International News

The Paris Bourse took a breather on Thursday morning at the open after sharp declines seen the day before (the CAC 40 fell 1.31% and fell below 4050 points). At 9:00, the index lost 0.10% to 4039.10 points. Otpimiste trend a bit more in Europe where the FTSE London hotel departed from 0.19% to 5995.27 points while the Dax wins 0.46% to 7408.17 points. Both indices had suffered the heaviest losses the Cac yesterday.

In Japan, markets are still closed, but in the rest of the region, the trend has been generally plombéepar investors disappointed by the economic numbers have fallen the day before the United States, which have been faltering and Wall Street. The U.S. ISM services has indeed disappointed while the ADP employment figures in April came out worse than expected.Furthermore, oil inventories surged against all odds, which gave the lead in using oil, which fell below $ 110 in New York yesterday, and changing CNoR down in Asian trade this morning .

On the foreign exchange market, the euro is also strong: it is trading at 1.4878 dollars (+0.32%) to 9 hours after once again exceeded $ 1.49 during the meeting Wednesday.

In anticipation of the ECB

Statistical side to follow on Thursday in Germany, at noon, destatis provide figures on German industrial orders in March. On Thursday, the ECB meets in Helsinki to decide on interest rates that will apply. Jean-Claude Trichet said Thursday it is the price of silver in early June or summer. In England, the BoE also decide on interest rates.

United States, expected productivity in the first quarter (first estimation) to 14.30.Same time, it will be the traditional unemployment claims. The employment figures that will fall tomorrow, Friday, are eagerly awaited. Yesterday, investors learned that ADP figures have reported a creation 179,000 jobs in April, less than expected.

Societe Generale falling, Carrefour sentence

Side values, a publication of rain fell again on Thursday quarterly earnings including Societe Generale, disappointing driving down the stock price by nearly 3% at the opening, drape the CAC.

After the excellent figures given yesterday by BNP Paribas, leading bank in Europe, SocGen announced a net profit of 916 million euros in the first quarter, a decrease of 13.8% over the same period of 2010 attributed to effect accounting related to the revaluation of its own debt.

Gadin the other day, the retail group Carrefour (-2.37% to 30.86 euros), which announced Thursday the departure of its Executive Director James McCann France and the postponement of a controversial quotation of its real estate subsidiary, but maintained its draft rate 100% subsidiary of Dia and its financial targets for 2011.

Lafarge (-1.43% to 45.02) reveals a net loss of 29 million euros in the first three months of the year for a turnover up 9% to 3.55 billion euros .

Legrand (-0.95% to 30.17 euros) in the first quarter increased 13.7% in sales and 41.2% of its net profit, thanks to emerging markets and new market segments which the group has made a priority, which has confirmed its annual targets.

Bureau Veritas (-0.74% to 57.88 euros) confirmed anticipate strong growth in its turnover and adjusted operating profit this year after an increase of 23.2% of its activity in the first quarter .

AXA (-0.37% to 14.94 euros) expressed confidence in improving its profitability despite a drop of 2% of its turnover in the first quarter to 27.92 billion euros.

Maurel & Prom, Arkema and Capgemini climb

The independent oil company Maurel & Prom announced Thursday want to split and rate of its independent subsidiary in Nigeria, whose shares will be distributed to the shareholders in proportion to their participation in the group cash advance to savings account. The action takes off from 4.87% to 14.74 euros this morning.

Arkema (4.34% to 4.24 euros). The net profit quadrupled to 151 million euros and EBITDA (EBITDA) reached 17% of sales through an increase much higher than the market. This puts us among the best chemists.

The French group consultancy Capgemini and Computer Services (2.07% to 41.35 euros) saw sales increase by 14.5% in first quarter 2011 to 2.3 billion euros and confirmed its objectives of achieving a growth in turnover of between 9 and 10% for the year.

The producer of wines and spirits, Pernod Ricard (1.93% to 68.27 euros) Thursday announced an increase in its turnover in the third quarter and confirmed its targets for its entire fiscal year (July 2010 – June 2011).

Air Liquide (+0.48% at 97.41 euros) wants equity for the premium

Its CEO said he was open to the principle of paying a bonus to employees in case of dividend increase, provided to maintain the equity in a group with more than three-quarters of the members are outside France.

