International News

After opening down, Wall Street back into positive territory on Friday. The Dow Jones gained 0.16% to 12,003 points, the S & P 500 ahead 0.50% to 1302 points and the Nasdaq rose 0.33% to 2710 points. Caution remains appropriate. Investors fear the consequences of the earthquake that hit Japan last night. Bad news that comes on top of disappointing indicators released Thursday and the tensions that persist in Libya.

Oil continues to unwind

These concerns, however, help to relax the price of oil which opened Friday down $ 3.05, passing below the 100 dollars to 99.65 dollars exactly.

On the macroeconomic front, retail sales in the U.S. rose 1.0% in February from January, as analysts anticipated, according to figures released Friday in Washington by the Department of Commerce.

U.S. consumer confidence fell in March, according to an index released Friday by the University of Michigan, which was 68.2 against 77.5 the previous month.

Restocking of manufacturing firms and corporations increased 0.9% compared to December in the U.S., according to figures released Friday by the Washington Department of Trade and rather good news for the U.S. GDP.This increase is slightly greater than the median forecast of analysts who gave 0.8%.

AIG: -0.49% to 36.30 dollars

The insurer American International Group said on Thursday to buy back $ 15.7 billion in cash (11.4 billion) of mortgage assets that the U.S. government had recovered during the financial crisis through the bailout group.

National Semiconductor: 3.88% to 14.71 dollars

National Semiconductor has published an annual turnover less than expected for the third quarter of fiscal year due to destocking at its distributors, but its forecast of sales growth for the current quarter is in line with expectations .

Clearwire: -1.74% to 5.65 dollars

The Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow has resigned as part of a wider reshuffle at the head of the wireless network operator, amid difficulties to finance its investments and dispute between the group and its majority shareholder Sprint Nextel.

Chevron: 0.64% to 99.71 dollars

Chevron announced the sale of its refinery in Pembroke, Great Britain, for 730 million dollars U.S. refiner Valero. The latter said in a separate release that the acquisition would be accretive to its earnings immediately, adding that the transaction should be finalized in the third quarter.

Apple: +0.41% to 348.09 dollars

Apple launches this Friday the marketing of the new version of its iPad tablet.

The European debts go back under the yoke of rating agencies. Moody's has announced this Thursday morning having degraded by one notch the debt rating of Spain, who is now at "Aa2." The note could be further downgraded in the future, since the rating agency maintains a negative outlook on Spain. Moody's explained its decision by his doubts about the ability of Madrid to redress public finances, given the weak growth outlook for the country. Furthermore, measures to clean up the Spanish banking sector would cost more than expected and would increase the country's debt, according to the rating agency.

The Spanish economy minister has expressed his "differences" with the Moody's analysis on the cost of restructuring the banking sector.But Elena Salgado's statements should not prevent a new outbreak of foot on interest rates from Spain to climb again on Thursday, after reaching new levels yesterday, while those in Italy beyond the 5 %, the first since November and that the Portuguese rate stood at a level considered critical by analysts. On Wednesday, the interest rates paid by Lisbon ten years has exceeded 7.5%. And two-year bond were issued at an interest rate of nearly 6%, where the country was paying 4.09% in September, for the same maturity. Economists estimate that the refinancing conditions become difficult to bear for the country free instant credit score. Yet Portugal should emit at least 20 billion debt this year to finance its expenditures.Experts estimate that the country would be about to seek aid from Europe to solve its budget problems, despite repeated denials by the authorities.

A highly anticipated Eurogroup

"Portugal is in the financial and economic emergency," said last night the Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva, in his inaugural speech. "The state funding continues to be abnormally high, which affects the functioning of the Portuguese financial system and our economy."

The Heads of State and Government of the eurozone, which meets tomorrow, should examine the situation in Portugal, says Reuters. The summit of the Eurogroup will focus on "economic policy measures that Portugal is to address its financial difficulties," said the Elysee.

