Current News Headlines

Lafarge, the group specializes in building materials, has announced a decrease of 3% of its turnover for the first half of 2010. At constant exchange rates and constant perimeter, the decrease amounted to 4%. The operating income showed a decline of 5% to 1.072 billion euros (-9% at constant scope and exchange rates).

Net income from Lafarge withdrew its side of 29% to EUR 233 million. The current operating margin shows finally a decrease of 30 basis points to 13.9%.

In the second quarter alone, sales rose 2% to 4.436 billion euros but, at constant perimeter and constant exchange rates, sales rose 2%. The operating income increased 5% to 836 million euros. It is stable at constant exchange rates and constant perimeter.

At the Paris stock exchange, these ads are unwelcome.The title Lafarge has one of the largest decreases in ACC 40: 3.89% yield at 41.80 euros at the close No fax payday advance.

New measures to reduce debt

Bruno Lafont CEO of Lafarge, said in a statement that "the pace of economic recovery remains uncertain and highly variable from one country to another," led the group to adjust its market forecast for the year 2010. Lafarge table so now on a variation of the demand for cement between -1 and +3% on the year compared to 2009 (against 0% to 5% expected in late March).

The band announced further steps to reduce its debt amounting to 15.16 billion euros (down 1% during the first half).Thus, it will "limit its investments in 2011 to 1 billion euros" and sets "a new goal of structural cost reductions of more than 200 million euros."

G20 warned. Beware of excessive rigor. That's good, the government has always had something in horror. Rigor. However, in the fall, it will be many rigorous measures to be announced. Nonetheless, France has heard this message. This Sunday, at the Economic Forum, held annually the weekend by the Circle of economists, Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economy, has found a new formula. The "ri-lance, a mixture of rigor and recovery. "Renewal or rigor, this is not a choice, not a Gordian knot for me," she said.The economic policy that we are in France now is a political ri-lance.

So precisely what does she mean by "ri-lance? This is a "delicate balance which is really to reduce public spending where it will be less painful for the prospect of reviving economic activity," she says.

Another question: how to implement it? "We must carry out fundamental reforms such as pension reform and revitalize the economy by insisting on nvestments and innovation.

Reducing public expenditure without forgetting to relaunch growth. Such is the creed of the government, which needs to 100 billion euros in savings in three years and above who expects growth of 2.5% in 2011 as in 2012.Ambitious requires a real fight economic policy and especially a real global coordination.

The last summit of the G20 in Canada had indeed left a clear dissonance in this area between Europeans and Americans. They demanded that the Europeans do not all implement the same time austerity plans, fearing for U.S. growth.

ALSO READ:

"The government is preparing new austerity measures

"Fillon preparing the French to the rigor

"Growth: Lagarde await fall

The G20 warns against excessive rigor

New waves of turbulence on Thursday on European equity markets. At closing, the ACC has sold 2.25% to 3432 points in trading volume of over 4.43 billion euros. The London Stock Exchange lost 1.55% at the same time, while the German Dax loose more than 2.2%. Already strained by the very repetition frictions between Paris and Berlin, investors have been demoralized by a poor U.S. statistics: registration weekly unemployment rose against all odds, for the first time since early April in the U.S. during the weeks to 15 May, against 471,000 446,000 the previous week, according to the Department of Labor.

The euro goes down quickly and found $ 1.23, after having taken the day 1.5% up to 1.2414 dollar.The rebound came after the sharp decline of the single currency in the night from Tuesday to Thursday, which has pushed the euro to a new four year more, to 1.2144 dollar.

Christine Lagarde did not hesitate to take the opposite view Thursday of Germany, stating, in contrast to Chancellor Angela Merkel, the euro was "absolutely not" in danger. She also criticized the German ban of short selling of certain financial products, described as "questionable, because there was no prior discussion."

But on substance, they are two different philosophies that are expressed on both sides of the Rhine, experts say, vis-à-vis the economy and Europe: the quasi-religious cult of stability and solidity Monetary and fiscal policy in Germany; tradition of state intervention and boost growth and employment in France.Since the beginning of the crisis in Greek, the largest economy in the euro area has a position of accused in Europe, having been slow to rally to the idea of a bailout.

His German counterpart, said this morning in the Financial Times that he considers the markets "really out of control" and advocates more regulation. Taboos have been broken yet for Germany, as the intervention of the European Central Bank (ECB) in the support system put in place or the rescue of a country in the euro area. And the crisis has, according to experts, everyone take a step towards each other.

