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Accommodation: aid refocused

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

In full preparation of the Finance Act 2012, the government wants to reform the system help to improve the energy quality of housing. The daily Les Echos, the measures will be refocused to encourage the most effective work.

The reform provides for the extension of the tax credit for sustainable development – given to households who install a heat pump or insulate their roof … – Until 31 December 2015. The credit will be enhanced even when the fireplace combine the installation of multiple devices. The Department of Ecology has also provided several scenarios in which the tax benefit may be increased to 50% instead of 13% to 45% today awarded based on the equipment installed.For roof insulation, for example, the owner will add those walls and piping fast cash advance loan.

The return of accumulated tax credit – eco-PTZ

Canceled earlier this year, the cumulative tax credit and an eco-interest loan will become possible, under certain conditions. The government plans an income ceiling set at 30,000 euros annually. In addition, households will still opt for the tax credit or the interest-free loan. The repayment period of the latter will also be extended to 15 years instead of 10 now.

In against part of the aid extended, the government will however reduce the benefits to other work. The list of eligible acts will be tightened, and a movement of the plane of 10% will be applied to the current subsidy rate.

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Savers: Do not panic, but concern about the risks

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

"Customers are asking us if they have to worry about. To reassure them, we remind the facts, we communicate on our exposure to Greece … our profitability, "said Jean-François Sammarcelli, Network Manager of Societe Generale France. He said the withdrawals are not more important than usual, as the bank continues to attract savings … but the wealthiest clients shall, as a precaution, to spread their cash across multiple institutions. "Those other banks have the same reaction. We therefore also take this opportunity, "he adds. This is a situation that the banks had already known in 2008.

In every European bank, customers benefit because in case of bankruptcy of a guarantee on their deposits: checking account, savings plans, deposit accounts, or bank books (excluding Livret A, guaranteed by the state).But it is capped at 100,000 euros per person.

In France, it is provided by the Guarantee Fund deposits, which now has … two billion euros. Obviously too small a sum to compensate customers of a major bank. "The fund is one of the best capitalized in Europe. And he may at any time raise additional capital or borrow from banks, "says Thierry Dissaux, CEO of the Guarantee Fund deposits. In practice, its mission is primarily to avoid the worst, by participating in the rescue of troubled institutions before it is too late.

Life insurance affected?

And it is ultimately the more reassuring for the French: none imagine that the state gives up a large bank low fee payday advance. The debate, which opened this weekend on the assumption of a partial nationalization in point.Some investors wonder, them, especially the fate of their contract of life insurance. Although insurers claim to have little Greek bonds, a default of Athens served diminish returns to investors. Yields as affected by the collapse of the Exchange.

Insurers also hold, in proportions much larger government borrowing Italian or Spanish. If concerned about this exposure to sovereign debt, and disappointed by the declining returns of their investment favorite, the French withdrew their money en masse, insurers could be forced to sell their assets at the worst time. "We're not there. Withdrawals from the contracts increases for two years, partly because the holders of life insurance age and draw on their savings to finance their retirement, "said Chistophe Eberle, President Optimind, actuarial consulting firm.But insurers still manage the risk. "In 2008, the drying up of liquidity in the markets had led to withdrawals from the contracts. In our funds in euros, so we decided to keep cash in the interests served by our bond portfolios, to be ready to face any withdrawals, "says Sonia Fendler, General Heritage.

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Gucci ready to accelerate its expansion in China

Sunday, September 11th, 2011

Nanning, capital of the Guangxi region on the border of Vietnam, is the thirty-second Chinese city in which Gucci is settled in a few weeks. After opening nine stores in mainland China last year, and as much this year, including Gucci has 48 stores in late December, seven times more than in 2005.

At the time, François-Henri Pinault, PPR's CEO, decided to focus on China so that Gucci will catch up with Vuitton. "We still have room for significant expansion for store openings, says François-Henri Pinault. And to establish ourselves in cities where we are still not present. "If Beijing and Shanghai seem saturated with luxury boutiques, the potential is huge elsewhere in China.

