Archive for the 'technology' Category
New black day on Wall Street. After opening in the dark red (-2.19% for the Dow and -3% for the Nasdaq), the New York Stock Exchange closed down a massive. The Dow Jones lost 3.68% to 10,990.58 points and the Nasdaq was unscrewed from 5.22% to 2380.43 points.
The New York Stock Exchange, which has already ended the session on Wednesday on a very hesitant, was weighed down by fears of contagion from the crisis of European debt to U.S. banks and the threat of a relapse of economy after disappointing figures on the employment front in the United States. Symbol of this fear on the recovery, oil finished down 6% in New York, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for September delivery ended at 82.38 dollars.
In Europe, stock markets have been driven into the red, pulled down by banking shares.The markets are worried about the global economic downturn, following the release of retail sales increased very slightly in Britain.
Morgan Stanley is concerned about global growth
Morgan Stanley also lowered its growth forecast of the global economy for the years 2011 and 2012, the revision is stronger for developed countries. In a note published Thursday, the U.S. investment bank now expects growth in global gross domestic product (GDP) of 3.9% in 2011, against 4.2% previously and 3.8% in 2012, instead 4.5%.
The bad mood is compounded by a series of important indicators in the U.S. on Thursday and go in the direction of a faltering economic recovery.
First bad news earlier this afternoon with the weekly jobless claims: The Labor Department reported a larger increase than expected last week. They reach 408,000 registrations, against 399,000 the previous week. Economists on average had expected 400,000. The consumer prices have in turn increased more than expected in July (0.5%), driven by the rebound in gasoline prices.
The index of the Philadelphia Fed, the "Philly Fed" came out in very sharp decline in August, well below expectations. It plunged to -30.7 in August from 3.2 in July, while the consensus of analysts expected a slight rebound to 3.7.He thus reached its lowest level since March 2009.
The U.S. index of leading indicators, however, increased more than expected in July to a record high, due to growth in money supply and a decline in jobless claims, the Conference Board said Thursday.
Finally, existing home resales fell contrary to expectations: they were down 3.5% in July, while analysts expected a 3.8% increase, according to figures from the NAR.
New record for gold
In terms of raw materials, while the stock markets fall, gold has reached a new record on Thursday: an ounce of the precious metal rose to 1816.25 dollars on the spot market. Oil markets, prices opened down sharply in New York, the new access affected in a bad mood.To 15 hours (French time), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for September delivery was trading at 85.02 dollars, down 2.56 dollars compared to the previous day.
On the currency markets, the euro lost some ground against the dollar, struggling to find direction in a sluggish market and cautious with the release of U.S. indicators and always weighed down by the debt crisis in the eurozone. At the close of Wall Street, the euro bought 1.4345 dollars against 1.4428 dollars late Wednesday.
Values of the day
Hewlett-Packard, which published its results before the scheduled time (turnover of 31.2 billion, in line with expectations) and resulted in a trading halt, announced it was negotiating the purchase of Autonomy Corp., a transaction by Bloomberg estimated 10 billion dollars. It envisages the other to separate its computer division, its largest business, but less profitable.It also abandons the tablet touchpad.
NetApp declined by 14.04% in early trade to 35.81 dollars. The group missed the consensus for its first quarter of fiscal 2012, with a turnover of 1.46 billion, against $ 1.51 billion expected by analysts. The net decrease of $ 150.7 million to $ 139.5 million
The communications systems equipment supplier JDS Uniphase (-12.81% to 10.20 dollars) has reported a net quarterly profit of $ 9.3 million, or 4 cents per share against 1.5 million the last year. It provides a low turnover in respect of its first quarter due to adverse economic conditions, but is optimistic in view of its order book.
Coca-Cola (-2.14% to 67.80 dollars) will invest four billion dollars more in China between 2012 and 2014, reported Thursday the New China News Agency, quoting the CEO of the world's leading soft drinks.
Sears Holdings (-8.16% to 55.23 dollars) reported a higher loss than expected in the second quarter, sales were weak and the promotions have started margins.
