Archive for the 'technology' Category
The decline in registrations in France in June already gave an overview of the state's automobile market throughout the European Union (EU). The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has confirmed on Thursday the downward trend by announcing a 6.9% decline in registrations in the EU. In total, 1,341,092 vehicles were registered in June
For June alone, the largest drops are collected by Slovakia (-40.6%), Greece (-39.3%) and Bulgaria (-32.1%). In addition to these countries is Germany, the largest European car market, with a decrease of 32.3% to 289,259 vehicles registered. France, second largest market, recorded a decline of 1.3% lighter.To explain this phenomenon, ACEA highlights the end of support measures for the sector, including the scrapping bonus.
The largest increases were reported in Ireland (75.8%), Portugal (62.5%), Finland (54.6%) or Spain (+25.6%) and United Kingdom (+10.8%).
Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphics.
The successful launch of the iPad has sparked a fierce price war among manufacturers of digital tablets. For fifteen days, one after the other, manufacturers revise their prices downwards to counter the shock wave of the iPad. Most recently, Sony announced on Wednesday reduced prices of its readers to 20-50 dollars depending on the model. Its entry-level player, the Pocket Edition is now available at $ 149 U.S. instead of $ 169. Last week, the online bookstore Amazon was the first to respond, bringing the price of its Kindle reader digital format (DX) to 379 dollars, down from $ 110 …! At the same time, Amazon increased the comfort of reading his DX improving its display."With improved contrast of 50% and a darker font, it will be easier than ever to read anywhere, outside in the sun or the low light of the show, welcomed Steve Kessel, an official of Amazon. A few days earlier, the retailer had already created a stir by lowering the $ 60 price of its best-selling player, the average size at $ 189 … The same day, his rival, the American bookseller Barnes & Noble brought the price reader's Nook of 259-199 dollars, and announced a more affordable version yet, to 149 dollars, but connectable only by wireless Internet (Wi-Fi).
Run size
These manufacturers have little choice. Faced with the shock of the trade-iPad more than 3 million copies sold-June 22, they must adjust their rates to stay in the race.Unable to keep the same price range as the iPad (500 euros) which, aside from reading, surfing the Internet, listening to music, watch movies or videos, etc.. From a color touch screen . Faced with the branding of Apple Premium, the price argument remains the only real leverage at their disposal, apart from adding some features (touchscreen, color, play MP3 music files, etc..) . "In the race for size, market share, the price factor is one that can make the difference as shown by the positioning of Dell with its multimedia tablet Streak marketed in late July and announced at least 100 euros" Sylvain Duranton remark, associate director at Boston Consulting Group.
Price also depends on the conversion market niche in the mass market."As long as prices do not fall sufficiently, widespread adoption of such devices will be difficult," says the expert. A psychological threshold must be reached. "Based on our studies, if 66% of French people are ready to go nuclear, they will not do at any price: not more than 150-200 euros for a multi-shelf as iPad and more than 100 euros for a single-function tablet, reserved for reading, as the Kindle. "
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"If we do not change policy, we will in the wall." Jacques Attali, President of PlanetFinance and author of a book entitled "All ruined in ten years? Public debt: the last chance "does not beat around the bush. After a week when financial markets are worried about the emergence of a new recession, former adviser to Francois Mitterrand and confirms that the government must halt the rise in public debt. And for this, a policy of austerity. "We're on the brink of a global deflation as it has ever seen for a century and a half," he said.
In alarm that has not failed to react as President of the European Central Bank (ECB). "I do not think the risk of a recession.Globally, it is clear that we are in a recovery phase, confirmed particularly in the emerging world, but also in the industrialized world, "said Jean-Claude Trichet. That did not stop to be careful. "Growth is not written in the industrialized world, it depends on the ability of countries to strengthen the confidence of households, firms and enterprises," he says.
