Business World |

Online News

Uneasy Wall Street ends down

Tuesday Aug 31, 2010

Top of tough week on Wall Street. After opening in a small decrease (-0.1%), the NYSE has widened its losses during the session to close on a net decrease of 1.39% at 10,010 points. The Nasdaq coward 1.56% to 2120 points while the S & P drops 1.47% to 1049 points.

The euphoria that followed the release Friday of the revised figure for growth in the second quarter will not last. Caution has again made its appearance in spite of macroeconomic statistics as bad as expected. Consumption has picked up 0.4% yoy compared to June. It's better than the expected by analysts, who had estimated the consumption growth to 0.3%, according to their median forecast.Spending growth has outpaced that of household income since, according to the ministry, they are divided up by 0.2%, after virtually stagnating in June

The wait has dominated this session because of the flurry of statistics to be published this week. On Tuesday, it will house prices and economic activity in the Chicago area in August and, finally, the consumer confidence that will be published. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be dominated by such employment with, successively, the ADP employment figures, entries weekly, and finally figures of unemployment and employment in August.

Waltz of mergers and acquisitions

On the corporate side, the dance of mergers and acquisitions continues. 3by (-2.03% to 31.80 dollars) fall after surge 25% to 32.5 dollars on Friday night.As for his suitors, HP (1.47% to 38.56 U.S. dollars) has increased its prices by 3 27 to $ 30, Dell (1.12% to 12.02 U.S. dollars) has aligned its offer Friday morning about $ 27.

The German manufacturer Infineon Semiconductor announced Monday the sale of his division's wireless, which makes components for mobile phones, the U.S. Intel (-2.23% to 17.96 dollars) for 1.4 billion (nearly 1.1 billion euros).

The CEO of Sanofi-Aventis, which formalized Sunday his intention to acquire U.S. biotech Genzyme (3.39% to 69.91 U.S. dollars) to $ 18.5 billion, said that "a lot of time can still drain "by launching a bid, in an interview with Voices dated Monday. But the board rejected Genzyme Monday unanimously the proposed terms.

The Indian government was to meet Monday officials from the Canadian manufacturer of BlackBerry (RIM: -0.88% to 45.59 U.S. dollars) to try to break the deadlock over access to encrypted data from the phone, on the eve of the ultimatum on blocking two messaging services.

French insurer Axa has reduced by almost half its share in the prestigious investment bank Goldman Sachs (-1.97% to 136.66 U.S. dollars), the center of criticism for his role in the Greek crisis, according to documents the regulatory authority of the U.S. markets (SEC).

The U.S. industrial conglomerate 3M (-1.67% to79, $ 65) announced Monday the acquisition of Cogent group (24.40% to 11.09 dollars) to over 900 million dollars (708 million euros) This represents a premium of nearly 18%. 3M will pay $ 10.50 in effect by title Gogent, which posted a closing price of 8.915 dollars Friday.The transaction should be completed in the last quarter of 2010.


Comments Off

SocGen: profits more than tripled

Thursday Aug 5, 2010

Societe Generale on Wednesday posted a net profit by 3.5 Muliple the second quarter of 2010, above expectations, with a decline in its stores and a smaller than expected loss in its toxic assets. The bank led by Frederic Oudea confirms its objectives. SocGen, which has set a target of an annual profit of 3 billion euros, has already earned a net profit of 2.1 billion in the first half alone.

The second quarter was particularly strong for the second French bank by market value after BNP Paribas. It has indeed achieved a net profit of 1.084 billion euros for the second quarter ended in June, where the consensus reached by Reuters expected a general result to 732 million. The jump of the result depends primarily on a favorable base effect.In the second quarter of 2009, the bank had indeed been beset by such elements exceptionnels.Le group had had to reassess the value of its debt, due to improved market conditions, which had cost $ 1.3 billion over the period. This time, Societe Generale has received the opposite effect, to the tune of 254 million euros.

The cost of risk declines more slowly than in BNP and HSBC

Like BNP Paribas, which has published its accounts on Monday, its provision for potential loss on the credit over the period fell 6%. However the pace of decline in the cost of risk is much slower than some of its rivals, reflecting a more cautious speech of SocGen on strength of economic recovery.

BNP Paribas and British bank HSBC, for example reported Monday in stores near their level before the crisis."The economic recovery that began in late 2009 confirmed, but it remains fragile," said Frederic Oudéa, CEO of Societe Generale, said in the statement. "Especially in Europe, growth prospects remain subdued," he adds.

Penalized by the toxic assets, and author of "profit warnings" on their accounts of 2009, SocGen tries since the beginning of year to convince the market of its ability to turn the page of the financial and economic crisis and the of the Kerviel affair. The new management team led by Frederick since May 2009 Oudéa promised mid-June to double the profits of Societe Generale in two years and is targeting a net profit of six billion euros in 2012.

