Posts Tagged ‘business’

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

Real Estate: Paris exceed 8,000 euros per m² in June

April 29, 2011 - 1:44 pm Comments Off

In real estate, Paris is not France. So goes the refrain sung Thursday by the Higher Council of Notaries. In the capital, in fact, prices never stop rising. Last year, the increase was 17.5% and per square meter was worth, on average, 7330 euros in old housing. The boom continued in early 2011. "From December 2010 to February 2011, prices rose 5.2%, says Mr. Thierry Delesalle, president of the real estate commission of notaries in the Ile-de-France. In twelve month rolling period, from June 2010 to June 2011, we will not be far from the 20% increase. "Soon, the ceiling of 8,000 euros per square meter in Paris will be reached.

Relying on the promises of sales in the first quarter of 2011 signed, notaries believe the square meter in Paris will average 8,028 euros in June. This will rise to 15,500 euros in even the most expensive neighborhood in the capital, the Champs-Elysees.And this movement does not seem ready to break if we are to judge by the large number of transactions: first quarter in Ile-de-France, they rose 16%.

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphic.

Fewer foreigners in Paris

Contrary to popular belief, foreigners are not responsible for the rampant price increases because they are less active than before the Paris market: last year, they accounted for 6.5% of buyers against 7.6% in 2009. The result? "We should see the price differences widen between areas traditionally preferred properties such as Paris and those economically disadvantaged in which a decrease has already been committed," said Pierre Bazaille, president of the Institute for Notarial real estate guaranteed online payday loans. In fact, in the province, the changes are more chaotic.Overall, prices have also increased but less dramatically than in Paris. They set up in 2010 by 4.7% for older apartments and 10% for houses. But since early this year, the situation is contrasted by areas or cities.

In Lille, for example, home prices fell 6% to 170,000 euros on average in Bordeaux, one of the apartments has decreased by 1%. Less than 3% also for apartments in Rennes, where the square meter is now worth 2212 euros. On the other hand, for apartments, in Brest, the price per square foot rose by 7% to 1527 euros per square meter. The increase is more limited but very real (+3%) in Lyon, where the square meter is 3102 euros.

Difficult, with that, whether property prices will rise or decline this year in France. According to Mr. Pierre Bazaille, the trend towards a higher but moderate (between 0 and 3%).A development that will depend on exogenous factors such as rising interest rates on mortgages or advertisements referring to the SP in its program the rent freeze.

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The premium for employees already criticized by employers and unions

April 23, 2011 - 8:08 am Comments Off

Whether employers or unions, the measure does not satisfy anybody! As for companies with more than 50 employees, there is consternation: the premium required will be "a further complication for companies that create jobs in France", do we denounce the MEDEF. Where there is no lack of argument: "Businesses from 50 to 500 people are those shareholders who need to grow, it is firms that are missing in France, it is companies that need capital to pay."

The president of CroissancePlus Frederick Bedin, think "good on the merits, not the property on the form" of the measure, which denotes him as a "simplistic view of the company." It would be far "more beneficial for the development of growth, the State engages in a genuine and lasting reduction of payroll taxes, which would favor an increase in net wages of employees."

Conversely, in smaller companies, where the premium will not be binding, but rather relief. CGPME even speaks of "good news" while deploring that "a small business of 51 employees distributed dividends is subject to the same constraints as a global company in the CAC 40!".

As usual, the unions showed their displeasure – with varying degrees of virulence, however. Francois Chereque, secretary general of the CFDT, called a "mistake" the principle of a mandatory premium in large firms, certain that it would "divide the employees, limiting wage increases, and constitute a" gift, a windfall "to the employers who receive relief cash advance. His counterpart at FOR, Jean-Claude Mailly, spoke of a "announcement effect", lamenting a "gas factory" even though "full of employees will have nothing.""The smartest bosses may repurchase shares to avoid n'augmentent dividends," he said on LCI.

