Posts Tagged ‘blogs’

Eric Besson France launches plan Digital 2020

November 30, 2011 - 2:32 pm Comments Off

Eric Besson this Wednesday morning at the University Paris-Dauphine, his new plan, Digital France 2020 laying down broad objectives for the digital sector, which now accounts for 3.7% of employment in France and 5 2% of GDP.

Some fifty measures, the minister will announce that the government wants to free up additional spectrum for the development of mobile broadband. Good news for mobile operators, which, given the exponential growth of traffic, would need additional 450 megahertz. Good news in perspective as to the state, who can expect royalties.

There are some life insurance companies that offer a guarantee for the premiums only for certain number of years within the term.

Violence: employment center consults its agents

October 25, 2011 - 5:40 am Comments Off

"We can not accept that the agents are subject to threats or attacks," warned Sunday Christian Charpy, the Chief of employment center. A few days after the hostage-taking occurred in a Parisian agency, on October 17, management of employment center announced the launch of a major consultation on internal security agents. One way to defuse the anger rumbling in the public institution. In an already tense social climate, officers were called last week to exercise their right of withdrawal, in protest against the increasing number of attacks.

This finding, management did not question. Christian Charpy acknowledged Sunday that the hostage-taking last week's "testimony to the rise of attacks, mostly verbal but sometimes physical, faced by agents." 5500 incidents were recorded last year.Above all, their number increased by 20% in the first half of 2011, he told AFP. Heightened tensions, insults more frequent in the Home: Agents evoke an environment that has worsened since the merger and the simultaneous rise in the unemployment rate.

Warning system

Christian Charpy, however, refuses to see a specific employment center. Believing that the public body does not suffer more than others of the progression of antisocial behavior, it does not bind the surge in attacks "any degradation of service cash advance in one hour."

The solutions were then primarily emergency measures in cases of proven abuse. "We must ensure that the existing warning system works effectively anywhere," said Christian Charpy. Each agent is indeed supposed to activate a silent alert his office, which appears on computer screens of his colleagues.They can then take action.

If Christian Charpy does not support the presence of security guards in the agencies – a "temporary solution" – he argues in contrast to the introduction of mediators, "to facilitate discussion and resolve conflict." Such a solution is currently being tested in Seine-Saint-Denis and Marseille.

The director of employment center would also like to "systematize the presence of executives close to the reception areas, which are often the scene of the assault." In many cases, officers who work there are indeed inexperienced, often in CSD, and less able to deal with a tense situation.

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Energy: global investment risk of missing

October 18, 2011 - 4:52 pm Comments Off

The IEA has revised upwards its forecast 15% annual investment needs in energy. More than 1500 billion dollars (1095 billion) will be needed annually for twenty-five years or 38,000 billion by 2025 and 27,700 billion – to meet global energy demand while respecting objectives in the fight against climate change. Fatih Birol, the very influential chief economist of the IEA announced the figure on the occasion of the Ministerial Conference of the twenty-eight Member States of the Agency, which opened Tuesday in Paris for two days.

The hydrocarbons are becoming more expensive to extract, while renewables are still expensive, says the IEA.Shareholders will they go to needs? Fatih Birol is concerned on two points.

For oil (26% of investment needs to be 10,000 billion), "90% of the production growth will come from the Middle East. If within five years, investments in infrastructure are not to go to this region, will be major implications for oil prices that will fly, "warns Dr. Birol.

Second concern: electricity. "Over 1.3 billion people still do not know", said the expert. About 9 billion dollars are invested every year, "for access to electricity for the poor payday advances."But it would take five times as much, $ 45 billion, mostly in Africa and Asia."

"Governments act without speaking"

For Fulvio Conti, CEO of the Italian electricity Enel, now in Paris for the meeting between ministers and industry, these investments will only be possible if the regulation is "clear and stable," compatible with the time scale of the energy industry is extensive. "Unfortunately, the boss lamented Italian governments acting alone, without speaking. There are rules asymmetrical. That is why we, industrial, have raised our voices, "at the ministerial conference of twenty-eight Member States of the IEA.

