International Headlines and Stories

On his knees by the crisis, U.S. automakers rose. After Ford, who made $ 6.6 billion profit last year, General Motors on Thursday posted a net profit of $ 4.7 billion for 2010.

This is the first time the number one U.S. makes money since 2004. This is the same for its biggest profits since 1999. In 2009, the automaker had lost $ 4.4 billion between leaving bankruptcy in July and the end of the year, after accumulating 82 billion deficit in 2005-2008.

"Last year was a rebuilding year, welcomes Dan Akerson, chief executive of GM. "We are particularly pleased that GM has managed to generate continued profitability, while the sectoral cycle was near its floor."

The group has benefited from dramatic cost reductions made during its bankruptcy.Result, with a saving of about $ 2,000 per car, the Detroit giant has approached the production costs of its Asian rivals.

Meanwhile, the group benefited from the rebound in sales in the U.S. (+7.2%), and its strong position in China, where it sold 2.35 million vehicles.

Opel still losing

GM has not yet won that $ 510 million in the fourth quarter poor credit personal loans. The American, who had suspended some projects during the crisis has revived the model developments, which increased its costs. The recent launches of the Chevrolet Volt (electric) and Cruz have created other expenses.

The Achilles heel of the group remains Europe, where its subsidiary Opel has still not profitable: it lost $ 600 million last quarter."In Europe, we strive to continue to lower our breakeven point, with further cost reductions," said Dan Akerson.

Another concern: the surge in oil prices. During the crisis, the group had paid a high price for its reliance on big vehicles. Not wishing to commit the same mistake, since GM has invested in small cars. "Honestly, I do not know if American consumers want these models. But we must be prepared if the price of gasoline exploding again and tip the demand towards fuel-efficient models, "explained Steve Girsky in January, GM's vice president in charge of strategy and product development . Only problem, small cars are far less profitable than the 4 × 4 and the pickup.

Again, EDF should not reassure investors. In fiscal 2010, net income Electrician tricolor plunged 73.9% to 1.02 billion euros against more than 3 billion expected by analysts on average. Involved a heavy load and a provision for change in scope, which complicates the interpretation of results.

The group's profits have been sealed by a special charge of nearly $ 2.9 billion, including $ 1 billion in the United States and 915 million in Italy. EDF owns half of Constellation Energy's nuclear activities the United States and half of Edison in Italy. The provisions made in 2010 also cover the additional costs incurred by following the extension EDF in France transitory regulated tariff for market adjustment (Tartam), a specific tariff for businesses. Thus, excluding items, earnings would have the group rose 11.3% to 3.96 billion euros.

The annual operating results are thus more in line with expectations. EBITDA, the EBITDA, rose 4.4% to 16.62 billion euros, above the 16.45 million euros expected by analysts and objectives of the group was a Organic growth in EBITDA, of between 3 and 5% in 2010. Turnover is also in line with estimates to 65.16 billion euros where experts had forecast 64.98 billion euros.

Scope change

And, come under the group's financial situation has been improved. The debt was reduced by 42.5 billion end-2009 to 34.4 billion euro late 2010, encouraged by the change in scope.In fact, as highlighted in the CEO of EDF Proglio "2010 was the year of major projects, which enabled the group to find a healthier financial situation" before discussing the three "major operations" of the year . EDF sold its electricity distribution networks in the UK consortium of Hong Kong Cheung Kong and sold to the regional state of Baden-Württemberg (south-west Germany) from 45.01% stake in number three German energy EnBW. Finally, the public group has decided to allocate 50% stake in its subsidiary RTE portfolio of financing the decommissioning of nuclear plants.

Confidence for 2011

Management is confident and shows for the current year. The electrician is for 2011 organic growth of its Ebitda of between 4 and 6%. However, targets rely on a price of nuclear 42 euros / MWh in the framework of the law Nome.

The group also expressed its intention to propose a device to pay a bonus dividend to shareholders holding their shares for at least two years.