Proposed acquisitions

The bank is also considering acquisitions but said it does not fund them through capital increases.Besides the new strategic plan, the results of resistance tests conducted on 91 European banks and the announcement by the Basel Committee's flexibility to draft new banking regulator has made a boufée oxygen action SocGen, long shunned by investors.

In the past four weeks, the title, boosted by good news on the European banking sector jumped 40%. Since the beginning of the year, however, still leaves nearly 8% and continues to underperform its benchmark Stoxx 600 European banks.

ALSO READ:

"CASE SPECIAL – Case Kerviel, the trial of a system


Comments Off

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?


Comments Off

Car manufacturers are positioning themselves in China

Friday Jul 30, 2010

This is the number one concern of manufacturers in China: keeping the fast pace of market? Volkswagen, which wants to double its production capacity by 2013-2014, to 3 million vehicles, will build two new sites, bringing the total to eleven. Rival Nissan will expand its industrial base by 70% by 2012, to 900,000 cars. This level may nevertheless be insufficient, hence the interest group for the Korean Ssangyong sites in the land of Morning Calm, which would allow it to export to China.

After jumping 45% in 2009, thanks to state aid, sales on the world's largest market could grow 20% this year (they were up to fourth in six months). For the next five years, analysts at Nomura anticipate an annual increase of 10%.The market would then exceed – all vehicles – 25 million cars in 2015, against 13.6 million last year. "I expect a long period of growth in China. There is no reason why the rate of motor equipment does not reach that of France, "said Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault and Nissan. China had 34 cars per 1000 inhabitants in 2008, against 600 for 1000 in France. Proof of the youth of this market: 60% of new car purchases are the first acquisitions made by elderly drivers average 35 years against 50 years in Europe.

With growth in volumes, manufacturers have emerged in 2009 on the market an operating margin of between 6 and 8%, according to the firm Alix Partners.They benefit from economies of scale related to the full factory utilization, and managed to impose price calculated to generate good margins. The German specialists of high quality rub their hands as their cars more luxurious than elsewhere, are selling much more expensive than in Europe.

Increased competition marks

The most successful brands have managed to adapt their cars to local tastes. This is what the French PSA Peugeot Citroen with its new Peugeot 408 and its future 508. Still small, French wants to increase its market share in China from 3.3% to 5% in 2015. All very ambitious, the conquerors of China, however, will face increased competition from local brands, specialized for the moment in small cars at low cost.Their market share could reach 37% in 2015, against 32% in 2009, according to Alix Partners.

ALSO READ:

"China boosts profits of the automobile


Comments Off

The CAC 40 rose by nearly 6% this week

Friday Jul 9, 2010

Fourth day up to the Paris Bourse. This Friday, the CAC 40 has continued to rise started Tuesday and continued Wednesday and Thursday. The key index in Paris was up 0.46% at closing.

At the end of the week, and the CAC 40 gained 5.8%, from around 3360 points to 3554.48 points exactly at the close on Friday.

Elsewhere in Europe, the LSE has been 0.54%, to 5132.94 points while the German Dax rose 0.49% to 6065.24 points.

Yesterday, the index in Paris had passed the milestone of 3,500 points, reassured by U.S. data entries weekly unemployment benefits.

The euro has weakened a bit about him on Friday, while European ald evisa Thursday passed up the psychological and technical $ 1.27.

In France, French investors have learned that before the opening of the Hexagon industrial production had rebounded strongly in May rising 1.7% after falling 0.5% the previous month, according to Insee. Economists had expected an average growth of 0.4% of industrial production in May

EADS tanker of the series continues

EADS (0.53% to 17.01 euros) said it had responded to the call for tenders for tanker aircraft to the U.S. Air Force, on the eve of the deadline for the takeover bids . In addition, the World Trade Organization announced the postponement of the publication of a report on an action by the EU against the United States regarding subsidies granted to Boeing.

Kaufman and Broad (2.23% to 18.14 euros) issued a revenue down 7.6% to 385.7 million euros in the first half, below expectations.But reservations are up 55% to 675 million euros and the property portfolio is up 50% over one year.The gross margin reached 17.1% against 12.9% in the first half of 2009.

Areva (5.11% to 347.55 euros) announced Thursday it would investigate the possibility of building a second nuclear reactor in the Canadian province of New Brunswick.

Mestrallet, CEO of GDF Suez (+0.4% to 24.96 euros), confirmed Wednesday that negotiations with suppliers in Norway, Holland and Russia to obtain lower prices.

The German utility E. ON has indicated in an interview with Les Echos on Friday that he would be "very interested" in acquiring a stake in EDF reactors (-0.91% to 31 euros) to help extending their lifespan.

