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Rumors surrounding the release of Apple TV

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

The scenario leading to the release of Apple TV is taking shape. As the months that preceded the presentation of the iPad, in January 2010, the indices in Asia begin to multiply. Since the beginning of the year, analysts who were on the scene returned with the assurance that Apple had already started working with his subcontractors on the project. "Apple is in the preliminary stages of designing a TV," wrote this weekend Katy Huberty, the investment bank Morgan Stanley.

The entry of Apple in the TV segment, though still in the rumors, is already the subject of scholarly speculation in financial circles.According to the analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray, which published a note last week, an Apple TV would make the company an annual turnover of $ 2 billion in 2012, a total market of hundred billion dollars. For its part, Morgan Stanley expects additional revenues long-term $ 19 billion, three-quarters of revenues generated by the iPhone in 2010.

The Apple TV built into a TV

If the analysts are so sure two is that while Apple pushes prior to embarking on television. The company initially afford, thanks to profits generated in recent years by the iPhone and iPad. Perched on a cash reserve of 77 billion dollars, Apple announced earlier this year signed a two-year contract for $ 3.9 billion from a mysterious supplier.According to Gene Munster, this investment will supply 3.5-inch screen (diagonal measurement of the iPhone) to 50-inch TVs.

More importantly, analysts point out that the TV fits perfectly into the strategy of Apple. The company markets since 2007 Steve Jobs Apple TV, a box that provides access to the contents of Mac and online services on the big screen the show. First described as a "hobby", the small device has received a major update last fall. He is now based on the same basis as the iPhone, which takes the processor and operating system, IOS. Apple has sold 2 million since then.

Leaving a TV, so Apple could integrate Apple TV into a flat screen and add some new features free business cards."Videoconferencing FaceTime, the App Store App Store and iTunes and the game would find their natural place," writes Brian White Ticonderoga Securities. This TV would display the photos, music and files stored on icloud, the new storage online Apple suggests Gene Munster. As for Apple TV today, the unit would go from an iPhone or an iPad, as a remote control.

The reluctance of TV

Analysts who have studied the subject, the players already installed, such as Samsung, LG and Sony have every reason to fear the arrival of Apple. The power of its brand and the uniqueness of its design would wreak havoc. "Television is the center of living rooms around the world, and an Apple TV would likely be a huge success," anticipates Ticonderoga Securities.As for the iPhone, Apple could attempt to enter the market by the high-end model with a 2000 dollars, Piper Jaffray suggested in the summer of 2010.

In addition to competing with electronics manufacturers, Apple would also respond to Google and Microsoft, that have made television a major development. After testing mixed in television connected, Microsoft has taken a strong position in the home through the Xbox 360, and its video-on-demand and video conferencing. Google, which launched last year the platform Google TV, is it more worthwhile. But a major update, dubbed "Fishtank" is in preparation.

Despite these optimistic forecasts, Apple will have to adapt outside the United States in very specific local markets.In France, telecom operators already provide access to video on demand and Internet through their "box", very well established. For now, televisions connected televisions are more "connected", judged last week Nonce Paolini. Preparing for the arrival of Apple and Google, the owner of TF1 has also requested a "sanctuary of the signal" so that these new actors in television do not add information connected interactive emission channels without permission.

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The difference between the iPhone and Android narrows

Saturday, June 18th, 2011

Android has not exceeded the iPhone in France. At the end of April, the Apple smartphone was the most used in France, according to data from comScore reported to figaro.fr. After a breakthrough hit in 2010, the models using the Google system have indeed grown more timid at the beginning of the year. They represented the end of April 24% of the installed base (3.5 million users), against 21.8% three months earlier.

While growth slowed slightly to Android, the gap with the iPhone is still more tenuous than ever. Always installed first, with 4 million users aged 13 and over (27.9%), the smartphone from Apple is losing ground.Conversely, Research In Motion, the maker of BlackBerry continues to grow (9.2%), while Microsoft is showing some signs of tremor phone through Windows 7 (7.5%), after falling to the lowest in March.