"No obligation of result"

CGT denounced "improvisation" and "attempts electioneering" government facing a "real problem of purchasing power." She also regrets that there is "no obligation of result" of negotiations.

The CFTC has "welcomed" the Government's concern for an "equitable sharing of the wealth produced in the business," but hoped that "all companies" are concerned. As for the CFE-CGC, she has "taken note of the will" of the government, preventing it deems appropriate time the effects of this "yet another mechanism that can be used to plug the holes in the racket of sharing value added. " He concluded: "Nothing replaces the perennial wage measures".

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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The G7 wants to reassure markets on Japan

March 18, 2011 - 7:36 am Comments Off

It is primarily a symbolic gesture of solidarity. Representatives of the G20 participated Thursday in a teleconference to discuss the situation of Japan, without drawing any conclusion. And 23 hours, another conference will bring together finance ministers and central bank governors of G7 countries (U.S., Japan, Canada, Germany, France, Italy and United Kingdom) on the same subject. However, no concrete decision is expected.

This, according to French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, to "see how it reacts on the financial plan." One way to reassure markets that have lost their cool this week. But Japanese Finance Minister, Kaoru Yosano, said that his country is not sufficiently destabilized to a G7 intervention, whether monetary or repurchase shares, or necessary at this time.The IMF is also reassured: "Japan is a rich country that has all the financial resources" to meet the challenges caused by the earthquake of March 11, believes the international monetary institution.

The Bank of Japan injected on Thursday morning, 6,000 billion yen (54 billion euros) into the financial system, raising its market support to 34,000 billion yen (309 billion) since Monday. The course of the yen resist these massive injections of liquidity. After reaching its highest level since World War II, Tuesday night at 76.36 yen to the dollar, the Japanese currency fell slightly yesterday at 78.89 yen, but remained at a very high risk for exports Driving the Japanese economy.If he betrays a repatriation of Japanese capital invested abroad, it can also have a negative impact on the deficit financing of some G7 countries, including the United States easy pay day loans.

Japanese Minister of Economy denies the existence of these remittances, blaming "speculators" betting on a nonexistent movement. But in the eyes of many observers, this move would be real, from the insurance, even if "there is currently no evidence, as outlined in the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ.

Agencies reassured

The Tokyo Stock Exchange, which had rebounded 5.6% on Wednesday, went back down, losing 1.44% on Thursday in closing, as most Asian markets, which show, it seems, less confident that the European stock markets, which rebounded 2.20% to 2.43% in Frankfurt and Paris, while Wall Street opened sharply higher, more than 1% after three days of declines.

In Tokyo, threatened by a power outage at a large scale, it is considered too early to make the accounts. Barclays Capital counts the costs of the earthquake between 130 and 150 billion euros, while that AIR Worldwide estimates that $ 34.6 billion (24.6 billion euros) that the check will pay the insurance.

But rating agencies Fitch, Moody's, Standard & Poor's, usually so quick to degrade the troubled country, keep their confidence.Fitch said the "huge savings" of the archipelago. Moody's insists that "Japan is a rich country that has proven in the past that he could recover from a disaster."

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Low cost taxis trying to break in France

March 16, 2011 - 5:24 pm Comments Off

After the protests, Justice. The taxi drivers of Avignon do not démordent: Easy Take a low cost taxi company established in February 2010 in their city, is unfair competition. Mr. Patrick Gontard, their lawyer, asked Tuesday before the Court of Appeal of Nîmes a cessation or disqualification.

"Easy Take the taxi is in disguise. Under cover of a passenger, the company transports people to return to clubs or to go catch a train. The drivers are the marauding But they have no right, "said Mr. Gontard. For the latter, certain obligations such as vehicle type and length or the need for each driver to have a personal license issued by the prefecture are not met.

