Archive for the ‘special’ Category

A drug from Sanofi in the hot seat

May 21, 2011 - 1:00 am Comments Off

The prospects of a new drug from Sanofi darker. Marketed in France since October 2010, and reimbursed at 65%, the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia Multaq may no longer be reimbursed in France. The Ministry of Health will decide in coming weeks.

Following severe liver failure diagnosed in the Multaq users in Germany and the United States, the Transparency Commission launched a process of reassessment of the medical benefit (SMR) by this treatment and issued end April 1 project a negative opinion, according to La Tribune. If the final notice of this proceeding is unfavorable, the drug will logically be delisted.

Previously, however, a hearing requested by the laboratory of Sanofi will defend his product.Health authorities should also expect that the European authorities, leading in turn to a study on the risk-benefit ratio of Multaq, vote before taking sides.

The delisting in France of one of the few new drugs Sanofi – the Multaq is on the market two years – would lead to a sharp drop in sales. However, this treatment is not essential for laboratory, industry watchers nuance. "It is designed for uncommon diseases, its development and launch were complicated and it is unlikely, anyway, to become a blockbuster, that is to say a drug generating more than one billion in sales, "said one of them.In the first quarter of 2011, the Multaq reached 63 million euros in sales in 29 countries including the United States and key European states, Sanofi said.

Few new treatments

The laboratory has tricolor few new treatments to market quickly alongside Multaq. Its pipeline of only three drugs pending approval of marketing and a dozen products in phase 3, the last stage of clinical development. In addition, most of these treatments are not very innovative, because they are made from molecules that have been used by Sanofi. Chris Viehbacher, Director General of the sixth world laboratory, then put on activities other than drugs from traditional research.

Among the pillars of growth: emerging markets, animal health, self-medication, vaccines or diabetes.All areas which have contributed in 2010 more than half the turnover of the pharmaceutical group. Will be added in 2011, the potential of the U.S. biotech Genzyme acquired earlier this year.

"There is a risk of dollar crisis"

May 1, 2011 - 4:32 pm Comments Off

Lefigaro.fr – Moral and household consumption in U.S. economic growth and lowered down. Yet financial markets are up sharply since the beginning of the year. How do you explain it?

Francis Mouté – The morale of Americans is not really half-mast. They are even more optimistic, despite rising gasoline prices. Getting back to your question, several factors explain the rising trend of U.S. exchanges: the zero interest rate, the excellent corporate profitability, liquidity held by many investors, the tension on the bond markets. U.S. investors have no other choice but to invest in the shares.

U.S. companies generally show very strong first quarter.What should we expect for the second quarter?

In the first quarter despite soft U.S. growth, U.S. companies that have operations in Europe and around the world have benefited from a favorable currency impact, due to the sharp decline in the dollar. We are more cautious on U.S. equities by the end of the year. We believe that the ticket of green should stabilize or even rise against the euro. And then this exchange will not make a favorable economic growth will remain weak.

What are the priority sectors?

Our portfolio is structured in the context of sluggish growth and high inflation. Thus, we are overweight the oil companies, gold and agricultural products.While rising oil prices do not impact the market price of oil companies due to additional costs (staff, investment, energy) and the next taxation imposed by governments, but the shares remain attractive valuations.

Despite what the President of the U.S. central bank, Ben Bernanke, the dollar remains weak. Is there a risk of the dollar crisis?

Certainly, but the weak dollar also arranges the U.S. for their growth. Hear the Fed saying otherwise is a joke. Given the depreciation of the dollar as investors rush to protect assets such as gold or real estate. U.S. monetary policy remains too loose. The proof is that interest rates are zero in the short term, while inflation is at 2.7%. Ben Bernanke's speech Wednesday was disappointing.Financial markets were expecting a change in language from the last meeting. It is clear he has not changed one iota. He merely found a decrease in growth prospects and rising inflation. Ben Bernanke does not surely expect that U.S. growth is still too soft.

