Archive for the ‘economy’ Category

Wall Street comes in green

June 13, 2011 - 6:00 pm Comments Off

U.S. markets open slightly higher on Monday after a sharp decline Friday. Leaded by the accumulation of signs of slowdown in the global economy, the Dow Jones closed down by 1, 42%, to 11,951.91 points. The Dow Jones gained 0.35% to 11,994.07 points, the Nasdaq ahead by 0.40% to 2654.17 points and the S & P 500 rose 0.35% to 1275.37 points.

Like doubts about the financial situation of Greece weighing on European markets, U.S. investors should not however find a frank optimism as the Obama administration does not provide a convincing response to the U.S. debt.Hence the nervousness on Wall Street recorded, for 6 weeks, all finished in the red.

No waiting indicator

In the absence of major macroeconomic indicators and publications from the companies, markets keep an eye on the ongoing discussions about whether or not to raise the debt ceiling. From this point of view, the main concern is the possibility in the coming weeks, the U.S. can not cope with effect from 2 August to some of their repayment obligations, if the cap was not raised.

Side currency, the euro lost some ground against the dollar Monday in a market without much direction still hanging on the progress of discussions between EU leaders, who are struggling to find agreement on how to continue to help financially Greece.MP in the afternoon in Paris, the European single currency was worth 1.4379 dollars against 1.4348 dollars on Friday night.

On oil markets, prices started to fall Monday in a cautious market that awaits the decisions of Saudi Arabia on a possible increase of its production. Around 24:10 in Paris, a barrel of Brent North Sea crude for July delivery was $ 118.66 dollars on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) in London, giving 12 cents from Friday's close. In electronic trade the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of light sweet crude (WTI) for the same period lost $ 1.19 to 98.10 dollars.

As for values

Banking supervision

Financial stocks could benefit from an article by the financial weekly Barron's pay day loans.The newspaper said the major banks like Bank of America (+0.29% to 10.88 dollars), Citigroup (0.71% to 38.19 dollars), Goldman Sachs (0.96% to 137, $ 23), Morgan Stanley (0.71% to 22.85 dollars) and Wells Fargo (1.26% to 26.61 dollars) are undervalued on the stock market and could see their progress as 25% of the next year, says the financial weekly Barron's. These shares are currently traded at levels close to or well below their book value, the magazine added.

Boeing: 0.80% to 73.27 dollars)

The will sell six Boeing 777-300ER to Thai Airways, which will also acquire eight Boeing 787 leased from ILFC.

Allied World Assurance: -1.88% to 56.98 dollars

The group will buy Transatlantic Holdings for $ 3.2 billion in shares, giving birth to a group of insurance and reinsurance with an ever wider and greater implementation. Transatlantic Shareholders will receive 0.88 share for each Allied as they hold the equivalent of 51.10 dollars per share, representing a premium of 16.1% over the closing price on Friday.

Gilead Sciences: -1.42% to 39.66 dollars

The biotechnology company, world leader of HIV treatment, said Friday it received a subpoena to submit to the court documents relating to its manufacturing methods, quality control and distribution.

Blackstone: +0.12% to 16.62 dollars

The group and the specialist debt Avenue Capital talk with investors in order to raise five billion dollars to invest in bond markets, reports the Sunday Telegraph.

VF Corp: 12.23% to 103.03 dollars Timberland: 42.48% to 42.73 dollars

The group announced Monday the acquisition of the apparel brand Timberland outdoor sports for $ 43 per share and a total of two billion dollars. VF Corp. expects this acquisition will allow it to add approximately $ 700 million to its turnover in 2011.

Wall Street expected to decline

June 4, 2011 - 11:36 am Comments Off

On Wall Street, futures contracts on the index set are on the downside, the Dow Jones future lost 0.25% and the S & P 500 future bending of 0.33%. The opening of the session should be marked by a decline after the wrong numbers of job creation in the private sector in the U.S. in May, published yesterday by the firm ADP. These statistics had already weighed on the Dow Jones yesterday, which had thus ended down 0.34% to 12,248.55 points.

Among the statistics to follow this Friday, the unemployment rate in the United States in May is forecast at 8.9%, a slight drop of 0.10 point compared to the previous month. Moreover, employment in agriculture in May should show a marked decline from its April level.Economists expect about 125,000 to 150,000 jobs reported last month, against 244,000 in April.

