Archive for the 'finance' Category

Wall Street ended in negative territory

Weekend in the red at the NYSE. After an opening in the calm (+0.2%), the Dow Jones sank into the red (-0.36%) before closing on a decline of 0.38%. The Nasdaq also finished down 0.78%.

"The participants lack of enthusiasm, given the lack of news on the front of businesses and lack of economic indicator program," noted analysts at the financial website Briefing.com. The meeting should be led mainly by technical factors, with the simultaneous expiration of several types of options.

Prudent investors do not seem affected by the fears, renewed, Europe, for Greece.

The euro, penalized by these uncertainties Greek, lost 0.78% to 1.3504 dollar.The euro, which dropped below the 1.36 dollar remains under pressure and moving erratically for several weeks.

Palm collapses

The action of the mobile phone manufacturer Palm, is buffeted this Friday. The fall of 18.23% to 4.63 dollars. Investors punish new quarterly losses and forecast very pessimistic. Over the period from December to January, the manufacturer of Pre lost 22 million dollars, twice the previous quarter and more than expected by analysts.The revenue (almost $ 350 million) is better than expected, but because of poor consumer sales of its devices by the operators, it is expected to "less than" 150 million dollars, twice less previously anticipated fast cash without a hassle .

The largest bookseller in the United States, Barnes & Noble (-1.14% to 22.64 dollars) has announced that it would change the CEO. This is the current president of the group's website, William Lynch, who will replace Steve Riggio at the head of the company. The future leader has helped launch the electronic bookstore Barnes & Noble and he oversaw the launch of an electronic book reader called the Nook, a product designed to compete with the readers of e-books competitors, such as the Kindle or the 'iPad.

FedEx (-2.06% to 90.76 dollars) posted net earnings of $ 239 million, up 146% in the third quarter. Based on the number of shares, the result stood at 76 cents. The logistics group has exceeded its own targets, which ranged from 50 to 70 cents, and estimates of analysts, who on average expected a figure of 72 cents. The operating profit jumped 129% to 416 million dollars for an operating margin of 4.8% against 2.2% a year ago.

Aetna argues the document. The life insurer believes that its earnings per share in the first quarter will exceed the consensus Wall Street (66 cents) to 2.55 dollars, or $ 2.65. The action takes 3.67% to 34.45 dollars.

The U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing has announced that it would expedite the production of its 777 aircraft and 747 to meet the growing demand from customers. Sign that the aerospace market is recovering.The securities are 0.52% to 71.25 dollars after opening up over 2%.

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The Cac 40 pauses

Tuesday is likely to be as calm Monday in the Paris Bourse. The CAC 40 session begins at equilibrium, up slightly from 0.10% to 3907.51 points. The London Stock Exchange opened from 0.20% to 5618.01 points while the Dax in Frankfurt Stock Exchange began the session down slightly from 0.05% to 5872.57 points.

Yesterday, the Paris markets have ended on a slight decline of 0.18% despite opening in the green (0.35%). In Asia, the situation calmed after the euphoria of Monday. The numbers of U.S. employment, less worse than expected, to cease their invigorating effect. Monday already, Wall Street closed haphazardly in a sitting motionless.

The wait dominates before the publication of figures and important clues on the weekend.French side, there will be foreign trade figures for January and industrial output (Wednesday), the French deficit figures, the trade balance and the number of weekly unemployment in the United States (Thursday), and finally, the much anticipated index of U.S. consumer confidence (Friday).

Today's meeting will be hosted by the new corporation. Two publications of annual results of companies in particular should lead the market: those of Eurotunnel and EADS, the latter having also announced that he threw the towel in the bidding on ravitalleurs for the U.S. Army .

EADS in the collimator

EADS announced on Tuesday a loss in 2009 of 763 million euros against a profit last year of 1.5 billion.The group expects a 2010 EBIT of $ 1 billion against 2.2 billion (before provisions) last year, and a stabilization of sales to 42.8 billion euros. Furthermore, EADS and its U.S. ally Northrop Grumman said the night they did not submit a bid for the tanker contract from the U.S. Air Force, saying it benefits their competitor Boeing payday advance low fees .

April said Monday up 20% of its net 2009 profit 72.7 million euros. Financial products have more than doubled to 18.6 million. The insurer expects for 2010 a double-digit growth in its gross margin, with a positive impact on its operating margin (13% in 2009).