The seventeen heads of state and government should also "discuss strengthening the coordination of national economic policies in the euro area." But many doubt that the summit came to an agreement.

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In Brussels

Ireland and other followers of the corporate tax can breathe a minimum: despite the Franco-German ambitions, the future "pact" of European competitiveness does not require them to raise their tax benefits. But the respite promises of short duration: in mid-March, the European Commission intends to deliver this explosive issue on the table, with the tacit support of Berlin and Paris. In the EU, the tax is a matter of national sovereignty, with the right of veto in the European sphere. Each state tax at will. Some heavy, some lighter in the image of Ireland.For a generation, Green Island was a sampling of 12.5% on profits (against 23% on average in the EU and 35% in the U.S.) one of the essential attractions of its strategy investment-oriented multinationals.

The tide turned last fall when Dublin came to the window to rescue the euro. On this occasion, Nicolas Sarkozy noted that Dublin could also replenish its coffers by looking for revenue wherever they are: "I can not imagine that our Irish friends do not use their flexibility, their taxes are lower than others ", he let go at the bend in October.

Harmonization

Since Angela Merkel took over by making a minimum taxation of benefits one of its key European Pact of competitiveness. "The market was clear: Germany and its financial strength will fly to the rescue of the euro and European countries in trouble if everyone holds itself home to a minimum of discipline free business cards. The corporate income tax and especially the convergence rates in the EU are part of the arsenal. With Ireland, four countries find themselves in the sights, both inside and outside the euro area: Cyprus, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

To obtain the necessary adhesion to the "pact" of seventeen of the euro area, the chairman Herman Van Rompuy and Angela Merkel have finally put some water in the Franco-German wine.The declaration to be submitted to the Summit of the euro on Friday in Brussels, commits the Heads of State and Government to restore order to public finances, but she advocated, explicitly, "without harmonization of tax rates."

Proponents of tax convergence has not said its last word. Five days later, on March 16, the Barroso Commission intends to relaunch the debate in another way: it wants to harmonize the tax base of corporation tax in the EU, that is to say providing a tool for Twenty-measure common to September Once established this barometer, it will be possible to establish a recognized scale. It is up to the big states, it is said in Brussels, then back to the political pressure against dumping tax.

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Intermarché reacts. With its three-year plan in 2011 revelation, presented on Monday morning and backed by a media campaign from 15 March, the group implicitly admits his weaknesses … he intends to treat. The turnover of the group of Musketeers has certainly increased by 4% last year to nearly 35 billion euros, but this increase is largely due to locations abroad and the meager cache up 1.6 % of intermarket French (excluding fuel, at constant perimeter). The network has lost 0.1 points of market share, according to Kantar Worldpanel where U etLeclerc System have won.

Intermarché would imitate its competitors on another point, profitability, the group that developed the Musketeers had somewhat lost sight of in recent years marked by the expansion."Our goal is to win 15% of turnover per square meter in three years," says Gilles Briand, member based in Foix and in charge of marketing at Intermarché.

Led by a new president, Jean-Pierre Meunier, in recent weeks, Intermarché to reverse the trend. Network segmentation, with next to hypermarkets and supermarkets, and of intermarket Contact Express comes to an end: one third of the stores has yet to change sign before the end of the year. This new visual identity will help the group to support its new slogan: "Intermarket, teaches the freshest market." This slogan refers to our strong point, fresh produce. But it also refers to our commitment to innovation, both in terms of products, services sales channels, "says Gilles Briand.Stores "Drive," where consumers can withdraw their orders after their shopping online, are growing strongly (8 outlets to date, 80 expected end 2011). A VIP category was also created for holders of the loyalty card (with a revised promotion system).

The most visible brands

The overhaul of the range of retail brands Intermarché is the most visible innovation for the customer. This range includes 4500 references in 2000 on food and non-food accounts for half of sales volume. It should streamline the offer divided into 90 brands."To make more understandable the range, we'll rationalize it around our thirty most iconic brands, such as Paquito (fruit-based products), Pastures (dairy products) and Labelle (body care)." However, brands Heart Mountain Terrier Clos Chevrel Bergelou or disappear from the shelves.

