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The anonymous CV will not be widespread

Wednesday Aug 17, 2011

The anonymous CV will remain "a possibility among others", and will ultimately not generalized to all companies with more than 50 employees. In the law on equal opportunities in 2006, this measure of fight against discrimination is now increasingly popular. "I do not think the anonymous CV should be an obligation," said first Echos to the Commissioner of the Equal Opportunities Sabeg.

Before publishing the decrees of the device, the government had requested a progress report. By the Centre for Research in Economics and Statistics (CREST) ​​in conjunction with employment center, the evaluation was very critical.

In a note published in July and the conclusions of Crest, employment center points out that the anonymous CV does not improve the chances of access to interview candidates from immigrant backgrounds or areas sensitive urban. He even tends to reduce them: the anonymous CV, and diminish their chances by 9.6% to 4.6%.

Experimental bias

The organization provides two explanations for this paradoxical result. The first is that the anonymous CV would not allow the recruiter to put certain negative elements of the CV, such training less prestigious or less experience, according to social background or age of the candidate. Something that would naturally some recruiters.

The second reason to do more to challenge the findings.The experiment conducted between November 2009 and November 2010 would be biased as carried by companies sensitive to issues of discrimination, practices that would lead usually proactive in recruiting minorities. The anonymous CV so would deprive them of a way to diversify the profiles of their candidates.

One tool among others

Employment center stresses, however, that anonymous CV is generally less attractive to a recruiter a resume registered. Hence his concern that candidates applying via an anonymous CV will do also in turn be subject to discrimination compared to those who apply via other channels. All these observations lead the institution to question the need to generalize this scheme. A judge concluded that option "not possible".

Sabeg remember his part that "the government must decide" on this issue.But once staunch supporter of the measure, he argued today it remains a recruiting tool among many, "that some companies use successfully elsewhere," says he. To promote access to employment of diverse routes, employment center said meanwhile that other routes exist. Recruitment or without CV questionnaires skills are few.

The anonymous CV effective for women

If the anonymous CV is based on the Crest ineffective for candisats immigrant and Zus, it is however for gender discrimination. Indeed it has the advantage of counter behavior "hemophiliacs" recruiters. Behind this phrase lies their spontaneous tendency to favor the candidates of the same sex."When the interviewer is male, the probability for a woman to access the interview with a CV is registered 16.6 points lower than that of a man," is employment center. Recruiters prefer women as women, but to a lesser extent. The anonymous CV will reduce this inequality significantly, the study provides.

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Tax loopholes, why it will go further than expected in 2012

Thursday Jul 28, 2011

Baroin the stage. He keeps repeating the last few days: it will require further cuts in the tax loopholes in 2012. For now, the government planned to cut $ 3 billion. "It is very likely that we will go beyond, as part of the Finance Act," warns the Minister of Economy. Otherwise, the objective of reducing the public deficit (4.6% of GDP in 2012, 3% in 2013) will not be met. The IMF says the same thing Wednesday, in the final version of his report on France, he warned that without additional effort, the deficit "would decline more slowly contemplated" and still reach 3.8% two years.

However, Prime Minister François Fillon reiterated last week even as the French would not have to tighten their belts further.If the IMF is seeking new revenue – or additional savings – is that it considers the government's growth projections too optimistic. He did not table more than 1.9% next year (after 2.1% this year), where the government is preparing its 2012 budget on an assumption of 2.25% (after 2%).

The cost of Greece and Libya

But that's not really what worries Bercy. Growth at 2.25%? "The account will be," says without a doubt a top official of the Ministry of Economy.

However, Bercy identified several elements that could degrade the accounts. First, the second bailout of Greece. While it will not weigh directly on the deficit of France, as François Fillon stressed. The private sector has agreed to cash a loss equivalent to 21% of the value of the loan granted to Athens.The slate for French banks would exceed 2 billion euros. "We will inevitably income tax on companies and less," admits the Ministry of Economy.

Then "there will be a time when we look at the balance of external operations," Do we loose the ministry. In other words, the commitment of the army in Libya could be very expensive.

Finally, remember that at Bercy Taiwan frigates affair will cost 460 million euros to France. In early June, after ten years of a bitter legal battle, Thales has indeed been ordered to pay more than $ 800 million in Taiwan, for commissions on the sale of frigates in 1991. The State had brought its guarantee in the contract."Public finances must now endure the heavy consequences of the decision in 1991 to pay commissions, unlike the letter of the contract," Matignon had pointed to the announcement of the court decision. This cost was included in the supplementary budget at the beginning of July. It will, however, offset this expense.

