Posts Tagged ‘features’

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.

Airbus did not sell off its tanker

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

On the eve of the Farnborough Airshow, the CEO of EADS Louis Welsh put points on the i. While Airbus and Boeing are competing fiercely to obtain a U.S. tanker market, valued at some $ 50 billion, Louis Welsh said he was prepared to lose this contract, rather than not earn money. "Let me be clear," he told reporters, we want to make money. "

A statement that refers to the revelations published by the Financial Times Deutschland on Monday. The newspaper said Airbus would have in effect reduced its prices by at least 10% for each tank, compared to the offer already made in 2008. "Boeing said lowering its prices. I do not know, I do not have access to prices charged by Boeing and I have no comment on that. We have fixed a price with a goal of profitability.I think we're competitive, "said Louis Welsh.

"A situation more unfair"

EADS CEO also regretted the postponement of the publication by the World Trade Organization a report on the subsidies received by Boeing. Originally scheduled for mid-July, it should finally be delivered in September, even though a harsh report on public aid for its part, Airbus has benefited already been published paydayloan. "I am extremely frustrated. We find ourselves in a situation more and more unjust.[...] We will have a balanced view that when the two reports will be made, "said Louis Welsh, however, cautiously optimistic about his chances to take this strategic market.

"Impressed" by the relationship forged in the U.S. between its teams and the Pentagon, he said EADS had his chances to actually win the contract. A victory that would constitute a major strategic move for EADS, beyond the mere financial interest. For EADS wants long roots in the United States, by far the biggest world market for defense. "We must be in the United States is a huge market and clearly we must be winners," said Louis Welsh before calling the offensive EADS overseas would continue, with or without the contract tanker of pocket.Because whatever happens, it will "live" without this contract if the EADS bid was ultimately not successful, warned Louis Welsh.

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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.

Bourbon Invests $ 2 billion

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Bourbon has unveiled this morning on its new 2011-2015 plan that includes selling its fleet of sixteen of its bulk to the U.S. Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd for 545 million dollars (440 million euros) and other non-core assets, for a total of 500 million euros.

The group plans to invest two billion dollars (1.62 billion euros) in the construction of 144 new offshore vessels – 80 and 64 supply ships carrying personal – on which he plans to propose an availability rate of at least 95% with a cost reduction of around 4% at constant rate by 2015.At that time, it should dopnc a fleet of 600 boats.

The CEO, Jacques de Chateauvieux, during a conference call from Shanghai in China, emphasized the perspective view of an average annual growth of 17% of sales from offshore between 2011 and 2015, after aligned with a 28% per year on average between 2002 and 2009 Guaranteed no fax payday loans.

Hiring for

According to forecasts of Bourbon, "the combined effect of generating cash flow (Cash, Ed) by operating activities, transfer of assets in 2010 and the new payment policy of ships, representing 75% of price paid on delivery, is expected to record a ratio of debt to equity of less than 0.5, and to generate a net cash position as of 2013."

In addition, as part of this plan, Bourbon will recruit some 5,000 new staff who will join the 7,000 men and women working there.

The company is also a ratio for 2015 gross operating profit (EBITDA) on revenues of 45% for the offshore and EBITDA ratio on capital employed of 20%.

A note to shareholders: the dividend distribution policy of Bourbon will be about 40% of consolidated net income.

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War trial graphics Kerviel

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

What's better than a nice graphic to save everyone a complex financial statement? Nothing. The trial of Jerome Kerviel, which opened June 8 at the Paris Criminal Court, is the scene of a squabble curves and histograms.

On Tuesday, it comes from the days when he officiated at Societe Generale. As usual, two competing theories. That the defendant, who ensures that his positions were stratospheric in plain sight at all times by his superiors and the various supervisory bodies, both in terms of unrealized losses (less than 5 billion euros in July 2007) in terms gains (1.4 billion in December of that year).And his defense to the form of 'graph', a comparison of the cash positions of the eight traders of the Delta One desk.