In contrast, José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo, CEO of the Brazilian national oil Petrobras shows an optimism. His company will invest alone $ 224 billion within four years.Brazil relies on the growth of its deposits "présalifères" buried under the Atlantic to increase production to 5 million barrels per day (mbd) in 2020 half of Saudi production against 2 million bpd now. All smiles, the Brazilian incarnation of emerging countries, says the sweeping fears of a recession, "the future is bright."

Spain, Italy and Belgium in the viewfinder of rating agencies

October 9, 2011 - 12:56 pm Comments Off

Fitch Ratings lowered the rating two notches from Spain, which now stands at "AA-". Spain held so far a "AA +", the fourth highest on a scale of twenty. More worryingly, the note is accompanied by a 'Negative' outlook, which means that the agency could lower it back to medium term.

Spanish growth at half mast

Moody's in turn should decide by the end of October on a possible downgrade Spanish now "Aa2" (the third best possible)."With significant funding needs" of the Spanish State, to cover its budget expenditures and net external debt is "one of the highest in the world" (91% of GDP), said Fitch, "the more volatile strong a negative effect on financing conditions in the market of Spain. "

But there are also internal factors in the country "risks to fiscal consolidation as a result of performance parts." The same agency Fitch has lowered Wednesday including the long-term rating of the Basque Country, one of the richest region in which it criticizes the "weak fiscal performance." Growth forecasts have been revised downwards. Wednesday, the Bank of Spain announced that the country's growth expected to slow in the third quarter, to reach an economic activity 'lackluster'.The Spanish government has also recognized that the economic growth targets it had set for 2011 and subsequent years would be "hard to reach" because of the risk of recession in the world.

Italian governance into question

Fitch also lowered the rating one notch to Italy, "A +" against "AA-" and does not see her again in the fall if the country would miss its targets for reducing the budget deficit. Fitch was the last of three major international rating agencies have not downgraded from Italy since the beginning of the debt crisis in the eurozone guaranteed unsecured personal loan. She explained that the high level of public debt and budgetary financing needs, combined with the low level of potential growth (the country), made in Italy especially vulnerable.The Agency is challenging the country's governance and stressed that the differences in the Parliament and the escapades of the prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, help to weaken the ruling coalition.

Belgium heckled by Dexia

Belgium is also in sight. The agenceMoody's said it was considering lowering its rating, currently at "Aa1", the second best possible. The agency cited three reasons: the crisis in the euro area, concerns for economic growth and the possibility of additional support to the banking system, particularly in establishing Franco-Belgian Dexia.

Another European country in turmoil, Portugal, has been confirmed its rating of "BBB-" (the last before falling into the category of "speculative") by Fitch, which continued on negative watch at least until the end of the year.Standard & Poor's, confirmed Tuesday the rating "BBB-" from Portugal, while maintaining it as a negative outlook. Portugal, the third country in the eurozone after Greece and Ireland to receive international financial assistance, is facing new economic challenges that undermine his efforts to clean up its public accounts. Progress in implementing the program of the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and its budget for 2012 will be crucial.

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Local authorities will have their bank

September 24, 2011 - 12:24 am Comments Off

On one stone? Intense negotiations are under way for at least a solution, at least in part, to two simultaneous problems: the failure credit faced by French local authorities, and the fragility of the balance sheet of oversized French-Belgian bank Dexia.

Concordant sources, in fact, Dexia, the Deposit Bank and postal workers, under the watchful eye of the state, to create a new bank, public, local communities. Friday, none of the parties did not wish to make comments.

The new entity will take over long held by Crédit Local de France (CLF), ancestor of Dexia, with mayors, councils and other French regions.Its creation would be an opportunity to ease the minds of elected officials, heated by the explosion of interest on certain loans "toxic", including underwritten by Dexia before 2008. The new state-owned bank could put forward a much more wise.

Above all, his arrival on the market would open the tap of credit to local communities. In a financial crisis, Dexia and its competitors, such as savings banks, Societe Generale and foreign banks have largely abandoned this market in recent months.

