Current News Headlines

This is a realization of a long-term project that must be born earlier this week. The association Optics solidarity launches on Monday the "pass glasses." A device that is designed for people aged over 60 aid recipients in the supplemental health (ACS) and whose incomes are between 648 and 816 euros. 8,000 to 10,000 people and should soon receive a voucher to enjoy a fitness trail at cost, including consultation with the ophthalmologist, and the purchase of glasses progressive lens optician.

No low cost

"We are working on this project for three years," says Xavier Subirana, ophthalmologist and president of the Optical solidarity. He says the idea inspired by the HEC Chair "Social Businee / Enterprise and Poverty" as co-chairs Martin Hirsch has mobilized the entire industry. "Danone is one of the pioneers of social business, but in this case we thought it was much more efficient to use the entire industry as a business." To date, 13 additional health (including AG2R La Mondiale, April, Groupama …), 500 opticians, Essilor as industrial and ophthalmologists have concentrated their power to facilitate the implementation of the concept. "It's not a charity that requires a donation. Here people pay for their glasses, "says Nicolas Lambert, owner of Essilor France. Ultimately, the patient should spend at most a few dollars instead of 300 euros today. "This is an innovative business model where one neither gains nor loses money. And this is not the low cost, says Xavier Subirana, people buy the raw material and technology. Everything else is covered by the efforts of the margins at various levels by the industry. The doctor's visit is to be discounted fully refundable. " For now, Nicolas Lambert admits even Essilor making losses. To produce the lenses, and assemble the eleven models of glasses offered by the pass, the company is including operated its plant in Toulouse outside normal production hours.

140,000 persons concerned

But to make the project a success, we must know the device. Tested later this year in Marseille, the "eye pass" has proven its usefulness but also revealed the difficulty of reaching the target. "We know that some seniors throw good because they think it is an advertisement," lamented Xavier Subirana. As such, the role of complementary health is important because it is they who must identify people who can benefit. "The more mutual partners in the project will increase the more we can touch people," says association president. Discussions are also underway with new complementary. The first patients in the Paris region should get their equipment in early June. It will be a little longer for the province because of the smaller number of ophthalmologists. Then a second phase will be launched by the end of the year. Eventually 140,000 people should benefit from "pass glasses." In addition, the partners hope that their initiative will give ideas to other sectors.

ALSO READ:

"Reimbursement of expenses by your insurance optical

"How to control its health care costs (with the individual)

SERVICE:

"Buddy up a free health insurance advisors.

Jamie Dimon is a unique pattern in the world of finance. Sometimes called the "King of Wall Street," he seeks to understand all the various trades practiced in the banking group. 56 years old, this little-son of Greek immigrant who grew up in the borough of Queens continues to personally analyze weekly piles of numbers. His direct involvement in risk management has served throughout his career. For sooner than the others sensed the danger coming, and insisted on lending policies and investment more conservative than his rivals, he is credited with the fact that JPMorgan Chase has not experienced a single quarter in the red for the subprime crisis.

If he knows all areas of finance, is that this son of a broker was to mentor Sandy Weill, a legend on Wall Street. After graduating from Harvard Business School in 1982, Jamie Dimon declines an offer from Goldman Sachs and prefer to become assistant Sandy Weill, then at American Express. It will be at the forefront when Weill will lead an obscure finance company, Commercial Credit Company in 1986. Weill will use it to build an empire by a series of acquisitions. Primerica, Smith Barney, Salomon Brothers, where many firms Dimon has made his mark under the control of Sandy Weill.

But it will tire of the ego of his protégé in 1998. He dismisses rather than make his heir as head of Citigroup, the new and the first universal bank in the United States. Jamie Dimon immersed himself in reading, takes boxing classes in the spring of 2000 and accept the direction of Bank One in Chicago. He reorganized the large regional bank and merged with JPMorgan Chase in 2003, at a time when the giant New York is weakened, among other things related to Enron pay day loan lenders. Jamie Dimon savors revenge on Sandy Weill: it accesses the management of a large universal bank at a time when his former mentor was ousted from the leadership of "Citi".

