Posts Tagged ‘stories’

Posted in Uncategorized, money, online, people, technology by admin on November 13th, 2011 | Comments Off

Olivier Cousin risk 40,000 euro fine. His crime: entering the word "Anjou Cabernet Franc" on simple organic table wines, the ones he produced in his area of ​​Martigné-Briand (Maine-et-Loire). Unbearable for an approach advocates the designation of origin (AOC) Anjou. They are however difficult to blame Olivier Cousin lack of attachment to their land. This strain Angevin, ecology freak, follower of harvesting by hand and horses love it so much because he refuses herbicides, sulfur and yeast. This is because the same AOC respected, he said, so little of nature (by allowing the addition of sugar and acid, even for the vintage enjoying a good climate!) He slammed the door, six years ago.

Las. Cousin may well sell organic wine at the best restaurants, the law is against it. "The AOC Anjou is protected by decree.We fight every day to defend our demarcated areas, "says Patrice Laurendeau, president of the Federation of Anjou wine. On the Internet, many blogs Cousin support and a petition was launched to the attention of the authorities.

The AOC, however, is not always the enemy of the bio. Throughout France, AOC wine producers there are already converted, along with other winemakers. From 2009 to 2010, the organic vineyard area has increased by 33%. As to represent 6.2% of the total area of ​​vines, and perhaps "10% in 2012," according to the Association of Independent Winegrowers France.

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The Paris Bourse chooses optimism and ends up

Posted in features, home, news, online, special by admin on October 14th, 2011 | Comments Off

The Paris Bourse, who did not know which way to turn this morning, finally chose optimism shortly before the opening of U.S. markets, and the day after a sharp drop in session. The CAC 40, which started up in shy and then fell below 3200 points in late morning, far back in the green earlier this afternoon. To 15 hours, he climbed 1.28% to 3227.37 points. The London FTSE is also up dansle green, up 1.37% to 5477.59 points. The Frankfurt Dax climbed meanwhile to 1.56%, passing over the threshold of 6000 points to 6006.86 points.

While the debt crisis still occupies all minds. Last night, Spain has been the target of the rating agencies.After Fitch, Standard and Poor's lowered turn a notch sovereign rating of Spain, to "AA-", citing the "uncertain prospects for growth" of the country and the likely further deterioration in the Spanish financial system . Banks are also in the viewfinder. While the leaders of the euro area support more vigorously a recapitalization of the sector, Fitch up seven institutions on negative watch, including French banks BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale.

However, investors welcomed the good news last night: the green light given by the Slovak Parliament to strengthen the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF). This gives air to the single European currency traded at 1.3802 dollars around 15 hours.

Debt problems in the euro zone should just stay in the heart of the Paris meeting, tonight and tomorrow until Saturday, finance ministers of the latter must include G20.Ces prepare the summit to be held in early November. France has also supported the idea of ​​making Thursday the EFSF bank. The markets have hopes of progress on the case.

Busy schedule

Operators also appreciate the battery indicator on both sides of the Atlantic side disappointment, inflation accelerated more than expected in September in the euro area, moving to 3% against 2.5% the month above, said Friday the EU statistics office Eurostat.

However the U.S., retail sales rose more than expected in September (1.1% against 0.7% expected). At the same time, import prices in the U.S. rose 0.3%.Rather reassuring statistics on the state of the U.S. economy. However, most investors expect the index of consumer sentiment for October and business inventories.

In China, inflation slowed slightly to 6.1% in September, against 6.2% in August, the government said Friday, but remains at a high level that does not bode a loosening of Chinese monetary policy.

Values ​​to follow

Banking sector

Placement on negative watch by Fitch of several institutions weighs on prices.BNP Paribas lost 3.49% to 32.18 euros, Societe Generale 2.62% to 21.04 euros and Credit Agricole 0.42% to 5.26 euros.

Veolia Environnement: 1.21% to 11.30 euros

The group has hired investment bank DC Advisory for the sale Citelum, a major global players in the lighting and electronic equipment areas, reports Les Echos.

Accor: 2.70% to 22.64 dollars

Already a leader in Asia Pacific, the group will open more than 200 by 2014, including doubling its presence in Indonesia, new land for expansion after China and India. The group also plans to sell seven hotels Suite Hotel, located mostly in Paris, for $ 77 million to a consortium of French investors.

CA Cheuvreux has decided to lower its price target from 35.5 to 29.5 euros to reflect the slowdown in the global economy but it remains to outperform.

Carrefour: 1.78% to 17.15 euros

Cheuvreux lowered its price target from 19 to 16 euros and remains under-performance.

