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The Paris Bourse consolidates

Saturday Oct 30, 2010

Wait and prudence prevail Paris Stock Exchange on Friday. The CAC 40, which had rebounded 0.50% to close Thursday through publications in above expectations of heavy odds, starts small drop of 0.15% to 3828.71 points.

As in Asia this morning, the U.S. macroeconomic news may bounce back today due to a slowdown of publications on this last day of the week. Main question mark for investors: the plan to support the U.S. economy is expected to be unveiled by the Fed on Wednesday. Speculation surrounding sow doubt in the minds of operators for several weeks. Second issue: the midterm elections in the United States.Whichever push Wall Street fences scattered for two days, which is not to reassure European markets.

This Friday, the macroeconomic news is also particularly busy overseas. In early afternoon, the Commerce Department will release the first estimate of third quarter GDP. Then follow the Chicago PMI and consumer sentiment for October.

As for currencies, the euro lost ground against the dollar. The single currency traded at 1.3879 dollars (-0.46%) before the commencement of trading.

Autolib: Bolloré Bookmark

Bolloré Thursday posted a turnover up 27% for the third quarter, to 1.8 billion euros. Moreover, according to Le Figaro, the union gave mixed Autolib earlier this week his preference to the offer of the Bolloré group, compared with those of Notice-RATP-SNCF and Veolia, Vinci Park.

Sanofi-Aventis announced Thursday the acquisition of BMP Sunstone to 520.6 million dollars (374 million euros), which allows it to strengthen in the field of public health in China. Genzyme on the record, Chris Viehbacher, head of the group, dismissed the claims of the biotech and is willing to extend the expiration date of its takeover bid.

Stallergenes said Thursday night that made an offer for Wendel holds 45.87% in its capital. In a statement, Ares explains that both parties have entered into exclusivity period to finalize the transaction. This would be achieved at a price of 59 euros per share.

The Italian conglomerate CIR announced it had abandoned IPO for its subsidiary health KOS and instead sell some to fund capital Axa for 150 million euros.

Veolia Environment has given the green light from the European Union for the purchase of several assets in the UK United Utilities water and water treatment.

Publications Thursday

Fimalac said Thursday sales up 8.9% for all of its 2009/2010 financial year thanks to revenue growth of its credit rating agency Fitch Ratings.

The General Health has reported an operating profit increase over the first nine months despite a revenue decline, affected by divestments.

Toupargel Thursday lowered its forecast for 2010 after a decline in sales in the first nine months of the year.

Latecoere announced Thursday an increase of 7.3% of its turnover in the third quarter, giving a fall of 4.4% over the first nine months of the year driven by its flagship aerostructures. The focus group confirmed a 2010 sales similar to 2009 and a return to growth in 2011.

PPR announced an increase in sales of 13% in the third quarter, reflecting a continued recovery of its distribution activities and the rebound of luxury.

Unibail-Rodamco is to issue its revenue in the third quarter after market close.


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Pensions have mobilized some

Thursday Oct 28, 2010

As expected, participation in this seventh day of action against the pension reform was not up to the previous. School holidays, the financial cost to the protesters represent the days of absence from rehearsal, and the adoption of the law Wednesday by parliamentarians contribute to the admission of key union leaders, have helped reduce this Thursday density processions and the proportion of strikers in the business.

According to the Interior Ministry, 560,000 people in total were collected throughout France. Only slightly more than the figures announced in mid-day on October 19 by the authorities (500,000). The challenge of pension reform will have mobilized two months after demonstrators last week.We are moving towards a "crisis in the days and weeks to come," says Eric Woerth, Minister of Labour.

The CGT, meanwhile, were nearly 2 million people cheap payday advance. Departure of the procession in Paris, the secretary general of the CGT Bernard Thibault warned: If participation was ultimately "less" Thursday than previous mobilizations, she would remain in his "impressive" given the passage of the law. The leader of the CGT and the CFDT secretary general Francois Chereque, and that of Jean-Claude Mailly FOR still hoped, at least formally, use the magnitude of mobilization to persuade Nicolas Sarkozy not to publish the decrees application of the law reforming pension systems.The CGT also called to continue the mobilization until the law is enacted.

The Socialist Party first secretary Martine Aubry, has in turn also indicated that the Socialists' until the last moment "that will fight for the law is not enacted. Watch the video.