Apple changes its position

Continuing the momentum, Android could surpass the iPhone in France this summer, thanks to the arrival of new flagship models like HTC and Samsung S Desire Galaxy S2. Very aggressive, the South Korean manufacturer is the one who benefits most from the success of Android in the country. The number of users of its smartphones has more than quadrupled in a year, according to comScore free business cards.The trend is the same abroad: Japanese analyst firm Nomura expects Samsung to become number one in sales from that quarter, to Apple and Nokia.

Already exceeded by Android a year ago the number of users in the United States, however, Apple has found a solution to always appear first rankings. At its last conference in San Francisco in early June, Steve Jobs presented statistics comparing the Google system not only to the iPhone, but also to other mobile devices running IOS with the system, that is to say the iPad and iPod touch. A comparison to his advantage, puisqu'Android is still in its infancy in the shelves and almost absent from the players.

As the United States, Apple also increases his lead over Android in France when we accept this method of calculation.So a little over 6 million French people using terminals iOS, against 4,000,000 for the Google system, according to comScore survey. As the United States, owners of iPad is a little older than the average smartphone users. They also have more often an iPhone or a Samsung phone, and are less likely to Nokia and BlackBerry.

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Smart put on the agreement with Renault

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

After holding the position of sales manager of Mercedes in Europe, Annette Winkler, 50, agreed last September a big challenge, taking the direction of Smart. For if, in the automotive division of Germany's Daimler, sales of the brand with the star jumped 15.3% last year, they have instead of Smart fell by 16.6% falling below the 100,000 copies (97,500).

Main challenge, launched in 2007, the current ForTwo, which "is in the middle of its life cycle has not been renewed recently, the boss says Le Figaro Smart. Since the shutdown of the Roadster (end 2005) and the Forfour (2006), this small two-seater declined in coupe and convertible is the only model in the range.

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The cost of tax loopholes skids

Saturday, May 28th, 2011

If the 500 tax loopholes are losing 72 billion euros of revenue to the state, because they are widely used by households and businesses. In point of sometimes being victims of their success. Result, year-end, cost is higher than had been budgeted at the previous fall in initial budget act. This is shown by the "annual performance reports" of 2010, documents published by Bercy Wednesday.

Thus, the reduced VAT in the restoration has cost 3.13 billion euros to the state in 2010, instead of the 3 billion expected. If this divergence is not huge, it will add grist to the mill of the many critics of the measure. Other niche challenged the cost soared: the premium for Employment (PEP). The state has spent $ 3.56 million last year for this tax credit for workers modest, instead of the 3.2 billion expected.And this while another aid mechanism, the RSA "activity", is duplicate with the EPP.

The exemption from income tax for overtime, a measure supported by the majority but criticized by the Socialists, has it, cost 1.36 billion in 2010. It is 160 million more than expected. Explanation: Recovery has promoted the use of overtime.

Similarly, the slippage of the cost of research tax credit – 4.5 billion instead of 4 billion – may be seen as a sign of renewed vigor of research in industry or, conversely, as the developer of the excessive generosity of the tax reduction. The Consolidated Global Profit Tax System, awarded to only five groups (including Total and Vivendi), cost 461 million instead of the 302 million budgeted.What revive, again, the debate on this benefit …

Abyss of self bonus

The documents allow Bercy be noted some improvements. Thus, the recalibration of tax credit on income for the equipment green house has borne fruit. For the first time, the cost of this niche has been in line with what had been budgeted (2.6 billion). Other important niche remained in the nails: Tax Credit for employment of staff at home (1.75 billion). As for the niche most expensive – reduced VAT for the work of housing – it cost a little less than expected (5.05 billion instead of 5.15 billion).

Remains a fundamental problem: Many tax benefits are not considered as niches by the Budget Ministry.