Moreover, Intermarché will launch a new brand, Route des Saveurs, bringing together of products are "ethnic and regional cuisine, as varied as Chinese spring rolls or cassoulet.

Revelation 2011 is also an overall cost savings. "It should allow us to regain our leadership," says Gilles Briand. The group members have bread on the board, but they are comforted by the good results of the reorganization of the subsidiary Netto discount stores.Its sales jumped by 9.7% in 2010, won the group with 0.1 points of market share, while this segment has been rather neglected last year.

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This is a first in the middle of the car. Citroen has launched this week the first site of services for organizing trips run by a manufacturer. Citroen named Multicity, this site allows you to organize the weekend and stay long term, buy a ticket or train and book a hotel. Not to mention renting a vehicle anywhere in France for a period ranging from several hours to several days.

The site has nothing to envy to the travel-sncf.com or Expedia.fr. The manufacturer has indeed relied on industry experts as GoVoyages and lastminute.com to set up his project. Result: the services provided are as complete as those of operators."Whether it's a journey of everyday life, a professional meeting or organize your holiday in France or abroad, with Citroen Multicity build your route from door to door and book immediately" Can we read in the section of the site presentation.

Competitive Rates

From bus to subway, boat to the aircraft via the bike, Citroën offers a search engine to find the best route "custom tailored to your budget and your schedule." The manufacturer also promises very competitive rates for car rental (from 22 € per day and for only 14 euros, our valet pound down to you "). Train tickets are those of the SNCF, Eurostar or Thalys trains and flights covering 1000 destinations. For hotels, the offer is very wide, with 60,000 establishments proposed worldwide.

The brand customers enjoy perks such as buying online mapping to update their GPS or download a map of speed cameras.

Operation Diversification

With this remote reservation terminal, Citroën is clearly the turn of diversification. This strategy had already materialized with the launch of a site rental vehicles in September. But a few months of summer vacation, the manufacturer has chosen to go further: "Today, travel is not always easy and it requires a good knowledge of the various means of transport possible to achieve these trips, "says the manufacturer in the columns of Le Parisien on Saturday.

Citroen still promises to expand its range "in time" to "promote mobility. Objective: to become profitable within two years to come. "

Madame Figaro continues its transformation. Starting today, it is available in both "pocket" that will remain on newsstands throughout the week, while the larger version will pack integrated into the weekend, with Le Figaro, Le Figaro Magazine and TV Magazine.

With this new pocket-sized, already widely adopted by other women, Madame Figaro hopes to broaden its distribution and its audience, especially among readers from 25 to 45 years. "One way we confront the issue sales in another way," says Marc Feuillée, general manager of Le Figaro. There is a real potential for a new "pocket" upscale."Tests conducted late 2010 showed that over one third of the buyers pocket size never read Madame Figaro and they do not know the brand," said Jean-Guillaume d'Ornano, director of the division Madam within the group Le Figaro.

Sold at an introductory price of 1 euro for three weeks, the "pocket" will then be offered 1.30 euros, up 1.50 or 1.70 euros for special issues. This launch will be supported by a promotional campaign, including TV (TF1 and Canal +) and retail outlets.

"2 million will be invested in this new product is a first for us," says Marc Feuillée.This significant investment demonstrates our commitment to strengthen our publications and take initiatives in a highly competitive environment. "The initial implementation will be 207,000 copies.

Additional territories

Associated with the weekend package, Madame Figaro is already the upscale women's most powerful with 429,079 copies paid France in 2010, according to OJD.

The objective set for Madame Figaro Pocket is to increase the combined sales of 5 to 10%, or 30,000 to 40,000 extra copies.