Grand European loan
Europe is not doomed to stagnation. According to economists, big bosses and politicians gathered in Aix-en-Provence Economic Forum for the Old Continent has to reform, reduce deficits and build on innovation. "Without policy change, the growth potential of Europe for the next ten years will be around 1.3% to 1.5% per year.We would then take years to regain the levels of unemployment pre-crisis, "says economist Christian de Boissieu.
For this, the Circle of economists in favor of a large loan eueuropéen, referring to the one established last year by Nicolas Sarkozy. The idea is, like its sister French, invest in innovation, green technology or education. "Innovation and services are crucial. The deindustrialization of the United States had no areas of very high technology, because they have attracted the intelligence world, "says Louis Welsh, president of EADS.
"Place of Culture and Tourism
The question is how to articulate these priorities, fiscal consolidation and sustaining growth -. Hence the idea of an overhaul of EU policies.In short, Europe must "change the growth model," according to former Prime Minister Alain Juppe. "The EU lacks coherence between its short and medium term focus on reducing deficits, and the long term that seeks to promote investment in the knowledge economy," says economist Agnes Benassy-Quere.
Far from being able to display growth rates comparable to those of emerging countries, Europe has every interest to agree on next steps. Otherwise it will be reduced to "a place of culture and tourism," says Jean-Hervé Lorenzi, President of Circle of economists.
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The purchasing power has registered a decline of 0.1%.
In the U.S., the third estimate of GDP is known to 14:30.
Banks up
As for values, Credit Agricole (-1.7%) Societe Generale (1.4%) BNP Paribas (+1.1%) and Axa (1.32%) appear at the top of the charts of best performance of the CAC 40, behind Vivendu which grimpede 1.7% to 17.5 euros.
In contrast, the values cars are worth, including Peugeot plir 0.67%, Renault, 0.36%, 0.6% Michelin. Construction is bad too, with Lafarge (-0.96%), largest decline, and Saint-Gobain (-0.25%).
Latecoère: 2.56% to 6 euros According to Le Figaro, the aerospace supplier will propose to its shareholders on Friday, meeting in General Assembly, the free allocation of share purchase warrants (BSA) in 2012.
The EDF Group postponed its decision to invest in an LNG terminal in Dunkirk (Northern), said Thursday a spokesman for the group. This terminal was supposed to compensate for some job losses related to the closure of the refinery from Total.
Computer Services sector companies might respond to better than expected quarterly results announced Thursday evening by Accenture. The Group's net profit stood at 564 million dollars (457 million euros), or $ 0.73 per share against 537 million ($ 0.68 per share) a year ago and $ 0.69 expected by Wall Street.
Alstom: -0.5% to 38.3 euros French industrial group on Thursday launched a U.S. production plant turbines, especially for nuclear power generation, for which he has invested about $ 300 million, according to a statement.
LE FIGARO – The backbone of "retirement" is specific to staff align their contribution rate over that of private sector employees. Why?
Georges Tron – We want a clear and equitable reform. Nothing justifies to contribute three points behind, having comparable pensions. This represents an increase of 6 euros of contributions, on an average salary of 2000 euros a month for ten years.
The calculation of the pension on the last six months of salary, instead of twenty-five best years, is also a symbol of inequity for the opinion …
Wrongly so, if you look calmly at things! We are in a very specific body, grades, levels, indices, with premiums that are excluded from the calculation of the pension.The only question worth asking is: these rules they generate large differences in pay and pensions? The answer is no.
Why have kept "active groups" instead of applying to civil servants the opportunity to retire early for hardship, which will soon be applied in the private sector?
Occupations in uniform (police, firefighters, prison guards …) can effectively retire at 50 or 55 years. It is an old way to take into account how hard these jobs, which nobody denies. The classes are kept active but these floors will be carried over age two years, as for everyone.
You open next Friday, a salary negotiation. Bercy pushes you to a freezing point index.The 0.5% increase for July 1, promised two years ago by Éric Woerth, Will it be good?
