Posts Tagged ‘resources’

Firewood burns in Ile-de-France

February 12, 2012 - 1:12 am Comments Off

 

The logs are exploding in the capital. With the cold polar current and higher hydrocarbons, chimneys begin to crackle louder. "The sales gallop since it's cold. We are running out of wood, a salesman explains the BP station on Avenue Paul Doumer (XVI). We sell the net logs from June to July, a quarter of a liter, 9.80 euros, with small kindlest handy for 4 euros. "A price high enough to not enjoy the warmth of the flames that occasionally and friendly . This is also the main motivation of the Paris market although this is changing. "We have no request to provide central Paris," said Sylvain Leonard, head of the wood logs Ile de France at the NFB (National Forest), through the joint venture Molinario NFB.  

European regulations

And contrary to popular belief, people in the capital can still make a fire in their fireplace. But on two conditions: "Do not bother neighbors and make two chimney swept every year: at the beginning of the start of the chimney and in the middle of the heating season," says Sylvain Leonard. While many consumers of central Paris have an approach of wood as approval, however in the Ile-de-France the consumer profile is different. Demand is steady and growing. "In the Ile-de-France, residential area, the consumption of wood logs grew by 30% over 12 months now with 30,000 cubic meters of wood delivered each year pay day loans. It starts to make a large volume, "says Sylvain Leonard. Main reason: consumption corresponds to an alternative energy source and complementary to traditional energy. "With the increase of oil, the wood is half the price of fuel oil and 30% cheaper than gas, says Sylvain Leonard. It's a bit more binding power of a wood boiler as this is an additional power source. "

Furthermore, with the next European regulations, it will become increasingly difficult to make fire by "open fire", that is to say, in a classic fireplace without insert. To limit the emission of particles, Brussels has banned the fireplace in large cities like Paris. "The interest of the pellet stove that adapt well to urban life becomes even more important, says Cyril Esnault, founder of the website Allobois.com. And can be plugged into any Internet magnet firewood. The Parisians are a third of our timber buyers, "says the manager. An energy source back to prehistory, which nevertheless still a bright future in the twenty-first century.

ALSO READ:

"The fires in Paris under certain conditions

SERVICE:

"All ads in the Ile de France with Explorimmo

FOLLOW THE REAL ESTATE ON FIGARO:

"Twitter: @ LeFigaro_Immo

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.

October 28, 2011 - 1:40 pm Comments Off

The success of Uniqlo store in Paris, opened in 2009 near the Opera, gave wings to the patrons of the Japanese brand. "We want to open 10 to 20 stores in Paris as soon as possible," Le Figaro reveals Nobuo Doma, chief Europe and the United States of Fast Retailing, the Japanese group owner of Uniqlo, but also Comptoir des Cotonniers and Princesse Tam Tam . Uniqlo opened yesterday XXL version of his store of Defense, opened in 2007, whose size has increased from 200 to 2,000 square meters payday loans for self employed.

Among the addresses targeted next by the brand, working with the developer Unibail to deploy in France, are "the Champs-Elysées, the Rue de Rivoli, the Rue de Rennes and the Forum des Halles," said Nobuo Doma. Once these projects, Uniqlo will other cities "like Lyon."

Complementary health: 8% increase

October 17, 2011 - 8:32 am Comments Off

Mutual did not took off. And three-quarters of the French objected to the new tax increase on complementary health from 3.5% to 7% since October 1, according to a Harris Interactive survey for the French Mutuality published last Thursday. Over 85% believe that this will result in lower purchasing power. Mutual claim because they are forced to pass on the increase to their policyholders. "In recent years, the taxation of complementary health" officials "went from 0% to 13.27% since in the new 7% tax added to the CMU of 6.27%, that mutual insurers and health are the only ones to fund.We can not support such increases without raising rates, when, in addition, new regulations require us to strengthen our reserves and our solvency, "said Philippe Mixe, the president of the FNIM, the National Federation of Independent Mutual .

Only the GMF took the opportunity of talking to her, announcing that it would not apply to customers the increase decided by the government. A promise that did not cost too much: it has launched its health contract for just over a year, and still only 30,000 policyholders. "We want to develop healthy techniques and results are good. It is normal that we do enjoy our policyholders, "said Patrice Forget, Chief Operating Officer of the GMF. But the GMF stands alone.Even other newcomers in this market – as Amaguiz, the Internet subsidiary of Groupama, which has just launched its contract health – have incorporated the tax rates.

According to Mercer, the French who have subscribed to one of these individual contracts can expect an average increase of 8% of their bonus next year. An increase that reflects not only the tax but also the increase in health spending at the expense of additional no faxing pay day loans.

