Archive for the ‘life’ Category

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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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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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.

The Paris Bourse continued on the upward path

July 14, 2010 - 4:36 pm Comments Off

En route to a seventh consecutive session up to the Paris Bourse. On Wednesday, the CAC 40 starts the day with a gain of 0.40% to 3652.19 points. Investors in Paris after their Asian counterparts so that this morning pushed the indices of the region.

In the rest of Europe, the mood is the same. The DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange opened up 0.39% to 6215.23 points while in London, the FTSE index gained 0.31% to 5287.28 points.

The markets are reassured about the pace of global economic recovery by the strong quarterly results from major U.S. companies. Monday, Alcoa sent a positive signal, captured well by Wall Street, which signed its sixth consecutive session.Then, Tuesday evening after the stock market, Intel announced it had completed the performance in its history with net earnings in the second quarter of 2.887 billion dollars, far above the consensus.

The reassuring news overshadowed the announcement by Moody's from a severe degradation of the note in Portuguese debt. Similarly, they overshadow the low morale of German investors, illustrated by a Zew index at its lowest since April.

Side indicators on Wednesday, investors will keep a close eye on the industrial production figures for the euro area over the months of May and the index of consumer prices in June, savings account payday loans.The United States will publish details of their sales and their weekly oil inventories.

Note that in the good mood, the euro remains above 1.27 dollar, euro 1.2703 per dollar, more precisely. The greenback lost some of its appeal as a safe haven after this encouraging start to the season results in the United States.

The technology sector at the party

From the corporate side, the day will be very quiet on July 14, national holiday. No publication or any announcement are expected.

As in Asia, the technology sector benefited from the announcement of Intel. Alcatel-Lucent (+1.37% to 2.22 euros), STMicroelectronics (2.85% to EUR 6n95) or Soitec (4.31% to 8.60 euros) grew significantly.

Requiring further attention, the reaction of France Telecom, while the group general manager, Stéphane Richard, acknowledged Tuesday for the first time the suicide of an employee as an occupational accident. The securities lost 0.07% to 15.13 euros.

After his good start in stock, Carmat still trying to attract investors and does this mean securities earning 1.72% to 22.48 euros.

Google wants to change strategy in China

June 30, 2010 - 4:24 pm Comments Off

Google gave in Beijing. Given the refusal of China to see the California company to redirect its users to search the Hong Kong-American group, Google has decided to terminate the transfer, in order not to be censored by Beijing. "In the coming days, we will not fully returning all our Chinese clients to the new page," said David Drummond, Google's vice president, the official blog of the company. He added: "The Chinese government has made clear that this operation was unacceptable.

Without a license, Google will "cut off all contact with China"

David Drummond also explains the decision by the expiration of the license granted to Google to operate in mainland China. "If we continue to redirect users, our license PKI (Internet content provider, Ed) will not be renewed.Without this license PKI, we can not operate as a commercial site Google.cn. So Google would cut all contact with China. "

After the New York Times revealed in late April that the identification system Google has been attacked by hackers from China, relations between the California company and China have deteriorated markedly. In this context, it is not clear that Google sees his license renewed. And to complicate this relationship further, Beijing has promulgated a law that requires every provider of a mapping service to obtain a license to practice in China for fear of seeing his service to close.In other words, that Google Maps may be available in China, Google must obtain a license.

Regulation of European businesses worried

Like U.S. firms, their European counterparts also fear a tightening of laws against them over the next two years, according to a study by the European Chamber of Commerce in China released on Tuesday. 40% of respondents are concerned about a rise in discrimination against the foreign companies. According to the chairman of the House of Jacques Boisséson, in the case of environmental degradation, they may not choose to remain "absolutely." But about 80% of them are optimistic about growth prospects in China.Proof that it is the political aspect is concerned between the two parties.

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The CAC 40 ended the session in style

June 28, 2010 - 11:20 pm Comments Off

Hostile to a widespread tightening, the G20 has accepted this weekend in Toronto fiscal restraint to the map, depending on the country and spread over time, thus reassuring the markets. The countries have agreed to "reduce by at least halving the deficit by 2013, and stabilize or reduce the costs of public debt to GDP by 2016, without setting binding targets to states, leaving more freedom for everyone, to reduce public deficits without jeopardizing the still fragile economic recovery on both sides of the Atlantic.

In Paris while the CAC 40 has lost about 5% in just four sessions of sharp decline – 10.5% after winning nine consecutive sessions of gains – the hesitation gave way late in the session at a beautiful hike .The CAC 40 gained 1.61% at 3576.45 points.

The euro was down, circa 1750, at 1.2337 dollars (-0.40%), while the gold – even likely – is still dealing $ 1,250 (-0.29%).

A well-attended American Statistical

At the European Central Bank, the M3 money supply fell by 0.2% in May, and remains unchanged over the month. Credit to private sector in euro area gained 0.2% in May over one year, after increasing 0.1% the previous month, according to preliminary results announcement on Monday by the European Central Bank

On the macroeconomic front, U.S. consumer spending rose 0.2% after remaining flat in April, according to statistics released Monday by the Commerce Department. Economists and analysts polled by Reuters had forecast an average increase of 0.1%.

