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Archive for November, 2010

Danone is on all fronts. While some emit can see the group sell its dairy division waters – which could fetch about 7 billion dollars (5.1 billion euros) – Danone wants to continue to diversify outside of yogurt, including products from fruit, as stated in the economy Figaro, the head of Danone, Franck Riboud, last July. Last August, the group has bought Immédia, smoothies number three in France.

According to the boss Materne, Michael Larroche, Danone would also be interested in the manufacturer of sauces. "In the perspective of a future buyout, I can only rejoice in the interest of Danone sauce, but the Coca-Cola," he says in an interview with the daily La Tribune, this Friday.Danone has launched a stewed with sweetener brand Taillefine, "The Garden Gourmet," in January.

Materne brand has been bought by the investment fund, LBO France for 187 million euros Activa shareholder for seven years the manufacturer of sauces, whose sales amounted to 175 million euros free credit score.

"Lactalis still has a chance" to redeem Yoplait

Asked about the departure of national champions abroad as Yoplait, which could be sold to the American General Mills, even though the Swiss Nestlé favors Yoplait, Michel Larroche hopes that "Lactalis has still a chance" and regrets " lack of competitiveness of our agriculture. " Danone could also sell its polar waters for Japanese brewers, although the group has made laititer lie.

In 2009, the water division has completed 17% of the total turnover of 15 billion euros made by Danone, the world of mineral waters with a market share of 11.7% in 2009. The turnover of the pole "mineral waters" of Danone rose 18% in the third quarter of 2010.

Roselyne Bachelot, the Minister of Solidarity and Social Cohesion, confirmed Wednesday that the Christmas bonus would be renewed this year for recipients of welfare benefits: income solidarité active (RSA), special solidarity allowance (ASS) and allowance equivalent Retirement (AER) same day payday loan.

The Minister has instructed the family allowance paid to the beneficiaries of minimum income (RMI) and the single parent allowance (API) in the departments overseas. "It's a bonus that will affect 1.7 million beneficiaries at a cost of 377 million euros for the state," said Roselyne Bachelot. It is a very strong gesture of solidarity that reflects our commitment to helping the most vulnerable among us. "

The amount of the premium will be paid at the end of December, will be adjusted according to family situations fast same day loans."For a single person, it will be 152.45 euros," said the former Minister of Health.

Ten days after the government reshuffle, Francois Fillon, Matignon extended by Nicolas Sarkozy, presented Wednesday before the Parliament the priorities of his Government's policy speech. The Prime Minister has long been applauded his arrival in the chamber. The main points of his speech: • Reforms: François Fillon began his speech by reminding that "the momentum of reform" the government is intact. "My government action has a dual mandate. Building a modern France, and manage the worst economic crisis since the 1930 crisis. " "What could we be ashamed? To have reformed the universities have introduced the minimum service, having managed the Grenelle environment? I assume our balance sheet, "said the premier. Before insuring, speaking of "the coming elections": "The unpopularity of a day can become tomorrow's esteem."

• The fight against deficits: This is the top priority for François Fillon. He even wants to balance public finances a constitutional principle. France is committed to its European partners to reduce its public deficit of 7.7% of GDP this year to 6.0% in late 2011, up 2.0% at end 2014. "The debt crisis is not brought under control," says he. François Fillon defended fiscal discipline. There will be no additional public spending to boost growth or tax increases, has promised François Fillon

The Prime Minister has however called for a redirection of savings to finance long-term business, including equity.

• Economic growth: François Fillon acknowledged that "the recovery is underway," but that "the crisis is not over." "Europe is threatened with stagnation," he added.But the premier also said he expected growth "exceeding 1.5%" in 2010 and found that the forecast growth of 2% next year 'within reach' of the French economy.

• The tax reform: Francois Fillon said the tax reform of heritage, scheduled for 2011, should be done "consistent product" for the state.

• The international policy of France: France is ready for its "universal message", "through diplomacy, but by force of arms when necessary," he said. It "will fight to convince its partners that a world more balanced and better regulation is necessary."

"The fate of our hostages mobilizes us tirelessly. Are opposed to terrorism continued vigilance and strength of character of the Republic, "said the premier."In Afghanistan we will continue our strategy of securing, rebuilding and accountability of the Afghan authorities," he said.

