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The online banks do not attract the French

Wednesday Mar 10, 2010

The online banks will have to convince the French still reluctant. A BVA survey conducted for the Dutch bank ING Direct, four out of five French are not ready to transfer all or part of their funds in a bank online.

Requires close

The first reason given for their refusal is the need for closeness (89% of responses). Even if they are not all satisfied with their current bank, the French chose an institution primarily because it is easy to reach from home or workplace. Then (74%), fear of having no one to contact if problems or unexpected. Finally, the desire to maintain a customized report with a counselor is paramount for 68% of the 736 respondents with an internet connection … and 73% of them feel just as consultants online banks are unreachable.More surprisingly, the French fear the formalities of transfer of accounts and especially the closing costs from their current institution. But the closure of checking accounts are paying more since 2005!

Fresh lean

Yet the French recognize the qualities of online banks. Some like their fee policy on current operations or the free cards are recognized strengths. 35% of respondents spoke as a major factor in choosing a bank. The hourly range is also appreciated. That leaves working on customer relationship … ING, which currently has 750,000 customers in France, with 500,000 more expected within 6 months.

"See the BVA survey for ING Direct

"Online banking: Boursorama wants to" accelerate "

"It is first on the Internet that we follow his accounts


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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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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."

ALSO READ:

The tax per kilowatt motor under study


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Wall Street: strongest monthly decline since February 2009

Saturday Jan 30, 2010

Review of the week, still not good on Wall Street. The flagship index of the U.S. coast, the Dow Jones has sold more than 1.3% over the last five sessions. On the month, it lost 3.5%, its largest monthly decline since February 2009. And from the peak of the year (January 19) at 10,725 points, it dropped 6.1% …

Note that the volatility index rose more than 4.3% on the session. This shows the nervousness of investors.

But Friday had sounded like a new breath of oxygen. The U.S. indices had opened up, certainly not stupendous, but reassuring. Investors initially reacted to the GDP growth of 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2009. Note however that the whole of 2009, GDP fell by 2.4%.In addition, a new series of good quarterly results have agreed.

According to Christian Parisot, head of economic research at Aurel, "this figure is reassuring for markets and for the future." But that rebound is partly 'technical', relativize does. He explained to the tune of 3.4 points from a "stock effect". Croissancedu the fourth quarter will be weaker in the first quarter of 2010, he said.

Still missing, the index fell

Then the breath was cut. The indices have regained some equilibrium after 20 hours (Paris time), then slid into the technological rouge.Les weigh heavily on the trend. So that finally the Nasdaq plunged 1.45% at 2147.3 points. The Dow Jones dropped 0.52% to 10,067.33 points, under 10,100 points. And the S & P 500 dropped 0.98% to 1073.9 points.

Yet, at 15.45, the figures of industrial activity in the Chicago area for January were pleasantly surprising: ISM index rose to 61.5. Then, ten minutes tardn it was the turn of consumer confidence as measured by the University of Michigan to give pleasure: it has been revised upward to 74.4, reaching its highest level in two years.

The Dow Jones had already ended on a Thursday this very negative (-1.13% to 10,120 points), leaded by the disappointing statistics. Applications weekly unemployment benefits fell during the week ended January 23 (to 470,000) but less than expected. Similarly, orders for durable goods in December increased more slowly than expected (+0.3%).

Yesterday evening, Ben Bernanke has been extended for four years at the helm of the Fed. The markets saw his appointment as a continuity of monetary policy characterized by very low rates.On the same level, China has also sent positive signals to the market today. The Chinese central bank reiterated that it would maintain a "moderately flexible monetary control.

Microsoft guest star

Even the good performance of Wal-Mart (1.52% to 53.4 million) and The Home Depot (+2.5% to $ 28), failed to halt the downtrend.

It is largely explained by the decline in technology stocks. The index closed at losing more than 1%. Apple heavyweight, with a decline of 3.6% to 192.12 dollars, under pressure since he revealed his "Ipad.

The computer giant Microsoft has published the results of its second quarter lagged 2009/2010 after Exchange Thursday, with a turnaround in net income of 60%, to 6.66 billion dollars.The stock has lost 3.36% to 28.18 dollars.