By adopting a more comprehensive, Philippe Marini, the rapporteur UMP budget in the Senate, amounts to 220 billion cost of tax loopholes, instead of 72 billion Bercy. Example: The bonus-malus automobile is not considered a niche. However, its cost has gone wrong in 2010, reaching 521 million instead of 126 million budgeted!

The debate about replacing DSK IMF opens

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

The U.S. government has dropped Dominique Strauss-Kahn. The United States, largest shareholder in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), followed by China, have been opened wide debate replacing the selection of the head of the monetary institution. "Obviously Dominique Strauss-Kahn is unable to manage the IMF," said Tim Geithner on Tuesday night. It was the first public comment from the U.S. Treasury Secretary on the individual circumstances of DSK. "It is important that the Board of Directors of the IMF should establish a formal ANYONE who acts as General Manager for an interim period," added Tim Geithner knows very well that the IMF for having been one of its Senior from 2001 to 2003.

A few hours earlier, the question of succession had already been given to the public by European leaders.Including Angela Merkel, then by the finance ministers of Austria and Spain. Some did not wait to know whether Dominique Strauss-Kahn would be prosecuted for speaking openly about his replacement.

John Lipsky, IMF number two just became number one acting. Photo credits: Haraz N. Ghanbari / AP

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Sanofi starts against Crohn's disease

Monday, May 16th, 2011

While the French laboratory had to pay $ 20.1 billion two months ago to put (last) hands on the giant American biotechnology Genzyme, renewal of product portfolio does not seem finished.

Certainly, this large acquisition Sanofi offered the double advantage to gain strength in biotechnology, a field in which he accused some delay, and the muscles of the profile of its development pipeline. But it does not completely solve the problem of loss of its main patent medicines, a loss that threatens almost 30% of sales of Sanofi between 2008 and 2013.

Hence the willingness of management to continue to develop other partnerships in research and development, like the one unveiled this morning by the French laboratory.In a statement, Sanofi announcement that he will spend 50 million dollars to obtain from the French subsidiary of Glenmark India, exclusive marketing rights in North America, Europe, Japan, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay from GBR 500. This monoclonal antibody, currently in phase I clinical trial is developed for the treatment of chronic autoimmune disorders. The license acquired by Sanofi on the product concerned in particular the treatment of Crohn's disease (chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal) and other chronic autoimmune diseases.

If it came on the market, the product would otherwise be co-marketed by both groups in Brazil, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. This horizon remains distant, the GBR 500 being still in early stages of development (determination of the optimal dose and safety profile).Then remains to determine the safety profile and effectiveness, on a limited number of patients and more extended. Tests that require several more years.

Second agreement between Sanofi and Glenmark

Under the agreement, Glenmark will receive an initial payment of $ 25 million at the close of the transaction, then a second payment of $ 25 million contingent on the positive assessment by Sanofi, some data provided by Glenmark. The latter will also receive milestone payments based on the development, registration and marketing of the product. Finally, Glenmark will receive double digit royalties on net sales of marketed products.

This is not the first time the two groups work hand in hand.A year ago, Glenmark and Sanofi had in fact already announced a similar agreement (upfront payment, milestones and royalties) of up to $ 325 million for the development and commercialization of new molecules, including GRC 15300. This molecule is in Phase I clinical trials in the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain and osteoarthritic pain.

With this new license agreement, Sanofi like to continue on a policy to acquire new products, while sharing the risks inherent in medical research. If successful, it would allow Sanofi to expand in Crohn's disease, a condition in which the need for therapeutic innovation is important. Indeed, current treatments do not allow patients to cure the disease but simply to control and limit the debilitating symptoms associated with it.In France, this disease affects about 1 in 1000, approximately 60,000 patients potentially affected. The young biotech company Neovacs also working on this disease, and is currently conducting a clinical phase I / II drug candidate TNF Kinoid. Biotech has introduced about a year ago on Alternext to find the funds needed to develop its product.