"The fight against proliferation will lead us to maintain pressure on Iran. The renewal of NATO strategy agreed at the Lisbon Summit should be an opportunity to finally lay the foundations for collective security system, from the Atlantic to the Urals, "he further said.

"More information in a few minutes Lefigaro.fr

Who would have thought that the earthquake created by the rock band Radiohead in the music industry would have spread to so many sectors? In 2007, the rock band had initially marketed its seventh album, In Rainbows, in digital form online, the group's website and at a price determined by the buyer. Since then, the crisis has passed by and the phenomenon of "Pay as You Want" has flourished.

The latest example, the operation "Set the price of the stay" of the hotel chain Best Western France. During the first half of September, the group's clients were able to book a night at a price "free" in twenty three or four star hotels. Best Western had at their disposal 900 rooms, the 15,000 on the channel plans in France. The success has been the appointment."We had a peak of reservations in the early days of the operation," says Alexander Poitou, marketing director of Best Western France. In total, 750 nights were taken by assault, a reservation rate of over 80%.

Create Event

Generous side, however, customers have generally taken the game really the best, most went away satisfied by paying a score of 40 to 60% of the normal price of the bedroom. Others have simply used the book to one euro. "This initiative was intended to publicize Best Western and reaffirm its position as channel 3 and 4 stars," says marketing manager, for whom the "qualitative" aspects of this project has always been more important than the "quantitative .The hotel group has spent about 40,000 euros in this campaign, which has largely turned to social networks and partnerships with the media.

Two websites have also created the event in France in 2009. The site Jefixeleprixdemonsejour.com, Madame Vacances Group has launched several operations such as tourist accommodation. In November of that year, BrandAlley.fr has also proposed this kind of operation, for clothes declawed. In the context of the crisis, there are also some restaurants put, especially in the provinces payday loans in 1 hour. Finally, a law firm has adopted this system in May 2009. Master Peter Redoutey decided to accept this form of remuneration for consultations and requests for review of acts or draft acts via the Internet.

The search for the "good deal"

If it has spread thanks to the crisis, the concept of "Country as you want" however, should not impose lasting relationship and revolutionize the market in France. In a report on consumer behavior with the crisis, the Research Center for the Study and Observation of Living Conditions (Credoc) explains that "the success of the operations' pay as you want (…) illustrates the search Perpetual of the bargain. "

Certainly, with the return, households have somewhat solved the moral and resumed eating. Their spending on manufactured goods rose 1.5% in September after declining 1.6% in August, according to the latest figures from INSEE. On the entire third quarter, they rose 1.2% after falling 0.8% in the second. The purchasing power remains a concern for the French, who continue to save.The savings rate rose from 16.1% in the second quarter of 2010.

A difficult concept economically viable

Teachers need to adapt to the lackluster economic conditions. "We are witnessing a proliferation of special offers or discounts offered to customers in the store so spontaneous," said Pascale Hebel, Director of Consumer Credoc pole. No question, however, indulge in selling at a loss. "The concept of 'pay as you want' is hardly viable, because many buyers are paying the minimum price," said the manager.

For retailers that put in place, "these offerings enable foremost to communicate cheaply," the report said Credoc. "The 'pay as you want' is a marketing concept. Its goal is to create the 'buzz', "said Pascale Hebel. To believe the benefits of the operation of Best Western, it works!

The Paris Bourse continued its warm its advance Thursday. The CAC 40, which has evolved in the green throughout the session, buoyed by the good mood on the markets this morning asiaitques, has skyrocketed with the opening on Wall Street very opima. The index closed the day on a good increase of 1.99% to 3867.97 points.

Other European stock markets followed the same path, like the Frankfurt Dax, which climbed 1.97% to 6832.11 points, a highest since June 2008, more than two years-and the FTSE in London, which ended up 1.34% to 5768.71 points.

Without disappearing, worries about the financial health of Ireland and several other European countries seem to subside after having weighed heavily on global indices in recent days.Furthermore, good economic indicators in the U.S. and the sensational debut of General Motors on Wall Street have given a fillip to U.S. Index, which climbed more than 1.5% at the close of the Stock Exchange Paris.

