Posts Tagged ‘corporation’

In France, SMEs threatened by new taxes

May 18, 2012 - 3:36 pm Comments Off

 

In France, too, resistance was organized against the tax increases that prepares the new government. But it will come mainly employers' organizations. In the program of Francois Hollande, 20 billion euros of tax increase at least directly related companies. And one of them focuses all the fears of employers' organizations: the removal of the pay scale relief companies paying the levy on the value added (CVAC).

Behind this name hides a barbaric tax simple. When the government of François Fillon has removed the tax in 2010, he replaced it with two lighter taxes levied by local authorities: the territorial economic contribution (CET) and CVAE which is a tax of 1.5% value-added enterprises.

But not to penalize the smaller of them, only companies with annual revenues exceeding 50 million euros are taxed at 1.5%. Below, the rate is declining, according to the volume of business done and the slices are made based on a precise schedule. The proposal of François Hollande to remove the pay scale relief, is to tax the value added of all firms with annual revenues exceeding EUR 500 000 at a single rate of 1.5%.

Concerns

This provision will affect the brunt of SMEs is concerned there be the MEDEF. The expected tax receipts rise, according to simulations, between 3.3 and 3.5 billion euros. Difficult to know in detail what this will mean additional burden for the firms concerned. But according to data from the Directorate General of Public Finance (DGFIP), businesses with annual turnover between 500,000 and 3 million participate to the tune of 1.9 billion to these new recipes. Those between 3 million and 10 million in revenue to contribute € 760 million, mainly because they are smaller.

Against attacks of the employers of this worrying increase in the charges, the team of Francois Hollande, during the campaign, responded by indicating that SMEs would benefit from a reduced rate of corporation tax at 15%. "Except that most SMEs are already at that rate," said an official employer, "and the program of Francois Hollande has never planned to extend this rate down to more companies." …… ..

In short, the new system will penalize SMEs unless, in the parliamentary discussions, the future majority agrees to additional gestures, such as a change in the scope of the current IS reduced to 15%. A first test will show that tax Bercy to support the French industry, in a context of strained public finances.

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Growth: France lags behind Germany

May 16, 2012 - 11:20 pm Comments Off

 

Meeting for the first Holland Merkel in Berlin on Tuesday hours after the presidential inauguration, the new Franco-German duo has been scrutinized from every angle.

There is one in which France did not shine in comparison: growth. While our neighbor across the Rhine announced an increase of 0.5% of GDP in the first three months of the year – far more than anticipated by economists – the Hexagon was pale with sluggish growth (0 %) over the same period. An expected figure, certainly, but all the more disappointing that the 2011 fourth quarter was revised down from 0.2% to 0.1%.

Some will see the sign that Francois Hollande must persist in its intention to renegotiate the pact with Germany in the European budgetary discipline to introduce a component of growth – what is opposite the German ruling. Others will worry about the weak position of the Hexagon before the arduous negotiation Responding to the country confirms that the only real powerhouse of the eurozone.

The growth figure of France for the first quarter confirms the tonality of the beginning of the quinquennium of the new president. Francois Hollande already knows he can not count on any boost in the short term for the conditions to implement its program.

Production of "idle"

None of the drivers of growth and gives no sign of strength: consumer expenditures of households are "sluggish" (0.2% in the first quarter, after +0.1% the previous one), while investment companies folds (-1.4%), INSEE said. And if reconnect with imports rising, it does not compensate for slowing exports enough to prevent the trade weighs on growth. As for the production of goods and services, it turns "idle". In total, the growth overhang at the end of March – that is to say, the theoretical progression of GDP if the activity remained stable until the end of the year – amounted to 0.2%.

In short, Francois Hollande will have to deal with an uncertain environment. Even more uncertain than the events in Greece could get involved … If time is not yet at risk of contagion to the Hexagon, "we must avoid the chaotic moments that disturb everyone, Greece, is 2% of EU GDP, but this may be part of the little things that become large if not managed properly, "said an official of Bercy cash advance in one hour.