GDF Suez: 1.58% to 23.49 euros

According to a report in Le Figaro, confirmed by a spokesman, the gas distributor has filed an appeal Thursday in the Council of State against the government's decision to freeze gas prices for individuals from 1 October.

Belvedere: 3.22% to 29.14 euros

The Court of Appeal of Nimes, which examined the validity of Thursday a new backup procedure given in July to spirits group, has reserved its decision on 1 December, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Eurazeo: 1.53% to 33.21 euros

The group announced Thursday an investment of 37 million euros in 3S Photonics, a French specialist in opto-electronic components including the Strategic Investment Fund held 18%.The operation, which includes a capital increase will allow Eurazeo to control 83% of 3S Photonics.

Stallergènes: 1.11% to 45.60 euros

The group confirmed Thursday its growth objectives and scope for this year despite the slowdown in activity growth in the third quarter.

Eutelsat: 1.16% to 29.74 euros

The group announced Thursday night that he would propose to the November 8th general meeting of shareholders to elect as president of its board of directors Jean-Martin Folz, former CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroën, succeeding Giuliano Berretta .

Netgem: -4.51% to 2.75 euros

The group reported Thursday a drop of 45% of its turnover in the first nine months of the year to 59.4 million euros and said that the forecast revenue in the second half would be comparable to the first.He added that his business continued to grow profitably, to increase cash flow.

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Thermal renovation of housing will be promoted

Posted in economic, publications, special, top news, world by admin on October 11th, 2011 | Comments Off

With the individual

The Finance Act 2012 goes a new movement of the plane 10% of the 14 tax loopholes already affected in 2011 (rental investment schemes, investment in unlisted companies including …). Although the tax credit for taxpayers conducting energy conservation work in their primary residence is no exception to the planing, the government decided to initiate a reform of assistive devices to the improving the energy performance of dwellings. He wants to promote major renovations including the return on investment is sometimes more than thirty years.This work financially unattractive, however, are needed to achieve the 38% reduction in consumption of existing buildings in the park, set by the Grenelle Environment Forum.

What work is encouraged?

To reach its target of 400,000 retrofits thermal year, the government intends to achieve more attractive bunches of work. Thus, taxpayers carrying the same year, at least two categories of work will receive a tax credit rates increased by 10 points, but the rate so obtained may not exceed 45%. This may include, for example, the joint realization of the wall insulation and the roof, along with installing a new boiler performance or installing a heat pump.The device, which was completed December 31, 2012, is extended for three years.

Bercy does he discourage some work?

Indeed, work is now less efficient on the spot. Thus, the installation of double glazed windows, entry door or shutters in a house no longer open right to the tax benefit if it is not accompanied by other work faxless payday advance. And when applied, the rate of the tax credit will be lowered to 11% in 2012. Similarly, the tax credit for installing solar panels for electricity production is seriously dented. The rate will increase from 22% to 13% and the tax benefit will be subject to a specific ceiling, set by decree.Costs savings are now included in an overall ceiling of € 8000 multi for a single person and 16,000 euros for a married or civil union, this amount being increased by € 400 per dependent.

Funding arrangements will they be improved?

In 2011, only 50,000 Eco-PTZ (interest-free loans granted for thermal renovation of housing) have been granted. A figure well below the objectives of the Grenelle Environment Forum. Therefore the government intends to make it more effective. Its maximum reimbursement would increase from 10 to 15 years when financing the simultaneous production of at least three kinds of work. This would apply to offers of loans issued from 1 April 2012.Similarly, to allow low-income households to achieve these major renovations, homes with an income tax benchmark tax is less than 30,000 euros per year will earn the Eco-PTZ and the tax credit. And, for offers of loans issued from January 1, 2012.

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Air France will wait for his new boss

Posted in economic, finance, news, opinions, special by admin on September 21st, 2011 | Comments Off

There is electricity in the air when it comes to the estate of Pierre-Henri Gourgeon at the head of Air France. The future boss of the Air France-KLM in 2014, must initially be appointed head of the only Air France. The Board of Directors of the Company held Wednesday will not be an opportunity to put an end to the war of suitors. The four directors who comprise the Nominating Committee decided to take their time. It is only in the coming weeks as the quartet will present its recommendation, hoping to bring some calm and find a consensus on the board.

The "wise men" are aware that the candidate will also appeal to the state, which supports the candidacy of Alexander Juniac, adviser to the Minister of Economy, Baroin instant personal loans guaranteed.Pierre-Henri Gourgeon is on the same line, but not Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Group Chairman, a supporter of the appointment of a "pro" for a business sector heckled by the TGV, the low-cost, companies of Gulf and Asian competition.

