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The European stock markets in a fragmented, Paris in the green

Wednesday Mar 10, 2010

Hesitation waltz yesterday at the Paris Bourse. After being undecided, the CAC 40 has finally risen from 0.17% to finish at 3910.01 points. Everywhere in Europe, stock markets have evolved sawtooth almost the entire session. At the finish, the indexes have ended in no particular order, the FTSE in London lost 0.08% while the Frankfurt Dax gained 0.17%.

The Paris market has recovered very end of the session, thanks to a small recovery on Wall Street. The NYSE, which also lacked enthusiasm in the morning after his fine recovery in recent days, trying to take a step forward at mid-term.Shortly after the close of European stock exchanges, the Dow Jones advanced 0.19% and 0.41% on Nasdaq.

While the pressure on the issue of debt Greek gradually eased after the successful launch of its loans, Fitch has rekindled concerns about the market deficits pointing to management by Portugal's budget deficit.

Banks in trouble

The rating agency said that a worsening credit rating of the country was "not excluded" bad credit payday advance . The market was also dampened by a load of the other major rating agency Moody's, against British banks.Analysts at Moody's explained that many of these institutions could see their grades degraded "to run if they failed to significantly improve their financial strength."

In Paris as elsewhere, banking stocks were immediately plunged into the red. Crédit Agricole has finally lost 1.41%, 1.49% Societe Generale and BNP Paribas 0.51%. Natixis fell by 0.78% and 0.93% of Dexia. Bad passes also for EADS. The group announced a loss of 763 million euros in 2009 after deciding yesterday to throw the towel in the race for tanker contract from the U.S. Army. The stock has lost 2.80%. Among the few increases in the day, Areva has distinguished (+ 3.59%) while held in Paris an international meeting on access to civilian nuclear power, the great specialty of the French group.


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Nicolas Sarkozy discrete Agriculture Exhibition

Sunday Mar 7, 2010

Nicolas Sarkozy is he fell off the bed? The Head of State arrived well ahead of schedule Saturday morning at the Salon de l'Agriculture in Paris. While appointments had been given to the press at 9:00 am, for arrival between 9:30 and 10:00, the President took everyone to court in arriving at 8:30.

Half an hour before the exhibition opens to the public, and while all the journalists had not yet arrived, the head of state has been able to finish a quiet and calm in a tense situation. It is accompanied by Ministers Bruno Le Maire (Agriculture) and Michel Mercier (Rural Areas and Regional Planning).It has been particularly welcomed by Jean-Michel Lemetayer, president of the National Federation of Farmers' Unions (FNSEA).

"Nicolas Sarkozy is taking its time"

While departing from the tradition, the president has not opened this year's Salon de la Porte de Versailles, it was eagerly awaited by farmers who suffer the brunt of crisis. The Salon de l'Agriculture has always been a difficult visit to Nicolas Sarkozy payday advance . Two years ago, his baptism of fire as president had led to a controversy surrounding the famous phrase, coined a visitor who refused to shake his hand, "Casse-toi pauvre con". Especially, the current president's hard to bear comparison with his predecessor.Jacques Chirac is in fact very comfortable in the exercise, which he demonstrated again Friday during a visit acclaimed.

"It seems that Nicolas Sarkozy, who usually do not linger in the aisles of the Salon, decided this year to take more time to listen to farmers," explains one of the envoys of Figaro on site, which also describes the security services "tense". Anxious to avoid overflow, the bodyguards of the president are intractable. The Roundtable, scheduled for the morning with representatives of the agricultural world, will take place elsewhere out of sight, journalists are invited to follow from the newsroom.

More to come on lefigaro.fr …


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Hermes leather goods door sales

Sunday Feb 7, 2010

A crisis? What crisis? The luxury group Hermes has earned over the year 2009, sales up 8.5% (+4.1% at constant exchange rates), to 1.91 billion euros, exceeding its objectives and expectations of analysts (1.886 billion according to the consensus).

Performance explained by the boost of holiday season. In fact the only three months of 2009, activity has soared by 18% (+11% constant).