The slight increased confidence was reflected this morning on the foreign exchange market. The euro regained ground against the dollar, climbing above the $ 1.36 threshold. Around 17:30, the euro bought 1.3600 dollars against 1.3530 late Wednesday.

On Thursday, the macroeconomic side, INSEE announced start-ups down in October, 8.5% from the previous month, despite creations under the status of the entrepreneur.

Current accounts of euro area recorded a deficit, seasonally adjusted data, from 13.1 billion euros in September after a negative balance of 6.9 billion euros the previous month, said Thursday the central bank European.In addition, the ECB has revised the deficit down slightly in August, initially reported 7.5 billion euros.

Also in the news macro, after a slight slowdown, growth in France should gradually recover, but unemployment will remain high, according to new forecasts Thursday of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).The organization now expects growth of 1.6% in France in 2010, 1.6% also in 2011 and 2% in 2012.

In early afternoon, the attention has been paid, the Atlantic, the weekly listings on unemployment and manufacturing index for November in the Philadelphia area, better than expected, and the index of leading indicators October, in line with expectations.

Only Alcatel-Lucent and Natixis down

As for values, found the bank of beautiful colors, thanks to an improved market sentiment on the issue of sovereign debt of European countries. Societe Generale takes the lead sector (3.18% to 42.82 euros).The bank brings in its wake Credit Agricole (1.31% to 11.20 euros) and BNP Paribas (2.56% to 53.64 euros).

The top of the ratings on the CAC 40 illustrates Schneider Electric (6.01% to 109.30 euros), Peugeot (5.64% to 30.65 euros) and Accor (4.10% to 32.10 euros).

The financial director of PSA Peugeot Citroen, Frederic Saint-Geours said Wednesday that the debt ratio of the group in early 2011 would be consistent with a return of the credit rating investment grade. He also said he was "logical" to repay the balance of two billion euros of public anti-loan crisis in April stating that no decision had yet been taken. The entire auto sector climbs on the Stock Exchange on Thursday, with the successful IPO of General Motors on Wall Street Thursday.Renault and ahead of 3.72% to 42.90 euros.

Carrefour (2.62% to 38.96 euros) will not sell its operations in Malaysia because of takeover offer interesting and now invest in enhancing its presence in this market, said its managing director, Lars Olofsson, the Wall Street Journal. Carrefour looks even more growth opportunities in the region, including the acquisition of Matahari Putra Prima in Indonesia, he added.

France Telecom (1.36% to 16.82 euros) said Wednesday that the group may consider share buybacks to return cash to shareholders.

Side down, only Alcatel-Lucent (-0.92% to 2.15 euros) and Natixis (-0.13% to 3.84 eruos) are shown in red.

Air France KLM in form

Air France KLM was warmly applauded. The airline announced Wednesday evening to have returned to profits in the first half.It notes in passing its target of operating profit to more than 300 million euros for 2010-2011.The Exchange appreciates: securities jumped by 5.71% to 13.97 euros, the second largest increase in the SBF 120 after Schneider Electric.

Bourbon (0.93% to 31.42 euros) announced Thursday it had sold its stake in Bourbon Tay Ninh Sugar Factory with a group of Vietnamese investors for a $ 34 million.

Sanctioned Wednesday, as Safran (5.16% to 22.64 euros) is still guarded Thursday after the AMF has asked the company to clarify its intentions on its competitor Zodiac (-1.72% to 51.97 euros) by Friday before the opening of trading.

Yellow Pages (-0.53% to 7.49 euros) on Wednesday announced a new hope to show turnover up in 2011 with the development of ads on mobile phone and internet.

The independent directors of Axa Asia Pacific are now unanimous in supporting the bid of 13.1 billion dollars from its parent company Axa (1.61% to 12.93 euros) and Australia's AMP, which suppresses A major barrier to the operation.

Taxing wealth, not what he produces seems to be the philosophy adopted by the Elysee. Photo credits: MELANIE FREY / Le Figaro Magazine

As fear associations, the opacity surrounding the TGV fares mask strong price increases. The average price per passenger per kilometer and the TGV has increased between 2002 and 2009 by 3.4% on average, twice more than inflation, according to an audit report consulted by the daily Les Echos.