It shows seven lines of different colors follow almost straight trajectories, as brave barges pretending to race in the same channel. And then a red line, Jerome Kerviel, who could have been drawn by a trader during an exercise in crazy bungee jumping. It falls very low, it goes very loud, it falls, and so on. Mr. Metzner triumph, the yoyo manic over the barges is apathetic to him one more proof that the hierarchy "could not ignore" what was going on in the trading room of La Defense.

But it would be too simple. Because the plaintiff out of his sleeve another powerful "graph," which proves exactly the opposite.In this figure apparently scientific but objectively confused lines sawtooth cross in all directions. That of Mr. Kerviel is drowned amidst the other, no more extravagant than the average. "It's like comparing apples and oranges," protested the prisoner. "Not at all, contends Ms. Dumas. This is the other "graph" 'which is misleading because it is a focus on a small activity of Delta One "— the risk-free, which should have been monopolizing the energy of Mr Kerviel.

In short, it turns in circles.

In the afternoon, Moussa Bakir, 34, appeared at the bar. He was a trader at Soc Gen where he hugged Jerome Kerviel. Then he joined the brokerage subsidiary of the bank, Fimat, as broker.In mid 2007, the two men how to work and seems to become friends – witness the picturesque email exchanges, interspersed with "lol" and whatnot lexical far removed from the professional jargon.

Mr Bakir recounts how, at the end of 2007, he executes orders more and more — there will be tens of billions of euros — initiated by his friend: "The volume increases, commissions too. But my work has been monitored, encouraged and welcomed. I saw nothing unusual in my case. " At stake, a bonus of nearly $ 1.5 million for the broker.But the huge volume of financial products that negotiates on behalf of Jerome Kerviel it puts some flea in his ear, and he asks the trader for whom he acts: "He told me it was for a client bank, a fund based in London, through a so-called "Doubt," which he had often done by telephone, he saw some who scolded and whose goal was to win one billion. Jerome has often spoken of Mat.

Jerome Kerviel: "It did not happen like that. He was insistent, so I told him about a client. Yes, it was a hoax.

The President: "But why would he have spoken again later?"

The accused: "I do not remember having done."

The Chairman: "Keep up your statements?"

Witness: "I stand".

Monday, Kerviel felt twice as playing with the controls of the bank constituted a "national sport".The next day, he acknowledges having created a "hoax" to counter the curiosity of a friend. A big hoax, namely: Mr. Kerviel, which multiplied the fictitious positions to hide his positions, he also invented a client of flesh and bone to justify its investments unreasonable. He was named "Mat". How long he thought he would play only this game of chess?

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Fillon wants to reduce spending by 45 billion euros

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Found 100 billion euros in three years. This is the government's objective to reduce the deficit from 8% to 3% in 2013, reiterated Prime Minister François Fillon on Saturday, which gave details of the proposed measures. "We have pledged by 2013 to reduce our deficit from 8% to 3% and all our efforts will focus on this priority. It means basically that should reduce the deficit of 100 billion by 2013, "he said during a meeting with new members of the UMP Salle Gaveau.

The $ 100 billion, "we (them) to find the half in spending cuts and half in revenue increases," said the head of government.The 50 billion euros in spending cuts will be made up of "45 billion by reducing public expenditure, 5 billion on reducing tax loopholes."

On the revenue side, the 50 billion do not result from increased taxes and levies, "said Francois Fillon. He bets on "35 billion upgrading after the crisis, loss of revenue cyclical. (…) As and when growth returns, revenues are growing once again, "he said. And the remaining 15 billion? They "will correspond to the end of the steps we have taken to boost the economy and have obviously not meant to last beyond this period of recovery," he added no fax pay day loan.

In May, Francois Fillon had already announced a freeze in spending value of the state but had not detailed the targets.These details are involved a little less than a week after Berlin has adopted a plan rigorously evaluated at 80 billion euros. France is under pressure from financial markets and rating agencies, who urged him to detail the measures to be taken to reduce debt.

"New sources of funding"

The Prime Minister also addressed the issue of pensions. While the government prepares to release his reform plan, Francois Fillon reiterated its intention to extend the duration of activity and pushing the "symbol" of the statutory retirement age to 60 years.