News consumption

According to McKinsey, the growth of the Chinese luxury market, which will reach 19.5 billion euros in 2015 (against 7.4 billion in 2008), comes to nearly 80% of new consumers of luxury goods. And three-quarters of the 2.8 million new wealthy families (annual disposable income above 25 000 euros) will be living outside China's major cities. Gucci could increase the number of openings next year, and opened more than ten stores, including several in new cities. A figure that PPR declined to comment, but said a plan to finish Hothot (Inner Mongolia) in 2013.

"In some mining towns, just 2,000 wealthy individuals to establish a customer, provides Mimi Chang, the owner of the luxury division for Asia.We offer a VIP service to everyone. "

Gucci is present in cities (Chongqing, Guiyang, Hefei, Changzhou, Jinan, Shijiazhuang), where Louis Vuitton, the world's leading brand of luxury, has not printed the monogram direct payday lenders. The subsidiary of LVMH has instead decided to take a break from the pace of openings in China, preferring to expand some existing shops (38 in 28 cities in mainland China), to present all its collections, with, Also bags and luggage, ready-to-wear, shoes and watches, sometimes more than 1000 square meters. One way to avoid repeating the mistake made by some brands in the 1990s in Japan. "Gucci has not enough history to be strong in all categories of products and open many flagships, says François-Henri Pinault.But perhaps we will open in the future. "Gucci prefer open shops only 400 square meters, with only the supply of leather goods, as well as outlets that are only offering men and children. "We prefer the shops not very large and welcoming with huge stores and cold," said François-Henri Pinault.

The strategy is complicated to implement. Not only because it is difficult to find sites for boutiques in secondary cities. But also because consumer habits are different.If the Chinese fans prefer the luxury of more and more high-end pieces, leather and discreet, the new rich want to see success with products at affordable prices in fabric and adorned with logos.

Purchasers of Gucci China, who go five times a year in Florence, the birthplace of the brand, to make their selection, must make the splits. The range varies from store to store. Gucci watch to keep a wide range to suit all tastes of luxury, design special pieces for the Chinese market and seasonal products. Objective: To deter the Chinese to defer their purchases while traveling in Europe, where prices are 15-20% lower due to the lack of import tax.

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The United States would release 300 billion for employment

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

At a time when European governments are in turn in place policies of fiscal restraint, the United States seems to them the choice of stimulus. Concordant sources, Barack Obama should indeed announce a plan for $ 300 billion (about EUR 213 billion) to boost employment and growth.

For now, the Obama administration has not officially given details on this program to support the economy promised on August 15 which outlines what must be unveiled Thursday by the head of the White House.But according to CNN, during his speech to Congress which will be broadcast on television, U.S. President should mainly announce new tax cuts for the fight against unemployment, which appears to 9.1% in August United States.

Likely lower expenses

The Bloomberg said that the taxes acquitées by workers expected to decline by 2% on 31 December. Expenses paid by employers should also be reduced. The agency adds that the program should also include new public spending on infrastructure construction next year.

The Federal Government should also give direct aid to states and local communities credit reports free. Bloomberg said that the aid would go through the suspension of staff redundancy programs in hospital emergency rooms and teachers.Education is expected as an important part of the speech of Barack Obama.

These new expenditures should be fully offset by budget cuts, which will be specified by the head of the White House, says CNN. But according to Bloomberg, to fund these new measures, Barack Obama should prompt Congress to offset the costs of job creation in the short term by new taxes on income in the longer term. According to Bloomberg, the president of the United States should present the proposed budget cut next week to members of Congress charged with finding a way to reduce government debt.Barack Obama and succeed in reconciling policy stimulus and lower budget deficits, Bush is indeed bound by a program to reduce the deficit over time.

To a higher VAT for luxury hotels?

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

Wednesday, the Finance Committee has removed one of the measures of the austerity plan of government: the increase in VAT from 5.5% to 19.6% in the theme parks. Problem: this increase was to bring 90 million euros annually to the state. Gilles Carrez, the UMP rapporteur of the Budget to the Assembly, has devised a solution to compensate this loss. It proposes to increase from 5.5% to 19.6% VAT for five-star hotels and palaces.

Gilles Carrez also wants to restore rebates on real estate gains for second homes and rental investment flexcheck cash advance. The reduction would be 5% per year after five years in prison, resulting in a total exemption after 25 years. In its austerity plan, the government abolished the previous reductions (10% per year after five years). MP seeks action to offset the cost that would be generated by the new allowance of 5%.

