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The distribution subsidiary of EDF exchange boss

Friday Mar 12, 2010

Change at the top of ERDF, a subsidiary of EDF in charge of distribution. It Michèle Bellon, previously Director General of Dalkia – the joint venture with EDF and Veolia – who will succeed Michael Francony. An appointment will be approved at the supervisory board scheduled Tuesday, March 16. For Henri Proglio, the new chairman of EDF, distribution is a crucial topic. At the point of throwing a bomb in evoking the idea of separating employees common to EDF and GDF Suez in charge of this activity. "The teams ERDF complain of a lack of ambition and the sense of not really being part of the group. They also undergo feedback from customers regarding service quality deemed inadequate. Finally, teams must share sensitive business information with their main competitor, GDF Suez.On arrival, all this is very much ", said Henri Proglio earlier this year (read the Figaro, February 12). In other words, the roadmap looks Michèle Bellon particularly busy.

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Schneider bets on electric vehicle

Thursday Feb 4, 2010

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

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

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

4.4 million terminals in 2020

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

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

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

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

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The government continues to put pressure on Total

Monday Feb 1, 2010

After giving a first pressure on the management of the oil company, Christian Estrosi, Minister of Industry, insists the government "will not accept" the closure of the Total refinery at Dunkirk "as long as n 'There will be no guarantees the necessary continuity "of some 800 jobs involved," he said Monday on radio BFM.

The Government looks forward to the official position of Total in this case. The group must decide precisely Monday on the fate of the Flanders refinery, which employs 370 employees and 450 subcontractors.Depui mid-September, the site is in "stop cyclical" because he can no longer sell its output, given the current weakness in demand for fuel.

"For the moment we have no binding commitment on the part of Total and I say very clearly, the Government will be firm," said Minister of Industry free credit score .

The previous March 2009 is remembered

In any case, the government has warned it did not intend to be outdone in the folder "Total". "We will not accept an initiative to be taken unilaterally without any commitments are made to sustain current employment at the refinery," says Christine Estrosi.

Last Tuesday, the Minister noted that Total was considering the possibility of opening an LNG terminal in the port of Dunkirk.

In March 2009 already, the oil company had attracted the ire of politicians, after announcing the abolition of 555 posts in France, including 249 by 2013 in the refinery. A few weeks earlier, had issued a total record profit for 2008 of 13.9 billion euros.


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The Paris Bourse expected up

Monday Jan 18, 2010

A rebound in perspective. The Paris Bourse is scheduled to begin this week in the green, having closed sharply lower Friday. After pointing downward, the future will resume within minutes of opening. The CAC 40 gained 0.53% to 3975 points.

This morning the Asian seat ended in a steep downward trend. The Nikkei lost 1.16%. The disappointing results from JP Morgan affect the morale of investors who doubt the health of the banking sector. Friday, Wall Street had already set the tone by closing on a negative note. On Monday, the U.S. places are closed due to holiday.

No macroeconomic statistics that could reverse the trend is expected.

Renault under the microscope

As for values to follow, Renault is expected to turn.Group CEO, Carlos Ghosn, announced Saturday that the new Clio 4 will be made to Flins (Yvelines) and Turkey, without giving further details on the distribution of production at both sites. The reaction of Peugeot will also be expected.

According to the British press, GDF SUEZ is considering a reconciliation with Britain's International Power. The transaction details are not mentioned.

Louis Welsh, CEO of EADS Sunday welcomed signs sent by the client countries of the military transport aircraft Airbus A400M.The France had announced it planned to discuss the cost overruns of the project therefore would not be abandoned.

Air France KLM would react Exchange after publication in the Japanese press of a rapprochement between Japan Airlines (JAL) and Delta Air Lines, which should lead JAL to join the SkyTeam alliance, which includes Air France-KLM.

According to the Tribune, Axa interested in a stake in the giant Russian Aluminum Rusal, which is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and Paris (Euronext) next week. Rusal hopes to raise 2.6 billion dollars (1.8 billion) through its entry into the market.

Accor CEO Gilles Pelisson said in an interview with Journal du Dimanche that the group should not be separated from its brands Sofitel and Motel 6.He said the resumption of the hotel market will slow in the first quarter of 2010.

The luxury goods group Compagnie Financiere Richemont announced Monday before market turnover exceeds expectations in the third quarter of 2009/2010. The latter rose 2% to 1.585 billion euros, while analysts expected a decline. For the current year, Richemont gave no forecast

Aeroports de Paris (ADP) after market must publish its traffic for the month of December.

At 18h, Casino and Mercialys publish their figures for the fourth quarter while Soitec unveil his own in the third quarter.


