Business World |

Online News

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.

ALSO READ

"Apple's highly anticipated mini iPad


Comments Off

Unemployment is falling for the second straight month

Thursday Aug 26, 2010

Unheard of since the beginning of the crisis. This makes two months in July as the number of jobseekers registered in category A to decrease employment center. "One more and it will become a reliable trend," enthuses Laurent Wauquiez, the Secretary of State for Employment. The largest decline even since February 2008: 0.5%, or 14,400 fewer people unemployed in July after an initial outflow of 8600 in June "This proves we were right not to give up and focus on an active policy of employment," said Laurent Wauquiez. We must remain vigilant because the coming months will not all be as good. "

Another encouraging sign is the rising number of unemployed in class ABC (including applicants for employment who have worked more or less than 78 hours) slowed sharply in July. It was only 0.1% (5300 persons) in July, five to nine times lower than previous months.For Laurent Wauquiez, it is not just a transfer grade (from A to B and C) meaning that more and more unemployed people returning to work part time. "It is also linked to the resumption of temporary employment and job creation in the first half of IDUs," he justified. There are now between 2.69 and 4.21 million unemployed in France, according to the category selected.

The data for July also confirm the trend reversal on youth unemployment. The number of under 25 who are enrolled in July fell 2.8% in category A, on the ebb to 1.8% in one year. An exploit in crisis even if there is an increase of a level similar to category ABC showing that more and more young people carry a very part-time job until sustainable employment.Input side, the decline on a year because of enrollment for CSD (-14.5%), temporary mission (-14.5%) and redundancy (-31.1%) demonstrates that economy is indeed on the road to recovery. A feeling confirmed by the rebound of 3.6% of jobs collected in July.

Bond assisted contracts

Conversely, the social treatment of unemployment runs rampant over the past year: the release of employment center for internships have increased by 11.7%. Even finding the side of beneficiaries assisted contracts (Class E), the number has jumped from 45.5% in one year. "We remain below the number of contracts sold under Jean-Louis Borloo and Martine Aubry," qualifies the Secretary of State for Employment.

Three other flats are relative good figures for July.Senior citizens continue to register in mass (1.1% in one month and 17.1% in one year) and nearly 50,000 more to be pushed into the doors seven months of employment center. A downward spiral that Laurent Wauquiez hopes curb with the introduction in 2011 of a device "zero charge" for the hiring of a senior unemployment. On the other hand, the long-term unemployment is endless progress: + 0.8% in July, bringing to 36.2% the share of those unemployed for more than a year on average over 424 days ( 30 in ten months). Finally, the radiation increased by 7.3% in one month and 9% a year.

ALSO READ

"Decline of social plans in the first half

"The executive employment confirms its rebound

"The employment up slightly in second quarter


Comments Off

Real estate is shaking Wall Street

Wednesday Aug 25, 2010

After closing down on Monday evening – the Dow has sold 0.38% to 10,174.4 points – Wall Street did not find this Tuesday, opportunities to redress the balance. Instead, the only indicator fell to 16 hours, is extremely disquieting: Sales of existing homes fell to its lowest level since 1995, to 3.83 million annual rate transactions, according to figures released Tuesday by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Upon publication of this indicator, Wall Street has plunged into the red, losing 1.48% to 4:10 p.m. at 10,024 points for the Dow Jones, which amounts to huge step towards the symbolic threshold of 10,000 points.

The broader S & P drops 1.61% at 1050 points and the Nasdaq, which includes technology stocks, yields 1.85% to 2120 points.

It was not until Wednesday to expect an improvement, both on the side of the promises of new home sales and durable goods orders.

Mergers and acquisitions are in full swing

If the bears seem to win now, but Wall Street is torn between the potential positive effects of mergers and acquisitions that animates it and the threats still facing strong economic recovery.

