Posts Tagged ‘economic’

Pussyfooting on Wall Street

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

The U.S. stock market started in the red on Wednesday, in an atmosphere remained febrile for several major events at the macroeconomic level. But shortly after, the indexes are spent in the light green: the Dow Jones gleaning 0.05% to 10,543 points, the S & P's advance of 0.17% to 1115 points and the Nasdaq is up 0.14% to 2292 points.

New orders for durable goods in the U.S. declined for the second consecutive month in June, official statistics show released Wednesday, confirming a slowdown in growth in the second quarter. The Commerce Department reported a decline of 1% of these orders, the highest since August 2009, after a decline of 0.8% (revised) in May Analysts on average had forecast an increase of 1% in June

On Tuesday, the NYSE has closed in a fragmented, divided between publications very positive company like DuPont chemist, and the downturn in consumer confidence in July.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro remains at its highest levels for two months around $ 1.30.

At the macroeconomic level, the U.S. central bank must now publish its Beige Book on economic conditions. It will be very guarded while the president of the institution, Bernanke said there is just one week before the Congress, the slow recovery, with no announcement of new funding in the economy.But it was the day Friday with the first estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) that will attract the attention of investors instant payday loan no TeleCheck.

Cephalon shunned after his semi

On the side of values, the telecom equipment maker Broadcom (+0.08% to 37.56 U.S. dollars) yesterday announced the closure of Wall Street quarterly profit of $ 278 million, against $ 13.4 million the year last.Turnover was up 54% (+10% sequentially) to $ 1.6 billion.

Note also the biotechnology group Cephalon (-3.23% to 60.87 dollars) has published a quarterly profit of $ 89.1 million, well above expectations.

Always on the side of values, the Wall Street Journal, the Google Internet Group (+0.03% to 492.75 dolars) is in talks with several publishers of video games in order to enlist their support for the implementation Length of service to rival social network Facebook.Some game publishers approached by Google Playdom be included, a publisher whose Disney announced the acquisition Tuesday, Playfish, bought last year by Electronic Arts, and Zynga, in which Google has already invested, it said.

For its part, the Microsoft IT group (-0.31% to 26.08 dollars) has criticized the partnership between Yahoo! Japan and Google, saying it would end the competition in the internet search in Japan and has questioned its "legality".

Also note, the oil group BP (-1.32% to 34.5 U.S. dollars) will have to "change the culture" after the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, said its new CEO, American Bob Dudley at of an interview on ABC.

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PSA Peugeot Citroen revives profits

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Good omens for the second part of the year. Car manufacturers have apparently he ate their black bread, with regard to publication of interim results of PSA Peugeot Citroen. The Peugeot group, led by Philippe Varin announced a purchase 20.8% of sales to 28.39 billion euros. Group structure and constant exchange rates, the growth was 15.5%. This strong sales growth is put down to the success of new models and a well-oriented global demand, particularly in a country like China.

As for results, they represent a significant increase especially back in the green. The operating result thus 1.137 billion (826 million loss a year earlier). The division "Cars" which last year had been heavily impacted by the economic situation recovers and returns to profit significantly to 525 million (904 million loss a year earlier).

Operating income is expected to approach 1.5 billion by 2010

The turnover of the division "Cars" was up 13.5% to 21 1 billion in the first half of 2010. One generated by sales of new vehicles rose by 14.7% to 15 820 billion, reflecting a record number of sales.

As for the net, it appears also in positive territory at 680 million euros against a deficit of 962 million a year ago. Per share, the result stood at EUR 3 (-4.24 euros at end-June 2009) faxless cash advance.

For the year 2010, the group expects a decline of 7% of car market in Europe, a double-digit growth in China and a significant growth in sales in Latin America.

Despite Europe's environment more difficult over the coming months and the usual seasonal pattern, the division "Cars" should be close to balance in the second half. In this context, the Group anticipates an operating profit of around 1.5 billion euros.

The best in China

The group noted a significant improvement in the profitability of its joint venture in China with Dong Feng. Vehicle sales rose 50% to 176,000 units and net income group share was 97 million euros.

What give heartened to Philippe Varin, the boss of the manufacturer.Quoted in the press, he said: "The Group is now in running order to reconnect with sustained profitability. Good first half results reflect our market share gains and the impact of Plan Performance. The creation of a second joint venture in China represents a major step in developing our operations outside Europe. It makes us confident in our ability to achieve half of our vehicle sales in markets outside Europe by 2015, against third early in the year 2010. "

Workers at GM approved the recovery plan

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

The verdict came last night, employees of the American manufacturer in Strasbourg agreed to make concessions to keep their jobs. The vote held yesterday are unambiguous: the employees of General Motors in Strasbourg overwhelmingly approved the recovery plan of the new GM entity. They thus accepted the wage freeze for two years and a waiver of more than one third of the 17 days of RTT. Measures that conditioned the purchase of new GM plant because the agreement to return the site only if the cost of labor decreased by 10% without downsizing.