Bargain prices

The union of taxi drivers did not demonstrate the existence of competition or a common clientele, or the commission of a fault, answered Mr. Julien Scapel defender Easy Take challenging the Qualification of unfair competition. Minutes are produced by the union does not "state supported on the highway", he stresses me Scapel that "there is no evidence to show that Easy Take is engaged in illegal taxi.

"We operate through two licenses, the road transport of passengers and one passenger vehicle with driver. The problems submitted to us, which are only technical problems, concern only the second license which is only about 15% of our business, "Jean-Marc Sibade relativized, one of the founders of the company.

For example, Take Easy is not yet in possession of vehicles with the length required to comply with the decree of 6 December 2010 having raised it from 4.40 to 4.50 m. The company expects delivery of the thirty Ford Tourneo Connect that will replace its original Kango.

To offer fixed price broken races (7 euros for 7 km, 15 euros for 15 km … day and night), by reservation only and a maximum distance of 50 km, Easy Take innovated: he uses vehicles converted to passenger car with advertising on the body and head restraints. "We appeal to customers who did not take the taxi before, we are not competing but complementary," argues Jean-Marc Sibade. "Anyway, Europe has given to France until 2014 that taxis are no longer a monopoly.If not us, it will be groups that it will, "he adds.

He has every intention of taking market share before that. It should open a branch in Nimes by the end of March, then a franchise in Montpellier in May and in the wake of another agency in Cavaillon, with twenty vehicles in each city. His goal is to be present in thirty cities within five years. The paradox is that taxis have made it much publicity by demonstrating against him and that requests for exemptions have poured.

Strong demand for iPad 2 U.S.

March 15, 2011 - 12:04 am Comments Off

The iPad 2 has attracted the crowds. Over the weekend, the queues are often longer than last year, were formed before the Apple stores and shopping channel partners for the launch of the new touch pad in the United States. More than a thousand people are massed together at the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue, New York, against 700 in April 2010. According to a statement of the analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray, Apple could have sold between 400,000 and 500,000 iPad 2 from Friday night. Last year, 300,000 iPad have been sold during the first weekend.

This strong demand for iPad 2 leads already to longer delivery times.The iPad 2 is now shipped in three to four weeks depending on the Apple website, instead of three to four day period during the launch, while distributors contacted by U.S. analysts said their inventories were at their lowest . Asked by the Wall Street Journal, a spokesman for Apple has described the request as "extraordinary" and said the company was working to fulfill all orders no fax pay day loans. The first iPad had known for several weeks out of stock, partly because of worries of supply of the screen.

The profile of the buyer iPad has since evolved. It is divided almost equally between Mac owners and PC, when the Apple faithful were over last year (74%), says analyst Gene Munster. Nearly half of buyers (47%) choose a model with a 3G connection, more expensive.They also turn more readily to the storage capacity of 32 GB and 64 Furthermore, some 70% of clients did not have two iPad iPad far. In another survey of ChangeWave institute, over 80% of U.S. consumers intend to buy a touch pad to turn to consider the iPad.

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The Cac 40 puts an end to four sessions of drop

February 25, 2011 - 9:40 pm Comments Off

Optimism is back this Friday on the Paris, following the CAC40 was in the red all week. The benchmark index in Paris closed up 1.51% to 4070.38 points. For the week, the Paris index was down 2.09%, but reaching back to the symbolic 4,000 mark.

Therefore reversed the trend on Friday, OPEC's speech on its probable involvement in the event of disruptions in oil supplies has restored color to the financial markets. Starting with Wall Street.

Even optimism squares Europen, the FTSE-100 index of London Stock Exchange gaining 1.37% to 6001.20 points. For its part, the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange gained 0.77% to 7185.17 points.

United States: Growth and Consumption lowered

In France, INSEE published a fall in consumption of the French in January.Business failures for the month of September 2010 will be known at noon.

United States, economic growth in the fourth quarter was revised down Friday to 2.8% annual rate, according to a second estimate published by the Commerce Department in Washington, against 3.2% after first estimate in January.

