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Accor biggest sale of walls in Europe

Tuesday Aug 24, 2010

Accor is ahead of schedule of asset sales. On Monday, the hotel group announced the sale of the walls of 48 hotels for 367 million euros. The real estate transaction, Accor calls "major in Europe, which should be finalized by the end of 2010, includes 31 hotels in France, 10 in Belgium and 7 in Germany, for a total 6,300 rooms. It concerns 28 Etap hotels, 13 Ibis, Novotel and a SuiteNovotel 6.

These hotels will continue to be managed by the group under the same signs – there are 28 Etap Hotel, 13 Ibis, Novotel and SuiteNovotel 6 – under a variable lease for a period of 12 years renewable 6 times Accor's initiative, or 84 years total. The average rent will be equal to 19% of turnover.On the basis of turnover in 2009, the rent would amount to 22.4 million euros according to Accor.

Under the lease, the new owner will assume responsibility for structural maintenance investments in hotels, insurance costs and property taxes.

The deal includes a renewal program of 47.6 million euros, 33 million euros financed by the acquirer, thus enabling Accor to accelerate the deployment of new generations of rooms Etap and Ibis in a forty establishments.

Chief objective of reducing debt exceeded

This operation, carried out for 80% of the amount from the insurer Predica (a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole) and the balance at the corporation Walls Land (Land subsidiary of Regions), will have a positive aimpact 282 million euros 2010 net debt of the hotel group and three million euros per year on its profit before tax.

The group had announced in May a program to dispose of hotel assets amounting to 2 billion euros over the period 2010-2013. He then indicated that such transactions were to reduce its debt of around 450 million euros in 2010 alone and more than half of that amount had already been the subject of transfer agreements.

With 282 million euros announced today, Accor therefore exceeds its annual target of reducing debt.

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Eutelsat "at the heart of the image revolution"

Saturday Jul 31, 2010

LE FIGARO. – Eutelsat crossed the billion euros. This growth will she continue?

Michel de Rosen. – It is indeed a record year with growth of sales from 11.3% to 1.04 billion euros and growth of the gross operating surplus of the same order to 828 million. But do not performance overinterpretation those that involve non-recurring items: we have benefited from the full effect of five new satellites launched in 2008 and 2009. For Eutelsat, this is excellent, our ambitions are clear and our strong future. We operate in a business long term, so we're marathon runners rather than sprinters. Since the IPO in 2005, our turnover grew by an average of 7% per year and we have always kept our commitments.We announce now forecasts annual growth above 7% over the next three years, with a turnover of 1.12 billion over the year begins. The dividend that we offer up 15% to 0.76 euros.

Do you have visibility of 3 years?


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iPhone 4 deprecated: Que Choisir explained

Thursday Jul 29, 2010

"A phone call to serve," says UFC-Que Choisir. And when he "suffers indeed an antenna problem," he has little chance of getting favors from the influential consumer association. "While Apple has not fixed the problem other than offering a hull, we can not recommend the terminal," she decided, in an article published Tuesday on the Internet. Consumer Reports, its equivalent in the United States, had reached the same conclusions in early July.

Since then, responses have poured on specialized sites, questioning the UFC-Que Choisir on the accuracy of its benchmarks and its independence. Asked by lefigaro.fr, the Consumers' Association said that its tests are not conducted internally, but "by independent laboratories, according to strict protocols."It'sa huge investment, which requires very expensive equipment," explains Camille Gruhier, author of the article, which boasts one of the "strongest battery of tests" of the press.

So this device as the iPhone has faced four. "In the best case, the sensitivity of the device is better than previous versions," admits Vincent Erpelding, engineering project manager in the UFC-Que Choisir. But a sharp drop in sensitivity of average conditions for receipt, Edge and 3G has been "recognized and quantified, since the phone is held by the left flank around a small black border, his weak point .For this reason, the phone will no longer star in sensitivity in the test published in September in the magazine of the association, and will be decommissioned behind all its competitors.

"We have warned the consumer"

In his defense, however, since Apple says that two weeks all smartphones are affected by a problem identical reception. But other phones, hand-held around their antennas, are much better than the iPhone 4. To ensure this result, the UFC-Que Choisir has tested two other handsets, the Nokia N85 and the iPhone 3G in similar conditions. The numerical results show each time a "small fall" of sensitivity in contact with the antenna, but not in the same proportions as the iPhone 4.