"All geographical areas are progressing with the exception of Japan," the group said. This is not surprising. The improvement in the fourth quarter was very strong in the Americas (+20% after +1.6% at the end of the first nine months of the previous year) and Europe (9% after -0.5%) and Asia outside Japan is still very active (35% after 26%).

The two activities most contributors margins are very strong, with an annual turnover up 16% on leather goods – which represents about half of total turnover – and 6% on Silk (12% of total business) cash advance to savings account . The activities mainly wholesale sales are picking up later this year but remain in the red.

Hermes International has finally raised its initial target of 5% decrease in recurring operating income is now expecting a slight increase. Natixis Securities anticipates an increase of 1%. In addition, net income is expected "close to that of 2008, or 290 million euros. The broker for the time table of 306 million euros. An analyst meeting will be held from nine hours.

For 2010, the continuation of the strategy and twelve new branches are announced.

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Schneider bets on electric vehicle

Thursday Feb 4, 2010

Run on electricity, that's fine. Able to recharge its batteries at lower cost and across Europe, it would be even better. This should be discussed at the Council of Ministers Franco-German held this Thursday. The industrial stakes are high, one that will impose "its" Standard for recharging points will be a step ahead. Schneider Electric intends to play this card against his rivals, the French SME in the German equivalent of EDF, RWE, through the Italian or Chinese groups.

The stakes are high. Primarily economic. By 2015, automakers estimate that 10% of French Park, 3 million cars will be electric. To ensure mobility, it takes at least 2.5 terminals per car. Schneider considers prudent in this market "several hundred million euros" for France.But the group is also Europe and the United States, a potential billion.

The second challenge will be to ensure a "green" power users of electric vehicles. "If we must give way to coal fired power plants when everyone recharge his car returning home at about 19 hours, the environmental challenge will be lost, schematically Philippe Delorme, Chief Strategy and Innovation at Schneider Electric. The challenge remains to bring to market vehicles "carbonizing, then using renewable electricity (wind, solar or nuclear). To avoid these peaks of consumption will require that the electric charging stations are able to interact with the network, identify the peak hours and recharge the batteries during these periods.Of course, there is no question of forcing drivers to plug their car between midnight and 3 am, but rather to encourage them with a display of the estimated cost of recharging. "The limits of public support will display two options, a slow charge, for four to six hours at optimum cost, a fast charge, in about thirty minutes, but probably more expensive," said Philippe Delorme instant payday loans .

4.4 million terminals in 2020

These famous terminals will be installed in car parks, private or public, on public property, in columns of 1.5 m, but also in homes. At home, they have the size of a "computer briefcase, with promises be an effort to ergonomics and design. Their installation will require an adaptation of the electrical installation.Recharge a car battery does not require the same amperage as plugging in a toaster! This installation should nevertheless be accessible on the order of 500 to 1 000. An investment that can quickly be profitable if one considers only 3 euros for electricity should be able to run 300 kilometers, cons twenty euros with a heat engine for the same distance.

For its part, the Government has already announced a 1.5 billion euro investment for the installation of 4.4 million terminals in the territory by 2020.

"Under the aegis of Jean-Louis Borloo, Minister of Environment, a working group is studying the establishment of a standardized European solution," said Philippe Delorme. It is a car built for the French market can be recharged in Germany. "This issue goes beyond the issue of compatibility of electrical outlets.Charging a car battery will involve many functions of "dialogue" with the loading terminal, even if only to determine its energy needs.

It will also be able to choose between a slow charge, softer to the battery, and a rapid and determine the cost of the operation. Other points are still under study, such as taxing to the terminal of the new "fuel."

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DeamNex: "Hunting Opportunities"

Wednesday Feb 3, 2010

Lefigaro.fr / Jdf.com: In just under ten years, DreamNex has become the European champion of the Internet charming. What were the secrets of your success?

Patrice Macar: First, DreamNex was the first company to spell Internet with a quality, positioned on the high end, which addresses the general adult audience, namely men, women, and couples. In addition, there is no doubt that the sector is in vogue. Sexuality is no longer taboo. It is even likely. Sexy lingerie and sex toys have democratized, as evidenced by the series Sex and the City or the corner Toys Chics at Galeries Lafayette. Even M6 Boutique spent a night broadcast on its new range of sex toys.