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Casino is growing in Brazil to retaliate against Carrefour

Thursday Jun 30, 2011

The battle between Casino and Carrefour in Brazil could rebound. While Carrefour is trying to get hold of a number of distribution Grupo Pao de Acucar in Brazil, Casino reported last night that it has increased its stake in the Brazilian group, owner of the sign Brazilian CBD. Casino now holds 43.1% of GPA, understands Bloomberg. The news agency pointed out that the distribution group based in Saint Etienne has acquired 16.1 million of preferred securities, representing a stake of 6.2%.

In addition, Casino last night reiterated his opposition to a merger between Carrefour and GPA. He believes that the proposed merger announced between the two groups is a project of "hostile", prepared in secret, but also highlights Casino that he "has the power to oppose" the operation.The group recalled and under agreements with Diniz family, with whom he has joint control of CBD through the holding Wilkes, "no negotiations involving the future (the Brazilian distributor) can not occur without it" no fax cash loans. The group will therefore Etienne "review in the coming days how to best defend the corporate interests of CBD and its shareholders that seems compromised by this project very complex and financial."

Data that could reshuffle the cards, while Carrefour seemed on track to merge with Brazilian teachers. The Brazilian company Gama has proposed to merge the Carrefour group's Brazilian assets with those of the French retailer CBD group Grupo Pão de Açúcar (GPA). They thus constitute an equally owned company.CBD had previously merged with Gama.

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The Cac 40 expected to be closer to 3900 points

Wednesday Jun 29, 2011

The gas is in talks to take over the assets of the U.S. company Duke Energy in Latin America, according to the Brazilian business newspaper Valor Economico.

Areva. The nuclear group should ally with the Spanish Iberdrola Renewables on two of the five areas of the tender for offshore wind launched by the state, according to Les Echos.

Ipsos. The British advertising group Aegis said to be in exclusive talks with the institute of studies and surveys for the sale of its subsidiary Synovate market research cheapest personal loan rates.

Havas. In an interview with Echo, the executive director of the group will develop two commercial microarray in the world, one around his BETC teaches French and the other around Arnold, a Boston-based agency

After the close of trading, EuropaCorp will release its results for the year 2010-2011.


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A new plan to avoid bankruptcy in Greece this summer

Monday Jun 20, 2011

The fear of bankruptcy Greek has never been stronger. Sunday, finance ministers of the euro area have again met in Luxembourg to lay the foundations for a new rescue plan, this time involving the private sector.

To address the most urgent, priority was first to validate the fifth installment of the loan of 110 billion made last year in the first aid plan. "We will work to pave the way for the release" of this slice of 12 billion, assured the German Minister Wolfgang Schäuble on arrival. Otherwise Athens, facing deadlines refinancing risk bankruptcy next month. However, the decision could be taken only Monday, after the meeting, warned the President of the Eurogroup, Jean-Claude Juncker.It is also linked to the IMF agreement, which should provide about a quarter of the promised amount and conditioned his release date for further progress in economic reforms in Greece. But ministers were mostly working on a new rescue plan, with "at least an agreement in principle", according to one diplomatic source. The amount could approach that of the first packet. If the principle is an act, the terms of this extension will however be referred to the next meeting of finance ministers, scheduled July 11. The big question concerns the involvement of banks."We'll talk tonight about the involvement of private creditors, the question is how far it can and must go," summed up Jean-Claude Juncker.

"We play with fire"

Friday in Berlin, Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel had outlined the mechanism, with four main principles: voluntary participation of private creditors, approval of the ECB, nor a "credit event" and rapid implementation. But Wolfgang Schäuble Sunday as Chancellor reiterated that the participation of private creditors should be substantial. Germany prefers the idea of ​​longer maturities on debt, where Paris defends the option of "rollover" that would see creditors renew their credit lines in Athens at the maturity of loans.For Europeans, the most important thing is to convince investors that it is not part of a payment default.

"We play with fire," warned Saturday the President of the Eurogroup. Bankruptcy of Greece "may be contagious for Portugal and Ireland and, before Spain, to Belgium and Italy, given their heavy debt." And in this game of dominoes, the Belgian Finance Minister Didier Reynders, did not rule out that France is also reached, "when you see the level of deficit and debt." The financial world has been rocked in 2008 by the collapse of Lehman Brothers, he said in an interview with The Tribune."Do not repeat this type of bankruptcy."

After the reshuffle of his government, Prime Minister, George Papandreou, has, meanwhile, claimed Sunday the confidence of Parliament in order to get its austerity plan in late June, and thus obtain the release of the new international aid. A vote is expected Tuesday night.

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The challenges facing Luc Oursel

Friday Jun 17, 2011

– Manage the post-Fukushima

The renaissance that nuclear power seemed to promise, in the world, there are a few more months, will she be? Areva had put in a position to be a key player in the expansion of civil atom, only controlled and profitable alternative to fossil fuels and "clean" in CO2 emissions which is more. The French group and hired some 12,000 people each year to keep pace expected of its business.