Alstom: 0.16% to 42.69 euros Moody's raised its outlook on the Baa1 rating on the group stable, negative cons.

Total: 0.56% to 42 euros, GDF Suez: 0.37% to 26.78 euros a parliamentary commission on Wednesday passed a bill to ban UMP in France in the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons not conventional gas and oil shale.

Michelin (+0.35% at 66.74 euros) announced an increase in the price of its truck tires, civil engineering, public works, agricultural and handling in Europe to meet the continually rising cost of raw materials.

TF1 (+0.12% at 12.68 euros), which has suffered several setbacks during the hearing last month, decided to appoint a new program director, Jean-François Lancelier, which takes the place of Laurent Storch .

The French chemicals group Rhodia (+0.14% to 31.52 euros) on Thursday posted net unbénéfice 151 million euros in the first quarter more than doubled over one year and raised its profitability target for 2011 to become a recurring gross operating profit of "more than 1 billion euros."

Veolia Environnement (+0.54% at 22.27 euros) on Thursday posted a turnover up 11.3% in the first quarter thanks in particular to the resumption of its activities in the waste.

Mr DIY (+0.64% at 14.14 euros) confirmed its targets for 2011 after publishing a stable turnover in the first quarter to 135.2 million euros.

Gifi (+2.15% at 75.99 euros) registered a growth of 5.2% of its turnover for the first half of its fiscal year 2010-2011, to 351.3 million euros.The turnover of the group's second fiscal quarter ended March 31 rose 7.5% to 139.1 million euros.

Cegedim (0.94% to 43.05 euros) has reported a sales increase of 2.9% as reported to 211.5 million euros, but down 1.4% comparable data available, and maintained its target of 4% growth in turnover for 2011.

The food group Bonduelle (0.57% to 68.50 euros), specializing in vegetables, posted a rise in its turnover for the third quarter from 14.6% to 421.6 million euros thanks to an improvement in consumption, particularly in eastern Europe, according to a statement.

Tonight will be the turn of Vale, Wendel, Eiffage French Cement and NextRadioTV publish.

It is not just in France that soaring fuel worries. Whether in Beijing or Washington, the great powers anxiously watching the prices soar. United States, the phenomenon begins the popularity of President Obama. In China, leaders tried Saturday to end a protest by truckers of the Port of Shanghai. These last Friday blocked access to the terminal docks Baoshan.

After closed-door negotiations with the local road, the authorities announced on Saturday a "lower standard fees and the abolition of taxes outstanding." The decision was announced by making an effort to reduce "the pressure on carriers 'costs' and mitigate the effects" of rising inflation, is it explained in a statement. No mention of the strike.

Not sure the extent sufficient to satisfy the carriers.According to testimonies collected on the spot Saturday by news agency Reuters, the drivers intended to continue the movement until you see the concrete effects of tax cuts. "It's not that I strike, but what's the point of working if I lose money?" Said one trucker.

Beijing is trying to stifle any rebound media movement. No public statement had been made to this press Saturday and it was broadcast in English. It was only taken up by the official Xinhua News Agency, also in English. Chinese leaders fear that the waltz prices facing the country could trigger a vast movement of popular protest. Despite efforts to cool an overheating economy, inflation has been above expectations in March fast cash now. It reached 5.4% on a year to a growth rate of 9.7%, also higher goals of Beijing.

Obama disapproved

Across the Pacific, even dissatisfaction at the pump. In the U.S., the price of fuel has surpassed the symbolic $ 4 a gallon (unit equivalent to about 3.8 liters). The popularity of President Obama suffers. According to a survey New York Times / CBS released this weekend, 57% of Americans disapprove of the economic policy of the host of the White House. They are also 80% believed that the economic situation stagnates or deteriorates.

After a week to defend his choices for the federal budget, Barack Obama was forced to admit Saturday that rising fuel prices for Americans is "a burden when the situation is already difficult." But it does not mean advanced solution in the short term.Changes in gasoline prices more than justifies any investment in green energy, he was merely hammering during his weekly radio address this Saturday: "In the long term, the response. This is the solution to help people who are full and reduce our dependence on oil from abroad. "

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After two difficult years, the market for used cars has finally erased the impact of economic recession and scrapping. With over 510,000 registered vehicles in March, he returned to a level he had not met since April 2008. This is twice the new home market, as 257,000 new cars were registered in the period.

