Aug 14 2011

Attendants independent struggle for survival

Tag: economics, money, online, special, worldadmin @ 2:28 am

The attendant of the Magi does not believe in miracles. In this village of the Cevennes Gard, Jacky controller takes the last independent station. "When I moved in 1984, there were eight stations on the road, remember Jacky, a bit fatalistic. I will be retired in a year, and no one will resume the activity. "

The disappearance of the gas station of the Magi was certainly inevitable. In 1985, there were 29,750 service stations, according to the French Union of Petroleum Industries (Ufip). Since the network has disintegrated. They were more last year than 7149, only 1538 independent. Regression for the benefit of a large area stations: 2250 26 years ago, they are now 4902.

Financial support

But to make matters worse, the service station owners are now faced with a challenge.Finance the upgrading of their facilities necessitated by the transposition of European directives into French law, whose applications are expected for a period from 2013 to 2020.

These regulations impose progressively strengthen the provisions for recovering gasoline vapors during the refueling of vehicles to fight against air pollution, compliance with new distances "between the devices and distribution from a public establishment or of a building inhabited "rearrangements of tracks, but also the installation of double-walled tanks.

"There's € 20 000," says Jacky Regula. The attendant of the Magi is all the more bitter than the prices differ by only a penny from the Intermarché neighbor. "I'm fighting with my cash and pay my suppliers in five days to get the best price.But to be profitable, it takes at least a margin of seven cents per liter, "says he.

"These obligations can result in decisions to stop activity by owner-operators with two main reasons: the high level of investment and the inability to meet the new standards such as safety distances," warns the Ufip.

Brigitte Bros., owner of the resort village of Lozère Malbouzon (160 inhabitants), near the A75 motorway, is categorical: "The standards being too expensive. It will not work. "Just for the two pumps, estimate amount to € 60 000. "It is amortized over a hundred years, she joked. The station is to be helpful. There are not many in the corner. It is open seven days a weekIt's a real public service. "

Brigitte Bros. has yet stepped up efforts to keep his business, where a liter of diesel is € 1.55, or about 16 cents more than in a supermarket. Managed for nine years by Evelyne Perret is the only gas pump to 10 miles around, and one of the five supply points independent of the department.With about 6000 liters of fuel sold each month, the station scrapes, supported by the activity of the restaurant, coffee Perret, with its workers to 12 € menu.

At the number of closures announced, the Professional Committee of the fuel distribution has developed budgets that can partially support the small owner.

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Aug 06 2011

The Paris Bourse reassured by U.S. employment

Tag: economics, economy, features, money, technologyadmin @ 11:12 am

After nine sessions of declines, with a final closing last fall, and early trading down 3% Friday morning, the Cac 40 rebounds. But last month, the benchmark index of the Paris stock exchange has lost 17%. Suffice to say that it takes up 2% at 14:30 will not be enough to regain the ground lost. This change in trend, however, marks a return of enthusiasm among investors, and this improvement is welcome as the context was sluggish in recent days.

The breath of fresh air came from the United States, where the release of employment figures for the month of July has created a pleasant surprise, and somewhat allayed doubts about growth.

The United States has in fact been a net creation of 117,000 jobs during the last month.a figure that is 38% higher than that which is law in the community of analysts who had forecast 85,000 new jobs created, at best.

With these hires more dynamic than expected, the U.S. unemployment rate ebbs. 0.1 points. But, however small it is, this figure is enough to pleasantly surprise the markets that relied on a stable unemployment rate in the U.S..

Other exchanges in Europe are more timid in the rebound

Other major European financial centers reduce their losses, but with more caution. To 15 hours, the Footsie-100 from the London Stock Exchange limit its losses to 0.2% to 5338 points (-2.58% against the opening).

However, the Dax 30 of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange is down quite markedly, falling 0.83% to 6361 points (-3.85% against the beginning of the meeting). The Brussels Bel 20 was down 1.08% to 2199 points (-3.61% against the opening).

Milan and Madrid, who were moving against the tide this morning, buoyed by market rumors suggesting an intervention by the ECB, their speed increases. In Italy, the MIB FTSE gains 1.66% at 17,160 points while the Spanish Ibex rose 2.09% to 1868 points.