In the first line

His smile and his habit of interrupting his interlocutors annoy many people. But Jamie Dimon is respected because it handles the best financial institution in the United States, present in all areas of finance, banded with solid capital, and often more profitable than its peers. Both internally to the press, analysts, regulators or politicians, he preaches transparency and do not hide behind circumlocutions. A relative who followed him from one bank to another for years said: "It's stronger than him, he can not help telling the truth." …… ..

While banks are unpopular and accused of all evils by senior politicians, Jamie Dimon takes a stand to defend his profession. He personally leads and the fight against re-regulation of many activities: how it will oversee consumer lending limitations taxable deposit banks that invest in the market, Jamie Dimon speaks publicly, while his colleagues let their lobbyists in the first line.

Democratic voters have always had supported Barack Obama in 2008. He preached at the time, for a pragmatic modernization of financial regulation. But the virulent rhetoric of the White House against Wall Street now seems to him unjust and angry.

Always on the lookout, Bright Food is poised to finally put one foot in Europe. The Chinese group was confirmed Thursday it had made an offer for 60% stake in British Weetabix, now owned by Lion Capital. The London private equity funds would retain control of 40% of the group, famous for its breakfast cereals. Bright offers itself as a brand and a story. Founded eighty years ago, "Weetabix has an excellent product portfolio, starting with the famous brand Weetabix, but also more upscale brands like (muesli) Alpen," said Wang Zongnan, president of Bright Food . The group promises to its target development in Asia and China.

The group's offer would value the Chinese company in Europe to 1.5 billion euros, according to Bright. Still subject to approval by Chinese authorities, the transaction should be finalized before the end of the year. Wang Zongnan has not hidden, in recent years, its ambition to increase its sales to nearly 18 billion euros in 2015, against 9.6 billion last year, 30% would be realized abroad. So he put on one of its upscale brands and international development.

Created in 2006 by the authorities of Shanghai in full effort of industry consolidation, Bright Food is present in milk, snacks, wine or sweets. The conglomerate, which is a shareholder of Shanghai Municipality, is virtually unknown outside its borders except for his white candy White Rabbit, the texture of fudge.

And his Chinese passport seems sometimes penalize its attempts to internationalize. In 2010, he has successively acquired the Australian sugar and CSR of United Biscuit Manufacturer – UK too – of Choco BN. He lost to a competitor Singapore for the first and threw in the towel for the second American to win the GNC, a manufacturer of nutritional supplements and other vitamins. In vain again.

Market access to China

In early 2011, Bright was a close interest in Yoplait, while seeking a buyer. His first offer was even more generous. But it is the American General Mills prevailed. Last summer, Bright is however managed to buy 75% of the Australian Manassen.

Today the rich Chinese group is continuing its efforts and hopes to interest foreigners with an attractive and access to the huge Chinese market. China has already overtaken the U.S. as the first grocery market in the world, with 737 billion euros in turnover. The steady rise in living standards and further changes in eating habits still promise a bright future for industry players in the Middle Kingdom.

ALSO READ:

"The news of Chinese Investment in Europe

"The dual language Chinese

Record! Go Sport last year recorded the largest net loss in its history. At 20 million, the third largest sportswear in France is worse than in 2008, when he posted 15.9 million euros loss. Since 2004, Go Sport, owned 72.9% by Rally, has accumulated losses of 73.6 million. The group experienced only a year in profits (12.9 million in 2007), with a gain of 23.1 million euros on the sale of the store premises.

Despite these cons-performance rehearsal, Rally is also a shareholder qu'endurant persevering. The company controlled by Jean-Charles Naouri, also main shareholder of Casino, has decided to guarantee a capital increase of EUR 30 million for group Go Sport, scheduled for the second quarter.

"It is a sign of confidence and support of our principal shareholder, welcomes François Neukirch, group managing director, who also holds the Courir. This will allow us to strengthen our financial structure and to give ourselves margin for maneuver? THEREFOR. "

2011 was a bad year for Go Sport, who missed both the January sales, the summer season and the winter, "because of unfavorable weather conditions," says François Neukirch. During these periods, sales of Go Sport France fell by 10%. Over the full year, those seasonal items (skis, anoraks, bathing suits?), Higher margin, plunged by more than 30% Same day payday loans.

