Business World |

"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.

The paycheck advance market has exploded recently and anyone over the age of 18, with a job, a nominal income, and a bank account can take advantage of one of these quick cash personal loans.

The winners of the FIFA World Cup are Spain, Sony, Adidas and Coca-Cola. Just as some teams were able to shine on the ground (Spain, world champion Germany, third, and some emerging countries) and others have left without glory (England, Italy, France, Brazil, Argentina), three brands have also won their World Cup. Sony takes the lead of companies with the most invested in advertising during the World Cup, Adidas has created the greatest impact in terms of sponsorship, and Coca-Cola was the brand most remembered by the French, according to a study published by KantarSport (ex-TNS Sport).

Net loss of 32 million euros for TF1

But if there is a figure to be learned from this study, the total advertising investment for French television: 101.08 million euros, barely two million more than in 2006 .What to surprising when one remembers that the team had reached France to the final four years ago. "Comparatively, this represents very nearly the equivalent of television advertising budget for Renault in 2009," Bruno said Lalande, director of studies pole KantarSport information.

The estimated advertising revenue earned by TF1 to about 55 million euros for a total investment of 87 million euros. Consider a net loss of approximately 32 million euros. "This loss is largely offset by record audiences drawn by the chain during the first two games of Team France," relativize Bruno Lalande. These two games against Uruguay and Mexico, which ended in a draw and a defeat for the Blues, had met respectively 14.9 million and 15.2 million viewers.And it is precisely the day the place these two games as the highest advertising investments have been made: 8.5 million euros on June 11 and 8 million euros on June 17 Although the final between Spain and Germany has generated "only" 7.5 million euros of investment in advertising for French television.

Sony takes advantage of the strategy of French Games

If one goes into more detail, Sony happens then top advertisers with the most invested in advertising during the World Cup with a total of 8.6 million euros, including 1.9 million after the group stage quick pay day loan. The Japanese brand ahead PMU (6.2 million) and McDonald's (5.4 million euros). The French Games that had happened in the lead after the first round does not even appear in the top 10."The French Games invests in advertising for the knock-out stages. The group had to achieve its objectives through the opening of the market for online games, "said Bruno Lalande.

In the war between suppliers, Adidas beat his perennial rival, Nike. "Adidas, with its visibility and paneled field teams, has provided benefits in terms of sponsorship, the equivalent of a global TV campaign with more than 250,000 30-second spots in over 210 countries. The victory of Spain for Adidas unleashed a veritable fireworks display media, "says Bruno Lalande. The icing on the cake sponsor this on television around the field when the final goal of Iniesta is another Adidas. Evidence that the supplier to the three bands can live without the France team. "The loss of the contract of the Blues is far from being a tragedy for Adidas.Quite the opposite, "says academic director of the pole information KantarSport.

Communications Coca-Cola bears fruit

Finally, the French brand that combines the most to the World Cup is Coca-Cola (57.96% of votes), ahead of Adidas (46.39%) and McDonald's (41.43%). Unsurprisingly? "Not that much, answered Bruno Lalande. For ten years we carry out these surveys, Coca-Cola was still behind Adidas. The powerful device of communication including the U.S. group via Youtube bearing fruit, as its survival as a sponsor of sport and World Cup soccer, "says Bruno Lalande.

Last but not least: media monitoring of the World Cup by the French. Contrary to what one might have thought, only 4% of French have followed the event via the Internet (Facebook, YouTube …) against over 64% watching television."The early elimination of the Blues had an impact on the consumption of the French media, which has significantly slowed the use of other media including Internet," says Bruno Lalande. Once the team he supports is removed, the fan tends to be less reactive to turn to the media like the Internet.

ALSO READ:

When Coca famous goals

The three sponsors flagship World Cup

While the Paris index ended the session fifth consecutive increase, and finished with 3661 points on Tuesday night against 3380 points a week earlier, the CAC 40 does not seem to want to stop. At the opening Wednesday, the benchmark index of the Paris meeting starts up sharply from 0.72% to 3687 points.

In six sessions, the CAC 40 rose 9.1%.

Elsewhere in Europe, the counters are green as well: the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange opened up 0.45% to 6203.01 points, the Footsie-100 from London to 0.56% in 5247 11 points.

Early this morning the Nikkei is ironed beyond the 10,000 points and by 1.8%. Same trend in U.S. markets, which closed Tuesday on a sustained growth over 2%.

In the first exchanges to 9:00, the euro is still evolving up 0.2%: $ 1.23 rating than he. Oil, he, trades at more than $ 77.The gold is worth more than 1233 dollars.

The large statistics of the day are American

From the macroeconomic side Wednesday in the euro area, 11 hours, the second estimate of inflation for the month of April will be unveiled.

