Archive for the 'events' Category

$ 8 billion bet on the decline of the euro

Nearly eight billion dollars. Or nearly 6 billion euros. In one week, traders and hedge-funds (hedge funds seeking higher returns, in particular through the options) were initiated some 40,000 contracts against the euro, according to the online edition of the Financial Times on Monday evening. Investors have decided to take so-called short positions on the euro, that is to say, bet down on the currency. In total, these investments "shorts" are a massive $ 7.6 billion, according to the website of the newspaper, stating that this is the first time such a sum is committed to bet on falling the single European currency.

The reason for this change of strategy: the loss of confidence in the euro, which no longer seems able to resist the contagion of the Greek debt on other European countries.Greece is central to the nervousness of financial markets, both on the Old Continent as the other major stock exchanges worldwide. And worries extend to serious budget situations Spanish and Portuguese.

Yesterday, Monday, Elena Salgado, Minister of Finance of Spain, and José Manuel Campa, his deputy, flew to London to allay fears: They reiterated their goal of reducing by 3% budget deficit by 2013. It reached 11.4% of GDP in 2009.

The euro has won almost 10% in two months

On Tuesday, around 8:30 am, the euro regained some color since last night, going above 1.37 euros at 1.3728 dollar guaranteed approval cash loans . On Monday, the European single currency remained broadly under that threshold.There is still a week against the euro was trading more than 1.4 dollar.

The dégrindolage actually started last December. The euro was trading at nearly even $ 1.51. It is almost 10% more than two months later. Just this last month of 2009, the euro has won nearly 5%, losing 30 days that the currency had taken three months to win.

By touching a low at 1.3585 euros February 5, the euro has regained its level in May 2009 …. and August 2007.

For some analysts, the slide is not over, and the euro could well return to the threshold of 1.25 dollars, amid U.S. growth stronger than expected.

The political spotlight

Tomorrow, Wednesday, Ben Bernake, will explain why the strategy for ending the crisis that has put in place.Any speech that would imply a monetary tightening will cause the wrath of the financial markets.

Then, next Thursday, it was the turn of Europe to be in the limelight, with the meeting of heads of state of the eurozone.

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"Decline in Euro: winners, losers

The five ways to save Greece

"The crisis in Europe will play" collective "

"Public deficits alarm Fellowships

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The appetite for luxury is back

It is a Mexican entrepreneur, owner of a chain of hotels in Cancun, which offers a Hublot watch at 700,000 euros. It is a couple of Singaporeans looking for a pied-à-terre in Paris, which is close to 10 million euros on the table for a 400 square meters overlooking the Seine. Or a Parisian lawyer who finally cracked in the Porsche 911 … The dreams of luxury customers are return guaranteed payday loans . After an abrupt end after the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers followed by a year to land, rich of the planet reflected their platinum cards without false shame. The distribution in these days of record bonuses in finance in New York, London or Paris will only encourage fever after a year of dieting.

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Business: Consumer confidence "elites" remains fragile

The "opinion leaders" have not yet digested the crisis. The distrust that policymakers feel about financial institutions and banking remains strong, according to the Edelman Trust Barometer 2010 *. The distance is widening not just with the general public. The confidence rating of banks has melted most of the 22 countries of the investigation by the public relations agency. In the United States, for example, has dropped 39 points in three years, falling from 68% in 2007 to 29% in 2010. It is even lower in France, 21% in 2010 (against 41% in 2007).

The technology sector has the symbol

More generally, the confidence of elite companies to progress (54% of "opinion leaders" interviewed). Except in France, where it remains at a very low level (37% this year against 36% last year). If the banking and insurance are at the bottom of the table, the technology sector is racing ahead.Nearly 80% of elites trust it globally, and 70% in France. "The elites can not forgive the banking sector's responsibility in the crisis," Journet analysis Isabelle Rahe, president of Edelman France, in presenting the study. "Beyond the economic impact, it is the lack of transparency that is punished quite heavily."

Pessimism about the lessons learned from the crisis

The opacity of the financial system is well and truly under fire from critics. For 67% of respondents in 22 countries, transparency is a major asset in building the reputation of a company to the responsible management of human resources (63%) and civic attitudes (50%)."The elite give more confidence to businesses that engage in society beyond the creation of wealth and employment," says Antoine Harary, director of StrategyOne, the subsidiary of Edelman specializes in studies and assessments Marketing and Public Relations free credit report online .

But transparency and civic engagement are not everything. As stressed in the barometer makers fear that companies will not return to their "old habits", ignoring the lessons of the crisis. They are 68% internationally and 74% in France to expect that the famous "business as usual" make a comeback after the crisis. Pessimism up to nourish the hope that the elite opinion.That's about profound changes in their working methods that companies will be judged in the future.

