Archive for the ‘top news’ Category

Greece, relieved, must now deliver on its promises

July 23, 2011 - 12:44 am Comments Off

A lifeline to 158 billion euros. The Greek Government did not hide his relief on Friday. He said that local banks were now able to overcome the crisis and promised to accelerate reforms, fight against tax evasion and privatization in mind. The entourage of the Prime Minister insists that the country now has an obligation of result and ensures that it will manage to escape the nightmare of debt.

A view that is far from sharing all the Greeks. A good part of them remains in an attitude of rejection of "the dictatorship of the markets." For Giorgos Delastik, political analyst, "Europe has saved Greece and its banks but not the Greeks. The country is under the supervision of the EU budget and the IMF for many years. It is humiliating that Greece is so singled out. And Greece is a kind of European laboratory.Wage cuts and new taxes imposed, will be too soon in all countries without exception. "

The hope of a recovery

Point of the Brussels agreement, however, found favor in his eyes: "The most positive is that Europe keeps its promises to implement an economic recovery strategy." The compromise provides that Greece has a largest share of EU funding for development (the so-called "structural funds"). For the economist Alexandros Paparsenos, "is the best announcement of the summit. By reducing debt and injecting money into the development, financing of infrastructure and major projects, it gives people hope for a recovery.The rigor was not an option and now hopefully return to a positive growth rate early 2012, "said he.

As part of the compromise on Thursday night, the banks had to make sacrifices. In the Greek banking sector, the tone is at the discretion. "This decision removes the pressure on Greece and will allow him to return to the market in three years to borrow large sums," hopes the president of a major Greek bank, on condition of anonymity. "Instead of paying 14 billion euros in interest rates, or 6% of GDP, the country will pay 11.5 billion. By cons, now the government has no excuses, he says. The Europeans, creditors, the people, everyone made an effort. This requires that led George Papandreou promised reforms in a fair and especially the privatization program.He has to channel the discontent of the Greeks, some want to boycott the system, and it encourages us to lend to entrepreneurs to boost the economy. "

The risk of a new social explosion will be part of the challenge of the Papandreou government. After the indefinite strike of taxi drivers, other sectors such as marine and port workers, announced that they observe similar movements. The game will be tight.

The label Paule Ka sells for an investment fund

July 20, 2011 - 5:04 pm Comments Off

It is a page in the history of Paule Ka, the ready-to-wear clothing, which has just been turned. Serge Cajfinger – President, Artistic Director and founder of the brand there are twenty-three years – and his family transferred control of the company to an investment fund Change Capital, which specializes in retail and consumer goods . Serge Cajfinger, 56, remains in control, but keeps his family that 30% stake in Paule Ka, known for her dresses inspired by fashion icons of the 1950s and 1960s.

Change Capital's arrival also marks the start of the Deposit, which held 17% of the company since 2007 through one of its funds, Heritage and Creation.

It is a success story in the French-Change Capital, which was a shareholder of the Jil Sander label and distributor of garden furniture Unopiu 'adds to its portfolio."Paule Ka dresses women 25 to 55 years, both for work and special occasions, combining a quality worthy of the luxury and affordable, says Stephan Lobmeyr, Partner at Change Capital, created in 2004 by Luc Vandevelde , former president of Carrefour and Marks & Spencer. There are not many brands with such a position and grow as regular "/

The brand, which has weathered the crisis with no air pocket, grew by 17% of its turnover (40 million), related to sales of its own stores (8 stores) and the acceleration of its order book from the department stores (29 outlets) and multi (370).

Ségolène Royal in 2007

The new majority wants to move up a gear. In the provinces, he intends to develop the number of stores as in large cities.In Paris, where the brand was born in the Marais district, opening in 2007 of its flagship on Rue Saint-Honore has given greater visibility.

As for the international Paule Ka is present in 53 countries, it could be within five years 65% of sales, against 50% today. Leaders and are working on a new shareholder settlement in the United States with the opening of a shop in New York within a year. They would be well set the mark on Madison Avenue."In countries where we are not yet present, we are entering a flagship, and we aim to grow between 50-50 own stores and multibrand," said Anthony Bing, deputy general manager of the company.

