Archive for December, 2009

Wall Street opens at equilibrium

December 31, 2009 - 7:23 pm Comments Off

For the last meeting of the year, the U.S. markets move down slightly: the Dow Jones lost 0.07% at the opening, and the Nasdaq Composite yield 0.08%. The volume should be particularly weak in a few hours and Eve in the absence of significant news on the business side. Entries weekly unemployment have been lower than expected, which could support the trend.

The rise of the euro is lower because of "good" figures of unemployment in the United States. The euro bought 1.4372 dollars against 1.4386 dollars in early morning.

Good indicators Americans support the dollar because they "reinforce expectations of an early withdrawal of measures to support the economy in place by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed)," explained brokers ETX Capital.

On the currency front, the dollar is declining due to adjustment of positions at year end.Futures on the Nasdaq 100 and S & P 500 are respectively increased by 0.09% to 1878.50 points from 0.14% to 1123.70 points.

As for values to follow, we will keep an eye on Ford. Geely has announced that it was supported by the Chinese government to acquire Volvo, the Swedish subsidiary of Ford Motor. "Without government support, the transaction could not be done," said Gui Chengyu, CEO of Geely Auto, quoted by Reuters. "The ultimate goal is to list Volvo Award," added the officer.The first private Chinese automaker also said it expected robust growth of automobile sector in China next year, with support from Beijing.

AIG has announced the departure of its Legal Director Anastasia Kelly, who was to receive millions of dollars in compensation to d?part.Le U.S. government imposed in October cuts in executive pay of the seven companies have been bailed out by the more 'State, including AIG.

The Paris Bourse sets a new annual record

December 28, 2009 - 10:07 pm Comments Off

The CAC 40 continues its progress towards the 4000 points. The latter closed up 0.88% to 3947 points in a market where trading volume remained low (1.170 million). Optimism is the same in most international markets. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange broke the 6,000 points for the first time since September 2008. In Asia, the indices were equally oriented, taking advantage of such remarks by the Chinese premier, who has called for further fiscal stimulus in his country.

The British markets will be closed at the Boxing Day. No indicator is expected today, neither Europe nor the United States.

As for the oil markets, a barrel of light sweet crude trading at $ 78.75 (+2.09%).The euro rose to 1.4395 dollars (0.14%).

Mixed reaction to the disappointment of the consortium

The CAC 40 is pulled by the title GDF Suez (1.85%). For its part, EDF is 1.23% to 41 euros. According to the Sunday Telegraph, the sovereign fund Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is considering joining the Canadian Pension Plan for an offering of eight billion dollars over the distribution of electricity to EDF in the UK. Total wins 0.82% to 45.37 euros. The three titles are rising stock market while they were part of the consortium, unsuccessful competitor for the contract of 40 billion dollars in the United Arab Emirates to build and operate four nuclear reactors. Only Areva, which was also part of this consortium, fell by 1.81% to 344.40 euros.

From their side, banking stocks such as Credit Agricole (+1.23%) and BNP Paribas (1.19%) are directed upward.Societe Generale is also shaped by mid-session (1.20%). The group could have a new shareholder in the person of the Russian businessman Vladimir Potanin. The shareholder of Norilsk Nickel said Friday it was considering the possibility of taking a minority stake after 2010. Out CAC 40, Natixis lost 0.67% to 3.41 euros.

Cyclicals well oriented

The good figures on car sales in December also bring mixed reactions on the stock exchange. Peugeot is an increasing trend (1.51%) but not the Renault brand (-0.03%). As for suppliers, Michelin signed the largest decline of ACC (-0.61%) and Faurecia loses 1.07% to 15.25 euros. Valeo gained 0.25% to 24.5 M ?.

The cyclicals are well oriented. Saint-Gobain is 2.40% to 38.48 euros, and sign the second best performance of the CAC 40, while Schneider Electric gained 1.41% to 80.03 euros.In contrast, defensive stocks are declining in the image of Lafarge, which lost 0.31% to 57 euros.

Sperian gaining 3.15% to 50.90 euros. The group announced Monday the signing of five banks with an agreement to refinance its debt coming due in June 30, 2010.

The Paris Bourse exceeds 3900 points

December 24, 2009 - 9:23 am Comments Off

The two bad U.S. indicators were not sufficient to curb the enthusiasm of investors on the Paris Bourse. The CAC 40 closed up about 0.32% to 3910.75 points, above the threshold of the fateful 3900 points. When the transaction volume, it remains very low at 1.9 billion euros.