Good start to the year 2012

"It is a paradoxical year, said François Neukirch, because we also had great commercial success. Footwear sales rose 5%, and those of non-seasonal fabrics of 3%. "Above all, the new store concepts and Go Sport Racing give satisfaction to its leaders. Part, the amount of which is kept secret, the 30 million euros raised on the stock market is also devoted to home improvement stores.

The group's leaders want to believe that the disappointments of last year are due only to the injustice of climate, and do not intend to change strategy. They stress that since January, sales of Go Sport show a double-digit growth, as if the weather was trying to redeem himself?

Asked about the prospects of return to equilibrium, François Neukirch stated that "the sooner the better." A view shared by patients shareholders. Darty, which owns 12.1% stake in the group, will announce its decision whether to participate in the capital increase on the occasion of the General Meeting of April 20.

ALSO READ:

"Intersport BetClick replaced as sponsor of the OM

"Decathlon difficulties in recruiting senior

Determined to help the growth, in this election year, Republicans abandoned their zeal for deficit reduction. While the campaign for parliamentary and presidential undertakes November, Republican leaders of the House of Representatives agreed to a compromise that will cost nearly $ 100 billion budget for the current year.

This is extended through December of reductions in social charges weighing chiefly on wages. Some 160 million Americans benefit from this gift, supposed to boost consumption and sustain growth to be too fragile by Barack Obama. The average American will have 80 dollars a month more.

Rise of Barack Obama in the polls

Since December the right wing of the Republican Party, very influential in the House, tried to package this as looking for savings of an equivalent amount elsewhere in the budget.

The Republican retreat is the rise of Barack Obama in the polls thanks to recent signs of improvement in the labor market. He campaigned on the urgency of reducing taxes on the middle classes, while wishing to increase taxes on the rich. Maintaining a budget deficit greater than 8% of GDP this year, and about 5.5% of GDP next year, do not seem to scare the Americans, or on Wall Street, which is found even at its highest in seven months.

Unemployment benefits reduced

The compromise that should be passed by Congress this week also provides a progressive shortening of the maximum period during which the unemployed can receive benefits. It will increase from 99 weeks to 73 weeks now by the end of the year.

The Republicans would rather reduce the period to 59 weeks. In yielding on this point, they got the cost of this measure is funded in part by an increase in pension contributions for federal employees. In addition, the Republicans give up a projected savings in health spending.

The electoral climate that prevails in Washington is so tense that it is likely that once the tax package passed no important legislation can not move forward until December. It was at that time, and after that we know of who emerges victorious in November elections, as important decisions will be taken to respect the timetable set last year in budget savings.

ALSO READ:

"The rebound in U.S. growth remains fragile

»December 2011: tax cuts in the U.S.

Creditor banks in Greece will have to accept losses "substantial" in the new bailout of the country, warned Saturday that the European Ministers of Finance. Last night, the central bankers of the euro zone had "agreed to say that we had to have a substantial increase in the contribution of banks" in the form of a depreciation of their claims, said the leader of European finance ministers, Jean-Claude Juncker.

• Discount of up to 60% of the Greek debt

According to diplomatic sources, the ministers agreed to effectively negotiate with the banks at a discount of "at least 50%" against a target of 21% decided on July 21 with the banking sector. They thus de facto endorsed the conclusions of an expert report which was presented by the troika of donor funds in Greece (EU, ECB and IMF).The paper believes that a discount of 50 or 60% hope to stabilize Greece without having to increase in the amount of gigantic international loans that have already been promised.

A "discount" is the term used in relation to the financial depreciation of the value of loans taken by creditors in this case private banks and investment funds that hold government debt. A discount of 50% borne by the private sector, the second program of financial support pledged July 21 to Greece, however, should be slightly revised upwards with government loans (Europe and IMF) to 114 billion euros, against 109 billion euros.To maintain the envelope of 109 billion euros unchanged, it would bring the discount to 60%, according to calculations by experts.