In China, another key market for the future, Paule Ka has signed an agreement with a franchise partner, the Hengdian Group, which plans to open 14 corners in the first five years and a shop by the end of the year Hangzhou, two hours from Shanghai. In Asia, the brand – who dressed Ségolène Royal during the last election – has already attracted the fashionistas in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. In Europe, the company hopes to double its number of stores as the next five years, starting with a location in Madrid in September. By broadening the territory of Paule Ka, Change Capital aims to double sales of the brand by 2016.

Entries health of banks published on Friday

July 15, 2011 - 8:16 am Comments Off

While the EBA is preparing to issue health bulletins today of 91 European banks, not this year – the third of its kind – had emerged as perilous. These stress tests are designed to reassure the strength of the European banking system, ensuring that they are adequately capitalized to deal with simulations of shocks on growth, equity markets or real estate.

So far, the main risk was to fail to convince, as was the case a year ago.With markets abusing European banks in turmoil on sovereign debt, the danger is now adding fuel to the fire …

The Institute of International Finance, which includes 400 credit institutions in the world, concerned that the emphasis of the supervisor to publish banks' exposures to the sovereign debt would aggravate tensions in the markets.For if the stress tests are unwilling to consider the hypothesis of a failure, even partial, state of the euro area, even though the scenario is not ruled by some European finance ministers, analysts will not go without applying the discount corresponding to their own calculations.

In fact, stress tests, vintage 2011, were built partly in response to criticism of the 2010 vintage: his credibility was undermined when the Irish banks were left to the mat a few months after passing their check-up! Hence the idea that the number of "recalibrated" should be higher than last year: in July 2010, seven banks have been stigmatized with a lack of capital combined 3 billion euros only .

Confusion

From this perspective, the tension went crescendo in recent days.Adding to the sense of confusion at the moment that sticks to all European decision-making, many countries or institutions have formally or informally, started to spill the beans. The German regional bank Helaba was denounced by itself, Wednesday, accusing the same time the EBA does not take into account the 'silent participation' 10% owned by the state of Hesse in his capital is not regarded as capital drives. In Spain, two savings banks, suspected to be among the victims of stress tests, have healthy self-proclaimed as yesterday, stating that their criteria are not exactly the same as those used in Europe! The Spanish authorities have also criticized the method of Constable European banking.

Although it was heavily judging, fiscal 2010 proved useful over time.A study by Morgan Stanley, 19 of the 22 listed banks passing the bar set by the supervisor by a margin of 2.25%, have increased since their capital. Thus, if the EBA requires a minimum of 5% capital ratio, "we believe that investors will scrutinize those who pass with a margin of less than 1%," warned analysts at Morgan Stanley.

Still, by nature, the exercise is not enough to reassure the markets. It focuses, in fact, on the solvency of banks when the rising concern about the cost and availability of the resources they need to find on the market. In the current climate of mistrust, the market assess the health of banks, primarily through the quality of the signing of their country of origin.For financial institutions of Europe device, each day that passes makes access to capital more expensive and more difficult and more involved when a deterioration in the sovereign rating by any rating agency.

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Business Tapie: Lagarde postponed the decision on

July 9, 2011 - 10:12 pm Comments Off

The Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) announced Friday it had postponed to August 4 decision to initiate or not an investigation of the role played by Christine Lagarde in the case Tapie.

"One of the members of the commission has indicated that he was later forced to recuse himself," said Gerard Palisse, president of the petitions committee of the Court. This is Laurence Fradin, magistrate at the Court of Auditors and wife of Pierre Joxe, former Socialist Minister of Defense and the Interior of François Mitterrand, as was Bernard Tapie. Judicial source, the judge cited a possible conflict of interest.

Gerard Palisse stated that "the alternate member of the Court which could have us make up for his part that he himself was unable to do so immediately without prior knowledge of the case.The Committee decided to defer consideration of this matter Thursday, August 4. "

The survey would be long

The former Minister of Economy and current executive director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is suspected of "abuse of authority" in the arbitration in July 2008 on the case Tapie, Credit Lyonnais on line pay day loans. The businessman, who felt cheated after the sale of Adidas in 1993 with Credit Lyonnais, had obtained 285 million euros of public funds.

