World Articles

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.

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)

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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%.

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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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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.

A few days after the suspension of the sale of puzzle mats for three months, the toys are again pointing the finger. A quarter of the toys tested by the repression of fraud are "inconsistent and dangerous," said Friday Secretary of State for Consumer Affairs Frédéric Lefèbvre during a visit to a test product in Marseille.

In total, the Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) conducts annual "more than 14,000 enforcement actions (toy) in 4400 establishments, generating more than 800 samples," he said. Of these samples, "25% are declared non-compliant and dangerous."

In 2010, 895 samples were taken by the DGCCRF and 193 toys have been recalled and procedures for withdrawal.Frédéric Lefèbvre tried by his visit to reassure the public after his decision last Monday to suspend for three months carpets puzzle plastic multi-colored because of possible harm. Belgium had been a few days earlier, the first European country to ban the toy, which contains a chemical formamide.

Pressure on importers "unscrupulous"

Friday, Secretary of State for Consumer Affairs has supported a strengthening of European cooperation on this type of file. "We have to think about before and I hope that the DGCCRF is closer to other European countries," he said."It would be simpler than one trade systematized before triggering an alert to the danger of a toy," said Frederic Lefebvre.

Secretary of State also called, "in collaboration with the customs, transactions punch on targeted products throughout 2011, which will strengthen our pressure on unscrupulous importers" , citing in particular the "peaks of supply for the holiday season." "If we find that the toys are dangerous, they will be immediately removed from the sale," he warned.

Toy imports now represent over 40% of the market and among these imports, 60% come from China, also said Frédéric Lefebvre.

(AFP)

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What could he fail to Babies rollers, Evian, a video viewed 140 million times on the Web and creative crowned with numerous awards including a Silver Lion at Cannes International Advertising at Cannes? Demonstrate that the viral is not a gadget or entertainment, but a sign of market efficiency. That's done. Monday night, the Union of Advertisers (UDA) and the Association of communication agencies (AACC) has awarded the Grand Effie 2010 at BETC Euro RSCG, for this clip already entered the "Guinness Book of Records" .

Sales of Evian in France rose last year by 7%, excluding the effect of promotions (source Nielsen). An achievement in a context where water sources have now won the favor of consumers."We can never reverse the trend, but maintains its Evian and volumes shown in this, an incredible strength," says Marielle Durandet, Vice-President of BETC Euro RSCG. In general, there is 40% price difference between a premium brand and its equivalent in a label. Between spring water and mineral water, the difference reaches 300%. This is a situation unprecedented in the history of marketing and mass consumption. "

Protect its brand

The Babies rollers "were also allowed to" Evian progress on all items (youth, health, purity overnight pay day loans…) that make up its image, "says Marielle Durandet. Full marks, therefore, for a campaign that has given only two TV waves in France. Evian media spending of around 5 million euros a year in France.For the rest, it is consumers who have appropriated the film, including the online distribution reflects the plebiscite. "It is the role of creativity in advertising. She weaves the link and guarantees public acceptance, "says Marielle Durandet.

Among the fifteen trophies awarded Monday night, Nespresso has distinguished himself by winning his fourth consecutive Effie awards, including a grand prize last year. Evidence that the agency McCann Paris manages to renew the saga starring George Clooney, without boring the audience. In addition, it is far time that the launch of the Nespresso was teaching on the market. The war rages and pods, like Evian, Nespresso has to protect its mark against the attacks of distributors.Her Effie 2010 is even more deserving.

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This time it's done. After more than a year of continuous negotiations with creditors and investors, the third World owner has completed its financial rescue. On Thursday, the family Saade, business owner Marseille, announced the arrival in the capital of Turkish conglomerate Yildirim, present among others in sea transport. This new partner makes $ 500 million in bonds redeemable in shares (NRS) as against 20% of the capital and three ten representatives on the board. The Strategic Investment Fund (ISF) is still negotiating to enter in turn to the tune of $ 150 million in capital.

"We speak the same language with Jacques Saade. I have great confidence in CMA CGM and the management of the company, "asserted on Thursday, Robert Yildirim, CEO of the group.As for Jacques Saade, 72, founder of this company with more than 16,000 people, he did not hide his great satisfaction: "All ended well." Because deep down, he knows he has masterfully traversed this storm by playing with time in an improvement in the economy of ocean freight, to save his group and especially to keep absolute control over the company. An incredible scenario.

