be a VIP class, with 99 staterooms, butler service and placeholders: lounge, restaurant, pool, spa and gym. "Feature 333.3 meters and a width of 38 meters maximum, Fantastica can reach speeds of 23.7 knots.Sailing from Marseilles, he will have 1751 cabins and can accommodate 4,000 passengers. This will increase by 10% the capacity of MSC Cruises, carrying 1.4 million passengers in 2013. Count from 750 to 2000 euros per week all inclusive, with a stopover day.

A letter of intent was signed in early March for this order, which required the support of the State. For STX France is a vital site. His yards idling. To avoid the worst, the government had to mobilize the French bank (Credit Agricole CIB BNP Paribas and Natixis), who were reluctant to grant the necessary funds (our edition of February 18). "The president has made sure that the site did not stop," says Gianluigi Aponte.MSC Cruises and enjoys the support of Coface, the French agency for export credit, which guarantees funding.

Another optional command ship

The owner will pay his command five times in twelve years. It will first check today, amounting to 115 million euros. First client of Chantiers de l'Atlantique, to whom he has already spent 10 orders, MSC Cruises claims the second place cruise in France and number four worldwide. His boss was pleased to have the most modern fleet in the world: if the oldest ship date of 1981, all others were built after 2002. The owner has already made "an option" to purchase STX for the next ship, a steamer of the same scale as the Fantastica. "We continue to invest, because the cruise is well. The industry has felt only slightly crisis, says Gianluigi Aponte.The Italians and the Koreans are eager to work with us. But I'm faithful to STX for over seven years. When I get on well with a supplier, I did not change for a few million euros! "

Last year, MSC Cruises has increased by about 30% of its turnover to 1.2 billion euros. Its net profit reached 60 million euros. "With an average price of 1200 euros or so, the cruise excellent value for money," says Gianluigi Aponte. It attracts more and more. "The younger clientele: the average age is now about forty years.

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The counterfeit euro banknotes were less popular

July 21, 2010 - 4:52 pm Comments Off

The number of counterfeit euro banknotes declined in the first half of 2010 according to the biannual report of the European Central Bank (ECB). In total, 387,000 false banknotes were withdrawn from circulation, a decline of 13% over the second half of 2009.

The ECB said that "reported to the stock, up, of genuine euro banknotes in circulation (average 13.2 billion in cuts in the first half of 2010), the number of counterfeits is very small." The European institution does not specify whether the counterfeit notes were seized before their release.

Tickets are most affected by counterfeiting are € 20 (41.5%) and 50 euros (42.5%) cash advance loan no fax. Almost all (98%) of counterfeit notes seized this semester have been in a member country of the euro area.According to the Central Office for the Suppression of Counterfeiting Currency (OCRFM) quoted by Agence France Presse (AFP), France, Spain and Italy together account for 70% of the counterfeiting of the euro.

The ECB seeks public caution, recalling the method "Touch-Tilt-Watch" called "TRI" to verify the presence of several security features on tickets for the single currency.

The CAC 40 ended below 3500 points

July 20, 2010 - 2:36 pm Comments Off

While the Asian stock markets declined sharply on Monday morning, the financial markets in Paris have also been very worried. The CAC 40 ended the session on a drop of 0.40% to 3486.33 points.

Even in Germany, where doubts Dax Frankfurt Stock Exchange ended down 0.52% len at 6009.11 points. The London Stock Exchange also closed the day on a drop of 0.21% to 5148.28 points.

The markets are cautious before the release of stress tests on European banks on Friday. The wait also dominated by the rise of publications of results in Europe and the United States.

The macroeconomic environment also remains uncertain especially overseas. Chinese Premier nonetheless sought to reassure investors on the country's economic growth."Everything goes as planned," he said Monday.

On the macroeconomic front, the deficit of the balance of current accounts in the euro area widened in May to 5.8 billion euros against 5.6 billion in April, according to figures from the European Central Bank.

On the currency markets, the euro resists and remains above the $ 1.29 mark Monday morning (0.09%).

Banking and auto bad posture

Four days before the release of stress tests, the values remain very bank surrounded. Societe Generale advance 0.56% after losing more than 5% last week, and Credit Agricole st wins 1.15%, BNP Paribas and Dexia 1.48% 1.43%.

The car values are under profit taking in the image of Peugeot -0.35%) and Renault (- 0.13%).