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Despite sluggish growth, employment improves

Posted in Uncategorized, features, international, news, resources by admin on August 14th, 2011 | Comments Off

It's the only bright spot in the dark landscape cyclical French: the labor market continued to regain strength. In the second quarter, 68,300 jobs were created in the nonprofit sector. This is 10,000 more than in the first quarter.

The tertiary sector contributes almost exclusively to these creations (57,200 jobs), the industry confirms his recovery: 6600 jobs were created in this sector, according to Insee. This is his second consecutive quarter of growth. "This sector lost jobs every quarter since 2001," says INSEE.

Only government minister to be able to celebrate yesterday, Xavier Bertrand (Labour, Employment, Health) welcomed that "210,600 jobs a year (have) been created." He sees "a positive signal about the vitality of the real economy." This movement is all the more surprising that growth has been sluggish in recent months.

"You have to look at the figure of 0% over the period issued yesterday: considering the annual growth and relating to the last four quarters, we see that the quarterly growth rate is invariably French 0.4%, says Frédéric Gonand, associate professor of economics at Paris Dauphine. This shows that even with 1.6% annual rate, which corresponds to its potential growth, France is creating jobs. "

According to Dares, the index of the basic monthly wage (SMB) increased by 0.6% in the second quarter, representing an increase of 2.1% over one year. This significant increase of basic wages does not mean a sharp increase in the purchasing power of households. In the second quarter, prices rose 0.5% year on year and they operate around 2%.The purchasing power has improved very little, which explains the weakness of consumption in recent months.

Disinflation energy

But-and this is another rare good news in the farm figures released yesterday, according to Insee, the consumer prices fell by 0.4% in July. A decline mainly due balances but also by the expansion of energy prices. Under these conditions, if the job market continues to grow at the same pace as earlier this year, the disposable income of households could improve a little.

"Disinflation energy currently underway should provide some support the purchasing power of households," say economists at Natixis.The main pillar of the French economy will be a little stronger in the second half, provided that the fiscal savings provided by the government do not result in a tax grab too much, the experts continue to Natixis.

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The course crazy rumor that rocked Société Générale

Posted in Uncategorized, economic, finance, online, technology by admin on August 12th, 2011 | Comments Off

It all starts in late July in the French newspaper Le Monde. In a lively pen, "Philae" tells, in twelve parts, how a role play between two traders who are bored leads to rumors of a plot against Angela Merkel and the euro, all on the eve of elections French law of May 2012 ….

In this series of summer, we follow the wanderings of a young journalist from the Wall Street Journal sent to Frankfurt, headquarters of the European Central Bank and the financial hub of Germany. The names of the characters in the story are well known: Bruno Le Maire, portrays in Germanophile finance minister, Mario Draghi, Governor of the BCE, to the old speculator George Soros. On the agenda of the masters of the economy, threats to Societe Generale, next target of a takeover bid, and the Italian bank UniCredit.Their exposure to Greek debt fueling concerns.

Although it is amazed by the accuracy of the descriptions and the likelihood of situations, the informed reader understands that this is a fiction. In August 2011, Bruno Le Maire is not finance minister, but of Agriculture, and Italy's Mario Draghi has not made the head of the ECB, which is still headed by Jean-Claude Trichet.

On a rumor of a fall fiction real

It seems, however, whether this summer series that has inspired the fictional journalists Mail on Sunday, the Sunday edition of the Daily Mail for a story published Sunday catastrophic. In this paper, Simon Watkins and Dan Atkins have Societe Generale "at the brink of bankruptcy after terrible losses from its exposure to the Greek debt" and UniCredit "could collapse so similar" to the French bank.

The journalists added that "David Cameron has interrupted his vacation last night [Saturday, ed] to discuss the situation with Nicolas Sarkozy", a fact that has not been confirmed but exists also in the series of daily French.

Listed on online sites such as CNN mentioned on many forums, Twitter by many users, copied on blogs, the article from Monday, August 8 heat the rumor machine. Many elements accrediting effect the veracity of the article in the Mail on Sunday: Societe Generale is very exposed to the Greek crisis. August 3, his boss Frédéric Oudéa announced quarterly earnings down after a depreciation of 395 million euros for the shares of Greek states.

Wednesday morning the rumor that the company would be general in a situation so serious that the French government should intervene to save her is growing the market. The surprise announcement of a meeting at the Elysee Palace on the financial situation in the morning is a bombshell, and credibility to the words of the Mail on Sunday. The lack of communication officers of the Societe Generale does not help.