Victim of the collapse of world trade in 2009, the owner powerless witness to a double phenomenon: the collapse of the price of transporting a container, combined with a sharp drop in volumes. Within months, the company is burning cash. Now it supports more than 5 billion dollars in debt. In late September 2009, the owner is unable to pay its creditors. He even threatened not to pay its operating expenses. In short, bankruptcy seems inevitable.At the top of the state is the commotion. A fall of CMA CGM should be avoided. The owner is the largest employer in the French ports. Of Lebanese origin, Jacques Saade is one of the finest entrepreneurial success stories of the country.

The file is then directly handled by the staff Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economy. On several occasions he met representatives of creditor banks and the Saade family in an attempt to find common ground. Mid-December, the parties shall adopt a plan: the 70 creditor banks agree to restructure debt and provide $ 500 million of cash.In return, they demand that the company reduces the number of ships on order, that Jacques Saade and hands over the family agrees to recapitalize important, even to lose majority control online payday loan lenders.

Pugnacity of the clan chief

The group escapes into bankruptcy, but the deal sounds like a humiliation. For every page, Jacques Saade has passed. It reckoned without the fighting spirit of the clan leader. In fact, even the lowest, everything suggests that he never intended to cede control of the group. To achieve this, he made a bet: if restarting global trade, evident in November 2009, continues, CMA CGM will return to profit.Suffice to say that the company will find of value, which will put Saade in a much more comfortable negotiating with investors and especially reduce the share of capital they will sell in the capital increase is inevitable.

Same determination with respect to governance. While the patriarch leaves the operational management but also discourages the arrival of leaders of major groups. He chose Philippe Soulie, head of the Cnim for general management, he oversees his brother Farid Salem and his son Rudolf. "Our goal is to keep a majority stake. This group, I created, I've developed, "said Jacques Saade in an interview with Le Figaro, December 18, 2009. Enough said.

Following is a model of negotiation.In May, the group, yet so discreet, announces $ 270 million profit in the first quarter against 1.4 billion loss last year. Rodolphe Saade ensures that the family will raise money but retain majority control. Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, widely favored to enter the capital with the ISP, is dismissed by Jacques Saade net early July.

The financial enraged. Jacques Saade does not care. Each week that passes reinforces it. In late July, we learn that Albert Frère negotiates with the family. The agreement is expected by early August, then fell again to the water. The owners refused requests from the Belgian billionaire governance. Remains the option Yldirim. After two months of negotiations, the parties agree. Jacques Saade yields only 20% of its group. The victory was complete.

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"We decided not to fly other aircraft time to better understand the incident. In the meantime, teams will focus on ground targets. " Thus Loretta Gunter, spokesman for the U.S. group Boeing, announced Wednesday the suspension of flight testing of long-haul 787 Dreamliner after an electrical fire in the cabin forced a device emergency landing.

The 787 was on approach to the airport in Laredo when the incident occurred and was able to land without damage. The Boeing said Wednesday evening that the primary circuit of electrical power had been cut. Smoke spread throughout the cabin, but the drivers have not lost control of the device. Loretta Gunter said the 787 in question was carrying a large amount of technical material commonly used in flight tests.Smoke in the cabin may have several origins: the wiring, lighting and an electronic system.

Part of the installation of electronic equipment must be replaced and Boeing proceeded on its site from Seattle to the analysis of flight data that could help understand the origin of the incident payday loan lenders.

The 42 occupants were evacuated safely from the aircraft – except one crew member slightly injured – by emergency chutes from the aircraft.

No delivery problems

The 787 is designed with composite materials and expected to be more fuel efficient than the current generation of commercial aircraft.

The manufacturer does not say whether the incident occurred on Tuesday postponing the first delivery of the aircraft, currently scheduled for first quarter 2011 to All Nippon Airways, first customer of the aircraft.The delivery was originally scheduled for May 2008.

U.S. authorities – the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) – said to follow the investigation closely.

The Book of Boeing already has 847 orders for 787, a figure unprecedented for a device under development.

(With Reuters)

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The rate of household credit in September reached the lowest level on record, continuing the decline as mortgage side than on consumer credit, according to figures released Wednesday by the Bank of France.

According to the institution, all credits and rate all maturities rose to 4.63% in September. The previous record was set in July 2005 with 4.70%.

The rate of housing loans at fixed rates, all durations combined, it was near the lowest level ever, at 3.52% against 3.50% in November 2005.

The decline also continues for consumer credit, including the average rate reached 5.95% in September. It has been below this threshold only twice in September and October 2005. In business, after a slight rebound in August, the average rate loans fell in September to 2.96%.It was located in May to the lowest level on record, at 2.82%.

The series of Bank of France only go back to 1990 for these indicators. However, the level of inflation prior to this period suggests that the rate never dropped below these levels before.