Negotiated discounts

Go Digital Edenred offers the possibility of expanding its range of services. In France, the electronic Ticket Restaurant, the former Accor Services will offer "specials flash" in stores. The principle: allow recipients to take advantage of its products negotiated discounts.

"60% of the hotel offer the Web in their facility to their customers, providing Mark Watkins, president of Coach Omnium, research firm specializing in tourism. For now, about half of the hotels are equipped with pay around 5 euros per hour. Two out of three customers accept when they have no choice, but they find it outrageous. This is not a money problem. For them, it's petty. "

Paradoxically, economy hotels tend to offer the connection and it is the high-end hotels that charge the most expensive.

The American action in partnership, supported by a California resident, filed Wednesday in federal court in Santa Ana, California. Research In Motion is accused of breach of contract, negligence and unjust enrichment.The complaint, filed on behalf of 2.4 million BlackBerry users in the state, requires financial compensation.

The other complaint, filed in the Superior Court of Quebec, on the lands of RIM, is from the "Group of consumer law", a firm specializing in class actions. She asks RIM to "take measures to offset direct or indirect users of BlackBerry," and "arranging" for operators reimburse their customers.

A drop in share price

Following the cut massive services reached between 11 and 14 October, the group of Waterloo, Ontario, decided to offer its customers for $ 100 of free applications for compensation and a free month technical maintenance for businesses."We are committed to ensuring a high level of reliability now and in the future," had secured one of two owners of RIM, Mike Lazaridis.

These two class actions against Research In Motion have been filed when the company through this week a new crisis of confidence, stock market this time. On Wednesday, the share price was unscrewed from 7.48% after the announcement of the postponement until February of the second generation of the PlayBook. This tablet, which would compete with the iPad, has so far garnered very disappointing results. Since 2011, the title of Research In Motion has lost almost two thirds of its value.

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The French are indeed very pessimistic. Only 4% of them believe in a crisis within the next six months. Nearly a majority (46%), however, do not expect improvement until 2014. "This survey highlights the malaise of the French," said Frederic Dabi, director of the division of opinion Ifop."For them, this is a serious crisis which they do not see the exit and on which policies can not be weighed." However, they are preparing for 57% of the "painful and difficult measures." They are also willing to make sacrifices, including cutting costs in their "comfort" and in their holiday budget, the study said.

When asked about the causes of the crisis, 52% of French people point the finger at the role of financial markets. Far behind, the government (26%), banks (15%), EU (10%), the French as a whole (6%), emerging (5%) and businesses (1%) are also considered partially responsible for the current crisis. "Paradoxically, while their commitment to the EU is often tenuous, the French for more Europe," Frederic Dabi analysis.As proof, they say they support the creation of a European Ministry of Economy.

Theme of the presidential election

As European leaders gather in Brussels on Sunday for a coordinated response to the crisis, the French have already an idea of ​​what the state could do 63% of them believe the government should take an interest in banks, either by becoming the majority shareholder of the establishment or nationalization. Despite their concern, 23% of respondents would prefer the state to intervene simply abstain. Maybe they think that the French economy can only suffer, as the government prepares to revise downwards its growth forecast for 2012 still set at 1.75%."Part of the public continues to believe that when dealing with Greece, it does not deal with French," says Pierre Giacometti, advisor opinion of the President of the Republic, in the columns of world.

Yet a few months before the presidential election, the crisis in the euro area will be the theme of the campaign. Nicolas Sarkozy will speak on the subject on television next Thursday, the day after the second EU summit is to say, once firm decisions have been taken. A key event with the French, while the popularity of the president is at half mast. "Even if the credits of some courage, nothing will be counted as long as there is a lack of visibility on the crisis," Pierre Giacometti analysis in Le Monde.

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"The lunch break has become the adjustment variable of the workday, says Anne-Sophie Godon, director of prevention within the group of social protection Malakoff Médéric, who published a study Tuesday on the subject. The content of the day was densified, while the distance between work and home tends to increase. In this context, employees have no choice but to cut back on the lunch break. "Women are more concerned than men, many of them prefer to take the shortest time at noon in hopes of starting earlier work, says Odile Fox, medical officer in Paris.

Employees bring their lunch more

With less time spent at lunch, it is the nature of the meal that has changed. A perceptible change in the last few years yet, the study said. Since 2009, the number of employees who go home for lunch has been declining (29% of respondents in 2011 against 34% in 2009), as well as those who go to a restaurant business (19% instead of 22%). In contrast, the share of those who swallow a sandwich as a meal is still growing by 2 points in 2011 compared to 2009.

