Posts Tagged ‘business’

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.

Wall Street should end the series upward

August 17, 2011 - 1:48 pm Comments Off

Wall Street does succeed in chaining a fourth consecutive session? Nothing is less certain. Within two hours of opening, the futures contract on the Dow Jones was down 0.74% at 11,319 points, those on Nasdaq and the S & P 500 dropping 1.09% to 2182 points to 1.05% to 1185 points.

Nervousness investors won again a few hours of a meeting in Paris between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The two leaders are to discuss ways to implement to improve governance in the euro area and contain the problems of sovereign debt. No decision is fundamental to expect from this meeting, warned a spokesman for Angela Merkel yesterday, let alone on the front of the Eurobonds claimed by many investors. The latter will not even up for discussion.And it is this fact which disappointed observers who expected progress on the subject. In Europe, markets are plunged into the red.

European growth disappoints

The bad mood is also expected to result from the publication of European indicators disappointing that send negative signals about the health of the euro area. Germany, European locomotive, reported a surprise slowdown and sharp growth in the second quarter. The entire euro area saw growth of 0.2% after increasing 0.8% in the first quarter.

United States, the agenda includes the release of housing starts, prices for import and export and especially of industrial production.This indicator is closely watched as markets worried about more and more sluggish growth of the world's largest economy.

Values ​​to follow

On the corporate side, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Dell and Saks must publish their quarterly results on Tuesday.

Agilent Technologies has reported after-hours trading Monday a profit of $ 330 million, or 92 cents a share, in the third quarter, up 62% turnover is up to 1.69 billion.

Berkshire Hathaway would have taken a stake in the retailer Dollar General.

Slight decline for Wall Street

August 13, 2011 - 12:20 pm Comments Off

Shortly before opening, chewing Americans were expected small decline, but volatility remains very high, the index futures may return at any moment, like the indices themselves. Shortly before noon Paris time, the index futures Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 100 yielded respectively 0.3% to 1165 points, and 0.37% at 2150 points.

On Thursday evening, U.S. markets have rebounded sharply, welcoming new listings weekly fewer than expected. European markets had also enjoyed the news, closing up vigorously.

The pressure remains strong this weekend

Other statistics on the agenda for this Friday, may well generate a few responses. Retail sales for the month of July will be unveiled at 2:30 p.m., in fact, before the start of the session Eats United.Investors await with interest the first estimate of consumer confidence from the University of Michigan for the month of August, from 3:55 p.m..

Pressure remains high on world markets. Lack of macroeconomic and really good news in the absence of major business publications Friday, this weekend is likely to be overshadowed by even more obvious signs of a weakening of growth. The sovereign debt crisis, and severe drops in banking stocks recorded this week, amid rumors of bankruptcy, particularly in France, will affect the trend.Asian stock markets have already finished down on Friday morning.

In this context agrave exacerbated by a volatile market, investors are going to look at publications such as retail sales, which should also benefit from a slight rebound in auto sales?

Difficult to answer this question. For analysts Aurel BGC, "while" so far the timing of publications of macroeconomic indicators has been poor, a reaction, positive or negative, this indicator would in any case an early normalization "of market behavior. Excluding cars, the indicators are still available for now more mixed.

On the corporate side, the U.S. airline AMR, parent of American Airlines, announced plans to separate its regional affiliate American Eagle.A document filed with the stock market regulator described a "possible separation" with the American Eagle to introduce the stock market separately. American Airlines is still bound for nine years in its subsidiary. American Eagle will continue initially to operate 281 aircraft for American Airlines, which will wind down its cooperation in 2012.

Why the euro remains so strong as Europe goes wrong

July 6, 2011 - 4:56 am Comments Off

Eighteen months after the initial concerns about the European debts, the situation on the old continent is still fragile. However, the euro remains surprisingly strong. The euro hovered around $ 1.45 since April, and rose more than 8% since the beginning of the year, and 15.5% in one year. "The first explanation that justifies the euro strengthens and weakens the dollar is in the interest rates: in Europe, they are likely to be faced by the ECB on Thursday, reaching 1.50% while those U.S. Federal Reserve and will still remain long remain between 0 and 0.25%, "says Bruno Rodier, private banker and portfolio manager at Pictet & Cie.This differential rate encourages investors to take advantage of the "carry trade", this technique to generate returns by borrowing in dollars at a rate unusually low, and place it in euros, which pays better.