Faced with these conflicting signals, it remains to be the market reaction so that the title EDF posted the worst performance of the CAC 40 in 2010 with a decline of over 20% of its title.

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Paris Has it been too sure of his strength? There is just one more year, the possibility of relocation was seen as a joke by the City Council. At the point of not meeting the requirements of the French Tennis Federation, eager to expand the site of Roland Garros in order to accommodate the public, partners and media in better conditions, and to demand a fee from astronomical 2016 (the current lease expires in 2015). "There is a Roland Garros. There is no other. It will be more if it leaves Roland Garros Paris. The love story between Roland Garros and tennis is necessarily the Porte d'Auteuil, on the current site (…) I'm really a city tour to the suburbs but frankly what belongs to Paris is Paris.Roland Garros as the Eiffel Tower is part of Paris, has just recently told Jean Vuillermoz, Deputy Mayor of Paris, in charge of sport in a whiff of superiority. Faced with this situation, the TFF has decided to react by putting Paris in competition.

A hotly contested competition
A bluff? Initially judged as such, the call for entries is taken very seriously. Three suburban sites are then selected to host Roland Garros: Versailles, Marne-la-Vallée and Gonesse. The quality of records that are pushing the proposed FFT to seriously consider a move. "Attitudes have indeed changed," admitted the director Roland Garros Gilbert Ysern, whom we asked last November.Under pressure, the Mayor of Paris reacts through Bertrand Delanoe, who tabled a "vow on the development of the Tournament of Roland Garros in Paris" fulfilling all the wishes of the original Federation. Extending the area of 60% (5 hectares), covering the Central, the construction of a new 5,000-seat stadium, a new concession for a period of 99 years and a charge down the figure indexed business.

An eminently strategic
By choosing to stay in Paris, the FFT would be the choice of conservatism. A choice of heart more than reason? So says Hervé Dupont, executive director of the Plaine de France, holder of record of Gonesse."Either the Federation made the strategic choice to remain in Paris for convenience, for fear of change, because it costs him a little cheaper … Either it moves and in this case we believe we have the best project." Leaving the historic site Auteuil would especially at Roland Garros to catch up and even take the lead, on the other Grand Slam tournaments (Wimbledon, U.S. Open and Australian Open) in terms of area (over 30 hectares). Pragmatic, Guy Forget is rather favorable to offshoring.

An opinion that disagrees obviously not John Vuillermoz: "Is that what is important is the space, the number of acres? Does the importance of this tournament is not elsewhere? The goal is to get better. There will be an opening to a new space, a new short 5,000 seats. A lawn will replace the short No. 1, which is not beautiful.This will allow spectators to picnic before a large screen that will broadcast all the matches. This is what will stay at Roland Garros in its box, while remaining accessible to the greatest number. This is not just about square meters. "

Dissension
Unlike Gonesse and Marne-la-Vallee, where the political will to welcome Roland Garros is unanimous, the case of Paris, like that of Versailles, is facing some dissension. "We are a democracy, everyone can express themselves. You say there is no opposition would not be true.Now, democracy is majority and in this context, the Paris council has spoken: 12 councilors voted against and 141 voted for! After the Greens, who voted against the Olympic Games in Paris, which are against the top-level sport in Paris and that the residents of the Porte d'Auteuil want to stay together and not to involve the mass is their problem … But the great mass of the Parisians is favorable. All the polls show, "says Jean Vuillermoz, reminding us that Paris can count on support from the weight, partners and sponsors.

Sponsor support historical
BNP Paribas, whose brand is associated with at Roland Garros for 37 years, is actually very clear about this: "We support the continuation of the tournament in the capital. We believe that much of the prestige is that it is in central Paris.Whatever the qualities of offshoring projects, they would not have the same influence. "Same story from Alain Afflelou:" Roland Garros is a prestigious tournament that counts a lot in terms of public relations device. Currently, it is easy to reach, it will be more complicated than 35 km … "Favorite, File Paris nonetheless threatened. Not sure he collects 66% of votes of the 195 voters of the Federation for its victory on Sunday. He could well find themselves with ballot Versailles (the most dangerous rival?). The two finalists then the tie would be within three months, an absolute majority, at a new General Assembly …

The Paris plan:

After three consecutive weeks, the CAC 40, which closed last Friday above the 4000 points (4017.45 points exactly), continues to move at the opening with a gain of 0.3% to 4028 points.