While it is important to keep its commitments, we must be lucid about the state of public accounts. This first session will assess the progress of the purchasing power of workers in 2009 and expected for 2010. Based on this diagnosis, I hope shared with the unions, we will be open to discussion. One thing is certain: the issue of pensions is, Eric Woerth and I disconnected from that of wages. There is no question of compensating the first by the second. This would immediately cancel the legitimate efforts and gradual asked officials on pensions, that nobody would understand.
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For the first time, the United States, Americans will have a smart card (smart card to the French) and "accepted in the world. It Gemalto.
A contract which seems small in relation to the size of the division payment at Gemalto.But "this announcement is very important symbolically," noted analysts at Natixis, surprised that the stock price does not react.
For the group at 1.65 billion euros in turnover in 2009 made his first steps on American soil that could well decide to finally initiate the transition from magnetic stripe cards – which are the subject of a high fraud rates – to smart cards adopting EMV (Europay, MasterCard, Visa) to pay around the world and securely.
For the strategists of Natixis, the bank card market with a microprocessor in the United States has "a potential 1.5 billion cards.
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Put under pressure by Guy Wyser-Pratte complains strategy, Arnaud Lagard?re, general partner of the Lagard?re group, has defended his record at the general meeting of shareholders held this morning at the Palais des Congr?s Paris. He said he was "optimistic" about prospects for his group in 2010. "In 2009, the cash flow was very well kept, with 650 million euros. And that's a powerful symbol of a sound and applied to the cash, "said Arnaud Lagardere. He added: "All family groups are extremely sensitive to this criterion one, which is the most vital criterion for a company in the long term."
Lagard?re: -18% and 10% in less than a year
In 2009, Lagard?re has 4 divided by its net profit to 137 million euros and issued a revenue down 4% to 7.9 billion euros.Lagardere will publish its turnover in the first quarter 2010 on May 11 next.
It is interesting to note that since the offensive led by Guy Wyser-Pratte cons strategy Arnaud Lagard?re, General Partner of Lagard?re, March 25 last, the stock has gained around 10% (figure at 10:30 AM, Ed) . And, while the price lost almost 18% since October 2009. He took the opportunity to slip a few tackles to Guy Wyser-Pratte: "The dictatorship of the immediate is probably the most destructive of shareholder value. We will never get into the music, the display and large terrestrial TV and pay, "said Arnaud Lagardere.
The Autorit? des march?s financiers (AMF) by its president Jean-Pierre Jouyet, has confirmed that the Lagard?re was put under surveillance for several weeks."As in such situations, we monitored closely the evolution of the title and the statements of each other in the preparation of this meeting," he said Monday at Canal + Guaranteed high risk Personal loans.
The MFA does not investigate
Last Friday, a spokesman for the AMF had confirmed receiving a letter of Lagard?re."We look at which patterns of the market as we look at the title and transaction information is transmitted," she said, adding that a supervision order does not imply any launch an investigation.
In late March, the American financier Guy Wyser-Pratte, who holds 0.53% stake in the group Lagard?re has submitted two resolutions: one to make his entrance to the supervisory board and the other to call into question the Staff Partnership Group for Lagardere to develop it into a corporation. Two resolutions that Arnaud Lagardere has always opposed.
Guy Wyser-Pratte can count on the support of Riskmetrics, a consulting firm specializing in governance and whose advice is well attended by institutional investors, representing over 78% of the capital of Lagard?re.For its part, Arnaud Lagardere has received support from the Association of Small Holders assets (Appac) holding 3.5% stake in Arcelor.
After one of the few values to evolve in the green at the Paris Bourse, the Lagard?re shows a sharp decline towards 12.15: -0.71% to 31.41 euros in a market down by 1.46% .
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Oil climbs again
Insensitive to calls for a "perfect price" of $ 80 a barrel, launched by OPEC, oil prices clung all week at the helm of $ 86. A barrel of light crude Texas (WTI) for May delivery has exceeded the 87 dollars for the first time since October 2008 last week.