The Postal Bank and the Caisse des Depots would hold society together, Dexia that may remain a shareholder.They should also take control of all or part of the loan portfolio of existing communities with Dexia French (70 billion euros) and Dexia Municipal Agency: such operators shall ensure, by means of mortgage bonds, the refinancing of the commitment of Dexia. A new ownership would bring also the financial strength necessary to maintain its "AAA" rating.

Pirouette history

For Dexia, the operation could be an opportunity to significantly reduce its balance sheet totaling more than 500 billion euros personal business card. It has already been reduced by 15% year on year, thanks to the divestment of assets made in the first half. But despite this recent treatment, the group remains fragile, especially in the current distrust of markets against financial groups in Europe.

"The idea is on the table.Its terms are far from being arrested, "said a source familiar with the matter. The role of Dexia, the volume of the transferred assets, their quality – particularly with regard to loans that are the subject of disputes with communities who have subscribed – all of which are still on the table. Many criteria which depend then the financial terms of the transaction.

The reactive pattern of lines of inquiry explored from 2008-2009. Even then, the idea of ​​the deposits of La Banque Postale deal with Dexia loans (assets of French local authorities are placed in the Treasury) was considered. The arrival of the CDC in the capital of La Banque Postale has facilitated the project. The project has also the flavor of a sacred spin the story to the Fund: Crédit Local de France was born of a branch of the Caisse des Depots, which then end up twenty years after a historic activity.But for the CDC, the issue is complex: it has (with the NOC) 20% of Dexia, it has recapitalized with the Belgian shareholders in 2008 to see the action rolled back in recent months. Perform an operation which finally reduces the bank's balance sheet and liquidity requirements would constitute a significant step forward. This is what its proponents would argue with the board, including representatives from Belgium, possibly as early as next Tuesday.

Wall Street should be shaken

September 22, 2011 - 5:24 pm Comments Off

A new session promises to be eventful Thursday on Wall Street. Futures on the Dow Jones fell by 2.06% to 10,831 points, those on the Standard & Poor's let go of 2.23% to 1136.10 points and the Nasdaq lost 2.32% to 2208.20 points.

Like European and Asian stock markets, Wall Street should not escape the anxiety of investors pessimistic after the U.S. central bank on the global economy. The central bank has held that the U.S. economic recovery was "slow" and threatened by "high risk".

For this, the Fed announced an operation to extend the maturity of the assets it holds up to 400 billion dollars by June 2012."One can interpret this decision by the Fed as the will not to launch a" quantitative easing "3 (monetary easing to boost the U.S. economy) in the immediate future, says Arnaud Poutiers, executive vice president of IG Markets short term personal loan. Indeed, "Operation Twist" is intended to influence the long bond rate, but without increasing the size of the Fed's balance sheet, so without creating money ".

On the currency markets, the euro continued to sink against the dollar: the euro back below the $ 1.35 (-0.91%).

On the corporate side, Moody's lowered the credit ratings of Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citigroup. The agency that the state may fly to their rescue.

United Technologies will buy the equipment for Goodrich Aircraft $ 16.5 billion (12.2 billion euros) in cash, a transaction that would be the largest acquisition of U.S. industrial giant in 10 years.

FedEx has reported an EPS according to the consensus of $ 1.46 per share in the first quarter, a turnover of 10.52 billion dollars (against the consensus of 10.32 billion dollars).

Canal + is the CSA in trouble

September 9, 2011 - 8:04 pm Comments Off

The acquisition of Direct 8 Direct and Star channels by Vincent Bolloré Groupe Canal + causes a shock wave with unprecedented media players. All appeal to the Higher Audiovisual Council (CSA) and criticize the slowness of the regulator to take a position on the future of digital terrestrial television.

Financial markets have been quicker to react. Indeed, TF1, which has focused its entire strategy on the fierce opposition to a free channel developed by Canal + – Canal 20 – lost 7.2% Friday on the Stock Exchange. Similarly, the title M6 tumbled 6.51%. Conversely Bolloré won 3.37%, analysts hailing the financial bargain. Finally, the titles NRJ (+0.7%) and NextRadioTV (-0.39%) were well maintained, the market focusing on the sale of their television assets.