"The situation should not change in the coming months because when the European Central Bank has the sole purpose of containing inflation by raising interest rates, the Fed also has the task of supporting growth and employment and maintain long-term rates low and a weak currency to do so, "said Harry Sebag, an analyst at Saxo Bank.He said the Fed will not change its monetary policy anytime soon because it looks especially the real estate market across the Atlantic, the one who caused the economic crisis and financial crisis in the summer of 2007, which is still not out business.

The dollar is kept artificially low

But even more than the strengthening of the euro, especially on the weak dollar that the experts agree. And has been a little more than a year: the Fed announcement as it injects new astronomical quantities (600 billion) dollars in the global economy. Instantly, the dollar lost its value against other currencies, and the effect lasted until now."There is also the effect 'end of world supremacy' of the dollar plays, including the report of the World Bank has recently anticipated that by 2025, that is to say tomorrow, the market currencies will be dominated also by the Chinese yuan, not only by the dollar and the euro, "notes Vincent Juvyns, strategist at ING IM.

The role of the dollar as the global benchmark fading as global governance wants to reform the international monetary system. In this perspective, little by little, investors include the future landscape of the exchange market and exchange their dollars into yuan and euro. "At the same time, we must take into account the cultural dimension of geographical areas: Europe, under the influence of Germany was a culture of rent, we want to keep a strong currency.This contrasts with the current pattern of currency war, which is to artificially push down its currency to promote its own foreign trade, "said Bruno Rodier.

Europe is going less badly than the U.S.

Finally, if Europe goes wrong, it will hurt less than the United States. Bad news on the macroeconomic front here and on the other side of the Atlantic, lower the respective currencies, but the U.S. figures are still worse than the European data, the dollar fell more than the euro. So the euro / dollar rate goes up anyway. "If you took away the effect debt, the euro was trading at least $ 1.50," Harry Sebag plans.Recently, the growth forecasts for the European Union were found, while those for the United States have been degraded.

Thus, the twists in the case of Greece, or fears of contagion from the crisis of sovereign debt of countries in the euro area peripheral to Italy or France, they have had little effect on the euro itself. "The currency market is highly sensitive to very short term. But in the coming weeks, the scenario of an outbreak of the euro area remains the least plausible of all, "says Vincent Juvyns, underlining that" challenges remain whole in the longer term. " The markets seem optimistic about the ability of European governance to agree to find solutions to problems of public finances of member countries."And Nicolas Sarkozy, Angela Merkel, and Jean-Claude Trichet has always reassuring words to soothe the markets when tensions rise," added the expert.

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The Cac 40 in a small increase before the end Greek

June 30, 2011 - 5:44 pm Comments Off

The Cac 40 could string together a fourth consecutive session bullish. When a new day begins crucial for Greece, the Paris Bourse continued its prudent mini-rally started Monday – the last three meetings, the Cac 40 gained almost 4%. The index featuring Paris, ironed the day above 3900 points, opened on Thursday, up 0.33% to 3937.26 points. It has long hovered around 3930 points this morning, and won and 0.19% to 3931.70 points in mid-session.

At the London Stock Exchange, the FTSE-100 gained 0.68% to 5895.84 points and the Stock Exchange Frankfurt, the DAX 30 in advance from 0.07% to 7299.52 points.

Yesterday, the Greek Parliament adopted the first two parts of the austerity plan intended to avoid the financial ruin of Greece. This had the effect of propelling the Cac 40 in excess of 3900 points.This afternoon, members of Greek determine in detail the cost-saving measures and privatization to engage in Greece for the next four years. But on Thursday, the progression of CAC 40 may be more limited than ever, after the IMF expressed concern about a failure of the United States.

On the macroeconomic front, several indicators punctuate the trading session:

– After declining 1.4% in April, consumer spending fell again in May by 0.8%.

– The public debt increased by 54.9 billion euros in the first quarter from the end of last year, to $ 1.6461 trillion, or "approximately" 84.5% of GDP (GDP).

For the euro area, a first estimate of inflation in June was announced at 11 am: it has displayed steady at 2.7%.For June, analysts polled by Reuters on average expected a slight acceleration to 2.8%.

Finally, the United States, two statistics will be released today: requests for weekly unemployment benefits (1430) and industrial activity in the Chicago area in June (15.45).