* The 11th edition of the Edelman Trust Barometer was conducted among 4875 opinion leaders in 22 countries. The "opinion leaders", according to the criteria of Edelman, are graduates, who earn high incomes and are closely watching the news business and politics.

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"European employees satisfied with their situation

"The French pessimistic about the post-crisis

"Investors are regaining confidence

Companies that have lost or gained the confidence of French in 2009

Edelman StrategyOne France and joined the research institute OpinionWay to conduct a further study with a sample of 1,000 French.These forty companies have found French or international, citing those in which they more or less confident today than in 2008. Notably, the Post is named in both charts.

• Winners

Google: 31%

E. Leclerc: 26%

Post: 26%

EDF: 24%

France TV: 21%

• Losers

France Telecom: 36%

Societe Generale: 33%

SNCF: 32%

Post: 30%

Total: 30%

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United States: pinned Vivendi, Messier milled

He took his time. But the New York jury delivered its verdict on Friday evening the group of telecommunications and media company Vivendi sued by shareholders ruined by its near-collapse in 2002, was convicted of misleading communication. Its CEO at the time, Jean-Marie Messier, has instead been milled.

As expected, Vivendi's lawyer Paul Saunders immediately announced he would appeal, and that he intended to "win". "We are satisfied that the damage is half of what the plaintiffs claimed this side there is a partial victory," said the lawyer. The plaintiff had estimated that damages could rise to 11.5 billion dollars.

Messier absent when the verdict

Jean-Marie Messier and Guillaume Hannezo, its chief financial officer, were absent when the verdict.They have yet to appear in magistrate in Paris in the spring, with five other executives of Vivendi, including responding to charges of disseminating false or misleading information, price manipulation and abuse of social goods, which they could worth up to 5 years imprisonment and heavy fines for bad credit payday advance .

After three months of trial, the nine board members of the Federal Court had to decide on 57 points very technical. After answering a series of questions establishing the guilt of the accused or not, they have, for each trading day occurring between October 2000 and August 2002, "determine the amount of inflation being caused by the fraud alleged" .

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"Verbatim Vivendi marathon court is not finished

"Vivendi shareholders reinforced French

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"Vivendi and Messier before the American courts

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ATR pulls out of the game

In an aviation context depressed, ATR is holding its own game in 2009, the Toulouse-based company specializing in the construction of regional aircraft has recorded 40 firm orders and 17 options. It has delivered 54 aircraft. She has on order 136 planes today, representing a workload of more than two years. 43% of these orders relate to its new range, the ATR-42 600 and ATR-72 600.

During this same year 2009, the Spanish airline Air Nostrum and Royal Air Morocco were among its largest customers, with respectively 10 and 6 devices. The reason ATR through the crisis with such ease is the design of its aircraft, which consume 40% less fuel than jets.

A given that airlines are very sensitive. The market share in turboprop regional aircraft can only increase.In 2009 the turnover of ATR have been $ 1.4 billion, an increase of 7% over 2008. A record.

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Merkel hard 8.5 billion of tax cuts for 2010

The new center-right government led by Angela Merkel won this Friday's first showdown managing to impose a package of tax breaks very controversial. After leading the revolt against the camps, the regional states Conservatives have finally adopted the plan to "stimulate growth" in the Bundesrat, the upper house of Parliament, by voting the 8.5 billion tax cuts promised by the Chancellor . These measures, intended to provide a boost to growth, will take effect from 1 January 2010.

The law includes an increase in family allowances, relief of estate costs and lower tax rates on value added tax (VAT) in hotels. The Chancellor and his ministers have negotiated hard these days to convince the heads of recalcitrant regional government by promising billions of euros in compensation.Including Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, whose finances are particularly vulnerable by reducing taxes.

Reticence of "wise"

Failure before the Upper House would have been a blow to the government, in place since late October, and whose beginnings have been chaotic, marked by infighting and controversy. The Minister President of Hesse, Roland Koch (CDU) has welcomed this "step in the right direction.""This is an important signal showing that the Länder black-yellow (conservative liberals) support the federal government black-yellow," he said.

The government of Angela Merkel has also exceeded the reluctance of the Court of Auditors and "wise", the government's economic advisers, and many economists, who consider irresponsible to offer tax breaks while Germany plans to contract a debt record 100 million euros in 2010. They also believe that these tax incentives will not impact on growth.

In its coalition agreement the Liberal-Conservative government of Merkel provides additional tax cuts of around 24 billion euros in 2011. Roland Koch prognostic already "talks tough and violent," to take the next tax cuts.