The household income has risen in parallel by 0.4% after rising 0.5% a month earlier.Real disposable income has increased it by 0.5% in May after rising 0.6% the previous month.

The savings rate of Americans has reached 4.0% against 3.8% in April, which represents an additional savings of 454.3 billion annual rate, the highest level since September.

The index of consumer prices PCE excluding food and energy, rose 1.3% over the last 12 months, the Commerce Department said, against 1.2% in April.

But the statistic most watched this week will be the number of applicants for overseas jobs, which will be released Friday, which should mark a break in trend, with new positions expected destruction.But a rebound in employment in the private sector is also expected on Friday to reassure the markets, analysts said Aurel Bgc.

The tax credit: disagreements

Priority of Paris and Berlin, the tax credit has received a cold reception in Toronto at the G20. Despite support from Washington and London, the final communique does not mention the tax lip as a legitimate option for banks to charge up the pieces of the crisis.

In contrast, three of Basel, the beginning of compromise seems to be emerging.The reform of financial regulation will be based primarily on strengthening capital standards imposed on banks, not the end of 2012 before.

On Monday just before noon, bank stocks are well oriented, but unequally: BNP Paribas stands out, gaining 2.48%, Societe Generale has assembled no more than 0.70% and 0.02% Credit Agricole.

Banques populaires Caisses d'Epargne According to information Wansquare, BPCE Foncia has decided to withdraw the sale. The preparation of a new law on directors and the rout of Urbania Group took account of the sale of the land.

Casino: -0.08% to 62.72 euros Jean-Charles Naouri, CEO of the group, delivered at Figaro's strategy to cope with a sluggish consumption in France, however, offset by continued momentum abroad.The boss has no plans to float Cdiscount and will focus more on small and medium format hypermarkets (6 000-8 000 square meters), rather than the hypermarkets.

Trigano will on Monday publish its turnover for the third quarter of fiscal offset. Shares rise 1.07% to 14.705 euros in mid-day.

Axa treats growth markets

June 26, 2010 - 10:28 pm Comments Off

Axa Thursday completed the sale of part of its UK business group Resolution. A transaction for the equivalent of 3.3 billion euros, reflecting an exceptional depreciation of 1.4 billion euros in the accounts of Axa. The company, however, remain profitable in the first half. Its CEO, Henri de Castries, puts this sale as part of the strategy group.

LE FIGARO. – You transfer some of your activities in Great Britain. Would you withdraw from the country?

Henri de Castries. – No, no way. It is not out of the United Kingdom but we concentrate, as in our other markets, segments on the most strategic and fastest growing.Therefore we give only a part of our life insurance in Britain: the activities of traditional life insurance, as we had also stopped developing in 2002 because they no longer matched the expectations of our customers while being highly capital consuming. However, we maintain a portfolio of more modern products, whose growth prospects seem high and where margins are more consistent with the group average which is between 15% and 20%. Moreover, the operation does not damage insurance, or health.With this transaction for 2.75 billion pounds (3.3 billion euros), we derive the capital that we can redeploy where customer needs are the greatest.

Is this a turning point in your strategy? And should we expect AXA on acquisitions in emerging markets?

The crisis has caused a market decline and a new distribution of growth areas. It has not changed the major principles of our strategy, instead. We'll continue developing our core businesses for damages, life insurance, asset management through organic growth and, opportunistically, through acquisitions. The developed markets still have good growth prospects, even if only from the effect of demographic changes, but we work in parallel on an allocation of our resources to emerging countries in Asia, of course, but not only.There are actually three other major areas of expansion: the Central and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean area and Latin America. In Asia, growth is actually attractive. But the modalities of development of foreign players are still complex, especially in China and India. So do not confine our ambitions to these two major markets.

In Asia, the failure of the attempted takeover by Prudential AIA offers does it generate new opportunities?

Prudential was willing to put a price on the table that seemed very exaggerated. Our priority in Asia today is to conclude the transaction on Axa Asia Pacific. Then we'll see …

In Europe, the prudential rules could push banks to divest their insurance subsidiaries. Axa is he interested?

We observe closely what is happening.But no movement of magnitude is possible – for Axa as with all other major players – as we are not clear about what will be the regulation of the bank and the insurance. Then we will examine the opportunities. But I prefer to say at the outset that we, the insurers will not be easy these suppliers of capital as some might hope. We are ready to balanced partnerships with banks. But the distribution network – in this case banking – should not count on us to collect commissions unreasonable.

What about your thoughts on the construction of a new business plan?

It is actually an ongoing process, but we do actually re-adjustment of our business plan in light of the crisis, which has changed the level of our market and changed their dynamics.The result of our thoughts on our new objectives will be known early next year.

How do you rate prudential reforms as they prepare?