It will also seek new financing, he added. "Justice will lead us to seek new sources of financing because the effort must be shared by all," he said.Nevertheless, the government has temporarily waived taxing incomes over 11,000 euros per month, according to information from Figaro.

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The G20 bury the global banking fee

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Barely out of cardboard, the global banking fee is already forgotten. After two days of meetings in the South Korean port of Busan, the G20 finance ministers have finally buried the idea of imposing a universal tax on banks to finance the rescue of the financial sector. Under pressure from Canada, Japan and several emerging countries, the G20 has decided that the imposition of tax concerns only countries where governments have funded bailout of their banks following the financial turmoil triggered Wall Street in 2008. A compromise that left the United States and European countries the right to establish their own tax waiver on their banking sectors, but reflects differences in approach within the group of the twenty largest economies in the world.

Canada, which will host on June 26 in Toronto the next summit of G20 leaders, as well as Australia and Japan have argued that their banks should not pay for the mistakes of their American and European counterparts. An application supported by big emerging countries like Brazil and India argued that their banking sector is healthy and does not require the establishment of a security background. "This is a view somewhat optimistic" said Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the IMF head who introduced new tax proposals in Busan.

The South Korean Presidential G20 hopes to win here at their summit in Seoul in November, an agreement on guidelines that would frame the future bank charges while leaving wide latitude to reluctant countries.

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.

The departments affected by the crisis

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Yes, some departments are in a precarious financial situation: this is the observation made by Pierre Jamet, Director General Services of the Rhone, in its report submitted Thursday to Prime Minister. But the social and demographic constraints do not explain everything. The report studied eleven departments – eight rural and three urban – handicapped by a high proportion of elderly people, high unemployment, household income below average and low density. The Correze and Creuse, both on the left are in this case. But only the first situation is worrying. The difference? The Creuse is little debt, if the Correze. The scenario is repeated between Pas-de-Calais and a virtuous Val-d'Oise debt.Moral: the policy choices have weighed heavy.

As for the Seine-Saint-Denis, "for four months, it has a 32% increase in revenue from estate duty, with a recovery of real estate," says Pierre Jamet. Understood, this department alone has passed a 2010 budget in balance – an act widely publicized by the President PS council, Claude Bartolone – is no longer in danger. In contrast, a dozen others may fail to maintain their balanced budget during the year, due to slippage in social spending. "We must therefore establish a monitoring committee at the government level. And the State will assist in June or July to emergency departments, by advances of funds by contributions, or even "recommends Pierre Jamet. Estimated boost: maximum 100 million euros.

Cost Standards

Nothing says that the government will retain this recommendation. For now, Francois Fillon has agreed only to launch in May a consultation with the Assembly of the departments of France. Matignon prefer to retain other recommendations: curbing the proliferation of standards and highlight good practices, including the cost of administering benefits. Pierre Jamet also insists on including the need for effective monitoring computer: "A software company has crossed the files of the RSA family benefit fund with those of a department. In 67 000 110 000 records, differences have emerged "in the name, address or income … In the longer term, the report recommends improving the redistribution of wealth between departments.The latest proposal is not as uncontroversial: that the career firefighters is managed by the local government service, rather than headquarters.

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Cr?dit Agricole is preparing its future "without taboo"

Monday, March 8th, 2010

For the first time since his enthronement at the Directorate General of Cr?dit Agricole SA on 1 March, Jean-Paul Chifflet unveils his priorities. A strategic plan for the bank to finalize by July and, especially, a group project that will determine, December 15, the broad long-term. Until then secretary general of the National Federation of Credit Agricole (FNCA), the "parliament of Regional Banks, the leader takes the reins of the first national network of financing the French economy after a period of strong tensions.

Le Figaro. – You arrive at the branch of Credit Agricole after a period marked by strong internal tensions. What is today the climate within the group?

Jean-Paul CHIFFLET. – The page is turned.The Regional Banks have expressed the chairman Rene Carron and the board gave me their trust. Since the handover with Georges Pauget has been successful and the fears that had been born to Cr?dit Agricole SA have been lifted. It is now for me to get the confidence of team Credit Agricole SA and be up to the expectations that have been made. We are a bank different. Our values correspond to the aspirations of society and an agricultural credit united and mobilized is able to achieve great things.