Contracts "storey"

Insured employees as part of their business are not better off. "The increase will be at least 7% on average," said Philippe Mixe. An invoice less and less accepted by employers. "From 2007 to 2011, contributions of corporate contracts have increased by 6.80% per year, including taxes," says Eric Demolli at Mercer.Today, faced with employees very attached to these contracts, companies, always keen to control costs, tack. "They seek to spread the increase over time in negotiating with insurers, mutual and pension funds. They play better competition. And they refine the guarantees, for example by eliminating reimbursements to "actual costs" too expensive, "says Eric Demolli.

More and more companies are opting for contracts as "storey" in excess of a basic "minimum" common to all employees, the company funded in whole or in part, employees who wish to be better protected may subscribe for options, they bear the cost alone.In their individual contracts, insurers also offer more health insurance "a la carte", where everyone can dose coverage of individual items (ambulatory care, hospitalization, dental, optical) depending on its needs and its budget. They also imagined, as in the last contract Amaguiz of low-cost, to benefit the insured packages for reimbursement when they increased from the previous year have not been exhausted, optics, for example.

ALSO READ:

"The costs of additional health singled out

Less taxes for second homes

October 11, 2011 - 1:32 pm Comments Off

Households that sell for the first time a property (second home, rental investment) and use the proceeds of such sale to purchase their primary residence would be exempt from tax on capital gains in real estate: This is what Gilles Carrez The rapporteur UMP Budget to the Assembly. It will introduce an amendment to that effect to the proposed 2012 budget. An amendment must still be approved by the Assembly and the Senate to take effect.

The regime has been tightened

This measure, if adopted, would address the problems of people in big cities like Paris. Many people initially buy a second home in the country, prices being more affordable. A few years later, they may wish to sell the first property to purchase their principal residence.

But today, the sale of second homes and the sale of any property outside the residence, are heavily taxed. The regime has even been cured. 32.5% of the gain now from taxes and social faxless cash advances. And for the deeds of sale entered into after 1 February 2012, the gain will be exempt only if the property is held for over thirty years (instead of an exemption after fifteen years now). Of course, allowances will apply after five years in prison but they will be ungenerous. In short, the amendment would Carrez restore some flexibility in this plan.

In addition, many members of the Finance Committee have agreed to reduce to 250,000 euros per person and 500,000 euros for a couple the input threshold for the tax on high incomes.In the government's plan, the threshold is € 500,000 per person and one million euros for a couple.

ALSO READ:

»How to buy a property to his children

"Real Estate: Capital gains are not taxed after age 30

"Capital gain property: the measure could be softened

"VIDEO – real estate: buy cheaper thanks to the bare ownership

Goldman Sachs, in trouble, addresses cups of coffee

October 3, 2011 - 1:56 am Comments Off

Coffee breaks should be shorter now for the employees of Goldman Sachs in New York. In recent days, in fact, they have at their disposal coffee cups smaller than normal. The bank, which has embarked on an extensive program of savings $ 1.45 billion in mid-2012, estimates that reducing the size of the cups 35 cl at 29 he will save "thousands of dollars ". In the same vein, the machines "cashless" (to recharge with cash cards can be used to pay vending machines) are becoming increasingly rare in buildings. According to Goldman Sachs, it will pay less armored car to transport the money raised.

Other banks, Wall Street stars, also address their operating costs.The offices are less green and Morgan Stanley, which decided to cut the budget plant. "Every dollar not spent is a dollar that can be used for growth," says her boss wisely James Gorman. Bank of America canceled several expensive meeting, while Barclays will strictly monitor the bill for business phones for its employees.

Bonuses reduced and job cuts

More importantly, the impressive bonus paid out to employees at year end should be reduced. Although for the moment, the cumulative 65.69 billion dollars, set aside for this purpose in the first half by Citigroup, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America, do not show it yet. In recent await the end of the fourth quarter before taking any decisions about it.

Saving measures will also affect employment high quality business cards.Goldman Sachs cuts and positions could not be about 3% of the workforce (1,000 people), as expected so far, but 5% of the total. Bank of America will eliminate 30,000 positions, JPMorgan Chase 3000.

A disastrous quarter

The time has come for U.S. investment banks to tighten their belt after a disastrous third quarter. The very poor stock market performance of major Wall Street banks over the period, characterized by loss of 16% to 49% over the period, illustrate the phenomenon.

The reason: the pressure around the debt crisis in Europe affects the banking sector on both sides of the Atlantic, the new cases of mergers and acquisitions and bond below the 2008/2009 levels, and economic slowdown in the U.S. and the euro area.Not to mention the always present impacts of the subprime crisis.

Symbol difficulties, Goldman Sachs is expected to announce on 18 October, its worst quarter since going public 12 years ago. The consensus of analysts now speak of an earnings per share of $ 1.35 (against 2.65 dollars a month ago), a loss of profitability of 50% over the year. Some even refer to a quarterly loss that the bank would be its first episode since the Lehman Brothers in 2008.