The end of "quantitative easing" * In June he announced a hot summer in the financial markets?

It is not certain. On the one hand, doubts remain about the ability of the U.S. economy to get by without the injections of liquidity of the U.S. central bank (900 billion), which still represent almost 60% of the U.S. budget deficit. Secondly, financial markets know the conditions of release. So do not expect a collapse of financial markets from June.

The continuation of measures to support the U.S. economy is feasible?

Everything will depend on U.S. growth in the second quarter and oil prices. If the upward movement of black gold will continue, U.S. growth will remain sluggish in the second quarter. At this point, anything is possible including further measures to support the economy. The proceeds from maturing U.S. bonds held by the Fed, could thus be used to finance the acquisition of new Treasury bills. Conversely, if U.S. growth in the second quarter is high, the Fed will end its policy accommodation and financial markets will adapt.

The "quantitative easing" Is not the only way to revive the U.S. economy?

The "quantitative easing" is not in any way to revive an economy but to inflate the balance sheet of the Fed.The U.S. central bank can not indefinitely pursue a lax especially when we know that the debt of the United States own more than 30% by foreign investors. If monetary policy remains accommodative for too long, the risk of a bond crash is inevitable but by default support the equity markets. The U.S. financial situation is not very strong. Degradation by Standard and Poor's at the prospect of debt the U.S. is justified. However, the fact that the rating agency has dared to tackle this "monument" that are the United States, is surprising. So much so that the equity markets and bonds do not much mind. Investors do not believe a country like the United States may be degraded. They make it too confident for that.

* The "quantitative easing" (QE) is a monetary policy used by some central banks to increase money supply by increasing the excess reserves of the banking system.

Stalled, setting a new Nintendo console

April 25, 2011 - 1:32 pm Comments Off

Second consecutive year of decline for the Nintendo group. The Japanese video game specialist has published annual results on Monday in freefall. Its net profit fell 66.1% to 77.6 billion yen (648 million). Its operating profit tumbled 52% to 171.1 billion yen (1.43 billion euros) in respect of the 2010-2011 year ending 31 March. Figures well below market expectations.

These poor results are explained by the slowdown in sales of the Wii home console blockbuster, but aging of Nintendo. The group has sold just over 15 million in 2010-2011, against 20.1 million the previous year. In addition, the launch of the new handheld 3DS relief was too late to be able to save the year of manufacturer.

The console manufacturer table for 2012 on the results up, but below analysts' forecasts.Nintendo says count on an operating profit of 175 billion yen for the year 2011-2012, against a consensus of 215.8 billion yen. "The market reaction should be bad," said Yusuke Tsunoda, a financial analyst at Tokai Tokyo Securities, quoted by Bloomberg. "Sales of Wii expected to drop as the group probably provides lower prices on the console."

"New Play"

The Japanese video game giant has tried to reassure. He announced the presentation of the successor to the Wii on June 7 at the electronics show in Los Angeles, E3. The group declined to give details, except that it will offer "a new way of playing at home," said CEO Satoru Iwata.

However, information already leaked to the press.Much more powerful than the Wii, it would be equipped with high definition, like its competitors Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. The Japanese group have also developed a new kind of controller, which is akin to a touch pad. One way to compete with smartphones that break into mobile video games. Nintendo's portable console, the DS has seen its sales plummet by 10 million units this year to 17.5 million.