For now, the consumers association has not tested the new phone from Apple by surrounding it with a shell, or by varying the power of the network.Additional tests should be published on the Internet. Apple says the problem arises more in areas where coverage is poor, and would be resolved by adding a protective cover. "The network in Europe is much more successful than the United States. The problems and the risk of making calls will be far fewer, "said Camille Gruhier.

If the UFC-Que Choisir concedes qualities in the iPhone four, including ergonomics, picture and sound, it claims to be in her role does not recommend to his readers. "The choices we made the choice to downgrade is a warning to consumers. You can not tell people that the iPhone is fabulous four, while in some circumstances, they may see their dropped calls, "argues Camille Gruhier. "I do not think that our ranking will drop Apple's sales, but have warned consumers," she concludes.


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Avalanche forecasts on the results of stress tests

Sunday Jul 25, 2010

For Goldman Sachs, which published its investigation on Friday morning, ten of the 91 tested banks will fail. That is to say it does not retain a sufficient level of equity in the event of deteriorating economic conditions.

The success rate would be 89%. According to the study of the American bank, the banks are based in Spain, Germany and Greece, which should raise the more capital, adding that the source of these funds should be half public and half private.

The newspaper El Pais reported in its edition today that part of the 18 Spanish savings banks failed the test of resistance.To believe the consensus reached by Reuters, in Spain, only seven banks have passed the exam, including the largest as Banco Santander, BBVA, Banco Popular, and the "Cajas".

That success expected for French banks

In France, banks found – BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, Credit Agricole and BPCE (Natixis) – should all pass. The analysts and Christine Lagarde have confidence.

Full house expected also for the United Kingdom, examined on HSBC, Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group. In Ireland, Bank of Ireland and Allied Arish Banks also would reach to get good results.Same as in Italy, with Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit and Banco Popolare including headlining.

In Germany, a handful of banks should be in a situation of failure, particularly those that are undergoing restructuring.

Failure: it will recapitalize

According to Goldman Sachs, European banks should raise an average total of 37.6 billion euros in fresh capital as a result of these stress tests, whose results are expected Friday at 6:00 p.m., after the close of European stock markets but in full session on Wall Street.

In search of capital, these banks 'risk' may first explore to their shareholders or to appeal to financial markets no fax payday advance. If this is not enough, she can turn to state aid at the national level.Finally, as a last resort, they can "take advantage" of the famous European support plan put in place at the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

Confidence in the results, distrust Performances

With a success rate approaching that expected of the baccalaureate, the question is what will truly value the conclusions of these stress tests. Experts warn that it would be better to consider the assumptions made when simulating a situation worsened.

"The information currently circulating in banks suggest that the stress test favors disclosure of a satisfactory result compared to a real and solid technical verification," says Pierre-Antoine Dusoulier in a forum.

These data suggest that in fact the test cases would be fairly "light" in particular in the field of defaults on sovereign debt. Assumptions of the macroeconomic developments would also be applied "without knowing it for the moment the link established by the test between GDP growth, unemployment and inflation."

In addition, past forecasts on macroeconomic parameters were simply struck by the actual conditions. In spring 2008, the European Commission expected a growth of 1.7% in 2008 and 1.5% in 2009 for the euro area. Real growth was 0.45% in 2008 and -4.1% in 2009.

Pass the exam stress test is a bit like having your bachelor's degree with an overall average just over 10/20. This is not the best conditions for its future.


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Bercy measure the quality of public services

Monday Jul 5, 2010

Being supported to emergencies at the hospital, attend university, to renew his passport, family allowance … so many steps synonymous obstacle course, that the Government wants to simplify and facilitate.

While the government has launched a hundred administrative simplification over three years (on average, one per department per semester) Baroin, Budget Minister, this Monday morning the first survey on the quality of public services.Focused on the quality of reception, processing applications and claims, the barometer will be published regularly to report progress.

It reveals that only 52% of e users receive a response within fifteen working days, only 69% of them are facing the good service and supported, or that 78% of users benefit from a courteous welcome from the staff.

Even efforts to

The barometer, which is very concrete, also focuses on ten main concerns of the French. It appears that on the 13.4 million patients who visit emergency rooms each year, less than half (45%) are supported in less than two hours. Monitoring this indicator will be generalized to all emergency services by 2011.

