Archive for the ‘finance’ Category

Total Access, service station at low prices into action

October 2, 2011 - 8:04 pm Comments Off

Tomorrow is the big day Monday for "Total Access". The new brand of the oil company, which will provide service stations with low prices, will make his first steps at Rocquencourt near Paris Gennevilliers and in the Hauts-de-Seine. The two prototypes will offer, according to the Journal du Dimanche, prices aligned with retail, or about 1 cheapest personal loan rates.46 euro a liter of unleaded and 1.38 euro per liter of diesel.

An artist's view of future gas stations cheap Total Access. (CD Total)

The Bundestag adopted the rescue plan of the euro

September 30, 2011 - 7:08 am Comments Off

The news is reassuring. With a large majority, the Bundestag adopted the new rescue plan the Eurozone. If the vote was little doubt that the amplitude of the majority was still uncertain.

Exactly 523 of 620 deputies voted "for", said the chairman of the meeting Norbert Lammert. Germany is the eleventh country to approve the expansion of the envelope and the powers of the European emergency fund created in 2010 to assist countries in the euro area in need. This will be the largest contributor.

The new rescue plan foresees an expansion of European powers of the fire in the euro area, the Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), and increased its capacity from 440 to 780 euros milliarsd.

Budget 2012: what changes for businesses and individuals

September 28, 2011 - 6:04 pm Comments Off

• Individuals involved to the tune of 5.6 billion euros

– Removal of exemptions for allowances holding period on capital gains property, excluding exempt principal residence (2200000000)

– Increase of 12.3% to 13.5% payroll taxes on capital income (1.3 billion)

– Removal or reduction of exemptions from the CSG (800,000,000)

– Increase in tobacco prices by 6% (600,000,000)

– Increase the tax and social taxes on liquor (300,000,000)

– Introduction of an outstanding contribution of 3% on very high incomes, above 500,000 euros.Some 10,000 homes were affected (200,000,000)

– Creation of a tax on sugary drinks (100 million)

– Device Scellier: decrease of 22% to 14% rate of tax reduction for investors buying new low-energy housing for rental (about 100 million euros)

– Introduction of a progressive tax (from 10 to 40%) for owners of "good rooms" applying the rents to be too expensive (over 40 euros/m2), mainly in Paris (1 million)

– Decrease of 18% to 12% rate of tax reduction for purchases in retirement homes, tourist and student (nearly 10 million)

• The companies affected to the tune of 4.8 billion euros

– Reduction of deferred losses for a harmonization of corporate taxation with Germany.- Revision of scale of the tax on company cars (100 million)

– Creation of a 2% tax on hotel stays at or above 200 euros (90 million)

– Creation of an exceptional tax next year on sales of large industrial duty subject to quotas of CO2 (200 million)

– The draft budget provides for operators to bear the costs of a possible interference of DTT with the new 4G mobile radio frequencies that will be awarded in early 2012.

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France has 7.6 billion of funds frozen Libyan

August 31, 2011 - 7:20 pm Comments Off

At the time of the near-victory against the Gaddafi regime, France officially unveils the treasures accumulated by the Libyan dictator in France. The Elysee Palace announced on Wednesday that 7.6 billion euros of assets had been frozen since the European decision to this effect from 21 March. Initially, Paris has requested authorization from the UN to release 1.5 billion euros by the end of the week. This is to meet the emergency needs of the rebels of the National Transition, said the president.

The request of France aims to prepare the international conference on the future of Libya after the fall of the regime of Muammar Gaddafi. The question of a thaw in Libyan assets will be the focus of discussion. The financial stakes are considerable: the Gaddafi regime has accumulated through the sale of oil and gas, about $ 200 billion worldwide.Among others, the United States had announced in late February, have frozen $ 30 billion, the Bank of England 13.587 billion dollars.

The Security Council authorized the UN London Tuesday to release $ 1.6 billion in frozen Libyan assets to provide humanitarian aid to Tripoli. The UN has also agreed Thursday to release $ 1.5 billion of assets invested in U.S. banks. Germany still waits for its green light to unlock the Council about a billion of Libyan assets frozen and Canada intends to thaw $ 2 billion (1.38 billion euros). The Italian government has already promised to thaw a first tranche of 350 million euros.

