November 1, 2011
Monday, a subsidiary of GDF was again surprised by a decision which comes just two years after the government's decision to extend by ten years the three reactors mentioned above. Extension in exchange for which GDF Suez has to pay 245 million euros a year, a tax that Brussels wants to climb to one billion euros. Ironically, ten days ago, GDF Suez had threatened to shut down in advance the three reactors in protest against the increase No teletrak payday loan.
Facing the new situation, Electranel also said it will consider "the possibility of redirecting investments it plans to extend to these plants, or nearly one billion euros to guarantee the future security supply its customers. ".
International ambitions
The quality of its nuclear tool in Belgium allowed GDF Suez to establish its claims internationally.
October 30, 2011
The draft budget for 2012 Social Security will be voted on Wednesday by the House, before leaving the Senate. But a detailed examination of the text was to end Friday night. The Assembly amended several key points … until they know the consequences of the revision to 1% of projected growth. Lack of knowledge, "the dice are loaded," protested the Socialist Marisol Touraine. The rapporteur of the text, Yves Bur (UMP), was estimated at 1.5 billion shortfall, the government does not confirm.
Half a solution for excess fees
MEPs adopted an amendment to try to remedy the excess fees excessive. They left until the end of January to physicians, the social security and complementary health for themselves conclude this endless soap opera.Otherwise, the government will impose a solution.
It will offer surgeons, anesthetists and obstetricians to free prices (Area 2) to commit to cap the amount of their passing, 50% above the "tariff Safely." In addition, they shall not apply any overflow at least 30% of their actions. In exchange, Medicare will cover some of the social contributions of these volunteers. Patients, themselves, these exceedances will be reimbursed by the most complementary health – those who refuse their contracts will be taxed more.
But this scheme leaves the side of the road sector 1 physicians who have to comply with the Safely rates, including a thousand surgeons holders of certain diplomas, to whom greater pricing freedom is promised by the government since 2004. That's what unions denounce CSMF doctors and the Bloc.
October 28, 2011
Holiday, many employees do not know forget their work. Smartphones and laptops supporting a two-mails regularly consult professionals at these times, for many every day. A sign of the growing influence of the company on its employees? Yes, but not necessarily on its own initiative. A recent study * TripAdvisor for an overwhelming majority of its employees addicts (80%) said to themselves, without solicitation particular employer, which in their words do not even expect that that they work during their holidays.
For a majority of these employees, it is to make a first selection of the many emails received in the meantime. A study of Orse (Observatory on Corporate Social Responsibility) published earlier this month, 38% of employees receive because more than 100 emails per day.The study TripAdvisor has to figure as a disturbing one-third of employees, read emails professionals is the sine qua non for a good holiday. "It is clearly of addiction, said Gerald Demortière, doctor. The employee loses the ability to abstain, to free himself from his business, as a smoker of cigarettes. " The desire to control everything, to feel indispensable, the fear that the important things in our absence to play, grow never win.
Burn-out
The vast majority of employees is estimated not to spend less good holiday so far. But this dependency has its drawbacks. "This adds to stress, and does probably not more effective," said Eric Albert, founder of the French Institute of action against stress (IFAS). Worse, these "workaholics" may ultimately psychic exhaustion.
October 26, 2011
While the automotive market is showing signs of slowing in Europe, and by recourse to partial unemployment as its competitor Renault, PSA Peugeot Citroen chooses the hard way. The automaker announced the establishment of an action plan of 800 million euros in cost savings for 2012. To justify this measure, the leading European regrets, under its third quarter, down 1.6% to 9.3 billion euros in sales in the automotive division, mainly because of "the intensifying price war "in France.
Referring to the weight of the wage bill in fixed costs, the group finance director Frederic Saint-Geours found Wednesday morning "quite likely" impact "on all the numbers," which amounted to 205,400 employees.Soon after, Philippe Varin, Chief Executive of the group, said that 10% of the European Non-dedicated to the production could be affected, or 5000 jobs in total. Knowing that in France, with 100,000 employees, temporary workers and subcontractors should be the only ones targeted by these measures he added. By late morning, PSA has already announced in the European group committee deletion of 800 temporary positions in France by the end of 2011, according to a union source quoted by AFP. In addition, Philippe Varin is scheduled to meet soon with Eric Besson, Minister of Industry.
