Posts Tagged ‘home’

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

August 3, 2011 - 5:20 pm Comments Off

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

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

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

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

The recovery remains fragile

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

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

ALSO READ:

"A month of July for the sluggish auto market

IMF: Washington encourages her great oral before Lagarde

June 24, 2011 - 6:00 am Comments Off

The support is not official, but the formula leaves little room for doubt. The U.S. treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner, "believes that the experience and solid leadership skills of the Minister Lagarde make her an exceptionally gifted candidate for the general direction of the IMF." In the race to succeed Dominique Strauss-Kahn to head the institution, is a way for Washington to support the European rather than his rival Mexican Agustin Carstens.

This statement therefore encourage what Christine Lagarde who must, on Thursday, passing his oral exam before the Board of the IMF. She must convince the 24 members it is the most capable of governing the IMF in the current turmoil. Agustin Carstens, he led his interview Tuesday.

The Mexican Fund for an impartial

During this session, had said Monday the institution, "each candidate will present his views on issues facing the Fund and its member states, and administrators will be able to interact with the candidates." Mexicans called for an increased IMF resources permanent, impartial, representing more emerging economies on its board of directors.

Christine Lagarde was in turn focus his presentation on an IMF "responsive, cooperative, legitimate and fair." So far, she expressed hostility to a restructuring of the Greek debt. When asked whether she was confident before the interview, the French Minister exclaimed: "Forever!".

Two shadows loom, however, about his candidacy. First, the case Tapie, who has rebounded earlier this week, and the Greek crisis.Brazil has indicated, through his representative at the IMF, Paulo Nogueira Batista, he expected the future Director to hold a position of severe vis-à-vis Greece: "We need strong action to obtain from Athens, and a clear financial commitment on the part of the euro area. A general statement is inadequate. " A position held since the beginning of his campaign by Agustin Carstens, who says he even opened a debt restructuring if necessary.

Preordained

For many observers, however, the game is a foregone conclusion for Christine Lagarde. "The French Minister on course to win," and headlined the Wall Street Journal on Thursday morning. She enjoys the strong support from almost all European countries, over 15% of the vote.One member of the board should, however, provide support to Agustin Carstens: Mexican director representing Spain and Latin America, 4.7% of the vote. Brazil has not made clear in his favor.

The decision should ultimately be taken on the basis of consensus, not wanting the institution or place one of its member countries is at odds vis-à-vis a future director or humiliate an unsuccessful candidate. The outcome of the deliberations is expected Tuesday at the earliest, and June 30 at the latest.

ALSO READ:

"IMF: the wheels of an election

"IMF: more than two candidates for a chair

»COMPUTER GRAPHICS – The CV of Christine Lagarde meet IMF demands

»COMPUTER GRAPHICS – Understand the business Tapie, Credit Lyonnais

"How does the IMF

Wall Street ends in green despite the plunge of Google

April 16, 2011 - 8:40 pm Comments Off

Encouraging indicators supported the U.S. stock indices and overshadowed the disappointing results posted by Google and Bank of America.

According to government statistics, the underlying inflation remained contained in March, while the monthly survey from the University of Michigan and Thomson Reuters has shown that consumer morale rose more than expected in April.

"I am surprised that the market will continue as well, after Google and Bank of America," said Randall Warren Warren Financial Services, "but the world is happy with the figures for consumer prices."

The Dow Jones gained 0.46%, 56.68 points to 12,341.83, the S & P 500, very popular with fund managers, took 5.16 points, 0.39%, to 1319.68 . As for the Nasdaq, it was up 0.16%, 4.43 points at 2764.65.

For the week, the Dow fell 0.3%, the S & P 500 and Nasdaq 0.6%.

The announcement of results from Google, after-hours trading Thursday, has frightened investors due to a sharp increase in spending group in the first quarter. The jump in sales over the same period could not allay their fears and the stock closed on a fall of 8.23% to 530.70 dollars.

However Bank of America, which released before the opening, shows a decrease of 2.26% to 12.81 dollars.

Consumer prices, wages and industrial production …

The macroeconomic agenda was charged Friday: while being held in Washington, the second G20 meeting, where finance ministers debate the raw materials and global economic disorder, indicators released Friday were more reassuring, particularly with respect for inflation, current concern for markets.The consumer prices in the United States have maintained their strong growth in March, but according to the forecast of analysts. Excluding food and energy, inflation is called base stood at 0.1% in March compared to the previous month. The index of consumer prices grew 2.7% year on year. "Inflation remains moderate in the U.S.," commented Kimberly Dubord, from Briefing.com.