The CNT eye on the jackpot for any rebuilding, put the country back in working order pay day advance."Our success will depend on the release of frozen funds" abroad, called Mahmoud Jibril, the number two of the rebels on Friday in Istanbul. "The battle of the reconstruction will be even more intense" than the war, he warned before. The transition looks perilous time and the payment of salaries of civil servants would prevent a resurgence of stabilization.

Disappearance of 25% of funds in three months

To this day, and unlike most other European countries, Paris refused to disclose that it had frozen Libyan petrodollars. However, statistics from the Bank of France, limited to transactions between banks between the two countries, indicated that at December 31, 2010, French banks harbored 8.23 ​​billion dollars (5.84 billion euros).Mysteriously, this amount has shrunk from 25% in 3 months (-2.1 billion, or $ 1.45 billion), while the wind of revolution blowing in the Arab world and earned Libya.

Impossible, from these statistics alone, to know where these billions have evaporated. It could be, as explained a French officer in April, a "reorganization perimeter" in the very opaque investment fund public Libyan LIA. Or capital flight, as was increasing international pressure on the Libyan regime, squeezed by the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions.

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"Libya: $ 8 billion in French banks

The Cac 40 closed above 3100 points

August 24, 2011 - 8:40 pm Comments Off

Degradation by the Moody's rating of Japan, expected by market participants, since the rating agency announced last May that it might lower the note by the country, did not seem unduly disturbed the Cac 40 .Despite a trend rather soft on Wall Street, the Paris index, after opening up 0.99% to 3114.98 points, just lowered its mid-term gains (0.69% to 3105.56 points) before returning frankly on the rise in the early afternoon, to close up 1.79% to 3139.55 points.

At the London Stock Exchange, the FTSE-100 took 1.49% to 5205.85 points, while the Dax-30 from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange gained 2.69% to more openly 5681.08 points.

Investors wanted to be optimistic, pending the announcement by the government, scheduled for 18 hours, a series of measures to reduce France's deficit of ten billion more.

In addition, the United States, the macroeconomic data of the day were quite positive, contributing significantly to support the trend in the second half of the session.According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, orders for durable goods across the Atlantic rose more than expected last month. (+4% Over the month, against a 2.5% increase expected by analysts).

A little later, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) revised its outlook on the U.S. budget deficit. According to this independent body, the budget deficit expected to fall to 8.5% of GDP this year and 6.2% in 2012, when the Bureau so far provided a deterioration of public finances for 2011. Finally, the CBO expects a growth of U.S. national wealth by 2.3% this year and 2.7% in 2012.

However, for the euro area, orders were down in June (-0.7%) after a sharp rise the previous month, according to data from the EU statistics office Eurostat (0.5% expected by analysts).In May, they had jumped 3.6%, driven notably by the orders of capital goods, following a 0.3% decline in April.

On the currency market, the euro remains stable against the dollar. To 17 hours, the European currency was worth 1.4406 dollars against 1.4436 dollars late Tuesday.

The cyclical resume, L'Oreal, the largest decline Cac 40

Oil prices were up on their side at the same time, with Brent who was close to 110 dollars a barrel because of uncertainty about the situation in Libya. A barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery gained 50 cents to 109.81 dollars, while a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October has appreciated by 81 cents to 86 totally free credit score.25 dollars on the New York Mercantile Exchange to 18 cents. A trend reinforced by the publication in mid-afternoon to the unexpected drop in U.S. crude oil reserves.

Values ​​cars, battered in recent sessions, repeat colors Wednesday. Renault leads increases the Cac 40 mid-term, and accounted for 3.29% to 25.55 euros. Michelin climbed 2.12% to 46.53 euros.

However, Total, which should benefit from the outcome of the conflict of Libya, was much increased in recent days.It yields 0.65% to 32.87 euros on Wednesday in mid-session on profit taking.