All these measures are only proposals. They can not see the day that if affirmative vote of deputies and senators at the meeting.

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Golden Rule: "Protecting the French"

Sunday, August 28th, 2011

LE FIGARO – The government introduced this week its plan to redress public finances. The crisis of this summer did she raised awareness about the need to seize the arms at the waist?

Valerie PÉCRESSE – It has been four years since we conduct a rigorous, freezing state spending, by not replacing an employee on two retiring and controlling health care costs. Before the fall of Lehman Brothers in the summer of 2008, the government planned a deficit of 1.7% of GDP in 2009, a level which France would have reduced its debt! This proves that without the crisis, we would have deficits very limited. But in 2009, the deficit was actually 7.5% of GDP. The crisis changed everything (lower revenues, higher social spending, stimulus needed).When I hear the socialists say that two-thirds of the deficit comes from our economic policy decisions, I say that all European governments and the United States, as we faced the crisis and that the French debt increased less that on average our neighbors.

Do not you turn the austerity?

No. The austerity, it would have been to raise taxes for all the French, to lower the salaries of officials and social benefits. Our budget is a realistic budget that allows us to move forward on the path to debt reduction. By providing a deficit of 5.7% of GDP this year, 4.5% in 2012, 3% in 2013 and 2% in 2014, we have a credible path and we are taking another step. The rating agencies also believe, and for this we note that AAA.Now you will have noticed that we have revised down our growth forecasts for 2011 and 2012 to 1.75%. Take to achieve this trajectory despite the slowdown, it is necessary to make an additional $ 11 billion by the end of 2012. With Baroin, we proposed to the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister effort equitably, inspired by our social beliefs Gaullists. Everyone will be involved, but we will require more large companies and SMEs and more affluent households to the rest of the French.

How such a plan does not it weigh on growth?

We looked for the right mix of efforts to reduce deficits by protecting the jobs and growth. Because our policy is based on three pillars: the recovery of accounts and the debt that nurture confidence and thus growth.A historic investment in research and innovation through the research tax credit and investment for the future. And finally, structural reforms: pension reform, university autonomy, modernization of the state, etc.. All this increases the potential growth. It is these three pillars together that will allow France to emerge stronger from the crisis.

You announced a tax of 3% of earnings over 500,000 euros. Is this a level that you feel "extravagant"?

500,000 euros per person, a very high level of income. Between the tax on high incomes, higher payroll taxes on savings and the elimination of discounts on real estate gains, wealthier households will contribute a total of 3.7 billion.By raising taxes on savings, we compare the taxation of pa6trimoine that of labor income.

Of the 11 billion effort that you announce for 2012, corresponding to 10 billion tax increases. The State has happened after what he could do to reduce the expense?

No, because we will work with legislators to find additional savings of one billion next year. Through our reforms, we save 16 billion euros in government expenditure and for the first time since 1945 the payroll of the state will drop in 2012 because we have eliminated 150,000 jobs between 2007 and 2012 public. We need to continue structural reforms to go further: education, competitiveness and taxation, etc..The debate comes as part of the presidential election.

Should we expect new measures in the draft budget law in 2012 that you will present at the end of September?

The measures are on the table. The debate will engage with parliamentarians. I will be attentive to their proposals.

With the plan that you announced and the path of deficit that results, do you still need a "golden rule"?

It is always easier to meet its commitments when there are rules. We held the non-replacement of an official two retiring or freezing in the value of departmental spending, because we set the rules. The "golden rule" would protect the French of all political uncertainties. It is a seat belt. Remember that we are entering an election campaign, when all the promises reckless.If the Socialist Party wants to do, at least he will have to put the revenue required in the face. Empower the Constitutional Council to reject a budget that does not respect the commitments is a very important step. By refusing the helping hand of government on the "golden rule", the French Socialists isolate themselves from their European counterparts rather than inspiration.

After Germany, the UK signed an agreement with Switzerland that allows Brits having an undeclared account in Switzerland to remain anonymous while putting himself in good standing with the IRS. The Swiss bank levies a tax on the account, then tax it pays to the British state without giving names.France, she will follow this example?

We will study this question by examining the agreements signed by Germany and the UK to see if they are compatible with our republican principles: such agreements should allow for example the lifting of secrecy in Switzerland, when requested by a French judge. Our principles are not negotiable.

