Archive for the ‘technology’ Category

Bad mood on Asian markets

October 13, 2011 - 5:56 am Comments Off

The optimism was short-lived on the Asian markets. After an encouraging start of the week, the markets plunged again in the red, the footsteps of European and American stock exchanges. Hopes that the problems of sovereign debt in the euro area resolved quickly, as promised last weekend by the Franco-German duo have been showered by the rejection by the Slovak parliament to the expansion of financial aid funds the euro area (EFSF). Last country to vote on the subject, Slovakia was expected by the markets at the turn. This decision may slow the process of post-crisis recovery that the pessimism of the operators. A second vote, however, could be organized with the support of the left opposition which requires the holding of elections in exchange.

In addition to these political deals, investors are disappointed by the results of the aluminum giant Alcoa.The latter, which traditionally opens the ball results in the United States, reported Tuesday a quarterly profit below expectations, attributed to slower economic growth since mid-2011.

The U.S. Senate penalizes the yuan

In Japan, the bad news drive the Nikkei down. At the end, it gives up 0.40% to 8738.90 points. The broader Topix index has eroded his side of 0.21% to 753.44 points. Export values ​​are undermined by a strengthening of the yen was down 0.27% Toyota, Honda of 1.79% and 4.07% Nikon loose, affected by its decision to suspend production in Thailand by the floods that hit the country. For the same reasons, Toyota announced that he was forced to suspend production for the week in its three plants. Values ​​related to energy are affected by the poor results of Alcoa.Sumitomo Metal Mining loose eg 1.64% no fax cash advances.

Please note that orders for capital goods in the private sector in Japan, excluding energy and shipbuilding, jumped 11.0% in August compared with July, according to the government Wednesday.

Australia's S & P lost 2.09% to 3325 points. Values ​​related to the sector of raw materials are affected by Alcoa. BHP Billiton drops 1.20%, 2.51% Alumina and Rio Tinto 1.59%.

The Hang Seng in Hong Kong manages to remain in the green, up 0.63% to 18,255 points, as the Shanghai Composite Stock Exchange Shanghai jumped 2.16% to 2399 points. Always driven by Beijing's decision to support the banking sector, Agricultural Bank of China gained 1.34% and 1.13% Bank of China.Moreover, the U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved a bill to penalize China, suspected of manipulating its currency to boost exports, despite the reluctance of the White House. The adoption of the bill is a "severe sprain" the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) can cause a "trade war", responded Wednesday to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Korean Kospi follows in the footsteps of Chinese markets and advances from 0.50% to 1803 points. Even bullish on India Sensex climbs to 1.10% at 16,718 points.

Oil down

The price of oil was down at the opening Wednesday in Asia, where the market re-Slovak pessimistic after the rejection of strengthening European support fund and the estimated demand for crude revised downwards by OPEC.

In electronic trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery lost 1.04 dollars to 84.77 dollars. Barrel of Brent North Sea crude for November delivery gave 74 cents to 109.99 dollars.

Banks: tensions before the meeting Merkel-Sarkozy

October 9, 2011 - 10:00 am Comments Off

Faced with the fear of a general banking collapse, the Franco-German couple is once again under the spotlight. And once again, things are not simple. Nicolas Sarkozy will be tomorrow in the German capital to "speed up" with Angela Merkel the implementation of the bailout of a Euro still full turbulence. The urgent need for the French president and German chancellor, is to flatten their differences on the use of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) and reach a tentative agreement on the thorny issue of the recapitalization of banks.

Angela Merkel ruled Thursday that "there was a need to recapitalize, it would be reasonable to invest money" in terms of what could cost an emergency rescue industry.But she insists on the fact that the Fund will be used to bail out financial institutions on the condition that states can not themselves "to support the recapitalization of their banks' and it puts" endangered the euro area as a whole. "

In fact, Paris Berlin suspected of wanting to directly use the emergency fund to recapitalize banks weakened by the prospect of a debt reduction Greek. "The French have misunderstood the EFSF, decrypts it does in Berlin. Our position is that banks must first seek funding markets, and the side of the national public authorities. Only when there is no money available comes the European level. The EFSF is a tool for countries like Greece or Portugal.If a country like France – among the strongest financially of the euro area – wants to appeal, then this is the door open for all members of the area had ro dig into the fund. "

Berlin suspects Paris

An over-interpretation, says it does on the French side. "We have not yet begun to discuss that!" Do we wonder at the Elysee. At Bercy, it ensures not see fundamental differences with Berlin. "We agree with Germany, said the entourage of the Minister of Economy, Baroin, the fact that more capital into banks, including French," even if only to meet new international standards of Basel III in 2013.Whenever possible, the French banks also plan to comply with without recourse to the capital, let alone the U.S. – by separating certain activities if necessary, by distributing fewer profits to build equity .