Your first appointments give full details to the "barons" of Regional Banks. Is it to regain control group by the network?

Only by taking into account the competencies of each guided these choices. Leaders of major subsidiaries have been also confirmed in their posts.I advocate balance and diversity profiles. I've always been concerned teams. Probably because I can not work alone!

The disagreements between President Rene Carron and CEO George Pauget were notorious. How do you prepare to work with Jean-Marie Sander?

We just spent three and a half together with the Federation and we get along very well. This does not prevent us from having trade sometimes "manly", but ultimately we are always in phase. We have a real mutual respect and we will arrange to fill our roles, the presidency of Jean-Marie and the executive branch for me.

When you were on the Federation side, you had ceased all your role as majority shareholder of CASA through the SAS La Boetie.Now, what are your successors who will have this power …

We change jersey but we do not change the team! I am very pleased that we have created the SAS La Boetie. There, on one side, a majority shareholder to comply and, on the other, a listed company to also comply. This means that conflicts of interest may arise – for example around the dividend. They should not be ignored but, instead, discussed and placed on the table.

It also happens that I know very well my successor, Philippe Brassac, and this creates favorable conditions for dealing with conflicts.

What are your priorities?

We are launching a strategic review of business Credit Agricole SA, which culminate in June-July. And at the same time, we also launched a group project to define the broad guidelines to ten years.It is an exercise that Credit Agricole has already done twice before, in 1990 and 2000. We will hold our first meeting March 17 with the presidents and CEOs of regional banks and the Executive Committee of Cr?dit Agricole SA payday loan lenders . And December 15, we will make our work.

What to expect?

We will prepare the future of group work on its customer relationships, profile, perimeter, etc.. There is no taboo. But I do not anticipate a priori true strategic failure.

Even your bank subsidiary of Cr?dit Agricole CIB investment? Some see you out of those trades …

You know, agricultural credit, we know that this is not because there has been a year of freezing as it takes to cut the apricots that have not happened.There is no question of any arrest. Since the implementation of our plan to refocus our organization is in line with our strategy. Cr?dit Agricole to finance companies, small as well as large. And for that we must be able to offer financing capabilities as well as services markets. Our team of market operators is 400 employees. Some of our competitors have up to 4 000. But the size of our team responds well to our model and is suited to serve our customers.

And internationally, the painful failure of your purchase in Greece call into question your political opening?

Cr?dit Agricole has decided, ten years ago, opening up to Europe. Italy, Egypt or Morocco are real success. In Greece, we have a difficult issue with our subsidiary Emporiki. We're the remedy.Now it is true that Credit Agricole could further strengthen its control over international. There, in the Regional Banks, or at CASA at LCL, a pool of talent that we have to animate to have more staff able to intervene outside our borders. It is for us a real challenge.

Do you participate in the movement of consolidation in the banking sector?

Do not confuse speed with haste. The schedule is favorable to us. We will finalize our project group at the end of the year and will be ready to act even though the regulatory horizon to be clarified. We do not intend to stay out of the game.

Cr?dit Agricole has already begun to move closer to Societe Generale in some trades. And more extensive project were surveyed …

This debate is beginning to date.With Amund, we set a good joint venture in asset management. If we find other opportunities for collaboration to reduce intermediation costs for our customers, we will. With the Company generally or with others. We are, for example, partners in securities trades with BNP Paribas and savings banks.

In 2006, Cr?dit Agricole was elbow to elbow with BNP Paribas in terms of results. In 2009, you are in the half. The gap is definitely dug it?

It will perhaps surprise you, but we are not trying to be first. BNP Paribas, which leaves a external growth operation, displays a net banking income of some 40 billion euros. We are 30 billion. The gap is less important. However, our outstanding financing of the economy in France reached 460 billion euros, well ahead of our competitors.We seek above all to make ourselves useful to the economy without making the race for size.

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