L'Oreal also declined, from 2.04% to 78.22 euros, the biggest drop CAC 40.

ArcelorMittal: 2.82% to 13.86 euros

In Australia, Macarthur Coal said it continued to seek a white knight to counter the hostile bid from ArcelorMittal and Peabody Energy.

Iliad: + 1.14% to 82.45 euros

A subsidiary of Iliad, Free, filed an appeal with the State Council on the conditions for the government of 4G mobile phone licenses, according to Le Figaro.

Accor: + 1.95% to 23.56 euros

The hotel group has published on Wednesday operating profit rose by 27.5% to 199 million euros in the first half.Accor has also returned to earnings, its net profit amounting to 41 million euros in the first half against a loss of 15 million last year over the same period.

STMicroelectronics: + 2.07% to 4.3 euros

Fitch has downgraded the long-term European manufacturer of semiconductors "A" to "BBB +" with perspective, particularly because of the weakness and lack of profitability ST Ericsson, a joint venture with Ericsson specializes in chips for son-free communication.

In the wake of STMicroelectronics, Alcatel-Lucent is 2.22% to 2.44 euros.

Eurotunnel: -0.51% to 6.03 euros

Eurotunnel said it had suspended the booking of tickets for passengers on the weekend of August 27 and 28, one of the most responsible for the cross-Channel traffic after the filing of a notice of indefinite strike by several unions.

Sanofi: -0.15% to 49.87 euros

Aventis Pharma, Indian subsidiary of Sanofi, confirmed the purchase of business without a prescription Universal Medicare, a non Indian pharmaceutical side. The title was won

Wall Street opens up small

August 23, 2011 - 6:08 pm Comments Off

The U.S. stock markets opened higher in early Tuesday: The Dow Jones gained 0.22% to 10,879.02 points and the Nasdaq 0.36% to 2354.28 points after having gleaned the previous day and 0.34% respectively 0.15%. The S & P 500 nibbles on his side 0.07% to 1124.65 points.

New home sales for the month of July in the United States are known to 16 hours. They are expected at 310,000 according to a consensus of analysts against 312,000 previously. This will be the only macroeconomic indicator on the agenda Tuesday. If others will be announced in the coming days, investor caution, but market volatility, however, should remain in force throughout the week until Friday.

That day, in fact, speak the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke.Speculation is rife, some still hoping that it will decide a third monetary easing to support the U.S. economy. Will also be unveiled for the second estimate of U.S. GDP for the second quarter.

Banks and investment funds turbulent agitated

Oil markets, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October was trading at the opening to 85.06 dollars, up 66 cents from the previous day. As for gold, it never ceases to reach new records: the precious metal has reached this morning for the first time in its history to 1900 dollars.

As for values, it will be interesting to see if the securities of the banking sector managed to recover. The meeting this Monday night has been very rough in New York, the indices have again been a roller coaster.If technology stocks have bounced back, supported by investors looking for bargains, banks have suffered greatly, however. These are the titles of the financial sector that weighed most heavily on the Dow. Bank of America has yielded 7.9% on rumors of capital increases.

News is expanded on the side of investment funds. The fund Cerberus and its partner Chatham Lodging Trust and have informed the United States real estate company Innkeepers Trust (Marriott franchise) they did not buy the walls of 64 of its hotels in the United States. The transaction, amounting to $ 1.1 billion, was announced in May.

The investment fund Jana Partners in New York and the pension fund Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, shareholders of the publisher McGraw-Hill, for their part, indicated recommend a separation of the group.The two investors, who had announced in early August have acquired a total of 5.2% of the capital, advocated in a paper presented to the authority of the U.S. equity markets (SEC) that the group split its divisions Education, Information and Media and stock index Standard & Poor's.

Finally, on the front of mergers over the world stock markets, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) approved on Tuesday the merger of NYSE Euronext and Deutsche Börse, which should give birth to the first exchange operator world.

Samsung became the world leader in consumer electronics

August 8, 2011 - 3:16 pm Comments Off

Click the preview to enlarge the graphic.