Next operator, TF1 was walled in silence.M6, however did not fail to remember that in 2005 had played the Cassandra of PAF: "From the launch of DTT," said Nicolas de Tavernost, CEO of M6, "we warned that new entrants to the television would be the first out. And it did not fail to be realized: The group Pathé came out quickly, followed by groups AB and Lagardère, and Bolloré today that even before it has completed the acquisition of Virgin 17 has already sold! ".And the boss of M6 denounces "the enrichment of certain due to bad political decisions."

Let the TNT in the sole hands of incumbents

For Nicolas de Tavernost, it would have been wiser to let the TNT in the sole hands of the historical actors committed to long-term rather than opening the landscape to new players: "This only impoverish the sector" , he notes "The new entrants have pocketed more than € 1 billion – out of Pathé, that of AB for 525 million, 70 million of Lagardère and now to 465 million Bolloré Ed -. Much money is wrong sector and creation! This represents almost a year cost grid of TF1, and a year and a half program M6.I hope in the future, the CSA will take its responsibility and shall cease to grant frequencies to new entrants, "he says.

A challenging position that Alain Weill, CEO of NextRadioTV BFMTV and claiming to be "a long-term player like NRJ. Neither one nor the other have sold one of our assets. Today the market is recomposed out of all control and outside of government. Because we do not see how the CSA will be able to oppose the acquisition of Direct 8 Direct and Star by Canal +, "Storm Alain Weill," Today I ask the government: I hope that they let me develop my group, or do I accept offers that can not stop me to sell my assets? ". Alain Weill claims to have been in contact during the summer with a potential buyer, a large German operator.For his part Jean-Paul Baudecroux, the president of the NRJ Group regrets "the immobility of the CSA, a year ago, advocated a call for applications for new frequencies. All the evidence that we were right to claim the body and cry a second frequency. It is the mission of CSA to maintain pluralism. "

Presentation of the report of the TNT to the Prime Minister

Michel Boyon, president of CSA presented its report Friday afternoon knew the future of TNT to François Fillon. He will detail Monday as the sector has been waiting several months his positions on the future of TNT. Michel Boyon made recommendations that take into account several scenarios. In particular, the one where Brussels does not validate the legality of the famous lines that were to be granted compensatory … incumbents.He will have to consider a new scenario: one in which Canal + bought Direct 8 Direct and Star.

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Euro area: new fears of bank liquidity

August 19, 2011 - 12:16 am Comments Off

Markets as nervous, there are words that come to wave the red flag when a decision. In reporting on Thursday that the U.S. financial regulator was concerned about the liquidity of European banks, the Wall Street Journal triggered a new access of hysteria on bank stocks.

If French banks, Societe Generale, in particular, were stigmatized last week, the storm did not make a market area yesterday. The Barclays dipped by 11.5%. Fellow HSBC lost nearly 6%, slightly less than Deutsche Bank or the Italian UniCredit. In Paris, Crédit Agricole and BNP Paribas were down about 7%, while Societe Generale unscrewing of 12.3%. The Franco-Belgian Dexia, meanwhile, lost about 14% of its stock value.Following the opening of Wall Street, U.S. banks have followed the same slide.

The Wall Street Journal, the New York Fed, the financial regulator of Wall Street, puts the pressure on the U.S. subsidiaries of European banks strengthen their liquidity cushion. History of securing their record if their parent would have problems. Most European banks overseas do not have their networks providing local funding. As a result, access to resources in dollars can be complicated for these players. An unidentified European bank and borrowed $ 500 million Wednesday to the European Central Bank.

The quest for the dollar

During the 2008-2009 crisis, European banks had largely entered the office of the ECB for greenbacks for force feed their trading activities or loans in the United States payday loans.We are still far from levels at the time. In May 2010, the Fed and the ECB have replaced the pipes essential to enable them to exchange their currencies.