After a setback, following the publication of figures for new home sales in the United States and the index of consumer confidence, the market has finally resumed.

The detailed values follow …

Saffron: giant contract with China

December 21, 2009 - 10:27 am Comments Off

The Safran Group is Monday affix his signature on a contract worth $ 5 billion (about 3.3 billion euros) for the supply of aircraft equipment manufacturer in China Comac, announced the Chief Executive Safran, Jean-Paul Herteman. The boss of the French group is currently in Beijing with Prime Minister Francois Fillon. General Electric teamed up with Saffron, obtained a contract with a value equivalent.

The initial contract is focused on supplying engines to the X Leap C919 aircraft manufacturer Comac, future competitor of the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, whose launch is expected towards 2016.The latest generation of engines are still being developed by CFM, a joint venture of Safran and GE for aircraft engines.

A contract that could reach 15 billion over thirty years

"This is an important contract, launching a new aircraft that happens every ten, fifteen years," he told reporters Jean-Paul Herteman. The amount of the contract could rise to 15 billion dollars and create between 8,000 and 10,000 direct jobs in France and three to four times more for subcontractors in thirty years. "The Chinese market represents 20% of the aviation market in the world 20 years ahead," stressed the president.

Comac The Chinese group was founded in May 2008 in the optical display to create a major aircraft manufacturer in the country, while the country would need more than 3,000 airplanes in the next twenty years, according to analysts.

Mobile: Free close to victory

December 17, 2009 - 4:55 am Comments Off

On Thursday the seven "wise men" of Arcep, met in college under the chairmanship of Jean-Ludovic Silicani in their premises near the Montparnasse Tower, will take a decision fraught with consequences. They should decide to award the fourth mobile telephone license in Free, having scrutinized the record of some 80 000 pages. Their decision will be officially known Friday morning. After a call for nominations, one has answered this Free.

If he gets the license, pay to the Free State, from January 2010, a check for 240 million euros for the price of the license, and will market its first subscription once it has deployed its network. It will not be before early 2012.

This decision is very important because it is the first major upset of the mobile market, which has hardly changed since the arrival of Bouygues Telecom in 1996.Meanwhile, 96% of French are equipped with the mobile has become an object indispensable for ordinary life.

For French, this increased competition should result in lower prices, better packages, technical innovations. A dynamic that all competitors should follow to avoid being left behind. The arrival of Free should benefit all consumers, whether or not customers Free.

That is the calculation of the Premier, enamored of technology and anxious purchasing power of French, who personally argued the case for months. In any case the promise of Xavier Niel, the main shareholder of Free and strategy director, who has promised to halve the average bill for a household of three people.A savings of about 1 000 euros per year.

Competitors on the defensive

The efforts of Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom to prevent the arrival of this new competitor will be defeated. Certainly, they have filed complaints with various authorities in Brussels and the Council of State, which are still ongoing. All three went to the obvious: Free arrives and nothing will stop it. At most, they hope to recognize that the Free State has benefited by granting the license for 240 million euros, when each had to pay 619 million euros. But the outcome of those complaints is uncertain.

Meanwhile, everyone is preparing their own way. SFR merged with Neuf Cegetel, and is judged and ready to confront the offensive. "The merger SFR Neuf is our best response to the arrival of Free" repeated Frank Esser, Chairman of SFR.

Orange, who was on the defensive for months, rates of speech with the arrival of new orders to number two, St?phane Richard. "My priority is to prepare the best Orange on his arrival in loyalty to our customers and by increasing innovation," he said in an interview with Le Figaro.

As for Bouygues Telecom, has launched Ideo, first offer quadruplay market last June, and reaping new Internet subscribers. Meanwhile, it seeks to reduce its fixed costs in anticipation of a price war announced by Free. Olivier Roussat, its director general, said "a hiring freeze since announcing the launch of the call for applications.

"Subscription, price, services … the new operator in six issues

Greater borrowing choices Sarkozy

December 14, 2009 - 10:28 am Comments Off

Nicolas Sarkozy unveiled Monday morning during a press conference at the Elysee Palace, his final arbitration on the general borrowing. An announcement comes more than two weeks after submission of the report of the Committee-Rocard Juppe, in charge of determining "the strategic priorities for investment and domestic borrowing. The Head of State took its time in the interval, receiving unions and consecrating a shift on this subject last week in Alsace. An inordinate delay on the part of the Elysee. "To spend 35 billion euros, is not nothing, it takes a bit of reflection," said a government official.