Besides selling products, we developed our site Sexyavenue.com entertainment activity, with a video service (VOD), which has seriously accelerated with the spread of broadband. Again, DreamNex has cornered the French market. And the branch meetings has also had some success with its service Eden Flirt "for naughty games and free in a supervised environment.

In acquiring the Belgian Enjoy DreamNex early 2008 that declared its leadership at European level through its service XCAM, a kind of phone sex on webcams, where thousands of independent filmmakers around the world offer discussions erotic home.Buying Enjoy, for just over 40 million euros has been possible thanks to the IPO of DreamNex on Euronext (Compartment C) in March 2007, which then helped raise 15 million euros.

In recent years you've been very aggressive in the market by finalizing purchase of several companies. And you do not stop here …

We have no reason to stop there! Not only is DreamNex leader, but he is always alone on the European market very fragmented. In addition, we have the necessary cash to make acquisitions of our choice. In fact, since the IPO, DreamNex still has as much cash as all previous acquisitions have allowed a return on investment as we have been able to pay shareholders, while bailing out our cases.

In 2009, however, we took a break after four acquisitions in 18 months to restructure the group and maximize the new resources. It has centralized teams, we recruited new managers … But in 2010, one starts to hunt for great opportunities. It focuses on three areas that we know well. For now, DreamNex is strong in France, Belgium, Spain and Italy. We look for companies already well established, why not in Germany. We have two issues being discussed, but nothing is certain yet.

In 2009, your sales totaled 67.3 million euros, down 4.2% on a pro forma basis. What are your goals for 2010?

DreamNex activity, partly due to the vagaries of the consumer has finally stood up well in 2009. Surely it is because people are a little more at home and at restaurant or cinema.It does, they need to entertain. But it is true that we have found that the average basket of purchases on our site is a little less than before Payday Advance . Customers buy on average four products now rather than five.

Anyway, last year was pivotal. It was time to reorganize. The effects are already felt. Even if I never give targets usually I can tell you that the operating profitability of the group will win at least 5 points between the first and second half of 2009, reaching over 25% on the second part of the year .

You've decided to start a business of gaming. Is it not make too much diversification?

We realized that poker players, casinos, paris sports, etc..online customers and the Internet are actually charming in a hearing fairly close. DreamNex has the ability to generate audience. We can then exploit it and add another string to our bow. We will not incur massive investment in this activity. We will call for a turnkey solution for platform games through companies specializing in the field. The challenge now is to comply with legal constraints and heavy comply with specific regulations in force in different European countries.

By launching your own brand, have you played the card of profitability or is it rather a fun little marketing?

Both. It was first launched lingerie SexyAvenue. Now half of our products are sold to our brand. Since June 2009, we sell sextoys SexyAvenue.Note that sextoys now represent half of our total sales. For our sextoys, we chose 15 products that sold best on our site, we went to China, and we asked the same to our sign. Ultimately, the price is a little cheaper and our products SexyAvenue reap a gross profit of at least 70%. Value today, the brand recorded 27% of sales. We aim 30 to 35% in the short term.

What, ten years ago, you had the idea and the courage to get started in this business?

In fact, my ambition was to be undertaken on the Internet. I felt the revolution. I told myself that I must be part of this incredible movement. I wondered what kind of business I was targeting. I quickly noticed the United States, the adult business was going well. Meanwhile, in Europe, there was almost nothing, apart from sites in Pigalle …So I chose this niche, but with a real professional approach.

You must have had a hard time build your credibility at the beginning …

It is true that banks and other partners looked at me wrong at first. It was ten years ago and attitudes were different. There are still some people who are uncomfortable with the activity of DreamNex, but overall it's much more relaxed than before. Especially now that DreamNex is listed on the stock market and managed to get a good picture, relations are much easier.

Interview by Marine Rabreau.