Since the beginning of the crisis of sovereign debt in Europe, the major concern is that it degenerates into a crisis of liquidity. That is the risk aversion is exacerbated to the point that banks no longer find funds to finance themselves, as was the case in 2008 after the fall of Lehman. On this side, the signals are not very positive. For many small Spanish banks or European banks, the ECB has become the only means of financing.

In recent months, U.S. money market funds began to withdraw from European banks. Last week, the fear that Chinese institutions are following suit had revived the panic over bank stocks.

The problem is that markets are not the only doubt.Regulators also are concerned, not just the United States. London, Paris or Milan engage in the same fight. Remembering how Lehman has siphoned off three days before its bankruptcy all the cash from subsidiaries in Europe to repatriate to the United States, each jurisdiction dearly defended its interests. "We are witnessing an escalation of the regulators," recalls one banker.

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The Paris Bourse was again highly turbulent

August 11, 2011 - 9:40 pm Comments Off

After the storm that plunged all the stock exchanges, the European stock exchanges succeed they stay in the green on Thursday? In Paris, after opening up 2.96% to 3092.16 points, the CAC 40 went back down just before noon and sank below the threshold of 3000 points, already briefly reached Tuesday. At midday, the index yields 0.69% in Paris 2983.16 points. A drop accelerating since even at 14 hours, he drops 2.40%, weighed down again by the bank stocks. In Frankfurt, the Dax is in the green at 5688.28 points, up 1.33%. The FTSE-100 index of London Stock Exchange is reluctant, for his part. He found the balance to 5011.65 points after spending a few minutes in the red.

The concerns are far from being dissipated, particularly those relating to the slowdown in the global economy and the issue of sovereign debt on both sides of the Atlantic.The overwhelming investor nervousness could therefore persist while no major indicator is the program on Thursday.

Wednesday, the markets were shaken by rumors of a deterioration in the rating of France, immediately denied by the rating agencies and the French government, and concerns about the health of the bank Societe Generale. And the CAC 40 plunged 5.45%, narrowly escaping the psychological threshold of 3000 points to 3002.99 points. Other European markets have suffered the same drop Frankfurt dropped 5.13%, 3.05% London. Madrid and Milan 5.49% 6.65%. In New York, the Dow fell 4.62% and 4.09% for the Nasdaq. However, on Thursday, appeasement was back on the Asian stock markets that are returned to the green or showed moderate declines.

Societe Generale attacked again

Gold continues, meanwhile, fly from record to record.The precious metal has crossed the threshold of 1800 dollars. It is this Thursday morning in 1790 dollars, after hitting a new record of 1815.50 dollars. However, oil resumed its decline in Asia. Yet he had resisted the panic the day before with the announcement of a dramatic and unexpected decline in crude inventories in the United States. In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" lost 79 cents to 82.10 dollars and that of Brent North Sea fell by 1.10 dollars to 105.58 dollars.

Among the values ​​to be followed, the bank that have been heavily tested yesterday. The Financial Markets Authority (AMF), the stock market regulator, announced that it will monitor developments in the securities sector.Shortly before noon, BNP Paribas (-5.88% to 33.515 euros), and Credit Agricole (-1.51% to 5.981 euros) and plunged into the red after yet open on a rebound.

The title is particularly battered Societe Generale: having lost 14.74% Wednesday, it opened on a rebound of almost 9%. But again plunges 4.13% to 21.265 euros."The willingness of these attacks is to force the SG to a capital increase, which is the workhorse of some analysts and hedge funds in recent months," said an analyst based in Paris at the agency Reuters. "Their reasoning is that the group does not generate enough capital to cope with the capital ratio of over 9% in 2013." The bank, already shaken in 2008 by the Kerviel affair, only to find the investor confidence after several warnings about its results during the financial crisis.

For its part, the CEO of the bank, Frédéric Oudéa, denounced, in an interview with Le Figaro, "the series of attacks" against the French banking sector "sounds completely fantastic, I struggle with the utmost force, attacked Societe Generale, "he lamented. "We have no fear about our ability to raise capital," he added.SocGen has asked the AMF to investigate the origin of the rumors that have depressed its course Wednesday.

Veolia Environnement (4.61% to 10.55 euros) and STMicroelectronics (3.39% to 4.488 euros), especially titles attacked in recent days, return to the field.