The trade deficit of France back in June

Other macroeconomic news: the trade deficit of France. He was greatly reduced in June to 5.598 billion euros, after 6.415 billion in May, according to data released Friday by Customs.

On the podium of the largest declines the CAC 40, Unibail-Rodamco lost 4.49% to 137.3 euros, Technip loose 2.55% to 62.95 euros and Lafarge drops 2.35% to 30.995 euros.

Natixis: 8.46% to 3.012 euros

Natixis on Thursday posted a net profit above expectations in the second quarter thanks to a sharp increase in the contribution of results from regional banks of its parent BPCE (People's Bank – Savings Bank).

Dexia: -2.9% to 1.608 euros

Dexia announced the heaviest loss in its history, a performance due to both the sale of a portfolio of toxic assets – centerpiece of its restructuring plan – and its contribution to the aid plan on sovereign debt Greek.

Carrefour: 1.21% to 18.79 euros

Carrefour announced a new reorganization of its management, including replacing its chief financial officer, when the group just straightening operations in France and suffered a major strategic setback in Brazil.

LVMH: 1.74% to 117.20 euros

LVMH said Thursday it had received approval from Consob, the Italian stock market authority, for offering Italian jeweler Bulgari on which he announced the takeover in March.

Vicat: 0.41% to 46.99 euros

Vicat said Thursday expect a slight reduction of its operating margin in 2011 due to the revolution in Egypt, rising energy costs and start-up costs of factories in India.


Jul 11 2011

"RTL is an amazing casting"

Tag: economic, economics, finance, international, specialadmin @ 9:40 pm

The player is used by default in the articles of figaro.fr. maj6


Jul 08 2011

New political crisis for Japan

Tag: finance, publications, special, technology, worldadmin @ 7:44 pm

The Minister of Finance of Japan, Yoshihiko Noda, confirmed the government's desire to Naoto Kan to resign by the end of the summer. Asked this morning on the casting vote of a law allowing Tokyo to issue bonds to cover the budget deficit, the Treasury official said the Japanese team in place "take responsibility". The day before, Minister of Commerce Banri Kaieda had entrusted his intention to retire after the adoption of the famous law by the Parliament met until the end of August, adding that other ministers "may have the same intentions." The current government believes that the next budget will not be held if the law does not low fee pay day loans.

Finance Minister this morning held a press conference to present the trade figures. Japan's current account surplus fell 51.7% in May to 7.3 billion, compared to the previous year.A drop weaker than economists' forecasts, which expect a recovery in the economy, hard hit by the earthquake of March 11, faster than expected. Many Japanese factories have been forced to suspend production due to damaged sites and disruptions in electricity supplies. But exports could rebound in the coming months.

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Jul 06 2011

A moderate recovery in the pub in the third quarter

Tag: economics, events, people, top news, worldadmin @ 2:04 pm

A calm and a return was less loud than last year, that's what forecasters expect Havas Media between July and September on the French advertising market: according to figures from the Fast MPG indicator, released today, growth net investments in the media will reach 1.3% in the third quarter.

"The figure is not large in absolute terms but remains positive, and the base effect, as compared to the same period last year, will not be favorable," said Regine Tournier, Deputy Director in charge of purchasing Havas Media. The market should remain on trends in April and May, a slowdown after successive quarters of rebound recorded since January 2010."There are a lot of attention from advertisers, or the advertising market is closely linked to GDP," says Regine Tournier, underlining at the same time that one is not present provided a turnaround. "The market is fairly soft, but in digital."

In the detailed forecasts by media, Internet is the best advertising medium oriented in the third quarter, with an anticipated growth of 9.7%. "The video format is continuing to win and extend more the speeches on television, notes Valerie Ghezail, design manager at Havas Media.Advertisers of food, which were pretty far back, or those of health and beauty and luxury become familiar with the formats premium. "A dynamic that will eventually rub off on mobile investments, say specialist media agency, which noted however that the strategies "multiscreen" advertisers do not yet support this, despite the existence of audience measurement of mobile users Médiamétrie for nine months cash advance no faxing.

In comparison, the third quarter should be subdued for television (1.4%), the beginning of September does not counterbalance the traditional quiet months of July and August. The telecom sector could still surprise, departing earlier than expected from the operator which will launch its offer Free mobile and could force its competitors to defend their positions.