Unions rebiffentLes unions were quick to react to this. These cuts staff have "something outrageous" Bruno Lemerle storm, CGT delegate to the committee of the European Group, deplored the "working conditions already overburdened."And adds: "The financial situation of the company is good [and] there is no reason to go to job losses." In fact, the total turnover of the group grew 3 no faxing payday loans.5% to 13.45 billion euros in the third quarter. It was worn by an increase of nearly 16% of sales of Faurecia, 7.1% of the Gefco and 6.2% of turnover by PSA Finance. The group, however, lowered its earnings forecast for 2011. On the occasion of the publication of its sales figures, the manufacturer announced it is now an operating profit of the car to balance this year when he banked before on a "clearly positive results," said Frederic Saint-Geours.
PSA made no secret of its intention to scale back on the old continent.In mid-September, Philippe Varin have already confided to Le Figaro "Identification of overstaffing," while the European market already slowing. France, Germany, Italy or Spain, the group seeks at once to "get in line" to increase its margins, said Philippe Varin. To do this, the group has initiated a comprehensive economic plan in 2009 (within which the measures of the day), to save 3.7 billion euros in all, drawing on purchases and fixed costs .
Emerging countries in their sights
Meanwhile, the manufacturer seeks to "globalize" more to take better advantage of growth drivers that are "Asia, Russia and Latin America."The group has announced on Wednesday an investment of 200 to 250 million euros a year over the period 2012-2015 in order to double its production capacity in Brazil.
Nevertheless, PSA
After these social ads, the automaker was operating under the sharply higher in late morning, gaining 2.55% to 17.50 euros.
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October 25, 2011
Private labels (PLs) are back in force in the carts of French consumers. Since early 2010, the agribusiness giant had managed to contain their breakthrough, and the best manufacturers regained market share. "But since June, private labels are gaining market share from national brands, said Jacques Dupre, director at Insight SymphonyIRI. This trend coincides with the rise in inflation. "
Earlier this year, the MDD had continued to lose market share (down 0.4 points from January to May). But the trend has reversed this summer. From June to September, the MDD show an increase of 0.4 percentage points, according to SymphonyIRI. This growth could reach 0.5 points throughout the second half.It concerns mainly the heart of the range and not the premium private label, or, more surprisingly, the first price ranges.
Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphic.
After rising steadily since their inception in the 1970s, sales of private label had marked a halt for nearly two years, even though the distributors did not cease to give them more room on their shelves. In 2010, domestic brands have responded. With a lot of innovations, promotions, advertising campaigns and price cuts, Danone, Nestle, Coca-Cola and Unilever have then taken the field. So, while Leclerc marks usually represent 35% of sales of the brand, this share fell below 30% during the past year.National brands benefited, at the time of price stability, conducive to buying, and saturation of consumers to the overrepresentation of MDD in radii.
But since the spring, the price increase, following the surge in raw materials, has changed all that. Carrefour to pass on increases in the month of March, after the conclusion of negotiations with suppliers. Other retailers have waited until June Between January and May, the rise in prices has been limited to 1 payday loan.3%. But between June and September, it reached 3.5%.
Descent line
As a result, the constraints of purchasing power of the French took over the top, recalling – to a lesser extent – the situation in 2008.At the time, in a crisis of raw materials, private labels have gained two points of market share, while the level of inflation was nearly 5%.
Household expenditures have dropped from the month of May, before returning in August. "The French have entered a period of rigor in their daily consumption, Jacques Dupré analysis. They limit their spending on products they do not deem necessary and buy fewer products pleasure as confectionery and ready meals. "
Rather than give up certain purchases, more and more consumers prefer to go further upmarket. The shopping basket of many homes has changed significantly in recent months.