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Consumption is resumed in September

Wednesday Oct 27, 2010

With the start of the households have recovered somewhat morale and resumed eating. Their spending rose 1.5% in September after declining 1.6% in August, according to the latest figures from INSEE. On the entire third quarter, they rose 1.2% after falling 0.8% in the second. Enough to power the growth of the economy over the period.

Main driver of consumption in September, car sales rebounded by 11.2% over the month, after sharp declines in previous months. The economy minister welcomes the "enduring success of the scrapping despite the partial reduction of the device earlier this year."

Lackluster economic conditions

Still, "the situation is little short-term carrier in France for the automobile slowed progression of purchasing power, rising unemployment and the gradual disappearance of government incentives," nuance Alexander Law, chief economist cheap pay day loans at Xerfi. He believes that "the car should fall into the red in October."

Throughout the quarter, spending on clothing experienced "record growth" of 4.5%, Insee said, "because the sales have started late this year."

These figures confirm the scenario of INSEE growth of 1.6% in the third quarter, driven by consumer spending up 0.4%.


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The French government joins the suit against Molex

Sunday Oct 24, 2010

After an initial call to order the Labour Minister Eric Woerth last week, it was the turn of Christian Estrosi, Minister of Industry to bang your fist on the table. It has signaled its intention to partner the State to a complaint filed against American automotive supplier Molex by former employees of one of its plants.

Molex recently announced it would stop funding the social closure of the plant as the complaints about the tribunal were not withdrawn. 188 of 283 employees of the factory automotive connectors Villemur-sur-Tarn (Haute-Garonne), closed in October 2009, have decided to challenge their redundancy. Nineteen representatives of staff, dismissed six months later than the rest of the 283 employees of the factory, and still leave reclassification until January 2011, are the main victims of the decision of Molex.Former employees of the plant have already announced plans to take legal action.

Thursday Estrosi said he wanted to "put pressure Molex (bad credit pay day loans. ..) so it pays the amounts due, noting that US-Molex's behavior was" not in conformity with French law " . He "decided to ask the liquidator to carry (…) to an action for damages for lack of assets against Molex, (…) and pledged that the State supports this approach to the liquidator J. ", told AFP a spokesman of the ministry, confirming a report in Le Parisien.

Christain Estrosi also pledged that the State will make all payments to former employees of the plant Villemur, according to the plan office.The former secretary of the CGT works Molex, Denis Parise, has lamented his side a civil and not criminal, stressing that the process would take more than two years.

(With AFP)

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Beijing plays the weapon of "rare earth"

Saturday Oct 23, 2010

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphic.

Our correspondent in Beijing

The father of Chinese economic power had once said that if the Middle East was rich in oil, China, she had the "rare earth". Deng Xiaoping was referring to a group of 17 strategic minerals. Materials with unpronounceable names – yttrium or praseodymium – found in civil industries such as advanced military, missile iPod through the cars. Beijing now supplies over 95% of the needs of the planet. Like oil, these rare earths can become a weapon, as shown in verbal sparring in recent days, between China and Japan. And today is the United States and even Europe, which could be involved.

At the height of the diplomatic crisis arose from the arrest of a Chinese trawler by the Japanese in disputed waters last September 7, Tokyo has denounced a decision of exports to the archipelago. Thirty Japanese companies would be deprived of supply since September 21. Beijing responded Tuesday in ensuring that these exports have "never stopped". But the same day, Japan has demanded the opening of formal talks to demand the resumption of deliveries. Especially, the "battle of rare earths has crossed the Pacific.

Rise of "economic nationalism"

Since Monday, exports to the United States would likewise be blocked in response to a U.S. survey on illegal subsidies granted to the green industry in China, according to The New York Times. Washington is studying the compatibility of these restrictions with the WTO rules.As for Germany, she announced in midweek have adopted a "strategy for its supply of rare earth." Meanwhile, Japan and Vietnam said they wanted to reach an agreement by the end of the month to produce all these commodities.

The Chinese firm hand on the valve of REE did not start yesterday. Beijing has set up strict quotas since 2005 and reduced its exports by 5 to 10% per year. But last July, the Chinese have raised the pressure in deciding to reduce export quotas of 72% for the second half of 2010, which immediately caused a price rise. And Monday, the official China Daily said that China planned to cut quotas again next year, around 30%.Information contradicted by an anonymous source from the Ministry of Commerce, without this amendment shall not really reassuring.