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 personal business card.

Wal-Mart, Walgreen's and VeriFone to follow

As for values ​​to be followed, one eye will be kept open on Wal-Mart, which holds its annual investor day.

The good results published yesterday by VeriFone Systems should provide a nice progression of the title. The figures exceeded the consensus.

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 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.

relaxation on raw materials

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 comment on speculation in commodities, at 18 pm (Paris time).

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Humanity depletes natural resources

May 14, 2011 - 8:56 am Comments Off

If humanity continues its momentum, it will consume in 2050 three times more raw materials than today. "Far beyond what is bearable." The warning is clear. And it does not derive from Lester Brown, president of Earth Policy Institute, which multiplies the books for decades on the depletion of the planet or the WWF or Greenpeace, but the UN.

In forty years, some 9 billion people consume 140 billion tons of minerals, hydrocarbons and biomass (wood, crops, livestock), as reported by the UNEP (United Nations Environment). Or 16 tons of natural resources swallowed each year by each person on the planet."Policymakers and the general public are still not convinced of the absolute physical limits on the amount of resources available to humanity," the authors note, a dozen experts led by an Austrian and a South African.

Doing more with less

To avoid shortages and social tensions and geopolitical they would generate, the world must "do more with less." Sustained growth requires massive investment in "technological innovation, financial and social." One difficulty lies in the considerable disparity in the exploitation of raw materials. An inhabitant of an industrialized country consumes an average 16 tons per year, four times more than Indian.

In rich countries, the differences are equally impressive.A consumer of Qatar, Australia and the United States swallows 40 tons of natural resources per year when a French, a German or an Italian uses about 15 tons. These figures do not reflect the reality only partially, note the rapporteurs of the UN. For a tonne of copper extracted in Chile will be charged to the consumer in their calculation Chilean even if it is used to manufacture a product sold in China or Europe. These methodological weaknesses therefore do not change the risk of global depletion of natural resources. Even if industrialized countries were able to halve their consumption of raw materials by 2050, not living to 8 tons, and that developing countries joined this level without exceeding the total amount to 70 billion tons, or 40% more than today.This scenario (No. 2 in the graphics) would be accompanied by a doubling of greenhouse gas emissions, a path inconsistent with the objectives of the international community in the fight against global warming.

Amid these grim prospects for the environment, the UN report uncovers some reasons not to despair. The global trend towards urbanization is paradoxically supports better use of natural resources. A densely populated area per capita is more economical building materials, energy and transportation, the experts argue.

Another reason for optimism, emerging skip some stages of development by adopting technologies directly or models that consume less raw materials, how they embraced the mobile phone have not finished building the fixed telephone network.

The euro fell 1.49 to nearly $ 1.41 a week

May 12, 2011 - 6:00 pm Comments Off

The euro has dropped by nearly 5% in a week. Such depreciation on the foreign exchange market in such a short time is rare. If some investors have been illuminated reap gains from the sacred, others had to lose a lot!

The euro rose against the dollar over from 1.49 to 1.42 in one week. (Chart from the trading platform of Saxo Bank)

The Cac 40 disrupted by Greece

May 9, 2011 - 11:40 am Comments Off

In a quiet session ahead, the CAC 40 a break on Monday, after climbing from 1.33% Monday, following good U.S. job figures released Friday. The stock index opens down 0.49% at 4037.91 points.

On other European financial centers, the Dax in Frankfurt Stock Exchange is 0.41% to 7461.35 points and

With the exception of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Asian financial centers evolve upward Monday.

On the macroeconomic front, Bank of France (BoF) provides a first estimate of growth of 0.5% in the second quarter of this year. BdF anticipates a 0.7% gross domestic product for the first quarter.

The business survey from the Bank of France reported a moderate increase in activity in industry in April.The business climate indicator in industry decreased by three points to 107 while in services it has dropped one point to 102.

Bank stocks follow

Bank stocks will follow, while the financial situation of Greece worried, so much so that a new EU aid is getting ready by 2012. After two consecutive sessions of steep declines that saw him rise from 1.48 to 1.43 dollar, the euro starts again from the front Monday against the greenback and quoted at 1.4380 dollars.

Moreover, Eurofins Scientific will release its first quarter results, Vilmorin, its turnover in the third quarter of fiscal year 2010-201.