Ross Stores (-4.86% to 68.31 dollars) has reported a better than expected pofitive the second quarter but is cautious about these results for the rest of the year in a difficult environment.
Dollar Tree (-1.34% to 70.84 dollars) has reported an increase of 22% of its profit in the second quarter.The distributor has revised upwards its forecast for earnings per share (between 3.82 and 3.95 against 3.69 dollars and 3.85 dollars expected in May).
IBM (-4.46% to 163.83 dollars) is one of two candidates vying to buy at Lufthansa subsidiary Lufthansa Systems, the German press reported Thursday. Another potential buyer is the conglomerate Tata Group.
Gap (-5.48% to 15.52 dollars) and Foot Locker (-6% to 17.56 dollars) must publish their results after the close.
American billionaire Warren Buffett wants his share of sacrifice to help America reduce its budget deficit. In an article published in The New York Times, the head of Berkshire Hathaway investment fund called on parliamentarians to raise taxes on Americans with annual incomes exceed a million dollars, and even more taxing those who earn more than ten million dollars per year.
He said it does not hurt to use or for investment, while helping to clean up the country's finances. "Our leaders have called for shared sacrifice, he writes. But when they did ask, they spared me. I checked with my friends to see which mégariches sacrifices they expected payday loans in 1 hour.Them either were not affected. "Warren Buffett has led his small survey: last year's tax rate accounted for 17.4% of its taxable income, while that of 20 workers in his office was between 33% and 41%.
"While the poor and middle class fighting for us in Afghanistan, and while many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, we, the mégariches, continue to benefit from special tax exemptions," says the American billionaire.
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Cyprus is on the brink both economically and politically. Many speculate that the country, which joined the euro in 2008 to become the fourth of the area to apply for financial support.
The situation worsened with the explosion on July 11 last of a shipment of arms on a naval base. The tragedy left 13 dead and destroyed the main power plant on the island that produced 60% of its electricity. Since the disaster, Cyprus is facing a government crisis. Daily demonstrations demanding the resignation of President Demetris Christofias. To calm discontent, the latter requested the July 28 resignation of the government to conduct a reshuffle.
In addition, the economy ends up weaker than ever. The rating agency Moody's has revised its forecast for GDP growth of 1.5% this year and 2.5% in 2012 down after the explosion.It provides stability in 2011 and a 1% growth in 2012. In addition to the cost of rebuilding the plant and import of electricity in the interval – valued at over one billion euros – daily cuts disrupt an economy already weakened by the crisis. As a result, Standard & Poor's and Moody's both lowered the rating last week in Cyprus due to budgetary concerns of the country.
The banks are the Achilles heel of the Cypriots. Bank of Cyprus, the largest financial institution on the island, called earlier this week the government in Nicosia to take prompt action to prevent the country does need a financial rescue plan. "Unless we act, we risk the ability of the state to refinance and the consequences will be immediate and serious," the bank said in a statement.
The deficit is widening
Especially since the official debt of Cyprus – which is about 61% of GDP – may actually be higher according to some experts. End of 2010, the agency Stock Watch estimates that the debt was around Cyprus 105% of GDP, if we include the debt of social security funds. Enough to feed all the speculation? The spokesman of the Commissioner of Financial Services, Chantal Hughes said Tuesday he was "no question of an assistance plan" because the country is "determined to do what is necessary in terms of fiscal consolidation" . However, the deficit in the first half widened sharply, reaching 3.5% of GDP against 1.9% a year earlier.
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"SPECIAL – Europe, States facing bankruptcy
The higher the debt crisis is intensifying and European gold is getting stronger. The metal price has risen late Thursday at a new record of 1594.45 dollars approaching the threshold of 1600 dollars per ounce, still supported by concerns about the debt crisis in the euro zone and the renewed nervousness around indebtedness of the United States. The metal is "overbought in a configuration that is generally followed by a phase correction with profit taking," said Alexandre Taurand, market analyst at XTB France.