Of the 929 voters (out of 957 employees at the site, a rate of 97%), 645 voted for the plan (70.65%), while 268 voted against (29.35%) told AFP a CFDT delegate (majority), Union co-organizer of the vote along with the FOR and CFTC.Hostile takeover plan, the CGT had called on his side to vote "no."

GM management Strasbourg was immediately welcomed the "strong approval", saying that "this result shows that employees have understood that the future of the site and its 1,150 jobs is a priority."

The Strasbourg plant which manufactures gearboxes for automobile manufacturers, including BMW, sought a buyer since the bankruptcy of the former American group. Born last year, the new GM, General Motors Company (GMC), is owned 60% by the U.S. federal government.

France Telecom Unveils New Strategy

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

France Telecom wants to do a makeover. The operator affected by a deep social malaise is setting up a new strategy entitled "Conquest 2015. The new CEO, Stephane Richard, will outline the plan in five years this morning to the press.

Already, in an interview with Le Parisien, the leader has unveiled details of its new strategy. Stéphane Richard wants to empower his group to answer the series of suicides that has shaken the operator for more than a year. Thus, the leader has established "a new charter with five key managerial principles whose watchwords are autonomy, trust and respect." The boss also advocates listening.Stéphane Richard also wants to create a "dozen" in "places of training for 20,000 manageurs group" and a stabilization of the workforce in 2010, with "3500 recruitment to offset departures"

Emerging in the viewfinder

Furthermore, the leader plans to spend 200 to 300 million customers worldwide by 2015. The strategic plan "Conquests 2015, and based on the development of communication networks. The officer also refers to "the conquest of the international, especially in emerging countries.

Stéphane Richard also announced the merger of France Telecom and Orange "well before 2015.

Europe draws 30 billion for Greece

Monday, April 12th, 2010

It took two peaks and a half-dozen ministerial appointments, but the sixteen countries of the euro are finally able to determine in detail the safety net for Greece. The EU scheme officially operational since Sunday, includes up to 30 billion euros in bilateral loans to an interest rate target of about 5M for a term of three years.

"Until now, the Sixteen had taken decisions in principle, we now show that there is money behind," said Jean-Claude Juncker after a video conference involving Ministers Euro zone finance. "All the tools are in place and operational immediately," said Olli Rehn, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs.

Athens has not yet decided to use this financial plan. But it was time to measure reliability.Greece, seriously diminished his credit, is to resume tomorrow's Calvary borrower, raising 1.2 billion of Treasury bills at six and twelve months. Repeatedly announced but never detailed the mechanism difficult to convince the markets for two months. The litmus test is committed immediately. By late May, Athens faces more than 10 billion euros maturity on a debt estimated at 300 billion. It must still find 32 billion before the end of the year. The figures broken down on Sunday in Brussels, more generous than expected, seem a priori to the scale of the challenge.

For 30 billion that could unlock the Sixteen would be added the joint contribution of the IMF. If we follow the rule laid down by 2/3-1/3 the last EU summit, Greece could therefore be based if necessary on a cushion of more than 40 billion euros in loans this year.No estimate has yet been advanced for years.

Mechanism triple expansion

With an interest of around 5% on loans for three years, the Sixteen still follow the principles laid March 25. As a last resort, Greece could be financed at a lower price than it does now on the market (more than 7%), easy payday loans. But she would not receive any subsidy-provided imperiously posed by Germany, nor any advantage over other heavily indebted countries like Portugal, Ireland, Spain or Italy. If the ETF would be implemented, "Greece would be encouraged to return quickly to the market" to finance themselves forward Jean-Claude Juncker.A hypothesis that will be realized when Athens will be able to raise money at rates lower than the European plan.

Faced with deadlines looming, the Greek prime minister, George Papandreou, had struck these days on all doors so that Europe finally joins the action to the word. To impress the financial, "we must put a loaded revolver on the table," he said Sunday at the Greek newspaper "To Vima". "The question, he added, is whether the device will persuade the markets (…) Otherwise, it could well be used …"

At the announcement of decisions taken by the Sixteen, the Greek Minister of Finance was confident.George Papaconstantinou welcomed an agreement "very important", confirming that he had not requested the activation of the mechanism: "We believe we can continue to borrow freely on the markets."