• Recapitalization of banks to the tune of 108 billion euros

The question is whether the banks that have so far dragged its feet to give the pot, will accept a negotiated settlement does not pass through a default of Greece. In return for the effort required on the Greek claims, there are plans to recapitalize banks in Europe. Following a meeting of EU finance ministers, this Saturday, in preparation for the summit Sunday, no agreement had been finalized on this point, due to the persistence of disputes.

"We have made some progress on the banks" and "we have laid the groundwork for an agreement" which will still be subject to "discussions between heads of state" and called for European governments to meet in summit Sunday said Swedish Finance Minister Anders Borg. Countries of the European Union are considering a recapitalization of its banks to the tune of 107 or 108 billion euros to help them cope with the crisis, has also said a source familiar with the matter.

But according to European diplomats, "there is no agreement on the recapitalization, it gets stuck a little." According to one of these diplomatic sources, "Spain insists on having a comprehensive, not only on the recapitalization of banks but also on strengthening the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF)." On the other hand, "the ministers are trying to agree on the minimum capital."The European Banking Authority (EBA) has proposed that banks reach a level of capital of 9% by mid-2012. A diplomat acknowledged that some countries in the viewfinder of the markets, like Italy, Spain or Portugal, feared that the recapitalization will further undermine public finances.

• The Fund will not support a bank

Moreover, the French proposal to grant a banking license to the Fund support the euro area (EFSF) so he can refinance with the European Central Bank "is no longer on the table," said Minister Dutch Finance Jan Kees de Jager. Only two options are being discussed to increase the firepower of the device, he told reporters Saturday.These two tracks on the agenda now that the mechanism acts as a partial insurance of the public debt of countries in difficulty or higher participation of the IMF to the device, according to a German government source. But there is "significant differences between countries" on the issue, said Jan Kees de Jager.

How to leverage the capacity of the EFSF was the main sticking point between Berlin and Paris at the approach of the EU summit. France, worried about its budget deficit and are "triple AAA" prefer tap into the existing European funds, starting with the ECB. Germany, also sensitive to the separation of powers as inflation risks, refuses anything resembling a crisis by printing money in Europe.France was not only to advocate the involvement of the ECB, arguing that this system worked very well in the United States or Great Britain. She was supported by Spain, Italy or Belgium.

The European Relief Fund currently has a lending capacity of 440 billion euros, part of which is already committed for Ireland and Portugal. This envelope is considered insufficient to prevent contagion of the debt crisis in countries as large as Italy and Spain, increasingly in the firing line of credit rating agencies.European countries negotiate so hard for weeks on the best way, via a "leverage" to multiply by up to five response capacity of the Fund's financial debt of fragile countries.

(With agencies)

ALSO READ:

"GRAPHICS – The crisis of the euro, or the history of contagion

"SPECIAL – Banks in turmoil

"Paris and Berlin are seeking a solution for banks

The debt crisis in the euro area is growing. After Moody's threw the trouble on the debt rating of France, the rating agency has put his threat for Spain. Following in the footsteps of Standard and Poor's and Fitch, the rating agency lowered the credit rating of the fourth largest economy in the euro area by two notches to "A1" instead of "Aa2".

Moody's, however, shows more severe than its competitors. She attributed to Spain's fifth best mark where Standard and Poor's and Fitch gives it their fourth best. Moody's and depriving the country of the issuer status for high-quality issuers to the rank swallow solids but may be affected by changes in economic conditions. Like its competitors, the rating indicates the rating of Spain could again be lowered to medium term faxless payday advance.

To justify its decision, the agency said that "Spain continues to be vulnerable to market pressures" that economic growth should reach only 1% at best in 2012 (and not 1.8% as the Moody's previously thought), and that it "will make it more difficult to achieve the ambitious budgetary targets" of the country. Moody's also kept a "negative outlook" rating on the Spanish because of the "risk posed to the country for worsening of the crisis in the euro area."