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Tour operators rely on "all-inclusive"

Friday, August 19th, 2011

Buffets and unlimited sports, entertainment for adults, kids club for children … A holiday in the card, no surprises. Everything is organized and paid for before reaching the full support from the airport.

In times of crisis more than ever, all inclusive, hallmark of Club Med, like and secure. Most tour operators would be more or less inspired to develop offers "house" all inclusive stays in hotels with different price points.

"The" all inclusive "is part of the DNA of Club Med. It is the heart of our product, said Anne Yannic, executive director of markets France, Belgium and Switzerland at Club Med. In a difficult economic environment, it is a reassuring promise. The formula has developed significantly since the financial crisis of 2008.All tour operators now offer all-inclusive club package. But the positioning high-end all-inclusive Club Med is unique. No one offers such a quality of service, except perhaps a few luxury hotels, but offer user-friendly that is also a hallmark of the Club. "

According to Patrice Caradec, CEO of Transat France (Look Voyages), the number of hotels clubs offered for French customers from 200 to 400 in five years. "Ten years ago, when ten French went in with a beach holiday tour operator, five opted for a formula club hotel, all inclusive, he says. Today is September Eventually, we will not sell more than that! "

Look Voyages already carries 75% of its sales in its 34 clubs Lookéa. These clubs are independent hotels from 150 to 200 rooms.Look Voyages ensures the filling of 80%, by signing contracts with their owners at least three years. Its own teams (10 to 20 people per club) make the animation.

Higher margins for tour operators

"With the Internet, which causes them to spend more and more tour operator, the formula is the most relevant, offering the best quality / price ratio, ensures Laurent Laforest, director of marketing for Look Voyages online cash advance. Club Med, which was once the preserve of the product club (animations, user-friendly, sports, child care), was copied by tour operators and hoteliers themselves. But the concept of club is not regulated, you can find everything and anything.The challenge is how to make its mark as a guarantee. "

This summer, for example, Thomas Cook France sells 72 hotels clubs (27 clubs Eldorador, the brand more upscale, 15 Villages Thomas Cook, 20 Aquatour clubs for customers in northern France, 10 Jumbo clubs, positioned entry ). "In deciding to go on the high end, Club Med has left a very important market segment. We have a lot of customers who come to us because Club Med has become too expensive for them, says Denis Wathier, Chairman of Thomas Cook France. The goal is a hundred clubs in two years. With the emergence of the Internet, tour operators must have something unique to offer. "

Another advantage is that the profitability of the formula."From the moment you sell a concept where you put the value added (animations, buffets, a specific decoration …) you can afford to sell the service more expensive, with higher margins," Wathier says Denis.

According to Laurent Laforest, clubs attract mainly couples (70% of customers) and families with children. "In a travel market in crisis, it is the segment that is resistant to the best tailor-made high-end", says he. "The demand increases and supply the following at the expense of traditional hotels, which are easily found on the Internet without going through tour operators," said Denis Wathier.

Obama has not been able to preserve the Wall Street panic

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

At the opening of Wall Street, U.S. indices posted immediately red (around 3%). And losses have widened throughout the session. Accentuating even further their descent, the indices have hurt Barack Obama's speech, who spoke to 20 hours Paris time, the Nasdaq has lost more than 6.5% shortly after the speech. And bad mood has not dimmed until the closing bell on the contrary, the end of the session was sprotive. Finally, the Dow Jones appears falling from 5.55% to 10,809.85 points. This is the first time since October that the index feature finishes below 11,000 points, its worst day in percentage terms since December 2008, a dark period for the financial sector.

The Nasdaq, even punished, won 6.90% to 2357.69 points, while the S & P tumbles 6.66% to 1119.46 points.On Monday, European markets have dropped out late in the session, while the Asian markets, have also, finished the day on heavy folds.

When Barack Obama spoke in an attempt to reassure the markets, investors do not stop selling. Worse, they pressed the pedal and drop is even more markets. "The United States still deserve note 'AAA'," said Monday night during a speech Barack Obama, on the downgrade of U.S. debt Friday by the rating agency Standard and Poor's. The U.S. president also defended the credit of the United States but acknowledged a deficit problem. Barack Obama, however, that the economic challenge was surmountable but require political will.