This type of buying behavior explains why the MDD leave as soon as the product categories most inflationary, such as coffee, flour or oil.Flour to the radius, where prices rose 10.6% from June to September, their market share rose 3.4 points. This increase reached 5.7 points for milk. Addicted to coffee, whose prices rose 18.5% year on year (to September), have not so far decided not to. They are likely to have delayed their spending to private label which gained nearly a point of market share (June-September). Even if the prices of private labels grew faster than those of manufacturers: 24.9% of private label coffee, against 16.6% for national brands. Product prices in the colors of distributors, however, remain 20 to 30% lower on average.
The giants of agribusiness, penalized by this new, must react quickly to achieve their business goals.
October 23, 2011
EU summit, the first act. The leaders of the EU started in Brussels on Sunday morning a summit with the goal of trying to overcome their differences on how to stem the debt crisis that is destabilizing the euro area. The meeting began around 10:20. However, no decision is expected at the end of the summit of which the second act is expected Wednesday. This afternoon, the summit will continue with a meeting of Heads of State of 17 countries in the euro area.
Europe is facing economically to "serious challenges", said President of the European Union, Herman Van Rompuy, at the opening of the meeting. He believed that the decisions to be taken by European leaders to address was "perhaps the most important" they've ever had to face the financial crisis.Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, also felt it was "time" to take "decisive and effective." "It is clear that the crisis (debt) is not Greek. This is a European crisis, "he judged.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, however, dampened expectations about the outcome of the summit, from the outset, reaffirming that decisions could be taken next week. "For me it is important to reiterate that today we prepare the decisions of Wednesday" because the negotiations are about "subjects sometimes technically very complex, she said on her arrival in Brussels.
"You have to reassure the markets"
For its part, the Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme has tried hard not announce anything at all on Sunday, in light of market pressure."It is essential for tomorrow morning at the opening of markets, we have made sufficient progress so as not to jeopardize the credibility of the euro area," he said. Same story for the European partners have not adopted the single currency, which are concerned about the fallout from the debt crisis. "The crisis in the euro area is being extended to all our economies, including that of Great Britain ', launched the British Prime Minister David Cameron.
What response to the crisis the Europeans do they negotiate? This response is intended in three stages guaranteed cash advance. It must first stabilize the over-indebted Greece and save him a total failure. This will require further international loans and losses of creditor banks in the country. Europe the figure to at least 50%.According to the report of the troika (representatives of the EU, the ECB and the IMF), the discount should be 60% to maintain unchanged the envelope of € 109 billion promised to Greece, as part a second rescue plan officially recorded on July 21. "We remain willing to explore options on a voluntary basis [for each facility, Ed] and realistic prospects for the economy of Greece and the return of that country on the capital markets," said Charles Dallara Saturday night , the president of the Institute of International Finance (IIF), which brings together major global banks.
In return, a bank recapitalization is provided. Countries of the European Union discussed a budget from 107 to 108 billion euros at the meeting of finance ministers on Saturday night.
Finally, we must strengthen the Financial Assistance Fund for the euro area countries in difficulty, the EFSF, firewall against the contagion to Italy and Spain. But differences remain on how to do this, especially between France and Germany. Yesterday, the French proposal to grant a banking license in EFSF was discarded. Only two options are being discussed to increase the firepower of the device: the mechanism acts as a partial insurance of the public debt of troubled countries or the IMF is expected to increase its participation in the scheme.
For the summit this Sunday, German Chancellor and French President had also met Saturday night to try to resolve their differences, following a meeting of EU finance ministers. They both welcomed the "progress" and "advanced" made in the negotiations.
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October 22, 2011
Washington correspondent
Groupon refused to sell to Google last December for $ 6 billion. From Monday, October 24, the company of Chicago, specializing in online distribution of discount coupons for shopping in local markets, should make its IPO on the basis of a valuation of 10 to 12,000,000,000 dollars . However, it is far from the capitalization of 15 to 20 billion, of which Andrew Mason, founder of the company was still dreaming in June.
Several developments have forced Groupon to be more modest. The first hit all companies eager to use public savings. This is the market collapse in August. Investors, fearing a relapse of major economies in recession, are much more circumspect.The proposed IPO of Groupon had been suspended between August and October.
Even more problematic for Groupon: missteps have troubled his potential investors. On the intervention of regulatory authorities, the firm three years old had to revise up sharply the amount of its actual expenses. She had initially forgot to include online advertising spending to acquire customers. And without the investment of 432 million over six months, she could never show a turnover of 688 million.It is only through this aggressive marketing Groupon also have accumulated more than 115 million subscribers and more than ten-fold increase in sales in one year.