But if there had to be re-capitalization, especially to reassure investors, "the sources must first be private," insists one at Bercy. "Ultimately, this should be to rely on injections of public capital." According to Paris, "a European coordination is essential to determine the amount of capital to meet the deadline by which this capital is to be achieved, and the tools for that. " It is on these criteria that France and Germany could agree this weekend.For its part, Brussels will make proposals for a coordinated recapitalization "in the coming days."

Moreover, given the deepening crisis, Angela Merkel has gradually accepted the idea of ​​economic governance of the European Union, defended by Nicolas Sarkozy. Expanding the powers of EFSF part of this process. However, the Chancellor – who imposed hard fought his troops to ratify the Bundestag building – is faced with a majority crossed by a strong current Eurosceptic.

Markets would also like to know more about the technical means to leverage the clout of EFSF. These contain the spread of the crisis heavyweight like Italy, Spain, and Portugal, while the levees are still weak.Should we go further and erase a more substantial part of the Greek debt? Should we consider that the Fund provides guarantees? The German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, at least possible that Germany spends more money than EFSF the 211 billion passed by the Bundestag.

These tensions, it is now the standard mode of operation between Paris and Berlin. Pressure mounts on both sides of the Rhine, until a compromise emerges in a head-to-head at the highest level. Given their respective domestic political weakness or Merkel or Sarkozy can not afford a failure.

ALSO READ:

"Spain, Italy and Belgium in the viewfinder of agencies

"States can finance banks

"Merkel lack of vision (Zoellick)" Moody's may degrade Belgium

4100 French SME is to sell each year

September 30, 2011 - 10:16 pm Comments Off

Politicians and leaders of employers' organizations concerned regularly extinction risk of thousands of business for lack of buyers. Their fears are great, but it is impossible to quantify accurately the number of companies involved, lack of national statistics. "The market for the transfer of SMEs is opaque," said Gregory Bush, President of Epsilon Research, a consultancy specializing in financial analysis, acquisitions of unlisted companies in Europe.To better understand this market, Epsilon Research and National Society of mergers and acquisitions (CNCFA) created last year, a barometer of the transfer of SMEs in France.

The second edition of the barometer, which analyzes the SMEs employing between 20 and 249 employees and transactions with a value between 1 million and 50 million euros, the market potential is estimated at 4 130 SMEs on a total of 87,000. The SME market for family businesses in 2840 a total of 44,400. It consists of 710 transfers and 2,130 internal transmissions. For SMEs subsidiaries of large groups (42,670 businesses) in 1020 and 260 sales outlets LBO.

Rising prices

Direct consequence of the crisis, the market recorded transactions from the database professional has experienced sharp declines in 2008 and 2009.The value of transactions fell from 5 billion euros in 2007 to 2 instant personal loans guaranteed.1 billion in 2009. "The activity was slightly recovery in 2010 with a 7% increase in volume and 7.5% in value," says Gregory Buisson. The price of SMEs increased by 10% compared to 2009. However, the number of transactions, which had risen to 862 in 2007 was only 698 last year. LBO funds "were the only engine of the recovery," while industry groups have remained cautious in their procurement policy.

Purchasers of the euro area are the most active (35%) on the French market. They regained their 2003 level. Europeans outside the euro area, that is to say mainly the British, are increasing. North Americans are sharply down. They are at their lowest.Asians, who were increasingly active since 2002, are also down.

2011 will probably be a difficult year. The recovery in 2010 seems compromised. "According to preliminary figures, the market fell by 45% by volume in the first three quarters of 2011 compared to 2010," says Gregory Buisson. But the valuations of companies that are fit are high, thanks to the appetite of the funds.

ALSO READ:

"INTERVIEW – 80 steps to make life easier for SMEs

"The French SMEs have weathered the crisis

"SMEs are not attracted to the stock quote

Android: Samsung will have to pay microsoft

September 29, 2011 - 7:08 pm Comments Off

"Android is not free." Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, had reiterated in an interview with CNN. The computer giant, who believes that this platform violates several of its patents, asking all manufacturers of devices using it to pay him royalties. After the Taiwan-based Acer and HTC, so it's Samsung's turn to bend. The Korean giant has signed an agreement to this effect Wednesday requiring him to pay royalties to Microsoft on sales of each of its smartphones governed by the system Android.