Nothing to do."The deterioration in the rating of the United States is clearly the catalyst for the drop in markets today, but is not the reason, according to Michael Sheldon, chief strategy officer at RDM Financial. Degradation is simply evidence that the U.S. has problems. "

Gold still a step higher, oil falls below $ 82

Witness the panic in the markets, gold has posted yet another record high and rose 4.25% to 1722 dollars an ounce at 20:30, before returning to 1717 dollars to 22 hours. Oil, however, has dropped by more than 6% Monday in New York, their lowest levels since November.On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for September delivery finished the session at 81.31 dollars, down 5.57 dollars or 6.4% on Friday.

Paradoxically, U.S. bond rates continue to decline, those same 10 years falling by 8.5% melting at 2.339% against 2.558% Friday. Good to 30 years returned to 3.663% against 3.823%. However, after degradation much faster than expected by Standard & Poor's sovereign rating of the United States, which had never been subjected to such a penalty could have been expected to climb pay day loans. Sign that investors still believe that the U.S. still refer to the bond market.

Moody's said Monday it could, too, by 2013 reduce the debt rating of the United States if the fiscal and economic outlook deteriorated sharply.But she considers it possible in the meantime a new agreement in Washington to reduce the deficit.

Menu macro loaded, with the FOMC in dish

This week, the lower macroeconomic indicator to take the pulse of a threatened U.S. growth will be expected to turn to investors.

From Tuesday, the productivity of U.S. companies in the second quarter and will be scrutinized closely. The risk is to see it getting more than expected, resulting in a logical breakdown of the job. Consumer confidence is also on the menu. But the final communique of the Monetary Policy Committee of the U.S. Federal Reserve (FOMC), from that Tuesday night will go to the most crucial.

Analysts and investors are wondering already if further monetary easing, (3 or quantitative easing "EQ3") can get out.Unless it is an aid to banks, which could begin to experience problems of interbank liquidity, which is preferred. "In all cases, the reaction of short-term market is very uncertain …" says it does at Aurel BGC.

Friday, retail sales will be the second major economic meeting a week at high risk on financial markets worldwide. "The sales figures published by the values of the S & P 500 were clearly disappointing July, underline in this respect analysts Aurel BGC. But the report shows significant employment job creation in the distribution. A figure that looks very uncertain. "The trade balance in June should also be well attended.

Bank of America falls 20%

Meanwhile, the business side, the publications of interim results are less numerous and can only remember very little attention to markets, obsessed by the European and U.S. sovereign debt. Walt Disney reveals in particular accounts on Tuesday, ahead of Cisco in the matter and News Corp (Wednesday) and Nordstrom, Sara Lee, and Kohls (Thursday), and finally JC Penney (Friday).

American International Group (AIG: -9.92% to 22.61 dollars) continues Bank of America (-20.07% to 6.53 dollars), calling him more than $ 10 billion (7 billion euros) losses related to mortgages, it said in the text of the complaint.According to this document, which Reuters obtained a copy, AIG believes it was misled by the bank about securities backed by mortgages, which caused losses. The insurer wants to sue Bank of America to the Supreme Court of the State of New York in Manhattan.

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The Cac 40 worried about global growth

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

After losing more than 8% over the last seven meetings, the CAC 40 is on track to record an eighth consecutive day of decline. The stock market opened down 1.16% at 3473.36 points, reaching levels not seen since August 2010.

On other European financial centers, the Footsie-100 from the London Stock Exchange 1.50% to 5632.57 loose points, the DAX 30 Frankfurt Stock Exchange lost 1.66% to 6684.24 points, the FTSE MIB the Milan Stock Exchange drops 2.43% to 16,852.90 points, the Ibex 35 of the Madrid Stock Exchange gives 0.90% to 9032 points, the PSI 20 of the Lisbon Stock Exchange was down 0.86% to 6569, 24 points.

Juncker meets with Italian Minister of Finance

The European sovereign debt and U.S. continue to weigh heavily on the trend. Yield spreads between bonds to ten years Spanish and Italian over German bonds widen.They stood at 402 basis points respectively (13 bps) and 386 basis points (12 bps). Italy and Spain are again under pressure from the markets fear a contagion of debt. Their governments are mobilizing to stem the panic even if Brussels has ruled out any discussion of a bailout for those countries. The Italian Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti talks in Luxembourg on Wednesday with the leader of the euro zone, Jean-Claude Juncker.