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CGT strike against the port reform

Tuesday Jan 5, 2010

At the risk of scaring a few more customers of the French ports, the CGT chose continuity in strategy from one year to the next … After a one-day strike on 6 November and a strike overtime from that date, the association of ports and docks union's relaunch its action against the port reform, passed in Parliament July 4, 2008. The CGT called employees of large seaports, where it has a majority, with two strikes of 24 hours this Monday and next Monday. This should lead to a new terminal block of the seven major French ports.

"The answers we received were not likely to reassure all ports, the federation called to amplify the movement," says the union, whose representatives have met with Transport Minister Dominique Bussereau ago weeks.

For the CGT, the "Recovery Plan ports" of the government aimed to "privatize the autonomous ports. "Where are the development projects of traffic? Where are the 30 000 jobs that were created? "Asks the union. For the latter, the only concrete project since the passage of the reform, the LNG terminal Verdon Bordeaux, has been barred by the government.

Business bloodless

More importantly, the union opposes the measure lighthouse, the transfer of cargo handling activities (cranes and personal) of major ports to private companies, for which the procedure is being per-port basis.Given the crisis that has severely affected the sea traffic, the time would be particularly ill-chosen, the union argues: "The operators and major arms, which are the major claimants of this reform are now dying and unable to lead the transfer of tools and secondment of personnel. "

In Marseille, one of seven ports affected by the reform, Pascal Galeota, general secretary of the CGT major seaport, boasts a "moratorium to reinforce the activity, while the government seems determined to keep on schedule to be in order walk as the recovery will occur.

But the CGT leader Marseille insists: "We feel that nobody knows where we go." Reform is much more complicated to implement due to poor economic conditions, "said union leader, who refuses" transfer deficit bloodless enterprise. The question is whether these blocks are the best way to help businesses affected through this difficult period …

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The cloud computing revolutionizes IT

Monday Nov 23, 2009

The cloud computing mask does a tsunami? For months, the heavy hammer of new technologies that the future lies in the cloud computing literally computing in the cloud.

Amazon and Google, born on the Internet – symbolized by a cloud – are the pioneers of this movement that is revolutionizing the computer world. Their idea? Rent their gigantic business infrastructure and services via the Web, thanks to their huge data centers, these "farms" that can accommodate up to 100 servers 000.

It is true that these two global companies have invested billions of dollars into these gigantic and expensive tools of computing and storage.One for its sales online, the other for its search engine whose algorithms are greedy in power calculations and, therefore servers.

In spring 2006, Amazon launched the leasing business called Amazon Web Services.

Low-Cost Computers

With Internet access, any company can use the computing capacity and storage data from Amazon. And above all it is billed for use. A clever way for the giant e-commerce to recoup its costs. "You think we sell our waste? asked Werner Vogel, CTO of AWS turning to CIOs increasingly concerned by the potential savings represented by the cloud. We offer a unique technology, agile, safe, cheap, secure and with high volumes.It has become a big business for Amazon, as big as e-commerce, "says the leader of AWS without giving further details.

In fact, many start-ups and small businesses who can not afford to invest in an own computer network chose this solution immediately. Others assign only part of their computer when their business demands a bigger consumption computer. Finally some companies have decided to convert entirely to the cloud to make savings in staff and infrastructure, and especially better calculate these costs as if the computer had become a "convenience" as electricity. "Currently, information is still very traditional," says Philippe Bournhonesque, director of strategy for IBM Software in France. The cost of the equipment is expensive, but it must be added that the facility and human resources deployed.The cloud has the advantage of being charged according to usage. You pay only for what you use. "

According to Gartner, sales of computer dematerialized, cloud computing, is expected to exceed 14 billion dollars annually by the end of 2013. IDC, another firm, is more upbeat and consider that services on the cloud will reach $ 44.2 billion end 2013. A drop of water compared to current sales by hardware manufacturers, service companies and traditional software. But the trend toward the industrialization of IT tasks and reducing costs changed the face of techno.