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In Paris, the anxiety of eating sushi

April 21, 2011 - 10:08 pm Comments Off

At Kiriko, a Japanese restaurant in the ninth arrondissement of Paris, this chef is adamant since the disaster Fukushima, "attendance has dropped from 20 to 30%. A few yards away, in Yokohama, the conclusion is the same. Another borough, figures identical to Kyotori between Place de la Bourse and the Opera, "we lost a third of customers." Even if he refuses to disclose its revenue, the head of another Japanese restaurant says: "In recent days, a lot of customers are asking for certificates on the origin of the fish we use in our sushi. "

Aurelian, a young 26 year old Lille, is one of many suspicious. "Even in normal times, when you see the television reports on Asian restaurants, it makes you skeptical.Where do the fish, seaweed, sauces, rice …? We do not know anything. "

Few Japanese fish imported into France

The ignorance of consumers about the origin of the products they use, just that battle Alain Bailly, Director of Counter ocean, a company based in Rungis, providing no less than 300 sushi restaurants. "The lack of communication and transparency creates among consumers a deep sense of doubt and anxiety, when in reality, almost nothing is anywhere in Japan cash advance." What pushed this company to send a communique to all its customers, recalling that "the salmon comes from Norway, tuna in the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean sea bream, mackerel and mullet from France …». A reminder that some restaurants have not hesitated to affix labels on their windows.In fact, among the products commonly used in Japanese cooking, only some wasabi and seaweed from the country of the rising sun. "And yet, one can easily find from the USA, China or Korea," says Alain Bailly.

When contacted, the European Commission recalled that on his side since the end of March, all food products from the area near Fukushima are subject to health checks reinforced from Japan, and are re-examined upon arrival on European territory. As the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, services stressed that only 450 tons of marine products in Japan have been imported into France in 2010.

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The Empire State Building to the extent of punters

April 17, 2011 - 11:56 am Comments Off

Malkin family, which controls the majestic Art Deco skyscraper overlooking Manhattan, plans an IPO for a new real estate company that will include the building of 106 floors. Everyone would theoretically invest in the tower of 381 meters climbed by King Kong film from 1933.

Still be there as Malkin cross some obstacles. In particular, obtain the consent of the heirs of the millionaire Leona Helmsley, their main partners, and about 3400 other co-investors. In the middle of New York real estate, we can already imagine the rat race. But Malkin has proven, since their takeover of the skyscraper five years ago after a bitter struggle with the eccentric billionaire Donald Trump, they had flair guaranteed payday loans.They restored the decorations of the Art Deco lobby, added a touch of green in the older building will reduce energy consumption by 40% and, especially, more than double the rent of offices, which remain among the most prestigious Manhattan.

At a time when the real estate sector rebounded in New York thanks to foreign clients, it might be a wise investment. Still, co-owner or not the Empire State Building, it will always pay $ 20 at the entrance to climb up.

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The economic and social challenges of Mayotte

March 31, 2011 - 4:52 am Comments Off

Earlier this year, the head of state went to Mayotte in anticipation of the creation of the 101st French department. For the 186,000 inhabitants of the island, the promise became a reality this Thursday, March 31.

If 2010 has prepared the process of departmentalization, Mayotte has a long way to go. The economic and social challenges are enormous. Economic First, because the island is in a difficult situation. The written conditions of the Institut d'émission des overseas (IEDOM, relay Overseas Bank of France), published recently, last year was particularly weak in all sectors (including agriculture, construction, trade). The labor market continued to deteriorate, consumption fell, as imports.In short, Mayotte had a year 2010 "morose" and, apart from a little less poor prospects in tourism, "in 2011 gave no indication of genuine improvement", said the new director of the IEDOM, Nicolas de Seze.

Development Fund

Social challenges then, as the island is facing significant migration flows. The proportion of foreigners, mostly from other islands of the Comoros – who come to find work, join relatives, to qualify for the schooling of their children or for treatment – from 15% in the early 1990s to nearly 41% in 2007, fell within the central bank in a previous study savings account payday advance.The vast majority would be illegal.

The cost of illegal immigration has been estimated in a Senate report from 2008 to 32.4 million euros for national education and 30 million for health services – more than 3.3 million on the fight against this immigration (police, gendarmerie …). Excluding the cost of moonlighting.