Amazon also announced after market close a net profit in 2009 up 40% to 902 million. The fourth-quarter earnings soared 71% to 384 million. Turnover was 24.51 billion dollars, or 28% more than in 2008. In exchange, the share increased to $ 132 before subsiding, then fall from 0.49% to 125.41 dollars.

Mattel (-1.2% to 19.8 dollars) released before market on Friday, a dramatic increase in its earnings in the fourth quarter: 86% to $ 328.4 million. Over the year the Group achieved a profit of $ 528.7 million, up 39% as well, which reduced per share amounted to $ 1.45 against expectations of 1.24 dollars.

The maker of automation and appliances Honeywell issued before market also net income group share declined slightly (-1.3%) to 698 million in the fourth quarter, in line with analysts' expectations. The title has sold 3.04%, to 38.61 dollars.

The oil company Chevron (-1.68%, to $ 72) on Friday issued a 2009 annual profit fall of 56.2% to 10.483 billion dollars, due to falling prices and pressure on margins .

Furthermore, the group of French telecommunications and media company Vivendi sued by shareholders ruined by its near-collapse in 2002, was convicted of misleading communication. Its CEO at the time, Jean-Marie Messier, has instead been milled.


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Limit the deficit, user manual

Thursday Jan 28, 2010

Burning a limit to the deficit in the marble of the law. The suggestion was made by Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007 during the presidential campaign. Then was taken in late 2009, a budget minister Eric Woerth, seduced by the German example. The topic should be discussed Thursday at the Elysee Palace during the conference on deficits. How, specifically, would this be possible?

The Germans themselves have already taken action. They have set a goal rigorous balance of public finances on an entire economic cycle and have entered into their constitution. Clearly, the German deficit will not exceed 0.35% of GDP in 2016.

Pass such a law in France could reassure the markets. They are concerned about the explosion of public debt. Rating agencies have already warned France that it would quickly present a plan resorption deficits.Otherwise, goodbye note prestigious Triple A allowing Paris to borrow very cheaply.

Eric Woerth, in his first statements, believed that coercion should be entered in a text of a range exceeding the classical law. The minister was thinking of an organic law? This type of text is in the legal hierarchy between the statute and the constitution. "I'm not sure that new legislation limiting deficits to this level would change the deal because all the existing provisions," argues Sophie Baziadoly, lecturer in public law at the University of Cergy-Pontoise.

Already copntraintes

Entering the euro zone, France has already pledged not to show a deficit above 3% of GDP bad credit payday loans . A rule regularly flouted.Nationally, the planning law, passed each year, limiting the increase in government spending to inflation. But this is not a legal rule, rather rule management. If it is not respected, there are no penalties.

The organic law will probably not solve these problems. "Like any law, it can be applied … or not, so it's purely symbolic," says Michel Bouvier, Professor at University Paris I PanthĂ©on-Sorbonne and director of the Association for the International Foundation of Public Finance (Fondafip ). "The only serious solution is to fix the balance in the constitution." Follow the German example, in short.

But is it really desirable? This solution "removes responsibility policies and limits their freedom of action in the future," said Michel Bouvier. According to the university should instead strengthen fiscal transparency, streamline the budget.One area where France did not blush. For if it is bad in terms of student debt is one of the best in the world for the transparency of public finances, according to the International Budget Project. Still, this does not seem to be enough today to reassure the markets.

See also:

"The tax loopholes in the sights of Sarkozy

"The government is tackling the deficit reduction

"The French are concerned about debt


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Better Place has raised $ 350 million

Monday Jan 25, 2010

The Californian partner Renault in electric cars have passed a nice round. Better Place has in effect said on Monday it has raised 350 million dollars, 247 million euros.

The deal values the company at 1.25 billion dollars. It should enable the company to "grow internationally," according to its CEO Shai Agassi, quoted in a news group.

It was underwritten by HSBC, Morgan Stanley Investment Management and Lazard Asset Management, and must be closed during the first quarter. In its statement, Better Place is pleased to be among the major investment of its kind conducted by HSBC Business Card Design . Having spent 125 million dollars, nearly 90 million euros, HSBC is the largest investor in this transaction.The bank will take 10% stake Better Place, and put Kevin Adeson, head of global financial transactions, within the executive committee of Better Place.