The terms of this agreement shall remain confidential. Note that Samsung should pay, however, could be as salty as that of HTC, which would pay about $ 5 a smartphone. The success of the Samsung Galaxy SII should fully make the computer giant.

In addition to this financial agreement, Samsung is committed to supporting the development and marketing of Windows Home Phone System. The Korean giant has also announced the launch of the Omnia W under the new version of the operating system.

Google angry

While Microsoft enjoys this new victory, Google outcry. The system designer Android is supposed to be free, denounced a "tactic for many times," close to extortion. "Failing to succeed in the market for smartphones, Microsoft relies on legal measures to extract profits from the success of others and may impede the pace of innovation," protested one voice. "We remain focused on the development of new technologies and partner support of Android," he said.

Terminal manufacturers using this operating system are in a very uncomfortable situation. First, Android is very expensive. On the other hand, the surprise takeover of Motorola's mobile division by Google places them under direct threat of seeing the search engine to give priority access to innovations in its new line of mobile phones.

The parade is perhaps the signing of new partnerships. Samsung is well to conclude an agreement with Intel to develop another operating system called Tizen.

ALSO READ:

"Android is now number one in smartphones

"The world of smartphones saw his big bang

B 787: Ten French companies are on board

September 27, 2011 - 2:36 am Comments Off

Delivery today in Seattle, industrial seat Boeing 787 Dreamliner's first B to All Nippon Airways (ANA), the company's launch long-haul next-generation American, is good news for the French aerospace industry. The latter was, for the first time, closely associated with the development of Boeing and has also lived in the pace of industrial failures and flexible program that accuses more than three years behind its original commitments.

Before the Dreamliner, Boeing's cooperation with subcontractors, but former French was limited. "Boeing has opted for the CFM-56 engine, co-developed by GE and Safran, to equip its B 737 and he turned to Dassault Systèmes to draw the B 777," says Yves Galland, president and CEO of Boeing France."The implantation depth of French aviation has made possible and with as Boeing 787 B is increased from 2 to 14 partners meeting in the French Team Boeing. We now work with hundreds of French companies, "says the CEO.

When Boeing launched the program in 2004, he decided to review its parallel in industrial organization by giving up 80% of the unit to major partners. It launches international tenders and the French make a lot. Some drop their first contract with Boeing. This is the case Latécoère that provides long-haul passenger doors of (8 air).

"For the first time a French industrialist involved in the structure of an American plane," said Yves Galland. Once a foot in the door, Latécoère won a second contract to supply the cargo doors of the B 777.For his part, Messier-Bugatti a world first on an airliner: the design of the electric brakes B 787. "After winning the contract, Messier Bugatti was referenced on the B 737 to replace the brakes," said Yves Galland no fax cash advance. For its part, Labinal was selected for the wiring of the unit, or a hundred kilometers to install per machine. A particularly crucial position on the B 787 presented "as the more electric aircraft ever designed."Just as the power conversion system entrusted Thales was also selected for in-flight entertainment and integrated flight displays.

23,000 jobs created in France

A total of ten French companies, among which there are also Zodiac, which will provide 100% of the seats of 55 B 787 ordered by ANA and management systems and waste water and slides, Dassault Systems (Catia) Messier Dowty Michelin and boarded the program which counts 821 orders from 56 airlines.According to several experts, the B 787 alone should generate between 600 and 800 million dollars in sales per year for the French industrial partners.

In total, Boeing 787 and B have shown "significantly more" than $ 4 billion purchase of components and assemblies to the French aerospace industry, 80% are made in France. Of this total, $ 2.8 billion came from direct purchases. The U.S. giant has generated 23,000 jobs in France and half direct. "Boeing buys in France ten times more value than it sells," said Yves Galland noting that Boeing will be exported to France three aircraft this year.

The rise of French subcontractors will not stop there. The "Boeing French team" is growing to meet from 17 to 18 members by 2012.

ALSO READ:

"Boeing delivers its first Dreamliner

Debt: the note of Italy in the sights of agencies

September 20, 2011 - 11:44 am Comments Off

The risk of contagion from a crisis of debt grow even further. After Greece, Ireland, Portugal and most recently the United States is now the turn of Italy to see their credit ratings damaged by Standard & Poor's. The rating agency lowered a notch credit ratings long and short term attributed to the third European economy A/A-1 against A + / A-1 + before. S & P also maintains a negative outlook on the evolution of economic activity in Italy. In other words, it does not degrade once the debt rating of the country.

The degradation of S & P is all the more unexpected it had been no warning from the agency, in contrast to Moody's.The latter had announced Friday that it would complete in October, with a month lag, the examination of the Italian credit note for a possible cut, citing a difficult economic environment.