Affected by other accounting blunders – including the inclusion in its sales revenue and then transferred to merchants – the CEO of Groupon, Margo Georgiadis, resigned after only six months on the job easy payday loans. It has not yet been replaced. In addition, Groupon has to convince that his model is viable and that the start-up can stand up to the strong competition rages, especially from Amazon, Google and industry experts as LivingSocial. For now, Groupon is the industry leader – an advantage that distinguishes all Internet companies tempted by the Stock Exchange today.
Sunrise 500-700000000
But stay number one requires a considerable investment.Number of traders attracted by its staff are aware of the experience that customers quickly drawn into their shop with coupons do not necessarily come. To remain attractive to merchants, Groupon and peers rely on the creation of thematic niches (travel, babies, etc.)..
All this explains why Groupon not trying at first to rise from 500 to 700,000,000 dollars. If strong demand materializes, it could go further, or wait a few months and get a higher valuation. Advised by Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, Groupon could also benefit from investors' appetite for Internet stocks. Of Zynga Facebook, candidates are numerous, but few have passed the time.
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October 20, 2011
"One might think that more French people remained in the Hexagon this summer, which took the train," says David Azema, the Chief Operating Officer of SNCF responsible for the strategy. Between July and September, sales of the travel industry group, which includes the TGV and international routes operated by joint ventures (Thalys, Lyria …) jumped 8.7% in the summer of 2010. Since the beginning of the year, its sales rose 7.1% to 24.19 billion euros, up 5.2% at constant scope and exchange rates.Sales since the beginning of the year is progressing in all areas.
Near the branch, which includes regional trains and also houses Keolis, a subsidiary of public transport, has become the main contributor to the SNCF group with a turnover of over $ 9 billion over nine months, up 6.5% compared to last year. "Proximity" of benefits including state aid to bail out the trains balance of the territory (TET), these unprofitable lines that the state has agreed a year ago to subsidize.
"We are doing better in all branches thanks to the improvement of agreements signed with Réseau Ferré de France, for which the branch Infra work more profitable, but also with the state as part of the TET, said David Azema. Because trains balance of the territory we had last year a loss of 210 million euros.This year, we charge the revenues of the State by this convention. "
A flat on the side of freight transport
However, a shadow appears on the side of freight transport. If SNCF Geodis displays a nine-month increase of 3.8% of its turnover, the logistics sector was down 1.1% in the last quarter. "The activity of Transportation Commission, which worked very well, has declined by 8.7% during the last quarter which is a measure of slower traffic flows between Asia and Europe," says David Azema.
This performance should enable the group to achieve its margin, its leaders do not want to reveal.
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October 19, 2011
The billionaire Mohammed al-Fayed and Ali were settled. After months of hesitation, the brothers launched heavy work at the Ritz. "We will close the entire hotel and early summer of 2012, says the management. We hope to reopen for Christmas in 2014 or, at worst, for couture fashion shows in January 2015. The exact schedule will depend on discussions with the social partners. "Mohammed al-Fayed, who calls himself" very attached to the Ritz and its 500 employees ", unveiled his plans at a works council on Monday. "His decision was not easy to take because it will have to part with a number of employees the time of the twenty-seven months of temporary closure, said a spokesman for the Ritz, but denied the figure of 500 layoffs.We hope that the reclassification will be facilitated by the opening of several hotels in the capital and postulates that our staff at the reopening. "In the luxury hotel business, and more at the Ritz, the regulars like indeed to deal with familiar faces.
Rooms, suites, gardens, restaurants, spa … everything will be redone and brought up to date. According to the architects of historical monuments which guard the classified parts of the Ritz, al-Fayed will benefit from the work to restore them. "In the parts not listed, there must be the recent demolition of buildings, explains Gabriel Matar, director of real estate consulting firm Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. And refurbishment of public areas, such as the lobby. "Work on the Place Vendome should also help to link the car park, managed by Vinci, at the hotel.This luxury that did not exist at the time of Diana, the stars will come and go discreetly. As revealed in our survey ("The Ritz at the dawn of the Renaissance," our editions of 25-26 June 2011), the project was entrusted to architect Thierry Despont. Based in New York, the French had recently abandoned the site of the Peninsula, near the Arc de Triomphe. Reportedly, the work is estimated at 200 million euros. The exact bill will depend on negotiations with the unions.