China increasingly perplexed vis-à-vis the dollar

Investors also remain worried about the strength of U.S. growth. And, although the Senate has ratified Tuesday the plan to raise the debt ceiling. Insufficient agreement by Moody's which could lower the rating of the country.The closing down sharply on Wall Street Tuesday night also confirms the markets in their choice to continue to withdraw.

China, for its part welcomed the adoption of very hard this plan. Beijing said it would continue to limit its dependence on the dollar, whereas the U.S. has failed to defuse "the bomb of debt." The rating agency Dagong China in the wake downgraded American. Wednesday morning, Asian stock markets, with the exception of Shanghai, changing all down sharply.

Eurozone: activity in services slows further

On the macroeconomic front, the growth of activity in the services sector continued to slow in July to register their slowest pace since March 2010. The PMI index reached 54.2 against 56.1 in June.

The same goes for the euro area and for Germany: the composite index stood at 52.5 against 56.3 respectively in June and 51.1 against 53.3 in June.

For the euro area, growth in manufacturing in July (10:00) and numbers of retail in June (11:00) are also scheduled.

In the U.S., investors will also pay attention to employment figures in the private sector in July (2:15 p.m.), the industrial orders in June (16 hours), the ISM services in the month July (16 hours) and weekly inventory of crude oil (16.30).

Bic flies, Societe Generale sinks

Air France-KLM: -2.40% to 7.64 euros

The airline plans to delays or cancellations of flights, from Paris, following a strike by technicians responsible for maintenance of its aircraft.

Total: -1.15% to 36.37 euros

The oil company and its CEO Christophe de Margerie were returned to correctional late July for "active corruption" in the investigation into the UN program "Oil against food" in Saddam Hussein's Iraq from 1996 to 2003 officials said a judicial source.

Danone: -0.54% to 49.24 euros

The dairy group has unveiled a proposed acquisition of 250 million euros in nutrition in India to expand into the Indian markets for infant nutrition and medical purposes.

Societe Generale: -5.41% to 30.74 euros

The bank chaired by Frédéric Oudéa posted net income down 31% to 747 million because of writedowns on loans Greek past.Greece forced Societe Generale has given up its goal of net profit of 6 billion euros in 2012.

Crédit Agricole: -2.38% to 7.80 euros

The bank said it had sold its commercial finance Eurofactor in Britain to GE Capital.

Suez Environnement: -0.48% to 12.52 euros

The group specializes in water management and waste released on Wednesday a net profit down 43% to 221 million euros in the first half. Suez Environnement, however, reaffirmed its financial targets for 2011-2013.

Bic: 3.89% to 63.89 euros

Bic raised its growth target for the division of pens, lighters and disposable razors, to "greater than 5%" against up to 5%.Instead, the group anticipates a decline of about 10% growth for its advertising and promotional products division against 5% previously.

Hermes: -1.77% to 239.30 euros

The Association for the Defence of Minority Shareholders (Adam) wonders why the saddle spends as much to buy back its own shares, whose price has reached a new record this week, said Tuesday its president Colette Neuville.

Renault: -2.01% to 34.65 euros, Peugeot: -4.02% to 23.3 euros

American manufacturers have announced their sales figures on Tuesday night. Chrysler reported a 20% increase in sales of new cars in the U.S. in July, while Ford saw its own increase by 9%.

Accor: -1.53% to 28.38 euros

Accor announced the signing of the sale of catering group Lenôtre Sodexo following the favorable opinion of the works councils of both groups.

After-hours trading, Vilmorin and Cegedim must publish their annual turnover for the first and second quarters respectively.

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Cyber attacks: an exorbitant cost

Saturday, July 2nd, 2011

The numbers are staggering. In Germany, the financial damage caused by cyber crime amounted to 61.5 million euros in 2010, according to figures released Thursday by the criminal police and the Federation of high tech Bitkom. This is equivalent to an increase of 66% over the previous year. As the United States, the FBI estimated the cost of crime to some digital $ 560 million in 2009. A world-wide, according to McAfee, cyber crime would have generated some 1000 billion in 2008, about 1.64% of world GDP for that year. Remains that, without minimizing the scale of the scourge, these figures are perplexing.

