Posts Tagged ‘customer’

The benefit of EDF affected by provisions

Friday, July 30th, 2010

EDF has unveiled a new series of bleak, including the formalization of the two-year delay in the construction of the EPR Flamanville. In addition, the group's net profit plunged tricolor 46.9% in the first half to 1.66 billion euros, while analysts were betting, on average, profit of 2.57 billion euros. The group has indeed passed a provision to cover the risk of loss in value of its nuclear activities U.S. $ 1.1 billion. "This provision covers the risk of impairment of assets CEng, investment in Unistar and certain future costs and risks of the project, EDF will now continue his studies for the development of a new reactor at the Calvert Cliffs site, "said in a statement.

Sales and EBITDA exceed expectations

The energy company's EBITDA rose him, from 4.4% to 10.4 billion euros against 9.93 billion euros targeted by analysts. And the turnover amounted to 37.5 billion euros, up 7.7% and also above the expectations of experts, which amounted to 35.9 billion euros. The increase in sales figures is primarily due to acquisitions and CEng SPE, the company said.

EDF maintains its annual outlook

In terms of outlook, EDF has confirmed its objectives for the current year. It is thus an organic EBITDA growth of between 3% and 5%, a ratio of net debt / EBITDA of between 2.5 and 3, and a stable dividend.However, the company said it was a nuclear power between 405 TWh and 415 TWh in France for the whole year, with an availability target of its nuclear plants between 78.5% and 79.5 %. It had previously targeted a rate of availability of its French nuclear plants up 1.5 point "at least" in 2010 compared to 2009. This rate is crucial for the profitability of the group has been set at 85% over the medium term.

In addition, EDF has confirmed two information widely mentioned by the press. The electrician has announced a delay of two years starting from the EPR Flamanville cost of construction and re-evaluated at 5 billion euros.

On the other hand, the group said it has received an offer from Li Ka-shing on its UK business.The Hong Kong billionaire head of Cheung Kong Infrastructure offers 6.9 billion euros for the acquisition of the distribution network owned by EDF in the UK.

Total is preparing to reopen the plant in Dunkirk

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Although the proceedings before the High Court tribuanl Nanterre to challenge the decision of the Court of Appeal of Douai forcing it to reopen its Dunkirk refinery, although the activity will resume Monday at the Flanders refinery of the Total Group in Dunkirk .

According to the union South, "Total and bends to the court decision of the Court of Appeal of Douai, which ordered the restart of the refinery. The court ordered on June 30 to restart the Flanders refinery within 15 days under penalty of 100,000 euros per day of delay, for failure to inform employee representatives.

The oil company had decided to turn 12 July to lodge an appeal and to refer the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Nanterre to decide the merits of the case. A hearing must be held September 17.

"The degassing plant should begin from Monday.It is a prerequisite, whatever the scenario for the future of the refinery that is to say either restarting the activity or the implementation of the conversion plan of the site " , told Agence France Presse (AFP) A spokesman for Total. For employees, it is a "victory" and the "first step in restarting the site," said Philip Wullens in turn, delegate to the refinery south of Flanders.

The activity of the Flanders refinery were interrupted in September 2009 before the March 8 management confirms its final decision, citing overcapacity in France.The employees went on strike on 12 January to protest against the lack of information about their future.

All of the 367 employees and subcontractors are expected to resume work on Monday in 14 hours, said Philip Wullens, stating that "the moment the picket line facilities will be maintained on the site."

The operations consist of evacuating the degassing units and pipes in the refinery, gas and existing products, which were introduced in September to maintain the facilities in state. "This will take several weeks or months, and will be followed by an inspection to determine if the site is again able to operate safely," said Executive Officer of Total.

In the meantime, "the full strength and all subcontractors will be maintained.This is not negligible, and for us, is above all a great relief, "said Philip Wullens yet. He added: However, "we remain very vigilant regarding the implementation of the restart and continued litigation.