Moreover, the banking sector with the exception of BNP Paribas (+1.05% to 50.09 euros) suffered some profit-taking, like Credit Agricole (-1.13%) or Societe Generale ( -0.98%).

Similarly, the automotive sector should still react to earnings announcements commercial Renault and Peugeot this week. Titles manufacturers earn 1.13% respectively to 33.45 euros and 1.94% to 23.09 euros.


Comments Off

New turbulent meeting expected on the CAC 40

Sunday Jun 27, 2010

The Paris Bourse is expected to remain in the zone of turbulence through it since Tuesday. The CAC 40, after nine sessions of gains chained and won 10.5%, has now three sessions of decline, losing 4.8%. So since the beginning of the month, the benchmark index of the Paris took only 1.5% and rises to 3555 points.

Around 8:15 this Friday, the CAC 40 futures contracts still predicting an opening up about 0.3%, but the trend is weak.

In the same time, the euro appears stable at 1.2330 dollar after resuming colors Thursday as statistics mixed overseas sowed doubts about the strength of the recovery amércaine.

Overall, the atmosphere is tense markets. The Asian market on Friday morning, displays counters in the red. In France, unemployment had not risen so much since seven months.

The national accounts in the spotlight

In France, a quarter of an hour before the opening of trading, INSEE will release figures on national accounts in the country for the first quarter.

The United States, the third estimate of GDP is known to 14:30.

Pressure on prices in the telecoms

The portion of mobile technology fourth generation "LTE" should redistribute the cards in this highly competitive sector, but not enough to stem the pressure on the prices of telecom equipment, told Reuters the president of the Mobile Division Alcatel-Lucent, Wim Sweldens payday loan lenders.

GDF Suez, Total, EDF The gas rate increase of 4.7% from 1 July to 6.3 million customers in France said Thursday the Commission of Energy Regulation.

The EDF Group postpones decision to invest in an LNG terminal in Dunkirk (North), said Thursday a spokesman for the group. This terminal was supposed to compensate for some job losses related to the closure of the refinery from Total.

Computer services companies in the sector may react to quarterly results better than expected by Accenture announced Thursday evening. The group's net profit totaled $ 564 million (457 million euros), or $ 0.73 per share against 537 million ($ 0.68 per share) a year ago and $ 0.69 expected by Wall Street.

The French industrial group Alstom has unveiled Thursday at a U.S. plant turbines, especially for nuclear power generation, for which he has invested about 300 million dollars, according to a statement.

According to Le Figaro Latecoère the aerospace supplier will propose on Friday to its shareholders at a General Assembly, the free allocation of share purchase warrants (BSA) in 2012. It has thereby remove some 43 million euros.


Comments Off

The ad, a "content industry"

Friday Jun 25, 2010

At the 57th International Advertising Festival in Cannes, the technology giants like Microsoft, Yahoo and other Facebook invaded not only the Palais des Festivals, but also the Croisette. Advertisers would they more "masters of the world" of communication? "We have never been masters of communication," says David Jones, CEO of Worldwide and Havas chairman of Euro RSCG network in the world. "The most important actors in the communication, it is consumers. It is true that today we live in a digital revolution. Consumers never change and as new opportunities are created with social networks, mobile platforms … The presence of Microsoft or Yahoo! Reflects this revolution. But consumers are more important than software, technology or communication agencies.

Defending an agency model "integrated" by placing the "digital" in the heart of its agencies, Havas Group is concentrating its investments in digital broadcasting and production, particularly through the newly-Productions Havas. "These investments are essential. We're not a film industry of 30 seconds, we are now an industry of content. If we are sufficiently intelligent content, the audience will interact with the brand and, with a depth that we could not hope, fifteen years ago. Content is our future, "says David Jones emphasizes the trade is already a source of income for Havas and its subsidiary Euro RSCG. For nearly two years, the group has also put one foot in music with the creation of label The Hours."These are new business models and exciting content, we also operate with BETC Music," he says.

The test of 2nd quarter

"The winning of the budget digital IBM, being now the digital agency of Unilever in the world and with the Heineken and EDF contracts, we will exceed 20% of revenue from digital Havas Worldwide from this years, says its CEO. Here we record the strongest growth.

Despite a slight recovery in the advertising market in the first quarter, the boss of Havas Worldwide undertakes no obligation on optimistic forecasts for the rest of the year. "It's like asking me if England will win the World Cup! For now, we qualified and is progressing well … It's about the same thing with the economy and major advertisers.The real test is the 2nd quarter, "says the ad originally, in February, the Young One World, the first" Davos of youth. " After London, next event be held in Zurich until September 2011.


Comments Off

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.


Comments Off

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.

ALSO READ:

A new tax will impact on Australian steel prices


Comments Off

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.


Comments Off