ALSO READ:

"Bank of America overwhelmed by all that beating down Wall Street

"Moody's deteriorating three U.S. banks

"SPECIAL CRISIS: fear of debt

Why Standard & Poor's deteriorating Italy without warning

September 20, 2011 - 3:56 pm Comments Off

The discount is as brutal as sudden. While markets were expecting a deterioration of the Italian debt by Moody's, its rival Standard & Poor's (S & P) has the first shot. On the night of Monday to Tuesday, the U.S. rating agency downgraded a notch credit ratings long and short term attributed to the third European economy A/A-1 against A + / A-1 + before. She also maintains a negative outlook on the evolution of the country's economic activity. Rome was quick to respond, criticizing a decision "dictated" by the media and "distorted by political considerations."

Above all, the rating agency believes to have taken someone a traitor. "There is nothing in this sudden degradation defends Martin Winn, Vice President of the London office of S & P, noting that the Italian debt had already been placed under negative outlook on May 21.A decision which in the eyes of the agency at least, appears as "a very clear indicator," said Norbert Gaillard, an economist and specialist rating agencies. In fact, a negative outlook indicates that degradation can occur at two-year horizon, says Norbert Gaillard yet. Unlike a "supervision order", indicating a probability of discount "stronger in the next three months."

Quagmire of the magazine Italian Greek

The question is whether the markets have built-or not-this "indicator". And there, the doubt remains: "Normally this should be the case," suggests Norbert Gaillard.Adding that markets were also able to consider a positive outcome for Italy, when Moody's, which was placed on negative watch Rome in June, was given "one more month" to determine a deterioration in the adoption of an austerity plan for Rome in mid-July.

However, even if investors are mild at first, the degradation of Standard & Poor's suggests a bleak future on the other side of the Alps. "There are now three notches score difference between Moody's and Standard & Poor's, which is huge," says Norbert Gaillard. He said Moody's may well be tempted to turn degrade the Italian debt, "especially to preserve its credibility." With in this case, "a risk of panic 'markets.

In addition, S & P has not ended with Italy, since the rating agency maintained its negative outlook on the economy Alps.Now, if Moody's was focused on the austerity measures, its competitor seems only need a high debt, a fragile political situation, or a sluggish growth prospects for taking action, counting up Norbert Gaillard. Questioned on this point, Martin Winn mentioned merely "a probability of 33% of a further deterioration in the next two years." As negotiations dragged on over Greece, which still awaits its next tranche of EUR 8 billion, Italy is transformed into a dangerous powder keg for the rest of the euro area.

ALSO READ:

"The exposure of banks to Italy not worried yet

"The note of Italy in the sights of agencies

"" More no country is immune to degradation "

Debt: China would fly to the rescue of Italy

September 13, 2011 - 10:44 am Comments Off

The salvation of the euro area could come from China. Forced to borrow at prohibitive rates Monday morning, Rome had in fact asked Beijing to make significant repurchases of its sovereign debt, reports the Financial Times. A member of the Italian government confirmed on Monday the existence of discussions with the Middle Kingdom on potential investments in Beijing in the third largest economy in the euro area. The latter emphasizes, however, that the purchase of debt as of the Italian state was not central to the negotiations which took place several weeks ago, the agency Bloomberg.

The Financial Times for its part indicated that Lou Jiwei, the chairman of China Investment Corp (CIC), accompanied by a delegation, arrived in Rome last week to meet with Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti, and officials the Cassa despositi e Prestiti.

Relief markets

In any case, the information had an immediate impact on equity markets and bonds. The news triggered a rapid rise of U.S. indexes, which ended the session up when they were, like all European markets, a sharp decline shortly before the information.L all the indices of world is indeed suspended at the least information related to the status of sovereign debt in the euro area. In fact, the fear of contagion shook the Greek market.

In addition, the bond market has also relaxed.Good news for countries forced to place their debt securities, especially Italy. Interest rates have soared Monday in an issuance of public debt in Italy. Rome has indeed placed a total of 11.5 billion euros of shares, including 7.5 billion of bonds a year at a rate of 4 payday loans.153% against 2.959% in the previous similar exercise conducted on August 10.

Foreign exchange markets also reacted. The information has strengthened the euro, trading at 1.3678 dollar this morning.

China has pledged to support the euro area

The assumption of support from China bound for the euro area is particularly taken seriously by the markets as the Central Bank of China recently said it was ready to support countries in difficulty to repay their debt.

Moreover, China has already come to the rescue of countries in the euro area in difficulties in recent months.In late May, Beijing had expressed its intention to purchase debt securities issued by the European Stability for Portugal. In January, China had purchased European titles for bail Ireland. And from the beginning of the crisis, China had come to the aid of Europe's sick of his debts. Earlier this year, the country had bought the Spanish government bonds for a hundred million. The Middle Kingdom is also committed to acquire Greek bonds

By helping the EU now, China is diversifying its investments in debt securities. In addition, the country is gaining leeway in future negotiations.