The recovery appears sustainable. 38% of members of the National Occupational automobile (CNPA), which includes dealers and professionals the opportunity to anticipate an increase in their turnover in their activity during the second quarter of 2011. There were only 14% to be optimistic about a year ago. These professionals do indeed represent only 40% of the market, 60% being made between individuals, but they give a good idea of ​​its evolution.

After Ireland and Portugal, Iceland could be the third country to experience a major diplomatic or political crisis, directly resulting from the economic and financial crisis of 2007 and 2008. On Saturday, some 230,000 Icelanders go to the polls have indeed voted in a referendum against the agreement Icesave, the name of the online banking subsidiary of Landsbanski, the second Icelandic bank nationalized in 2008 after going bankrupt.

Since March 6, 2010, the date of an initial consultation, the question arose on the repayment to Great Britain and the Netherlands of compensation paid at the time of their nationals Icesave victims (about 340,000 savers). Totaling over $ 3.9 billion. A financial burden that Icelanders have refused to take in view of the first results of the referendum held Saturday, April 9.

"No problem to solve our debts"

According to figures almost final, non prevail widely, with 57.7% of the vote, against 42.3% of voters in favor of yes. Certainly, the rejection is much less massive than a year ago, Icelanders have been 92% to vote against the assumption by the State for damages caused by international private banks. However, the consequences seem equally or even more complicated for the government in place since 2008. Iceland had indeed engaged in December last year to repay the Netherlands and Great Britain, all amounts advanced to their injured citizens.To plan would run from 2016 to 2046.

Already, even before the final election results, the Dutch Minister of Finance Kees Jan De Jager said he was "very disappointed" by the decision of the Icelandic people do not accept the agreement between the three countries to try to resolve a situation that has become almost inextricable. For British and Dutch side, no question that the matter ends there, whereas the two countries now that the litigation must be brought to justice.

In London and The Hague, the respective Ministers of Finance are studying the possibility of litigation to settle the case before the EFTA (European Free Trade Association). A first procedure had already been initiated by the Netherlands to that authority, then stopped to allow the three countries directly negotiate terms of an agreement.With the refusal of the Icelandic people Saturday "the negotiation stage is over" said Niels Redeker, spokesman for the Dutch Ministry of Finance. He thus echoes the English Treasury number two, Danny Alexander, who considers "disappointing" that the negotiated settlement with Iceland is either resulted in a release.

"No problem to solve our debts"

Therefore, the EFTA will resume in the coming weeks the record in hand. And Iceland may be worried because the authority was already acknowledged in 2010 that the amounts claimed by the Netherlands to Iceland and they were well due. The arrival of the United Kingdom in the proceedings, which examined the possibilities Sunday "to join it" could further complicate the task of the Icelandic government.Because if it believes it has "no problem to pay its debts" in the words of Steingrimur Sigfusson, his Finance Minister, is it always that the Icelanders are still refusing to pay the slate of private banks. More for foreign citizens. Therefore politically difficult to Reykjavik to meet its promises after two resounding rejection of his countrymen.

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After Operation Oil cons food (Oil for Food) "designed not to starve the Iraqi people emerge from the Gulf war, Argentina has invented a new form, but lighter, clearing:" From Wine cons of Porsche. "

In Buenos Aires, the fight against the deficit of trade balance is in effect a special twist. The Government has authorized imports of Porsche country Fangio, obtaining in return compensation, dollar for dollar, the price of cars by the importer, the group Pulenta. To obtain satisfaction, this distributor is committed to export the same value in wine and olive oil as the hundreds of Porsche imported this year, about 5 payday loans.7 million.A real challenge, since the distributor will sell about 1 million bottles to meet the Argentine government.

All manufacturers of luxury cars are housed in the same boat: to sell his Audi in Argentina, the VW group is committed to export more cars manufactured in the country. As for BMW, whose cars are popular, the brand would consider implementing a motorcycle plant.

France-Soir has missed its target. Relaunched on January 17 with great fanfare with a promotional campaign for a $ 4.5 million, the newspaper of the young Russian Alexander Pugachev can not take off in sales. According to data reported to OJD, the distribution of the daily France paid amounted to 71,361 copies in January 2011 against an average of 74,531 copies in 2010. The new France-Soir has witnessed a drift of its newsstand sales. These are lowered in January to 46,000 copies, the worst month ever recorded the title since its first revival in March 2010, where he sold more than 73,000 newsstand copies. The situation had deteriorated again in February.At the same time, sales by third parties (airlines, restaurants …) journal has never been higher, at 22,000 copies in January, compared to less than about 4,000 copies in March 2010.