The display should change in the market (+1.3%).Important sector, the distribution has now become accustomed to very local campaigns, while the car tends to divest this medium.

World Cup effect

In radio, after a positive start to the year from its family of traditional advertisers (retail, automobile), the trend looks rather stable (+1.8%). Such as television and the Web, the media should take effect in September's World Cup rugby in New Zealand, with the spread of matches in the morning.

As for the press, the trend will be even negative (-2.9%), despite the proliferation of new forms in magazines and some interesting initiatives, such as the launch of e-GIE Press Premium, which brings together since June 30 eight daily headlines and news magazine.


Jun 11 2011

Drought has plagued the French industry in April

Tag: Uncategorized, life, people, publications, specialadmin @ 10:56 am

The wrong number of French industrial production in April cache of surprises. Certainly, the activity of the entire industry fell 0.3% over this period, while forecasters had expected a rise of 0.4% and economists agree to observe a slowdown of the dynamics the first quarter. But the details of the figures in April can put this performance-cons.

Besides the automotive industry continues to suffer with the end of the scrapping (-2.2% on the month), the energy seems to be the main cause of industrial slowdown in April. Electricity production (-5.6%) was significantly affected by unseasonable temperatures, households cut heating, explain heart economists at BNP Paribas and Societe Generale.Same explanation for the drop of 7.5% of the refining, weighed by lower consumption of heating oil.

The average temperature in April has exceeded its normal seasonal 1.7 degrees, placing the period from seven months to April the warmest since 1950. Beware, however: "The figures are very volatile energy from one month to another and this subset weighs relatively little in the overall index of industrial production," Camille Williencourt shade, Natixis.

Other areas seem to have benefited from a recovery in investment. Equipment and electrical machinery and electronics rose 1.3% in just one month, offsetting a fall in March. Transport equipment, non-automotive jumped 2.5%."These figures are in line with the recent study by INSEE on the investment outlook, anticipating a strong rebound in business spending on equipment", says Michael Martinez, of Société Générale CIB.

Still, he recalls Camille Williencourt that "the French industrial activity is expected to slow significantly in 2011 after rising 5.1% in 2010." It is difficult to predict how the magnitude of the slowdown, according to the economist, with one side a weakened consumer spending in France, but on the other, very dynamic export to Germany.


May 25 2011

Bank cards, popular but costly

Tag: Uncategorized, economy, features, news, technologyadmin @ 12:48 am

Over the years, the credit card has become the preferred means of payment by the French, far ahead of the check. Very practical, its use costs, however, rather expensive, according to a study of the UFC-Que Choisir on Tuesday. This points to the "opacity of costs" charged by banks. Beginning with the annual fee, which averages to 47.80 euros. The most common international standard card with immediate debit (72.3% of users), is itself, charged EUR 36.30 per year on average. "Now, 15.30 euro had" no economic justification Identified, "says UFC-Que Choisir.

Adjust their shopping with a credit card can also be very expensive, if payment incident.Especially since, in most cases (64% of purchases), the payment terminal of the merchant does not verify the consumer's account is sufficiently powered.

Result, the consumer too much cricket will be charged fees, commissions called for intervention (8.50 euros on average per transaction). Customers without overdraft (23% in 2010 according to the documentary credit) would pay annually 2.7 billion euros in fresh incidents due to their credit card, including 1.8 billion euros for the only commissions intervention whereas the processing cost of these operations is evaluated by the CFU to 172 million. "This represents 83% margins for banks," Alain Bazot advance, the president of the Association, which campaigns for the abolition of these commissions.It will soon present to the Ministry of Economy of proposals to achieve a "credit card responsibly."

Strong reaction from banks

Just like what happens to our neighbors, she also advocates changing to a system that would systematically check whether the client can pay his purchase. It also proposes to set up a "modular card," because "banks are distributing cards are oversized in relation to the real needs of customers."

Banks have reacted strongly Tuesday. French Banking Federation (FBF) has reiterated that the "system of bank cards offer a service from a very high quality appreciated by customers."In addition, "certain proposals of the UFC-Que Choisir go against the freedom of customer choice and lead to an overall decline in the level of service, as the desire to impose a system to permit systematic" concludes the FBF.