Shortening the length of the lunch break is not always synonymous with "junk food".The proportion of employees who bring their pittance to work after having prepared at home is steadily increasing. Nearly a third now say do it frequently, women are over-represented again. "The French are trying to eat more balanced, it is a serious sociological trend. Provide meals is a way to control your diet. It's also a way to save money, "says Anne-Sophie Godon. The crisis is over there.

Decreased concentration

Sandwich and dish prepared in advance, reducing the dwell time has nevertheless perverse effects. "When you eat quickly, no time to feel full. Satiety occurs only after a quarter of an hour. And when we eat at his computer, it's worse: it does not even pay attention to what you swallow.Result, we tend to snack in the afternoon, "said Patrick Serog, doctor. In 2011, 39% of employees admit to regularly snacking, two points more than in 2009. "Making a real pause, three-quarters of an hour, is crucial, says Odile as Fox. Without this cut, the stress builds up. "

The health of the employee is not only involved for the company either, the lunch break is not wasted time. An employee who does not stop and does not cut even if it's only twenty minutes with their working environment is an employee who may lose concentration. "Attention has its phases. It can be really careful for forty five minutes or an hour, but rarely more. If we restore his normal work environment at his office, for example, the concentration decreases even faster, and we made mistakes, "warns Patrick Serog.This did not include an office where you eat according to host Monster 400 times more bacteria than the toilet normally maintained.

"Testimonials – And you, do you take time for breakfast? Prepare your meals in advance or do you buy close to your work? Share your experience in comments below or by email at temoin@lefigaro.fr.

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The board of directors of the group was convened in plenary session Friday in Singapore. Initially, Oswald Grübel had yet to defend him. According to press Helvetic, he had to enjoy a visit to the Singapore sovereign fund GIC, which holds 6.41% of UBS, to ask the Board of Directors of the bank vote of confidence.He wanted to get his approval to remain in power until early 2013 and to complete the restructuring of the banking and wealth management at UBS.

The extent of the fraud trader in London, Kweku Adoboli, has had because of this determination. "The Board regrets the decision of Oswald Grübel. The latter considers it his duty to take responsibility for the recent case involving unauthorized trading operations. " This case was discovered on September 15, caused a stir in the world of finance. Rating agencies Standard & Poor's and Moody's immediately placed under review with negative implications the debt rating long-term 'A +' the Swiss bank.

Reputation under pressure

First estimated at $ 2 billion, losses due to fraudulent transactions conducted by Kweku Adoboli were revised upwards three days later business card.They eventually reach $ 2.3 billion (1.66 billion euros). An internal investigation was opened. UBS tracking the failures of its system of risk control. The gendarmes of financial markets in Switzerland and the UK have also launched independent investigations into the circumstances of the losses suffered by the bank. "The board is deeply disappointed by the loss from unauthorized transactions and fully support the independent investigation. Furthermore, it will ensure that support measures are in place to prevent such cases could occur again in the future, "promises UBS.

It must be said that the bank is under pressure, as he tried in recent years to restore its reputation tarnished by the crisis "subprime" in 2008.The Federal Housing Finance Agency, the U.S. federal agency to oversee the mortgage market, accuses him of having sold $ 4.5 billion of toxic assets to mortgage refinancing agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and is seeking to return $ 900 million. The Swiss bank is also under investigation in France on suspicion of using tax evasion. Anxious to maintain the confidence of its customers, it manages the fortunes, the bank sent them a letter last Saturday. "Your assets are safe with us," she assured.

For its part, Kweku Adoboli, the trader, 31, was detained, following his appearance before a London court Thursday. The boy will remain jailed at least until his next hearing on October 20, announced the judge.

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According to a report in the Financial Times, had asked Italy to China to perform major purchases of its sovereign debt.Senior Italian officials told the newspaper that Lou Jiwei, the chairman of China Investment Corp (CIC), was the head of a delegation that went to Rome last week to meet with Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti and as responsible for the Cassa Despositi e Prestiti. After starting the session in the red, Wall Street has ended the session in the green Monday, the Dow Jones gained 0.63% on the session. This morning, Asian stock markets also popped up slightly. The day before, the Paris Bourse had ended the session on a sharp decline dropping 4.03% to 2854.81 points (their lowest level since April 2009), weighed down by banking shares.However, market rumors suggest that Beijing now hear is not finally ready to buy bonds in Italy.

Result: the banking sector is left in the red zone, having been literally massacred on Monday. For the record, the U.S. agency Moody's announced it would lower a notch notes BNP Paribas (-10.26% to 23.44 euros) and Credit Agricole (-2.01% to 4.73 euros) and two notches that of Societe Generale (-6.10% to 14.62 euros) because of their exhibits to Greece.