The new formula was launched under the leadership of Remy Dessart, managing editor since last August, would enable France-Soir "to pass more quickly to more than 100,000 copies," hammered in early owner. But Alexander Pugachev, who has already invested over 50 million euros in the newspaper, took the risk of destabilizing its faithful readers.It has increased the selling price of 10 cents to 0.60 euro for a paging maintained at 32 pages, and especially his book horse was reduced to almost nothing, pagination as the racing decreased from 8 to 3 pages .

Crédit mutuel sought

The son of Russian oligarch Sergei Pugachev, who plans to inject another 20 million euros this year, he will continue long to replenish the paper? "Everything goes well, we work hard to make the newspaper," Remy loose Dessart, who does not wish to comment on the financial difficulties of France-Soir. Last Tuesday, Alexander Pugachev convened a crisis meeting with his directors, as revealed by Press News. While its monthly losses always exceed two million euros, France-Soir was hoping to break even in 2012 with a circulation of 150,000 to 170,000 copies.Goals that are too far pushing Alexander Pugachev to seek partners. He recently asked Michael Lucas, chairman of Mutual Credit and leading publisher of regional newspapers throughout the Group Ebra.

Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn, Patrick Pelata, the general manager, on Monday presented their "apologies and deep regrets, personally and on behalf of Renault executives dismissed the three early January and accused of" wrongly "espionage . The automaker promises to "repair" and agrees "that reparations be paid to three executives involved and that their honor is restored to everyone, taking into account the serious human harm they and their families have suffered."

A few minutes earlier, the Paris prosecutor Jean-Claude Marin told a press conference that the prosecution gave up the hypothesis of espionage within the group, investigations into banks in Switzerland and Liechtenstein have shown that "the bank accounts of executives charged with Renault not exist," said the prosecutor.

The floor is moving towards the assumption of a "possible fraud intelligence" to the detriment of the group, following the indictment of Gevrey Dominique, head of Renault's safety, for "organized fraud". The trail of espionage is not completely ruled out, as "the scenario of destabilization, however, tempered Jean-Claude Marin bad credit personal loan lenders.

Renault has already paid 310,000 euros

In early January, the automaker has laid off three of its executives, accusing them of having coined confidential information on its program of electric vehicles. But since then, doubt has set in and Renault considered the argument of a "manipulation". The group acknowledged having paid its informant, referring to a sum close to 250,000 euros.The prosecutor for his part said that Renault had already settled 310,000 euros for information and he still had to pay 390,000 euros.

In an interview with Le Figaro, the chief delegate of the group, Patrick Pelata, hinted he might resign if the allegations proved unfounded: "When the investigation is complete, we will draw all the consequences to the level more top company, that is to say to me, "he said.

Renault has convened an extraordinary board of directors on Monday to 16 hours.

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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. "

Ethics and Professional Conduct market, terms and level of detail in the communication of large listed companies are very heterogeneous. This conclusion emerges from a study jointly conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) and students from Sciences Po

Of the 80 largest capitalization on the Paris (CAC 40 and 40: the "Next40"), only 10 have a dedicated code of ethics, as recommended by the AMF in November 2010. This charter, not mandatory, declining at the enterprise level the concepts of insider trading, inside information and duty of abstention, "in addition to an already very precise definition in legal terms," says Elodie Fornas PWC, in charge of the study.

In total, 69 companies of the panel (including the 10 already mentioned) have established internal rules of conduct, but only 53 communicate publicly (on their website in their document, 2009). Without naming them, the study underscores the total lack of communication on this subject in 5% of heavyweights rating (CAC40) and 22.5% of the 40 companies following. "Either there is a failure to communicate, or market devices ethics are not sufficiently advanced in these companies to justify an official communication," says Elodie Fornas. Unlikely however that the first hypothesis applies to companies often expert on codes of speaking.

Among those who made the choice of internal rules of conduct, the supports and the level of explanation of concepts are very different.Some specify them in their global ethical code (29), others in the charter of the administrator (10), others prefer the rules of the board (23).