This clamping screw fueling speculation on a rise of "economic nationalism" in Chinese leadership circles. But it also responds to economic imperatives Chinese development greatly increases the domestic demand for these rare metals. In support, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce recently stated that the reserves of rare earth in the country had dropped by 37% between 1996 and 2003. And could be exhausted within fifteen to twenty years if the current rate of production continues."But there probably also will force multinationals to produce more and more goods that require these minerals in China," says one Western businessman, creating jobs and growth in the country. "When Europe-China summit, ten days ago, Premier Wen Jiabao – geologist – wanted to reassure the Europeans, saying that there was "no embargo, no blackmail. While reaffirming the need to closely monitor this resource, "both in the interests of China than in the world."

The Japanese case was a shock. And the world is now considering responses. Tokyo has launched a national plan to secure its supplies, but also by diversifying them by supporting research on alternative materials.Washington attacked the resumption of production on its soil, while the Pentagon launched a study on the U.S. military dependence on REE. The Chinese attitude accelerates all projects to exploit reserves in the world. Despite their name, these lands are in fact not particularly rare, but production has been concentrated in China, both for reasons of low extraction costs for low environmental constraints. As a result, large deposits are being developed in Australia, Canada and the United States. Others also follow the movement, such as Russia – which has big reserves – India, Brazil and Mongolia. The Japanese – with Korea that consume a fifth of global output – are also exploring projects in Kazakhstan and Vietnam.

All these deposits should not really be operational before 2014.In the meantime, the western industrial might have some cold sweats, global demand expected to double within five years to come.

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The Halloween holidays disrupted by shortages

Thursday Oct 21, 2010

How to go on vacation without gasoline? That's the question many people have the day before the holiday of All Saints. Traditionally, it is not those who have the highest rates of reservations highest. But the fuel shortages and disruptions and repeated strikes to reinforce a wait station for customers, already more inclined to book at the last moment. Result, even a few cancellations, but reservations that pack for a few days.

Thus, the CEO of tour operator Voyageurs du Monde, Jean-Francois Rial notes that "strong growth in bookings since early September has been stagnant for three or four days." "Customers who had already decided to go do. Others delay their entry, "he analyzes.

Odalys at number two tourist accommodation in France, the situation is the same."A slowdown in orders has been observed since Sunday," while "bookings for the holidays of All Saints were higher than those recorded last year."

Customers worried

"The horror of tourists to move in limbo! And this is normal. The constraints are in contradiction with the concept of vacation cash till payday loan. "Explains Jean-Pierre Serra, president of the National Network of departmental destinations (RN2D) which includes all offices and agencies of county travel. Suddenly, the picture was mixed. Regions not affected by closures and are still well supplied with fuel are not affected by deferrals or cancellations. In contrast, more distant destinations of major cities suffer from the prolonged conflict on the pension reform.

For their part, Gîtes de France noted a slight drop in bookings, but more importantly, they receive many calls from consumers worried about whether they will be refunded if cancellation occurs. "Yes, says a spokeswoman, provided you have purchased cancellation insurance.

At Pierre et Vacances, the concern of customers was expected. "We started thinking about the problem earlier this week, says it to management. We have implemented a monitoring system that warns if the number of calls increases. " The group also proposed deferrals or credits for customers who wish to stagger their holidays but do not have insurance cancellation. "We received a few calls from people worried, but there is no postponement en masse.

Transportation heart of the problem

National Union of Travel Agencies (SNAV), it is optimistic."Among our members, the Halloween holidays often bring breaks by air to and from abroad," says Jean-Marc Roze, its secretary general. "As long as the planes take off, we have no problem." But should there be a train or gasoline to get to the airport. "We could be indirectly affected and on time, because travelers can not manage to go there," says Jean-Marc Roze.

In France, the issue of distance from home that arises. "For example, to Paris-with a full Landes is very complicated, while with a full tank of fuel, a CL can descend on the Riviera and back!" Exclaims Jean-Pierre Serra RN2D."The autonomy movement will drive holidaymakers to shift their residence to a destination closer to home."

The government is reassuring

"There is no problem for the holidays to come," said Wednesday the Secretary of State for Tourism, Hervé Novelli, while the Elysee on Wednesday ordered the release of fuel depots Cash Until Payday . "There is no current impact (social movement) on tourists, foreign or domestic, even if in some regions, there are real difficulties," explained Herve Novelli.