Lagarde freeze gas prices

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

The Regulatory Commission (CRE) had just agreed to the request of GDF Suez to raise gas prices as of July 1. They grow by 4.7%, bringing the increase to nearly 15% since the beginning of the year. Although this further increase was expected, the household energy bill begins to weigh.

However, Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economy, warned Friday that gas prices will not move until January 1. Consumers will escape upwards so that additional sketched already by 1 October – the price revision is now making quarterly.

The "pause" as required by the Minister is made on behalf of a review of the formula that currently GDF Suez to calculate its rates. In spring, the regulator had already begun an audit. It will therefore continue, before the drawing, probably new method of calculation.Knowing that GDF Suez is currently conducting a number of renegotiations with producer countries. 'I hope that the CRE do an audit of this formula because I'm quite surprised at the speed of execution and I wish that as a result of this audit, we determine if the formula is good, "said Friday Christine Lagarde on France Inter.

"The current tariff is not obsolete, but it can be optimized," says one expert dossier.In discussion, the long-term contracts underlying the supply of GDF Suez (with key suppliers such as Russia, Algeria and Norway), while the spot price of gas fall very weakly into account in calculating the formula.

The government takes the hand

"On a more general issue is whether to continue to index the price of oil on gas prices, even though overproduction of gas worldwide has resulted in a fall prices, "says one expert. However, increased consideration of market prices in the establishment of the formula may increase the volatility of the prices. In all cases, the balance is difficult to find.

For government, the issue of gas prices remains thorny.Early this year he thought he had found a solution by entrusting exclusively to the regulator, on the proposal of GDF SUEZ, the task of settling. But after two significant increases in quick succession, the government, well aware of the unpopular side of the increases among the public, are now forced to return to the game

Titles restaurant to pay its yoghurt

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

Employees benefiting from restaurant vouchers will soon lunch a pleasant change. Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economy, hopes to "quickly" to sign a decree extending the application of this method of payment in convenience stores, super and hypermarkets.All fruit and vegetables and dairy products (milk carton of yogurt to cheese through) can be resolved in this way.

Specifically, holders of securities (Ticket Restaurant, Cheque restaurant, lunch voucher, voucher table) may offer yogurt and fruit as a breakfast without these products come with a "heart meal (sandwich, casserole fresh, frozen or canned, prepared salads and salad), as set up a charter in force since 1 March between retail and restaurant National Securities Commission (NTRC).

This text, which limits the use to two titles per checkout, had framed the scope of application of restaurant vouchers. The purchase of dairy products was already in effect accompany the famous "heart of meals."The next order will make lawful use hitherto only tolerated at the margin (the purchase of dairy products) and expand the use of meal voucher for the purchase of all fruits and vegetables, not only those immediately consumable. This means that a basket of securities paid restaurant may contain raw vegetables such as broccoli and potatoes … In the entourage of Christine Lagarde, one highlights the benefits of this extension for both health and for the agricultural sector.

"The ink is barely dry, it says, however Bercy. We are awaiting the official presentation of the report of the Working Group. "The latter was established in March, due to abuses in the supermarkets.Some users of securities not hesitate to make part of their grocery shopping with this method of payment, while the system is designed to enable employees, in particular SMEs, to pay their lunch to tax-advantaged, like those enjoyed by employees of large companies often have an in-house restaurant.

The restaurateurs are preparing to respond

Another important point Bercy wants to increase very significantly the number of outlets which can be used for the restaurant vouchers to spend from 4,000 to 10,000.These guidelines are intended to clarify practices that have evolved in recent years.

In 2009, the share of debt redemption made to the restaurant food surfaces (hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores) reached 20%, according to the NTRC, exceeding for the first time that the "similar restaurants (bakeries, delicatessens and caterers) at 19%. Directly concerned, the traditional dining and fast, which became the lion's share (61%), waiting to know the exact contents of the decree to react.