In May, the Attorney General of the Supreme Court, Jean-Louis Nadal, asked the petitions committee of the RGC to investigate the matter. He specifically criticized Christine Largarde for choosing private arbitration, but also refusing to appeal against the award, while the number of specialists are encouraged.If the Court decides to initiate the investigation, it should be long and Christine Lagarde would not be considered for several years. The new leader denies IMF, meanwhile, abuse of authority in this matter and have provided "clear conscience".

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The CAC could from the onslaught of 4000 points

July 1, 2011 - 9:32 am Comments Off

The Paris Bourse is expected to remain on the path to higher Friday morning after a nice session already saved up last night having completed 40 leCac an increase of 1.48% to 3892.21 points. The Greek situation reassured the financial world yesterday, as the Greek Parliament finally adopted the unpopular austerity plan, paving the way for the release of a next tranche of aid from the European Union and the Fund IMF. The euro has risen, moving at more than $ 1.45 this morning.

If no statistical significance is expected today, investors will monitor the U.S., where the issue of debt escalates. One report indicates that U.S. lawmakers should agree within three weeks on raising the debt ceiling, or the country will default.Timothy Geithner, the Secretary of the Treasury, would resign.

The figures in the automotive market

The Committee of French Automobile Manufacturers (CCFA) will release figures this morning the car market for the month of June and the first half.

Renault breaks the price of his Renault Twingo, faced with falling sales, will sell for the first time one of his vehicles, the little Twingo at a price lower than the Logan, the model input range of its Romanian subsidiary Dacia, according to La Tribune.

PSA is increasing in India The automaker is expected to invest 620 million euros in building its future manufacturing site in India, according to Les Echos. PSA will implement this facility in the state of Tamil Nadu, south of the country.

EDF EN signs a big contract

EDF.EDF Energies Nouvelles, a subsidiary of French group dedicated to renewable energy, has signed with the Danish Vestas Wind Systems for the use of wind turbines in Europe and the United States. The contract could provide the French operator up to 2000 megawatts over the period 2012-2014. The transaction amount was not disclosed.

LVMH.Philippe Pascal, who led for ten years, watches and jewelry division of LVMH, has been appointed adviser to Bernard Arnault, CEO of the world's number one luxury.

Areva said Thursday that the strategy developed since the creation of nuclear group by Anne Lauvergeon was a "success" and that his replacement did not involve a change of course.

EADS said Thursday the success of the acquisition, through its subsidiary Eurocopter, the Canadian aerospace supplier Vector Aerospace, 98.32% of shares were made to the offer made in late May.

TF1 announced Thursday to be in negotiations to become the sole shareholder of Metro France, the eponymous owner of the free newspaper which claims 2.4 million daily readers.

Carrefour has signed an agreement with Pixmania, the specialist in consumer electronics, to catch up in online sales of non-food.

Bénéteau sailboats world's leading manufacturer, said that sales in the first nine months of fiscal year 2010-2011 and the level of its order book allowed him to confirm its objective of annual turnover of 920 million euros.

BioAlliance announced Friday the launch of a capital increase of EUR 16.6 million to accelerate development of its portfolio of orphan drugs in oncology, particularly Livatag.

The five issues of agricultural G20

June 22, 2011 - 8:08 am Comments Off

The French presidency of the G20 has a real workhorse: the fight against agricultural price volatility and put agriculture at the heart of the investments to ensure food security. In fact, this summit today and tomorrow brings together the ministers of agriculture of 20 countries representing 85% of world production, is a first in the annals of the G20 to put the assets of France. On the eve of the opening, the Minister of Agriculture, Bruno Le Maire, recognizes this: if an action plan has five points on the table, "it will be difficult to reach an agreement, both differences are profound. " No question as to aim for a minimum agreement. "We prefer to fail rather than give up a point.It is a coherent whole that can handle all causes, "insists on the ministry.