On the corporate side, as since the beginning of the week, bank stocks react positively to approval by the Greek Parliament's austerity plan. BNP Paribas takes 1.21% to 52.63 euros, gaining Natixis 1.82% to 3.41 euros, Societe Generale advance of 1 no faxing pay day loans.03% to 40.23 euros and Credit Agricole rose 0.44% to 10, 21 euros.Yesterday, they gained 1% to 2%.

Carrefour: -1.26% to 27.75 euros; Casino: + 0.03% to 64.62 euros

In the struggle that pitted him against Carrefour in Brazil, Casino raised its stake in the Brazilian distributor Grupo Pao de Acucar by 37% to 43.1%.

In addition, the Colombian subsidiary of Casino, Exito, will conduct a capital increase of $ 1.4 billion to buy the Uruguayan subsidiary of Casino for $ 746 million.

LVMH yielded 0.49% to 121.90 euros shortly after noon.The European Commission approved Thursday the French luxury group LVMH, headed by businessman Bernard Arnault, to take control of the Italian jeweler Bulgari-watch, considering that the transaction would not raise competition concerns in Europe.

Pernod Ricard: -0.29% to 67.96 euros

The world number two wine and spirits sells its shares in Georgian society Georgian Wine and Spirits, an operation that involves small amounts according to a spokesman for the world's second largest wine and spirits.

EADS: -0.33% to 22.9 euros

The airline American Airlines is negotiating with the European aerospace group Airbus and Boeing to purchase at least 250 aircraft, an order worth approximately $ 15 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Axa: + 1.05% to 15.42 euros

The insurer will invest 500 million euros in its partnership with the Chinese bank ICBC over the next 5 years.

Gecina: + 0.02% to 95.54 euros

The land was made yesterday two new asset sales, with the amount of its trade-offs to 559 million euros at end June

EuropaCorp: + 2.85% to 3.97 euros

The company production and distribution film Luc Besson has suffered a net loss of 30.2% million for the year ending March 2010 to 2011.

Groupe Partouche (0.75% to 2.67 euros) recorded in the first half of its 2010/2011 financial year lagged net income down more than 30%.

Beneteau (2.27% to 14.87 euros) will publish its revenue for the third quarter after the close of trading.

Battle between Casino and Carrefour in Brazil

June 29, 2011 - 3:04 am Comments Off

The tension escalates between Carrefour and Casino in Brazil. While the first confirmed on Tuesday had "received a proposal from major strategic partnership in Brazil," he sharply replied Casino "power to oppose this project."

Gama Brazilian society had proposed to merge the Carrefour group's Brazilian assets with those of the French retailer CBD group Grupo Pão de Açúcar (GPA). They thus constitute an equally owned company. CBD had previously merged with Gama.

But the case is the most sensitive.Right in the legal showdown with Carrefour, Casino contests this possible merger with CBD, "it is the largest shareholder, which it provides the co-control with Abilio Diniz and which it acquired in 2005 from Abilio Diniz and his family the right to become the sole controlling shareholder in 2012, "says the company in a statement issued in the wake and that sounds like a declaration of war.

The group Etienne, who now owns 37% of GPA, is indeed bound by a shareholders' agreement with the businessman Abilio Diniz, who owns shares in the holding company of GPA. Their agreement provides that neither party can negotiate a development project with a third party without the consent of the other. In late May, took the Casino Chamber of Commerce to arbitrate the case.

Referring to "a material financial transactions and prepared for a long time illegally by Abilio Diniz and Carrefour" and "illegal and secret negotiations," Casino accuse both parties have "ignore [d] deliberately both the law and ethics elementary. "

"Casino will consider in the coming days how to best defend the corporate interests of CBD and its shareholders that seems compromised by this project very complex and financial," says Casino, recalling that "it has the power s to oppose this project in terms of existing agreements and that no negotiations on the future of CBD can not be conducted without his consent and without prior discussion of this project to the Board of Wilkes, holding control of CBD. "

Clear benefits for Carrefour

Brazil is a strategic market for the two French groups, "the third world market in terms of food expenditure" the statement said Carrefour there realizes 12 low fee pay day loans.3% of sales. If the proposal is accepted Gama, the new joint venture would represent "the main actor in the distribution in Brazil," said Carrefour.Its turnover pro-forma is estimated at over 30 billion euros for 2011.

Gama has in turn shown to benefit from a capital investment of 2 billion and funding of 500 million euros.