On the currency side, the dollar went back against the euro, the single currency bending under the weight of persistent speculation about a restructuring of the Greek debt. About 11:00 am in Paris, the euro bought 1.4448 dollars against 1.4488 dollars on Thursday night.Monday and Wednesday, the European single currency reached 1.4520 dollars, its highest since Jan. 14, 2010.

The financial sector heckled

As for values, the financial sector was the most penalized this week after an accumulation of bad news on Wednesday, the publication of JPMorgan Chase was a disappointment, especially, said Christian Parisot at Aurel BGC, because of "low increase the distribution of credit in the quarter and the poor performance of retail banking scandal affected by foreclosures. "

Other disturbing news has accumulated: the cost of foreclosures looks up sharply. GoldmanSachs downgraded the sector of U.S. banks. And, according to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. authorities are investigating the manipulation by the big banks during the crisis.Meanwhile, a Senate report has already questioned the functioning of the financial system in 2008. "From 2006-2007, Goldman Sachs has sold some CDOs to investors in Europe and Asia because those instruments could not find takers in the U.S. market," analysts summarize Aurel BGC.

Bank of America and Mattel to menu

It is in this tense environment that Bank of America filed this Friday its first quarter results. The largest U.S. bank by assets, posted a profit of $ 1.7 billion for the first quarter, down 39% over a year and below expectations, continuing to suffer from the mortgage and legal fees high.

Mattel also sacrificed in the exercise.The U.S. toy maker Mattel saw its net profit by 33% melting in the first quarter to 16.6 million, due to higher administrative costs and overhead, but the result is in line with market expectations. The stock gained 4.12% to 26.80 dollars.

Prudence expected at the Paris Bourse

April 11, 2011 - 10:44 pm Comments Off

The Paris markets should not take any chances Monday. In Paris as elsewhere, investors will try to make a first point on the Japanese situation, one month to the day after the disaster that has ravaged the north-east. Reassuring news fell on the nuclear situation: According to government spokesman Yukio Edano, "the risk that the situation at the nuclear power is deteriorating and it leads to a new major radiation leak was significantly reduced. " In Asia this morning, markets have however not given clear signals.

Side indicator, the day promises to be particularly quiet, calendar, industrial production in February in France.The rest of the week will be loaded with particular current accounts in France and the German ZEW index Tuesday, the Fed's Beige Book on Wednesday, the weekly jobless claims in the U.S. on Thursday and the index of U.S. consumer sentiment Friday.

Markets await especially forward to the start of the dance publications of quarterly results in the United States. As usual, Alcoa will begin the festivities this evening.

As for currencies, the euro appears small decline in morning trading at 1.4459 dollar. Same thing for oil, hit by profit taking after sharp gains last week.A barrel of light sweet crude for May delivery yielded 36 cents to 112.43 dollars while that of Brent North Sea crude for May delivery lost 83 cents to 125.82 dollars.

Values ​​to follow

Renault

The board of directors of the group will try Monday to see more clearly in the wrong spying scandal at a special meeting and will try to establish the responsibilities of everyone in this fiasco.

Saffron

The Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI) investigation on suspicion of spying for Turbomeca, a subsidiary of Safran including computer networks have been "looted" for several months.

NYSE Euronext

The board of directors of the transatlantic exchange operator yesterday rejected unanimously the offer of participation of $ 11.3 billion made by Nasdaq, coupled with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).

EDF and EDF Energies Nouvelles

The listing of both Kingbird, who was suspended Friday after the announcement of a takeover offer from EDF on the 50% stake in its subsidiary EDF EN it does not already own, resumes today.

EDF also requested that the EPR reactor being built at Flamanville is considered "priority" as part of the audit of nuclear safety in France, said the Nuclear Safety Authority.

United States, the commission (NRC) has denied Unistar, owned by EDF, a license to build a new reactor at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant.

Carrefour

The walkouts on Saturday in favor of wage increases were a success according to the unions, who speak highly mobilized. The strike rate ranged from 30 to 85%.Negotiations will resume Wednesday.

Sanofi-Aventis

The group said Friday night that completed the acquisition of Genzyme after the reopening of its bid and said the U.S. biotech is now a subsidiary that holds all.

Total and GDF Suez

The French government has decided to ban the exploitation of shale gas and the repeal of licenses already granted.

Areva

The group bought for 1.62 billion euros from Siemens in the joint venture Areva NP, paving the way for a merger between Siemens and the Russian Rosatom, said on Sunday the German newspaper Die Welt.