The markets were quickly erased their losses Wednesday and Thursday, with a barrel qutour income of $ 85. Investors were then cooled by a rebound in the dollar and especially by a surprise increase in weekly unemployment registration. During the week of April 3, the latter amounted to 460,000 against 442,000 the previous week, according to the Department of Labor.An indicator that put the brakes on optimism the speed of recovery and hence the increase in oil demand.
On Friday, during fro above $ 86 a barrel in New York, enjoying a rebound in equity markets and a slight weakening of the dollar. A barrel of Brent North Sea crude for delivery in May stood at 85.74 dollars on the InterContinental Exchange (ICE) in London. "We needed a correction, we have had, then one starts to rise," noted Tom Bentz of BNP Paribas. "It's always the same story, it has small downturns, and buyers are returning. Buyers have been constantly rewarded when they took advantage of these folds and so it continues, "he noted.
According to analysts, "the courts seem to have found a floor around $ 85 a barrel.A sustained movement under $ 70 now seems much less likely that progress towards 90 dollars.
Copper, a leading base metals
After profit taking Thursday, the base metals markets are generally started to increase.
Copper shows a striking health, reaching its highest since August 2008 Tuesday to 8010 dollars per ton. Friday's trading at 7,794.50 dollars per tonne on the London Metal Exchange (LME). Since January first, the increase is 6.12% and 81.10% over one year. China is largely the cause of this infatuation. The country engulfed 40% of global demand. The World Copper Conference, held Wednesday and Thursday, has made it the starting point for discussions. According to participants, China should boost demand by 5.4% in 2010. Growth to 12% in the first quarter bodes well for the future.
Nickel also benefits from China's growth through the increase of the steel in the country. The production of stainless steel (two-thirds of nickel consumption) explodes in the country. After crossing the 25,000 dollars per tonne on April 1 (highest level since June 2008 on the LME) prices were around the 24,435 dollars Friday.
In their wake, aluminum climbed to 2,397 dollars per tonne on the LME, its highest level since October 2008. An upward, according to observers, would that point.
Precious metals: palladium in great shape
As for precious metals, gold has had a week of small but can increase to a rise of 2.68% over the last 5 days. Friday, for the first time since January 12, gold has taken the helm of 1150 dollars.After the first auction in London, per ounce in late morning trading at in 1156 dollars (863.009 euros) against 1148 dollars.
For its part, palladium continues upward, reaching its highest level since 2008. Strong growth still driven by the fear of insufficient supply while the automotive market (primary market) leaves. Palladium rating still around $ 500 an ounce.
In the aftermath, platinum is about 1.29% in one week in 1722 dollars an ounce Friday.
Agricultural raw materials: grains fall
Prices of wheat, corn and soybeans continued to fall this week. As expected, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has left its forecast production virtually unchanged in its report released Friday.Thus, world production of wheat for the 2009/2010 marketing year amounted to 678.42 million tonnes (Mt) against 678.01 million tonnes expected this month. Global consumption is raised by 1 Mt to 647.83 Mt, the final inventory at the end of the 2009/10 campaign back to 195.82 million tonnes against 196.77 million tonnes estimated a month ago.
Friday, wheat dropped to 470.75 dollars in Chicago. A bushel of soybeans was $ 9.48 dollars while corn was trading at $ 3.49 a bushel.
While Asian markets have evolved this Friday in the wake of the rise on Wall Street Thursday night, and the Dow Jones is still expected to slightly increase this Friday, the Paris Stock Exchange followed suit since. Despite mixed INSEE statistics, the CAC 40, which opened up 0.75%, and the bar and went over 4,000 points, gaining 1.11% to more resolutely 4022.67 points in mid session.
Thursday evening, the CAC 40 lost 1.2% and has crossed back to the lower threshold of 4000 points. The other major stock markets fell back in unison. In London the FTSE lost 0.86% while in Frankfurt the Dax has yielded 0.81% at closing.Note that the LSE has found its place in the first quarter from a number of European IPOs, according to PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
The concern of financial markets is felt continually faced with the fragility of public finances of several countries, particularly Greece.