Transfer rumors Lafarge and acquisition for GDF Suez

Technip won a contract worth approximately EUR 55 million from Statoil for the development of the Vigdis field NE, located in the Norwegian Sea.The contract includes the supply of pipes to be installed by mid-2012 in water depths of 220 to 310 meters.

CNP Assurances reported Monday a net profit in the first quarter down 3.6% to 270 million euros, affected by a strong contraction in sales (-14.1%)

Lafarge and Anglo American want to sell 600 million pounds (680 million euros) in assets to their new joint British company, whose creation was announced last February, the Financial Times.

GDF Suez wants to have a pole there and energies reouvelables consolidate its ten subsidiaries producing green energy in France, according to Les Echos.Also according to the economic daily, the group would be interested in the Italian Sorgenia, 52% owned by the holding of the CIR De Benedetti family and 45% by the Austrian Verbund.

The passenger traffic of Air France-KLM jumped 23.1% in April, an increase that is "not significant" compared to April 2010 during which the European sky was blocked by the eruption of an Icelandic volcano, said Monday the airline group. In the past month, Air France-KLM carried 6.36 million passengers (+28%).

The credit insurance group Euler Hermes has done in the first quarter 2011 net income rose 58.2% to 75.3 million euros thanks to the continued recovery of the global economy observed in 2010. Turnover increased 7.6% to 544.1 million euros.

Numericable could announce the launch of a mobile telephone within 40 euro on Wednesday as well and hunt on the land of the Free (Iliad). The mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that rents the network Bouygues Telecom is the origin of the site larevolutiondumobile.com. The group has denied wanting to launch an unlimited mobile plan.

Oil prices appear to rise

Oil prices were on the upside Monday in electronic trading in Asia, resuming after the sharp drop last week, dealers said.

In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for June delivery gained 1.18 dollars to 98.36 dollars. That of Brent North Sea also June delivery gained 52 cents to 109.65 dollars.

Fashion Show May 1: unions have mobilized some

May 1, 2011 - 7:32 pm Comments Off

Union leaders had expected that the 1 May 2011 be a little raw. It is clear they have struggled to mobilize. In Paris, the procession was attended by 12,000 people Sunday, against 21,000 in 2010, told AFP the police headquarters. Organizers say 30,000 people joined them.

The secretary general of the CFDT Francois Chereque was present at the head of the cortege left shortly before 15 hours instead of the Republic, like that of Luke Berille UNSA and FSU Secretary General Bernadette Groison. The general secretary Bernard Thibault of the CGT, which was also manifest, was ultimately unable to move "because of major back problems," said his entourage told reporters.

Leaders of the Left also participated in the parade: Francois Hollande Olivier Besancenot through Eva Joly, Jean-Luc Melenchon or Marie-George Buffet.The spokesman of the Socialist Party, Benoît Hamon, the number two party, Harlem Desir, or members Bruno Le Roux, Sandrine Mazetier and President of the Ile-de-France, Jean-Paul Huchon were also behind the banner PS.

The leader of the Socialist Party, Martine Aubry, has, meanwhile, marched in Lille. "We do not have to be in the streets to celebrate International Labour Day," said the first secretary of the PS about the sparse parades, saying that employees would demonstrate "in 2012 at the ballot box."

Attendance was up for the parade FN

In the regions, the mobilization was also low.In Marseille, among 2000 people by 5000 according to police and organizers, marched through the streets between 1200 and 3500 people in Toulouse between 2200 and 3300 in Lyon, between 2200 and 3000 in Bordeaux between 1200 and 3000 in Strasbourg between 700 and 1000 in Lille and between 450 and 1000 in Rennes my credit score.

It was also shown to Pau (800 to 1200), in Angoulême (500), Besancon (500 to 1000), Brest (250 to 300), Nancy (700 people according to the unions) and as at Dunkirk, in Orléans and Caen.

These figures were more than expected from a trade union unity has disintegrated somewhat. "The character of this holiday is both less said, the day falls on a Sunday," observes Marcel Grignard, number two of the CFDT.In 2009 the protesters were much more likely because of the crisis, and in 2010 the fear of the pension reform, just before its unveiling, had been a factor in turnout.

On the other hand, the parade of Marine Le Pen Paris, focusing on the workers and popular classes, has mobilized more than expected among 3200 people according to police and 20,000 according to the FN (against 2000 and 8000 according to the police according to the FN last year).