Fillon wants to strengthen the Franco-German cooperation

March 30, 2011 - 3:48 pm Comments Off

Nuclear, taxes, competitiveness, reform of the eurozone. Prime Minister Francois Fillon has outlined his vision of Franco-German couple in a double interview with the weekly new plant and Wirtschaftwoche. "We need more coordination and coherence between us, Germans and French, he says. We must encourage convergence (…), without any goal of fusion (…). We have launched an exercise of such taxation. We wish to extend to all aspects of competitiveness. "

Nuclear. France does not follow Angela Merkel's desire to abandon nuclear energy, has made it clear lines between the Prime Minister. Fukushima disaster "raises a debate on nuclear policy," he acknowledges. "We must learn all the lessons to enhance the safety of our park."

Taxation.The example of rapprochement between Paris and Berlin tax should be extended to the entire euro area, defended the prime minister. The Pact for the euro, adopted March 11, said he provides "a real commitment to fiscal coordination" in order to end the "harmful tax practices of certain states." But not to the point of "having a single tax," he says.

Competitiveness. In addition to taxes, Francois Fillon wants to follow the example of German industry. "The industrial competitiveness of Germany is a chance for Europe", he explains. His goal? Make French industry "as competitive as German industry."

Purchasing power. During the last decade, the Germans have made great efforts, particularly in wages, to be more competitive.The Franco-German rapprochement does not mean that the French will make the same sacrifices, has implied François Fillon: "Despite the crisis, we have ensured that the purchasing power is constantly evolving and it will still be the case in 2011 .

Public finances. No question of raising taxes to restore fiscal balance. It should rather decrease spending, repeated the prime minister. Asked about the VAT increase, he said that "the current environment of rising inflation does not lend itself entirely to an increase in VAT. Priority is given to reducing tax loopholes.

ALSO READ:

"BLOG – Mirage convergence Franco-German

Wall Street up sharply

March 22, 2011 - 1:48 pm Comments Off

At the opening of U.S. stock markets, the Dow Jones advance of 0.73% at 11,947 points, the Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 100 rise respectively from 1.09% to 1293 points and 1.29% to 2678 points. A new session is so bullish on. Already on Friday, U.S. markets had ended the week up, encouraged by a cease-fire announced while in Libya, easing social measures taken by Saudi Arabia, by King Abdullah, but also by the intervention fighting the Japanese authorities in Fukushima.

On Monday, despite the military intervention in Libya, the relative stability of oil and the rather encouraging information from Japan, where the authorities seem to regain control of the plant in Fukushima, tend to support the rebound.A general rebound in markets, on both sides of the Atlantic, jusqu'enAsie, except in Tokyo, where the stock exchange was closed on Monday due to holiday.

Side of macroeconomic indicators, this week will be placed under the sign of U.S. housing, with, today, sales of existing homes, expected to 15 hours. "Sales are expected to remain weak in February, analysts said Aurel BGC. The construction sector remains a concern for the Fed. "

If durable goods orders (Thursday) "should enjoy a rebound in orders for machine tools and aviation. In contrast, consumer confidence could be affected by recent events, including the nuclear risk to Japan, which occupied a prominent place in the American media these days, "said Will we at Aurel BGC.

AT & T and AIG in focus.GM, Caterpillar and Apple penalized by Japan.

On the corporate side, the U.S. Treasury Department announced Monday it would begin this month to bring to market its portfolio of securitized mortgages guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, valued at $ 142 billion.

On Friday, the Federal Reserve has conducted a new set of stress tests on the 19 largest U.S. banks. If the results of these tests have not been disclosed, they, however, already possible to allow some of these institutions to distribute or raise their dividends.Like Wells Fargo, JPMorgan, Citigroup and this Monday (2.44% to 4.61 dollars).

the telephone company AT & T (1.03% to 26.48 dollars) will buy its German rival Deutsche Telekom's U.S. mobile phone subsidiary T-Mobile USA for about $ 39 billion (25 billion in cash). A strategic transaction that will create the first U.S. mobile operator Verizon before. Deutsche Telekom, meanwhile, will benefit to pay off debt.Part of the proceeds will also be devoted to buybacks, "said Franklin Pichard, director of Barclays stock.

AIG (American International Group: 2.32% to 35.76 U.S. dollars) expected that banks submit bids on mortgage-backed securities that it proposes to redeem the U.S. state of 15.7 billion, the Wall Street Journal, citing the insurer's CEO Robert Benmosche.

Eli Lilly (+0.44% to 34.63 dollars), faced with sales at half mast because of competition and the expiration of certain patents, will not merge with another pharmaceutical company to get through this bad patch has said Saturday its chief executive John Lechleitr.

Broadcom (0.45% to 39.85 dollars) for its part in the day announcing the purchase of specialist Israeli bullets Provigent 300 to $ 400 million, understands the financial site TheMarker. This would be the eighth acquisition of semiconductor firm in Israel, adds the site.