BHP Billiton (-1.94% to 65.83 dollars) is expected to announce on Wednesday a 50% jump in interim profits and strong cash flow with which it hopes to deter potential rivals to make an offer to buy out-cons the Canadian Potash Yet seeking a white knight eventually China.

The French pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis and the U.S. biotech group Genzyme (-0.87% to 67.13 dollars) abut on the determination of a minimum price that would initiate the first comprehensive review of its accounts Target said Tuesday the Wall Street Journal in one hour payday loans.

If Genzyme and Sanofi seem to disagree on the French laboratory's initial offer to buy out U.S. biotech company, however the purchase of McAfee (-0.15% to 47.03 U.S. dollars) Intel (-1.02% to 18.51 U.S. $) continues to fascinate, like the stock market battle between HP and Dell in the acquisition of data storage specialist 3PAR.

The world of mobile phones, Nokia, and the giant American world of microprocessors Intel unveiled on Tuesday a joint research laboratory in central western Finland, they said.

American Apparel (-10.8% to $ 0.66), definitely ailing feared not being able to publish its quarterly results on time and to be delisted.

Disney (-1.70% to 32.37 dollars) could also react to statements yonni Sebbag, the boyfriend of a former employee of the giant media and entertainment Disney, who pleaded guilty to securities fraud Monday after stealing with his partner, financial records of the company and tried to sell to investors.

The dollar to its lowest against the yen

On the currency front, the dollar continued its fall Tuesday against the Japanese yen, down from 9:20 to its lowest level in 15 years, to come punctually at 84.14 yen, immediately after a briefing from the Minister of Finance , Yoshihiko Noda.


Comments Off

SocGen: profits more than tripled

Thursday Aug 5, 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

Proposed acquisitions

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

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

ALSO READ:

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


Comments Off

Albert Frere gates CMA CGM

Tuesday Jul 27, 2010

New twist in the drama of the French ship Financial. As stated Wansquare, Saade family, owner of CMA CGM, has initiated discussions with the Belgian billionaire through its capital increase required by the creditors of the group. These negotiations were still preliminary notified to the Commercial Court of Marseille. Brother Albert is not alone. He would lead the discussions in partnership with another French investor.

In this tandem plus the Strategic Investment Fund (ISF) has always said he would participate in this capital increase valued at approximately $ 750 million. Qatar Holdings, which in turn has made an offer earlier this month, would not be totally ruled out by Saade.


Comments Off

GDF Suez success share plan

Thursday Jul 22, 2010

This is one of the largest employee share plans in recent years. GDF Suez, which offered about 200,000 employees worldwide to receive shares of the group, welcomed the success of the operation. Nearly one third of employees (over 67,000) have said "yes", for a total of 25 million shares and 535 million euros. Exceeding the ceiling set by the board (almost 500 million). "Few groups are engaged in transactions of this magnitude," said Sami Toutounji, partner at Shearman & Sterling, except for example, recently EDF, which has far exceeded this amount, or Axa who approach regularly.

The staff of GDF Suez will thus receive 1.1% stake in Arcelor. Turnout was highest in France, Belgium, Italy and Germany.Outside Europe, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and the United States recorded the most sales Payday Loan for Bad Credit.

The employees of GDF Suez could buy shares at a discount of 20% over the past 20 trading days. Is 19.78 euros per share. The firm abounded these subscriptions, offering titles such as 10 to 10 purchased, subscribed for 50 or 20. Employees could also prefer to invest with no discount, but with a guarantee on invested capital (and insurance to recover at least their implementation) and performance-indexed monthly changes in stock price. Both formulas have been as successful as the other one.

"ALSO READ:

"Employee ownership resists rather well to the crisis

"GDF Suez preparing a bid for International Power

"GDF renegotiate the price of gas


Comments Off

Actions: "Europe as the U.S."

Friday Jul 2, 2010

lefigaro.fr / jdf.com – The announcement of the aid plan for the euro area has given way to a new period of pessimism. In this context, how you position yourself on the shares of the euro area?