Standard & Poor's, the downgrade of the debt is directly related to the low economic growth and a fragile political situation. In fact, the ruling coalition of Silvio Berlusconi has only a slim majority. Thus, the rating agency believes that the differences in the Parliament will continue to restrict government's ability to respond decisively to a macroeconomic environment inside and outside tricky.In addition, many escapades of prime minister Silvio Berlusconi also helps to weaken the ruling coalition.

The difficulties of the incumbent government to impose measures were illustrated by the recent childbirth painful austerity plan. This program changed multiple times is not convincing and suggests that S & P "will undoubtedly contribute little to boost economic performance of Italy, especially in a context of tighter financial conditions and because of the program fiscal retrenchment of government. " Facing a debt of 1900 billion euros, equivalent to 120% of annual GDP, the Berlusconi government has pushed through last week by parliament an austerity plan providing for 59.8 billion euros in savings with the aim bring the budget back to balance in 2013.

ALSO READ:

"Tour of Europe's austerity plans

"In the back kitchen of rating agencies

"The austerity plan discussed against the background of Italian strike

"Italy: the risk of default is

Tablets and smartphones, the uncontested star high-tech

September 15, 2011 - 3:32 am Comments Off

This year again, the market shelves is essentially … the Apple iPad, despite an influx of competing products on the market. "Other manufacturers are struggling to create the right set-shelf applications to counter Apple," says Kirk Campbell, CEO of IDC. Samsung advanced course in second place world ranking producers of tablets, but it is still far behind the iPad. "RIM, the maker of BlackBerry, will come with an improved product. It retains its chances of success, "said the boss of IDC, while sales of PlayBook, the first tablet of RIM, have not changed the world rankings.

"There's always room for one leader in the business world," said Kirk Campbell.Indeed, users have iPads'm more likely to want to use it in a professional, IT departments are often the resistance, finding the subject too insecure. "The market remains very open shelves and Apple will sell mechanically market share," said Kirk Campbell. However, the firm at the apple still have good days ahead. If Microsoft Tuesday unveiled a new Windows Tablet 8 can equip, no product should be on the market before the end of 2012. Accordingly, IDC does not anticipate any real rebound in the PC market before that date.Then, computer sales are expected to further growth in France, with the arrival of the new Windows, but also new forms of computers and especially ultrabooks These extra thin and light PC Faxless payday loans.

Sales of smartphones are also expected to continue to grow, reaching four billion euros, an increase of 33% at the end of 2011. About 12 million handsets will be sold in France this year. "This increase meets the mobility needs of consumers," said Kirk Campbell, for whom the main battle takes place on the side of operational systems. If for the moment the landscape is dominated by IOS (Apple) and Android (Google), "there is room for five or six players, according to Kirk Campbell. There will be regional solutions. Remember that the Chinese are still not entered the race. "In France, Bada, the operating system from Samsung that plays the third male. Korean is also passed by Apple in July. Android now holds more than 50% of the French market of smartphone sales, against 17.7% for Bada (which equips Samsung Wave) and 17% for iOS Apple.

"The future cars will be connected devices" said Kirk Campbell, who predicted the establishment of a new economic model that would allow manufacturers to generate recurring revenue by selling subscription services. Ford has already extensively engaged in this way with Sync.

Obama announces plan to 447 billion to boost employment

September 9, 2011 - 7:12 pm Comments Off

Barack Obama knew last night that he should seize the last opportunity to pass stimulus measures. For 32 minutes he has compiled the list of measures characterized as "urgent", intended to support consumption and encourage the hiring in 2012. With a little luck and cooperation from the Republican majority in the House of Representatives, some of these measures will be adopted in early 2012.

In fact, the time is right. The presidential campaign in full swing as early as January. Common ground between Democrats and Republicans are thus virtually impossible to find in March.

To appeal to conservatives, Barack Obama is wearing more than half of its plan to 447 billion dollars of reductions in charges paid by employees and businesses.By halving the payroll tax that finances the retirement program, Social Security, the President went even further than previously thought.

The issue of funding on hold

In the minutes after the speech, John Boehner and Eric Cantor, the two leading House Republicans, said they wanted to do that such measures are discussed. They do not want to obstruct all types of measures: their constituents are just as concerned about the risk of relapse into recession as the Democratic voters low rates payday advance. Other reaching out to Republicans: the promise to submit to Congress on free trade agreements negotiated for a long time with Korea, Colombia and Panama.

Finally, the issue of infrastructure spending, Republicans should also be attracted, even if the chances that they align themselves to finance projects rail transit are slim. Moreover, the proposed transfer of funds to States to preserve the jobs of civil servants might not pass Congress.