Total confirmed yesterday the closure of the refinery at Dunkirk and the fulfillment of its participation in the construction of an LNG terminal with EDF.

In addition, the electrician announced a collaboration with Rosatom, the Russian nuclear energy giant, in the development of reactors for third countries. Other partnerships are being negotiated with Russia in the field of electricity and fuel.

Sanofi Aventis and Merck announced Tuesday the creation of a joint venture equally owned in the area of animal health together their subsidiaries Merial and Intervet / Schering-Plow. The agreement created should be finalized within the next twelve months.

Eurotunnel remained in the black in 2009, with net income of 1.4 million euros but a turnover of 571 million euros, down 16%. Jacques Gounon, Eurotunnel's CEO, recalls in an interview with Le Figaro, his intention to "market share" in the future. The group will pay the same dividend as last year, ie 4 cents per share."The payment of a dividend reflects our confidence and determination in 2010," commented Jacques Gounon.

Vicat release after market close.

"INTERVIEW – J. Gounon, Eurotunnel's CEO comments on 2009 results

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Mittal: "We have achieved our objectives"

LE FIGARO. – ArcelorMittal escapes shortly after the first loss in its history. Are you satisfied with this performance?

Lakshmi Mittal. – No, although, given the circumstances, we are very far out. We achieved all our objectives of lowering costs, reducing debt, adjusting our production, and have negotiated with the various unions in the world … while 2009 was one of the most difficult years for thirty years the capitalist world. The crisis is not over. The recovery will be slow and gradual. But we managed to overcome the crisis successfully.

Using your production capacity from 50% in late 2008, to 70%. Do you anticipate this year?

Our production planning is based on the request of our customers. In 2009, only 10 of its 25 blast furnaces were in production. Now, twenty are active.There remain four or five who are temporarily stopped and restarted when demand recovers. At the end of 2010, our plants should operate at 85% of their capacity. The automotive market is expected to improve slightly over fourth quarter 2009 in Europe and strong growth in emerging countries. We organize days of innovation with our major customers. We present our new products, our development programs. They are still waiting for better products, steel both stronger and lighter, and more services.

How do you make 5 billion cost-cutting announced in 2012?

This total includes 5 billion of the savings already achieved (2.7 billion Editor's note). We have implemented many measures to improve our productivity.ArcelorMittal is a great company so we can make a "benchmark" in the group! We have implemented a continuous improvement plan which aims to save $ 30 (or 20 euros) per tonne of steel produced. There were hundreds of initiatives in this area. In 2009, we managed to save 13 euros per tonne. We still have to win 7 euros. At group level, it will represent an additional saving of 1.4 billion euros. And we can still reduce our administrative costs and expenses. This will include a specialization of production sites that could be devoted to one type of product payday advance . That does not mean that we will close …

… Or that you will continue to reduce your workforce?

The group has 35 000 employees less in 2009 than in 2008.We have plans in place starting in early retirement, voluntary severance schemes … We have nothing planned as of this year. We have just completed what was started. There is no excess production capacity in Europe. In China, yes.

You also talked about the resumption of investment.

Yes. We will resume mining projects and investment in developing countries, including Brazil. We do not expect to make further acquisitions in the steel. The cost would be higher than the expansion of existing capacity. We focus on the latter solution.

The introduction of carbon tax is a threat to your business in France?

We will be less competitive in Europe. We are in discussion with the French Government, to explain the impact of this tax on our costs.I met President Nicolas Sarkozy a few weeks ago. He says he wants a strong industry in France. We'll have to find solutions. European policy in terms of CO2 is already a burden for the European steel industry, compared to our competitors in China or India. This clearly represents an additional cost, difficult to quantify but very real. Finally, the carbon tax would be inconsistent with a strong industry. But both will have to coexist.

Chinese production of steel which starts again on the rise is a threat to your industry?

Last year, net exports of Chinese steel amounted to 10 million tonnes. This year, they should not exceed 25 million tonnes. First, because the Chinese domestic demand has picked up.Then, because Chinese steel production depends on imports of raw materials, making it less competitive for export. Finally, China mainly exported to South-Eastern Asia. Nevertheless, we are always attentive. If China's exports, it can make European prices down, it already happened before 2008. There is always a risk.

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ArcelorMittal makes just one recipient outcome

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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-?-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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The European currency at its lowest since June 2009

The euro fell on Thursday to its lowest level since June 22, 2009. This morning, the euro was worth 1.3827 U.S. dollar before recovering to 1.3834 dollar. The single European currency also retreated against the yen at 125.70 yen.