Meanwhile, as the stock market collapsed and with it the other financial stocks. At the heart of a black session, rumors succeed: France could lose its triple AAA, the government must save the banking system …

Only the evening that the management of Societe Generale denounces rumors and application to the financial markets opened an investigation into the launch of these sounds.But the damage is done: the bank saw its stock melted from 14.7% in one trading session.

A series of unexplained errors

Several questions remain: how an article in the Sunday edition of a tabloid, usually specializing in photographic study of cellulite British starlets, he could be taken seriously and set fire to the stock market ? How is it also possible that the two journalists of the text may have been confused, which to be inspired by what has been a fiction?

The text of Philae is, indeed, confusing realism. Hidden under the pseudonym, a journalist from the Tribune, Brussels correspondent of the daily economic, and whose employment by the evening paper did cringe at the writing of the World.A French bank would also indignant at the tone of the newspaper that gave off the soap truth, so much so that the newspaper added from 1 August 1 line warning: "Le Monde reminds its readers that situations, facts and figures reported in this fiction is imaginary and should not be taken as an expression of reality. "

There are no quotes in the article by Watkins and Atkins, which are directly drawn from the World Series, but the charges against SocGen and UniCredit, and the words of the intervention of Nicolas Sarkozy to be found in both documents. The Daily Mail has deleted Article guilty of its online site and apologized, acknowledging that the paper was based on "false information". Thursday noon, the Cac 40 fell below the symbolic threshold of 3,000 points, while Societe Generale fell by 7.26%.

Lafarge issues a warning on its results

Posted in business, economy, people, technology, top news by admin on July 28th, 2011 | Comments Off

Despite a sales increase of 3% to 7.9 billion euros in the first half and stable at 4.4 billion euros in the second quarter, Lafarge reported income down sharply from 34% to 260 million euros in the first half. The group warned that inflation and exchange rate effects will weigh on annual results. "The sector is still affected by high inflation and the absence of global recovery in developed countries," said Bruno Lafont, CEO of Lafarge, said in a statement.Half-year net income was, indeed, benefited last year, a gain of 160 million euros after selling its 17.28% interest in the Portuguese group Cimpor.

Weighed down by a huge debt of 14 billion euros, the rating agency Standard & Poor's has pushed the note of cement to the level of speculative transmitter – Lafarge claims to be "on track" to meet its debt reduction target of at least two billion euros in 2011. Two weeks ago, the group sold its gypsum in Europe and America in the Belgian Etex to € 1 billion (enterprise value) and they could sell in North America and Asia.In the second quarter, the group achieved 50 million savings in structural costs, $ 100 million since the beginning of the year, in line with the objective of a reduction of at least 200 million in 2011 .

The group still expects an increased demand for cement and provides a market growth between 2% and 5% in 2011 compared to 2010.

Debt: Washington must "act quickly"

Posted in business, finance, online, publications, world by admin on July 27th, 2011 | Comments Off

In the case of debt, time is a luxury that the United States as Europe can not afford. This is the message sent Tuesday by Christine Lagarde, director of the International Monetary Fund. Welcoming the plan against the crisis of the Greek debt presented Thursday by EU leaders, the French hoped "that these bold steps will be followed in the United States and that action in the fiscal area will occur as quickly as possible."

In Washington, "the clock is forever and you really find a solution," insisted Christine Lagarde. Democrats and Republicans can not agree on U.S. debt, then that must be addressed prior to August 2 the maximum amount that the state can borrow in the markets (the ceiling of the debt). Otherwise the U.S. will not reimburse investors.

"Having a default or a significant reduction in the rating assigned to the signing of the United States, an event would be very, very, very serious. Not for the U.S. only, but for the world economy in general, "said the leader of the IMF. In the longer term, the IMF has asked the United States Monday to hand over "the debt to a sustainable path." U.S. debt until recently was considered by investors as an investment "safe".

If it is proved otherwise, the consequences could be incalculable. The United States "can not default on their obligations," said John Boehner, a Republican official in Congress. "The jobs and savings of too many Americans (are) in."

Threat of 'turbulence'

Europe is no exception.After the summit on Thursday, the leaders of the euro area should continue their efforts, Christine Lagarde warned: "The plan was welcomed by financial markets, as evidenced by the stronger euro and lower spreads rates on bonds of the periphery. But the turmoil could easily reappear. For this reason it is essential that the commitments of the summit are implemented quickly. "

Problem: The plan must be submitted to national parliaments for approval. "This will be done in the coming weeks. This will not happen overnight because, as is often the case in many developed economies of the Northern Hemisphere, August is relatively calm. And parliaments are closed, "admitted the director of the IMF. But Europeans do not have the luxury of taking their time.I think there is an expectation that things should move forward and be implemented not only by the countries directly concerned but also by governments who, as I said, kept their promises. "

To help stem the debt crisis, the IMF disbursed $ 330 billion to date, also recalled Christine Lagarde. Given this fact, the IMF might have to seek new funds to its member countries, its director admitted: "In the not too distant future we will probably take an interest in this issue."