Francois Hollande, he believes in his ability to bounce activity. His lieutenant, Michel Sapin, cites as evidence the industrial policy announced – more favorable, he said, growth – and European initiatives to materialize before he sees the end of next year, thanks to an agreement between France and Germany.

In fact, the new team has no choice if she wants to meet his campaign promises and not be obliged to review all its forecasts. Less growth, this means more unemployment, more deficit and more debt. But the intangible commitment is to return to 3% public deficit in 2013. Francois Hollande can not afford any off the road.

2011 debt adjusted slightly up

INSEE has completed the 2011 accounts. The Institute of Statistics was first confirmed on Tuesday that the general government deficit stood at the end of the year to 103.1 billion euros, or 5.2% of GDP. Compared to 2010, he was reduced from 33.9 billion euros, "because both the revenue buoyancy and expenditure restraint." The new president pledged to reduce the public deficit to 4.5% of GDP at end 2012 and to 3% in 2013. To balance its budget equation, Francois Hollande has on growth (see above), but it also provided 29 billion in additional revenue by the end of 2013.

The weight of public debt, meanwhile, has reached an unprecedented level, 86% of GDP, 3.7 points higher than the end of 2010. At a 717.3 billion, it is also a bit more than the number that was announced in late March (85.8%). Finally, the tax burden, estimated at 43.9% (against 43.8% previously), was up 1.4 points compared to 2010.

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Wall Street ended the week on a note hesitant

May 12, 2012 - 4:24 am Comments Off

Presidential in major cities Paris | Leeds | Lyons | Toulouse | Leeds | Sheffield | Liverpool | Bordeaux | Lille

The Real Cost of London Olympics

April 18, 2012 - 4:04 pm Comments Off

 

In his defense, the government ensures that the global event will benefit the local economy. 1500 enterprises had shared a jackpot of € 9 billion of contracts. But experts estimate that less than 1% of GDP growth of the net gain generated by the Olympics for several years.

The major amounts invested for the event.

• Transport: € 7.8 billion

For seven years, considerable effort has been devoted to the modernization of the London transport network, to host 3 million visitors in addition to the 12 million daily riders. New stations were built around Stratford, the Olympic site in east London. A special express train, the Javelin, will link the park to the station King's Cross St. Pancras. But the risk of flooding remains a nightmare for the organizers and authorities in London.

+ Organization: € 2.4 billion

The organization of the fifteen-day competition is funded by private funds from revenue from TV rights, sponsorships, merchandising and ticketing (485 million euros). Some sponsors are involved in providing benefits in kind (eg telecom).

+ Olympic Stadium: 1.2 billion euros

The enclosure of 80,000 seats is the centerpiece of a series of new equipment final, including a swimming pool, a handball court, a velodrome that will find and use a permanent occupants after the Olympics. Each was built by an architect and a different promoter. Other facilities such as the basketball stadium, will be dismantled at the end of competitions.

+ Olympic Village: 675 million

The site of the London 2012 Olympic Village was sold for 634 million euros in a joint venture with Qatari Diar business cards. The village, which adjoins the Olympic Stadium, includes 2,800 new homes. And the contract includes the creation of 2,000 additional.

Security +: € 670 million

This is one of the positions responsible for soaring overall costs. The organizing committee found itself under fire for underestimating security needs. A first estimate "wet finger" of 10,000 agents has been revised upwards to 23,700, doubling the budget to fund these private security guards. A contract with G4S company specializing in 104 million was renegotiated to 344 million. Not to mention the tens of thousands of forces of public order.

+ Ceremonies: 98 million

Entrusted to Danny Boyle, director of Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire movie, the opening ceremony of July 27 should show the "best of Britain". Thousands of extras are being recruited. To succeed in this show of force after that which remained in the memories of Beijing, Prime Minister David Cameron has agreed to double the budget for opening and closing.