• Transparency in Physical

The most concrete commitment, it would create a database, called Friends Information System (agricultural markets) and hosted at FAO. To provide information that is "clear and transparent" about global levels of production, consumption and stocks, initially focused on corn, soybeans, rice and wheat. This involves the cooperation of private groups such as Cargill and Dreyfus. This should lead to a consensus, despite the reluctance of China and India on issues of sovereignty. They are willing to engage on the condition of technical assistance such as satellite photos.

• Increased productivity

Again, this measure of common sense could rally all members of the G20.This is to encourage investment in global agriculture by focusing on innovation to improve yields of wheat and rice. The challenge: increase of 70% of world agricultural production by 2050 to feed 50% more mouths payday loan companies. The draft declaration emphasizes the need to develop public-private partnerships, a point without critics in the major emerging countries.

• Coordination of global agricultural production

In order not to replicate the Russian episode last summer, the French Presidency pushing for the establishment of a Rapid Response Forum (RRF), which should facilitate the coordination of agricultural trade policies. A measure criticized by the United States and Australia, which refer this matter to the World Trade Organization. The subject of biofuels, blamed as a factor of volatility, pass second.The project calls for a "strengthening of the analysis between the production of biofuels and the food."

• Reduce the effects of volatility on the most vulnerable countries

The World Bank should encourage the establishment of contractual instruments such as loans cyclical, ensuring access to credit and risk coverage to the poorest countries. It also reserves to provide for humanitarian relief. The term "stock" was carefully excluded to avoid offending the most reluctant, USA, Argentina and Brazil, particularly hostile to administered prices.

• Regulation of financial markets

Railing against excessive speculation, Nicolas Sarkozy promised more regulation of financial markets.On this point, the final statement is likely to be modest, returning responsibility to the finance ministers, themselves remain highly dependent on market authorities. The text could, however, contain some recommendations, including imposing position limits, as is already done in Chicago.

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José Socrates refuses to let go

June 4, 2011 - 7:12 pm Comments Off

This is a schoolboy joke, but we hear it everywhere in Lisbon. If the sky is gray if the coffee machine is broken or if one falls down, "A culpa é do Socrates!" Socrates is to blame! Portuguese Prime Minister of course embodies the grim prospects that beset his administration. José Socrates is one who, after pledging never to lower them, eventually seek outside help. The Portuguese are well aware of: against the 78 billion loaned by the troika (IMF, European Commission and European Central Bank) will require consent of hard sacrifices.

Came to power in 2005, Socialist, 53, divorced and father of two children, probably his last book political battle, the most difficult of all. Tomorrow's elections will determine its future.

The "wild beast" as he describes himself, refuses to admit defeat.Last March, soon after announcing his resignation as Prime Minister Socrates was reelected as head of the Socialist Party (PS, center left) by a final score: 93.3%. And there's another week, opinion polls placed the PS elbow to elbow with the Social Democratic Party (PSD, center right). Today, the latest opinion polls give a lead of 6 points to the DSP. "But the fact that he can still compete with the opposition is surprising analysis Teresa de Sousa, a columnist for the newspaper Publico. This is still the premier of the crisis! "She said the strength of Socrates explained by his personal qualities:" He has great charisma, a good speaker who uses simple words and direct "says she. The flip side is "low fidelity" ideological, considers Teresa de Sousa.Socrates is supposed to represent the right wing of the PS, the current more moderate training already very centrist. But throughout the campaign, this positioning does not stop him to shake the specter of anti-social right, which will liberalize at all-if she came to Sao Bento, the official residence of Prime Minister.

Tensions with the press and justice

"It's a fighting personality, not an intellectual," says José Adelino Maltez, a political scientist at the Technical University of Lisbon payday loans. And to appeal to the French philosopher Jacques Maritain: "Socrates is leading a leftist government with a right temperament." A follower of political marketing, in short, which modernized the Portuguese public life, for better or for worse. Rui Costa Pinto, who wrote an unauthorized biography of the Prime Minister (José Socrates Homen o, o lider), speaks of "a bipolar character.""It is both a deceiver and an authoritarian," he says. This journalist is one of those who have suffered the pressures of the head of government, which maintains an ambivalent relationship with the press.