On the merits, the amount and priorities recommended by the two former prime ministers have not caused major problems.The government feels "quite consistent" with the report's proposals: the head of state has already said he would follow "broadly."

Elysee Matignon and paid closer attention to prioritization. The Committee recommends investing 35 billion of public money which, coupled with private funds, could reach 60 billion of new investments. A portion of public money – 13 billion – will come from money borrowed last year by the government to support banks, which have paid much since. The Head of State should announce that in 2010 France will borrow twenty billion more, a level considered tolerable for the public finances by officials of Bercy. A priori, the loan should be exclusively reserved for markets.The idea of opening some individuals, which is mainly political advantage in strengthening adherence to the French investment in the future is rejected by most government advisers who find it too expensive. Nicolas Sarkozy is expected on this very subject this morning.

As for investment priorities, the cursor should be slightly adjusted.Perhaps a little more towards the industry, much less on research – which is carving out the lion's share of recommendations Juppe and Rocard, with a budget of 16 billion euros.

Beyond the substance, the advisers of the Elysee have mostly reworked the governance component of the report: who will handle money and how? "We do not want to create a gas plant," observes one government where one is not willing to sprinkle the funds raised through borrowing.

Matignon should have the task of managing the money

The report Juppe-Rocard proposed the establishment of three branches (a branch of renewable energies, a digital campus and Excellence). "Why create new structures? Both use what already exists, "says an adviser. This will Matignon – "the place par excellence Inter, says one – which should have the task of managing the money borrowed.The question of appointing a minister of the loan, the report rejected by Rocard-Juppe, has not been finally determined either. Rather than a minister, Nicolas Sarkozy could create a post of high commissioner, less political and more easily placed under the authority of the Prime Minister. The bill will be considered large loan January 20 the Council of Ministers.

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Towards a "super tax" on the bonus in Great Britain

December 7, 2009 - 5:56 pm Comments Off

After months of debate, the British government seems determined to legislate on the issue of bonus. According to the Financial Times, the British government would consider introducing in its 2010/2011 budget, a "super-tax" which would tax specifically bankers' bonuses. Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer, is expected Wednesday to unveil the outline.

In detail, the Financial Times said the tax would be collected over a certain level of bonus, for a limited period. All banks, foreign as British, there would be submitted. Alistair Darling has already said in an interview with the philosophy of planned "at a time as difficult as this one, I think people understand that it is expected that the broadest shoulders bear the weight heavier, "he said.

If this new tax should raise the ire of the City, no doubt he should be more popular among the general public, where the rating of banks is the lowest. The latest bonuses earned by traders for major banks face because the British public, even though these institutions had been massive aid of the hundreds of billions of pounds to prevent collapse of financial system.

Public Accounts bloodless

The government hopes the measure to address tensions of its population, faces rising unemployment and an unprecedented rise in the deficit, which should approach or exceed this year's 12.4% of GDP.

The British traders would thus free of the controversy that accompanied the rescue of banks.The banks are expected to share their escape all taxation, although the government had proposed to levy a tax on profits of banks. However, despite the fact that this option would yield, according to the Times, two billion pounds with a 10% tax, the idea was abandoned, the Financial Times. Still, this measure alone would not have a heavy impact on public finances bloodless. Prime Minister Gordon Brown was to deliver a speech today on the need to reduce spending. It has notably reduced by four the deficit, which will necessitate other arbitrations.

The Walker Report on the bonus shook the City

Alice launches its Triple Play 19.99 EUR

December 1, 2009 - 4:28 pm Comments Off

After Num?ricable cable operator, it is the turn of the supplier Alice offer a so-called Triple Play, includes in a single package the internet, television and telephone for less than 20 euros (19.99 euros). This offer has just been launched is reserved for new subscribers to access broadband internet dedicated, unlimited calls to landline numbers in 60 destinations and 60 television stations.

The parent company also owns the Iliad ISP Free, used to practice low price to differentiate themselves from competition (pioneer Tripe Play offers 30 euro launched in 2002).Last September, Num?ricable announced the launch of its triple play offer to 19.90 euros per month, which will take effect within days.

If consumers see a good eye that price war among operators to reduce their bill each time, lower tariffs may lead to a loss of associated services, such as controversial after-sales services, including quality has often been lacking in the area.