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Orange will launch its own tablet PC

Friday Aug 27, 2010

All hands to fight on the front of internet tablets. The Apple iPad, with more than 3 million copies sold in three months, is envious. For telecom groups, the return is that the cons-attack. And Orange is already in line. According to Les Echos, the telecoms operator feeds a very ambitious project at the beginning of school year: to "democratize" the market shelves.

How? With the launch by the end of the year signed a tablet Orange, whose price should be less exposed to 250 euros. This tablet 3G, equipped with the Android operating system from Google, would be manufactured by a "large Asian manufacturer," according to Les Echos.

The newspaper said that the tablet packages are bound to always study, but they would probably be closer to those keys that the 3G model chosen for the iPad.That is to say in the form of subscriptions with over-flow, rather than charging by the day, the volume of data. With a subscription package, the price of the tablet and Orange could fall under 100 euros, according to Les Echos. In comparison, the 3G model iPad the cheapest sells 599 euros.

"Several projects under consideration"

Reacting to this information, Orange said that "on the shelves, several projects are under consideration, particularly in France." The group also recalled that Stéphane Richard, its chief executive, had already said that Orange "would develop in the tablets by commercializing iPad". He had met the boss of Apple, Steve Jobs, last May.

For Orange, "sign is a way to regain control against the manufacturers," says the business daily. Because the foolishness of the shelf is only beginning.

Harvest new tablets

Even before the launch of the iPad last April, some blue chips have already announced their intention of cutting cruppers to Apple, including HP, Sony or Asus. By Christmas, a new crop of magic slates is expected. After HTC, Samsung, Motorola and Sony Ericsson, LG and Toshiba will launch their own shelves, also equipped with the system Android. Other players will join the fray in 2011, as Acer.

To win in this new balance of power, Orange must do better than the first time. Indeed, the operator has already attempted a breakthrough on the market shelves, there are more than a year, by launching a small portable screen and multifunction: the Tabbee. A product that has not really taken off.

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GDF Suez in the running for new purchases in Europe

Sunday Aug 22, 2010

Acquisition appetite GDF SUEZ does not dry up. The group chaired by Gerard Mestrallet formalized fortnight ago the takeover of Britain's International Power. This nearly 20 billion euros making it the second largest electricity producer in the world.

This does not prevent targeting a wide range of assets in the energy sector. In Poland in particular, where GDF SUEZ already developing the largest biomass plant in the world with a capacity of 200 megawatts. The group intends to seize tricolor maximum opportunities in this key country in Central Europe. This Friday, however, he was left out of the race for the privatization of the producer and distributor of electricity Polish Energa, estimated 8 billion zlotys (2 billion euros).The Polish Treasury, which has sold 83% of Energa, announced he had chosen for further negotiations between the Czech and Polish groups EMP has Energeticky Prumyslovy Holding.

However, GDF Suez is in the running for the redemption of the third group of the country's electricity, Enea. Currently owned 60% by the Polish Treasury and 19% by the Swedish Vattenfall, Enea is listed at 51% for a price that could reach around 1.2 billion euros, according to Polish daily Parkiet. It provides 20% of electricity in Poland and supplies 2.3 million homes.

Faced with financial

The Polish Treasury, which had suffered an initial setback in 2009 when the only bidder, German RWE, had withdrawn its proposal, would have received this time five bids.These persons, in addition to GDF Suez, would appear EDF, Iberdrola of Spain, Italian Enel and Polish Kulczyk.

In Germany, GDF Suez is very interested in gas storage sites, sold by ExxonMobil and Shell oil companies, reported Friday a close group. The energy giant would face in the battle for assets valued at one billion euros in financial sector competitors. The infrastructure management subsidiaries of Deutsche Bank, Axa and Prudential are also candidates. Germany, third largest market in terms of GDF Suez supplies gas, is the second largest source of storage for this resource. The energy company it already has 600 million cubic meters (m3) of storage, and it would, if he can buy the two sites Uelsen Harsefeld and northwest of the country, its total capacity to about 1.5 billion m3.But France, with 10 billion cubic meters, will remain by far, its first storage area for gas.

The proposed acquisitions are still the order of the day, recalled yesterday a spokesman for GDF Suez. The merger with International Power, mainly funded by transfer of assets, slightly affects the budget of 10 billion investment that the group has set for 2010. And in the first half, investments, acquisitions and development operations or industrial maintenance, were $ 5.5 billion.

Subtracting the transfers of assets in parallel, GDF Suez had yet to end June with a bonanza of 7 billion euros to invest.

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In France, the decline in car sales is increasing

Tuesday Aug 3, 2010

The downward trend is continuing. After a decline of 1.2% in June and 11.5% in May, new car registrations in France fell 12.9% in July to 169,804 units, according to the Committee of French Automobile ( CCFA). A comparable number of working days, the decline in sales stood at 8.7%. The month of July had 21 days this year, against 22 last year.

