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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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The Paris Bourse has gained over 2.7%

Wednesday Jul 7, 2010

As in Asia this morning, the CAC 40 has taken great colors on Tuesday. The benchmark index of the Paris closed up 2.73% and finished well beyond 3400 points, 3423 points exactly. Investors changed course in Paris while on Monday, the ACC has approached its lowest level this year at 3332 points (-0.48%).

Elsewhere in Europe, the same trend: the Ibex-35 index of the Madrid Stock Exchange Tuesday ended up 3.59% at 9615 points, strongly supported by banking stocks and the FTSE in London gained 2.93% to 4965 points while in Frankfurt the Dax was 2.15% awarded to 5940 points.

The euro also continues to rise, which was accentuated in session after the publication of an ISM service activities in the United States still above 50. Around 18 heurse, EUO rises from 0.84% to 1.2649 dollar.

Despite this rebound, volatility remains very strong markets.These days, investors were not reassured by the mixed indicators published last week, the United States as in the euro area. The doubts about the speed of global economic recovery weighed increasingly on morale.

On Tuesday afternoon, the markets await the opening of Wall Street may choose to pursue. U.S. markets open again after an extended weekend related to the national holiday. The meeting will begin with the analysis of the PMI services which will be published shortly after the opening. Apart from this indicator, no other major news is expected.

Alstom to

Alstom was up 4.46% to 38.4 euros. The Saudi-French consortium, joining Alstom and SNCF, has in fact likely to report a TGV project in Saudi Arabia.Contract Amount: at least 10 billion dollars according to Philippe Mellier, President and CEO of Alstom.

The rating is also taken up by the rebound in bank Credit Agricole (5.43%), Societe Generale (6.27%) and BNP Paribas (4.23%) are among the highest increases.

Air France (Air France-KLM), which posted a record loss last year, plans to cut 4109 jobs over the period 2010-2012 to meet the air transport crisis. The stock gained 3% to 9.81 euros.

Areva (0.81% to 328.65 euros) should always be led by Anne Lauvergeon. According to sources close to the matter quoted by Agence France Presse, Nicolas Sarkozy has decided to maintain the group's boss at his post until the end of his mandate.Rumors had often reported the contrary.

Also in the nuclear site EPR Flamanville, led by EDF (+1.3% at 30.67 euros) also suffer delays. An audit suggests a period of 24 months. EDF expected to make the announcement soon.

Finally, investors should still respond to the publication by Stephane Richard's strategic plan of France Telecom (2.68% to 14.75 euros) for 5 years. The operator also wishes to reach 300 million customers around the world to this date and hire 10,000 people by 2012.

Please note that Club Med has increased by almost 15% Tuesday.


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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.


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The airline will renew with profits in 2010

Monday Jun 7, 2010

Optimism on the air. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents 230 airlines companies accounting for 93% of global air traffic, has revised upward its net earnings forecast for the sector, saying it would return to profit this year , thanks to his efforts to "reduce costs and restructuring, but also to promote economic recovery.

The association now expects the world's airlines recorded a profit of 2.5 billion dollars in 2010, she said during his meeting in Berlin on Monday. In March, it expected a loss of 2.8 billion. With a loss of 9.4 billion, 2009 was the worst year the industry has experienced.

Strong rebound in air traffic

"The global economy out of the depths of the financial crisis much more quickly than expected.The airlines benefit from the strong rebound in traffic and back into the green, "said IATA Director General Giovanni Bisignani. "This is the first profit since 2007," he said. According to the association, air traffic is expected to jump by 7.1% this year.

Consequently, the total revenue the airline expected to reach $ 545 billion in 2010, against a forecast of 522 billion last March. A performance well above 483 billion recorded in 2009, but always below the 564 billion revenue in 2008.

"We thought we would have at least three years to make up for the loss of 81 billion (14.3%) of revenue that we suffered in 2009," said Giovanni Bisignani, saying the airline industry has found "his levels before the crisis "at 75%.

Europe alone in the red

The Director General of IATA has bolted not yet.With a margin of 0.5%, "we are far from sustainable profitability," he warned. Especially as the expected improvement is not concern the industry as a whole. "Europe, with a weak economy, is the only region to be in the red with losses of 2.8 billion, has again warned the general manager.

Giovanni Bisignani, director general of IATA, in Berlin. Photo credits: AFP


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The euro remains on a downward trend

Wednesday Apr 21, 2010

EUR / USD: The euro on a downward

Torn between good ZEW index of German industrialists in April and perennial concerns about the finances of Greece, the euro was hesitant. On Wednesday, he nevertheless resumed its downward trend started yesterday, when discussions begin in Athens techniques to study details of the mechanism of financial assistance that the country could then activate it if necessary.They should last about ten days after placement interviennet by Athens Treasury bills to three months worth of 1.95 billion euros.

The Bundesbank president Axel Weber has implied that Greece might need 80 billion euros of financial assistance to avoid bankruptcy, nearly double the amount provided by the European plan.

"Despite a modest rise in risk appetite, the euro remained under pressure during the night while the gap between Greek and German bonds rose to a new record of 478 basis points in the night, however, observed Michael Hart at Citigroup.

Pictet notes that "the return to rising world stock markets – after overruns linked to the case Goldman Sachs and the ash cloud Iceland – has left the dollar marble.

For Pierre-Antoine Dussoulier, president of Saxo Bank, the consensus presages a downturn in the euro.Support for the euro / dollar stood at 1.3280. One that is close, while the euro traded under $ 1.34 today, to 1.3387 to exactly 13 hours.