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Debt: dialogue of the deaf in the United States

Posted in economic, economics, events, international, life by admin on July 16th, 2011 | Comments Off

The lack of consensus in Washington on ways to prevent a default by the U.S. Treasury in early August was still crying Friday. "We are clearly running out of time we have left. So I asked members of Congress to give me, within 24 to 36 hours, an indication of the plan that will raise the debt ceiling, "said Barack Obama. The American president has reiterated its willingness to accept adjustments in social programs, that number of elected its own camp, however, refused. But he asks the same time to give the Republicans on tax increases, or at least, on the elimination of tax loopholes, "The Republican voters are willing to (in) to accept," he said, citing recent surveys.

"We're not Greece or Portugal. We do not need to do something drastic, "said Barack Obama.The situation of the United States is indeed very different from the peripheral countries of Europe are grappling with the crisis of sovereign debt. Nevertheless: the absence of a congressional vote before August 2, the U.S. Treasury can no longer borrow as it has already reached the limit of its debt. It would be forced to stop paying some of its creditors.

"Golden Rule" Republican

Shortly before the intervention of Barack Obama, John Boehner, chairman of the House of Representatives, promised the adoption by his fellow Republicans of a "robust plan" to raise the debt ceiling to 2.4 trillion dollars. This text does not include any tax increases, cap on federal spending and also provides for the adoption of a constitutional amendment such as "golden rule" to prevent budget deficits. In other words, it is unlikely to generate a consensus in the Senate.Barack Obama has confirmed that he opposed it.

In the Senate, bipartisan negotiations, subtle and inventive, continue. The leaders of both parties hope to combine a reduction of expenditures in the order of at least 1 000 billion over ten years, raising the ceiling to be de facto delegated by Congress to the President.

The aim is to enable elected not to vote explicitly for raising the ceiling or to the tax increase. Increasing the cap would take place in three stages and maximum total amount would be 2 500 billion, just enough to allow the Treasury to pay all his debts until after the 2012 elections.

According to the proposed scheme, only two-thirds majority in both houses can block increases ceiling decided by Barack Obama. It does not say that this effort to succeed.Or that the elected House of Representatives accept the principle or detail. The installation is complicated as it may be associated with a new method of reduction in social health (Medicare) and retirement (Social Security). A bipartisan commission would draw up by the end of a list of savings to be realized.

Windows phone by Nokia in the fall

Posted in business, economy, finance, resources, technology by admin on June 22nd, 2011 | Comments Off

Pending the arrival of his eagerly awaited first smartphone with the Windows operating system Phone at the end of the year, and production "mass" in 2012, we have to wait markets and customers. That Stephen Elop, president of Nokia strived to do during the CommunicAsia exhibition in Singapore. "Our main strategy in the field of smartphones is to focus on the Windows phone," he said, for its next billion mobile.

For Nokia, it is urgent. Last month, the group issued a warning on its sales and results, giving even to make predictions, as the period is difficult.Its sales continue to decline, it would hold more than 13.1% of the smartphone market in the first quarter against 25% a year earlier.

But maintaining a strong presence of the Symbian operating system in its range and choice of Microsoft at the expense of Android leave many doubts cast. While the number of applications available on a smartphone is a paramount requirement, the Finn is not in the race. It strives for the time to catch up in smartphones, highlighting the N9 in Singapore, expected to outdo the iPhone and Android to its competitors. To do so, Nokia boasts jumble "three home pages," his "handy user interface," "better voice quality," connectivity … The N9 (under platform Meego) is also equipped with a NFC connection, which enables contactless payments.With this feature, shows that Nokia is still able to board the train for a new technology, not to watch the competition from without it.

With the launch of three new models (N8, E7, C7 and C6-01 will be sold in July) Nokia has pushed the highlight of its commitment to Symbian OS. These terminals will be equipped with the new update system Symbian Anna. Novelty of this new version, it will be downloadable for those who have already bought one of these phones. And over the next twelve months, Nokia will market up to ten new smartphones based on Symbian. From there to imagine that the Finnish and protects against possible setbacks of its U.S. partner, there is only one step.It also reaffirms its loyalty and its customers, accustomed to its operating system, and that it might lose by abandoning it completely. Hence the idea to favor a smooth transition.

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