ALSO READ:

"Spain is in the focus of agencies

"Fear of recession the country will fare

The fear of a slowing Chinese economy weigh on Asian stock markets. On Tuesday, the day after a session, however encouraging, the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong and Shanghai Composite Index unleash respectively 3.34% and 1.67 points to 18,243.31% to 2399.58 points. Investors react to the publication of a slowdown in Chinese growth to 9.1% in the third quarter, against 9.7% and 9.5% in the first and second quarters.After this bad figure, other regional financial centers are also displayed down: the Nikkei of the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost 1.47% to 8749.08 points, the Kospi index in Seoul fell by 1.47% to 1837.73 points, the S & P / ASX 200 Index yields 1.82% at Sydney 4197.70 points, the BSE Sensex 30 in Mumbai fold from 1.66% to 16,742.80 points and the FTSE Straits Times of Singapore gives up 1.78% to 2729.51 points.

"Economic growth is currently facing a more complicated on both external and internal plans," said the spokesman for the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Sheng Laiyun commenting on the growth of China. In fact, Chinese exporters are beginning to suffer from particular sovereign debt crisis in Europe, their largest market, a difficult economic situation in the United States.The Chinese economy is also impacted by rising wages and strong yuan, has appreciated by 7% in a year against the dollar. "The number of factors of instability and uncertainty increases," says Sheng Laiyun.

The concern weighing on Europe

In this context, the correct figures for China's industrial production have gone unnoticed cheap pay day loans. This has increased by 13.8% in September year on year, according to BNS.

In addition, concerns about the debt crisis in Europe grew yesterday and weigh Surles markets. The German Minister of Economics Wolfgang Schäuble has indeed warned that the EU summit to be held in Brussels Sunday will not lead to a definitive solution to the debt crisis. And, while the central bankers of the euro zone had promised a response "comprehensive and lasting peace" to the crisis at the G20 finance this weekend in Paris.

China Eastern Airlines to Hong Kong and Tepco

On the corporate side, China Eastern Airlines (-7.02% to 2.65 Hong Kong dollars) on Monday announced an agreement to acquire 15 Airbus A330 family for a selected list price of $ 2.5 billion, for delivery between 2013 and 2015.

Note that Tepco, the operator of the nuclear accident in Fukushima, yields 1.38% in Tokyo, after asking the first tranche of public assistance of some 700 billion yen (6.7 billion euros) for finance part of the compensation of victims, according to Japanese media on Tuesday.

On the front of currencies, the euro rose 0.28% to 1.377 dollars on Tuesday. Oil is meanwhile down in Asia after the confirmation of a slowdown in Chinese growth in the third quarter against a backdrop of skepticism about a speedy resolution of sovereign debt crisis in the euro area.The barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in November, up in the early electronic trading, lost 9 cents to 86.29 dollars, around 6:00.

New tough session in Paris. After opening close to balance (-0.11%), ACC widened its losses in the afternoon, in response to the speech from Fed chairman Ben Bernanke. The index rose from 3045 to 3015 points in minutes. But investors quickly resumed: a comprehensive plan was not finally ends probable.Le CAC down 1% to 3087.64 points.

Earlier, the index feature of the Paris market was disappointing not welcome the publication of the second estimate of U.S. GDP in the second quarter. It rose 1% annual rate over the previous three months, said the Commerce Department, revising and down 0.3 points his first estimate of growth in the spring published in late July.Analysts had forecast a less pronounced rate revision, to 1.1%, according to their median forecast.

In Frankfurt, the Dax-30, very bumpy this week limit case and ends with a drop of 0.84% ​​to 5584.14 points after losing more than 3% in séance.À the London Stock Exchange, the FTSE- 100 finished virtually unchanged: it loses 0.02% to 5129.92 points.

Fed pushes to place an ad in September

Highly anticipated speech of the President of the U.S. central bank, Ben Bernanke does not reassure investors. In fact, Bernanke has pushed the September announcement of concrete measures to support the U.S. economy. The central bank is expected to meet more fully next month, he indicated, to "discuss more fully" in the policy.Ben Bernanke also called on U.S. lawmakers to take fiscal stimulus, saying they have more flexibility than the institution.

As for currencies, the euro lost some ground against the dollar after the speech of Ben Bernanke. Around 16:30, the European currency was worth 1.4359 dollars against 1.4441 to 15 hours. As for the oil markets, I Brent North Sea for October delivery was trading at 110.25 dollars on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) in London, down 37 cents, while in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of "light sweet crude" (WTI) for the same maturity lost 35 cents to 84.95 dollars.