Consumption, which accounts for 70% of GDP, grew 4.1% annually over the previous quarter, against 4.4% initially estimated.She made 2.88 points growth.

U.S. consumer confidence rose in February to its highest level since January 2008, according to an index published by the University of Michigan, which was revised sharply upward Friday, 77.5.

Side currency, the euro lost it again ground against the greenback under $ 1.38, to exactly 1.3746, down 0.41%.

On the podium of the largest increases of the week are two banks: Credit Agricole (3.64%) followed by Natixis (3.48%). Saint-Gobain (+0.64%) completed the podium.

Conversely, Lafarge has the highest drop since the beginning of the week: -7.79%.Then there Vallourec (-6.92%) and Accor (-5.15%).

EADS loses the contract of the century in favor of Boeing

CGG Veritas: 9.79%, to 26.14 euros – the largest increase SBF 120

The oil services group announced Friday a net loss for the fourth quarter due to special charges related to its plan to improve profitability. The group is free cash flow positive 2011.Il said its industrial investments and multi-client should reach 600 million dollars in 2011.

EADS – 0.53%, to 20.66 euros – stronger and only decrease the CAC 40

The aerospace manufacturer lost the tender for the delivery to the U.S. Air Force, 179 tanker aircraft, after the invalidation of the previous contract awarded in 2008.It was eventually awarded to rival Boeing, but the European manufacturer has 10 days to appeal on this contract of 35 billion dollars.

LVMH: 3.56% to 113.60 euros

Dior fashion house LVMH subsidiary, has suspended its creator, the British designer John Galliano, accused of uttering anti-Semitic and racist slurs against a couple Thursday night in Paris where he was arrested before be left free business card.

Thales: 2.97%, to 27.43 euros

Ten days after a profit warning, the specialist defense electronics, aerospace and security, has published annual results sealed by provisions amounted to 721 million euros related to contracts as underachievers 'Military Transport Aircraft

Saint-Gobain 5.52% to 43.02 euros – the largest increase CAC 40

The building materials group aims to accelerate its organic growth this year, in line with the rebound in activity recorded in 2010, driven by industry demand and buoyant emerging markets. Its CEO, Pierre-Andre de Chalendar also put on a strategy of acquisitions more aggressively.

Valeo: + 9.55%, to 44.72 euros

The automotive supplier has returned to profitability in 2010 and resumed the payment of a dividend for the year past.He expects an improvement in its operating margin in 2011, driven by buoyant U.S. and Asian automotive markets.

Eiffage: 8.51%, to 43.78 euros

The company intends to renew growth in 2011 after a third consecutive year of stagnation in sales, concessions have yet to offset the sluggish construction.

Aeroports de Paris: 0.32%, to 63 euros

The group announced Thursday the results conform to expectations with growth of 5% of its Ebitda to 927 million euros in 2010. By 2015 it wants to increase by 40% in 2015 compared with 883 million registered in 2009. Its sales rose 4.0% to 2.739 billion euros in 2010 – despite an almost permanent traffic – and net income group share grew by 11.3% to 300 million.EPA anticipates a recovery significantly higher than expected air traffic in 2011 which should enable it to accelerate slightly the growth of its revenues and EBITDA.

Air Liquide: +0.84% at 92.65 euros

The gas giant said Thursday night that a financial institution entrusted the mission to assist for the realization of part of its share repurchase program authorized by its shareholders last year, within a million titles.

Sanofi-Aventis: 0.82%, to 49.71 euros

The lab announced Thursday the approval and completion of the acquisition announced in October 2010, Chinese BMP Sunstone, for 520.6 million dollars ($ 10 per share). The transaction will allow it to create a platform for public health in China, strengthening its presence in emerging and non-prescription drugs, two of its major growth drivers.

After the close, the Bel cheese (stable at 35.06 euros) will also publish its annual turnover.