This drop is explained in particular by the concern of traders due to budgetary problems of many countries in the euro area. Many expect a strong intervention of Europe and even appealed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help Greece to get out of a budget crisis without precedent.

Another concern is about the euro on the currency market, the case of Spain, which has poorly digested crisis including an unemployment rate of nearly 20%.Besides Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF head, spoke Thursday on RTL crisis "very strong in Spain and that the country had" an effort "to reduce public deficits one hour payday loan . The Spanish public debt has soared just over 60% of GDP in 2010 while in 2007 it accounted for only 36.2% of GDP.

Tuesday, Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize in Economics in 2008, believed that Spain was the main weakness in the euro area. To this the Spanish Minister of Economic Affairs, Elena Salgado, has responded Thursday by saying on the radio station La Cope: "The euro is a very strong and we continue to strengthen the currency.I see absolutely no risk for the euro area, "adding," there may be a lack of understanding about what the euro means for our economy. "

Another country in the euro area is also starting to worry, Portugal, again because of deteriorating public finances of the country. Besides the titles of Portuguese banks fell by 5 to 6% Thursday on the Lisbon Stock Exchange.

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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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Saint-Geours: "The UIMM is not a threat"

Medef to Unemployment Insurance, Union des industries and metal trades (UIMM) becomes very visible social issues. It has always been the heart of its expertise and sphere of influence, but the employers' federation was forced to the discretion, after revelations about the cash withdrawals from his former manager and his huge windfalls anti-strike . IAJ President since late 2007, Frederic Saint-Geours, 59, chief financial officer of SAP, warns against the risks of "clip the wings of the recovery", defends the need for strong industry and answered questions found on the ambitions of "Steelworkers" among employers.

LE FIGARO. – The latest unemployment figure is better. Is this a sign of lasting improvement?

Fr?d?ric SAINT-GEOURS.-feeling of our members on their activities is very varied.Capital goods or export sectors are still in great difficulty. Others are more like the automobile, with the premium snack, or remain at good levels as railway equipment. I have two concerns for the future. First, many companies have exhausted the means for maintaining the relationship with their employees, including partial unemployment. If their order book does not go back, they should ask themselves questions about their workforce. Therefore, the employment situation will not improve substantially until a few months. You have to look if it is possible to extend these devices. Second concern: in two or three months, the companies have completed their 2009 accounts, which are often degraded.If banks apply their analytical tools such classic figures, they refuse many loans – I am not talking about fund investments, but simply increasing needs for working capital resulting from a rebound in activity. The risk is to clip the wings of the recovery. We are working on this with the mediator credit, Gerard Rameix.

You have to participate in the States-General of Industry. The final report sets the goal of "restoring an industrial ambition" to France. Does it still make sense to argue at the national level?

Clearly, yes. Exports from France, this is 80% or 85% of industrial goods.However, if we had kept our market share of ten years ago in world trade, it would be 100 billion euros 'turnover' in addition to France, so perhaps hundreds of thousands of jobs, billions in tax revenue, R & D … But in France, the industry faces obstacles that are not specific to him: taxes, too focused on factors of production, education must increase training to new technologies, new businesses such as green growth, or difficulty in finding long-term financing. Now we need the conclusions of the General does not remain in the state report.

When it comes to the carbon tax, this time you prefer to speak to Europe!

Exactly.The business tax was a mistake French, it is deleted and that is not enough to put French industry at par with its rivals in terms of competitiveness – and I speak of our European rivals, not Chinese! Do not create another anomaly French with the carbon tax.

On behalf of the same desire to save France in the industry, the state interferes in the strategy of Renault and Total. Shoot there too far interventionism?

The State must play its role as guarantor, no manager. The dialogue, the contract may be more effective than law and regulation, because they give companies greater flexibility, flexibility.That is how the UIMM signed agreements on training, employment of older workers, after taking a diagnosis with the unions in the sector.

The Delegate General of the UIMM, Jean-Fran?ois Pilliard, took the head of the Social Protection Committee of the MEDEF. So, does it change the approach to the appointment pensions?

I recommend that we proceed at cross as we used to do in the UIMM: establish a working group, consult widely to build the position of business before entering the "hard" discussions. This must be done quickly, but there are already many tests. Finding a consensus will be difficult, but we must absolutely try.