New French department, Mayotte "will benefit from development funds relatively large," recalls Will there be IEDOM. Another issue will then arise: "The ability to use knowledge. The real problem is there. We need a real project management for projects, it will take time. "There must then be the private sector take over public investment. Not a small feat in a country where, today, produce is more expensive than importing "…

EDF for a price increase of 30%

March 24, 2011 - 4:44 am Comments Off

Rising energy prices could rise even faster. EDF, controlled nearly 85% by the State, public authorities have offered to pass on higher energy prices on the individual invoice. The increase in electricity prices would range between 5.1% and 6.5% per year until 2015, including inflation, reports Les Echos. At EDF said this morning it had not formally asked the government increased tariffs. On the government side, it also denies the information.

The Energy Minister, Eric Besson announced in effect a "slight increase" in electricity prices this summer. Before the National Assembly, he added that the government did not study "no significant increase" of these awards, underlining that "EDF did not transmit the request to increase rates corresponding to the ranges cited.He had said this morning: "In any event, a document emanating from EDF does not commit the Government." According to Eric Besson, "future pricing decisions will be made with a view to protecting the purchasing power of French people should continue to benefit from electricity 40% cheaper than the average of other European countries, thanks to the nuclear .

Increase between 28% and 37% in five years

The minister however said in February that the increase in electricity prices was "inevitable" in France to finance investments in nuclear power and renewable energy development. And this increase is expected to reach between 28% and 37% in five years, says Les Echos.

The increase in electricity prices depend on the price of Arenh (regulated access to nuclear power history).As part of the liberalization of Europe's electricity, law Nome, EDF is forced to sell up to 25% of its production of nuclear energy to its competitors prices Arenh no fax pay day loan. This rate has not been fixed and is continuing to debate. GDF Suez campaign for a level of 35 euros per megawatt hour (MWh), where the group chaired by Henri Proglio claims 42 euros in 2011 and steady increases to reach 46 euros in 2015. For now, the Regulatory Commission of Energy recommends a redemption price of 37.20 euros and the Champsaur report favors him a price of 39 euros.

Two scenarios

Eventually, the Nome Law provides that the cost of nuclear power in the rates converge to the price of Arenh 2015. But the cost of megawatt is estimated at 35 euros today.So to mitigate rising electricity prices on the invoice particular, EDF has scaffolded several scenarios, reports Les Echos. The electrician tricolor believes that the rise may reach 4.7% per year above inflation to 6.5% including inflation. However, if the government agrees to a modification of certain taxes, including the ability to finance renewable energy, the annual increase in rates could be limited to 3.3% above inflation to 5.1% with inflation.

At the debates on nuclear safety and the needs of investment in nuclear power seem to dominate after catastrophe Fukushima, appeals to higher energy prices could be heard. Still, the context is already loaded for the French who are with increases in fuel and gas.These potential increases could well fuel a new controversy and the fourteen months of a presidential election.

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The French market for the hearing has yet to conquer

March 18, 2011 - 9:48 pm Comments Off

The arrival of Alain Afflelou on the French market for hearing aids confirms a recent diversification of industry players, after opening in 2009 by the Leclerc group's first store Audition E. Leclerc. Today the market is still very fragmented, with nearly 1,351 independent hearing aid on the 3395 French centers. Nevertheless, the concentration is on, with specialized groups that develop their own network, often a sudden external growth accelerated. Among the most important, French Audika represents 11, 9% of centers (406), followed closely by Italian Amplifon (9.4%, or 321 centers). Following mutual centers with 291 retail outlets, and signs cooperatives (Hearing Health Hearing, Audio 2000 …) with 1026 centers.Finally, beyond the general logistics, opticians that are Grand Hearing, Optical Center and more recently Alain Afflelou want to focus on issues of health carriers.