Three stars, "samsung" in Korean, were on the first devices from the brand that were sold in Europe in the 1970s. It was the microwave low-end a few dozen francs apiece. This product of Appeal allowed the group to make a name and win in other markets, becoming the world leader in electronics and 19th marks in all categories.

The chaebol (Korean conglomerate), height of 6.2 billion euros in cash, has the means of its ambitions. And they are clear: to be number one everywhere. This is done on the TV market. To achieve the first place, the group has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in advertising around the world. He did not hesitate to cut prices, which allowed him inexorably to nibble market share.He fears, however, LG, another Korean, which, by betting on a technology other than his own in the 3D threatens his leadership.

In the area of ​​mobile, Samsung is the group that made the most progress over the last 12 months, according to IDC. In the last quarter, the Korean group has moved closer to Nokia and is expected soon to become the world's leading brand for mobile phones. While in smartphones and tablet, Apple seems unbeatable.

The finest PC market

There is also high ambitions in the PC. For now, the chaebol has only 3% of the world, behind industry giants, HP, Acer and Dell guaranteed payday loans. But this hides another reality: in 2010, Samsung sold 10 million computers. That's twice in 2009.Korean plans to increase its presence in this field by making efforts in all areas, including the design, which has long been its main weakness. Earlier this year, Samsung introduced the PC's finest on the market.

In keeping with the policy of expansion that has been in place since the early 1990s, the company also addresses the appliance market, where he is currently a relatively marginal player. Now, the time of cheap microwave is over. Place in washing machine and refrigerator art.Samsung is heavily loaded with LED lighting, his mastery of electronics, a way to give a serious and consumers to benefit from the reputation it enjoys in televisions and other devices, though far removed .

The group is also one of the largest manufacturers of memory cards for computer, LCD screen TVs … and provides many of its competitors, including Philips, Toshiba or Apple. This sometimes leads to complicated situations: the American and Korean competitors in smartphones and tablets, are engaged in trials crossed. They accuse each other of patent infringement, a real shadow on the balance sheet of the Asian giant.

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Guéant: "The teaching will be paid by radar fines"

August 6, 2011 - 11:40 pm Comments Off

After the publication of figures showing a drop in road deaths in July, Claude Gueant, Interior Minister, said these positive results. But it is clear that motorists continue to use warning radars, despite the ban. However, serious accident, said he, there is always a judicial inquiry.

LE FIGARO. -Less killed in July: how do you explain these good numbers?

Claude Gueant. -A 21% decrease in July (358 against 453 killed, Ed), this means first that it is possible to make further progress! This result is related to the strong mobilization of law enforcement, especially on the occasion of the leave.

The balance of the year is pretty bad. Moreover, the French lost more than 10 million points allowed in 2010. A record. Up including speeding and alcohol-related offenses.What do you do?

I recall that in 2009 75% of French drivers have all their points and only 0.2% of drivers had their licenses invalidated the 40 million motorists. Regarding the results of 2011, waiting for the end of the year. If the trend continues in July we will once again below the threshold of 4000 deaths. With regard to speeding and drinking and driving, these twin evils remain government priorities in road safety.

Is there not been, lately, a certain cacophony around the various measures taken on the radar?

The measures of the last IRB (Interministerial Committee for Road Safety) is essential if we are to achieve the target set by the president to go below the threshold of 3,000 killed.Among the measures agreed, that relating to the removal of signs announcing speed cameras has sparked debate. We have heard comments from elected officials and, in agreement with the Prime Minister, we decided to launch a plan to install radar teaching. There was no cacophony. There has been listening and dialogue.

How quickly are they teaching radars to be installed?

To date, 80 radars are installed in 47 teaching departments. 200 more will be installed by the end of September 2011. The new market will eventually install 4,000 cameras teaching.They will be installed in hazardous areas, which may or may not include fixed cameras, but also mobile controls.

What is the cost of these facilities and the withdrawal of the previous panel?