"This is indeed great car scrapping begins to decrease," said a spokesman for the CCFA to Reuters. "But we have a slow decline, not an effect to the German, which is rather positive," he added. In Germany the first European car market, the scrappage has indeed been deleted from the exhaustion of the envelope at the start. The relapse was rapid.The German market has declined from 32.3% to 289,259 cars registered in June

In France, the government has opted for a gradual withdrawal of aid device. The scrapping bonus of 1,000 euros last year, was reduced to 700 euro from 1 January and 500 euros July 1.

Dacia and Volkswagen in good shape

While Volkswagen (11.9%) and Dacia (% 47.5) drew their game well, all the other major brands have lost ground on the French car market last month. Sales only French brands, which have benefited most from the demand created by the aid fell by 15.4% in July, while those of foreign brands fell 9.9%.

In the duel Franco-French, PSA Peugeot Citroen has suffered more than its competitor Renault.Its sales have faltered by 15% (-17% to -13.3% for Citroën and Peugeot), while those of the Renault group fell 7.6%. A victory in sham, because largely due to the strong performance of low-cost Dacia brand. The brand with the diamond, it has seen its sales eroded by 15.9%, despite the accession of the Mégane range to the highest step of the podium families of best-selling cars in France last month.

In the first seven months of 2010, registrations in France stand still up 2.8% in raw data to 1,382,240 units, and 2.1% in comparable number of working days, compared to the same period of 2009. For all of 2010, the CCFA expected to registrations of about two million new vehicles in France.

Back to a market more 'normal'

"We are now back to a more normal market, with a second part of the year is traditionally the weakest. Except this time, the end of the year will be much worse with the unfavorable base effect in late 2009, "says its spokesman.

In Spain, the Association of Automotive Manufacturers ANFAC does not show as serene. Registrations of new cars in Spain fell 24.1% in July over a year, a setback after ten consecutive months of increases, "she said Monday. In total, 82,167 new cars were sold in July, against 121,483 a month earlier and 108,221 in July 2009. On Thursday, the Association had sounded the alarm, suggesting a 50% drop in auto sales in July. She even called for "an urgent meeting with Minister of Industry to study the proposals and possible solutions to this serious situation."

Outside Europe, other markets automotive show excellent health. Japan has announced on Monday registrations up 15% for the month of July. In the first seven months of the year, the Japs bought 2,054,094 new cars, or 28.9% more than the previous year.

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The national debt passes the threshold of 1.5 trillion

Wednesday Jun 30, 2010

Public debt has continued to become heavy in the first quarter. It was late March, to 1.5355 trillion euros, representing 80.3% of gross domestic product (GDP), against approximately 78% in late 2009, according to Insee. This represents an increase of 46.5 billion compared to December.

The government debt and social security have contributed to this increase, details the National Institute of Statistics. "The contribution of the State debt rose by 43.4 billion

in the first quarter, it is essential for its long-term marketable debt, "said INSEE. Clearly, these are the bonds issued to finance the state debt have widened.

The debt of Social Security, it has increased by 8.6 billion.In contrast, "local government is désendettent (- 2.8 billion) at a rate comparable to the first quarters of previous years," notes the INSEE.

The fault in the recovery plan

Bercy said in a statement that "increasing the debt on the recent past is linked to political recovery after the crisis." The government now wants to reverse the trend. The government should submit a detailed savings plan of 10 billion euros at the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.

François Fillon had lifted one end of the sail June 12 in terms of deficit reduction. It is to find 100 billion in savings over three years to reduce the deficit to 3% of GDP, against 7.5% in 2009. But the VAT increase to 5.5% on food, mentioned by the Minister of Budget Sunday, seems to have been abandoned.


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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 industry's recovery is not affected"

Monday Apr 26, 2010

More fear than harm. The Icelandic volcano spits ash and under no threat the European sky. The deadweight losses resulting from the disaster are expected to amount to 1.7 billion euros for the airlines, but "the recovery of the airline industry is not in question, according to analysts at Natixis.

There is good news since early March for the sector, with monthly data that highlight improvements in traffic and unit revenue. In addition, IATA (International Air Transport Association) has recently raised its earnings estimates for companies in 2010.

Although the relief is a priority for Asian companies and South America through a more dynamic economic environment, but companies in Europe and North America are also expected to rebound, "but more gradual.

Air France-KLM on the upslope

Natixis Securities is confident for the Franco-Dutch airline AIR FRANCE-KLM: the good news will continue, as the broker, which emphasizes the positive trend registered "throughout the fourth quarter of 2009/2010, with an increase in traffic March, which is one of their busiest months of the year. "The increase – the first 15 months – the number of passengers was thus elevated to 4.7% and load factor improved by 5 percentage points to 80.5% Guaranteed fast personal loans.