In addition, EADS (1.66% to 20.24 euros), the parent company of Airbus, said Wednesday it will not achieve its objectives in the United States in 2020 without new acquisitions.

Title Alcatel-Lucent (2.11% to 2.324 euros) is expected to rise following the release of quarterly results from Cisco Systems, above the consensus of Wall Street.

L'Oreal (2.29% to 1.73 euros) should benefit from the decision by Goldman Sachs, which added its list of preferred European stocks to buy ("pan-Europe conviction buy list").

Saint-Gobain (1.11% to 31.775 euros) has announced the acquisition of Solar Gard, a subsidiary of Belgian group dedicated to Bekaert Specialty Films, as part of its strategy to accelerate its growth through acquisitions.

Maurel & Prom rose 4.22% to 12.35 euros after opening up over 8%. The oil company reported a surge of 123% of its revenue thanks to increased revenues in Gabon and Nigeria.

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Casino again rejects proposed merger of Carrefour

July 13, 2011 - 3:28 pm Comments Off

Things are further complicated in the case of Carrefour in Brazil. On Tuesday, during a special meeting, all directors of the Casino dealer rejected the proposed merger between Carrefour and its Brazilian subsidiary CBD Pao de Açúcar (GPA). "The Board found unanimously that the proposed financial transaction is contrary to the interests of GPA, to all its shareholders and Casino. He recalled that this proposal, unsolicited, is hostile and illegal, "said a statement.

Only the Brazilian businessman Abilio Diniz, who has operational control of GPA on par with Casino in the holding Wilkes, reaffirmed its support for the project "and did not want to vote," says statement.

"Significant execution risks"

To justify this choice, the directors draw up a list of all the issues raised by the transaction size. According to them, "this operation is based on a strategic vision for GPA wrong" with such an increase in the hypermarket segment, "even as market share in this segment are experiencing a continuous decline." Moreover, "the estimates of synergies in support of this operation are well above the levels announced at similar operations.They amounted in effect to 3.2% of revenues in 2010 combined, against an average of about 1% of synergies announced at ten comparable transactions. "

The Board also points the finger at "excessive concentration" in some cities which could lead to intervention by competition authorities as well as "important managerial risks GPA." From a financial point of view, the operation would otherwise be detrimental to the shareholders of GPA because it relies on "an unnecessary dilution via the entrance to the capital of the Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES) and BTG Pactual up 2 billion euros. "Finally, administrators are concerned that the merger does take GPA "company operating in an unregulated holding company undergoing a deep discount."

On this, the Board of Directors has appointed its president "to present as soon as possible the position of Casino on the board of Wilkes and, more generally, the claim in accordance with existing agreements and Brazilian regulations. "

The Brazilian government does not follow

This news comes to worse for Carrefour. This morning, the group has faced the decline of the Brazilian government that supported the project yet. "The way the agreement was handled was disappointing and the government has decided to withdraw its support for the financing of the Brazilian National Bank for Development (BNDES)", said a senior official who requested anonymity.According to the latter, governments could review their position if the terms are changed.

Last week, BNDES announced that it would not choose his camp, suggesting that its participation would be conditional on an agreement between the parties. Comments that had been called since retreat was originally agreed to support the financing agreement amounting to two billion euros, even calling the operation "economically interesting and viable" and creative "value for all parties concerned. "

Pressure

Since early July, the case takes a turn for legal and political. The federal prosecutor has asked Brazil's BNDES him clarify the origin of funds used and if it will be in the public interest. The public bank has fifteen days to respond.Opposition parties in Brazil for their part, strongly criticized the involvement of the public bank in the project. MPs have called for him to come Wednesday explained to them. For its part, Abilio Diniz assured last week to have alternative funding in case of withdrawal of BNDES.

Meanwhile, around 15 hours on Euronext Paris, as Carrefour has one of the largest drop in the CAC 40 index with a decline of 3.08% to 21.90 euros on a market down 1.18%. For its part, the action Casino loses 1.14% to 62.68 euros.

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