In the euro area, regardless of major macroeconomic news.This morning, the companies manufacturing have revised their forecasts down slightly investment for this year and expect a 14% increase (against 15% previously).

The bank's head Cac 40, Peugeot sinks

Essilor International: -0.30% to 52.97 euros

Essilor International in the first semester a turnover of 2.06 billion euros, up 6.9%, the band announced via a press release issued in the edition of Les Echos to appear Friday.

Financials

The ban on short selling financial stocks on Thursday was extended to France, like Italy, Spain and Belgium, and the Financial Markets Authority (AMF) said it would review its position by late September.

This decision only briefly managed to reassure investors.If this decision technique to limit selling pressure on the sector, it does not address the fears that persist on European banks and their exposure to countries in need. After posting the largest gains of the Paris stock in early trading, financial stocks are once again very attacked: Societe Generale lost 2.82% to 21.33 euros, BNP Paribas was down 2.33% at 33, 56 euros, Credit Agricole down 1.41% to 6.419 euros while Natixis closed the show the worst performance (-4.51% to 2.686 euros).

In an interview with Le Figaro, the CEO of Crédit Agricole (-1.41% to 6.419 euros) said the group had "significant cash reserves" and "has no difficulty in financing" .

Conversely, other cyclical stocks, car manufacturers, will gradually take after opening the largest declines in the Paris stock exchange.Peugeot (-0.62% to 19.36 euros) which bought between 12 and 22 August last, about 2% of its capital amounting to 92,010,000 euros, folds to 2.03 %, to 19.01 euros. Renault wins its 0.46% to 26.32 euros.

Total: -0.73% to 32.5 euros

Total expected to present a reorganization in the fall of scale of its operations downstream, with a planned merger of its refining and petrochemicals, according to Les Echos, citing union sources.

As for oil, prices were mixed Friday morning during electronic trading in Asia, in a sluggish market, before the highly anticipated speech of the head of the U.S. central bank (Fed).In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October gave 10 cents to 85.20 dollars per barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery took 19 cents to 110.81 dollars.

Note that APRR and Bel Cheese (1.24%, to 163 euros) will publish their interim results after market close.

Japan is recovering slowly from the disaster of 11 March. On Monday, the government announced a slowdown of 0.3% of GDP in the second quarter. But this decline, of 1.3% annualized, less than analysts' forecasts which projected a contraction of 0.7%. It also shows a marked improvement over the 0.9% decline the previous quarter cashed.

Between April and June, exports fell sharply by 4.9% and is the main factor in the decline. During this period, deliveries of goods have been hampered by the destruction of factories and infrastructure in the devastated areas of north-east of the archipelago. Breaks in the supply chain were found in the key sectors of the automobile and electronics exports pillars.Industrial activity has also been slowed by the nuclear accident in Fukushima that led to the arrest of a significant portion of the reactor pool and therefore a fall in electricity production.

The downward trend was further accentuated by a decline of 1.9% of private real estate investment and a 0.1% decline in consumption. The trauma of the disaster, which killed more than 20,000 dead or missing, has indeed led the Japanese citizens to exercise restraint for several weeks, slowing private consumption, which is usually an engine of growth online cash advance. This slowdown was partly offset by the increase of 3% of public investment.

"We will rebuild Japan"

To observers, this leaves the second quarter, however, consider a rapid improvement in the Japanese economy."If the economy is improving as it takes shape in some respects, it is possible that growth back at the period from July to September", commented Takeshi Minami, an economist at the Institute Norinchukin whose opinion joined the Minister of Finance, Yoshihiko Noda.

For his part, Prime Minister Naoto Kan took advantage of the sixty-sixth anniversary of the surrender of Japan to promise an improvement in the economy. "Our country has emerged from the ruins of war through the efforts of every citizen and overcame many difficulties to date. With these experiences, we will rebuild with determination and force the devastated areas and Japan. "

These remarks have convinced the Asian markets on Monday morning.At the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Nikkei has closed the day on a sharp increase from 1.37% to 9086.41 points.

ALSO READ:

"Japan is rebuilt despite the political doldrums

"SPECIAL: Japan devastated