The unit revenues are also up compared to 2009 but are still lower compared to 2008.

The analysis bureau raised its price target on the value of 13 to 14.5 euros, explaining that such enthusiasm on the titles for the upcoming IPO of Amadeus, April 29 in Madrid. The travel booking company expected to raise between 1.25 and 1.36 billion euros to reduce its debt.This will be the most important introduction of European market since the beginning of the year.

Finally, the ash cloud, which should be operational in losing about 150 million euros in Air France-KLM estimated by Natixis, does not alter the optimism of the broker or investor: the Air France-KLM shares climb 1.63% on Monday to 10 hours and rate 12.45 euros. A similar level to that recorded at the beginning of the closure of major airports in northern Europe because of the cloud.

British Airways shares soar 2.6% at 239.8 pence on the London Stock Exchange.

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Cacophony union on pension reform

Tuesday Apr 13, 2010

Eric Woerth, Minister of Labour in charge of pension reform on Monday received the representatives of unions and employers. Feedback gathered at the exit interviews showed deep antagonisms and augur of delicate negotiations to achieve a reform of the system.

• Daniele Karniewicz (CFE-CGC): President of the National Fund for Pension Insurance (CNAV), also charged with negotiating on behalf of the union executive (CFE-CGC) pleaded for a shield retreat "that would ensure a minimum level, that is to say a percentage of final salary for each activity that affect. "It is imperative that we find a consensus together, not to say on what lever we will play for pensions, but to say what level of pension is to be preserved for all private sector employees," she said on BFM Radio .The CFE-CGC is the only union to push for a postponement of the legal retirement age and wish to conduct a "reflection on the duration of activity."

• J ean-Claude Mailly (FOR): Secretary General of Pensions work force has already warned it was "not negotiable" for the union to reach the legal age of retirement set 60 years or the duration of contribution. "If the government really wants to push (…) the right to leave at age 60, or extend the term (contribution Ed), discussions began, it will be the beginning of the confrontation," he warned on France 2, before being received by the Minister of Labour.There is "no question of having to accept one way or another to have to work longer," even "because life expectancy is increasing," the emphasis has hammered the track of increased contributions and the tax issue for example by deleting "some exemptions which have been made in recent years, like the one on capital gains from subsidiaries, representing" 20 billion (euros) in three years, "he said.

• Laurence Parisot (MEDEF): President of the employers' movement said Monday that it was not "continue to resolve the pension issue by a steady increase in contributions" to employers or employees. She however refused to specify what tracks were preferred by the MEDEF before the Board of Retirement Guidance (NRC) does not publish financial simulations expected Wednesday.

• Fran?ois Ch?r?que (CFDT) national secretary of the CFDT has criticized the agenda provided by the government on pensions, considered "too short" for a thorough reform, and reiterated his commitment to retire at age 60. Play on the traditional parameters of risk "to accentuate the existing inequalities in our pension systems," he said, citing "those who started working young, those with heavy work, inequality between men and women and those in precarious paths.The CFDT had hoped "everything on the table and study the various pension systems division that exists in Europe to see that, or those that are most suited" to the French situation.

• FSU: the first union of the state civil service, said in a statement that it would oppose "to further cuts" on pensions. The union, which will be received by April 22 the Minister said that the pension system should allow to "maintain the standard of living" by guaranteeing a pension from 60 years earlier for jobs considered particularly difficult. "Since 2003, reforms have led to severe deterioration and decline of pensions, particularly penalizing women employees who have experienced unemployment, job insecurity, part-time," insists the FSU.According to the union, the Public Service, "the staff had to delay their retirement for six months on average and have seen them at the same time reduce repo rate by 1.5%.

• Jean-Francois Roubaud (CGPME): President of the General Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises (CGPME) said that "it will increase the length of working time" to resolve the pension issue in France and has said hostile to any additional taxation. "I proposed to index on life expectancy, there will be 41 in 2012 and I think that setting 42 years in 2020 seems a measure that could be reasonable.""We know we can not remain in the state where we are and we back into the wall if you do not change anything," he said after a meeting with the Minister.

• Jacques Voisin (CFTC): The chairman of the CFTC has expressed concern over the lack of a government proposal on the issue of new funds for pension schemes, following his meeting with Eric Woerth. "There is nothing, nothing on the issue of funding, nothing on the enlargement of the plate," he said. "We feel that the minister is on its two parameters: age and duration of contributions, and no other parameters in perspective," he said reiterating the CFTC's refusal to touch retirement 60.He called for "broadening the base of funding to capital income" and stock-option.