Already in 1979, when he bought the Ritz to the heirs of the founder, Mohammed al-Fayed had invested 250 million euros in outstanding work, including the construction of the most beautiful pool in Paris. From 1980 to late 1990, the Ritz is true to his legend. Several elderly heirs live throughout the year and the stars of Woody Allen to Kate Moss, make it their preferred address.
A symbolic death
And then, the drama. On August 31, 1997, Diana and Dodi dined there the night of their deaths. Mohammed al-Fayed will never recover from the loss of his eldest son. Withdraws into the palace itself. As if the Ritz was also symbolically die. In spring 2011, the State denied him the new name "palace." The Ritz has to settle for a five-star rating. Mohammed and his brother, aged 80 and 78, have the choice of selling or investing. Bellehaven installed, an enclave for billionaires near New York, Ali al-Fayed is not passionate about the hotel, as his son, who created Bespoken, a line of clothing dandy. The fate of the Ritz was decided in London, home to Mohammed al-Fayed.
Everything changed in May 2009.To everyone's surprise, his youngest son, Omar, supposed to take over his father, resigned from his administrative positions at Harrods and the Ritz and disappears into the wild. Ten months later, the billionaire gives Harrods the royal family of Qatar. Therefore, Mohammed al-Fayed has the cash to replace the Ritz afloat. After some wrangling, he finally decided and for the delight of lovers of the Ritz.
October 17, 2011
Barely recovered from the earthquake and tsunami of March 11 in Japan, car makers now face the wrath and flooding currently affecting Thailand and have already killed at least 300 people and damaged 10% of rice fields in the country. "It's like the tsunami in Japan who also had an impact on plants in Thailand because of shortage of spare parts," warns Payungsak Chartsutthipol, president of the Federation of Thai Industries, fearing the "massive losses" for an industry that will "several months to recover."
Regional Centre for the automotive industry with nearly 2 million units per year over the Su-East Asia, the Kingdom is home to the factories of Toyota, Ford or Honda. These floods are a blow to companies that relied on plants abroad to recover their losses in Japan.Toyota has already announced that it extended until 22 October to suspend its activities in Thailand. "The Japanese drama have exhausted by forcing them to close their factories for two months. And now, flooding slow down production in Thailand, "says Hans Greimel, Asia editor of Automotive News.
An estimated cost of 3.5 billion euros
High technology are not spared. American groups Seagate Technology and Western Digital have warned that their production would be affected hard drives. Chipmakers and électroniquesON Semiconductor Microsemi have suspended them.Finally, the Japanese electronics giant, Nikon, arrested one of its States, and its competitor Canon has transferred the production of inkjet printers to a site in Vietnam payday advance lenders.
More than the car – which represents 11% of GDP in Thailand – and electronics, the whole economy that is fragile. The University of Thai Chamber of Commerce has estimated the total cost of flooding to about 150 billion baht (3.5 billion), or between 1.3% and 1.5% of GDP in with agriculture, tourism and trade. "If Bangkok is flooded again, the losses will be even greater," warns Thanawat Polwichai, head of the forecast center at the university. According to the President of the Federation of Thai Industries, Sing Tangcharoenchaichana, quoted by the Bangkokpost, a local newspaper, the damage could even reach 190 billion baht (4.4 billion).He said the financial cost could even double if the floods continued for another two months or more. In comparison, the Japanese government had estimated the financial impact of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan to 147 million euros.
Even if the authorities is confident in their ability to protect the megalopolis of 12 million, the Central Bank should lower its growth forecast for 2011, currently 4.1%. "The experience in Japan of a fairly rapid recovery of production after the tsunami of March offers hope, but the experience in Thailand may be less happy, say consultants IHS Global Insight. Not only the affected area is much larger, but many areas suffer the consequences. "
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