Investors are particularly concerned about the situation in Greece, including the possibility of bankruptcy is no longer excluded for many politicians. An output of Greece to the euro is now considered by many economists.To this must be added about this Monday, Jean-Pierre Jouyet, chairman of the Financial Markets Authority (AMF), which estimates that Greece may have to undergo further restructuring of its debt. "What is likely to be more pronounced restructuring of the Greek debt," he said on iTV. German side, Angela Merkel is trying to catch up about his Economy Minister Philipp Rösler, who spoke Monday the event of a default of Athens.In a radio interview BBB, the Chancellor found it necessary to "avoid any uncontrolled process in the euro area."

Oil prices mixed

On the foreign exchange market, the euro was down slightly Tuesday against the dollar and the yen on Monday after falling $ 1.35 for the first time since February and the lowest for 10 years against the yen, and the voltage was strong, the markets fear more a possible failure of Greece. Around 8 am, the single European currency was worth 1.3665 dollars against 1.3680 dollars on Monday in 23 hours.

As for oil prices, they were mixed, helped by a relative weakening of the dollar-weighted but the latest projections of OPEC anticipates a lower than expected growth in demand for crude because of the nervousness of the markets.In early electronic trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October gave himself 80 cents to 88.99 dollars a barrel while Brent North Sea crude for delivery in October, more sensitive to economic conditions in Europe, gave 52 cents to 112.25 dollars. "We see that oil has a weaker dollar," said Ker Chung Yang, an analyst at Phillip Futures commodity in Singapore.

On the front mécroéconomique, the consumer prices in France rose 0.5% in August from the previous month, said Tuesday the National Institute of Statistics (INSEE).This increase resulted mainly from the late summer sales but also reflects the higher prices, also seasonal, tourism-related services, these increases are offset by the seasonal decline in prices of fresh produce, INSEE said.

In addition, the current account deficit widened from France in July to 4.5 billion euros against 3.4 billion in June, due to an increase in the deficit of trade in goods, announced Tuesday Bank of France.

United States, the import price will be announced in late afternoon.

Values ​​to follow

Accor (-4.77% to 20.48 euros)

The hotel group announced on Tuesday a target for 2011 operating profit of between 510 and 530 million euros during the presentation of its new strategic objectives.

Renault (-2.69% to 23.33 euros)

The manufacturer has officially launched Monday in Maubeuge mass production of the Kangoo Zero Emission (ZE), which accounts for between 30,000 and 20.OOO vehicles per year.

PSA Peugeot Citroën (-2.91% to 16.04 euros)

The CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroen confirms Philippe Varin Tuesday in our columns his will "accelerate cost reductions," including employment.While ensuring that no significant slowing in demand was observed, explaining that the group wants to "guard against a possible market downturn."

Total (-2.29% to 31.38 euros)

The oil company announced Monday that he wanted to continue the search for shale gas in the southeast of France, while pledging not to use the method known as "hydraulic fracturing" now banned.

Interparfums

The group specializes in the design and marketing of fragrances, posted first half net profit up 33% to 17.1 million thanks to sales, according to a statement released Tuesday. This result should the "lead to revise upward its forecast for sales in 2011," added the group.

Catalogue of Foreign Investment released this year by the Chinese government is full of examples. Notably in the "green" high priority posted in Beijing. Foreigners are worried about being de facto excluded from the promising area of ​​"clean energy".Thus, the joint venture manufacturer of components for cars running the "new energy" power in the first place can not be held at 50% maximum by foreigners. The same goes for offshore wind turbines. In a more general, significant obstacles still exist in the sectors of construction, automotive, financial services and telecommunications.

A perfect expertise

If the Speaker of the House, Davide Cucino, welcomed the objectives of 12th five year plan endorsed this year by Beijing, which focuses on the development of domestic consumption and services, he regretted that "some of these priorities will not reflected in the texts governing foreign investment. " And, while "European companies have a perfect expertise and technology" to address these areas of effort.Surveys of members of the House reflect the anxiety room. Some 43% of them believe that the measures taken by Beijing are discriminatory to foreign firms, against 33% last year. And 46% – against 36% last year – believe that this situation will continue at least in the next two years.

At a time when the general economic downturn makes the dynamic even more indispensable terrain Chinese, Europeans and Americans want Beijing transforms good intentions into action. As for improving market access for public bids – estimated at one trillion dollars annually, which is slow in coming, as deplored by Davide Cucino.