But Didier Arino, director of Protourisme, the impact of strikes and shortages of fuel have already cost "3% occupancy rate at the French hotel industry, 15 to 18 million euros".Even if it is "not significant because October is very good. Growth will be weaker. "

This is especially the reservation rate for the long weekend from November 1 which will be scrutinized by industry professionals. "Holidaymakers can still worried see their stay and leave for a big weekend. That's where we will surely larger migration. But not sure the French will have, by then refuel their vehicles.

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Traffic at the station on Thursday improves

Thursday Oct 21, 2010

While the looming holiday of All Saints this weekend, the SNCF plans for the day Thursday and a further slight improvement in traffic. The rate of participation in inter-renewable strike over pensions on Wednesday was established for all staff, to 15.68%, says management. According to a statement from the station, the traffic will be disrupted:

• Nationally

-TGV Paris-province: two trains on three

TGV-province to province: a second train

– For B: a second train. Connections with TGV are not guaranteed.

– To Corail trains: four out of ten trains

– For Intercity trains: almost a second train

– Téoz: more than four out of ten trains

– Traffic and Paris Nice Paris Nice: the normal night of October 20 to 21.

• Transiliens

– 6 out of 10 trains at peak.Additional trains are likely to be put into circulation. Traffic on the RER A is normal.

• Internationally

– Eurostar: Normal

-Thalys: near-normal service

– ICE TGV (France-Germany): Normal

-TGV Lyria (France-Switzerland): normal traffic

– To Italy: A roundtrip Paris-Milan will be provided for the daytime traffic payday loan lenders.

Traffic-other international trains uninsured.

– Traffic Lunea night: no traffic on the night of October 19 to 20.

SNCF said that while ticket lines will be valid during the period, board any train traveling on that day about the relationship in question.Customers preferring to cancel a trip with a reservation for a train of the period may do so without charge at the counter, whatever the price.

• Information

http://www.sncf.com

http://.infolignes.com

http://www.abcdtrains.com

http://www.ter.sncf.com

The site-by-station mouvement.com also serves to check the billboards (departures and arrivals) from the station of his choice.

• Hotlines:

0.805.90.36.35 to Outline (TGV), TER Téoz and Intercity

0.805.70.08.05 for Transilien

sncf.mobi for réerl time access to information on mobile.

Station radio: One point traffic every 15 minutes from the SNCF Direct application on smart-phone and all websites SNCF (www.sncflaradio.com)

France Bleu Ile-de-France: 107.1

• Paris Transportation:

RATP scheduled for Thursday normal traffic on all networks.


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Shortage: 4000 stations on hold supply

Tuesday Oct 19, 2010

The government decided to intervene to promote the supply of gas stations with fuel. At midday on Tuesday, Prime Minister Francois Fillon told the UMP deputies that a "trip plan fuels" was introduced this morning and that "four or five days, the situation will return normal.

Meanwhile, the shortage of gasoline is now well réelle.Les queues lengthen and petrol stations run dry. Repeated calls not to panic clearly not enough. Despite news of the government, who attempted to reassure the Secretary of State for Transport Dominique Bussereau, reported Monday a 60% jump in purchases of fuel last week compared to a week "normal."At this movement rush pumps is the fact that the twelve metropolitan refineries affected by the strikes and some fuel depots are still blocked today.

On Tuesday, the group Total has reported about 1000 service stations out of one or more fuels, nearly a quarter of the 4,300 stations that make up the network of the oil company.

Nearly 4,000 service stations affected

According to the Union of independent petroleum importers (IPU) between 1000 and 1500 stations are closed on Tuesday in the large distribution network of 4,800 pumps.The Carrefour alone lists 300 stations "out of total fuel," a network of 1246 petrol pumps.

Independent distributors of fuel, claiming a network of 3,500 stations around, are "at least as many stations affected" in the supermarket, about a thousand.

In total, according to Jean-Louis Borloo, Minister of Ecology, are "almost 4000 stations" that are waiting for supplies. He did not specify if they were already in shortage or threatened to be.

Among the areas most penalized Total cites Normandy and the west-central France, particularly the regions of Le Mans and Tours quick payday loan.

Production cuts by the end of the week

The impact of the fuel shortage is felt in businesses.Employees "are starting to have trouble arriving at the workplace is an immediate problem," especially "in areas where people arrive by car," said the secretary general of the General Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises (CGPME), Jean-Eudes du Mesnil du Buisson. He warns against the risk of having, "by next week," a slowdown or downtime "in the case of a prosecution or an amplification of the fuel shortage.