Finally, details of concepts is sometimes very random. On the definition of insiders, 18 companies believe it is only corporate officers, 5 others add executives, and 30 others include all employees. In several cases, some employees are not even officially informed of their status as "insiders."

The explanation of "inside information" differs among the 12 companies finally showing the 4 criteria of the definition of the AMF General Regulation (non-public information, said having a significant influence on the course and dealing directly or indirectly the issuer or the securities of companies) and companies that do not repeat 3 (they are seven), or who do repeat that 2 (14 companies).

A more mature in the Anglo-Saxon

These differences raise questions, while the practice of communication ethics market can greatly affect the image of the company and the value of its stock exchange. Witness the case of aircraft manufacturer EADS, rocked for months by suspicions of insider breaches.A case that Colette Neuville, president of the Adam (Association for the Defence of Minority Shareholders) calls never happen again.

"The approach of the French companies on these issues appears less mature than in the Anglo-Saxon countries, where market rules are more stringent," says Elodie Fornas. Including the United States where, since the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, a code of financial ethics is mandatory for listed companies. " In France, there seems to prefer the incentive approach, like the AFEP-MEDEF 2008 on good corporate governance, from business organizations, not the stock market regulator.

"The guide AMF in November 2010 is too recent to measure its effect on corporate practices.Nevertheless, he'll probably get them to rethink their rules and procedures relating to market conduct, and communication to affirm their commitment to the subject, concludes Élodie Fornas. And if the transition to a mandatory does not seem relevant, listed companies have an incentive to follow these recommendations for reducing the risk of insider breaches and sanctions, media laws and regulations made thereunder. "

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So that opens Monday at the Mobile World Congress, high mass annual telecom, Barcelona, major European operators go on the offensive. "The alarm clock rang operators. We now have a clear vision of the challenges faced by our model. We are determined to go on the offensive, "says Stéphane Richard, CEO of France Telecom, Le Figaro.

The "G5", this informal club which meets the five major European operators (Orange, Vodafone, Telefonica, Telecom Italia and Deutsche Telekom), met this morning in Barcelona. First concern is the increasing traffic by 18 on the fixed and mobile networks within four years the network congestion threatens. To avoid saturation, operators have to invest heavily … and fully intend to share the bill with those who are the primary beneficiaries: YouTube, Google and others."For years, compensate operators naturally flows exchanged between them is the system of peering. What they sent about what they were getting compensated. But this system has experienced since the flows are completely unbalanced for two years due to the explosion of video. Some players who are behind the explosion of traffic must be willing to help finance the investments needed to carry this traffic, "insists Stephen Richard.

Another concern is the lack of competition in the shops of applications. "Competition in telecom has always been seen by Brussels in terms of infrastructure and networks. Today, there is another reality: the arrival of new players like Google and Apple, "says Stéphane Richard.And example is the Read & Go application, developed by Orange and various publishers, behind Apple to allow on its online store. "This practice is acceptable?" Interrogates Stéphane Richard. It will meet in Brussels.

Netting on 4G

The five major operators should also announce a better coordination on mobile contactless or NFC, with a launch expected this year. "Contactless will bring out new services and our customers. They can use their mobile as a payment card, such as ticketing, such as badges for access to buildings or as a transportation tag. Orange aims NFC 500,000 customers by the end of the year in France and the integration causes many of these new services without contact from the SIM card. The market is ripe now, "says Stéphane Richard.Orange is also announcing today an agreement with Samsung for the upcoming European launch of a new NFC-enabled mobile.

The CEO of France Telecom is very proactive on the fourth generation of mobile, "it is inevitable that changes to the 4G. Orange is ready to participate in the tender in France. What bothers me is neither the timing nor the principle of a high reserve price (the government wants to recover 2 billion of licenses to be issued in France in the summer, Ed), but problem is to increase the stress on operators when they are asked to invest heavily. Operators will face a fourth operator in a mature market, "he says.

And the beautiful game operator to point the proliferation of taxes, the latest being the recovery of VAT."In crude, we had a lot of termination, but this represents a net lost few customers. Because the vast majority of customers who cancel a subscription at Orange resume here. In any case, those who still thought that there was insufficient competition in the market were able to verify the bitterness of the fight, "says Stéphane Richard.

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