At the Paris Bourse, the announcement of Sanofi has been rather well received, clinching the title 0.41%, to nearly 54 euros in a bear market. Since the beginning of the action of the pharmaceutical company rose 12.85%.

Ducati motorcycles in renaissance

Saturday, May 14th, 2011

Ducati is back. Buffeted by the crisis in 2009, the Italian manufacturer of sport bikes up to the outposts. After a record 5,600 units sold in April – the best month ever for Ducati – this niche brand plans to increase its deliveries of 2,011 to 43,000 bikes against 36,000 last year.

To maintain momentum, the group, which owns 8.7% of the global market sportbikes, has implemented such a plan based on continued international expansion. Foreign markets already account for 75% of production, the United States, second country after Italy, already account for 18%.Soon, an assembly plant to Asia will be inaugurated in Thailand and is considered an industrial plant in Brazil to supply South America.

Returned to Italy in 2005 after its takeover by the Alpine fund Investindustrial with the American TPG, small business Bologna (397 million turnover, 1050 people) claims the DNA of sports brands neighboring Emilia-Romagna Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini. A commercial asset, like the recruitment of Italian Grand Prix driver, Valentino Rossi, 9 times world champion.

The cost of competition, secrecy, is embedded in 40 million euros in investments, or about 9% of sales.This is not philanthropy: the good results increase awareness, can increase prices and boost profitability, the obsession with the brand free credit report and score.

A case study

"With an operating margin of 18% in 2010, we are the most profitable manufacturer in Europe," says CEO Gabriele Del Torchio. This margin was only 8.9% in 2006. This improvement obtained after an initial strategic plan (2006-2010) has not gone unnoticed. Since January 1, where Ducati is taught at the London Business School. The search for competitive suppliers in Asia, the increased efficiency of the workforce, halving the cost of warranty (5 million), the removal of some models have improved the financial situation.

To return to the forefront, Ducati has used the same recipe as Harley Davidson, whose record of profitability has exceeded 20%.As the U.S. firm, the Italian brand has focused on the evolution of a single type of engine and high margins. An example? The newest, the Diavel, designed by Harley customers attracted to cost more than EUR 20 000.

The prestige also boosts the price of accessories (25 million turnover in 2010) and derivatives such as clothing (18 million). Licensing agreements were signed, notably with the American Porter Tumi (5 million).

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Greece Tripping the CAC 40

Monday, May 9th, 2011

The sessions will follow, but does not resemble the Paris Bourse. The CAC 40 is up in the red on Monday, after climbing from 1.33% Monday, following good U.S. job figures released Friday. The index in Paris dropped by 1.25% to end 4007.26 points at closing and narrowly saves the threshold of 4000 points which had been lost during the day.

The other European financial centers retreating in unison. The Dax in Frankfurt Stock Exchange lost 1.09% to 7410.52 points and the London FTSE loose 0.57% to 5942.69 points.

S & P demoralizes markets

Poor market sentiment was caused by the decision of the rating agency Standard & Poor's on Monday lowered by two notches the rating of Greece, due to the increased likelihood of debt restructuring .It also warned it could further lower.

The rating of the country's long term debt is reduced to "B" cons "BB-", which meant that Greece became deeply into the category of unreliable borrowers. His short-term debt is rated for its part "C" cons "B" before, according to a news agency. These ratings remain on negative watch, meaning that the agency could decide quickly lower them again. S & P said its decision on the fact that governments in the euro area, which have agreed to postpone the due date for repayment of their loans to Greece, could be tempted to demand a similar effort on the part of private creditors the country.

After this announcement, the euro goes off in decline against the dollar, trading at 1.4287 dollars at the close of European markets.

Investor sentiment decline

On the macroeconomic front, Bank of France (BoF) provides a first estimate of growth of 0.5% in the second quarter of this year. BdF anticipates a 0.7% gross domestic product for the first quarter.