Earlier this morning, Asian stock markets have shown tentative and U.S. markets had scattered them over in orde Friday night.

On Monday, President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee gives the kickoff of a year 2011 marked under the seal of the international retailer, to reporters and foreign ambassadors in Paris (live TV on Facebook and Dailymotion), his goals for the G8 summit in late May at Deauville and the G20 early November in Cannes.

Markit index at 9 am to follow

To wait for that day at business publications include the quarterly business survey by INSEE in the industry, the month of January at 8:45, then 9:00, the PMI Flash (Markit) fall before to know the composite index of purchasing managers (PMI) in the euro area (10 hours) and new orders in industry in November 2010 (11:00), always in the eurozone.

At noon, back in France: the quarterly surveys of conditions in the building trades and real estate development in the first month of the year will be unveiled.

This afternoon, Fevad present stock of French e-commerce in 2010, with opening remarks by Eric Besson, Minister for Industry, Energy and the Digital Economy.

Renault out of the wood

As for values, ArcelorMittalsigne the largest increase of the leaderboard with a gain of 2.9%. Steelmakers produced 1.4 billion tons of steel in 2010 (+15%). Growth welcomed but fears of overcapacity in 2011.

Renault (+0.7%) had evidence of "multiple" on the case of industrial espionage which are believed to three frames of the group, said Sunday the group's CEO, Carlos Ghosn payday loans. Earlier in the day, counsel for one of three executives covered by the suspicions had called Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn to provide proof of charges that founded the lawsuit from the manufacturer.

Automotive side, Toyota is the world leader in 2010, despite several points vehicle recalls.

Danoneest in small increase of 0.1%. According to La Tribune, Danone Dumex interested in India, a manufacturer of baby foods.A nugget in its sector: Dumex is number one in China and India.

The side of falling, Sanofi-Aventis is down slightly after the announcement on Monday duprolongement its takeover offer for Genzyme, always the same price of $ 69 per share or $ 18.5 billion in total, until February 15. "While these discussions have continued and have included sales teams and executives from both Sanofi-Aventis and Genzyme, significant differences remain regarding the CVC (certificate of conditional value) and the potential value of the offer Sanofi-Aventis, and there is no guarantee that parties will reach agreement, however, warns Sanofi.

Orange (France Telecom) also declined slightly by 0.1%. The operator has negotiated the acquisition of part of investors to share the platform for sharing videos Dailymotion, valued at approximately EUR 150 million.

Note also that Nicolas Sarkozy will announce on Tuesday a call for projects on five coastal sites for an investment of 10 billion euros. French and foreign manufacturers are mobilized for this competition.

Eurocopter will deliver its key figures for 2010 and its outlook for 2011 from 10.30. Sodexo holds its general meeting at 16.30.

The President of the Higher Audiovisual Council takes a stand against the idea of reconciliation of the APF and Arcep, the telecoms regulator.

LE FIGARO. – Do you support the appointment of a government commissioner in the CSA as envisaged in Arcep?

Michel BOYON. – The question will never be relevant! Certainly, there are commissioners of the government with independent authorities such as the Commission or the Energy Regulatory Authority of competition. For the CSA, which is the guarantor of civil liberties and fundamental respect for pluralism in broadcasting, it would be simply absurd.

What is your position on a rapprochement between Arcep, the CSA and the Agency of frequencies?