Matthew Grouès – We are clearly overweight on European equities for the simple reason that we believe that growth prospects are not worst four months ago. The markets have overshadowed the recent economic statistics suggest, however, believe a sharp upturn in Europe in the second quarter.

For a month and a half, markets follow a path contrary to that they should follow since the last published indicators: the series of nine sessions up in mid-June was made with deceptive statistics, particularly retail sales and the U.S. real estate.Unlike the sharp drop in early June took place in spite of very good publications on the ISM manufacturing and job creation. But it is true that today it is mostly good statistics that go unnoticed. It's a classic situation in the tops of cycles, markets do not allow the bad news and low cycles, they close their eyes to the good news. The crisis of 2008 is still in the minds of investors.

So much so that markets fear a simultaneous "double dip" (recession followed by recovery and then a new relapse, Ed) and a return of inflation. What is unthinkable. This proves that markets are in crisis of confidence and they evolve in a logical flow sellers rather than a fundamental logic. And to overcome this crisis of confidence will take time.

But the crisis of confidence in the euro area it is not it paradoxically favor?

It is true that mistrust vis-a-vis the euro favorable to European companies. The decline of the euro offset the restrictions inherent in the plans rigor. All countries in the euro area will clearly not accommodated in the same boat. So, for those who have taken a severe restrictive measures such as Spain or Greece, the balance will be negative. But for others, the impact on growth will be close to zero. It seems that the markets have rediscovered that the euro is a currency like any other. It's a currency shared by several countries. This inevitably creates a certain fragility and justifies a risk premium.

So you are betting that the European companies will catch up on U.S. companies?

Absolutely.European companies have to suffer the restrictions imposed by states, compensated as I said the decline of the euro. In contrast, the U.S. will be doubly penalized: first, that says depreciation of the euro said dollar, so a handicap to competitiveness for U.S. companies. On the other hand, said that restrictive measures in Europe, said reduced demand from Europe.

It is true that the shares are not expensive in all markets, but if U.S. stocks were gaining 10% to 20% in the twelve or eighteen months, the increase should be between 20% and 30% for European equities. Europe contrary to what they say is absolutely no more defensive than the United States. The proof of this statistic: Since 1996, the EuroStoxx amplified movements of the S & P 500 twelve years in fourteen.And two years where the reverse happened, it was during changeovers cycle.

According to a study OpinionWay, 50% French do not have stock and have never held. Furthermore, 66% of them justify their choice by the risk profile of the action. In other words, they are afraid of losing money. What do you think?

I understand their weariness regarding the volatility of financial markets and they prefer to invest in money market products they do not risk losing money even if they do not relate. Incidentally, this is symptomatic of the mindset of investors. There is such excitement in the markets that investors prefer not to lose money rather than win. But they must understand that the only time they have an interest in shares, it is precisely when everyone else shuns.Focusing on the assessment that the actions have on others is not the best indicator.

Also, do not overestimate the impact of financial markets on the real economy, and thus justify the real evolution of financial markets. It is often said that markets anticipate a six to nine months ahead of the changing economy. But this is not always true. The evidence: In 2009, the savings came out much faster from the recession that markets had expected.

I know this may seem surprising but it is precisely now that they must invest in risky assets.In addition to actions, we are positive on the credit for the economic recovery remains favorable and the spacing recent spreads (spread between a corporate bond and government bond, Ed) be reversed.

Five months ago, you bet on an ACC 40-4600 points by the end of the year. This bet is it still relevant?

I think for this year will be a bit complicated. However, I would very surprised if it does not exceed 4000 points. The current level of ACC 40 is not consistent with the economic situation is relatively good: it would be justified if we knew another recession within one year, but I think absolutely not.

Macroeconomic reasoning to 12-18 months also clearly suggests that markets are highly appreciated.Whenever Will it materialize? Hard to say! The market movements often snap on a "spark" a good economic figures, redemptions of "shorts" (the investor buys back the shares it had sold short, Ed), publication of results, etc. . The question is what will this time that "spark" and when it will happen.