"The benefits of the transaction are clear to Carrefour," noted analysts at Natixis, "the benefit to his credit in Brazil, which leaves just one major accounting scandal, the expertise of CBD; gain size of a key market , realize significant synergies with CBD and strengthen its long-term shareholders. "

Gama: up 6% stake in Carrefour

After OPERATON, Gama become a shareholder of the French distributor. The Brazilian could acquire additional shares Carrefour market of up to 6% stake in Carrefour.It would be represented by two members to the board of the French group, whose vice president, and three from 2013.

"Gama sign a shareholders' agreement and act in concert with Blue Capital LLC, Colony Blue Investor LLC, and Groupe Arnault SAS, which now jointly hold 14.1% of the capital and 20.2% of the voting rights of Carrefour , "the statement said. Together they would hold up to 30% of share capital and voting rights of Carrefour.

The board of Carrefour will meet in the coming days to discuss the proposal of Gama. Following this announcement, the Carrefour share jumped by more than 3% to 27.250 euros, while the title unscrews Casino: it yields about 5% to 62.63 euros.The CAC 40 in advance for its share of 1.08%.

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Aid to Greece: the private sector put to

June 20, 2011 - 10:00 am Comments Off

The finance ministers of the euro area are mobilizing to prevent a collapse of Greece. The central bankers in the eurozone have defined the conditions of payment of a further tranche of loans in July, this aid is part of the first plan in support of Greece to 110 billion euros in loans over three years promised last year by the Europeans and the IMF, but the payment was a time been questioned. But the finance ministers of the euro area indicate that the release of the loan must be accompanied by the vote of a new plan of austerity and privatization by the Greek Parliament. "To make the decision (on the disbursement of loans) in early July, we will need to have the decision of the Greek Parliament" in terms of austerity and privatization, said the Belgian Finance Minister Didier Reynders.And Athens has no choice because without this loan the country, faced with deadlines refinancing risk bankruptcy next month.

In the longer term, the ministers also laid the groundwork for a new plan. In fact, new support is essential to Greece to avoid bankruptcy in the longer term, the foreground is revealing enough. And this time, the private sector should be involved. Banks and other private creditors and participate in this new plan free instant credit score. However the contours of that plan remains to be defined.

"The ministers agreed that the additional funding required will be financed both by official and private sources" indicate the ministers in their statement.They "welcomed the goal of voluntary involvement of the private sector in the form of roll-overs informal and voluntary debt Greek existing mature," he added. The "debt roll-over" means, in financial jargon, the fact that creditors when loans mature, replace them with others of a similar amount. Ministers stress that this operation should be a contribution "substantial" in the Greek program "and avoid a default (of payment) selective" in the country.

Small flat, the "main parameters of a new funding strategy clear" should be defined "by early July," indicate the ministers.While they had initial aim "to discuss the participation of private creditors," stated Jean-Claude Juncker, adding "the question is" how far it can and must go. "

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Leclerc at war with major brands

June 8, 2011 - 3:04 pm Comments Off

The standoff between Lactalis and Leclerc continues. The retail giant refuses to pass on higher rates charged by the number one dairy. Result: Lactalis not book any more of its brands to stores Leclerc. The first cheese world requires a tariff increase of 11% to pass higher milk prices upstream, or the revisions granted by the distributor are nearly 4%.

Michel-Edouard Leclerc judge price increases requested by Lactalis "excessive," what Lactalis contends that the attitude of Leclerc is "unacceptable." The dialogue between the two groups seems a dead end. Especially as the CEO of Leclerc says the lack of Lactalis products ranging from milk to mozzarella Lactel Galbani, through brands of cheese and butter President, Bridel, Ruby or Company, does not affect the right walking group.The first sign of distribution in France also argues that Lactalis continues to provide a mark of distributors for nearly 250 million euros in business volume, says Les Echos.

The conflict with L'Oreal ended

But Lactalis is not alone in its struggle against the sign, the milk producers themselves have shown this Tuesday at the Paris headquarters of the distribution group to the call of the National Federation of Milk Producers (NPFL) high risk personal loans. In his blog, Eric de La Chesnais, note that the NPFL, the milk industry FNSEA, the main French farmers 'union, "has made contact with the various brands' distribution to explain" the importance of taking into account Higher prices for raw materials. " Producers have obtained, in principle, a meeting with the distributor. A date remains to be determined.

And for the same reasons, some products Ricard no longer appear in store shelves Leclerc, reports Les Echos. After a previous crisis in 2009, Leclerc refuses to pass the rate increases required by the group of wines and spirits. Only one-liter bottle of Ricard continues to be delivered because Ricard obtained for the product to appeal, an increase of 3% of the price.