"We got along well, we familiarly," recalls the biographer. Until the day Costa Pinto puts his finger on a possible bribery case. Socrates then goes into a rage. "I lost my job twice because of him," says the author, who just won a lawsuit against the protagonist of his biography. The "wild beast" is a blood. The justice professionals are in open conflict with Socrates. "The attempts of manipulation against the courts have reached unacceptable levels," has accused the head of the union attorneys, Joao Palma.The name of Socrates is released in several cases, but until now the Prime Minister went through the drops, lack of evidence.

In six years of government, Socrates has accumulated enemies. If he departs from the Republic of gold, it could lose its last allies. As for Portuguese, they will eventually unravel fact from fiction: to identify what is "a culpa do Socrates' … and assume that their structural problems remain unsolved.

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General Assembly stirred at Hermès

May 31, 2011 - 3:40 am Comments Off

LVMH invited the General Assembly of Hermes and is a sensation. With its 20% stake acquired last fall, the group Bernard Arnault has publicly responded to very hostile statements by the family heirs of Hermes. Through the voice of his vice-president, Pierre Gode, the second largest shareholder of Hermes tried to convey a "message of peace" after six months of conflict.

The meeting was opened Monday afternoon at the Palais des Congres de Paris, in a further demonstration of muscle vis-à-vis this new shareholder. After his interview Monday in Le Figaro, Bertrand Puech, spokesman for the families Hermes, repeated his charges on "a series of aggressive moves against our house started to weaken and destabilize.""I want to say how pleased I am shocked at the methods used against our people and our families to invite them to join a company with which we are universally hostile." He once again reiterated the commitment of the family "who wants to keep control of the jewel."

At the opening session of questions, Pierre Gode has seized the opportunity to "denounce the trial of facts to LVMH for" with "force if not violence." The right arm of Bernard Arnault said LVMH's position in the capital of Hermes was "perfectly legitimate what anyone says," and that "in no case it can not be questioned." Bertrand Puech had asked the group Monday to sell half its stake. "LVMH has invested at Hermes for the long term and not meant to be a passive shareholder but not a shareholder activist and active but peaceful."As evidence, he pledged to vote on resolutions proposed at the meeting. He also assured that LVMH had never tried to destabilize Hermes, which would be "madness", "absurd" and put "anyone challenged to provide any evidence." "It is my hope that the bickering stop artificial, baseless and fruitless," he said.

The heirs of Hermes and officers have received more than freshly intervention. Ironically, Bertrand Puech has "taken note" of this "new era". Already tense, the atmosphere is therefore became somewhat rough. A small shareholder speaking then laid a new charge against LVMH and her boss, described as "predatory," "cynical" and "disingenuous." This has pushed back its representative, who asked officials at the meeting to maintain order and prevent about "defamatory".The meeting was also marked by the attempt of another individual shareholder, Patrick Repplinger, to deprive the family of Hermes voting rights because of its proposed holding heritage together a majority shareholding which, he said , amend the Control of Capital. This shareholder, whose application was rejected, is already causing an appeal against the decision of the AMF to authorize the project.

Officials: the effective age of retirement retreats

May 29, 2011 - 9:28 am Comments Off

The state last year paid 46.6 billion euros in pension pensions to former civil servants. 13% of its running costs! This amount is however lower by almost 1 billion forecast. Two explanations for this, says an "annual performance report" posted by the Department of Budget: lower inflation than expected, so a smaller pension increases, and fewer than expected new retirees.

Only 70,100 civil servants have retired last year, where an assumption of 77,800 was used. In 2009 already, the 68,000 starts recorded (after 81,000 in 2008 and 2009) were below projections. But a "behavior change" occurred in mid-2009 that Bercy attributed to three phenomena.First, the 2003 reform, which requires officials to work longer for a full pension (since 2008, they have validated many quarters that private sector employees: 40 years for those born in 1948, which term will gradually raised to 41 years and a quarter for those born in 1953 and after). Then the crisis, which could push workers to postpone their departure – those whose spouse or children working in the private sector therefore at risk of unemployment, can you imagine, for example. Finally, "pending categorical measures": the revaluations of this or that body have increased since the beginning of the quinquennium, under the promise of Nicolas Sarkozy to "give back" to staff the savings generated by the non-replacement one out of two.