Better Place will install networks of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Through its partnership with Renault, Better Place aims to commercialize a nombvre minimum of 100,000 cars in Israel and Denmark by 2016.


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Paris at its highest annual

Wednesday Dec 23, 2009

At approximately 9:10 am, the CAC 40 rose 0.32% to 3910 points, after already accumulated a gain of 2.70% since Monday. The index reached its previous meeting in the highest annual stood at 3918 points, while socializing with 3923 points.

The rally bullish year end is continuing on the European and U.S. indices. Yesterday, the publication of a further rise in housing resales (+7.4% in November) in the United States has reassured investors on the takeover of the U.S. real estate.This is the seventh month of increase over the past eight months.

On the macroeconomic front, the United States publish the expenditure and income of households in November at 14h30, the index of consumer confidence in Michigan in December and new home sales in November to 16 hours, and oil stocks weekly at 16:30.

Values follow

According to the newspaper Le Figaro, Veolia ally himself with the Italian railway company Trenitalia to launch TGV from France in 2012 to compete with the station.

The French government has selected BAE Systems to deliver an order of military vehicles in an amount of 246 million euros at the expense of Thales, according to The Times.

Maurel & Prom has announced the successful tests on the exploration well OMGW-1 (Gwedidi-1), located in Gabon, on the exploration permit Omoueyi.

The sales group Ares appears to 34.8 million euros over the first six months of fiscal 2009-2010.

Sanofi-Aventis would consider acquiring a stake in the Danish biotech company Zealand Pharma.

EDF could open the French market for electricity in Russia's Gazprom by Voices. "Gazprom will supply gas and electricity recovery in Europe," according to an anonymous source.


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Bercy modifies the rules for fixing gas prices

Saturday Dec 12, 2009

After several weeks of reflection, the verdict has finally fallen on the new method of fixing gas prices. The Ministry of Economy, which was to maneuver, just send the document to refer to the Regulatory Commission of Energy (CRE), for entry under the next year, after the publication of a decree .

The government, which ruled until then every three months on possible changes in gas prices, trying to remove a little of the game, at least in appearance. It will no longer once per year, one component of overall framing of the price curve of the molecule. This scheme seeks to prevent the State to meet in full psychodrama whenever Bercy opts for a rise in gas prices.

So now the company, GDF Suez, which will seize the regulator for a rate increase.Which regulator, after watching whether the incumbent's request is consistent with the pricing formula, make a binding opinion. Until now, the opinion of the CRE in the record setting gas prices was only advisory. In the new scheme, the Commission will therefore pose a greater weight.

However, uncertainties remain. In particular, what happens if gas prices are indexed on oil prices should fall? In the reference document, it is not called GDF Suez to decide in what direction. Similarly, it does not ask the regulator to pressure the company to obtain a reduction in charges.

"Let's just common sense: since oil prices are public, they bend permanently, GDF Suez will be forced to seek lower fares.Or the group will draw the wrath of both consumers and government, "says an industry expert.

Psychodrama

So much for the new scheme, at least in theory, developed by the government with the approval of other partners, beginning with GDF Suez. It remains now to see how it will apply in practice. It is hard, in fact, the government remain inactive in the face several repeated hikes in gas prices. Especially during elections, where the energy bill is regularly found in the heart of debates.

In short, despite government efforts, it is feared that this new device does not put an end to psychodramas on gas prices.


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Warren Buffett is doubling down on Wal-Mart

Wednesday Nov 18, 2009

Warren Buffett appears on the asset markets. The American billionaire accelerates its positions, as evidenced by the amount of shares of its holding company Berkshire Hathaway, which jumped 15.6% in three months, reaching $ 56.6 billion at the end of September. The investor has almost doubled its particular contribution (up 90%) in the giant U.S. supermarket chain Wal-Mart, according to documents sent Tuesday to the SEC, Constable Exchange overseas.