This subject is often poorly addressed.There is a tendency in France to focus on approaches by the structures and organizations, so that what counts is the strategies and objectives. You can not play Lego with institutions that have declared their independence, demonstrated their competence, acquired their legitimacy. In our country, the park is well managed Frequency: CSA and Arcep actively participate and work together on such topics as the dividend or digital TV on the move. This cooperation was highlighted three years ago in the plan "France numérique 2012". But remember that the CSA has a great originality. It is a regulator of content, only in France, and whoever has the most power in Europe and worldwide.When he assigns a frequency to a radio or television, it does for a given program, in exchange for free use of the frequency, it requires a chain of obligations that it ensures. The heart of activity Arcep, however, are the competition issues related to networks. Nothing has been said in recent days about the relationship between the two institutions does not bother me. But if some wanted in this way restrict the regulation of audiovisual content, it would be unacceptable.

How the CSA can regulate Internet content?

There is a complete – European directive, law, decree, Proceedings of the CSA – to regulate Internet services business of video on demand. What is not regulated, it is the content posted by individuals on video-sharing sites.Yet it is they who raise the most difficulties in terms of child welfare, dignity of the person or racism and antisemitism. With the TV connected, their impact will intensify. The only course of action today is the referral of a judge. It is very inadequate. We must organize a true co-regulation, starting with strengthening the signaling device, which is not used enough. It should also establish a code of ethics involving publishers and hosts, including the protection of young people, and could lead to a label given by the CSA. We could go further by calling for parental control software filters sites that would not have this label. Finally, the CSA could be empowered to order the withdrawal of illegal programs and even have a power to impose penalties for repeat offenders. For this, we need a law.There is no question that the Internet is a zone of lawlessness with respect to our core values. It is an important topic that transcends borders and I hope that at the next G8 summit, some time will be spent.

Can we settle the issue of Net neutrality amendment by a simple?

The CSA is obviously very attached to Net neutrality. It would be unacceptable to the radio or television suffer from discriminatory choices made by operators, especially based on financial criteria. If we did not warranty this subject, a strong law is needed.

How do you approach the arrival of the connected TV in France?

A year ago, when we talked TVs connected, we never thought to see happen so fast. This is progress for the viewer, but we must anticipate the consequences would be negative.My first fear is that a disruption of the balance of an entire economic sector. For example, publishers of free channels will see their audience is more fragmented, while a portion of advertising revenue will be diverted to the search engines. Furthermore, the connected TV will reduce the role of commercial distributors. French services for video on demand will experience a distortion of competition in foreign service, or hacking video sharing sites. In total, support for the French production is no longer guaranteed as it relies on the sales channels and its components – investment obligations, broadcasting quotas, chronology of media exclusives – would be threatened. It is urgent to make proposals on the subject.The CSA has decided to organize this international symposium next April 28.

Digital radio can it lie fallow?

The CSA has done what the law required it by setting the frequencies and selecting candidates. But the crisis came and blocked the entire device. I am concerned about the reluctance of some operators. Eventually, the radio will not be satisfied with the frequency modulation and long wave. But I think the Internet can only be a supplement to a radio broadcast. Large stations should understand that their brands may wane amid tens of thousands of radio stations broadcast on the Net. Finally, as Chairman of the CSA, I can accept that 30% of French people have access to only ten stations over the air.I rely heavily on the report that the Prime Minister has asked David Kessler.

The personal mobile TV is still not launched in France. Why?

There was a tremor with the initiative of Virgin Mobile, and TDF. Unfortunately, the application of the VAT increase offerings of mobile operators broke the momentum. I urge that this be deferred for three or four years.

When will you launch the tender for two new DTT channels?

As soon as possible. But this launch is subject to the intervention of an order to finance the redevelopment of frequencies to provide the necessary space for two multiplexes that will host the new channels. Must be made before the decree on April 30.

It all started with an ordinary dinner with billionaires held there over a year. Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, the two largest American fortunes, initiated the idea of a movement bringing together the richest people of the United States who agree to donate at least half of their wealth to charitable causes. Called "The Giving Pledge" (the pledge), the movement is taking shape last summer.

According to Forbes, the U.S. currently has over 400 billionaires. Quickly forty families adhere to the draft that Gates and Buffett, Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York and leader of the group financial Bloomberg LP, Barron Hilton, heir to the empire hotel, the director George Lucas, the media magnate Ted Turner, co-founder Larry Ellison of Oracle and David Rockefeller, heir to the oil king John D. Rockefeller.