In the U.S., housing starts, producer prices and industrial production for the month of May will be known between 14.30 and 15.15, before the opening of U.S. markets.Then, the traditional weekly crude inventories will be published.

Rodriguez's boss resigns after indictment

The specialist luxury yacht on Tuesday announced the resignation of its president, Alexander Rodriguez, indicted and jailed last week in a case of banditry, and substituting the group's founder, Gerard Rodriguez.

The scoring title, which had been suspended at the request of the company, will resume Wednesday.

Zodiac Aerospace: 1.83% to 44.7 eurosLe group, whose sales fell 7.6% during the first nine months of its fiscal year, said receiving encouraging signs of restarting the industry aeronautics in a context of more favorable exchange rate.The aerospace supplier confirms its annual targets.

In an interview with the Tribune, Zarrouati Olivier, CEO, says there is no plan to merge with another actor can French aviation capital and no operations are planned at this time with a group foreign

Distribution: showdown on judicial coffee pods Nestlé sued for infringing its competitor Sara Lee (Coffee House). According to information of Figaro, the casino dealer would also be covered by the complaint.Nestle, the world leader in food and owner of Nespresso, sued Friday in front of the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Paris the U.S. Sara Lee, which sells in France for use in coffee pods Nespresso machines under the brand Gold ( coffee house).

GDF Suez: -0.16% to 25.4 euros Tuesday, the group headed by Gerard Mestrallet did not hide his satisfaction at the announcement of the signing of a contract to build a gas power plant of a capacity of 1730 megawatts (MW) in Saudi Arabia. The operation is substantial. The future plant, which will be commissioned in late 2012, an output slightly above the EPR (1600 MW), for a price much lower: 2.1 billion dollars.

Suez Environnement: 1.47% to 14.5 euros The group announced Tuesday night that AA successfully placed a bond issue of 500 million euros over 12 years, due 2022 at a rate of 4.123%.

Ubisoft: 2.84% to 7.98 euros The company will offer four games straight out, November 4, the new gaming device from Microsoft, which will be followed by eight others currently in preparation, "said CEO Yves Guillemot to Echos.

Sanofi Aventis: -0.08% to 50.9 euros The French pharmaceutical group has signed an agreement to acquire Canadian independent group Canderm, a specialist in dermatology.This acquisition will allow Sanofi-Aventis to double its turnover in public health in Canada, according to a statement.

In addition, the company managed to obtain a refund of the medicine disorders dy heart rate, Multaq, 65%.

Dassault Aviation: 1.33% to 608 euros The Defence Minister Herve Morin said on France Info "fanciful" press reports that the modernization of combat aircraft Rafale required by the Emirates would buy 60 aircraft from four to millliards five euros of development costs, partly at the expense of France.

Ginger: +1.2% to 16.85 euros The Dutch Grontmij Ginger will buy at a price of 28.20 euros per share, creating the fourth largest European player in the field of consulting engineering, with a combined turnover 1.1 billion euros and 11,000 employees, both groups announced in a statement. The offer price values the company 120 million euros.

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

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

U.S. markets should open in green on Friday, supported by the employment figures less bad than expected. The United States has in fact lost 36,000 jobs in February than in January and the unemployment rate the country has remained stable at 9.7% this month, according to the official report on employment released on Friday, while analysts expected a decline. The future of Dow Jones advance of 0.64% at 10,495 points, the S & P 500 rose 0.09% to 1131 points and the Nasdaq's 0.11% to 1871 points.

U.S. investors should be reassured by the Prime Minister's announcement that China has promised a 8% growth for China this year.Thursday, Wall Street closed higher on a comfortable, supported by bearings recommendations.

In addition to the employment figures U.S., those of consumer credit in January, will be published in 21 hours.

As for currencies, the euro fell sharply Friday against a dollar backed by the release of employment figures in the United States, and reassuring the operators on the strength of the recovery of the world's largest economy.

Values follow

Microsoft: The software giant said Friday it would stick to its strategy of developing the market for search engines in China, whatever the outcome of the dispute between Google to the Chinese government.

Blackstone: The investment fund is hoping to complete an initial transaction in Australia this year and also studied business in Japan and South Korea, each operation may be about 100 million dollars, said an official with the group.

Marvell Technology Group: the chip maker reported a 64% increase in its turnover, thanks to a recovery of expenditure within the sector, to 842.5 million dollars against 842 million expected on average .

General Growth: The title of the second American owner of shopping malls start to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange under its old symbol GGP3 while the group is still under bankruptcy.

The NYSE has hesitated. It finally ended in the red on Wednesday. After rebounding said yesterday (1.52%), the Dow Jones lost 0.20% at 10,038 points. The Nasdaq lost 0.14% to 2148 points and the S & P 500 fell 0.22% to 1068 points.