The pump prices near their record

February 6, 2011 - 2:16 am Comments Off

Pressure is mounting on motorists: Never pump prices have been near record levels in June 2008 when a barrel familiarly the bar $ 150. According to the latest statistics of the administration, the super unleaded 95 (SP 95) averaged at 1.467 euros per liter, 2 cents of the historic peak of 1.488 euro. The diesel has a little more leeway: it now stands at 1.284 euro, against 1.438 in 2008.

These prices can be surprising because the Brent crude in London is changing these days around $ 100, far below the peaks here are two and a half years. However, in the meantime, the dollar has appreciated against the euro, highlighting the pump the impact of soaring crude prices. Over the next few weeks, most experts believe that prices could still rise.They are based primarily on the wave of tensions in the Middle East set to continue.

For now, fuel consumption, which covers about half the French demand for oil has not yet been severely impacted. According to figures released Friday by the French Union of Petroleum Industries (Ufip), it rose 0.2% last year, the increase in diesel sales (+2.1%) to address the decline in supplies Gasoline (- 6.2%). It is the fruit of dieselisation French fleet, with more than 70% of new registrations.

The debate about internships abusive resurfaces with balances

January 11, 2011 - 3:16 pm Comments Off

Winter sales start on Wednesday. With this period of debate resurfaces bargain prices on many brands use interns as sellers. The collective Precarious Generation alarmed again this phenomenon, citing the low pay for trainees. They are paid "on average six times less" than the employee, the group calculates. In addition, these courses are often precarious, with no contract to boot.

"These are clearly disguised employment", says Julien Boucher, an activist in Precarious Generation, a movement born in September 2005, following a strike call and webcast spontaneous. "Teachers prefer to use this option during rush periods such as Christmas or year-end balances, rather than hiring temporary or CSD, they remained on the benches of employment center," laments he said.A trend that has accelerated in recent years.

Companies have "benefited from the crisis"

According to Julien Boucher, "companies have benefited from the massive crisis in recruiting trainees. The number of stagaires would be spent in France and 800,000 in 2006 to 1,200,000 in 2010. An increase of 50% in four years. Since its inception, Precarious Generation campaigns for a stricter training courses and in particular for increasing the salaries of trainees. For its part, the CFDT, which has made youth employment a priority for 2011, proposes to improve the lives of students, said its secretary general Francois Chereque, when presenting his greetings on Monday.

Article 9 of the Act of March 31, 2006 on Equal Opportunity oversees the conduct of business internships.Admittedly, it was amended by Law of November 24, 2009 which established the principle of compensation and minimum mandatory internships for a period greater than or equal to two months instead of three months previously provided by the decree of 31 January 2008. "But nothing is settled. It's always the level of remuneration is the rub, "Julien Boucher shade. If no collective bargaining agreement more favorable, the student must collect at least 12.5% of the maximum hourly rate of social security, equal to 22 euros in 2010. Is 417.09 euros per month for 35 hours weekly attendance of the trainee in the company."The whole, without contributing to retirement or unemployment insurance," said a member of the collective.

A new operation "punch"

This year again, Generation Precarious therefore benefit from the symbolic period balances to publicly denounce "deals made on wages through the misuse of training" and promises a "blitz" on Saturday. At the last such event, held on the opening day of sales in January 2008, members of the group gathered outside the Parisian department stores, Boulevard Haussmann, to distribute leaflets to customers and the Galeries Lafayette spring.

wmode = "opaque"

Singled out, signs are defending themselves contribute to an increase in placements abusive, reports Le Parisien / Today in France in a survey on this subject. "The students represent only 0.68% of our workforce.Their number is steady throughout the year, it does not increase during the sales or parties, "says a spokesman at Fnac daily. "We offer them at the end of their internship, and if they wish, paid positions when we can," says one at the Gap. Finally, Decathlon stresses that students recruited by the group are "compensated".

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