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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.

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AGBANK expected to raise more than $ 22 billion

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

The official announcement will take place tomorrow. But sources familiar with the matter, Agricultural Bank of China (AGBANK), China's third largest bank, on Tuesday set the prices of its dual IPO in Shanghai next July 15 and in Hong Kong Tuesday.

In Shanghai, the price stood at the top of its indicative range which started at 2.52 yuan. AGBANK and sell for 22.24 billion yuan-denominated shares at a price of 2.68 yuan coin, or 59.6 billion yuan (8.8 billion dollars).

In Hong Kong, AGBANK sold 25.4 billion shares, representing 8% of its enlarged capital, at a price of 3.20 Hong Kong dollars part, totaling U.S. $ 10.4 billion, reports Reuters.

Offer oversubscribed

According to reports from Reuters, the offer of AGBANK in Shanghai was 20 times oversubscribed by institutional investors.In Hong Kong, the institutional demand came from Asia to 4%, 30% U.S. 25% Europe you saving account payday loan. Individuals have however shown little enthusiasm in Shanghai, like Hong Kong.

In total, AGBANK rise $ 19.3 billion through its dual listing and even 22.2 billion dollars if the over-allotment option is exercised. It is widely expected in the financial sphere. This would become the largest ever in the world.Previously, the largest IPO was that of javait Industrial & Commercial Bank of China with 21.9 billion in 2006.

The IPO allotment option included, values AGBANK about 150 billion dollars (nearly 120 billion euros), making it the fourth largest bank in terms of global market capitalization behind ICBC, China Construction Bank and HSBC .

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

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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.

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HSBC: 8000 French in the stolen files

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

The files stolen by Herve Falciani the Swiss subsidiary of HSBC bank, and who found themselves in the hands of justice and the French tax authorities have been decrypted. In total, 172,000 accounts have been identified, held by 79,000 people, including 8,000 French. The prosecutor of Nice, Eric de Montgolfier, announced Tuesday evening.

It is well beyond what had been said, on March 11 last, the CEO of HSBC Private Bank, Alexander Zeller. The theft "committed by an employee of the department about three years ago, could affect some 15,000 customers," he declared at a news conference.Regarding the French, it is also far escaped the 3000 tax raised by Eric Woerth, budget minister last summer.

Return a long history

The French court before January 20, 2009 at the home of French Herve Falciani encrypted computer files containing a list of accounts held by customers of HSBC. The search was conducted as part of a request by Swiss judicial authorities, suspecting the employee of misappropriation of confidential data between 2006 and 2007.

But before passing to the Swiss, French investigators have analyzed the content of these seizures, which have proved of great interest for justice and the French tax authorities.Prosecutors in Nice opened an investigation for money laundering and tax administration has used the data to identify suspected fraudsters No teletrack payday loans.

The Battle of France

Shareholders who were illegally will pay for it keeps those who do not. Of the 6 billion euros of capital identified in the accounts in Switzerland, 700 million penalty in 2010 will be released. And 700 million euros will be refunded to taxpayers whose tax exceeds 50% of revenues.

In Italy, the method was different. Silvio Berlusconi has been voted an amnesty which showed 95 billion euros of capital and reported $ 6 billion in the Italian Treasury.

But the amnesty is not on the agenda in France. "Because the amnesty called fraud until the next amnesty," said Eric Woerth.

Italy on the alert

"Prosecutors in Turin we sent a request for mutual legal enforcement. He asked to get copies of the data we have captured, "said Eric de Montgolfier. According to the prosecutor, the Italian justice has opened an investigation for tax evasion.

ECB: Greece will "in the right direction"

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

No surprises from Frankfurt. The European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday left its main interest rate unchanged at 1%. Earlier, the Bank of England also announced the continuation of its policy rate at 0.5%.

In March the Governing Council of the ECB "will take decisions on (…) a gradual lifting of the measures of liquidity [in support of banks] who are no longer as necessary as in the past," said Jean-Claude Trichet at a press conference.

Long awaited on the subject of Greece, Jean-Claude Trichet has held that the fiscal savings by Greece are "not in the right direction.""We are confident in the ability of Greece will take all decisions necessary to achieve the objective" of a deficit below 3% of GDP by 2012, said President of the ECB personal business card . No exceptions will be made for any area countries, "he said.

While Portugal and Spain in turn disturb markets, Jean-Claude Trichet reiterated that it was "crucial" that all countries "respect strictly the exit procedures for excessive deficits."

"According to the International Monetary Fund, the overall deficit of the euro area will rise to 6%", said Jean-Claude Trichet. "The United States will be at 10%, Japan is also at 10%.(…) A more flattering comparison for the euro area! Nevertheless, we exhibit unabsence total of convenience "in the direction of monetary policy," he said.

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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.

Review bleak for the "Black Friday"

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

"More people in malls, but less money to spend, so gloomy assessment of the first big weekend of shopping at the end of the year in the United States. The prospect of a significant increase in online sales during special promotions planned on Monday, a day renamed "Cyber Monday" has nevertheless somewhat reassured professionals.

Last year, the financial crisis and the collapse of credit availability during the fall had resulted in a dip of 3.4% of purchases at year end. Few analysts expect a fall as strong this year. The test of the weekend of Thanksgiving is not conclusive: the average shopper spent $ 343.31 dollars between Friday morning and Sunday evening.It is almost 30 dollars less than last year.

This decline was however offset by a higher attendance of stores: 195 million Americans flocked to the malls during the three days following the Thanksgiving holiday Thursday, 172 million were in this case in 2008. We must be cautious in analyzing these figures. The favorable weather these days is indeed a significant factor in attendance. Conversely, rising unemployment, the highest in twenty-six, and the persistent shortage of credit deter curious to succumb to the temptation of promotions.To overcome these two obstacles, the distribution industry is increasing its marketing efforts.

Emplettespour of the fun

The mall opened at dawn wanted the Americans to leave their home by displaying very low prices, but very limited quantities of popular items, for a few hours.

It was such electronic products (TVs, cameras, computers) or toys. Promotions less targeted and less fugitive is likely by Christmas. They might be less generous, however, because traders also need to preserve their margins.All factors combined, the National Federation of Retailers (National Retail Federation) table always erode global buyers end of the year of around 1%.

According to the firm ShopperTrak, during the single "Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, sales rose only 0, 5%. In contrast, online sales have jumped on that day by 11%, according to the firm comScore. Thursday, several department store chains publish figures of their sales throughout the month of November. This will give a better idea of the context in which the profession deals with Christmas 2009. The biggest surprise of this first weekend of shopping is that over 63% of Americans have opened their wallets to give pleasure, rather than the prospect of gifts.It shows a sign of underlying demand fairly high from some homes, eager to release a little of their savings discipline evident since last winter.

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