ALSO READ:

"Debt: China to the rescue of Spain

"In Europe, China implements the strategy of the spider

"China stands ready to help European countries

"China wants to buy 5 billion debt Portuguese

"Who owns the Debts

"Germany is losing patience with Greece

"Wall Street Weathering the Storm

Three leaders of Schneider Electric moved to Hong Kong

September 4, 2011 - 5:00 am Comments Off

When a patron of the CAC 40 announced that his family moved to Hong Kong, it creates inevitably stir. Jean-Pascal Tricoire, chief executive of Schneider Electric, a lot of time already happening in Asia, where the group generates 26% of its turnover and that, above all, it takes half its growth. Given the strategic importance of the area, the leader has planned to go there more often. Hence the decision to move his family from his base camp.

"It will not change the management of the group," insists there be at Schneider. The headquarters of Schneider remains in Rueil-Malmaison (Hauts-de-Seine) and its supervisory board will continue to meet in France under the presidency of Henri Lachmann. Nevertheless.The choice of a home owner in the CAC 40 – the first of its kind – has symbolic value: it illustrates the inexorable redeployment of large groups to emerging countries, foremost among them China and India.

Even before talk of investment, one of the main resources of a company lies in its teams. It is no coincidence that Jean-Pascal Tricoire decided in parallel, as he announced internally in late July, to "relocate" in Hong Kong two members of its executive committee: Karen Ferguson, executive director human resources, and Philippe Delorme, Executive Director Strategy and Innovation, based in Europe so far.A total of fourteen members who form the "comex" champion of smart grids and energy, five are based in Europe, five in the United States and four in Asia online payday loan lenders.

The war for talent

It is no coincidence either that the officers dispatched to the new "hub" of Hongkong drive the human resources and strategy. All international companies, General Electric, Siemens, engaged a war without thank you to Asia to recruit the best talent. "We send our best in Asia", recognizes also the CEO of another international group.

The battle rages also to identify and attract good prey. The stakes are high for Schneider, which continues at a run a targeted acquisition strategy.Between May and June, French disbursed within ten days some 2 billion euros to add in his tool kit a Spanish company (Telvent), an Indian (Luminous) and Chinese (Harvest Power Technologies).

While the economic recovery is delayed in Europe and the United States, the dynamic Asian economies stirs envy. The adjustment to which Schneider has just completed, led by the very Sinophile Jean-Pascal Tricoire, could give ideas to Air Liquide, Saint-Gobain and Lafarge other.

We are far, however, the violent change of course given by the British HSBC. The banking giant, headquartered in London but the birthplace in China, was the first to relocate in early 2010, its branch in Hong Kong.He just drive the point home with a strategic plan that includes 30,000 job cuts by 2013, partially offset by 15,000 recruits in emerging markets.

A tax on income in excess of 500,000 euros

August 25, 2011 - 3:20 am Comments Off

An "outstanding contribution to the very high income" will take the form of a levy of 3% apply to the portion of income tax reference year – per unit – in excess of 500 000 euros. This measure, which will hit the income received in 2011, will be removed when the public deficit below 3% rise in GDP, the Prime Minister promised. That is to say, after 2013, if France keeps faith by then. It should yield about 200 million euros annually to the state, said François Fillon.

With these sliders, the government has chosen an option rather hard compared to simulations which circulated so far. To deal with the sling MPs claiming an additional tax on income, the executive was committed in the spring to tax the very high salaries, classified as "extravagant" by some ministers.At the time, these were set very high incomes in excess of one million euros per year, as defined by government officials.

But since the bursting of the debt crisis this summer, the political and economic climate has changed dramatically. So much so that sixteen French bosses have called earlier this week in an article in the Nouvel Observateur to the establishment of an "outstanding contribution".

The Germans have set the bar to 250,000 euros

The government has heard beyond their expectations. All income, those of capital and those of labor, will enter the base of the new tax, a requirement of parliamentarians. Finally, the cursor is set at 500,000 euros per unit of revenue. "We hope that even this level falls below EUR 500,000 during the parliamentary debate," says a government source. This hope is unlikely to be disappointed.Pierre Mehaignerie, president of the UMP Social Affairs Committee in the Assembly, wants the tax applies at 80,000 euros per person. No one can say today what compromise out of Parliament. But for the government, the threshold of 250,000 euros seems difficult to cross. Indeed, the Germans more or less set the bar at that level (250,000 euros per person) for each additional tax on income to 45%. A level that touches the very top of the middle class.

ALSO READ:

"Tobacco tax: EUR 1 billion savings by 2011

"Fillon launches major plan" anti-deficit "for France

"Rigor: the right plan welcomes the left denounced the cynicism