Posts Tagged ‘events’

The requirement for U.S. investors

Friday, June 18th, 2010

Between the French listed companies and U.S. investors, the reports are looking good. Despite the crisis, Paris remains the third preferred destination after Great Britain and Germany. But this affinity could become even more intensity, if we believe a research firm Financial Dynamics on the attractiveness of companies listed on the Paris Stock Exchange with 30 institutional investors on Wall Street. Europe weighs only 13.8% of their portfolio and the size of France went a small 1.6%, which suggests the study, could grow if the managements of French companies were showing "greater transparency and if the publications were more accurate results and frequent. All these qualities, however, already claimed by large listed companies. Yet Americans remain unsatisfied.While 62% feel well informed about investment opportunities, 38% complain that they do not quite grasp the subtleties of the governance and regulation at the French. This does not prevent them from playing for high: 39% of respondents prefer large-cap, over 10 billion euros. And 23% opt for those between 5 and 9.99 billion euros.

To choose between two companies in the euro area, 53% of investors focus first on to dissect the "fundamentals", only 16% consider the prospects for growth as critical. Which is good in this day and age.

Switzerland: France Telecom renounces its merger

Friday, June 4th, 2010

France Telecom abandoned its proposed merger with the Swiss Sunrise, which had been blocked recently by the Swiss competition authority.

The French telecoms operator and the Danish TDC, parent company of Sunrise, have said in a statement that an analysis "detailed" the situation had led them to decide to stop their discussions.

"An appeal to the Federal Administrative Court will also be removed," added the two groups.

The Competition Commission (Competition Commission) in Switzerland has prohibited the merger in April between Orange Communications, Swiss subsidiary of France Telecom, and Sunrise Communications, the second mobile operator in Switzerland. The Commission had noted that the scale resulting from the merger would have created, together with a number Swisscom, a collective dominant position.

This legal setback in Switzerland should not call into question the policy of merger and acquisition of the operator, however, had said the leaders of France Telecom several times in recent weeks. On April 29, when the annual results of the group, CFO of Orange, Gervais Pelissier, was still reported to remain "convinced that having a strong second operator in Switzerland, Swisscom side, is the way to recover dynamics of competition in the years ahead. "

Always looking for new growth

France Telecom is still looking for consolidation opportunities in mature markets, as well as targets in emerging markets, particularly in Africa and the Middle East.

Switzerland accounts for less than 1% of global sales group, and less than 1.5% of its EBITDA.Orange Switzerland, 100% subsidiary of France Telecom and third mobile operator in the Confederation, was done last year a turnover of 1.3 billion Swiss francs (924 million) with approximately 1156 employees.

Sunrise is in turn the number two industry in Switzerland, with sales of 9.9 billion kroner (1.3 billion euros) conducted in 2009.

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! "

ALSO READ:

"Obama, Sarkozy: the unfinished relationship

"INTERVIEW -" The relationship between Sarkozy and Obama is very healthy "

MEDEF: Metallurgy sets its requirements

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

A matter of survival! Frederic Saint-Geours does not mince his words on Thursday night calling for a profound "recasting employers, on pain of extinction. "In an era of increased competition, where companies seek to reduce overhead and streamline their organization, employers can continue to live on and operate under a structure inherited from the postwar period, has hammered the President the UIMM, in closing the third annual convention of the federation. The employers' organization must meet the expectations of businesses by simplifying its structure (…).Remaining fragmented, we are threatened with extinction in the debate and public action. "

Less than three months to designate the future boss of bosses, the first president of the federation MEDEF has actually set a roadmap can not be clearer for any candidate who would boast the support of the UIMM.

More collegiality

For him, this overhaul is necessary for a "governance reform of MEDEF" he deems perfect. "To better represent the enormous diversity of landscape entrepreneurial French, Medef needs a mode more college (… ), which requires an exemplary collaboration with all components and inter-professional ", justified Frederic Saint-Geours, as the text of his speech – the meeting took place behind closed doors.

The roles must be "clearly established" between a president "in entrepreneurial function, a general manager" responsible for services and the thriving community "and a college of elected officials" fully involved in the preparation position papers and public negotiations with the unions. " A thinly veiled criticism of Laurence Parisot, president of MEDEF, full time since 2005, who spent three CEOs in less than two years and who is accused of taking unilateral decisions.

However, no question of leaving the MEDEF, ensure UIMM – which is one of the most important components. Instead, a call was launched "to restore unity around the MEDEF employers'. Not without asking the end of "fratricidal quarrels" with CGPME – which is also UIMM stick – and the architects of the UPA.The "fierce competition" which engage the employers 'confederations' and display their differences "prove" suicidal for the employers and weaken its position vis-?-vis the government and unions. "

The president of the UIMM also wants to end "the milfoil employer" to approximate the structures (territorial chambers, trade associations, chambers of commerce …). Metallurgy promises to lead by example.

Becoming "the spokesman of the unanimous opinion" of the industrial enterprises that were surveyed in preparation for this convention, Frederic Saint-Geours has finally stated intention to develop cooperation with the federations of industry (chemical, textile … ) "on three common issues, including the promotion of an enabling environment for economic and social competitiveness of industrial enterprises and enhancing their businesses.In short, strengthening the "inter-industry level. Quit walking on beds of MEDEF. Again, Laurence Parisot appreciate …

ALSO READ

"President of the MEDEF: the secret plan of the UIMM

"Interview of Fr?d?ric Saint-Geours:" The UIMM is not a threat "

"The UIMM retrieves social issues Medef

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.

ALSO READ:

"The steel prices could increase by 40%