"May 1st, we are the popes of the earth"

Besides purchasing power – the secretary general of the CFDT, Francois Chereque, called on Europe 1 radio on Sunday increased the minimum wage beyond the 2% rise tentatively scheduled on July 1 – the themes that defended Unions are talking years' support for the Arab peoples who rise to the dignity and freedom, "and" equal rights "between French and foreign workers in response to" national preference "advocated by the National Front , a rise in the opinion polls.

Winks comedy peppered some processions. "May 1st, we are the popes of the earth", alluding to the beatification of John Paul II. But also slogans in opposition to the FN, as in Rennes' French workers, immigrants, same bosses, same battles. "

The player has to use default in the articles of figaro.fr.maj1

Electricity prices: GDF Suez very dissatisfied

April 20, 2011 - 3:04 am Comments Off

The law on the reorganization of the electricity market is now back on track. Tuesday morning, confirming the information of Figaro, Eric Besson, Minister of Energy, said the sale price of the EDF nuclear power to its competitors would rise to 40 euros per megawatt hour as of July 1 next, then 42 euro from 1 January 2012.This device, designed to boost competition in France will be considered in a fortnight by the Regulatory Commission (CRE), which must render a reasoned opinion.

Meanwhile, the government clearly adjudicated in favor of electrical lights: it was still estimated at 42 euros per MWh the full cost of nuclear power (operation, maintenance, future investments …), while its competitors, GDF Suez head, had set the bar at 35 euros, in line with the current regulated rates.

The reaction of GDF Suez has been immediate. The other French energy giant said that "this election will penalize customers who will experience increases for electricity prices." Convergence expected by 2015 between regulated tariffs and prices Arenh (restricted to nuclear power history) will increase mechanics first.The consumer association UFC-Que Choisir dread even price shock, "a rumor, according to Eric Besson, which I would like to help twist the fact."

Also in the eyes of GDF Suez, the high level of Arenh prevent the establishment of effective competition in electricity supply in France no fax payday loans. In these circumstances, the group will study the consequences of that decision and the possible ways to overcome the narrowness of the market opening in the short term induced by the choices of government. "

Another competing operator EDF, Direct Energy (which serves over 600,000 clients), however, shows less severe. Its president, Xavier Caitucoli welcomes first that law enforcement has not been postponed, as had been discussed earlier this month. "After several years the French market was locked, the start of the competition has really come.At 42 euros, it is possible for a competitive operator, although it will be difficult, "he says.

Seasonality

Xavier Caitucoli, it should also not focus too much on the price of Arenh: "The product is also very important and the fact that the volumes of energy vary according to seasonality will make it attractive." Sub- understood: in winter, when electricity prices are very high on the wholesale market, Direct Energy will be able to provide through Arenh on much more interesting.

In this issue, which collects opinions shared, all players meet at least the fact that the accident Fukushima weighed a heavy weight."Somehow, the government has anticipated that the audit of EDF plants could lead to huge additional costs of maintenance and needed to be reflected in the selling price of electricity."

Unexpected decline in sales of computers

April 15, 2011 - 7:08 am Comments Off

The success of touch pads for the first time contributes to the decline in sales of computers. That is what the preliminary results of a study conducted by Gartner. The global PC market was 84.3 million units in the first quarter 2011, down 1.1% over the same period last year. These figures show a decline in sales of computers, first for 18 months. And this, when Gartner expected a rise of 3% for the first quarter of 2011.

"The low prices of consumer computers, which had long sustained growth, failed to attract buyers. Consumers have turned to the shelves and other multimedia devices in place, "says the study report, Gartner analyst, Mikako Kitagawa, noting however that the business market can limit the overall decline."With the launch of the iPad 2 in February, consumers turned to the purchase of alternative devices, or have simply chosen to buy a computer. We are studying whether this trend will have a long-term effect on the PC market. "

Declining sales due to currency

The general downward trend is however subject to disparities. If the European and Middle East is showing the first signs of decline "since the end of the recession in the fourth quarter of 2009, computer sales in Asia were up by 4.1% with 28.2 million computers for the first quarter of this year. Japan, devastated by the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, recorded the biggest drop in sales with -13 no fax needed payday loans.1% with only 4 million computers sold. In contrast, sales of computers in the Asia-Pacific are still growing.The Latin American market shows him the strongest momentum with an increase of 5.4% to 8.1 million units.