Since 11 March, the situation has changed dramatically: Germany, Switzerland and now Italy, have decided to end their civil nuclear program. India, with firm orders for new reactors was expected before the summer, will surely prolong his reflection. Anne Lauvergeon refused to believe in a "nuclear winter".For her as for other supporters of the atom, the policy decisions taken today as the heat of the moment can be questioned tomorrow.

For now, the international development of Areva is at stake in the coming months, all the nuclear installations in Europe will be reviewed. Although the terms of these "stress tests" are still being defined, Areva will necessarily be at the forefront. Like Anne Lauvergeon, his successor will have to become a diplomat of nuclear power, both to reassure his interlocutors on the safety of this activity and convince them to pursue an effective dialogue with the French group.

– Restore the finances of the company

For a long time, critics of Anne Lauvergeon stigmatize poor operational management of the company and its finances in jeopardy.In 2010, the company has also accused an operating loss of 423 million euros and the rating agency has become mediocre. The group also suffers from having camped on his credo of "vertical integration", to the point of purchase, too expensive, its own uranium mines, which now require large investments. Finally, the action Areva is listed in this form since May 30, has lost nearly 15% payday loan companies.

– Pacifier relationship with EDF

Relations have never been easy between the two companies, they have become abominable between Anne and Henri Proglio Lauvergeon, CEO of the utility since the fall of 2009. Regularly called to order by the state, their shareholders to both, the two companies to work together STRIPS sentenced last fall to formalize a strategic partnership.

All aspects of collaboration are concerned, the supply of uranium to the reprocessing of spent fuel, to building new reactors. But the various working groups have not yet yielded any conclusions. Again, the management of Areva will be watched around the corner. Luc Oursel will be on a narrow track of restoring harmonious relations with EDF, without appearing the vassal.

Seen from the Elysee, the issue is crucial because it is to harmonize relationships within the French nuclear industry to win export contracts. Without compromising the ability of Areva to sell only his skills to other electricians global EDF's competitors.

– To service the Finnish EPR

It's really cursed the site for Areva. The new generation of reactor Olkiluoto 3 should have been operational in 2009. It will not be before 2012.His bill, expected around 3.5 billion euros, has appreciated by 3 billion euros, lead accounts Areva. The company – which has staked his credibility by taking on the project management of this project – no longer has the right to make mistakes. The EPR is the cornerstone of its international development. And it is that Luc Oursel return the task to make a successful export, arguing its assets in terms of safety.

At the same time, the new leader of the nuclear group will tackle the launch of the TDD, a new medium-power reactor that. Through this case is the ability of the company to expand its portfolio of facilities that will be tested.


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Greece is one step closer to a fault

Tuesday Jun 14, 2011

While EU leaders try to reassure financial markets by removing any idea of ​​restructuring or default, the rating agencies to drive endless Greece. Moody's after the Ascension, Standard & Poor's downgraded three notches note of Greece on Whit Monday. And what a month after having been lowered by two. Another two notches and the country would be in default. "The deterioration reflects our opinion that there is an even higher risk of one or more defects," the agency said in a statement, while the debate rages over the possibility of restructuring the public debt of Greece.

S & P believes that, as part of a restructuring of the Greek debt, the private sector (banks, investment funds, insurers), drawn on, would be faced either a "trading securities" or an "extension maturities.Such operations would be considered "as a failure" by the rating agency, and in this case, it could assign a note to Greece even lower, relegating it to a situation of partial default.

Standard & Poor's stressed, however, it could stabilize the country's rating to "CCC", if the euro zone was a solution that does not correspond to a default under its criteria, even taking into account the risk of debt restructuring "in the form of a discount" by 2013.The U.S. rating agency added that Greece can not go on the financial markets in 2012 and "probably later", as agreed under the Emergency Plan supported by the EU and IMF for the country .

This did not cause further deterioration of sharp declines in U.S. stock markets, Wall Street still showing slight increases: 0.23% to 11,981.28 points and the Dow Jones + 0.18% to 2648.30 points for the Nasdaq. Credit rating agencies have not yet won their showdown. Meanwhile the reactions of financial markets on Tuesday.


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After the solar Mersen diversified into health

Tuesday Jun 7, 2011

On Tuesday, a giant glass, Corning, and a French specialist in composite materials, Mersen, announce an alliance whose ambition is astonishing: the partners plan to revolutionize the manufacture of drugs. Corning has indeed used the properties of glass to develop a "reactor" to better control the manufacturing process of molecules for drug or fine chemicals.

Everything works, but to move to industrialization, it is necessary to use elements that exhaust heat very well. And this is where Mersen, specializing in composites. The agreement with the ex-Carbone Lorraine into that framework."The technology developed by Corning combined with our expertise in silicon carbide products represents a technological breakthrough for the pharmaceutical industry," said Luc Themelin, board member Mersen. The discussions lasted nearly a year and a final agreement covers the exclusive supply of ceramic microreactors Mersen in Corning.