General Electric (2.39% to 19.71 dollars) has also defended on Friday its type reactor Mark 1, designed 40 years ago and that the Japanese central team of Fukushima. It equips five of six units of the Japanese central, where the cooling system was damaged by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami on 11 March.

Other companies could become victims of the events in Japan. General Motors (1.38% to 32.29 dollars) will close its plant Louisiane.Apple (2.04% to 337.41 dollars) fear of stockouts on its iPad 2, launched this week in France.Caterpillar could also be a victim of difficulties in its Japanese factories.

Finally, Google (1.98% to 572.19 dollars) aroused the attention Monday. For at least two reasons: in France, Google has fined 100,000 euros, accused of having "hijacked" the French personal data via wi-fi. The world's leading search engines also believes that the Chinese government is currently blocking access to Gmail, many users had complained, China, dysfunction.

Taxation: Baroin suggests two scenarios

March 1, 2011 - 2:12 pm Comments Off

The project will be unveiled Thursday at a symposium at Bercy, and haze rises gradually on the path towards the next tax reform heritage. This Tuesday on France 2, the budget minister Baroin said the government recognized two scenarios, developed after "two months of consistent work." The minister said that both proposals include the abolition of the tax shield. The divergence between the two scenarios for the future of the solidarity tax on wealth (ISF). One expects a "fundamental transformation" of the ISF, and the other "maybe" its removal, said Baroin.

For if the end of the tax shield, a key measure of government misunderstood by public opinion and finally considered inefficient, seems determined, the tax on capital is still under debate, even within the majority.The abolition of this tax is symbolic indeed politically risky, and some members, including Richard Maille, Gilles Carrez argue more for development – raising the threshold to reduce the number of taxpayers assessed and modified abatements to protect the primary residence – that for a simple disappearance. The Head of State, Nicolas Sarkozy, would prefer for his "real reform, with some drawbacks" to "a small reform, with all the disadvantages."

A bill expected in May

Since then, many test balloons were launched. Among the most significant, the idea discussed by Nicolas Sarkozy, to tax capital gains from the sale of a principal residence, which he himself finally rejected.Christian Saint-Etienne, professor at Paris-Dauphine, which campaigns for the end of the ISF suggests introducing instead a top slice of income tax and a tax on real estate capital. But "the more likely is that the TFR will be preserved and developed," he predicted.

The symposium on Thursday, chaired by the Ministers of Economy and Budget Baroin and Christine Lagarde, will bring together parliamentarians, economists and business leaders for an overview of the composition of French heritage and a comparison with foreign practices. A bill is expected as early as May "France needs a broad debate on its tax burden," says still in Les Echos on Tuesday the president of the National Assembly, Bernard Accoyer. However, it insite on the fact that the reform must be "fair" and does not worsen the deficits. "

For its part, the opposition has already sharpened his arguments: the government "cares about the wealthy less wealthy, rich or poor, rich or poor," joked the spokesman Benoit Hamon PS. Laurent Fabius (PS) said meanwhile that France was "not in a financial position that allows you to lose 4.5 billion in resources.""In this situation, there is no place for gifts, especially to people who are lucky enough to be the most fortunate," added the member of Seine-Maritime, reacting to remarks made by Baroin .

This indicated that the government recognized two scenarios for the ISF in its tax reform, its transformation from its abolition, and that the two hypotheses also predicted the end of the tax shield.

(With AFP)

ALSO READ:

"First light on the tax reform

"Tax reform: new directions in the study

"ISF: chief of state advocates of" real reform "

The growing debate about the taxation of property

A report calls for a strong reduction of the ISF

"French Carrez wants less subject by ISF

Faurecia advantage of the recovery of the automotive sector

February 8, 2011 - 1:36 pm Comments Off

Supported by the scrapping and recovery measures, the automotive sector rebounded in 2010. The French automotive supplier Faurecia has benefited from the market recovery in 2010 and ended in the green: the net profit amounted to 202 million euros against a loss in 2009 and for the fifth consecutive year of 434 million.

Faurecia and exceeded all its goals with an operating profit of 456 million euros last year, representing a margin of 3.3% of sales, a figure higher than the target set by the OEM (over 400 million euros).

The group also exceeded its goal of net cash flow (net cash flow) of 100 million euros for 2010, reaching 222 million.

Turnover has also risen sharply, from 48% to 13.79 billion euros.Group sales 57.4% owned by the manufacturer PSA were fired by several areas: parts and components manufacturers, the monoliths, tooling and prototypes. In all geographical areas where the group is present, sales are also well made, with a leap of particular products in North America and Asia. Faurecia strengthened its activities with the acquisition of American Emcon Technologies, specializing in technologies to control exhaust emissions, and that of Plastal Germany, specializing in automotive exterior parts.