A lifetime of computers longer

"The consequences of events in the Middle East and Japan do not directly affect sales, but still a factor influencing the market in the short term, the findings by Gartner joins Jay Chou, senior analyst firm IDC Worldwide. "However, good quality computer products have become a reality today, with the advent of laptops, and more recently, multimedia tablet," he said in a statement. Bob O'Donnell, IDC wordlwide, is more reserved: "It is tempting to attribute the entire decline (the market) to the development of multimedia tablet, but we believe that other factors such as life longer PCs have had roles as important. "

Over the full year, Gartner predicts that sales of computers continue to "support" from their 2010 level. The upgrading of computer equipment should make it possible to support the market until late this year or early 2012.

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Many candidates to buy Galliano

April 13, 2011 - 3:16 pm Comments Off

Upon landing a plane in Los Angeles on Sunday night, John Galliano was insulted by a photographer. Accused of making racist and anti-Semitic in Paris in February under the influence of alcohol, dismissed from his job at Dior, the fashion designer is not about rehabilitation. Many uncertainties about the future also the eponymous designer's own label. And yet, Christian Dior, who had acquired 87% stake for 17 million euros in 2008, has received several expressions of interest from candidates for its redemption.

Unsolicited proposals

The luxury goods group Bernard Arnault took a majority stake in the house when the designer John Galliano was appointed at Dior and Givenchy.No sales processes in good and due form has been launched, but a lawyer has been instructed to consider unsolicited proposals.

Among the interested buyers are some of the brand partners. First and foremost there is the Italian Perfume holding company which produces and distributes fragrances Galliano licensed, and would be ready to redeem all of the brand. Despite the disruptions media, he knows a great success with the women I speak of love, launched last fall.

Other signs of interest emanating from shareholders funds of another partner of Galliano, the Italian industrialist Ittierre, which makes the second line of ready-to-wear Galliano.The investment fund buyers to the brand Gianfranco Ferre and Chinese applicants would also manifest.

Sales are resistant

So many vocations to buy a house whose founder is facing a scandal? In fact, business could hardly have been affected by the controversy, except the U.S., where the brand has little presence, and Great Britain. In Asia, Russia and Middle East sales up well. The sales would have even increased in March compared to last year! In 2009, the John Galliano had achieved a turnover of 14 million euros, together with a heavy net loss of $ 5 million fast cash advance. It would have been close to balance in 2010.

Its collections midrange meet the demand of a young clientele in emerging markets, more affordable alternative to the big names in luxury.In addition, buyers can expect savings from the end of the contract of British designer, whose team took over, and reducing the cost of running at high performance due to the star so far. What return on their investment, through a central light, relying on external partners. The company employs forty people. Only outstanding issue, the personal involvement of John Galliano, which owns 8% of the capital.

Very busy, Christian Dior has yet to decide to freeze any negotiations pending resolution of legal proceedings against his former creator. A hearing is scheduled May 12The group therefore preferred to pass a few months to study its options calmly.

At Dior, the search for a replacement takes time

Bernard Arnault announced recently that the estate of John Galliano at Dior take time, giving the lie to rumors on ready-made solutions. Meanwhile, the workshops are already working on preparations for the haute couture collection, which will be presented in early July and will therefore likely not signed by the new designer. The group gives time for reflection and appears ready to turn the page creators stars. It has been found through surveys that the public showed a certain distance with respect to this notion. Asked about the name of the stylist in charge of Dior, the majority answered … Christian Dior (died 1957), Karl Lagerfeld (Chanel) by John Galliano.All options are under consideration.

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Procter & Gamble sells Pringles crisps

April 6, 2011 - 4:52 pm Comments Off

What was even Pringles Procter & Gamble, one might ask? The famous canned chips, which can be enjoyed in over 140 countries, were the last food brand – apart from the dog food – including shampoos, detergents, batteries and other razors marketed by P & G.

Pringles has found its place in the U.S. food group Diamond Foods, which will triple its snacks segment with the operation. This specialist snacks spends $ 2 saving account pay day loan.35 billion, including $ 1.5 billion in shares, and also takes over a debt of 850 million. Diamond Foods has made several acquisitions in recent years, especially from General Mills, who comes to him, to enter the capital of Yoplait.

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