This type of agreement is of particular interest Mersen. French society is indeed an OEM, by definition particularly vulnerable in its relations with its customers. To protect its margins, the group has developed a strong expertise in composite materials. It thus becomes an indispensable partner to its customers.

Using the special graphite, the group has made a remarkable breakthrough in the solar field. Five years ago, Mersenne was not present in this sector.This year, it should achieve 100 million euros of turnover short term personal loan.

Products manufactured in Tarbes

In the end, Mersen recorded 13% growth in its turnover last year to 741 million euros, an operating margin of 10.5%. And there are other sources of growth in the LED or the pharmacy, as evidenced by the agreement with Corning.

Today, there is no direct revenue associated with this contract. "Corning is currently negotiating with potential customers, mainly in Asia. We hope that the first contracts will be signed in September. To Mersenne, this means that the first revenues could arrive next year, "says Luc Themelin.

Corning's new product has many advantages over earlier technology: less investment, lower energy consumption and better control during manufacturing.The rise will take time, however, pharmaceutical companies not renewing their plants very often.

Mersen products related to this contract will be manufactured at a factory in Tarbes, which belonged to Boostec, bought by Mersenne in April 2010. Before the acquisition, the plant realized about seven million euros of turnover. "This contract would allow us to triple the revenues of the plant to the next three or four years, says Luc Themelin. Beyond that, we will make additional investments to increase capacity. "

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Portugal prepares for new sacrifices

Friday Jun 3, 2011

Coincidence of timing. IMF-EU Troika-ECB chose the last week of the campaign to start in Lisbon's assessment mission. Whatever the outcome on Sunday of the early legislative, the next government already knows he will receive a very limited scope. Winner given according to recent polls, the opposition leader, Pedro Passos Coelho (PSD-center right), should apply as soon as possible the austerity program imposed by the troika, in exchange for an aid package of 78 billion euros.

Click image for larger graphic.


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Greece worried Lagarde put pressure

Sunday May 22, 2011

Greece must provide more work and results, said the French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, who put pressure on Athens in an interview with Austrian daily Der Standard to be released this Saturday.

"Greece must deliver results and why the country must do more than during the last twelve months," said Christine Lagarde, whose name is mentioned as a successor to Dominique Strauss-Kahn to head the IMF.

Asked about her refusal of any debt restructuring, Christine Lagarde said: "We already gave Athens more time to repay its loans in the euro area is already a concession."He continued: "It is legitimate that we expected that Greece will make its share of work."

"We do not want a state of bankruptcy"

The French Minister of Economy recognizes that the Greek government has done things, "but there are still areas where things are moving too slowly", referring to privatizations. "Either Greece delivers results, then we can imagine additional help.Otherwise there is the question of how Greece is ready to play the game for its own bailout, "said ministre.Et further emphasized:" What we certainly do not want, c 'is a state of bankruptcy, a default in Europe ..

While the Greek Government discusses the rise in unemployment generated by the austerity plan, the minister reminded the unemployment rate in Spain, according to her superior to that of Greece, but where "the country still does its job, saved and managed to turn around. "

Challenge to implement a program

The rating agency Fitch, meanwhile, lowered on Friday noted the long-term debt of Greece to three notches. This is a new blow to Athens which also saw its borrowing costs on market reached a new record.Fitch lowered the rating of BB + Greek + to B, referring to the "challenge" for Greece that is the "implementation of a program of structural reform and radical tax necessary to ensure the solvency of the state and the foundations of sustained economic recovery "in the country.

"New fiscal austerity measures are necessary" to achieve that Greece's budget deficit target of 7.5% of GDP in 2011, said Fitch. The agency suggests including poor tax revenues and difficulties in implementing a privatization program.

Greece also saw its cost of borrowing on the markets at a record Friday, the rate of its ten-year bonds exceeding 16.7%. Sign that investors fear that Greece is not able to honor its debts.

The Greek prime minister said his country would repay its entire debt."We will refund the loans," said George Papandreou, whose country was granted last year a plan to help the EU and the IMF amounting to 110 billion euros to avoid it default.

But many observers believe that Greece will avoid a major restructuring of its debt, meaning pay creditors later or less than expected. But the European Central Bank precludes this scenario.

In the wake of Fitch, another rating agency S & P has for its part lowered by one notch the rating of the long-term debt of the Crédit Agricole to 'A +' cons 'AA-' before, because of its exposure Greece."We believe that the French banking group Credit Agricole is particularly prone in Greece, because of the issue of solvency and the economic outlook" of the country, particularly through its subsidiary Emporiki, S & P said in a statement.

(With Agencies)


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