Since early July, the Yellow Gold has gained nearly 60 dollars and grew by more than 2% in five days. A craze that is also explained by its role as a refuge for investors wishing to protect themselves against currency volatility, turbulence government bonds and inflation pressures persist.Since the beginning of the month, the disturbing news in the euro area accumulates. Standard & Poor's warned that a draft agreement between Greece and private creditors would be equivalent to a default under its criteria. On Tuesday, the working group to find a solution to save the country from bankruptcy said he did not exclude a more "partial failure" Greek. Moody's lowered the rating of Portugal and the eyes are now to Italy and Spain where the rates of bonds soaring.
Investors are not convinced by the ads of European finance ministers that provide control to prevent contagion. The latter said they were willing to increase the size of the Fund for financial help. They are also considering a "lengthening of maturities of loans" made to give more time to countries in difficulty to repay their debt. But nothing works.Tuesday again, plummeting stock markets in Europe reflected a continuing concern.
All eyes turned to Italy
"Unlike money, which is currently trading on the area of 35.50 dollars an ounce and is a turning point towards lower, gold is playing its role as a refuge and is one of few underlying advantage of the situation, "says Alexandre Taurand.
In his view, two scenarios are emerging now for the precious metal, "If the price settles above the area of 1547.11 dollars, then maybe we would pause in the middle before a new upward impulse to try re-cross the area of 1557 dollars per ounce. In the event that the price of gold were to fall below the 1545 dollars, then we would have a target level of support for 1541 dollars, "said he.But can not decide yet, "there are a lot of uncertainty. Investors are focused on the Italian austerity plan (on which Parliament must decide by by the summer break, ed.) They also monitor the situation in the United States with the vote on the debt ceiling to be held by 2 August. "
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The debt crisis has blackballed two governments in Ireland and Portugal, and the list is certainly not closed. The damage is more severe on public opinion because they take a nationalist turn. In Germany, almost one in two voters, according to a recent survey, calls for the release of Greece to the euro area. Last month, the Bundestag voted by a majority of only ten members agreed to a new aid plan in Athens. Chancellor Angela Merkel has obtained such authorization on the express condition to require private investors to make "a fair contribution" to the bailout.
Unexpectedly, the debate on financial solidarity in Europe tends to resurface interregional strife. And paradoxically it is in federal countries like Germany or Belgium, the tensions appear more vivid.The euro zone should not lead to "a union transfer," insists there be beyond the Rhine. "Greater integration will not remove economic imbalances. No one knows this better than the Germans who had a similar experience there are almost twenty years during the realization of monetary union between the two Germanys, "says the weekly Der Spiegel in its edition of June 20 The Germans continue to pay until 2019, a special tax called the "Soli" (Solidarität), which has already cost 187 billion euros.
Euroscepticism in the richest regions in Europe
In Belgium, a country Europhile if any, the antagonism between Flanders and Wallonia reaches new levels. The two communities are unable to agree to form a government, the Prime Minister, Yves Leterme, is reduced to administer the routine business since April 2010.Experts struggle with blows of figures to assess the transfers flowing North Flemish Francophone south. They represent an annual 11 billion euros, according to the Flemish Institute of economy and society (Vives). False, answer the French, with this basic argument: Belgium charges taxpayers in their homes and not where they work, as recommended by the international law. If this standard was followed, Brussels, attached to the French-speaking area, recover 4 billion euros of income tax.
Euroscepticism would it be more marked in the richest regions in Europe? This is clearly the case in Italy: Northern League campaigned for the prosperous regions of the Po Valley found a form of independence political-administrative and fiscal, while maintaining the strongest prejudices vis-à-vis the euro no fax pay day loan.
Not so in contrast to France.Regional differences are however not lower than in the rest of the continent but they are resolved in a more gentle. And the Ile-de-France, and its ten million inhabitants, it is by far the most productive region of the hexagon: it polarizes alone 29% of GDP, gross domestic product of the country, but represents only 22% of the income of the French (according to figures from INSEE). The explanation for this defect is simple: on one side, 7% of payroll companies Ile-de-France are paid to employees who live outside and conversely only 14.5% French pensioners living in the Paris region.The latter is losing both ways: a significant portion of its revenues from production escapes and receives limited resources from the inactive, who prefer other lands.