The cost of installing a radar teaching will depend on the installation conditions, but the average cost is estimated at € 10,000. Be financed by the proceeds of fines. The unit cost of removing a panel from its destruction by the standards in force (with reprocessing of materials) and the restoration of the original site but is difficult to assess the overall cost could reach 4 fast cash.5 million euros.

The warning radars will become a driving aid.What this will change for their users?

On 28 July, I signed with Afftac (French association of providers and users of technology-driving) a memorandum of understanding to transform the warning in wizard driver assistance. These technology tools will indicate dangerous areas and points of specific hazards, such as the presence of a school.

Is it possible to effectively fight against those who still use alarms, implemented in a mobile phone?

The agreement signed provides for the end of such applications, but I am well aware that some will always use technology to possibly circumvent the rule. I want to remember that every serious accident resulting in a judicial inquiry at which the investigation will test the use-or not-of this type of material.Possession of prohibited materials or application involves the responsibility of each and may result in sanctions.

Industrial PV: State attack victims

The nightmare continues for motorists who, having sold their car, receive the PV from the new owner. While the Interior Ministry promised to remedy the situation related to the new system of vehicle registration, they are still likely to see their accounts seized. This is what the National Association denounced the defense of victims of injustice. Thursday, 74 of its members have given their record in the hands of a lawyer to attack the state. And require 1 million in damages. "It has all the evidence the administration, but to no avail.Moreover prefectures overwhelmed accumulate delays of several months to process cases, "lamented the president of the association, Daniel Merlet. "I sold my car a year ago, and I still received a ticket," he said. Another has received several hundred dollars, and yet another saw its PV canceled but immediately reissued in his name.

Last April, the Interior Ministry had made changes to the administration takes into account the declaration of assignment of the seller. Far and to update its files, it was waiting for the formalities of acquisition. If they were not made, the former owner of the vehicle was therefore responsible. Nevertheless, the anomalies continue."It deals with situations case by case," they say Place Beauvau.

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USA: Sales of the "Big Three" are progressing in July

August 3, 2011 - 5:20 pm Comments Off

The figures were eagerly awaited by the markets. While the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that day that household spending had declined in June for the first time since September 2009, Chrysler, General Motors (GM) and Ford reveal a jump in sales in July.

The prize for the largest increase returns to Chrysler, which recorded an increase in sales of new cars by 20% last month. Chrysler, owned up to 53.5% by Fiat, said it sold 112,026 units, particularly the Jeep. "In a still very difficult, we make our best sales performance in over three years, welcomes Reid Bigland, head of U.S. sales."I think this figure is the ultimate illustration of the progress we have made to our products in terms of economy of oil, quality and design."

Behind Chrysler, Ford announced a 9% increase in sales of new cars on American soil in July to 180,865 units. "We are pleased to see a stronger pace of car sales, with a continued demand from consumers for our fuel efficient cars, our trucks and trucks," said Ken Czubay, head of U.S. sales USA.

The number one market, General Motors, he, reported a 7 saving account payday loan.6% increase in sales last month to 214,915 new cars sold against 199,692 a year ago. Up to the manufacturer to strong sales of Chevrolet, one of its brands, and the resilience of its new models.

The recovery remains fragile

Despite these results, analysts remain skeptical. These sales figures are in line with expectations and manufacturers are affected by cons-productive effects of higher prices to consumers still reluctant to spend.

The consensus then averaged over U.S. car market at an annualized rate of 11.8 million cars in July. A level below the rate of more than 13 million that prevailed earlier this year. Confident, GM, him, reiterated its forecast of a U.S. auto market between 13 and 13.5 million units. But his optimism is not enough to convince investors on Wall Street. GM shares lost 3.71% to 27.03 dollars a barrel in a market down by 2.19%. Following the same movement, as Ford unscrewed from 4.13% to 11.84 dollars.

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The Cac 40 hit its lowest level in years

July 31, 2011 - 1:28 am Comments Off

The CAC 40 is headed for a fifth straight session of steep decline. At the close, the index fell further by 1.07% to 3672.77 points. A decline – the fifth in a row – but much more moderate than what was found during the session. The CAC is in fact fallen to a record low since the beginning of the year while the issue of U.S. debt continues to plague investors, while European issues remain a concern.