• Jean-Michel Baylet, president of the Radical Left (PRG) Francois Fillon has asked to "quickly check political parties represented in Parliament to associate them to work" on pensions. "They want reform in particular that allow everyone to have, at the age of retirement, a disposable income at least equivalent to the minimum wage." "As necessary, the guaranteed minimum income will be financed by taxes," he says.

• Beno?t Hamon: The spokesperson of the Socialist Party (PS) has denounced the "taboo of funding" of pensions, calling for a tax on financial income. "Today, there is no single way possible.And the only taboo that exists in that area, it is taboo (…) funding the government refuses broader base of employer contributions, "regretted Mr. Hamon on Europe 1. "If you extend the contribution period and it is very difficult to obtain adequate employment period for a full pension, the immediate consequence is the decline of pensions," he says.


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Automotive: Toyota passes the second U.S.

Friday Apr 2, 2010

The hierarchy of best-selling cars on American soil was again upset. After one year in 2009 when Ford pulled its game and the beginning of 2010 when Toyota has suffered in the wake of massive recalls, the month of March saw GM regain its position as leader of U.S. auto sales. Toyota and Ford ranked second in the third.

Toyota saw its U.S. sales rebound by 40.7% to 186,863 vehicles, while they were down more than 15% and almost 9% respectively in January and February. Jiom Lentz, head of the U.S. subsidiary, expected on Tuesday in an increase of about 35%. In Japan, sales rose 50.7% year on year in March to 204,514 vehicles.

General Motors rose by 20.6% in March on a year in the United States to 188,546 vehicles, having already increased by 11.5% in February.Excluding those marks with a group is to separate (Saab, Hummer) or is being closed (Pontiac, Saturn), the increase in GM sales reached 43.3%.

Ford returns to No. 3

Ford's side saw its sales jump 40% year on year to 183,783 vehicles in March, the United States. Excluding the Swedish brand Volvo, which has just been sold to Chinese Geely, the rising sales of Ford reached 43% in March. The group had already seen its sales increase by 43% in February over a year.

Sales for the former No. 3 U.S., Chrysler, are in turn divided down in March, with a decline of 8% year on year to 92,623 units, after registering a slight increase (0.47 %) in February.

Finally, Nissan reported Wednesday a rise of 43.3% over a year in sales volumes in the U.S. in March. In total, they amounted to 95,468 vehicles.

"Toyota recalls 3.8 million vehicles in the U.S.

Ford has recalled more vehicles than Toyota

"New car registrations rise" Ford overtakes General Motors


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Poweo does not revert to green in 2012

Friday Mar 19, 2010

2009, a restructuring exercise. 2010 a transition year, according Poweo.

The leading independent supplier of electricity and gas French recalls in its press release of its annual results, the 2009 accounts have been sealed by "business conditions particularly unfavorable" and "the delay by government in implementation of a reform of the electricity market.

In the twelve months of the financial year, the group led by Loic CAPERAN has indeed widened its net losses over four and a half times, to 93.5 million. Turnover, already known since February 18 last, had emerged above the expectations of analysts, to 565 million euros (-2.2%). The negative operating result increased sharply to -85.3 million euros.In February, the CEO said it expected an operating loss of more than 75 million euros.

"In 2009, the difference between our average procurement cost of 42 euros per megawatt hour, and our average selling price of 47 euros, do not allow us to cover our marketing costs and costs of our customer management, had he said. Result: Poweo not develop its full portfolio of projects ranging between 3 and 4 billion euros in the medium term, including 1 billion for renewable energy.

For 2010, the company expects an operating loss divided by three. The future is preparing already: Poweo considering a plan 2011-2015 with a target operating profit in 2011 and net income in 2012, focusing its attention on "combined cycle natural gas, wind and solar. "

In exchange, investors punish.Titles Poweo dropped in the first exchanges of 1.2%, to 12.35 euros in a market decline of 0.27% at 3947 points.

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Inflation off again in February

Tuesday Mar 16, 2010

End balances and high tourist season in Winter forcing prices are increasing again in February. The index of consumer prices rose by 0.6% over the last month, and 1.3% year over year, according to figures released Tuesday by the INSEE. The government forecasts a moderate price increases of 1.2% on year.

This resurgence of inflation "from higher prices of manufactured goods, particularly related to the end of winter sales and the prices for other services during a holiday in February, Insee said. The prices of clothing rose by 5.8% compared to January, with the end of winter discounts.On the other hand, prices of holiday homes jumped by 32.4% from the previous month instant payday loan .

Prices of vegetables increased sharply for the second consecutive month by 1.3%, "due to difficult climatic conditions for production and delivery of products," INSEE said.

In contrast, reductions of tariffs in the aviation and automotive brake rising prices. The price of energy, including petroleum products have remained stable.

"The French economy (like all developed economies) is experiencing overcapacity," said Nicolas Bouzou, economist at Aster. "There is no pressure on producer prices could be passed on the overall retail price".


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