Centralism French or German federalism
He welcomed such an "invisible circulation of wealth" between the territories of the Republic, in the words of happy economic geography Davezies Laurent. The Limousin and Corsica can be very productive while enjoying relative prosperity, thanks to the mobility of the French who will spend their vacation or retirement. These contributions and income of private individuals play a more fundamental transfers of public money themselves. "Similarly, the savings is in the province and bank credits in the Ile-de-France, but these movements do not create real problems protest across regions.This is probably due to mixing of populations: from birth to retirement, through studies and work, the French used to change the place throughout their lives, "noted Jean-Luc Biacabe, Director of Foresight to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris.
Often criticized for its lack of centralization and autonomy of its regions, France is she a model of harmony for its neighbors? The Germans, because of their culture of federal government, are much more aware that the French fiscal federalism in the euro area is currently in practice be established. The Bundestag is alarmed by the German contribution to the European guarantees of financial stability, to 123 billion euros. The National Assembly does not seem moved by our share, yet the same magnitude because of the weight savings (three quarters).In Germany, it continues to quote the formula of Ernest Renan, 1862, "A customs union is not a nation." In Paris, the euro is considered the homeland.
Whoever does not pay pockets. According to The Echosce Monday, the UMP would favor the principle of taxation of companies that pay wages to their employees outside the norm instead of fixing an additional tax for very high incomes. This is to discourage entretreprises to pay fees too high, as is the case for the 50% tax on the traders' bonuses. "The idea is (…) to treat the problem at its source, a disincentive for companies to pay compensation aberrant, rather than trying to correct the situation then by taxes," said an elected majority in a maintenance business daily.
The majority remains divided on the threshold, beyond which the tax should be levied.For many UMP deputies, the threshold should be set at 150,000 euros per unit, while others, like Pierre Mehaignerie, advocate the taxation of income in excess of 1 million euros no checking account payday advance.
The definition of the Tax Code regarding salaries "excessive" is not very clear and now it is more applicable to the bosses of SMEs and large companies. It would therefore define the notion of "excessive compensation" based on wage policy and business sectors. A working group will floor on this subject during the summer to give a decision in September.
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GDF SUEZ announced Friday in a statement that "the general meeting of shareholders of Compagnie du Vent has decided to replace" its chairman and founder Jean-Michel Germa by Thierry Conil, "over 30 years experience in GDF Suez ". "A major strategic dispute," the statement continued, between GDF Suez, which owns 56.8% of Compagnie du Vent and its founder Jean-Michel Germa, which owns 43.2% is the origin of this separation.
Problem: Jean-Michel Germa judicially contest his dismissal, even though he knew his scheduled departure. First on the form. Feeling the dispute with its powerful shareholder grow for months, Jean-Michel Germa had sought this week the protection of the commercial court of Montpellier (seat LCV).He had requested the postponement of Thursday's meeting but GDF Suez has received the same day, the Tribunal de Commerce "authorization" to conduct this meeting. Jean-Michel Germa considers that the meeting "was not held." The founder of the company that employs 156 employees (sales: 27 million) is "very shocked" by the group methods.
On the merits, the proposed wind farm on both coasts, off Tréport is at the heart of the dispute between the two parties. "I wore this folder on the baptismal font for more than six years," says Jean-Michel Germa. Since 2005, he sought a major partner, not being able to invest only 2.5 billion euros of this pharaonic site of more than 100 offshore wind GDF Suez said this in 2007.Only offshore project in France to have passed the stage of public debate and to have obtained permission trunking park on both sides to eventually be included in the five zones affected by the imminent bidding of the government. Germa estimated that his company could legitimately respond to the bidding as prime contractor, with GDF Suez and all interested partners.