During an attack, the average response time of police is thirteen minutes.The average period of repayment of a sheet of electronic care is 3.3 days. Taxes, 9 out of 10 requests for corrections are processed in less than a month. At the employment center, 9 out of 10 entries made within five days after the first contact. And for identity papers, 82.5% of applicants had their passports within two weeks. The goal is to reach 90% in 2011.

Side claims, the administration still has work to do. Only three service offers dedicated support and explicit claims, and when this device exists, it remains difficult to access once two.

With this in mind, the government will open an online e-claims accessible via mon.service-public.fr.This fall, the customs administration will be the first to open the service.

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United States: the recovery is more fragile

Thursday Jun 24, 2010

The Federal Reserve took action Wednesday in a hesitant economic recovery in the United States by renewing its commitment to keep rates unusually low for an extended period. The Fed funds rate has been maintained in a range from 0% to 0.25%, which it has not budged since December 2008.

In his statement issued after a two-day meeting, the central bank is lowering its assessment of the pace of recovery, revealing pockets of weakness. It also is cautious about the volatility of financial markets, given the debt crisis in Europe. But she still insists that the economy will emerge gradually from the worst recession it has seen in decades.

"The financial support under the overall economic growth, which mainly reflects what is happening abroad," the Fed said in its statement.

The Fed President Thomas Hoenig, Kansas City has expressed its disapproval for the fourth consecutive time, holding that the commitment of the Fed to keep rates ultra low long could perpetuate a cycle of alternating periods of high growth phases and depression.

Realtors Falters

The Fed also notes that the economic recovery is underway. But short of what she observed in April, when she said that the economy continued to strengthen.

The monetary authorities have also noted a slowdown became evident in real estate. In April, it was noted that one starts to straighten. On Wednesday, they simply say that these starts "remain at a depressed level. It is true that the indicators are really not good. On Wednesday, new home sales for May fell 32%.This unprecedented decline in new home sales in May reduced to little hopes of a speedy resumption of growth.

As for consumer spending, the central bank said they "are increasing but remain constrained by high unemployment, modest revenue growth and a decrease in the rich heritage." In April, the Fed had referred to an acceleration of these costs.

The Fed also notes a recent slowdown in inflation, citing a drop in prices of energy and other resources.

Most economists believe the next move on interest rates will be higher but some of them say the central bank should consider other ways to boost growth and credit. What must be added the problems of the debt in Europe and the employment indicators also disappointing.


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Strong rebound on Asian stock

Monday Jun 21, 2010

In Asia, stock exchanges like the message of the Central Bank of China, who said she was "determined to continue the reform of the mechanism of the exchange rate of the renminbi (yuan's other name) to enhance flexibility . An advertisement for a symbolic opening week of the G20 summit in Toronto, so that international pressure was becoming increasingly urgent.Now, the road to separation of the link between the Chinese currency and the dollar began.

The People's Bank of China warned however that the adjustments would not do at once.

According to Wang Tao, an economist at UBS, "it is possible to arrive quickly enough to an appreciation (the yuan) 3 or 4% in the coming weeks." Mark Williams of Capital Economics expects more modest gains: of about 2% vis-à-vis the dollar by the end of the year.

A rising yuan would also give China greater purchasing power, which would be positive for world trade and especially for commodity exporters such as Australia, Brazil, Canada and New Zealand. China is the second largest oil consumer behind the United States.The country is also the largest consumer of iron ore, copper and aluminum.

The currency movement

By Monday morning, the Australian dollar has gained one cent to $ 0.88. He then returned to 0.8765 dollar when China has set its reference rate for the yuan.

The three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange gained 2.33% to 6,585 dollars per tonne.

A barrel of oil gained 1.35% to 78.22 dollars per barrel of light crude Texan.

Green Scholarships

In trading, the index rose on average by 3%, according to the S & P Asia 50 Index, which comprises the largest market capitalizations in the region no faxing payday loans.

In China, the Shanghai Stock Exchange recorded an increase of over 2% on Monday morning. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng wins 2.6% to 20,806 points."The airlines, real estate or in metals are the most direct beneficiary of yuan appreciation," said Shen Jun, an analyst at Bank of China International.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 wins 2.07% to 10,201 points by 6:45, while the Topix rose 1.87% to 901 points.