But about 17 hours, Barack spoke and pressed to agree to raise the debt ceiling of the United States. A speech that reassured Wall Street, and thus the European markets, which is still bleak.Especially since the U.S. side, a series of bad economic data has dampened investors (growth, activity in Michigan, and moral Americans).

Finally, the week, the CAC 40 index lost 4.25%.

In London, the FTSE-100 index of the main values ​​lost 0.99% on Friday at 5815.19 points. The DAX index in Frankfurt ended her down 0.44% at 7158.77 points against 7190.06 points on Thursday.

The financial sector at half-mast

Adding to the nervousness of the markets, the rating agency Moody's is considering lowering the rating of Spain. As a result, the financial sector shows further losses on the stock market: Crédit Agricole loose 2.36% to 8.61 euros, Societe Generale drops 2.44% to 34.73 euros, Axa was down 2.56% to 13.11 euros, and BNP Paribas was down 2% to 45.46 euros.

Another sign of investor confidence that spreads, bond yields fragile countries in the euro area increased further, imposing astronomical cost of funds. Spain has seen its rates to ten years to rebound above the 6%. And on the foreign exchange market, the euro was immediately dropped below $ 1.43 in the morning before to recover. Around 17:30, the European currency was worth 1.4392 dollars against 1.4324 dollars on Thursday night (0.45%).

Household consumption is rising again

On the macroeconomic front, the cost of French household consumption of manufactured goods in June rose 1.2% in May after falling 0.3%.The producer prices in the industry have generally stabilized in June on the French market (-0.1%) following a significant drop in May (-0.5%).

Veolia Environnement, the largest decline Cac 40

The markets also react to the new burst of business publications.

Veolia Environnement: -9.50% to 15.80 euros

Veolia Environnement has warned that 2011 would not achieve its objective of growth in net profit due to provisions and write-downs that will pass in its half-year to 800 million euros no faxing 1 hour payday loans.

Michelin: -34.18% to 58.66 euros

Michelin has raised its annual target volumes after a first half marked by an increase in profits and sales. The automotive supplier is now an increase in volumes "of about 8%" against at least 6.5% previously.The net half of the group grew from 33% to 667 million euros and sales of 21% to 10.1 billion.

Saint-Gobain: + 2.15% to 40.40 euros

The group confirmed its operational growth goals for 2011, after a surge in net profit in the first half (53.3% to 768 million euros) due to higher volumes and selling prices.Management has indicated to always be an IPO Verallia, its subsidiary in bottles and glass jars, after the postponement of this operation in June.

Total: -1.52% to 37.78 euros

Oil giant Total said on Friday net profit down 12% in the second quarter to 2.7 billion euros, due to weak refining margins in Europe and the cessation of production in Libya.

EDF: -2% to 26.46 euros

EDF issued a net half-year up 54% to 2.6 billion euros, thanks to its increased nuclear generation in France, and announced target for the period 2011-2015 an average annual growth of 5 10% of its net income.

PPR: – 0.65% to 129 euros

Net income for the PPR increased from 16.1% to 450 million euros in the first half, above analysts' expectations, driven by sales of luxury goods (22.6%) while the distribution, which he wants to separate, were down 2%.

EADS: -0.41% to 24.2 euros

Europe's EADS confirmed its outlook for full year 2011, despite the decline of 41% of its net profit in the first half, to 109 million euros, hit by accounting for revaluations related to changes in interest rates exchange.

CGG Veritas: -3.17% to 23.54 euros

CGG Veritas, which suffered last year the moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico after the explosion of a well operated by BP <BP.L>, posted a second quarter loss of $ 38 million (27 million), including $ 17 million of non recurring refinancing costs, against a profit of $ 8 million.

Schneider Electric: -1.51% to 101.15 euros

Schneider Electric now expects an operating margin for 2011 of 15% in the low end of its initial expectations, said CEO Jean-Pascal Tricoire, in an interview with Les Echos on Friday.