The Internet, elected by the general public is conquering the business world. Now, all groups of high-tech began to cloud. They are not targeting any infrastructure like Amazon.Google has chosen services. Since February 2007, the ogre of Mountain View sells business software accessible over the Internet, such as messaging, calendar, document sharing … sold by annual subscription ($ 50 per user). The Google Apps competitor of Office, one of Microsoft's flagship software, totaled $ 553 million in sales in the first nine months of the year, or 3.25% of turnover from leader Internet research.

IBM and Microsoft have also shown that they were not out of the cloud. Big Blue has developed a comprehensive project called Blue Cloud, with partners. Microsoft has launched in its test platform called Azure cloud computing."We will be the only market to provide the infrastructure, development and software" as a service "that is to say the demand," explains Bernard Ourghanlian, technical director of Microsoft France.

But if the cloud computing will free business investment, it also leaves unanswered questions. These groups, all Americans do not have data centers in France. Companies will they accept that their data is hosted in Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium. This cheap computer will she need battalions of technicians and engineers active in the business? A cloud passes …

"The companies will pay only what they use"


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The plant Flins for Renault power

Friday Nov 6, 2009

The plant Flins in Yvelines, near Paris, will become the heart of the strategy of Renault electric car, a niche where the group has become the diamond leader. Its CEO, Carlos Ghosn, announced Thursday that the "electric vehicle that will form the heart of our range" will be built in this factory. Marketed in 2012, this model should represent term "nearly two-thirds of sales of vehicles' electrical manufacturer, he said. Named Zoe ZE, it will be of equal size to that of the Clio, which was also released chains Flins. The investment amount was not specified. The state plans to give soft loan of up to 150 million euros.

Renault will launch in 2011 a range of four electric vehicles, whose prototypes were unveiled at the IAA.The group expects a share of this technology in global sales by 10% in 2020. In early October, he said he made the future a small electric car in its range, in 2011, in Valladolid, Spain. This will logically its Twizy ZE Two other cars in the range, the Kangoo ZE (utility vehicle) and Fluence ZE (a family sedan due out in Israel in 2011) respectively should be assembled in the factory French Maubeuge and Turkey.

As expected, the site of Flins also manufacture electric batteries. Renault's Japanese ally Nissan, the Commissariat for Atomic Energy (CEA) and the Strategic Investment Fund (ISF) of the State, on Thursday signed a letter of intent to create a joint venture responsible for advanced research Industrialization and recycling of batteries.The planned production capacity is 100 000 copies per year in 2012. It would reach 250 000 batteries in 2015, according to Christian Estrosi, Minister of Industry.

"The game is open"

The investment of the first phase of the project is estimated at 600 million euros until 2013. The second component includes the development of the second generation of batteries. The ISP will invest 125 million and will own a share "but substantial minority" of all. The ECA will provide Renault 5 million and 125 million. This company aims to supply batteries to all carmakers. "It was a sine qua non for us to invest and be profitable, said Gilles Michel, Executive Director of the ISP in Figaro. Renault will be a major client in the early years, but it will not be alone: the game is opened. "Especially from 2013.It also confirms that Philippe Varin, CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroen. His group already has batteries for its future electric Peugeot iOn (planned for October 2010), provided by GS Yuasa Japanese partner Mitsubishi. But "we think the second generation of models and batteries," says he. To provide with Renault or Bolloré – which opened its plant in Britain – "is exploring options", by Philippe Varin, who has not decided between "manufacture" or "buy" batteries.

"Convalescent, automotive resumes appetite for risk


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Cosmetics for children are not harmful

Tuesday Oct 27, 2009

A generally favorable findings. This emerges from the survey conducted jointly by the French Agency for the Safety of Health Products (AFSSAPS) and the Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud (DGCCRF) on cosmetic products for children under three years. The controls operated by the two agencies have focused on packages containing washing gel, lotion, cream or cleaning wipes, distributed in some pregnancies but also cosmetic products for children and marketed in the country. Specifically, between October 2008 and February 2009, Afssaps completed twenty inspections on 47 cosmetic products. During these inspections, 37 samples of products for analysis were performed.For its part, the DGCCRF investigated between December 2008 and March 2009: 32 products have been checked and 21 samples including 4 involving products from kits distributed in maternity wards have been made.