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The business climate remains stable in March

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

The indicator of business climate has remained stable in March, to 91 points, according to figures released Tuesday by the INSEE. At the same time, the indicator of economic turnaround remains well oriented "for the tenth consecutive month, Insee said.

"The Climate Stabilization mask disparities between sectors: The climate in the industry is improving as he deteriorates in services and retailing," notes the INSEE.

In industry, the index of business climate earns three points to 94 points but remained below its long-term average. Stocks, albeit at very low levels continue to decline, according to business leaders surveyed by INSEE. The outlook for the coming months rose three points.

The situation is worse in services, the index lost two points to 87 points in March, against 89 in February."The economy is faltering," said INSEE and "slow in coming months." Business leaders review "sharply downward their expectations of activity compared to the February survey, INSEE noted.

The retail trade is suffering for its part a slowdown in recent months, particularly in the automobile. The index of business climate in the sector loses two points in March to 98 points. In the construction sector, the index remains stable at 93 points.

The CAC 40 ended in the 3900 points

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Ambiance morose Monday at the Paris Bourse. The CAC 40 has yielded 0.93% to finish the session at 3 890.91 points. The activity is particularly low, with about 2.5 billion traded on the great values of the Paris stock exchange. Other stock markets retreated in unison in London, the FTSE lost 0.57% and in Frankfurt the Dax dropped 0.70%. As for the European indices, the Euro Stoxx 50 index dropped 0.90%.

Caution was also needed on Wall Street before the meeting Tuesday of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Federal Reserve. In session, the Dow Jones lost 0.38% and 0.87% on Nasdaq. The Fed should keep its no surprise key interest rate, the interbank rate on a daily close to zero and reiterate its commitment to maintain a low level for a "prolonged period".More than the rate decision widely expected, investors will scrutinize the speeches of leaders of the U.S. central bank. They watch for a possible change in tone or vocabulary that could be the harbinger of early recovery in interbank rates, especially after raising the discount rate last month low fee cash advance .

Increased industrial production

The announcement Monday of a U.S. industrial production slightly exceeded expectations in February, rising for the eighth consecutive month, failed to take the course up.

In New York and Paris the past experts of raw materials and steel were under pressure, pulled down by rising greenback.Also note on Wall Street, as the parent company of Calvin Klein, the Philips-Van Heusen, jumped more than 10%. The group will buy the brand of leisure wear Tommy Hilfiger in UK investment funds Apax Partners, creating a new giant of the fashion and confirming thaw market mergers and acquisitions.

Banks that had climbed a lot these last time also suffered profit taking. Societe Generale has yielded 2.24%, 1.77% Credit Agricole and BNP Paribas 1.21%.

Dalloyau sells half of its capital to fund

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

After several months of discussions, Dalloyau brought a shareholder outside its round the side of the Bernard family. Perceiving the French fund takes 50% stake in the company and half the seats on the supervisory board. Its president, Jean-Louis Grevet, will share the leadership with Gavillon Nadine Bernard.

"For many years we wanted a partner, and we have not said much before finding with perceiving people who speak the same language as us," says Christelle Bernard, CEO of the company alongside his brother, Stephen. The company, founded in 1682, had been picked up by their grandparents in 1948.

"We specialize in assisting French SMEs who need to take a course, adds Jean-Louis Grevet.We're here to help Dalloyau to regain the confidence of the financial world and to empower it to develop. "

The investment amount was not disclosed. This new money will anyway welcome to Dalloyau, who just pass through two very difficult years. After a downturn and a loss in 2008, its sales fell again in 2009, "approximately 25%" to 35 million euros, and the result remained in the red.

Faced with serious problems of liquidity, the company sought the assistance of Ciri (Interministerial Committee for Industrial Restructuring), an organization of Bercy, to negotiate a deferral of its social and tax claims. According Christelle Bernard, "less than twenty" of jobs were lost in 2009 to reduce costs.The company employs 380 people in France.