The movement is snowballing.Seventeen new millionaires have joined the movement, including co-founder of AOL Steve Case, CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg, the financier Carl Icahn and Michael Milken, the former Wall Street executive who was imprisoned for violating the legislation on securities.

Warren Buffett and Bill Gates does not have to stop there. They went to China in September to promote philanthropy without rival among the many new rich of the former Middle Kingdom. The two Americans also plan to argue their case in India in 2011.

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No panic, the Irish crisis does not endanger the euro. The German Minister of Economy, Rainer Bruederle, wants to reassure the future of the single currency. "You can not compare the current crisis in Ireland with that of spring" that hit Greece, "he said in an interview with Focus magazine to be published Monday.

"With the rescue plan of the euro, we have an effective instrument to ensure the stability of monetary union. Ireland currently has cash reserves in sufficient quantities. The situation is analyzed on a daily basis, has developed the German minister.However, Ireland will have to make reforms, he understood: "It is important for the stability of the euro than states that do not meet the conditions to expect consequences."

"A crisis for our survival"

Rainer Bruederle will extinguish the fire triggered by the recent statements by the President of the European Union Herman Van Rompuy. "We are facing a crisis for survival" and "if the euro does not survive, the EU will not survive either," the officer has dealt.

The British Foreign Minister, William Hague, added oil Surle fire Saturday morning on BBC radio. Eurosceptic recognized this "hoped" that the euro does not collapse thanks to the current crisis. Adding: "who knows …»."It is the interest of Great Britain to have a stable euro area, although we have more than others warned about the flaws of the euro," he said.

Deficit abyss

Still, the European aid plan in Ireland is taking shape. Experts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), European Central Bank (ECB) and the Commission arrived in Dublin to negotiate with the Irish government. This is mostly to help the banks to the island in deep trouble and already recapitalized to the tune of 50 billion euros payday loan lenders. A bottomless pit that has exploded the deficit to 32% Irish this year.

The Europeans, backed by the IMF, are about to offer a loan of between 40 and 100 billion euros in the Celtic Tiger, analysts said.Non-strategic assets of troubled banks could be sold with a guarantee of the EU, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the IMF.

Debate on corporate tax

This plan will not go unrequited. The Irish government met Sunday to finalize a plan for further savings estimated at 15 billion euros. But Europeans are skeptical that this is enough. France in particular requires an increase in corporation tax, currently the lowest in the euro area, 12.5% and increased tax revenues in Ireland.

"Under the conditions of activation (the mechanism of European support), there is no demand tax" has adjusted the president at a press conference on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Lisbon. But "it is clear that faced with a situation of this nature there are two levers to activate, and the expenditure and revenue.I can not imagine that our Irish friends, in full sovereignty, (do not) this one because they have more leeway than others, their taxes are lower than others, "Did he added.

The subject is taboo for Ireland, who founded a very large part of its international appeal on this strategy as Paris has often condemned as fiscal dumping.

Negotiations should continue even a few days or up to two weeks, according to European officials and Irish. In all likelihood, the plan will not be approved before the vote on the new austerity plan that Irish itself should occur after the elections of 25 November.

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Alcatel-Lucent, Vallourec are two of ten companies and institutions that have signed on Friday in the seat of the MEDEF, Paris, new contracts with Chinese groups on the second day of the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao. The French subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Civil Nuclear, the company Sino-French Economic Development Chateauroux Genopole, Alstom Power Systems, Erasteel also announced agreements.

"The climate is good. Chinese and French have expressed their willingness to work together. They share many common analysis of the G20 a few days, "says Jean-Pascal Tricoire, President of the France-China and CEO of Schneider Electric.

Several contracts have to SMEs. "I've already been there a dozen times in China.We signed a contract for one million euros with a large Chinese group to distribute our wines, "said Claude Fournier, president of Fournier father and son (50 employees, 12 million euros of turnover) based in Sancerre.