In Australia, the rise of the S & P/1SX 200 reached 1.22%, 4607 points.

China and Australia: EUR 7 billion contract

Australia and China on Monday signed several contracts worth 10 billion Australian dollars (7.1 billion €) after discussions between Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping visits in the country.

The ten agreements, mainly in the field of mineral resources and energy, reflecting strong and growing cooperation between Canberra and its largest trading partner, largest consumer of mineral resources in Australia, Mr Rudd said in a statement.

Xi Jinping arrived here Saturday to Australia for a five-day visit during which the project should be tackled controversial Canberra tax on super profits of mining groups.

Beijing fears that the tax drives up the prices of raw materials which China is a big buyer.

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The purchasing power has increased in 2009

Tuesday Jun 15, 2010

Surprising as it may seem, the purchasing power of French households has increased more during the recession of 2009 than during the previous year. Very specifically, the increase was 1.6% last year, against 0.4% in 2008, according to figures from INSEE. Unemployment forces, incomes have barely increased in 2009 (1%). But inflation has settled down, which has given fresh air to the household budget. With a decline in oil prices and food prices, prices of consumer spending fell 0.6% in 2009, when they rose 2.9% in 2008 payday loans.

Concerned by the crisis, the French preferred to save the additional resources, including by placing life insurance. The savings rate has reached 16.2% at end 2009. Consumption has it, plus a small 0.6%. The scrappage boosted purchases of cars (+8.3%).The French bought mass televisions, went to the movies more but have less clothes and bought train tickets and plane.


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The creation of tax measure dedicated to the Finance Act

Friday Jun 11, 2010

The government wants more than ever, give pledges of seriousness on the issue of deficits. On 20 May the Head of State had announced its intention to amend the constitution so that every elected Government embarks on a path of structural balance is imperative, as well as on the date on which the balance of government finances public must be reached.

Without waiting for the amendment of the constitution, Francois Fillon took the lead. In a letter that the Prime Minister has just sent to members of government, he asks them to "stop inserting provisions that affect tax revenues or social security in ordinary legislation.A real revolution!

For material already deposited and bills that have not yet been examined, the head of government asked its ministers "to submit amendments for the deletion of such provisions and to oppose a negative opinion of the Government any amendment which would tend to introduce. Members of the government "shall not in any way rely on the wisdom of Parliament," wrote François Fillon.

François Fillon finally asks ministers to screening assessments for all tax provisions that they want to introduce in the Finance Bill or draft law on financing social security. All this will lead ultimately to limit the creation of new tax loopholes


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Spain: strike against wage cuts

Thursday Jun 10, 2010

This was both a first and a dress rehearsal. In six years of Socialist government, the unions had never called for a national strike in Spain José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. But since the mobilization of officials Tuesday, the divorce between the executive and the two largest trade unions – Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) and CGU – is officially consummated.

Pressed by their bases, the unions had no choice but to break with Zapatero. That, of course, the single most dramatic deficit reduction plan that set fire to the powder: falling wages in the public service, 5% on average in the month of June, arouses indignation public employees. But the unions' own admission, is the absence of any consultation that infuriates most."We do not even ask for the withdrawal of the measure," says Julio Lacuerda, the Secretary General of the Federation of utilities UGT. The unions are aware that these decisions will be implemented. The austerity plan is required by markets, the European Union and … by the United States, including the president himself, Barack Obama, called Zapatero Payday advance low fee.

A war of figures

Therefore, the event serves as a test of officials for each game. The first testing their strength before calling, "if necessary", a general strike. The executive, for its part, gauge the discontent before announcing new measures unpopular. First, the reform of the labor market, to be unveiled June 16 Meanwhile, everyone engaged in a war of numbers.For unions, 75% of staff were on strike Tuesday. The government says they were only 11%.

Above all, workers' representatives refuse to be the only ones to pay. "Why do we keep our troops in Afghanistan? Why do we continue to offer 900 million euros in tax subsidies to the Catholic Church? "Interrogates Julio Lacuerda. While Zapatero announced the creation of a new tax on the rich and inspired by the French TFR. But according to his own statements, "99.99%" of the Spaniards should escape.

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