Like its competitors, Dalloyau suffered economic slowdown but especially since the fall of 2008, the collapse of the market for corporate functions. The new shareholder was nevertheless confident in its ability to recover and regain financial balance this year.

International development

With this capital injection, Dalloyau plans to invest in its image to expand its business. The brand has only six stores and two "corners" in France. It could decide to open up. Overseas, the brand has 26 outlets in franchise in Asia and the Middle East. Projects have already been announced with external partners in Qatar, Dubai and Morocco. This jewel of French gastronomy has also exported its famous macaroons in Japan.A discussion could be initiated on its installation in the United States.

Perceiving Capital was founded by former fund turnaround firms in difficulty Butler Capital. Last year, he invested in the CMW Trailor ACTM International, manufacturer of semi-trailers. It also looked at the file coachbuilder Heuliez. Her entry in Dalloyau does not occur in the form of LBO (leveraged buyout by debt).

BHP agrees on a price with steelmakers

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Mining giant BHP Billiton ADR agreed with its main customers in Europe, China, India and Japan on short-term sales of coking coal. This agreement puts an end to traditional trading system prices this year among major mining companies and steelmakers.

BHP proposes three options to its customers for contracts on coking coal: an annual listing and every two months for half of the offers, the possibility of reducing tender contracts between quarterly and half, and finally, publication of prices every three months.

According to Macquarie Group, is the first time an agreement on a three-month contract is signed in the steel sector.

Without any contact number, the group said it sold a "significant portion of its volume of coking coal for 2010.JFE Holdings, the second largest Japanese steelmaker, had said last Friday it had agreed to pay $ 200 per tonne over three months. For Jim Lennon, analyst at Macquarie, specialist materials, "the Japanese will prove more flexible on prices." Flexibility which could benefit BHP, Teck Resources, Xstrata, Mechel OAO, Rio Tinto Group, Alpha Natural Resources and Massey Energy.

The new contract for three months, for which Morgan Stanley anticipates a course at $ 222 per ton, beginning 1 April next year, according JFE. One that expires next March 31, is listed at $ 129 per tonne.

On February 26, Energy Publishing, which reports the data supply and demand in the major coal producing countries, has published three price indexes for coking coal."The pricing in the short term will be difficult to manage without a reliable index of the prices of coking coal, which is why the publication of these indexes comes at the right time for the coal markets," said Forrest Hill, President Energy Publishing.

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Soon a collective bonus for staff

Monday, February 8th, 2010

This is the latest fashion at Bercy: invoke the former communist ministers of the Public! After recalling qu'Anicet Le Pors was established in 1984 the possibility of dismissing a government official denied a position, the enclosure Eric Woerth said that Thorez had included the idea of "collective performance bonuses in the general status of civil service in 1946, which are both unions.

The idea is tantamount. The government will send in the coming days with officials from unions the final version of its draft "collective bonus, negotiated for several months. A framework agreement will be declined by the department and implemented in public functions and territorial hospital.It provides for the payment of a premium service that is most evidence of "effort" or "collective performance.

On what criteria? At each terminal to determine its unions, but they will involve improving service to users, cost control, improvement of working conditions (decline in the number of accidents …) or environmental (savings water, energy …).

Outside agents whose "incompetence" has been pinned and will be deprived of premium, all agents of service – or contract holders, bottom or top of the scale – will receive the same amount. But no question that all services receive a government allowance each year. Only those who have reached goals or made significant progress will be rewarded."The idea is to create emulation, no dusting," says a close associate of Minister of Budget and Public Administration, ?ric Woerth.

"The degree to functional access"

The government had already launched in late 2008 the prime function and results ", she rewards individual merit. It applies to much of the category A agents (managers) and is being extended to categories B.

"We are opposed to this project, because all that will be consistent with payroll, those premiums will therefore replace collectively increasing fears Jean-Marc Canon (CGT). We are also suspicious of the criteria. Where such mechanisms already exist, we saw they were in doubt: the number of PV in the police, for example, payday loans guaranteed no fax

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