L'Oreal stands

On the values front, two titles show up on the CAC 40. This is L'Oreal (2.17%) and France Telecom (+0.10%).

As for cuts, is Alcatel Lucent is the most penalized (-6%), to Vallourec, Arcelor Mittal.

On the SBF 120, it appears as Soitec the red lantern (-9.26% to 8.60 euros): the producer of silicon on insulator for the semiconductor industry confirmed its forecast return to operating breakeven this year, Concentrix off after a current operating loss reduced during the second half of 2009-2010.

In addition, Air France-KLM (-2.12% to 9.40 euros) confirmed anticipate a return to operational balance in 2010-2011 after posting record losses after an exercise she calls it himself as "annus horribilis." Franco Dutch airline, which renounces propose an annual dividend, also undergoes an early exercise sealed by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjöll.

Credit Agricole (-3.07% to 9.09 euros) was no surprise on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Jean-Marie Sander as his successor Rene Carron as president of the bank, marking the arrival of a new tandem leaders the head of the listed vehicle of mutual group.

Sanofi-Aventis (-1.25% to 47.38 euros): Brazil has given the green light to redeem Medley by the pharmaceutical company for 500 million euros.

The Board of Directors and the two main shareholders of Sperian have agreed to repurchase the company specialized in personal protective equipment by the industry group American Honeywell for $ 1.4 billion. The shares are still suspended from trading.

The Paris Bourse opens up on Tuesday after two sessions that have propelled by the 4000 points as a result of the case Goldman Sachs. The CAC 40 rose at the opening of 0.16%, to 3987 points.

Monday evening, the CAC 40. Friday night, the benchmark index of the Paris fell 1.94%.

Wall Street has ended without direction while the SEC has fueled the uncertainty by preventing it would be interested in other U.S. banks, including Deutsche Bank, UBS, Merrill Lynch, etc.. on securitization transactions.

Asian stock markets resumed Tuesday morning colors. A rather technical progress.

Zew index to follow

In Germany, the statistics institute Destatis unveiled producer prices up 0.7% in March on a month, resulting in lower annual rate of 1.5% -2.9% cons in February.Economists polled by Reuters had forecast an average increase of 0.4% a month to month and down 1.8% over one year.

The most watched barometer Zew financial community will be published 11 hours. In the eurozone, the European Central Bank will publish the balance of payments 10 hours.

In the U.S., no major economic figure is expected Tuesday.

EADS, only for an offer

Air France-KLM (0.62%, to 12.15 euros) announced Monday that the decision of French and European authorities to open corridors into European airspace allowed him to "gradually take over its operating schedule . The group felt that the paralysis it costs 35 million euros in losses per day. For its part, Club Med believes the impact on its activity to 5 million euros per day.Titles back on Tuesday to 1.73%, to 13.25 euros.

Furthermore, EADS (+0.21% to 14.44 euros) should submit a solo bid for the tanker contract from U.S. Air Force after he failed to associate with L-3 Communications Holdings or any other provider, said on Monday close to the matter. But rival Boeing seems more than ever favorite for the contract to $ 35 billion for only the first installment.

Lagard?re cons attack

In an interview with Le Figaro, Arnaud Lagardere said it excluded to abandon the status of sponsorship and Lagard?re will take "adequate time" to sell 7.5% stake that the group still holds in EADS No teletrack payday loans.Lagardere shares lost in the first exchanges 0.66%, to 31.47 euros.

The mutual bank BPCE sent an absolute bar to Deminor in the standoff that pitted him against the shareholder advisory firm on the whole record Natixis, the investment banking subsidiary public offerings in 2006 and washed by the financial crisis. Moreover, Natixis (2.42% to 4.03 euros) confirms its proposed sale to Axa's private equity activities.

BNP Paribas (0.56%, to 55.66 euros) announced it signed an agreement with Banca Popolare di Milano in the Italian bank to buy back its activities in the custodian bank for 55 million euros.

The values in the wind motor

Buoyed by a sharp increase in goals from Daimler, whose shares are more than 7% at the Stock Exchange Frankfurt, values are part of the automotive sector increased sharply.Renault and climbs from 2.51% to 34.93 euros, Peugeot of 2.04%, to 22.22 euros. Valeo is 1.98%, to 25.72 euros and Michelin 1.52%, to 53.48 euros.