The end of "ages cleavers"

The Superannuation is calculated on their six months salary, a "nudge" decided during this period may lead to a significant increase in pension, they will benefit throughout their retirement!

Ultimately, the age of retirement from 58 years and 8 months in 2004 to 59 years and 9 months and a half (he is 61 years and 7 months for private sector employees). This average excludes the disabled and mothers of three children, likely to leave at any age. However it covers the categories of "active" (firefighters, police officers, prison guards, air traffic controllers, who can go so far from 50 or 55 years), who quit work an average of 56 years and 7 months, and other agents who remain in office until almost 61 years. For the military, the departures were a little higher than expected (13,000 instead of 12,000).The average retirement age rises too, but since 2006 only: it is past 45 years and 3 months to 46 years and seven months last year.

Finally, another report indicates that the reform of special diets in late 2007, also produces its effects, especially at the station with the late "ages cleavers" causing a retreat setting automatically "only half of the agents SNCF able to retire in 2010 actually did. "

Spain: protesters maintain pressure

May 22, 2011 - 4:00 pm Comments Off

The economic austerity, mass unemployment and the impending local elections have, since last Sunday, the emergence of a broad popular movement among the youth of Spain this week. Los indignados ", ie Indignant, as they call themselves, occupied since last Sunday instead Madrid Puerta del Sol.

Now "illegal", the electoral truce in effect banned the demonstrations, but determined to hear their ras-le-bol of the crisis and unemployment, hundreds of youths were mobilized Saturday in the camp alternative to the Puerta del Sol in Madrid .Shouting "we are now illegal," an immense crowd welcomed Friday at midnight on the start of the truce, after, at the stroke of the clock, symbolically launched a "silent scream" of scotch tape on the mouth, arms raised to heaven.

"Apolitical" and "citizen"

Saturday morning, a thousand protesters still occupying the "village" of tents and plastic sheeting instead of blue madrilène.L agency Efe, based on counting a specialist company, puts the figure of 19,000 protesters Friday night to the Puerta del Sol and surrounding streets, crowded. Other media put the number at 25,000 to 60,000 in Madrid and throughout Spain. The movement has indeed spread throughout Spain under the slogan "Toma la plaza" (Takes place). It is present in 57 cities.The youth movement, building on its growing popularity, plays on the ambiguity of the law and the embarrassment of the government, repeating that he is "apolitical," "citizen" and that the days of Saturday and Sunday will be devoted to the pursuit of "reflection" collective. "We act in full respect of the truce election meetings will be held but no action will be decided," Lopez said Saturday, a spokesman.

"We do not want to overthrow the politicians, just to restore the level of concern of the street, told El Pais Gandara, a spokesman of the movement. "We are not anarchists, nor opponents of the system. We are just normal people "who want a form of participatory democracy.

This spontaneous mobilization, also called the May 15 Movement, was organized as the Arab revolt, via online social networks Twitter and Facebook and on the principle of "right to be indignant." Wednesday, El Pais had counted 10,000 participants in Madrid. The watchwords: the stranglehold of the major parties on Spanish politics, social injustice and the "corrupt politicians". In the background, an unemployment rate of 21.19%, the highest in the euro area, which affects almost half the age of 25.

Police Discrete

"I have great respect for those who demonstrate, they do so peacefully, and I understand that this is due to the economic crisis, in their desire to find a job," said on Friday the first Outgoing Minister Zapatero socialist on the radio Cadena Ser.

The police presence, despite a ban on protests, remained quiet throughout the evening, limited to a few police cars parked around the square. The government, embarrassed by this spontaneous movement occurred a week of regional and local elections on Sunday ahead disastrous for the Socialists, had said on Friday to show "understanding."The Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, had suggested that police action could be avoided provided that no overflow takes place.

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