The business survey from the Bank of France reported a moderate increase in activity in industry in April.The business climate indicator in industry decreased by three points to 107 while in services it has dropped one point to 102.

Investor sentiment in the euro zone fell again in May, with an index standing at 10.9 after 14.2 in April and 17.1 in March, the monthly survey showed Monday from research firm Sentix .

Financial stocks unscrew

Financial stocks post steepest declines in the CAC 40, while the financial situation of Greece worried, so much so that a new EU aid is getting ready by 2012. AXA (-3.52% to 14.65 euros) is an outlier of the index. It is followed by BNP Paribas (-2.74% to 52.94 euros), Societe Generale (-2.62% to 42.18 euros), Credit Agricole (-2.58% to 10.75 euros) and Natixis (-2.30% to 3.81 euros).

Rumors of transfer and acquisition for Lafarge at GDF Suez

CNP Assurances: -3.60% to 14.73 euros

CNP Assurances reported Monday a net profit in the first quarter down 3.6% to 270 million euros, affected by a strong contraction in sales (-14.1%).

Lafarge: -1.31% to 45.07 euros

Lafarge and Anglo American want to sell 600 million pounds (680 million euros) in assets to their new joint British company, whose creation was announced last February, the Financial Times.

GDF Suez: -2.32% to 26.09 euros

GDF Suez wants to establish a renewable energy division and will consolidate its ten subsidiaries producing green energy in France, according to Les Echos.Also according to the economic daily, the group would be interested in the Italian Sorgenia, 52% owned by the holding of the CIR De Benedetti family and 45% by the Austrian Verbund.

Euler Hermes: -7.67% to 66.13 euros

The credit insurance group Euler Hermes has done in the first quarter 2011 net income rose 58.2% to 75.3 million euros thanks to the continued recovery of the global economy observed in 2010. Turnover increased 7.6% to 544.1 million euros.

Iliad (Free): -0.31% to 87.55 euros

Numericable could announce the launch of a mobile telephone within 40 euro on Wednesday as well and hunt on the land of the Free (Iliad). The mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that rents the network Bouygues Telecom is the origin of the site larevolutiondumobile.com.The group has denied wanting to launch an unlimited mobile plan.

On the podium of the largest increases Cac 40 include Alcatel Lucent (3.80% to 4.36 euros), STMicroelectronics (1.31% to 8.12 euros) and Accor (0.90 to 29% , 12 euros).

Vilmorin: + 1.40% to 86.95 euros

Vilmorin is up over 8% of its consolidated revenues for the year which ends in late June, when he was counting on this to 7%. The group also announced an operating margin target of 13% throughout the year, against 10.3% in 2009-2010.

Technip: 1.26% to 71.79 euros

Technip won a contract worth approximately EUR 55 million from Statoil for the development of the Vigdis field NE, located in the Norwegian Sea.The contract includes the supply of pipes to be installed by mid-2012 in water depths of 220 to 310 meters.

Air France-KLM: -1.91% to 12.04 euros

The passenger traffic of Air France-KLM jumped 23.1% in April, an increase that is "not significant" compared to April 2010 during which the European sky was blocked by the eruption of an Icelandic volcano, said Monday the airline group. In the past month, Air France-KLM carried 6.36 million passengers (+28%).

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ICL sees its transition to free

Saturday, May 7th, 2011

LCI she will soon be a free DTT channel? The matter is under study in TF1 wants to preserve one of its jewels. The first group of private television has quietly begun consulting the public to know under what conditions this could be changing.

The proposed solution is the demand in good and due form the High Council of Audiovisual (CSA) changes of the Convention on LCI pay channel free channel. What embarrasses the regulator, because the operation is not without risk and "give rise to litigation," promises an expert of the file.

TF1 pleads for the public interest and diversity of information in television. But critics denounce them, "a substantial modification if it completely changes the LCI media landscape." And everybody will go before the State Council.Government side, we observe with interest the maneuver. The State has to settle the sensitive issue of bonus channels, the passage of free LCI could be a good way to calm the war between TF1, M6 and Canal + since it unveiled its draft Canal20 free channel. In exchange for the rescue of LCI, TF1 calm his opposition to the arrival of new competitors.