Audika is by far the best known

The group is best known in France Audika, created by brothers Tonnard the mid-1970s. Its leaders have relied on such marketing campaigns are very active. With Robert Hossein, ambassador of retail chain for 10 years, Audika has also greatly increased his reputation among those 60 years and over, bringing to 71%, far ahead of his Italian counterpart Amplifon which is just over 26% on the same population category.The group spends an average of 7% of its annual turnover in the development and improvement of marketing materials (national advertising on radio and on TV, online marketing, offering testing, direct marketing, event image …)

Sector auditing is carried by positive trends in France and in most European countries, the first of them being an aging population fast payday loan no faxing. However, unlike other types of device (glasses …), it is much more sensitive to economic conditions, as many less well-reimbursed by social security. For example, a device for both ears costs on average 3,200 euros, and will be reimbursed only up to about 10%. What a wait encourage seniors and hard of hearing in the context of economic crisis.Audika has also regularly highlighted as a factor in the slowdown in growth over the last three years. The group next week will detail the accounts of the past year, but already announced a withdrawal of its sales from 0.8% to 105.7 million euros (-4.4% at constant number of centers.

Elsewhere in Europe, demographic trends are also sector growth, while the rate remains the highest gear that the Danes, with about 50% deaf. In Italy there is now barely 1,500 hearing correction centers, almost cons 4000 in France, for a population of just below 6%. This facilitates beyond redemption centers Alpine also many independent, accelerating the creation of outlets.

Technological advances needed

Match or remains taboo, especially for younger seniors (age 50), which is still a psychological brake to purchase, in a context where power is often equated with disability. Hence the importance for these groups, as well as their manufacturers, to work on the miniaturization of devices and discretion in order to rejuvenate the heart of their target clients to the fifties, and bet on a rate of equipment in France still low, with only 17% of the 6 million hearing impaired equipped in France.

Anne Meaux: "I do not like fake-ass"

March 14, 2011 - 11:48 pm Comments Off

Collaborators Anne Méaux are fine and well educated people and that's what made me want to meet her. After all someone who is recruiting good people must be interesting … The route of Anne Meaux is inseparable from the small medium French politico-economic. One might say that Anne Meaux is the image patterns of ACC what Alain Minc has been in French capitalism. Yet there is a dimension to the lady more down-to-earth in his particular way of saying things "cash" and bluntly: "someone who does not bump too network," me destabilize the mythos, "" I want to hire who I want as I want, "" I do not like the fake-ass ". Anne Méaux responds quickly and accurately to questions as if she had learned from his own life, as if she knew exactly what it is, what she wants, she does not want.He blamed his contacts with the "right" circles of power, she knows she does not care and it shows in his composure. For it appears from the interview the lady finally gives importance to simple things: work, honesty, direct relationships, independence. Not to mention Latin, of course.

Japan's economy paralyzed after the quake

March 11, 2011 - 1:16 pm Comments Off

The most powerful earthquake which claimed the North-eastern Japan early this morning has an impact on the Japanese economy. Before long, the Nikkei has literally collapsed, the yen has fallen and the country is, for now paralyzed.

In fact, air transport and railways have stopped Friday in much of Japan. Traffic was stopped in the major airport of the archipelago, at Narita, in the Tokyo area, where services were checking the status of airport runways. Shinkansen express trains were immediately arrested throughout the northeast of the archipelago, and highways in the Tokyo area closed a few minutes after the earthquake.

Similarly, the markets, the response is immediate. The Japanese currency fell against all the eight major currencies.The Japanese currency is thus dropped to a low of two weeks against the dollar at 83.30 yen to the dollar and 114.98 yen per euro after issuing a first warning to the tsunami.

The index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Nikkei 225, has accelerated its losses late in the session. The benchmark index of the place of Japan and ended lower by 1.72%

It must be said that the disaster – which worsens progressively transmitted information has been particularly violent. The quake had a magnitude of 8.8 at 6:46. A scale rarely observed. Waves of 4.2 meters swept the Pacific Coast. Japanese TV shows and soon after the earthquake has made "many injured".

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