Statistics in Europe
According to INSEE, industrial production for the month of February in France remained stable, reflecting continued moderate demand should limit growth throughout the first quarter. The INSEE reported Friday in a stable production after rising 1.1% in January, a figure revised from an initial estimate of 1.6%.
The cost of construction in France, however, declined from 1.05% yoy in the fourth quarter of 2009, after already falling 5.77% in the third quarter and 4.10% in the second quarter, said the INSEE Friday.
In Germany, foreign trade for the month of February will be announced at 8 o'clock. In the United Kingdom, are the producer prices in March which will be published.
In the United States, no statistics major is expected on Friday to share the figures for U.S. wholesalers f?rvrier.
France Telecom provided by the Paris court
France Info radio said the prosecutor of Paris will open a judicial inquiry after the 35 suicides by employees of France Telecom. The action, however, clinching +0.55% at 17, 470 euros in mid-day.
Air France (2.99% to 12.225 euros) showed a traffic increase of 4.7% for the month of March, a first for a year.The group remains to Ryanair. To also monitor the impact on the airline industry's consolidation movement in progress. According to the American press, U.S. Airways and United Airlines are considering a reconciliation. In addition, British Airways and Iberia have finalized their merger agreement.
Areva (2.22%) and EDF (1.59%) would participate in the growth of nuclear power in Italy. Several agreements have to be signed on Friday between French and Italian companies in the sector reported the Financial Times.
The specialist luxury yacht Rodriguez returned Thursday after the stock market success of the restructuring of its debt. The share price rose yesterday by more than 138.97%.On Friday, the shares are still 36.5%.
Renault (0.64%), its Japanese partner Nissan and the Italian energy group Enel signed Thursday a Memorandum of Understanding for the development in Italy of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Cegid, publisher of management software, announced a 7% decline in net sales in the first quarter to 58 million euros and a gross margin of 87.9% against 87.5% a year ago. In exchange, Cegid loses 1.21% to 22.12 euros.
French Cement (4.25%, to 77.83 euros) announces that its takeover bid for all or part of its 2002 and 2006 private placements to U.S. investors is now closed. French Cement will then redeem all shares tendered at a price of 1 065 dollars for each security with a face value of 1 000 dollars.The funds to purchase securities were placed at the disposal of the company and its subsidiary Italcementi Italcementi Finance.
They were euphemistically called the "very high salaries." These are the 133 000 full-time employees the more lucrative private sector who have received an average gross earnings of EUR 215 600 in 2007. Three times more than the "high wages" and seven times more than all full-time employees. The heterogeneity of this category is very large: the differences in annual revenues ranging from 84 500 euros to more than 13 million.
This category of the population does not know the crisis."While they represent only 1% of the workforce, people with very high incomes receive 5.5% of earned income, 32% of income from assets and 48% of the windfall revenues reported (capital gains, exercise of options), "INSEE noted in the 2010 edition of its publication The income and household wealth.
Between 2004 and 2007, the number of employees earning more than 100 000 per year has increased by 28% and those exceeding the half-million dollars … 70%! Since 2002, wages rose an average 5.8% per annum in real terms, against a 2.3% increase for all employees on the same period.Three focus areas more than half of these very high salaries: advice and assistance (including sector "business administration" including holding companies, the group headers), financial activities and trade activities Wholesale Guaranteed pay day loans.
West Paris in mind
40% of these very high salaries are salaried executives who earn on average 230 000 per year, 15% of financial professionals, such trader or chief of a financial service of a large company (290 000), and More anecdotally, for 0.8% of them, the athletes earning almost 450 000 euros on average per year.
Nearly nine in ten very high salaries (87%) are men."The more you go up the hierarchy, the higher the proportion of men increases," notes INSEE estimated 6% difference in pay between male and female quotas at this level of responsibility.
Another feature related to the experience, they are older (49 years on average) than high wages (45 years) and that all employees (40 years). Only 16% of them are under 40 years. Finally, nearly one in two lives in West Paris, in the three departments (Paris, Yvelines Hauts-de-Seine) where the head offices of large enterprises.
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