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France's tax him the bonus to 50%

Christine Lagarde put an end to speculation. On leaving the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, Minister of Economy announced that the bonuses paid in France by the banks for the year 2009 will be taxed at 50% from 27,500 euros. The France decides to follow the same model announced last week by the British government.

"This is a proposal had been President of the Republic August 25 last, much has campaigned for it to be internationally accepted. Now a British proposal and French and I will defend to Parliament in January, "said the minister.

Christine Lagarde also suggested that this "tax exceptional exceptional circumstances" would not be renewed. Information that had already been raised in the common platform of Nicolas Sarkozy and Gordon Brown, published by the Wall Street Journal.The measure should be included in a draft supplementary budget.

According Bercy, between 2,000 and 3,000 traders will be affected.

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"Tax: between 2,000 and 3,000 traders concerned

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The CGT is preparing a bid for CIAT

When the SGC prepares to launch a takeover market … the powerful Caisse centrale social activities (CCAS) of electricity and gas industries, the equivalent of a supercomité company EDF and GDF, managed by the communist union , the well would hand over the Compagnie Internationale Andre Trigano (CIAT), publicly traded company valued over 80 million euros. The company, better known under its consumer brand Campéole, is a specialist camping and tent.

The operation should be discussed at the Board of Directors of the CCAS Wednesday. It creates a stir internally. One branch of the CGT, the CGT union Ectam-Staff headquarters EDF and social organizations, objects."The case is disproportionate," denounces the union in a statement.

The central fund social activities is the biggest works of France, with a budget of nearly half a billion euros and over 3 000 permanent employees. Its management has been pinned in the past by the Court of Auditors. As part of its operations in recreation for employees of EDF and GDF, it already manages 60,000 beds in holiday resorts, including 48 000 of which he owns. By placing hands on the Trigano group, it would greatly enhance its ability to host. To become the first player in the sector. The CIAT is the leader in three-star campsite with 43 sites and 14 000 places, which would correspond to about 72 000 beds. It also has a second activity: the manufacture of tents and canvas bungalows.In total, the company achieved a turnover of 43 million euros last year and suffered a loss of nearly one million.

Several applications

The story begins at the time of the first paid leave, with a workshop created by Raymond tarpaulins Trigano, father of Andrew, who is developing the "triganette, a family tent where you can stand. Andrew continues the adventure after the war, while his brother Gilbert resumed Club Mediterranee, which leases its tents in the family business.

The founder and his family still control over 30% stake in the company whose majority shareholder is the fund managed by Groupama Acto. Its Listed raises other applications than the CCAS. Bernard Laporte is interested too, so that Promeo, which owns the Village Family camping.

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Danone found the tone with its new policy of low prices

Yogurt machine is restarted. Thanks to price cuts, promotions and new standards more accessible, sales of Danone's dairy products rose 7% in volume in the third quarter. It's the largest increase since mid-2007.

So far, Danone had mostly favored the move upmarket with its brands Activia, Actimel and Danacol and rate increases. These were also made compulsory by the soaring price of milk. But the crisis had led to an alarming decline in volumes last year. In January, the group has initiated a program called reset ( "reset"). To boost volumes, each subsidiary has revised its product positioning and pricing in each of its markets (yoghurt, water, infant nutrition and medical nutrition).

Franck Riboud, Danone's boss has welcomed the success of these "operational adjustments."We did not only correct, but have been effective and rapid implementation, said without false modesty, the CEO. We have completed the repositioning of our products before the end of the year. "

A year ago, Danone was advised that because of the deteriorating economy, growing its sales in 2009 would be "less than a few points" in its medium-term target of between 8 and + + 10%. According to details made this Friday, the group table in fact now an annual growth of 2.8%.

While this is a very sharp slowdown in growth of sales, Danone has proven its ability to react and managed to accelerate the pace since January.In the third quarter, all regions are growing, even Europe, which was down in the first half.

Volvic and Evian in progress

Above all, "we gained market share in the three quarters of our markets," insists Peter Andre Térisse, the CFO. He also noted that milk prices would increase, "but return to significant increases in 2008." Danone may therefore increase some of its prices, "while remaining competitive."

Other good news: the return to form of the bottled water division, which is experiencing its strongest growth since early 2008. "Danone has its strong presence in Asia, the area that draws economic recovery," said Lee Linthium, head of research for Euromonitor.The institute predicts that sales of bottled water will increase by 8% in Asia this year, thanks to economic recovery in urban areas, where consumption of these products is higher.

Even in developed countries, Danone waters are rising again this summer, especially in France, the United Kingdom and Germany. With the impact of weather, but not only. "The sales made under Volvic promotion grew by 40%," says one Danone. In recent weeks, the promotion efforts made on Evian, the brand's flagship division, are even more important. Here again, priority is given to the volumes to boost sales.

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