Earlier this year, L'Oreal was also in conflict with the sign but an agreement was reached.

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Guéant to divide by two professional immigration

June 1, 2011 - 9:32 am Comments Off

It is the purpose and method to achieve this. Tuesday, meeting in camera the prefects of all departments, the Interior Minister, Claude Gueant, set the level to which must be reduced legal immigration in France. "We must collectively work towards halving the cards of employees," he said, adding that "the government's objective is to reduce over the coming year, the flow of legal immigration to 20,000 titles. The minister, in the wake, sent a circular to his prefects that Le Figaro was able to procure. Co-written with Xavier Bertrand, Minister of Labour, the paper on "immigration control work" provides a new interpretative framework for granting or denying a permit to reside outside its national territory under the status of worker.

"Given the impact on employment in one of the most severe economic crises in history," write the ministers must now focus on "a qualitative approach and selective." "Priority must be given to the employability of job seekers here today, whether French or foreign nationality residing legally in France, they take care to specify.

Vigilance

Follows a catalog of requirements for being awarded a work permit, draconian, especially if the applicant is not qualified. "These guidelines are intended in particular to protect migrants against all forms of exploitation," hasten to state ministers.

Thus, the systematic refusal to be the employer who will on behalf of an employee apply for work authorization when that employer will not show "the necessary guarantees to attract and accommodate" a foreign worker. Even negative outcome if the employer has failed once labor laws. The warden will also check the "real existence" of the corporate employer. It will be denied his requests for the least fault. Especially if it has not conducted a "search effective" in its "employment pool" before resorting to foreign labor news. "This research is mandatory," the ministers insist that invite prefects to be vigilant when a student asks to go abroad as professional status.Too many frauds have been identified for overqualified candidates relating to the job.

Tuesday, Claude Gueant assured before his prefects: "Our economy is not a vital need for labor migration in all areas." And he cited the example of the masons. He said "Last year, 730 foreign builders have entered the territory, yet he says, when employment center broadcasts 20 jobs from builders, there are 100 applicants who apply these in France. We can make the same argument for many other businesses, including sectors like IT. "Under these circumstances, the minister concluded" the common sense to give priority to job-seekers already present in France, whether French or foreign nationality.And justice recommends to ensure their working conditions and pay. "

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The CAC 40 saves 4000 points

May 6, 2011 - 5:44 am Comments Off

The mood is sullen at the Paris stock exchange after the sharp declines seen the day before (the CAC 40 fell 1.31% and fell below 4050 points). On Thursday, the benchmark index of the Paris Bourse lost 0.95% to 4004.87 points at closing and narrowly saves the technical threshold of 4000 points.

Same trend elsewhere in Europe. London's FTSE was down 1.07% at 5919.98 points and the Dax was down 0.04% to 7376.96 points. Both indices had suffered the heaviest losses the Cac yesterday.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro lost ground after the ECB, which met in Helsinki, has decided to keep interest rates unchanged at 1.25%. The single currency traded at 1.4599 euros (-1.54%) after again exceeded $ 1.49 during the meeting Wednesday.Furthermore, oil inventories surged against all odds, which gave the lead in using oil, which fell below $ 110 in New York yesterday, which always move in the fall on Thursday.

Bad news on the employment front U.S.

Statistical side to follow on Thursday: orders to German manufacturers have accused their first decline in March of this year, falling by 4% over the month as analysts awaited a stagnation, according to figures released Thursday by the Ministry of Economy.

In the U.S., nonfarm productivity rose more than expected in the first quarter, while unit labor costs has rebounded more strongly than expected, according to preliminary data released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor.Productivity, which measures hourly output per employee grew at an annual rate of 1.6% over the period January-March after rising 2.9% (revised from 2.6%) in the previous quarter. Over the period, the unit cost of labor has on his side rebounded 1.0% after having fallen by 1.0% (revised from -0.6%) over the last three months of 2010. Analysts had forecast an increase of 0.8% in the first quarter.

In addition, new jobless claims in the United States rose dramatically during the last week of April. The employment figures that will fall tomorrow, Friday, are eagerly awaited.Yesterday, investors learned that ADP figures have reported a creation 179,000 jobs in April, less than expected.

Societe Generale falling, Carrefour sentence

Side values, a publication of rain is still falling on Thursday including the quarterly results disappointing Societe Generale, driving down the stock price of 4.98% to 43.25 euros, lead the CAC.