Some products "non-compliant"

First observation: cosmetics examined contain no substances prohibited by the regulations. For Afssaps and DGCCRF, "microbiological testing performed were all led to results showing a good microbiological quality of these products. In detail, regarding allergens, 31 samples 34 were found to conform. At the Conservatives on 37 samples, only one was found not to comply. Another study: labeling.For both organizations, labeling study proved "satisfactory" although on some products, the rules were not respected. Thus, eight products, the ingredient list was not intended (error of ingredients, not respected order of weight) or the expression of date of minimum durability was not consistent for four products.

Strengthen checks at European level

Finally, the survey, progress remains to be done regarding the quality of the safety assessment for human health. Of 47 products tested, no assessment has been found for three products sold by one company and 44 evaluations were considered "improved."Regarding the companies alerted on this point, Afssaps noted an improvement in the quality evaluation certificates, "but the progress can not be considered sufficient. The survey by the DGCCRF has resulted in an administrative policy measure (injunction) and four regulatory reminders. A decision on animal health has notably been taken against a company that did no assessment to the supervisory authorities.

The results of the audits will be presented to other countries in the European Union to draw their attention to the need to strengthen inspections of cosmetic products for children on the European market.


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Air France: turmoil between pilots and management

Tuesday Oct 20, 2009

Since the crash of flight AF 447, unease is evident among the drivers of the company that does not include the communication of their company and how has managed the replacement of pitot probe implicated in the crash of Flight Rio Paris.

Until last week, supervision of drivers, the so-called NTP managers (technical crews), had remained quiet on the subject and several of his leadership. But since Thursday afternoon, breaking seems consumed. Reportedly, a special meeting was held at the headquarters of the company among the 50 most senior executives of the company NTP and Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, CEO of Air France-KLM and Rovetto Gilbert, executive vice president flight operations, that is to say, the head of security at Air France.This meeting was intended precisely to flight safety in the company and the lessons learned from the disaster of flight AF 447. In the opinion of those present, this type of meeting is very rare for Air France and dictated by circumstances and difficulties experienced by the company.

According to our information, Pierre-Henri Gourgeon announced the organization of regular breakfasts with drivers to be aware of their concerns and demands. The boss of Air France has also confirmed that all probes pitot Airbus A320 would be replaced.

"We did not ask the moon"

However, disappointment was palpable among NTP managers present at the meeting which lasted all afternoon. This is the first time that many of them give up their duty of confidentiality to complain that nothing has been done since the disaster of flight AF 447."We have not been listened to, this explains a part in the meeting. Our drivers expect significant changes, particularly in terms of training. "All managers now speak with one voice to demand a thorough reform of flight safety," said another frame this Thursday. The management kicked into touch. "

But executives NTP ask more. They have demanded such an audit of the company in terms of safety that is led by executives of KLM and Delta, two airlines combined, and that they can have access to all levels of information within Air France -KLM."Our pilots are among the best in the world and yet we have more accidents than our competitors," says one part NTP. "Contacted by Le Figaro, the management of Air France said his side" does not comment on internal meetings "but notes that" the purpose of this meeting was just to put everything on the table following the crash of flight AF 447. The meeting did not at all hectic.

Strengthening the security of flights at Air France is a recurring theme in the company since June and the accident of flight AF 447. The pilots union of Air France (SPAF) and Alter, another organization of pilots, have cleverly captured the subject. They call and be put in place a "permanent monitoring unit" that can have access to air safety reports (ASR), reports written by the pilots after the incident.In their view, such a cell might be more reactive during the first incidents of Pitot probes and encourage their replacement without waiting for the accident flight AF 447.

"We did not ask the moon, but management does not want to hear," Arnoux said Gerard, president of SPAF. The union, which was received with Alter on the subject last October 2, has been opposing an end of inadmissibility. Both unions have written Monday Gourgeon to alert again on the subject. "This is a final notice," says Gerard Arnoux. Afterwards, we will have to file a notice of strike. "So far, neither the date nor the duration of a possible social movement have been discussed.

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