Then there is the crucial issue of financing of these measures. Barack Obama has stated repeatedly that they would all be funded. But he did not say how.

It should not provide details until next week, when finally published its plan for debt reduction over the medium term. The White House makes plans to finance these stimulus measures need to be involved in 2012, by savings in the longer term.Republicans, eager to reduce public debt now, will try to find savings elsewhere in 2012, to finance what they will accept the plan Obama.

ALSO READ:

"The Americans are tough on Obama

"Barack Obama Figaro:" Those who attacked us on September 11 have failed "

Doubts on funding from Societe Generale in Libya

September 6, 2011 - 10:48 am Comments Off

New blow for SocGen. While the second French bank is particularly turbulent stock market since the beginning of the summer, with a share price halved in three months, she has to face new suspicions. After the unfounded rumors about the supposed risks of bankruptcy, after questioning by U.S. authorities in a fraud complaint on subprime, Societe Generale now sees its relationship with the Gaddafi regime scrutinized. The new Libyan authorities are looking into effect on the investment made by the French bank with the Libyan sovereign fund, the Libyan Investment Authority, reports the Wall Street Journal. Some of these funds would have landed in the hands of people close to the government in place, the paper said.Societe Generale would have paid a certain amount to a Panamanian company, Leinad, to help organize and advise an investment of one billion dollars in 2008. If the exact mission of Leinad is not yet clear, its role has at least been criticized by members of the Libyan sovereign fund, before the start of the Libyan revolt, the newspaper said payday lenders.

For now, the bank declined to comment on its relations with the sovereign fund Leinad or Libya, says the Wall Street Journal. Societe Generale, however, said she has "worked occasionally with financial intermediaries in countries where it is not directly present."And these consultants are "fully selected and monitored in accordance with our procedures and ethics with the law and in full transparency with the customer," said the group, some have "acted in full accordance with the laws and regulations the sovereign ".

Throughout the reign of Colonel Gaddafi, it was indeed common for large groups pay foreign intermediaries, advisors and consultants to do business with Libya.

ALSO READ:

"The banks back into the market turmoil

"Subprime: Société Générale continued

Irene: transportation disrupted on the U.S. East Coast

August 28, 2011 - 6:00 pm Comments Off

The people of the East Coast of the United States are preparing for a weekend out of the ordinary. In anticipation of Hurricane Irene, the authorities announced palsy or slowing of most means of transport that normally innervate New York Area. Once is not custom, the inhabitants of the Big Apple, including 250,000 living near the coast are being evacuated, will have to live in slow motion.

For security, the three New York airports – JFK, La Guardia and Newark – will be closed Saturday for aircraft arriving at noon (18 hours Paris time). The flights from these airports, however, may take off until further notice. This is an extraordinary disruption to an area that typically concentrates the air flow one of the densest in the world: each year, as many as 100 million passengers pass through this metropolis.This weekend, more than 8,000 flights should be canceled, according to the site FlightAware.com.

Like most of his counterparts, Air France announced Friday the cancellation of all flights to New York JFK on Saturday and Sunday, while disturbances are waiting on those provided to and from other cities the coast, like Washington, Philadelphia or Boston. The resumption of service, from Monday, could also be laborious and cause further disruption, have also warned the airlines.

Transport suspended

Measure more tangible for the people, public transport will be suspended in the Big Apple this Saturday from noon until probably Monday rush hour flexcheck cash advance. The subway, buses and railways do not circulate.Motorists have also been asked to leave their cars at home until the alert is lifted. If winds exceed this weekend 96 km / hour, the authorities of the State of New York have also warned they would close the main roads towards the city, and some bridges.

Given the restriction of transportation and possible damage caused by the passing of Irene, the inhabitants were ordered to stockpile water and food in preparation for the weekend. "Water is our product that sells best," noted the retailer Wal-Mart on Friday. Many are those who are armed with power generators in case of power failure.

To address these potential damages, the cost could rise to nearly $ 12 billion according to consulting firm Kinetic Analysis, U.S. authorities are preparing to deploy in new ways. 900 National Guardsmen and 2,500 workers in the electricity sector include ready to intervene in case of power failure. All these measures aim to avoid at all costs repeating a scenario to Katrina, the hurricane that was painfully struck New Orleans in 2005.

ALSO READ:

"Irene: mandatory evacuation for 250,000 New Yorkers

"VIDEO – The Northeast of the United States is preparing to face Irene

»COMPUTER GRAPHICS – View the destructive power of a hurricane