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May 18 2011

The Cac 40 attempts to revive

Tag: Uncategorized, economics, events, international, opinionsadmin @ 4:48 am

This had not happened for a month. The Cac 40 closed on Monday below 4000 points, among others penalized by bank stocks. Investors worried about a new crisis on the debt of the euro area after the arrest of the International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Leaded by the poor performance of banking stocks all morning, stock index is now up in the green, thanks to the rebound … banks.The Cac 40 rose 0.21% to 3998.06 points, flirting with 4000 points.

At the London Stock Exchange, the FTSE-100 fell by 0.33% to 5,904.27 points and Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the DAX 30 lost 0.55% to 7346.81 points.

Monday night, Wall Street has ended the session down in response to the publication of indicators revealing the fragility of U.S. recovery.

The Euro continues Tuesday

In the absence of corporate results announcements, the index will evolve with ads that will be made following the meeting of EU finance ministers to discuss particular mechanisms of financial aid in the euro area. On the issue of Greece's debt, the Europeans are divided.

After starting the session again difficult, banking stocks will resume in late morning.BNP Paribas climbed from 1.32% to 53.78 euros, gaining 0.55% Natixis to 3.82 euros, Societe Generale rising from 1.23% to 42.44 euros and Credit Agricole takes 0.18% to 10 95 euros.

EU: lower sales of new cars

On the macroeconomic front, the new car registrations in the European Union fell 2.7% annual rate over the months from January to April, according to figures released Tuesday by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (Acea). On April alone, new registrations 1089.118 were recorded, representing a decline of 4.1% over one year.

Peugeot was down 1.07% to 30.136 euros and Renault lost 0.66% to 39.79 euros.

United States, are scheduled starts of dwellings in April (14.30) and industrial production in April (15.15).

On the currency markets, the euro rose slightly against the dollar, from 0.16% to 1.4183 dollar.

Energy stocks retreat

On the corporate side, the energy values ​​suffer from the decline in commodity prices. Total coward 0.88% to 40.20 euros and Vallourec dropped 1.04% to 87.69 euros.EDF lost 0.71% to 28.67 euros and GDF Suez sold 0.83% to 25.66 euros.

Bouygues: -3.90% to 32.64 euros (largest decrease in the Cac 40)

Bouygues raised slightly on Monday its goal of annual sales after a first quarter marked by a rebound in activity but penalized at the net contribution by Alstom.

Vivendi: +0.36% at 19.30 euros

Vivendi announced Monday it had obtained signed with a syndicate of 17 banks a new line of credit totaling € 5 billion that will allow it to optimize the management of its bank debt at the time of the acquisition of the 44 % of SFR held by Vodafone.

Publicis: 0.29% to 38.58 euros

Publicis buys U.S. digital marketing agency Rosetta for at least $ 575 million – the agreement provides that an additional payment may be made in 2014 to Rosetta in the case of good performance over the period 2011-2013.

Carrefour wants IPO for its real estate assets

Carrefour: 2.26% to 30.95 euros (largest increase Cac 40)

During its Investor Day being held in Paris from 9:15 Carrefour confirmed its intention to IPO for its real estate assets, Carrefour Property.

The group also said that the demerger of its business Dia hard discount will be in the form of the distribution of a dividend. Carrefour expects the IPO of Dia in Madrid on July 5 is valued at about four billion euros.


Apr 11 2011

French firms highly vulnerable

Tag: economic, international, money, resources, worldadmin @ 8:32 am

"French companies are literally looting!" Provides cybercriminologue Laurence Ifrah. They suffer all computer attacks. But these cases generally stifled so as not to alter their image. "Overall, worldwide, the flight data company has harmed more than one trillion dollars according to a study by McAfee, a company specializing in security computer. "France is among the most affected countries," said the specialist Symantec Norton Antivirus editor.

Strategic sectors like defense, aerospace, nuclear and all technology companies are particularly targeted. "Once an international tender was launched, espionage is taking place. Everyone tries to know the competitors' proposals, to adjust his own, "explains Laurence Ifrah.These flights also allow a "transfer" of technology at low cost.