Many experts give little credence to these studies because most of them emanate from computer security specialists. For the record, other than McAfee is the world number two antivirus software.In addition, "less than 10% of companies report having experienced cyber attacks," said Jean-Paul Pinte, senior lecturer in strategic intelligence at the Catholic University of Lille. According to the specialist risk management and cyber terrorists of enterprises affected societies fear the bad publicity due to media coverage of cyber attacks.

Jean-Paul Pinte, "we know nothing of the legacy and financial losses suffered indirectly." He added: "If an attack is to relieve a company of sensitive information, loss of data will generate multiple costs, such as loss of competitiveness, or the upgrading of security."

"Hard to get a comprehensive view"

Director of the National Security Information Systems (Anssi), Patrick Pailloux abounds in this direction."When a site is the victim of an attack, he takes as an example, it is first blocked, causing a shortfall. Then we must add additional costs to set up a hotline strengthened. "And on the practices of industrial espionage initiated via the Internet," How can we measure in terms of losses that a competitor could steal ?, "asks the director of Anssi. Clearly, "it is difficult to get a comprehensive view of the problem," says he.

Despite these criticisms, these figures are held up to each event on Cybercrime. However dated, the estimated one trillion dollars of McAfee is authoritative. Last May, it appeared even in the "reminder" of the fourth Parliamentary Forum on Information Society in Geneva, on the initiative, among others, the United Nations.Trompe-l'oeil, the text quoted a source stamped Europol, the pharmacy police intergovernmental European Union, which actually refers to the numbers … the software publisher.

If governments do not hesitate to chopping these impressive figures, it is often necessary to legitimize, but costly reinforcement of their agencies against digital piracy. Or clear, make the pill easier to swallow from taxpayers. In January, the UK has estimated that cyber attacks cost him a whopping 27 billion pounds per year (32.2 billion euros) in a government study.An amount (by far) greater than the harm claimed by the United States … A few days before making public figure, London has announced the release of 650 million pounds over four years to "strengthen its cyber security " freecreditscore…

International cooperation in the war-horse

Without waving the national figures, France is no exception, as evidenced by the announcement of piracy Bercy in March. Patrick Pailloux it was for the state to "lead by example" to encourage companies to report piracy they wipe. The Director of Anssi said that 150 computers were then infiltrated by hackers to steal documents for the French presidency of the G20. "We were able to counter the threat," he goes on, noting that thirty experts have been mobilized for two months to "clean up" more than 130,000 positions in the Department.A communication that is timely, since Anssi plans to double its workforce (360 employees) by 2013.

Such methods may be distasteful, but experts and politicians agree: there is no time to waste on the face of digital crime. "For a long time in France, we thought that hacking and computer intrusions were not really dangerous, says Jean-Paul Pinte. But now we know that it's become a real business, and that the threat can come from anywhere: a simple USB key, hard drives or even photocopiers, which, connected to the Internet can become the target of hackers ".

Therefore, international cooperation, which requires significant resources, is "a priority," insists Patrick Pailloux. And for good reason: "90% of attacks are international," says the director of Anssi.In the columns of The Tribune, Laurent Wauquiez, Minister for European Affairs, recently recalled that a hacker "can be installed in Latvia, while in France to intervene through a Canadian site." He even considers urgent that Europe adopts "a kind of cyber-FBI-backed Europol" to stem the digital crime. And one last statistic to shoot, ensuring that "a user of thirty lost money in Europe over the last year" due to a hacker.

Businesses, prey selection

Having surveyed 45 U.S. companies in 2010, the Ponemon Institute found that on average, the financial damage caused by hackers and data theft was $ 3.8 million.Like that of McAfee, this figure is to be taken lightly, as though Ponemon shows his independence, his study was commissioned by ArcSight, a specialist in digital security. However, it appears that large groups are increasingly being targeted by hackers. Since the beginning of the year, the list of companies or institutions that have suffered cyberattacks has continued to grow. Sony has suffered more than ten attacks since mid-April, leading to theft of confidential data of more than 1 million customer accounts. Recently, Sega has had the same misfortune: the editor of the series of Sonic hedgehog found in mid-June have been stolen names, email addresses, birth dates and passwords of almost 1.3 million customers on its servers.Google or Citigroup also suffered cyber attacks.

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