Even where concern MEDEF Laurence Parisot spoke of "serious disruption" in the building, civil engineering or chemistry. "When we have issues of competitiveness within Europe or face the rest of the world, we can not long afford to large disturbances," she insisted.

Although it remains difficult to quantify the impact of the shortage in many sectors are affected."The end of the week will be very difficult," warned the chief representative of the National Federation of Road Transport (FNTR) Jean-Paul Deneuville, asking the government to "release the deposits." According to the main French federation of motor carriers, about 90 of the 250 pumps dedicated to road were dry Monday night.

Some companies, which have no fuel tank, "are already carrying" goods, acted on his side the UR, employers' organization representing the SOHO and SME sector. "Without trucks," insisted John Paul Deneuville, "there is a risk of paralysis of the economy."

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The Paris Motor victim strikes

Monday Oct 18, 2010

The Paris Motor Show, which closed its doors Sunday after two weeks of operation, is part of the collateral victims of social movements. If Paris, "still the biggest show in the world," says Thierry Hesse, the chief curator, he has this year attracted just over 1.2 million visitors, far from the record of the previous edition in 2008 (1.43 million). "Until last Monday, attendance was comparable to that of 2008, but the strikes on Tuesday and Wednesday we have lost about 100,000 visitors, especially provincial feared being unable to return home at night," says Thierry Hesse.

Disturbed by external uncertainties, the Mondial de Paris still symbolized the return to form sector. Attendance has not actually fallen much as other auto shows held in 2009 (-20% and -60% in Frankfurt, Tokyo).Moreover, "manufacturers have chosen Paris as the recovery room: all the major groups were present, and they expected the event to make a hundred world premieres," says Thierry Hesse. These manufacturers, especially the French, who sought to shine at home, report positively. First in terms of image. PSA Peugeot Citroën has set out its ambitions in the high-end (with the Peugeot 508 or Citroen DS4) and own the car (with its 100% electric vehicles and hybrid 3008). Renault has shown its side of his stylistic paths, through the concept car unveiled Dezire and its four electric models in near-final version.

Higher orders

There is also an increasing number of business contacts from a 2008 edition marked by the crisis. With approximately 2,800 voucher, Citroen has tripled the 2008 figure.The new C4, launched in full World, and DS3 focus almost half of requests. Peugeot, like Citroen, needle prospects to a dealer, it has approximately 4,000 "business proposals" – over a quarter to 508 – more than double the score of 2009. Renault also displays performance increase (+40%), with its share of orders (approximately 1400). These figures, however, remain modest compared to the 50,000 orders that the manufacturer could save a total in France in October.

The World has finally been marked by public interest in electric cars. More than 11,000 people have tried one. Renault is also pleased to have totaled more than 3,000 advance bookings for its Fluence Twizy electric Kangoo and planned from next year.

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Species: several stations dry, Roissy and Orly threatened shortage

Saturday Oct 16, 2010

Despite government efforts to contain it, the strike of the oil sector is growing. Friday morning, seven new oil deposits have been occupied, two temporarily. The last two refineries in the city that were still functioning have also joined the movement. Finally, the pipeline that supplies fuel to airports of Orly and Roissy stopped functioning for lack of supply.

"The airport has 17 days from Orly and Roissy stock inventory," said a spokesman for the company Trapil, which manages the pipeline. She said not to have "visibility beyond this weekend" on the resumption of supplies to Roissy. Aeroports de Paris (ADP), however, assured that he had "no concerns" about the situation."We have several days of inventory," claimed a spokesman for the manager to Roissy and Orly.

"We can not afford a shortage of gasoline," firmly told his side Friday morning Secretary of State for Transport Dominique Bussereau on Europe 1. To avoid reaching this point, the government decided on Thursday to force unlock several oil depots.

So that Friday at dawn, riot police intervened to clear the access main fuel depot in south-eastern France, the Fos-sur-Mer, in the Bouches-du-Rhone. They were blocked Thursday morning by staff from the port of Marseille striker and refineries Étang de Berre, who protest against pension reform. Gold deposit is essential to feed the fuel pumps in the region. According to the CGT, the police action took place in number, with fifty police trucks.The prefecture said that the operation was uneventful. The security forces stayed behind to secure the site.

On the union side, we deplore the government's panic:


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