All countries benefit

The Chinese are chronically designated as sponsors of these raids computer. According to the English equivalent of the DGSE, the MI6 contingent of engineers trained in the offensive would do well for three "Silicon Valley" of China. They carry out massive attacks and did not fear reprisals. Because it is always difficult to prove the origin of these intrusions.

They are not the only ones to steal data. All countries benefit from this golden age of intelligence information, while companies or sometimes even government services have yet to take drastic measures to protect. Because computer security is extremely restrictive. Should stop using their iPhone or BlackBerry, easily tapped.Or reduce the use of the Internet dedicated rooms within companies! It is also necessary to correct any faults computer. But maintaining the traffic slows, sometimes crippling computers. Many companies compare the cost and the risks putting off repairs.

"Anyone can copy the information in five minutes"

Thus, the pirates come from the world's most easily identified by holes. It should also be encrypted. "If the hard disk of a laptop is not encrypted, anyone can copy the information into five minutes and come away with without anyone noticing," says Bashir Mana, General Manager Europe, Middle East and Africa at Kroll, a specialist in risk management payday loans for self employed.Which concludes: "If a technology group spends less than 1% of its turnover to security, there is danger." But this is common.

Moreover, the computer circuits are not sufficiently "segmented" according to security experts. Just like the secret recipe for Coca-Cola, "we must never deliver the orders in full system to a single person." Even confidence! The data are too widely accessible to employees. The Wikileaks case and its diplomatic cables probably recovered without difficulty by a disgruntled soldier showed he does not build walls around a site to protect it, that threats also come from within. "At least 20% of information theft are caused by employees," according to computer security company Verizon.Some start with, it judging owners.

"The human is the weak link"

Others are in dispute with the company to disclose and seek revenge. Researchers at the International Centre for Comparative Criminology, Audrey Asseman and Benoît Dupont, have also started work modeling of risk factors among employees. Because "the human remains the weakest link."

Most employees become unwitting accomplices, however. Bribe or convince remains difficult, costly and risky. The new spies prefer "social engineering" to approach a target, know your Facebook friends, sign an email with a credible name known to the employee opens the unsuspecting and the book business to a Trojan ."The most effective attacks are those that are lighter and technologically the most discreet as an industry program extends over many months," says Nicolas Arpagian, scientific director of digital security ring at the National Institute of Studies of security and justice. Spies split files and schedule their departure in the day, while masses of messages flow.

These threats of espionage are now known. But in general, after a computer attack scale, the companies are reviewing their security arrangements.

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Apr 07 2011

Sanofi alliance with Qatar for research in diabetes

Tag: economics, features, money, top news, worldadmin @ 6:24 pm

Diabetes closer Sanofi-Aventis and Qatar. The laboratory lights and the Qatar Foundation signed a few weeks ago a research agreement on the use of stem cells in treating diabetes. Tens of millions of euros and twenty scientists will be assigned to such work on the new pandemic of the 21st century. Diabetes is among the main centers of development of Sanofi, which aims to become world leader in this market. The sixth world laboratory has also concluded, on March 24, yet another partnership on this issue with the Medical Center Columbia University in New York. "Diabetes is also a fundamental issue for Qatar," said Dr. Abdelali Haoud, vice-president in charge of the Research Division of the Qatar Foundation.The disease already affects more than 12% of the population in the Gulf, which is a hold twice as high as in the rest of the world.

Each partner is innovating with this agreement. Sanofi signs its first research project in the Middle East and the Qatar Foundation's first agreement with a major pharmaceutical company same day payday loans. But health is far from being a new world for this small state of 1.8 million inhabitants, who intends to use the windfall from natural gas and oil to turn into a society based on knowledge ("knowledge based society ").

Qatar affects 2.8% of GDP, 3.5 billion dollars last year, training and research in three main areas: information technology, energy, and especially health. The Qatar Foundation has already put $ 7.9 billion available to the academic hospital and a pole Sidra Home biotech began in late 2009.The Qatar National Research Fund, another offshoot of the foundation of the small emirate has invested 230 million dollars over three years to fund approximately 80 centers and institutes and private research worldwide. Finally, the first biobank of the region, that is to say a central storage of biological samples, just to see the day in Doha.


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