Regain control
The group Mestrallet which just announced an alliance with Areva and Vinci to participate in the tender intends to resume the hand and accuses Jean-Michel Germa its "independent development approach." "We do not aim to be your bank, it is argued in the entourage of the group.GDF Suez eyes, only the creation of a true industrial sector will invest successfully niche offshore wind: "Between the amounts required and the risks to assume the financial stakes are so huge it takes deploy a comprehensive strategy. "
Other disputes have marked the common path of CTA and its controlling shareholder. Today, Jean-Michel Germa figure at 490 million euros loss suffered by his company, counting the resumption of the park on both sides by GDF Suez.
Energia says victim of the same strategy
While the government prepares to launch the tender on offshore wind farms and to renew some concessions hydraulic group Mestrallet began to gather around "a great center" activities in the Renewable France previously dispersed in several subsidiaries.The group, which currently has a portfolio of 1000 megawatts (MW) wind farm, wants to double within five years. The multinational company has invested 135 million euros in CTA believes it was time to take complete control. Jean-Michel Germa denounces what he sees as a strategy of GDF Suez, which is "to transfer the assets of companies that the group claims to have bought too much, empty them of their substance out minority shareholders on the cheap."
Fabrice Crobbedu, former head of Energia, a small business specializing in heating, acquired by GDF Suez in 2008 to 54% consider themselves victims of this same strategy. Revoked in 2009, it remained a minority shareholder. At GDF Suez, the response by explaining that Fabrizio Crobbedu is suspected of abuse of corporate assets. The judicial successive episodes.Until this year, going back to Friday when Fabrice Crobbedu grabbed the Commercial Court to challenge Nevers, too, holding a general meeting.
After France, Germany. The support of Nicolas Sarkozy to Mario Draghi should accelerate an official position in Berlin, which will be decisive to the European Council in June If Angela Merkel Knights turn Mario Draghi, the Italian's appointment is granted. If she vetoes, even verbal, post escape him.
According to relatives of the Chancellery cited by the business press, Angela Merkel is more qu'embarrassée by the statement by Nicolas Sarkozy, who allegedly caught short once more."The government will decide on possible candidates in a timely manner," said the spokesman for the German government.
"The decision on the successor of ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet, will be taken at the next EU summit," said Steffen Seibert.
Contrary to his finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble, Angela Merkel believes that the arrival of an Italian to the position of treasurer general of Europe would be an indefensible decision against the German public.
"At any price this Italian!"
The popular press, leading Bild, has continued to point the finger at the overspending in the South."At any price this Italian! "Until recently headlined the tabloid Berliner, who does not hesitate to denounce tax evasion in Greece and the taste of the Italians for inflation.
The euro crisis has revived the Germans the trauma of abandonment of the Deutschmark, for countries of the "Club Med" they never considered worthy of the single currency. At the time of the creation of the euro, Germany was suspicious of accounts of Italy … In this context, the appointment of Mario Draghi, capable and respected as it is, at least appear iconoclastic in Germany .
However, the application of the Italian made his way into the German political circles. After having praised the German economic model in the press Frankfurt, Mario Draghi has managed to win support weight in the person of Wolfgang Schäuble, who has the ear of the Chancellor."Schäuble enjoys good reputation Draghi as central banker, his integrity and personality," says a senior official in the Handelsblatt.
More than the opinion of Wolfgang Schäuble, is the support of Nicolas Sarkozy puts Chancellor in a difficult position. Exercise a veto Draghi's candidacy to head the ECB might trigger a new crisis in the euro area and create a damaging conflict with France, even as relations between Paris and Berlin were severely affected by denial Germany to support the UN resolution on Libya.
In recent weeks, Archos, the group specializes in digital tablets midrange was quite surprised markets positively. Accustomed to receiving positive signals about the group's business, investors were more sensitive to the details surrounding this Tuesday announced the launch of a capital increase of nearly 26.5 million euros for largely to fund growth, but also to clean up the group's finances.
Croches Henry, the founder and manager does not Soucre
The reasons for the transaction are clear, namely the prepayment of a loan of 5 million euros in annual interest rate of 20% (due late 2013), and development in new countries.But the absence of any warranty is enough to frighten investors, while even Crohas, the founding director of the company, has announced his intention not to subscribe the capital increase, and let its shareholding in his company go from 16.31% to approximately 13%. "This is not the subject of a bank guarantee. Furthermore, no shareholder of the company has made a commitment underwriting, "said the statement issued last Tuesday morning by Archos.