"The" pocket "does not cannibalize the" Madam, "says Jean-Guillaume d'Ornano. Instead, it will explore additional territories. " First at the distribution level because it will be present in the medium and large food stores, where the pack weekend is almost absent.Then, at the level of readership, since it should appeal to younger readers, urban and active.

Finally, in advertising, the weekly exposure of the title should appeal to existing advertisers and attract new ones.

The contents of the "pocket" will be exactly the same as that of large size. "The idea is to make the world more accessible luxury and avant-garde on which Madame has built its legitimacy," said Anne-Florence Schmitt, executive editor of Madame Figaro. The output of the "pocket" is accompanied by the provision of an application for iPad (0.79 euro download), after the launch of a new version of the website in December.

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Relegated to fifth in the world when he was number two behind General Motors in 2004, Ford, the only major U.S. manufacturer to have happened in Washington's help in 2009, returned to growth. It even displays an appetite of an ogre, with the goal of producing up to 8 million vehicles this year, against 5.3 million in 2010.

To support this ambition, the group's strategy rests on two pillars: "One Ford" and Sync. "One Ford" for the universal car pooling and industrial resources, sales and marketing group. Sync technology. The group invests heavily inspired by the universe created around smartphones and other mobile uses.

Indeed, earlier this week, while the motor show in Geneva in full swing, the CEO of Ford himself is in Hanover for the CeBIT, an electronics show.

LE FIGARO.- What is the importance of technology in the strategy of Ford? This change does your brand?

Alan Mulally. – Our brand has steadily improved over the last four or five years. Ford's strategy is to offer a full range of vehicles, from small city to the big family. Each being the best in its class and meet four criteria: quality, safety, reduced CO2 emissions, technological intelligence. All for a price accessible to the greatest number. What we can do with our size and standardization. The Ford Focus Sync is sold between 16,000 and 20,000 dollars, its European price has not yet been determined. Today, 70% of cars bought in the U.S. are equipped with our technology Sync, and 80% of people who use the recommended spontaneously to their surroundings. Ford Sync and MyTouch are real vectors of purchase.To borrow a metaphor from the world of smartphones, Ford is working with Microsoft and acts like Apple. Ford is the latest in mobile technology.

Why high-tech rather than low cost?

We want to be a leader in providing useful services for the driver. With our system, voice commands, the driver can access their phone, including his music, without ever leaving the road. We make the road safer. We started with 1000 voice commands, we are now at 10,000. Ultimately, it will be possible to have a real conversation with his car payday loans. All with simplicity. The car has no onboard equipment, it facilitates the connection of consumer electronic devices.

How does this fit into your strategy "One Ford"?

As you know, we sold our other brands to focus on Ford.This represented 45% of our sales a few years ago. It is almost 100% today, with a full range of vehicles. For this, we rely on our industrial platforms. Focus is produced in five plants worldwide and will be split into ten versions, with 80% common parts. The remaining 20% correspond to the necessary adaptations to local demands. We find the spirit of Henry Ford who wanted to reach the largest number of customers by sticking to their expectations.

Will this be enough for it to regain market share that you lost?

Ford sales have risen dramatically. The four pillars of our strategy are almost universal. Sync is a vector of purchase: consumers want to stay connected to their digital world. Yet there had never been on the market for small vehicles with many capabilities.We will continue our growth by responding better to the expectations of our customers. This year we aim to produce between 7.5 and 8 million vehicles worldwide. This is a tremendous increase in a year!

You are attached to environmental issues. What type of engine for the vehicle of tomorrow?

We improve the performance of our engines, both petrol and diesel, and we are developing both hybrid, plug-in hybrids and electric cars. The recent development is intrinsically linked to the electrical infrastructure, the ability to manage networks. This will require public-private partnerships. Electricity is also a solution for emerging countries seeking to secure their energy independence. Finally, in the longer term, I think the hydrogen engine.Everything will depend on technological advances in the field of batteries, but an engine that emits only water is fantastic!

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