"Until then, support has remained resilient, but if it is broken, then the euro will fall to the next support, referred to 1.2455 dollar per euro, or levels in March 2009 and November 2008. The resistance is placed it, to 1.38 euros, but there is little chance that the euro is growing so very short term, the official said.

The pound sterling rose

While political discussions are underway with our neighbors across the Channel for the upcoming elections on May 6, the British pound is a positive trend, encouraged by the price index from March to well above expectations at 0, 6% against 0.3% expected.

It is 86.96 pence per euro and 1.5391 dollars on Wednesday.

Asian currencies purchased

Led by the change in monetary policy from the Bank of India Monday, Asian currencies continue to rise. As the NOK, which rises against the dollar at 5.8953. Even in Australia, the Australian dollar strengthens against the dollar and euro.

Canadian Dollar coveted

The Canadian dollar (CAD) remains the motto of all desires: while the Bank of Canada has hinted it may raise rates, the latter finally maintained at 0.25%. The loonie has flirted with parity from 1.0161 to 0.9941 Canadian dollars to 1 U.S. dollar. The momentum keeps a downward trend on Wednesday.

The central bank of Canada announced an upcoming recovery.It could then be the first monetary tightening of a G7 country.

* Definitions

• Forex: For Foreign Exchange, foreign exchange or market analysis • technical analyst or chartist. She studied graphic evolution courses. The research in the historical price behavior involved in a situation to predict the evolution of financial securities. • Pips: Price Interest Point. Unit rating for foreign currency. It designates the last digit is used: in the case of the euro, the fourth decimal place. • Trend: trend. • Range: Range. • Support: value as the price has little chance to pass down. • Resistant: value as the price has little chance of exceeding the rise. • EUR: Euro, USD: U.S. Dollar, or U.S. dollar JPY Japan Yen or Japanese yen, GBP: British Pound, CHF: Swiss franc .


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Agreement on harassment and violence at work

Friday Mar 26, 2010

After eight rounds of negotiations, the social partners reached Friday to a draft agreement – which must be initialed by the unions – the harassment and workplace violence.

Long opposed to acknowledge that "some forms of work organizations and personnel management cause themselves from violence and harassment, as required by labor, management has finally made a gesture which made available the situation. The employers have admitted that "certain elements of the work environment, including the" management methods "or" mode of operation of the business, could lead to harassment or violence. "The final text is balanced," acknowledged Bernard Salengro, the CFE-CGC, at the exit. "It has evolved in the right direction", agreed Christine Guinand, the CGT, without commenting on the decision of its Central."It is rather positive," said Jean-Louis Malys, the CFDT.

If it took the wave of suicides in France Telecom for the setting, this negotiation was inevitable anyway, since it aims at transposing a European framework agreement adopted in late 2006. It pursues two objectives. Primo, "improve awareness and understanding of employers and employees against harassment and violence at work to better prevent this behavior, reduce and if possible eliminate them." And deuzio their "provide a concrete framework for the identification, prevention and management problems fast cash advance

A charter Reference

The draft agreement stipulates that certain employees are more affected than others' because of their gender, sexual orientation, disability or frequency of their relationship with the public. "But all can be victims "of abuse, threats and humiliation, repeated and deliberate" from "lack of respect for the will to harm, destroy". To prevent these abuses, companies should "take a clear position, stating that harassment and violence are not allowed" and the decline "as a charter of Reference describing the procedure in cases of proven facts – the Authors will be punished or even dismissed. They must also "identify the phenomena of harassment or violence at work in order to measure the magnitude (…) and search for preventive measures.

Branches professional requirements are to "develop tools adapted to the situation in their area." Committees of hygiene, safety and working conditions (CHSCT) and occupational physicians are also involved. Managers will be trained.The practical implementation of these provisions in the lives of businesses and their employees may therefore take more time.

ALSO READ:

"France Telecom" A dialogue is ongoing "

"Stress: 47% of companies ranked in red


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The best paid bosses are not the ones that work best

Wednesday Jan 27, 2010

If these are the salaries of bosses who are the most frequently stigmatized, smaller does not make as many copies. An analysis by John Gatty, chairman of the management company portfolio JG Capital Management, is evident even in the inverse relationship that binds the market performance of the Small Business 90, and pay their boss!

Without claiming to have conducted a scientific study, the manager who invests heavily in these small caps of the SBF 250, compiled and classified statistics publicly available on the market performance of these 90 companies since 2001, and compensation their boss. The finding, paradoxical, compiled by JG Capital Management, is that, on average, over the boss's pay, the higher the stock market performance of the enterprise is low.

"Inverse correlation and shocking"

The nine companies whose stock price rose the most since 2001 (average 640% Hi-Media, Gameloft, Lacie, or VM Toupargel materials are involved) are those whose employers are paying less (203 payday loan ? .000 in 2008). While nine companies whose stock performance was the worst (-76% on average over the same period) are also those whose bosses are better paid (675,000 ? in average). They include Rodriguez, whose owner has received 1,439,000 euros in 2008, Eurodisney and GFI Informatique. John Gatty is that the observed sample (90 companies) can do together, because of its smallness, as special cases. The strength of these statistics suggest, however, perplexed.

Martin Hirsch and John Gatty have also a common platform to Echos, denounced the governance problems revealed by these statistics. For "almost all the companies in which we observe this inverse correlation and shocking claims to respect the requirements of the Code of Corporate Governance prepared by the MEDEF Adep and" they rebelled.


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Better Place has raised $ 350 million

Monday Jan 25, 2010

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

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

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

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


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Bercy modifies the rules for fixing gas prices

Saturday Dec 12, 2009

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

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

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

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

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

Psychodrama

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

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


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