After the excellent figures given yesterday by BNP Paribas (-0.13% to 53.98 euros), the first bank in Europe, SocGen announced a net profit of 916 million euros in the first quarter, down from 13, 8% over the same period of 2010 attributed to an accounting effect related to the revaluation of its own debt.

Also at sentencing, the retail group Carrefour (-1.93% to 31 euros), which announced Thursday the departure of its Executive Director James McCann France and the postponement of a controversial quotation of its real estate subsidiary, but maintained its draft rate 100% subsidiary of Dia and its financial targets for 2011.

Lafarge (-0.95% to 45.24) reveals a net loss of 29 million euros in the first three months of the year for a turnover up 9% to 3.55 billion euros .

Legrand (-2.51% to 29.69 euros) in the first quarter increased 13.7% in sales and 41.2% of its net profit, thanks to emerging markets and new market segments which the group has made a priority, which has confirmed its annual targets.

Bureau Veritas (-0.10% to 58.25 euros) confirmed anticipate strong growth in its turnover and adjusted operating profit this year after an increase of 23.2% of its activity in the first quarter .

Axa (+0.20% to 15.02 euros) expressed confidence in improving its profitability despite a drop of 2% of its turnover in the first quarter to 27.92 billion euros.

Maurel & Prom, Arkema and Capgemini climb

The independent oil company Maurel & Prom announced Thursday want to split and rate of its independent subsidiary in Nigeria, whose shares will be distributed to the shareholders in proportion to their participation in the group. The action takes off from 4.41% to 14.68 euros this morning.

Arkema (7.02% to 73.49 euros).The net profit quadrupled to 151 million euros and EBITDA (EBITDA) reached 17% of sales through an increase much higher than the market.This puts us among the best chemists.

The French group Capgemini consulting and information services (+0.19% at 40.58 euros) saw sales increase by 14.5% in first quarter 2011 to 2.3 billion euros and confirmed its objectives of achieving a growth in turnover of between 9 and 10% for the year.

The producer of wines and spirits, Pernod Ricard (1.94% to 68.28 euros) Thursday announced an increase in its turnover in the third quarter and confirmed its targets for its entire fiscal year (July 2010 – June 2011).

Air Liquide (0.56% to 97.58 euros) wants equity for the premium

Its CEO said he was open to the principle of paying a bonus to employees in case of dividend increase, provided to maintain the equity in a group with more than three-quarters of the members are outside France.

Alstom: -0.90% to 42.24 euros Moody's raised its outlook on the Baa1 rating on the group stable, negative cons.

Total: -1.41% to 41.17 euros, GDF Suez: -0.77% to 26.48 euros a parliamentary commission on Wednesday passed a bill to ban UMP in France in the exploration and exploitation of unconventional oil, gas and oil shale.

Michelin (-0.69% to 66.05 euros) announced an increase in the price of its truck tires, civil engineering, public works, agricultural and handling in Europe to meet the continually rising cost of raw materials.

TF1 (-2.01% to 12.41 euros), which has suffered several setbacks during the hearing last month, decided to appoint a new program director, Jean-François Lancelier, which takes the place of Laurent Storch .

The French chemicals group Rhodia (+0.37% at 31.59 euros) on Thursday posted a net profit of 151 million euros in the first quarter more than doubled over one year and raised its profitability target for 2011 , to become a recurring gross operating profit of "more than 1 billion euros."

Veolia Environnement (+0.52% at 22.26 euros) on Thursday posted a turnover up 11.3% in the first quarter thanks in particular to the resumption of its activities in the waste.

Mr. Bricolage (-0.57% to 13.97 euros) confirmed its targets for 2011 after publishing a stable turnover in the first quarter to 135.2 million euros.

Gifi (2.43% to 76.20 euros) registered a growth of 5.2% of its turnover for the first half of its fiscal year 2010-2011, to 351.3 million euros.The turnover of the group's second fiscal quarter ended March 31 rose 7.5% to 139.1 million euros.

Cegedim (+0.35% at 42.50 euros) has reported a sales increase of 2.9% as reported to 211.5 million euros, but down 1.4% comparable data available, and maintained its target of 4% growth in turnover for 2011.

The food group Bonduelle (0.72% to 68.60 euros), specializing in vegetables, posted a rise in its turnover for the third quarter from 14.6% to 421.6 million euros thanks to an improvement in consumption, particularly in eastern Europe, according to a statement.