Markets are waiting with some anxiety the president's speech to the U.S. central bank, Ben Bernanke, the outlook for the U.S. economy. An hour and a half ago, the U.S. government has released its second estimate of GDP for the second quarter. The consensus growth overseas could fall by 0.2 point to 1.1% from the first estimate. On Thursday, weekly jobless claims declined.Causing a sharp decline in U.S. stock markets.

On the corporate side, the ball results Essilor continues with the program on Friday morning.

Essilor International reported first half sales 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 payday loans lenders.

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.

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.

The government downgraded its growth forecasts: this year, French GDP to increase by 1.75% against 2% originally planned. The same progression, 1.75%, is expected in 2012 against 2.25% previously expected.

The new measures

To achieve these objectives, Prime Minister François Fillon unveiled on Wednesday a new set of austerity measures. Most were expected. But Fillon said part of some key measures announced and others that had not been discussed so far.

– A tax on high incomes: it will be 3% income tax reference (capital and labor) from 500,000 euros.

– Increase of 1.2% of payroll taxes on capital income. Until now, property income (interest, dividends, life insurance products) were subject to social security contributions up to an overall level of 12.3%. This rate will increase to 13.5% and will apply to income in 2011."These households are mainly those whose standard of living is higher," insists Matignon.

– Overtime: The government has decided to reinstate the overtime in the Schedule of nationwide reduction of "maintaining the specific tax and social benefits," said the Prime Minister. Specifically, this measure will not change for employees whose net pay is not reduced and that the tax will not be increased. For employers, they will continue to benefit from the exemptions from overtime under declared but will have their planed reduce charges on low wages.

"This is not in any way to challenge the law Tepa who works overtime an instrument for business flexibility and purchasing power of employees," said François Fillon.This provision will be included in the draft budget law for 2012 Social Security to be debated in Parliament in the fall. It shall come into force on 1 January next year and will generate 600 million euros in revenue from additional contributions.

– Changing the taxation of real estate capital gains: is the measure that will bring the most in 2012 with an estimated saving of 2.2 billion euros. It is a measure that will bring the most to the state. It affects the owners of second homes, rental properties, building land or vacant. Until now, capital gains realized on the sale of immovable property (excluding principal residence) are taxed at 19% (plus payroll taxes). But the gain was undergoing a reduction of 10% per annum from the fifth year of detention.In the end, beyond 15 years in prison capital gains realized on the sale of these goods were therefore exempt from taxes. The government decided to abolish this reduction of 10% and derogatory "to tax real estate gains actually realized, after controlling for inflation no teletrack payday loan." Specifically, a tax of 19% will therefore apply to the capital gain, derived from the inflation recorded since the date of acquisition. Small clarification: This measure takes effect from the sales made after August 24, that is to say … Today!

– A new "movement of the plane" 10% of the score of tax loopholes already reduced much of last year.Are concerned and niches favoring certain investments overseas, investment in rental housing (Scellier) or the tax credit on equipment green.

– The rising price of tobacco, alcohol and soft drinks: Tobacco prices will increase by 6% in October and again in 2012. Taxes on spirits will be increased by 90 cents per liter. Wines, rums and regional productions are not affected. With the same public health argument, a tax 'anti-obesity "on soft drinks will be introduced next year, the benefit of the social security. Mentioned several times over the past years, this project had so far been held in check by the food industry.

– The complementary health will be more severely taxed to report 1.1 billion euros in 2012.Even non-existent a year ago, the tax which perform mutual and private insurers on Contracts for additional "responsible" will double to 7%.

Contracts for Health "responsible" people do not pay deductibles (1 euro per visit, 50 cents per box of medicine …) or supplements for consultations with specialists outside managed care, and do not set their contributions according to the health of the insured. They represent over 90% market share. There is no doubt that further protest and say forced to raise their prices after this. To maintain a – small – incentive for this type of contract, the contract tax "not responsible" will she, range from 7% to 9%.

– The corporate tax will be amended to harmonize the rules with Germany.The government will propose the harmonization of the report deficits in terms of corporate taxes with the rules in force in Germany. Paris and Berlin had already announced their intention to create a "common corporation tax" in 2013.

– Increased social package of 6% to 8%. The social package is a levy paid by the employer on the amount it pays its employees under the employee savings plan (participation, sharing …). Currently 6%, this package will be raised by 2 points, rising to 8%. The social package was created in 2009 and raised by 2 points every year since. This should bring 400 million euros in savings.

These measures will be proposed to parliament next week for debate in early September and be implemented quickly.

The case of addiction, however, should suffer from this new austerity plan."Addressing this issue in the economic and financial climate is not responsible," said the Prime Minister.

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