To date, and except Crohas, Archos has no reference to its shareholder capital. None has more than 5% of the round. This may explain the lack of commitment from all minority shareholders, and therefore potentially less affected by the strategic aspect of the operation.Crohas, despite its non-subscription, also keeps his hand over 13% of the capital, which negates the potential for him to lose control of his group.
But the signal sent by an officer (who is the founder) market is still frowned upon by investors, who see there is a lack of confidence about future activity, is a sign of personal financial concerns from the leader in question. Result, the title Archos lost more than 12% at the Paris Bourse, to 7.54 euros. Contacted, and traveling abroad, Crohas could not elaborate on the reasons for his choice, which was not likely to reassure investors no fax payday loans.
A risky operation after soaring title
Because of this last cold spell during the Archos: the subscription price.Admittedly, the title has exploded in recent weeks (+87% since January 1), in the wake of the sales figures of the group. But the premium offered, approximately 26.5% over the closing price on April 15, should convince shareholders less than the 45% offered in December 2009, during the last capital increase (19.4 million euros ). Moreover, to 6.50 euros, the transaction turns now more risky for the potential subscriber, especially after such a rise in the stock. For example, last fundraiser in December 2009 was made at a price of 2.2 euros. The subscription commitments had now reached 75%.
The financial markets fear an obstacle to development
The operation seems to meet today many risk factors. No guarantee of success, and especially the obligation to reach 75% of amounts pledged."If the threshold of three-quarters was not reached, the transaction would be canceled," says besides Archos. This would mean a stop to its financial development, very detrimental to a growing market where latecomers are fast behind. A scenario that seem to fear the operators on Tuesday.
These should be particularly careful in the coming sessions in progress, then at the end of the operation. The subscription period which begins April 21, will run until May 4, inclusive, for a settlement of shares expected May 17 This fundraiser is with maintaining the preferential subscription rights, five old shares entitling to one new share. And if the capital increase met a strong membership, unlike that suggests the market reaction on Tuesday, its amount could then be increased to 30.42 million euros.
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The U.S. publishing rocked. In February, he sold more electronic books (e-books) in the U.S. as paperbacks, paperback books or children's books. According to the monthly report compiled by the Association of American Publisher (AAP), Association of American Publishers, the revenue generated by e-books reached $ 90.3 million over the period. So far the top-seller, the paperback had fallen below $ 85 million revenue in January. In February, they amounted to 81 million.
The total market for printed books in the U.S. declines. The adult books (pocket paperback) have declined from 34.4% in February to represent all $ 156.8 million in sales. Children's books fell from 16.1% to 58.5 million.In parallel, the electronic book grew by 202% between February 2010 and February 2011. A growth rate that promises a fast restructuring of the publishing market in the U.S., comparable to the transformation of the music market. Moreover, the results of the PAA reflects sales by only 16 publishers of digital books, publishers against 84 for the physical book.
Sales reached by parties
According to the Association of American Publishers, the strong growth in sales of digital books in February "is mainly due to a high level of sales of e-books after the holidays and downloading by consumers who received gift digital reading lights us fast cash. Another engine of growth: a renewed interest from consumers for backlist titles from the catalog."The February results show that people love books and publishers are actively trying to serve their readers everywhere. The public embraces the breadth and variety of reading choices that are available, "commented the CEO of the AAP, Tom Allen, in a statement.
These findings echo those announced by the online retailer Amazon Kindle reading lamp manufacturer, when publishing its annual results in late January. "Amazon.com now sells more books than Kindle paperbacks. Since the beginning of the year, for 100 bags sold by Amazon, the company sold 115 pounds Kindle, had indicated the company founded by Jeff Bezos. Meanwhile, sales of e-books were three times greater than sales of paperback books.This market should continue to grow with the arrival of new reading lights on the market, like a low-cost version of the Kindle, financed by advertising.
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