It was at Athens that he would take the initiative, confirmed Sunday the Commissioner Rehn. But the mechanism is at least triple expansion. The European Commission, the ECB and the IMF all have their say or their conditions to ask. Finally, the loans would only be released only by unanimous consent of the Sixteen, which gives a veto to Germany. George Papandreou today has a net credible.But it has not finished with the tightrope.

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Sarkozy calls Obama "listen Europe

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

From one of our correspondents in New York

Sarkozy the American, the return. Dampened by the failure of regional confronted with doubts of his majority, battered in the polls, the president could not find better than this visit to the United States to escape the burdens hexagonal. The chances of diplomatic agenda sometimes things well. A discreet arrival Saturday in New York, along with Carla Sarkozy, the ritual of jogging in Central Park on Sunday morning, then a family day, away from cameras and microphones before the official on the scene Monday morning, with a speech at Columbia University.

The opportunity for Nicolas Sarkozy to urge "a friend" the United States to "work with Europe to invent a new global model", in order to regulate capitalism, stabilize currencies and improve governance World."If Europe and the United States do not invent this new model, nobody will," argued the head of state before several hundred students and professors from the prestigious University of New York. Amount to the podium in an imposing neoclassical dome, Nicolas Sarkozy has openly made his speech to his aide – "if you read this kills creativity", he said, before launching into a very controlled improvisation. "The crisis we've known we offer extraordinary opportunities," said the head of state. By asking the regulation of capitalism, I lay the groundwork that will save capitalism without rules is killing freedom, "he said, a few" blocks "of Wall Street, the epicenter of the financial earthquake.

"Irresponsible"

In the field of environment, access to raw materials, Nicolas Sarkozy has also called for support of the United States. "In two years, the price of oil has risen from 30 to 150 dollars, is this normal?," He noted. Have we no interest in laying the foundations for a regulation that would have a barrel to 80 dollars? "Even imperative of transatlantic cooperation for reform of global governance" that the United States and Europe must request. It will, he said, the resolution of major challenges such as Iran, against which "the alliance with the United States is fundamental, but also the fight against terrorism.

"We love you, admire you, we expect a lot from you," Nicolas Sarkozy has launched the Americans.A friend, therefore, but a demanding friend, who also does not hesitate to lecture the United States, calling for tolerance, "not closing" on themselves and listen to Europe. For, he launched the first world power, "no nation, however strong it is, can the twenty-first century impose its views to the world."

"Some hundreds of irresponsible done anything with the money of others is indefensible," he also said the French president, warned that "the same are ready to begin. "There are hundreds of thousands of Americans who lost their jobs because of this crisis, is this normal?" Asked by a student on the reform of the health system, Nicolas Sarkozy congratulated Barack Obama. But he also gave a pike: "When we see this debate on health, it was sometimes hard to believe, in Europe it is fifty years we have solved the problem.In France, we do not ask your credit card before going to hospital ", he shackled, before launching his audience:" Welcome to the club of states that do not allow people to fall sick! "

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The Cac 40 remains in the red

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

The Paris Stock Exchange, plunged into the red. After starting the session hause of 0.10%, the CAC 40 continues into negative territory. Around 10:50, the flagship index Parisian loose 0.42% to 3887.16 points. The threshold of 3900 points, is not maintained. The London Stock Exchange is in the same atmosphere: the Footsie lost 0.41% to 5583.56 points while the Dax in Frankfurt Stock Exchange fell by 0.36% to 5854.58 points.

Yesterday, the Paris markets have ended on a slight decline of 0.18% despite opening in the green (0.35%). In Asia, the situation calmed after the euphoria of Monday. The numbers of U.S. employment, less worse than expected, to cease their invigorating effect. Monday already, Wall Street closed haphazardly in a sitting motionless.

The wait dominates before the publication of figures and important clues on the weekend.French side, there will be foreign trade figures for January and industrial output (Wednesday), the French deficit figures, the trade balance and the number of weekly unemployment in the United States (Thursday), and finally, the much anticipated index of U.S. consumer confidence (Friday).

Meanwhile, the trade deficit narrowed in France in January to 3.681 billion euros against 4.155 billion in December 2009, thanks to increased exports of manufactured goods, the Customs said Tuesday. This figure confirms the resumption of trade, but this recovery is much slower than the drop caused by the crisis, observers said.

EADS in the collimator

EADS announced on Tuesday a loss in 2009 of 763 million euros against a profit last year of 1.5 billion.The group expects a 2010 EBIT of $ 1 billion against 2.2 billion (before provisions) last year, and a stabilization of sales to 42.8 billion euros. Furthermore, EADS and its U.S. ally Northrop Grumman said the night they did not submit a bid for the tanker contract from the U.S. Air Force, saying it benefits their competitor Boeing fast cash without a hassle . The title is heavily penalized Exchange: -5,5,23% to 15.05 euros.