Your annual convention, March 18, will focus on how employers' organizations can be useful to businesses.Three months after the start of the food industry, the MEDEF should it be seen as a veiled threat?

On the contrary! The subject is exactly one: from business needs and how to respond with a simple, cost control, and effective. Effective, that is to say, which makes a service to members (of the economy, tax, legal, social …) which allows them to best be heard locally and nationally. This suggests the most appropriate organizations. Asking these questions is not a threat, as an aid to employers throughout the world. How many times have we heard of the structural complexity employers!

Should we open the question of the employer's representative?

I can not imagine anyone not treated during the convention. I would add that the UIMM be extremely firm on the joint system: it must develop.We need stronger intermediary bodies to better address important issues, which must generate the widest possible accession. As to the joint management (Insurance Unemployment Agirc-Arco …), it must go further now that the new rules of representation reinforcing the legitimacy of unions. This requires changing the rules of governance, transparency, funding. It is possible the UIMM did in six months.

Do you agree with the criticism of the President of the MEDEF?

There is no question for us to weaken the MEDEF. Businesses need a strong employer representation and united.Our convention and the arrival of Jean-Fran?ois Pilliard as President of the Welfare Committee of MEDEF serve to strengthen it.

But when your delegate said that joining the team of Laurence Parisot does not constitute support for the renewal of its mandate, it is a sign of defiance!

Not at all. What is being done every day, Jean-Fran?ois Pilliard and me? We work. In UIMM and MEDEF. We are all employers who are negotiating delegations, which met the government. No confidence, we serve the cross. I do not say it was easy every day …

The present UIMM Does a candidate for President of the MEDEF?

We will do things in order. We will set our direction in our convention. We'll see if one candidate or another the endorsement.Otherwise, we'll see.

Where are your projects using your famous "kitty"?

Again, the idea is to use these reserves heritage as a service to businesses. What are their issues? Develop. In January alone, our system of capital development has taken investment decisions totaling 9 million euros, and these are multiplied by 4 to 10 other investors. Second issue, recruit. We will launch the next wave of our communication campaign in the spring, to show young people that may be realized in the industry. And we've released several million as part of our integration fund to help companies find skills, including among those furthest from employment. Finally last challenge, innovate.Our other endowment funds joint research projects university-industry or education programs that meet the needs of businesses.

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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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The end of VAT at 15% recovery threatens UK

The United Kingdom is concerned that a boomerang effect will weaken his come back. On January 1, VAT is in fact rise to 17.5%, having been exceptionally lowered to 15% for a year to boost consumption. Economists from the Center for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) think again increase the VAT rate could be "stalling a recovery in its infancy."

The Center for Economic Research, which called in July 2008 a decrease of 5% tax, advance that have prolonged the VAT at 15% until July 2010. Joerg Radeke, economist at CEBR, said that the consumer will still need a boost in the first half. Inflation should indeed start rising, exceeding the 3%, which should lead to a decrease of 0.7% of household spending.In 2010, consumption would fall by 0.2%, according to economist.

The test balances

The effects of the rise in VAT rates could soon be visible through balances. If the high shopping season has started on the Bleeding Edge, economists fear it is only a deadweight, consumers rushing to the shelves before the tax goes back to 17.5 %. "They certainly have some early purchases in November and December," Analysis Caroline Newhouse-Cohen, senior economist at BNP Paribas.

The decline in consumption expected in early 2010 should still be written off by the pricing of retail giants such as Tesco. The largest British retail group has decided not to pass on the rising rate of VAT on certain non-food products.This should enable consumers to save another 12 million pounds (13.4 million euros), according to the distributor. The Sainsbury and Home Retail, among others, have also decided to sacrifice their margins.

Beneficial effects difficult to measure

In total, J?rg Radeke the CEBR believes that the rise in VAT rates, premature, and likely to "wipe out most of the benefits had been reduced fee. Still, it is difficult to estimate what were these "benefits" in 2009. According to the CEBR, reduced VAT rates contributed 0.5% to growth of British GDP.

The effect has not been miraculous. While passing the reduced rate, in the first quarter of 2009, "Private consumption fell 1.5% from fourth quarter of 2008, after a similar decline over the previous period," said Caroline Newhouse-Cohen.A decrease which stabilized until July. But economists agree that even if the measure has cost 4.3 billion pounds (4.8 billion euros) to the Treasury, the economic situation would have been worse without it.

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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 supercomit? 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 Camp?ole, 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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