The study of the audit firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and calculates an increase of 26.4% rate of TGV in only seven years. Over the period, inflation amounted to 1.7% it per year on average.

And the conclusion is identical if one relies on the average ticket price. The method is simple: just divide the revenues of the station by the number of passengers carried. Thus, in seven years, the average ticket price rose from EUR 38 guaranteed payday loans.2 to 45.2 euros, an increase of 18.4%.

According to the SNCF, the price rise was mainly due to increase in the number of first class.Asked by Les Echos, the director general in charge of railway travel, Barbara Dalibard, asserts that customers have "bought tickets with more services." She points out that "the attendance of the first class displays a growth rate twice that of the second class." The ruling also suggests a greater supply of TGV with more trips of shorter distance or international routes.

The rising cost of the station is also on increases in charges, including an annual increase of nearly 12% of tolls between 2006 and 2009.

"On pension reform, employers and unions have continued to talk." After this reform has given rise to serious wrangling between government and unions, the president of MEDEF, Laurence Parisot, now wants to look ahead. Objective: To revive the dialogue. "We believe in the power of the peer," she told Europe 1 radio on Sunday. And for that, she will invite leaders of various unions to meet to establish a "social agenda on the next two years."

For the president of MEDEF, we must find a way to "expedite all ongoing negotiations," including one on the modernization of institutions representing the personnel and the modernization of the peer.It is also necessary, she said, packing "obvious negotiations on supplementary pension schemes Agirc-Arcco.

"The government must establish more harmony in our country"

Laurence Parisot also expecting much from the new government. "We expect the new government's ability to establish a little more harmony in our country," she said.

Among the main issues she will discuss with them the job market. "We will diagnose the labor market," says the president of MEDEF. Freshly maintained his position as prime minister by the president, Nicolas Sarkozy, Francois Fillon said in a statement "to be firmly in a new stage which will allow our country to strengthen its economic growth in the service employment. For the president of MEDEF, the creation of jobs through the SOHO and SMEs."We must have the attitude of SMEs and to show solidarity with these companies, which may be both the most vulnerable, but also the first to leave."

"Continue to reduce deficits"

One of his goals is to bring the juniors and seniors. "There is a misconception that we have heard much that would be: a senior citizen who stays longer in the job is a job for a young and less," she insisted. We must, enterprises, we thought the relationship senior juniors in the same way. That is why we are considering the establishment of mechanisms for mentoring between junior and senior. "

Who said creating more jobs, said to boost this growth. Therefore continue to reduce deficits for Laurence Parisot. "If we continue in this direction, we could reach 3% or 4% growth by 2015. Otherwise, social issues will become dramatic. "The government has planned at least 40 billion euros in savings in the 2011 budget. Objective: To reduce the public deficit of 7.7% this year to 6% in late 2011.

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Is the price to pay for the balance of power. In the EU new formula, Parliament carries the same weight as the twenty-seven states for the adoption of the EU budget. Regarding fiscal 2011, a penny saved is a penny more than ever. And the first shock, the result produced two legitimate dreaded deadlock and recrimination. Since Thursday, the twenty-seven governments and tenors of the 754 MEPs in Brussels have launched reconciliation of the last chance. "The European Assembly plays" Hold me back or I do something I "…" a diplomat analysis. "The Capitals have still not grasped: it will not agree without Parliament," says Joseph Daul, EPP boss of the majority group.

Both sides seemed slim hope of avoiding a deadlock over the European Treaty of Lisbon embossed business card.The year 2011 would start without a budget, sending the current expenditure on a monthly basis in the manner of the Fourth Republic. In terms of image, the European Parliament which has the most to lose by appearing as a blocking force expensive, despite the legitimacy of universal suffrage and the additional powers granted by the Treaty of Lisbon. But over time, what are the capitals that would have to pick up the pieces: the EU budget represents nearly 80% of agricultural subsidies and regional funds that states can no longer do without. Besides the prestige projects (such as the External Action Service) and the heavy investments that can not fly without extension in 2011."Next year, governments in hand we eat," suggests a senior MP.