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CGT strike against the port reform

Tuesday Jan 5, 2010

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

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

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

Business bloodless

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

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

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

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How Défiscaliser 2010

Sunday Dec 27, 2009

Donor associations to support innovation through investment, are multiple ways to reduce taxes. It exists in all twenty-eight provisions for entitlement to tax reduction and five, along with a tax credit. Some of them, especially heavy, can hardly be implemented before the end of the year. However, for latecomers, here's ten tracks explore before December 31 to reduce your next tax (1).

1 – Make donations to associations

It is very easy to reduce taxation by being generous. Donations to associations or organizations for aid to individuals qualify for tax reductions: 75% of payments made to organizations that assist people in difficulty (capped at 510 euros). For other donations, public organizations, for example, 66% of payments will be deductible up to 20% of taxable income.On the income statement, it suffices to mention the donations in the box UD (asssocaitions providing housing or meals) and the UF box for all other institutions.

2 – Prepare your retirement

Think of his old age is also a way to reduce the tax bill. The tax incentive savings plan retirement populaire (PERP) allows employees to accumulate savings for their retirement. Money deposited in this area may indeed be deducted from total income in respect to a ceiling that appears on the last tax assessment. For example, an employee whose marginal tax bracket is 30%, which is investing 100 euros on the PERP, save 30 euro tax. At the time of retirement, the savings will be restored as an annuity.

"About the PERP

3 – Helping innovative companies

By participating in a common fund for investment in innovation (FCIC) or an Investment Fund proximity (FIP), you can reduce your taxes. Your shares are eligible for a tax reduction of 25% of the amount subscribed, capped at € 12,000 (single) or 24,000 euros (couple). Most major banking networks selling such products. Units must be kept for at least 5 years.

4 – Investing in French cinema

And why not support culture? The capital of Sofica (Society for the financing of film) qualifies for a tax reduction of 40% or 48% if certain conditions are met. The basis for calculating the reduction is limited in the double limit of 25% of total net income and 18,000 euros.It should move towards a service asset management of a bank or a specialized firm, the product remains quite rare and confidential. Securities purchased must be conversation 5 years.

5 – Investing in forestry

Soaring prices facing the forest for 3 years makes it a very interesting investment. Especially since the sales or purchases of shares of forestry groups qualify for a tax reduction of 25% calculated on an annual ceiling of 5,700 euros (single) or EUR 11,400 (couple). Units must be held 8 years.You can also invest directly in land acquisition in natural woods and forests and barren land to be afforested (within 3 years), to establish a management unit of at least 5 hectares in a single taking.

Subsequently, and subject to achieve a management unit of at least 10 hectares in one piece, you can receive a tax cut for forest 25% of annual expenditure capped at 6,250 euros (single person ) or € 12,500 (couple). Warning, you must agree to retain the land for 15 years and to apply a management plan approved by the Regional Center Property Forest.

6 – Benefit of tax credits for your work

All those who are reluctant to work in their primary residence may be motivated by thinking of the tax credit they will receive.Insulation work, installation of devices to control heating, condensing boiler or heat pump are eligible for tax credits. The work must be performed by a professional who can provide information on the characteristics of the equipment to receive the credit calculated at 25%, 40% or 50% of the amount and nature of expenditure (excluding labor, except for insulation).

Warning: This tax credit is characterized by a multi-year ceiling of 8,000 euros (single) or 16,000 euros (couple) plus € 400 per dependent, ceiling covering all expenses paid in 5 consecutive years between 01/01/2005 and 31/12/2012. This tax credit was extended to expenses paid by the owners for their commitment to housing rent naked as a principal residence for at least 5 years.

»More

7 – Subscribe to capital for SMEs

You have a friend or relative who wants to create or strengthen the equity of a company. Your subscription to the capital you will receive a tax reduction of 25% ceiling on payment of 20,000 euros (single) or EUR 40,000 (couple). If your purchase exceeds those limits, the excess is reported in the same limits on the following 4 years.

8 – Doing work in bare ownership

Your parents have proceeded to share their property and you are bare owner of the house they occupy as usufruct. If you make major repairs in this house, you can deduct from your total income to a maximum of 25,000 euros with the possibility of deferral of excess expenditure over 10 years.If you take out a loan and that you have income from property, interest will be deducted from the said land revenue.

9 – Focus on real estate rental

The devices' depreciation Robien refocused and Borloo "will no longer apply to new houses acquired from 01/01/2010. It is still possible to opt for these devices if the act of purchase is signed before December 31, even if the delivery takes place later (acquired in the future state of completion).