Faurecia could "seize opportunities for consolidation"

In terms of outlook, the supplier is confident for 2011, especially since it garnered last year a record number of contracts (13.1 billion euros) to "ensure the group's growth."Therefore, it is a turnover of between 14.8 and 15.3 billion euros this year, an operating margin of between 580 and 640 million and net cash flows in excess of 200 million.

Faurecia will also continue its expansion in Asia, especially China with the construction of seven new plants and intends "to exploit future opportunities for consolidation."

With this publication, the group will propose a dividend of 0.25 euro per share at the next general meeting.

Shortly after opening, the title Faurecia flies nearly 7% and signs the largest increase in the SBF 120. In its wake, all the cars ahead values: Valeo rose 4.1%, Peugeot and Renault by 3.1% to 2.1%.

ALSO READ:

"New sales record for that mimics PSA Renault

"PSA Peugeot Citroën sold 3.6 million vehicles

"Auto Sales: PSA confirms its record

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".

ALSO READ:

"Students worried by the pension reform

"The ban on non-university course training is being debated

VAT hike: the tips of the operators

December 31, 2010 - 6:44 am Comments Off

Millions of French in nature, detached from any commitment to their operators. This is the nightmare that stirred the telecom sector, used to recruit customers on long-term contracts: at the beginning of the year, over 80% of customers to a mobile phone package were still committed to the most More than a year. But with price changes that lie ahead for the new pass the VAT hike, subscribers whose bill will evolve will have the right to request termination of their free package, even if they are still engaged.

In practice, the situation is not so bad that for Internet and mobile operators, which are not totally unprepared. They added in their contracts, some as early as mid-November, a clause warning the next price increase.Several operators contacted by Lefigaro.fr argue that these lines are enough to keep all customers who have committed or recommitted during this period. So do not expect to buy a subsidized iPhone for 149 euros with a subscription for 24 months instead of 739 EUR without subscription and can cancel your plan in the wake at no charge.

A favorable schedule

To leave some margin, the telecom operators also benefit from a clever timing effect. Theoretically, they should have prevented customers from late November, a month before the entry into force of the VAT hike on January 1, decreed by the government. But they delayed the increase in their packages a month (and up to three months for Bouygues Telecom) and have started sending mails in the last days of December."We had to work hard, more than 30,000 prices have moved," said a spokesman for SFR.

This slight shift requires operators to handle the difference between the price paid by customers and they must refund taxes to the State in January. But he also benefits. December is indeed the month of the year when recruitment is strongest, thanks to Christmas shopping. However, customers who have subscribed or subscribed again in recent weeks have agreed to plans that will increase as the others, but can not be terminated. "Operators do not want to tarnish their image a little by announcing a price increase in this period," Edward J. Barreiro, director of studies at the UFC-Que Choisir.

To limit cancellations, traders have also used other maps.Unlike Telstra, Vodafone has chosen to only increase its prices on a third of its old rates, which represents for him a load of 50 million euros but blocks the possibility of termination for a majority of its subscriber base . The customer service is also currently showing a very generous incentive for subscribers to re-engage in two years, with significant discounts. The site reports on his side Numerama testimonials from customers of Orange who have difficulty in terminating their line while transferring their number to a competitor.

The risk of a windfall

Unlike the scenario envisaged by the Government, the telecoms sector did not engaged in a price war that would have been financially disastrous and would have encouraged him to change operator.In ADSL, all subscriptions will increase, including to Free, who preferred to break his pattern of "triple play" to 29.99 euros per month rather than taking only the VAT hike. In mobile, the most popular package for Orange and SFR, those on smartphones, will be impacted. Those of Bouygues Telecom to follow.

Ultimately, consumer groups fear that eventually the VAT hike turns into windfall, to get further increases. The prices of packages that should not be affected by the VAT hike (those not including television) will soon be weighed down for no apparent reason. Numericable and took advantage of this favorable period to tell its customers an increase in its rates an average of 3 euros, unrelated to VAT."Everyone wants to increase its rates, particularly to finance the optical fiber, a spokesman justified.

"The government must make sure that this measure does not allow slippage of prices or additional puncture on consumers unjustified", responded in a statement Wednesday the UFC-Que Choisir, who wants "a point on the deals that can legitimately be subject to a price increase. " In a letter, the Minister of the Digital Economy, Eric Besson, has asked for a few hours later providers of internet access information on how they intend to pass on the VAT hike their rates.