Chamber of Commerce of Paris has signed an agreement to enable SMEs to expand their operations in China with the support of Chinese giant Huawei Telecommunications. Although France is the second European exporter to China after Germany, Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economy, who attended the book signing in the presence of Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, noted that the trade deficit racked with China paydayloans.

Investments up

"We're not necessarily very proud when we look at our trade deficit with China is first with 22 billion euros," she said.While advocating "respect for intellectual property" and "equality of treatment between Chinese and French companies," Christine Lagarde defended "a sustained economic relationship based on friendship and the requirement."

While French investments grew 11% in China in 2009, she wanted to see closer cooperation between French and Chinese companies in sustainable development, finance and agribusiness. "The contracts are important. But the orders received each day 4 000 French companies operating in China are equally important, "says Jean-Pascal Tricoire.

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U.S. stock markets end week on a very optimistic note. The Dow Jones climbed 1.86% to 10,860.26 points, the Nasdaq rose 2.33% to 2381.22 points and the Standard & Poor's advance of 2.12% to 1148.67 points. For the week, the Dow Jones gained 2.30%.

Pending sales of new homes

On the foreign exchange market, the euro continued its strong growth into the evening on Friday: the single currency is worth 1.3493 dollars against 1.3312 the previous day. The euro, which was still worth $ 1.27 on September 13, this week surpassed $ 1.34 for the first time since late April.Analysts from Exane BNP Paribas have revised their estimate of the euro against the dollar at $ 1.35 over the next 12 months on average.

On the macroeconomic front, orders for durable goods fell 1.3% from July, seasonally adjusted data, said the Commerce Department said in a statement released in Washington.

This is the third decline in the indicator in four months. The drop announced by the Department is less strong than had been estimated to analysts, who expected a decline of 1.4%.

Sales of new homes in the U.S. stood at 288,000 annualized rate in August as the previous month, while economists and analysts polled by Reuters on average had forecast 290,000 annualized sales figure of 276,000 after the originally announced for July .The number of new homes for sale fell 1.4% to 206,000 units, the lowest since August 1968.

Nike jumped more than 2%

The side of values, the U.S. manufacturer of sporting Nike (2.45% to 79.57 dollars) on Thursday released after the close of Wall Street net income up 9% year on year. Net income for the quarter ended Aug. 31 totaled $ 559 million, or $ 1.14 per share, while analysts were only waiting for $ 1.01. But for specialists Aurel BGC "the most important thing is that Nike ad growth of its global wholesale orders 10% to $ 7.1 billion.Replenishment of stocks and sustained sales will support the growth that is strong in all divisions of Nike. "

For its part, Apple (1.18% to 292.32 dollars) rose on Thursday a new step on the podium of the largest market capitalizations in the world, delighting the Chinese giant PetroChina's second-place company the world's most expensive . The action of the U.S. computer group took 0.41% to 299.82 dollars, hitting a new record when an analyst raised its sales forecast for the iPad. It focuses its total weight on the stock market to 266 billion, against 265 billion for PetroChina. The Apple brand was snatched up to number three in May to its arch rival Microsoft.The U.S. oil ExxonMobil with a market capitalization of $ 310 billion, is number one worldwide.

Always on the side of values, EDF and Constellation (+0.75% to 32.28 dollars) go to the rescue of their joint venture. The electrician tricolor and Constellation Energy have initiated discussions to save their joint venture in the nuclear agency Bloomberg understands.

EADS, the European manufacturer announced in a news release its second quarter as a significant decline in profits. With effect from April to June, the result came back 208 million euros to 82 million. At the same time, the turnover was little changed at 11.35 billion (11.73 billion for the same period last year). Over the half, earnings were 185 million against 378 million in billings from 20.308 billion. Reduced to an action, the benefit is 0.23 cents (0.47 cents to end June 2009).

Despite the marked decrease in profits, the group has revised its targets upwards for the whole year. It now expects over 44 billion ors billings. The group also announced a production rate of the A320 increased to 40 per month.

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