= Public budget: 13 billion euros

The note of the Olympics for taxpayers English has continued to fly from the original figure of 3 billion when London won the competition in 2005. The organizing committee is now working on a budget of 11 billion, but a parliamentary report estimated that the bill may reach 13 billion instead. 29 billion and even if we take into account indirect costs for utilities, including the police and military presence.

Suicides: search offices of France Telecom

April 4, 2012 - 4:08 am Comments Off

 

Justice always seeks to measure the responsibility of France Telecom in the wave of suicides that killed dozens of employees – 62 according to unions – from 2008. As part of the investigation for "bullying" opened in 2010, the Paris headquarters of the operator Tuesday was the subject of a search. "We confirm a search operation on Tuesday. This is the logical continuation of the current statement since April 2010, "reported AFP a spokesman for the group.

The unions, on Tuesday, have welcomed the progress of the investigation. "The first stage of training had gone through investigations in the family and business contacts all victims with fifty letters rogatory throughout France. This accelerated instruction is positive for us especially if it leads to a trial which, hopefully, will condemn the brutal methods employers and work organization pathogen, "says union South in a statement.

It is based on a report critical of the Labour Inspectorate that the Paris court decided two years ago to respond to the complaint filed by the SOUTH. A 82-page dossier analyzing the circumstances of the death of 14 employees of the operator, which concluded that "the implementation of labor organizations likely to cause serious harm to the health of workers." Very critical of "the politics of reorganization" led the company since 2006 to modernize, the report pointed "management practices that characterize bullying personal business card."  

New social contract

He also stressed that despite the repeated warnings of occupational physicians, labor representatives and health insurance funds, the operator continued implementation of its modernization plan "Next", launched in 2005. Among the means used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the group included the elimination of 22,000 jobs over three years and the transfer of 10,000 employees. In 2010, the Paris prosecutor had however held that the charge of "harassment", rejecting that of "endangering the lives of others."

The wave of suicides has already impacted the operation of the operator. Starting with its CEO. Didier Lombard, originally the plan "Next" and author of clumsy on about a supposed "fashion suicide" was replaced in March 2010 by its director France, Stéphane Richard. With a completely different style than its predecessor, it has sought to pacify the group. A new social contract, a discourse more transparent and promise to hire 10,000 people helped to reduce the social crisis. Interviewed by the company last September, employees seemed to feel a slight improvement: welfare to work was rated 6.8 out of 10 then, against 6.2 a year earlier.

Life insurance: rififi around social contribution

March 29, 2012 - 10:08 pm Comments Off

 

In recent weeks, investors do not understand anything. Some have seen all of their interests in 2011 life insurance policy amputees 13.5% Social Security contributions (CSG, CRDS …). Others paid much less. CNP Assurances, for example, said she has not applied the 13.5% interest acquired all of 2011 … for the simple reason that it was applicable as of 1 October in 2011. Before that date, and the tightening of government tax, the rate was only 12.3%!

ING Direct, he admits he was wrong. Customers have received an email, stating that the amount of payroll taxes that had been indicated (13.5% for all interests in 2011) was erroneous. The situation will be rectified in order to apply a rate of 12.3% through September.

This means that the position of tax administration, questioned on the issue, has been eagerly awaited. She gave his answer Wednesday. Disappointment! It returns insurers and investors to their contracts! Because, of course, the rate of 13.5% applies only to interest earned since 1 October 2011. But to know when these interest-precisely-are "acquired", "should refer to the relevant clauses of the contract," says Bercy. Back to square one, therefore.

For Aviva, the manager of the famous Afer contract, signed by some 720,000 savers, the interest shall be granted unless the performance of the contract for the year is calculated, and so when the interest is credited to an account. Or early 2012. That's why he applied the 13.5% interest in all the euro funds earned by the insured during the past year. This clause is most detrimental to investors.

For other insurers, we can at least take into account the minimum guaranteed rate. Many contracts provide a minimum return in effect during the year (it is applied especially to investors who end their contracts before December 31, and thus before the yield used for the past year is known). It is less generally used to return ultimately, but it has the merit to exist. If the contract considers that the interests are acquired at least the minimum rate during the year, it is enough to apply 12.3% Social Security until late September. And apply the 13.5% that of the rest.