The wait dominates before confirmation of support from the European Union to Greece. Investors await the meeting of European heads of state tomorrow Thursday after which a European financial aid for Greece should be announced. But doubt persists. "In another hour it was announced that EU countries have agreed in principle to a plan of aid to Greece and then they deny this information," says Patrick O ' Hare, the financial website Briefing.com.

The dollar begun to rise again against the European currency: 1 Euro 1.3732 U.S. dollar is exchanged.Raw side, the barrel of "light crude Texan" is 0.63% to 72.99 dollars on the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex).

So probably mingles the concern over the remarks of Ben Bernanke. This has not announced any increase in rates but this is considered soltuion. The discount rate will he, as the statement implied the rumor in the markets in recent days.

Regarding statistics, the trade deficit the U.S. has continued to widen in December, rising by 10.4% compared to November, while analysts expected him to be reduced.

Walt Disney released Tuesday

After Hours, Tuesday, Walt Disney (-0.60% to 29.66 dollars) has released stable profits over one year to 844 million, or 44 cents per share.But excluding special items, earnings per share were 47 cents against 39 cents expected by analysts.

Airgas Inc. (-0.29% To 61.17 dollars) has rejected a hostile takeover of Air Products & Chemicals, describing it as "inadequate".

Arcelor Mittal, the world's number one steel, said it earned 118 million dollars over the year 2009. But the current financial year looks difficult. The U.S. market (-7.43% to 36.56 dollars) endorse the title in Paris.

In addition, Micron Technology (-6.72% to 8.48 dollars) announced it would buy Holodings Numonyx, a producer of memory cards, for $ 1.27 billion.

The bank is not affected by ads for Ben Bernanke.JP Morgan Chase (2.37%), Bank of America (2%) and Goldman Sachs (1.36%) support even though the odds.

Baidu (+9.27% to 475.35 euros) reported a fourth-quarter earnings up 48% to 62.7 million. The competitor Google (-0.08% to 535.95 dollars) in China publishes a profit of $ 1.8 per share.

Dell (+1.99% to 13.52 dollars) has been "upgraded" by Bank of America-Merrill Lynch to buy from neutral.

The Japanese automaker saw decidedly dark days. It's Honda's turn on Wednesday recalled more than 400,000 vehicles, after the Toyota case (1.39% to 75.64 dollars).

And Omnicum, a direct competitor of Havas, which was pleasantly surprised by France, issued a profit decline of 87 to 73 cents per share. The title is almost stable (1.42% to 35.75 dollars).

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.

In the duel that pits the Air Europe to the United States, the advantage after the first eleven months of 2009, returns to the Old Continent, represented by Airbus. The aircraft manufacturer, the main division of European aerospace group EADS said Thursday it had recorded 225 orders since the beginning of the year and suffered 31 cancellations, a total of 194 net orders. On the side of Boeing, announced on November 24 last a net balance of 91 commands. The American group, behind more than two years on its proposed 787 (or Dreamliner) had received 204 orders in the first 11 months of the year but suffered 111 cancellations, all fleets.

The initial objective of Airbus, which was to achieve a balance in late 2009 from 300 gross orders, however, should not be reached. The exhibition in Dubai, held in November, has enabled the aircraft manufacturer to fill its order book.From January to November, Airbus announced that he had delivered 437 aircraft and is still on a table delivery of 490 aircraft, is about the same as last year. Until now, seven models of the A380 superjumbo has been delivered while the group still hopes to deliver 13 jumbo versions of their own this year. But he admitted that one or two deliveries could occur in early 2010.

The overall ceiling of tax loopholes Will it be lowered? The UMP general rapporteur of the Committee on Senate Finance, Philippe Marini, filed an amendment to that effect to the draft budget for 2010. He wants the overall cap, currently 25 000 plus 10% of income goes to 20 000 plus 8% of income. "The expected savings for the state are not huge. But this measure reflects our desire to limit the tax loopholes, "says Philippe Marini. And the senator also wants reform of the Scellier back to the original text submitted by the cabinet in September. The government had planned to turn green when the device supporting the rental investment, making it less attractive for homes not meeting the standard "low consumption". But the National Assembly had then reduced the impact of greening.However, Philippe Marini supports the amendment adopted by the Assembly of taxation benefits and work accidents. And he does not wish to return, for now, on the measures which the Assembly amended the tax shield (100% inclusion of dividends in the income deficit due one year on average). The question now is what will decide the Finance Committee on Tuesday and above all sitting senators. For his part, the president of the centrist finance committee, Jean Arthuis, will introduce his amendment removing the TFR, all being funded by the end of the tax shield, creating a sixth installment of income tax and higher taxes on capital income. Without any illusions about his fate.