Despite a sharp rise in turnover (+22% to EUR 144.4 million), Eurotunnel reported a net loss of 44.8 million euros, up more than 36 million euros over the same period in 2009. Contracts awarded on the cons-performance: the action loses 2.86% to 5.8 euros and is on track to record its fourth consecutive decline. At this time, Eurotunnel has lost more than 7% in four days.

This afternoon it was the turn of Edenred, two weeks after its IPO, Guyenne et Gascogne, HF Audika Company and to disclose their turnover in the second quarter. Soitec publish its turnover in the first quarter.

GDF Suez is preparing a cash offer of 6.4 billion pounds (7.6 billion euros) on the British electricity group International Power, confirming a report in The Mail on Sunday.In previous discussions about a reconciliation between the two groups had lasted several months before a halt in January, the newspaper said. For its part, International Power shows a net increase of 9.38% to 346.50 pence in London Bours.

BMB Group, an investment company in Brunei, has denied information from the Sunday Times that she had planned to bid for Club Med 800 million euros. BMB Group, which manages funds for the family of the Sultan of Brunei, have the support of three of the four major shareholders of Club Med, according to British newspaper, citing unidentified sources close to the situation.

At the Salon of Farnborough (South London) that opens Monday until July 25, EADS should reassert its confidence in its chances of winning U.S. tanker contract for Boeing cons.The parent company of Airbus is ready to strengthen the United States for eight billion dollars.

The Partouche group will make a capital increase of approximately 100 million euros to reduce its debt and improve financial liquidity of the group of casinos. The subscription price is set at two euros per share while the subscription period will run from July 20 to August 2.

ADP announced that its passenger traffic rose 2.3% in June over one year. In the first six months of the year, traffic appears down 2.1%.

National Australia Bank (NAB) on Monday agreed with its Asian subsidiary Axa and Axa Asia Pacific (AAP) to extend until Aug. 31 offer of 11.5 billion dollars on NAB PAA.

Google leads Wall Street down

July 17, 2010 - 10:12 pm Comments Off

The U.S. stock markets are on the downside after the announcement of company results considered disappointing and macro news mixed. At the opening, the Dow Jones coward 0.45% and 0.65% Dow Jones. Thursday, after moping around for almost the entire session the New York Stock Exchange finished at equilibrium. The Dow Jones slid symbolically 0.07% and the Nasdaq by 0.03%. Wall Street has been supported in the final straight by BP and Goldman Sachs.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro is strengthening its progress against the dollar Friday on funding fears of slowing economic recovery in the United States. In the morning, the euro was at 1.2975 dollars against 1.2941 dollars the previous day. He subsequently crossed the threshold of $ 1.30. A first for over two months.

On the side of values, the Internet giant Google has released the Thursday after the close a net result up 24.3% in the second quarter to 1.840 billion dollars for the second quarter on a turnover of 6 8 billion dollars (24%). The action yields 5.37% to 467.70 dollars.

The BP oil company, also traded on Wall Street, said Thursday at the very end of the meeting that spillage of oil had been observed after complete blockage of the wells caused the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico Bad Credit Payday Advance. However, the title gives 2.49% to 37.95 dollars.

Always on the side of values, the investment bank Goldman Sachs said Thursday after agreeing to pay closing $ 550 million of Ammende (425 million) to end the accusations of fraud regarding the marketing of a product derived from subprime mortgages. It is the largest penalty ever paid to the stock exchange authority, the Securities and Exchange Commission, in a Wall Street firm and the third highest all U.S. companies combined. Investors seem relieved. the title is 2.81% to 149.26 dollars.

Apple has invited journalists to a press conference this Friday, then multiply that rumors of a possible recall of four new iPhones, including an antenna problem has been confirmed by an influential magazine. title wins 0.55% to 252.83 dollars.

The banks should also react Friday to the adoption yesterday by the senate of the reform on Wall Street. Besides the publication of their results. Bank of Amercia plsu yield of 6% to 14.42 dollars and 3.58% Citi 4.01 dollras.

PC market has rebounded more than 20%

July 16, 2010 - 7:16 am Comments Off

In six months, the global PC market (personal computer) rebounded sharply. "The year 2010 should mark a new record for the sector. In number of units sold, the market should grow 20%, around 360 million PCs. This will be a new high. And the turnover of the profession would probably exceed the historic peak of 2008, "said Ranjit Atwal, analyst at research firm Gartner.