Comments Off

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.


Comments Off

The purchasing power has increased in 2009

Tuesday Jun 15, 2010

Surprising as it may seem, the purchasing power of French households has increased more during the recession of 2009 than during the previous year. Very specifically, the increase was 1.6% last year, against 0.4% in 2008, according to figures from INSEE. Unemployment forces, incomes have barely increased in 2009 (1%). But inflation has settled down, which has given fresh air to the household budget. With a decline in oil prices and food prices, prices of consumer spending fell 0.6% in 2009, when they rose 2.9% in 2008 payday loans.

Concerned by the crisis, the French preferred to save the additional resources, including by placing life insurance. The savings rate has reached 16.2% at end 2009. Consumption has it, plus a small 0.6%. The scrappage boosted purchases of cars (+8.3%).The French bought mass televisions, went to the movies more but have less clothes and bought train tickets and plane.


Comments Off

The United States is more optimistic about recovery

Saturday Apr 24, 2010

The U.S. administration smiles again. On leaving the G20 meeting in Washington Friday, Timothy Geitner has been shown. The Treasury secretary now considers that the recovery in the United Etatx will be driven by the private sector in 2011, implying that the economy will need at that time a support plan. "We are quite certain," he assured.

This is the first time since the end of the U.S. recession in the summer of 2009 that an American official raised the possibility of autonomous growth in the United States. In his speech, the more optimistic on the U.S. economy in mid-April, the central bank chairman Ben Bernanke had told Congress that the recent economic evidence "suggests that the increase in final demand would be sufficient to ensure recovery Economic moderate in coming quarters. "He did not, however, ventured to advance a date for a possible self-sustaining recovery.

These perspectives on the future economic conditions are more optimistic than the Treasury Secretary has made since his arrival at this position in January 2009. They are based mainly on economic indicators better than expected since the beginning of April.

Deficit

Asked how the administration intends to reach its deficit reduction monster, Timothy Geithner has again shown reassuring. According to him, Washington has promised to focus on deficit reduction in 2011. A date that coincides precisely with the arrival of a real growth driven by private sector efforts to lessen the fiscal stimulus.The U.S. deficit reached yet about 10% of GDP in 2008-2009 and could rise to 10.6% for the current fiscal year, which ends in late September.

In this regard, the U.S. Treasury Department said Friday in a letter to the chairmen of both houses of Congress and heads of the parliamentary opposition, that he saw sharply lower its estimate of the total cost of all measures rescue the financial sector taken by federal authorities since the beginning of the crisis. The ministry is now talking to a maximum of $ 87 billion, less than 1% of GDP.

Program to support the liquidity the Fed rescue of AIG, Chrysler and General Motors, through the aid homeowners in distress a year ago, the Treasury estimated that the losses of the state would reach 500 billion dollars, or 3.5% of GDP."This means that the federal budget deficit and public debt will be substantially below what was expected before," the Treasury.

The return of job creation

On the employment front, the optimism is also relevant. "Next month, I think we will create between 100,000 and 200,000 jobs," said Vice President Joe Biden on Friday during a trip to Pennsylvania. "At the White House, some say to me: 'do not you progress too'. Well, I'm here to tell you that in the coming months we will create between 250,000 and 500,000 jobs per month, "he added.

For now, the unemployment rate remains high at 9.7% of the workforce. "I'll tell you something, folks. We have not stumbled badly in the fall.As well we have designed our plan to end the crisis, we have a lot of good news on the road to recovery, "assured Joe Biden.

These statements come as the U.S. economy has created jobs in March in a way never seen for three years: 162,000 net jobs were created this month, according to figures from the Labor Department. The country began to "see the end of the tunnel," according to President Barack Obama.

ALSO READ:

"Obama criticizes Wall Street and defends his reform

"The recovery is gaining ground as the G20


Comments Off