Finding new advertising revenue

Canal + has been very clear make quick cash. This is not about to pay 15 million euros per year for LCI is only CanalSat. Bertrand Meheut, CEO of Canal + 'the info is now free. " Canal + in fact no longer wants to put money on the table to distribute news channel competing with its own channel i-Tele. According to observers, Canal + could just pay 2 million euros per year. This will leave a hole in the finances of LCI.Especially as Numericable is preparing, in turn, reduce by half the fee of 5 million. Consequently, LCI, which is already losing 5.8 million euros for a turnover of 42.7 million must find the money. The news channel is currently negotiating distribution for all IPTV operators but this is not enough to offset the loss of the amount of Canal +.

If LCI chooses to stay free, we must find twenty million of additional advertising revenue to balance its accounts. But the market is crowded by BFM TV which has a total turnover of 34.5 million euros and i-Tele.

Bin Laden, a fortune dedicated to terrorism

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Difficult to assess the fortunes of Osama bin Laden, as the opacity of its funding sources has always prevailed. Before the attacks of September 11, 2001, the financial empire's founder and leader of al-Qaida announced until his death last night, was estimated between 30 and … $ 300 million. Only certainty, the first pillar of the wealth of terrorism based on the legacy of his father.

Mohammed bin Laden, Osama's father, made his fortune in construction and public works. At the latter's death in 1967, the leader of al-Qaeda share the inheritance with her 54 brothers and sisters. In all, Osama Bin Laden "received between 12 and 15 million dollars" between 1974 and 1994, according to Yeslam bin Laden, one of his half-brothers.

Present in 35 countries

Some of the funding received has been reinvested in other companies in Saudi Arabia or Sudan, thereby making a profit.Osama bin Laden had created a parent company, Wadi al Aqiz, head of a network of numerous legal societies and implanted in nearly thirty-five countries.

The Ladin International Company, an import and export, Taba Investment and Hijra Construction Company, specializing in construction are among the largest subsidiaries of the businessman terrorist. But these companies also served as cover for militants of al-Qaida. They fund training camps or buying weapons and receive "gifts" from Islamic banks branched through accounts and offshore tax havens.

From multinationals to SMEs

With the end of the first Gulf War in 1991, and the installation of U.S. bases on Saudi soil, Bin Laden decided to conduct a holy war against the United States. Replica of Washington and its alies: its funds are now tracked.Bin Laden fled to Sudan from 1994 to 1996. He bought land, invested in small business. Like the international financial network created in the 1980s, these companies often have two facets. Peanut farm houses a terrorist training site.

Managed well, business does not rotate at best. Bin Laden is forced to lower wages and to sell certain subsidiaries. No matter: "Terrorism is a low cost business," writes the Wall Street Journal in September 2001. If the September 11 attack has cost 400,000 to 500,000 dollars, the 1993 bombing against the World Trade Center would need $ 10,000.

Afghan exile

Expelled from Sudan in 1996 under pressure from the Americans, bin Laden returned to Afghanistan. The Sudanese government expropriated the terrorist during flight, according to the report of the American Committee of Inquiry on September 11.This second exile seems to coincide with increased financial difficulties on the ground. The branch of al-Qaida in London would have experienced problems paying their phone bills. For many decades, "Bin Laden has engaged in activities that eat money, but do not create," says the Saudi dissident Muhammad al-Massari, quoted by the Wall Street Journal.

Still, bin Laden also benefits from the charity to Muslims around the world, but that they know so far that their donations would be used to finance terrorism. According to a diplomatic report from 2009 revealed by Wikileaks, the Americans suspect of private foundations in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar to finance terrorism without limit. The villa in which Bin Laden has spent his last days, near Islamabad, is estimated at nearly one million dollars.

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