On the device "Scellier, the draft Budget Act 2010 should tighten the conditions for applying a reduced advantage for purchases of homes for rent that would not meet the standard" Building Low Energy Consumption "(BBC ). The rate reduction should be reduced to – 20% for dwellings built or acquired in 2010, and – 15% from 2011.For homes purchased or built in 2009, the rate reduction, 25% will be maintained. For homes respecting the BBC's standard rates, tax cuts remain unchanged, ie 25% in 2010 and 20% in 2011 and 2012. Very interesting for tax exemption, the accumulation of Scellier Robien and should be considered in certain cases. So why give up when you can combine the devices?

10 – Have the reflex Internet if not already

If for 2009 you decide first to declare your return electronically, you will be allocated a tax cut to 20 euros.Having paid your third-looking check does not prevent the reduction provided that you agree with the declaration in line with the deadlines set by the following levies or electronically.

(1) Caution: the tax benefits mentioned (except the bare ownership) are capped at 25,000 euros plus 10% of net taxable income subject to progressive rates.

"Read the special dossier Taxation 2009

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Morel Gervais is co-author of "Taxation, investment and tax cuts" (Ed UK.gif Edition).


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Free elected fourth mobile operator

Saturday Dec 19, 2009

Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom will now share the telephony market with a fourth mobile operator. Free, a subsidiary of Iliad, has won the fourth license enforced through Arcep cons 240 million euros. Free file has been evaluated using several criteria, the most important being the "coherence and credibility of the project" and the "coverage territory", according to the release of the Regulatory Authority.In exchange, the news was very well received as evidenced by the share price Iliad, the parent of Freer, earning 3.38% to 83.49 euros.

"The arrival of this new actor should have a positive effect on the dynamic market of mobile telephony and, more generally, should be a positive factor for the development of electronic communications services," said the Authority has long criticized the lack of competition in mobile telephony.

Free operator had made known in 2003 by "breaking" the prices of holidays, being the first in France to offer a triple play (phone / internet / TV) for less than 30 euros, forcing competition to align its rates. A floor rate which was recently taken down by Numericable, then taken to account by the con own subsidiary of Iliad, Alice.

Free "undertake (…) to open its mobile network commercially within two years after the issuance of the permit and to cover the next eight years, at least 90% of the population by its 3G network." In other words, the subsidiary of Iliad should offer its new phone packages as early as January 2010, the official date of award of the license, and no later than early 2012.


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Morano wants to improve the display on violent video games

Friday Nov 27, 2009

The signs shown on video games is too little known and not visible enough by the Secretary of State for Family, Nadine Morano. Such written statements and pictograms should enable parents to identify the particular minimum age recommended for each game and its degree of violence. "We see too many young people have easy access to shelves of video games most violent, most dangerous and which are not of age and pass without any difficulty to cash" deplored Nadine Morano Thursday on RMC / BFM .

Logos PEGI (Pan European Game Information, http: / / www.pegi.info/fr/) are not mandatory but all three major console manufacturers (Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft) do not play these unstamped European symbols in their catalog.They lay one hand a minimum recommended age (3, 7, 12, 16 and 18) and may also include potentially offensive content (violence, coarse language, sex …). So far only 4% of the games listed are recommended for over 18 years, against 12% for over 16 years and 24% for over 12 years. But this classification is only for information purposes only, with no binding and it is still very poorly understood by parents. While virtually all of 6-17 years practicing video games, only 21% of parents know the signs PEGI according to an Ipsos.

In this context, the secretary of state for family wants better information for parents as well as in-store packaging or on the internet for online sales.Furthermore, she asked that the information referring to the risk of epilepsy for players who stay too long behind their screens are visible on the packaging. In turn, in a statement, the union of the publishers of entertainment software (SELL) "surprised at the positions of the minister who go against the European trend. Considering about Nadine Morano as "a repudiation of the work carried out over the years by professionals in the game, the SELL stresses that" the development of new signage could upset consumers who are accustomed to standards PEGI " .Believing he had been hitherto neither listened nor heard by the Minister's Delegate General SELL Jean-Claude Larue complains: "Nadine Morano stigmatizes these digital entertainment with high potential without apparently having studied the matter seriously."

As for the National Union of Family Associations (UNAF), she believes it is important to build on the PEGI logos and raise awareness. "The signage could probably be improved, says Olivier Gerard support new technologies to UNAF, but it is essential to help parents to decide and justify whether their decision to buy a game" for go further in the discussion and discuss the game in all its aspects the association has launched with eight other partners a section dedicated to him on his sitewww.pedagojeux.fr.


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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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The plant Flins for Renault power

Friday Nov 6, 2009

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

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

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

"The game is open"

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

"Convalescent, automotive resumes appetite for risk


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