Soitec and Guyenne published

Soitec reported an increase in demand and an improvement in its operating profit in the second semester 2009-2010. It seeks a balance from operations for the current year. Titles rise of 2.92%, to 11.44 euros, the largest increase of the SBF 120.

Guyenne et Gascogne (-3.34% to EUR 71,51) has published an increase of 4.7% of its revenue for the quarter, reporting a tentative recovery in Spain and a rebound of his activity in France in March.

Safran issued on Tuesday a stable activity in the first quarter, as expected. The shares were down 1.75%, to 18.65 euros. The largest decrease in the SBF 120.

FRANCE

Saffron: AC 1T (0700)

Radiall ca1T2010

Accor Q1 results (after market)

Lafuma AC 2T (after market)

USA

Coca-Cola Q1 results (before market)

Johnson & Johnson Q1 results (before market)

Goldman Sachs Q1 results (1400)

Yahoo!: Q1 results (after market)

GB

Tesco: annual results

SABMiller: progress report of 4T

SWEDEN

TeliaSonera: results 1T

SKF: results 1T

FINLAND

(*) Kone: results 1T (1130)

SWITZERLAND

Novartis Q1 results (0700)

Green, still green, still green. Having gained 0.63% Tuesday, the CAC 40 should continue its momentum, supported by good performance of the Dow Jones and the release of Japan's trade surplus up sharply. The future index CAC 40 is up at 8:05 from 0.18% to 3962 points.

On the macroeconomic front, the news will be especially marked in France by publishing the figures of registered job seekers and offers collected by center job in February, tonight at 18 hours.

As for values, we will particularly Alstom. After-hours trade Tuesday, the group said in a statement to its employees, it will sell its stake of 16.66% in the shipyard of Saint-Nazaire (Loire-Atlantique) in the South Korean group STX, already holds 50.01% stake.

EADS: The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus said Tuesday that the World Trade Organization (WTO) rejected 70% of U.S. requests in litigation that is opposed to its American rival Boeing over aid granted by EU cash advance payday loan .

Havas announced the doubling of its dividend for 2009 to 0.08 euro per share and said it had set up a program to repurchase shares up to 40 million shares, representing 9.3% of its capital.

Ipsen: Mayroy, the largest shareholder of the company, reduced its stake to 68.3% capital and 81.5% of the voting rights of the pharmaceutical company.

Meetic announced Tuesday a return to profitability in 2009 and confirmed target an EBITDA margin between 20 and 25% in 2010.

Boizel Chanoine Champagne has published results in 2009 affected by overall market back but stressed that the fiscal 2010 starting up on a better basis than last year.

Sequana published on Wednesday, pre-market results for its fourth quarter and therefore its accounts for the year 2009.

One more step. Google never stops its forward and offered Picnik. This software photo editing online is particularly accessible from sites like Picasa, Facebook, Photobucket, but mostly from Flickr, owned by Yahoo, Google's biggest rival. It is therefore a step in the war between the two servers, since, after all, Google has just taken control of a particular tool proposed by his opponent.

Picnik is a software for photo editing, but a sort Photoshop online (and therefore less sophisticated), which allows among others to remove red-eye or resizing a photo. For users, Picnik provides on its website that this purchase will not cause any change: the toolkit will remain the same, and no Google account creation is required (even if it is advised).The company employs twenty people, believes that Google is "the best house she could find and welcomes the exposure should give this new situation fast cash without a hassle . For employees of Picnik, no change either, except that they now work from Google Local to Seattle.

Google appears clearly in a new phase of development. In early February, he had acquired Aardvark, a sort of super social search engine, then remail, emailing an application for mobile phones. If the leading Internet search engines did not elaborate on how the redemption of Picnik, it is very possible that seeks to develop Picnik to include new features. How to add his personal touch, good memories of his competitors.

ALSO READ:

The web community jostles Google

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.

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.

After a first trial concluded in the spring, the "floating balance" have reappeared in stores in recent days.

"Find the point on the organization of these balances fall

Get advantage of this new period balances? Have you done good business, or noticed a difference with the traditional summer sales and winter?

ALSO READ

"The winter sales begin January 6

"YOUR TESTIMONIES -" Balances, I want to please me! "

Follow the Figaro on Facebook and Twitter @ Le_Figaro