After this increase, Warren Buffett owns 37.8 million shares of Wal-Mart, or 0.97% stake in Arcelor. The leading global distribution on Thursday presented the results for the third quarter better than expected, but he was cautious about its outlook for the holiday season, and all of its fourth quarter.Wal-Mart, which weighs 205 billion dollars to the New York Stock Exchange, plans to pay shareholders more than $ 4.2 billion in dividends for fiscal 2010, which ends late January. The group also announced this summer it will spend $ 15 billion for share repurchases, which contributes to support the title on Wall Street, where it currently is trading against 53.53 dollars.

Nestle, Exxon Mobil, Travelers and Wells Fargo seduce Warren Buffett

Among other paris of American billionaire is Nestle. Warren Buffett has indeed acquired 3.4 million shares of Swiss food group, which has therefore 0.09% of the shares.The Oracle of Omaha already has a stake in rival Kraft, which recently launched a bid for the British confectioner Cadbury rejected by the latter for being too low, which has revived speculation about Nestlé, which some would well tried his luck to turn on Cadbury.

But Warren Buffett has eased its position in ConocoPhillips by 10%. The billionaire has therefore now 57.4 million shares of the oil, that is to say 3.87% of the shares. In this sector, he also took an initial stake in Exxon Mobil, buying 1.28 million shares, or 0.027% of the capital of the oil. For the first time, he entered the capital of the insurer Travelers, which acquired 3.4 million shares.

During the quarter, Warren Buffett has also conducted an operation in the banking sector, emerging more or less difficult of the crisis.It has strengthened its 3.6% stake in the bank Wells Fargo, which now owns 313.4 million shares, or 6.69% of capital.

The activity of billionaire American markets continued after the end of the third quarter. Warren Buffett has announced November 3 last it would acquire all 77.4% of capital it does not already own in Burlington Northern Santa Fe This acquisition represents the group's rail investment estimated at 44 billion dollars.


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Reforming finance Obama mired

Thursday Nov 12, 2009

The priority project to reform the finance chair of Obama might derail in Congress. Supposed to address the causes of the banking crisis that has triggered a global recession, this reform presented in June by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, was nevertheless well on in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, however, as in the case of health reform, things get complicated.

The chairman of the Banking Committee of the Upper House, Democrat Christopher Dodd has introduced a very different text of the draft Administration and Obama much more radical. His project, no Republicans rally seems further divide the Democrats the majority. The objective of Barack Obama to enact a law by Christmas is compromised because the vast open debate by Chris Dodd could drag on for months.The Senate and House of Representatives, each on its own agenda, must agree on a common text.

Dodd, Senator from Connecticut, neighboring state of New York resident and where many Wall Street professionals, wants to give the dish any system of regulation of American finance. His most controversial proposal is to remove the Federal Reserve full competence in supervising banks. The Fed does not deal more than monetary policy, what Barack Obama wants to avoid. Dodd calls for consolidation into a new super agency to monitor banks, functions now split between four agencies.

Two points of agreement

The senator vowed Tuesday that he did not seek in any way to "punish the Fed, even if it was a" complete failure "in its mission of regulating banks.Chris Dodd also said he was not attacking "individuals or personalities, but the system architecture. A precision is useful when Ben Bernanke, the Fed governor, will testify before Congress at the end of the month for renewal of its mandate.

The blueprint also provides for federal regulation of insurance companies. So far these are the U.S. states regulate insurers. For prevention of systemic risks, he proposed a new agency specializing in surveillance of the largest banks. It would, in retrospect, these establishments to fund the eventual rescue of one of them.But to better ensure that the taxpayer is requested, the rival project of the House, instead stating that a fund maintained by these banks too big to fail accumulates in advance the resources needed for a rescue.

Two points of agreement exist however between the Obama Administration and the powerful senator. The first is the creation of a new agency that specializes in the regulation of financial products distributed to the general public, such as mortgages or credit cards. A proposal was however rejected by the Republican camp. In addition, Chris Dodd accepts the principles of management salaries and bonuses for bankers posed by the White House. It is forcing banks to greater transparency and allow shareholders to vote on remuneration issues.

But the boards would retain the discretion to overrule.However regulators may prohibit any compensation deemed "excessive." Finally the most senior officials of banks would be forced to surrender their salaries awarded in the event of subsequent review of company performance.

Christopher Dodd, a key player "Ron Paul, the Republican who calls for an audit of the Fed's" The insoluble problem of the size of banks


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