The bank also abused: Credit Agricole (-0.98%), Societe Generale (-0.63%) and BNP Paribas (-0.47%) retreated.

April (2.58% to 23.09 euros) on Monday announced an increase of 20% of its net 2009 profit 72.7 million euros. Financial products have more than doubled to 18.6 million.The insurer expects for 2010 a double-digit growth in its gross margin, with a positive impact on its operating margin (13% in 2009).

Total (0.44% to 42.44 euros) yesterday confirmed the closure of the refinery at Dunkirk and the fulfillment of its participation in the construction of an LNG terminal with EDF (+0.63% at 38 15 euros).

In addition, the electrician announced a collaboration with Rosatom, the Russian nuclear energy giant, in the development of reactors for third countries.Other partnerships are being negotiated with Russia in the field of electricity and fuel.

In the process, GDF Suez is in great shape (+1.18% at 27.80 euros) and achieves the best performance of ACC.

Sanofi Aventis (0.84% to 56.22 euros) and Merck announced Tuesday the creation of a joint venture equally owned in the area of animal health together their subsidiaries Merial and Intervet / Schering-Plow. The agreement created should be finalized within the next twelve months.

Eurotunnel (0.61% to 7.75 euro) remained in the black in 2009, with net income of 1.4 million euros but a turnover of 571 million euros, down 16 %. Jacques Gounon, Eurotunnel's CEO, recalls in an interview with Le Figaro, his intention to "market share" in the future. The group will pay the same dividend as last year, ie 4 cents per share."The payment of a dividend reflects our confidence and determination in 2010," commented Jacques Gounon.

Vicat (-0.07 ? at 56.76 euros) will release after the market closes.

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GDF Suez enlist with the State

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Never change a winning team. GDF Suez announced Tuesday in a statement that the public contract that binds the group to the state for 2010-2013 was signed December 23. The formalization of this announcement comes a week after the Official Journal published a decree defining new rules for setting regulated prices for natural gas. "This agreement also strengthens and clarifies the conditions of tariff changes through a transparent, automatic and taking into account all costs of the company," said G?rard Mestrallet, CEO of GDF Suez.

Now, each year, the state, which holds more than 35% of GDF Suez, will set in order, the conditions of changing prices for the coming year. Then, while respecting this context, GDF Suez will propose an increase or decrease these rates."The natural gas rates will change based on costs incurred by the company to supply the final customer," the statement said. The new framework provides, inter alia, a review of annual costs out of supply (transmission, distribution, storage …) and quarterly changes in supply costs. Subsequently, these proposals will be subject to approval by the Regulatory Commission of Energy (CRE).

GDF Suez said that rising oil prices will not be reflected in the price of gas.

At mid-session, the stock price GDF Suez wins 0.90% (30.20 euros) to the Paris Bourse, where the Cac 40 in advance of 0.55%.

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Trustees: associations challenging the Government

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Consumer associations and owners want to end abusive billing trustees. Six of them (the Association of responsible ownership (Arc), the General Confederation of Housing (LMA), rural families, CNAFC consumers, UFC-Que Choisir and Union of Women civic and social) challenge the government on Thursday and request the publication of an order prohibiting certain pricing practices clearly. Objective: To achieve greater transparency in contracts of trustees and limit the share of additional fees.

In late October, the Secretary of State for Consumer Affairs, Herve Novelli, has announced that the list of benefits included in the package paid by the owners would be fixed by decree.If they welcome the decision they demanded two years, associations have expressed concern that the Government merely the final text was minima, taking the advice of the National Consumer Affairs September 27, 2007. Notice that as they raise problems of interpretation. They denounce such abuse by the multiplication of the trustees pay benefits when these services should be integrated into the annual management plan.

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Citigroup could raise 20 billion to repay the state

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

After Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and most recently Bank of America, Citigroup could in turn repay the 45 billion dollars in aid it has received from the American state to cope with financial crisis .

Dick Parsons, the chairman of Citigroup, said Wednesday on CNBC that the bank was in talks with regulators about the end of the repayment plan support Tarp (Troubled Asset Relief Program).

A fundraiser for 20 billion dollars (14 billion euros) with issuance of securities should be made according to sources quoted by CNBC in order to finance a portion of the refund. But to finally release the Tarp, which allows time for Washington to fix the amount of remuneration of employees of the group, such a transaction might not be sufficient.

The complexity of the assistance is in question as well: besides the 45 billion dollars in direct aid, the U.S. government has also agreed to $ 7 billion of "Preferred Securities" to offset the additional guarantees granted portfolio. And 25 of the 45 billion have subsequently been converted into shares of Citigroup type "ordinary". If fundraising is necessary, it should also allow for participation by the government.

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