Discrete leeway

If Parliament has the last word on spending, he has no voice on revenue, exclusive competence of Member States. This is where the shoe pinches. National treasuries, taken by the throat by their deficits, want at all costs curb the rise of their checks to Europe. "2.91% more in 2011, the number we want to put in stone," said one British official. On this point, Britain's David Cameron has the full support of Nicolas Sarkozy, Angela Merkel and nine other European leaders."It will be 2.91%, period," insists a French source.

Seen from the side of the assembly, this figure would be rather a starting point for negotiations, even go to the cricket when the rest of Europe tightens its belt color business card . In early fall, parties who dominate the Assembly have sealed their unity around a budget increase of 6.18%. Unofficially, their experts are ready to bring the cursor at midpoint: 4.5%. It is doubtful that the Assembly gets faced with a very British Treasury reassembled. The postponement to 2011 of unused envelopes or the difference between appropriation and disbursement of discrete scenes offer leeway.

Ultimately, Parliament could still lose on the numbers.But to get the pill, several countries including France are ready to offer a little honey political opening a debate with the Parliament on the EU's own resources. Provided they do not speak of a European tax, of course …

From our special correspondent in Seoul, Alexandrine Bouilhet.

The G20 just to bury the hatchet on the coins. Meeting of Heads of State and Governments of the twenty largest world powers opened last night in a tense, because of the strong opposition between Chinese and Americans on the front of currencies. "When we discussed the terms of currencies, the atmosphere was so stuffy in the room, we had to open the door!" Said one diplomat Korean.

The working dinner of Heads of State, chaired by the Korean Lee Myung Bak, failed to find an acceptable compromise."All countries must make concessions," urged the South Korean president, who had deliberately placed the dinner, President Barack Obama in front of his main opponents on the issue of currency: Hu Jintao (China) Lula da Silva (Brazil), Angela Merkel (Germany), and Dmitry Medvedev (Russia).

At dinner, Chinese and Americans insisted on the "need for cooperation," but, on the coins, they are sticking to their positions: Hu Jintao will not be imposed by the G20 a revaluation of the yuan more candid when he accuses the United States, issued the world's reserve currency, to depreciate the dollar voluntarily. The Chinese are not alone in criticizing the U.S. monetary policy.Europeans, Angela Merkel at the head, then Russians and Brazilians said to Barack Obama all the evil they thought the Fed's decision to inject $ 600 billion into the monetary system, to revive the economy.

The U.S. president was forced to defend the action of the Federal Reserve, in principle independent, placing it in an uncomfortable situation. Barack Obama has assured his peers especially that "the U.S. does not seek to weaken the dollar to gain in competitiveness. Not always convincing.

Towards a compromise "less ambitious" than that of Gyeongju

Failing agreement between heads of state, the "sherpas" G20 continued to work until 3 am on the final communique. But they went to bed without finding a satisfactory compromise."We want to send a message criticizing the competitive devaluations, as the notorious undervaluation of certain currencies, but in the present context, it is not easy!" Said one trader.

At this stage, the proposed compromise on the currency would be "less ambitious" than that reached by the G20 Finance Ministers, in Gyeongju (Korea). "The Fed's decision has robbed the Chinese, which brought us one step back," lamented a European diplomat.

"Need for sustainable growth and balanced"

Failing to extract a commitment on the Chinese yuan, the U.S. insists to get in the final communique, firm commitments for the reduction of current account imbalances. "We want to stimulate growth at home but also abroad," urged Barack OMAB.This should translate to Americans, by creating a new "mechanism" requiring exporting countries China, Germany, Japan to reduce their current account surpluses, which would translate into practice by opening new markets to foreign companies . Washington has given up trying to impose the limits of 4% surplus or deficits, a goal firmly rejected by Berlin before the summit.

But Barack Obama insists: if domestic demand and falling deficits in the United States, without China or other countries with high savings take over consumption, "it will result in a decrease of growth" for the world wide. "You see, we find an agreement by all countries including Germany, the fact that we need a sustainable and balanced growth," said Barack Obama.Answer today in Seoul.

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