The euro area requires more to Greece

February 11, 2012 - 1:20 pm Comments Off

 

On the Greek front, the relief was short-lived. The hope of a crisis after the announcement of an agreement between the austerity coalition in power has been showered later that evening by the Eurogroup. Indeed, the forum of finance ministers of the monetary union has not given the green light yesterday to the outbreak of a new critical assistance for Greece. "Despite the significant progress made in recent days, we did not have all the necessary elements on the table to make decisions" in the immediate future, said President of the Eurogroup, Jean-Claude Juncker, to outcome of the meeting.

The central bankers of the euro area have put three conditions for granting a new loan in Athens, and set a new appointment next Wednesday. Those responsible for the euro area demand and the Greek parliament approves austerity plan Sunday in the day yesterday accepted by the Greek political parties and its creditors. Finance ministers of the euro area also ask Athens to make "additional savings to the tune of 325 million euros" in the 2012 budget of the country, and that "by Wednesday," said Jean-Claude Juncker.

Finally, the euro area expected "strong political guarantees", written by the coalition parties in power in Athens no fax pay day loan. "We want real commitments" on reforms that are carried out, said the president of the Eurogroup. The Greek government estaccusé not fulfill all the promises of budget savings and reforms promised in exchange for international loans. However, to ensure that the funds will go far in debt repayment, the Franco-German proposal to create a special escrow account is seriously considered, said yesterday the European Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Olli Rehn.

The doubts of the euro area are justified: the new agreement accepted yesterday by the ruling coalition was the same day denounced by the Deputy Minister of Labour, Giannis Koutroumanos and has not received the green light for conservatives Antonis Samaras. But the Greek Socialist Minister of Finance, Evangelos Venizelos, is intent on achieving an agreement. Last night he gave notice to the Conservatives to support additional budgetary savings at risk if not to see the country forced to exit the euro area.

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"Rigor" Greece has no choice "

November 17, 2011 - 11:00 am Comments Off

The escalation of tensions on the Italian and Spanish debt complicates the crisis in the euro zone and precipitates the search for new solutions. Thus, the Minister of European Affairs in Finland would defend today the creation of a two-speed Europe, guided by the inner circle of six European countries rated AAA. Alex Stubb does not want "out of some countries in the euro area, but the loss of influence in some countries," reports the Financial Times quick payday loan. He concluded: "a country that is not rated triple-A is not in the best position to advise management of public finances."

These proposals are the Finnish Minister echoes those of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, who argues for the establishment of programs of fiscal consolidation and strengthening of the integration of the euro area.

The Japanese prostestent against the Mont Saint-Michel

September 13, 2011 - 7:44 am Comments Off

Mont Saint-Michel, La Mère Poulard and neighbors start laughing … yellow. This gem has been moult attacks, "this fairy castle planted in the sea," as admired Victor Hugo, is the subject of a heated battle. Not that of the wind, which Unesco has asked in June to stop the work, but the tourists. Especially the Japanese, the abbey historic monument fascinates. The 300,000 Japanese visitors, a total of 3 million who visit the site each year, in fact, threaten to fall back on other destinations. In question, while the work that will enable the Mount become an island is accelerating: the conditions of reception of tourists, including the starting point of the shuttle 800 meters of the future parking. The owner of a tour operator, which only works with Japanese from Paris for the day, will meet Tuesday the mayor of Mt.This is to prevent its customers, who have three hours to visit, a walk of nearly two kilometers …

The association of tour operators Japanese in Paris also wrote to 24 local elected officials, recalling that a Japanese customer spends 80 euros at Mont-Saint-Michel, and a decrease in activity of 30% would represent a loss of 7 2 million euros per year for the rock …

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Samsung became the world leader in consumer electronics

August 8, 2011 - 3:16 pm Comments Off

Click the preview to enlarge the graphic.

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

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

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

The finest PC market

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

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

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

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