Insurers who had managed to remain faithful to their trades have weathered to the crisis. No European player has needed to raise capital. We agree with the economic approach to Solvency II proposes that risk, but be careful to calibrate as insurers meet an essential mission: they are long term investors, thus stabilizing the natural system. Nobody has an interest in an excess of zeal on the part of the prudential regulator activity handicap players like us. Therefore, the new standards should not result in additional capital needs. More broadly, these reforms raise a fundamental question: Europeans' appetite for risk.This is a new phase of debate on the precautionary principle: there is too much caution can be harmful. In this case, it can cause no growth. It must strike the right balance.

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Trade Electrical trial Kerviel

June 11, 2010 - 6:48 am Comments Off

The first witnesses in the trial of Jerome Kerviel to show unfavorable to the former trader. However, the three lawyers of the Societe Generale seem nervous.

My Veil, Reinhart and Martineau do not in place. Sometimes they twirl and shake, like swallows on a wire, while nearly two representatives of the Crown. The result is a mass effect on the side of the charge, which accentuates the loneliness of the accused, sitting in a chair – which is probably not displease her advice. Sometimes, in turn, lawyers for the plaintiff are powerful whisper the word to reporters, as if they have trumpeted the court might be misunderstood.

Here are just a witness who has everything to please them: SN is a trader at Societe Generale. Tall, slim, short hair, gray suit (a standard, obviously), this old friend of Mr.Kerviel stands slightly hunched, embarrassed of the man whose belly gargoyle society. "I do not necessarily asked to be there," he slips to the President. But since there is, he sings the lament of an honest financial embittered: "We all have limits to respect. Jerome Kerviel took positions stratospheric endangering the bank and its employees. We are fighting every day to earn a little money in the bank. I am disappointed and disgusted. "

Mr. Metzner asticote this model employee: "If you say the lesser evil of the Company generally, you would find your chair tomorrow?"

The witness, categorically: "Yes paydayloans. "

The lawyer, humbug "Try …"

Martineau and yelping My Veil: "MSunder oath! We want him to give false testimony: "The prosecutor Jean-Michel Aldebert, but caveat:" Do not terrorize witnesses, Master! "

Mr. Metzner and his partner, Nicolas Huc-Morel, now produce a picture that at first sight, shows that the theoretical limit imposed on the traders would have been "disabled" – understood: it was not expressly prohibited Kerviel to invest billions. Claire Dumas, part of SocGen, refutes the argument. The three councils of the bank seriously nod of the head, Mr. Metzner is gloating.As Mr Kerviel, but it should be noted that his ostensible irony and his disposition to take up anyone questioned irritate the president, who often questioned.

Societe Generale, it comes out of his sleeve a graphic frightening: If it had not "unwound" Kerviel aberrant positions from January 2008, she had said she lost, not 4.9, but 29 billion. This time, the trio that swagger, while Mr. Metzner, red as a peony, storm: "These pieces have not been disclosed to the defense!"

The performance resumed Friday morning.

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Brussels fears the impact of the crisis

May 6, 2010 - 1:24 am Comments Off

The euro zone growth will do better than expected this year, but then things could get tougher for weak links – including Greece and Portugal – which continue to frighten the markets with their debt problems. The European Commission has revised upward its growth forecast Wednesday in 2010, 0.9% (against 0.7% previously forecast). In 2011, the forecast remains unchanged at +1.5%.

"The improved prospects for economic growth this year is good news for Europe," said Economic Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn. But "we must ensure that risks to financial stability does not compromise this".These figures have initially supported the markets, before a relapse during the meeting.

Forecast 2011 decline

The Commission stressed that the pace of recovery could vary from one state to another. The Netherlands, Germany and France are expected to fare well in the game But in the South, we can expect a performance below average. Greece and could show a contraction of GDP – 3% this year and – 0.5% next year. Spain will be a little better, with growth expected to – 0.4% and 0.8% respectively. In Portugal, the Commission expects a GDP growth of +0.5% this year and 0.7% next year.For these three countries, forecast in 2011 have been revised downwards compared to the figures published in the fall.

The challenge for these countries is that they must serve their public finances without stifling the recovery. "Sustained growth requires fiscal consolidation efforts and specific reforms that improve productivity and employment", insisted Mr Rehn. The deficit is expected to reach 9.3% of GDP in Greece this year, against 9.8% and 8.5% in Spain to Portugal – the record being held by Ireland with 11.7%. But "if other measures sontentreprises farms (to clean up the accounts, Ed), we can expect that this will have an effect on growth," says one to the Commission.

While fears of contagion from the crisis scariest Greek markets, the EU executive wanted was reassuring."Greece is a unique and special," said Rehn, and "It's important to extinguish the brush fire before it becomes a wildfire in the European Union."

For its part, the head of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker, has ruled out any risk of contagion Greek, and any assumptions bursting of the euro area. As to former Commission President Jacques Delors, he expressed regret for lost time: "The firefighters are at work" to defend Greece and the euro, but "we must say they have been slow .