International Headlines and Stories

History may repeat itself. While coal seems to belong to our industrial past, this energy source could again be used to power our electricity needs. Philippe Joubert, president of Alstom Power believes that the development of this fuel, better used and combined with CO2 capture technologies could contribute more to cover the energy needs of the planet and especially in Asia.

lefigaro.fr – You have created a joint venture with Shanghai Electric in the areas of boilers for coal-fired power plants, creating the market leader. Bet you on development of coal power plants?

Philippe Joubert – Coal-fired energy efficiency and environmental recognition are booming, particularly in Asia.However, I have a vision for long-term market and I believe that all technology is integral to the balance of the world. Nuclear, solar, hydropower, coal plants … there is no quick fix. All technologies are needed to produce electricity.

The coal could they not benefit from the current debate raised by the accident at the plant in Fukushima? Several countries, like Germany, have expressed their willingness to abandon nuclear …

Today we actually build many coal plants and gas. An evolution of the global energy mix is ​​thus expected. However, we favor a diversification of energy sources.

And we must relativize the importance of nuclear energy market.This energy source is ultimately less than 10% of all energy produced in the world and is contested in countries where this energy is not a majority in the energy mix. For example, the German market represents less than 21 gigawatts of nuclear energy cons 392 gigawatts for the global market. For example, countries dependent on nuclear power, as the U.S. and France respectively produce about 100 gigawatts and 70 gigawatts.

Coal will remain there a piece of the global energy mix?

Over 40% of the electricity produced in the world based on coal fast cash advance. Asia currently consumes almost 80% of world coal production. But the real issue today is how the emerging cover their soaring energy needs, where those of the United States or Europe have low growth.Development of coal power plants seems to agenda.

Coal plants are very emitting CO2. Can we thus generate electricity without CO2?

We can produce electricity from coal without emitting CO2. But the latest plants can significantly reduce these emissions. In parallel, we develop carbon capture and storage of CO2 (CCS). This is to recover the CO2 and storing it underground (in underground cavities emptied during gas extraction, ed.) The cost of electricity through a coal power plant equipped with this device is however still much higher than a conventional plant. But we are at the beginning of this new technology.

Mined since the eleventh century, coal still has reservations

Coal is the fuel of superlatives.Mined since the eleventh century, it is one of the oldest energy sources. And even today it remains the most widely used fossil fuel in the world: it can produce more than 40% of worldwide electricity. Many countries, primarily the emerging countries, still use it as a primary energy source like South Africa, China, Australia or Poland. Moreover, world coal reserves are found in many countries, no less than 70. The main reserves are in the United States, Russia, China and India. They are estimated at over 984 billion tons. Thus, if consumption is maintained in the state, known coal reserves could last for nearly two centuries, so an oil shortage looming for 2050.

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No pay rise for the new strong man of L'Oreal. Jean-Paul Agon, CEO of the group, also holds the post of president since Friday but will retain the same salary this year than in 2010. "For 2011, the Council (…) stopped fixed at 2,100,000 euros gross a year earlier, unchanged from 2010," does it say in the management report 2010 of the Board of Directors , submitted to the AMF and made available on March 17.

Jean-Paul Agon has not received in 2010 his entire salary: part depended targets he has not fully met. It has affected 80% of the 2.1 million indicated, is 1.68 million euros. A salary cut in 2010, no increase in 2011: the future CEO of L'Oreal is so far not mistreated by his group. He was awarded $ 6.9 million stock options last year.Since 2006, the officer received a total of 1.25 million stock options. It will retain 50% of them while he remains in office.

As for Sir Lindsay Owen Jones, Jean-Paul Agon was replaced as president on Friday, it will benefit more now that its fees for participation in the boards. As each board member, he will receive as such a lump sum of 30,000 euros plus 5,000 euros per session. It has received 85,000 euros in 2010.

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A few months before the end of his term – and then she is a candidate to succeed himself – Anne Lauvergeon, CEO of Areva, on Thursday presented the annual results scrutinized by the market. The year 2010 the French group is the world leader in nuclear contrast: while the net profit group share jumped over 60%, but this performance is largely attributable to the gain of 1.3 billion euros performed on the occasion of the sale of the transmission and distribution – divided between Alstom and Schneider.

But the operating profit shown in the red for the first time since the group's inception in 2001: the loss stood at 423 million euros, against a gain of 97 million in 2009.Two factors explain these difficulties: firstly, the delicate construction of the EPR in Finland, which required an additional provision of 367 million euros, on the other hand, the depreciation of mining assets of the group, s' has resulted in a provision of 426 million euros. All these provisions have been recorded in the first half of 2010, but in the case of mines, however, adding it took 126 million euros.

The – many – who oppose the reappointment of Anne Lauvergeon not fail to exploit the operating loss. Signs in their eyes, the president of Areva hard to conduct large-scale projects, even though the French nuclear industry seeks to invest in many markets abroad.Meanwhile, his opponents regularly stigmatize a deteriorated relationship with EDF, its partner of choice.

Backlog

In the camp of Anne Lauvergeon, the interpretation of the situation is obviously different. The CEO of Areva does not mask a "structurally difficult period, marked by a lot of investment, construction of a range of reactors and the scheduled end of the activity Eurodif (the uranium enrichment plant located in the Rhone Valley). " But she said the course and completed the transformation carried out since 2001. Enough to create, insists the president a lame duck, "a dynamic in which the group will soon reap the benefits.

Anne Lauvergeon underlines the progress of the order book for 2012 with the dual purpose of a turnover of 12 billion euros and an operating margin in double digits.In addition, a new order of the reactors is expected in the coming months, "in a country other than China or India."

Regarding the relationship with EDF, Anne Lauvergeon welcomes the conclusions of the last nuclear policy, "which has normalized the situation." The fact that the EPR is built in the reference product of the French sector and the lack of fundamental questioning of the integrated model of Areva underpin about the president's nuclear group. She is delighted that finally work towards the rebuilding of a great strategic partnership with EDF "progressing well". In charge now for the woman to win the battle for its renewal. She looks extremely tight.

Copper back

Since the violence began in Libya, attention is focused on soaring oil which rattled equity markets. But the riots that shook the country Gaddafi also have visible consequences on other raw materials. Starting with the base metals. On the London Metal Exchange (LME), traders were massively diverted from these values that are at risk because very context-dependent economy. The possible spillover of tensions in the Middle East has again raised fears the worst for global economic recovery.

Result: the price of all metals have recorded huge declines. The copper market barometer, was particularly affected him since the end of 2010 which connects the records. The crisis in Libya has put a serious brake on the rise.On Tuesday alone, as violence soars the price of a barrel of crude over $ 7 in New York, copper prices tumbled nearly 4%. The red metal hit Thursday its lowest level since Jan. 26, at 9311 dollars per tonne. He lost nearly 2% in five days.

In his fall, he drives the nickel lost 4.5% on the week to finish at 27,710 dollars per tonne. Lead is 2495 dollars, dropped 4.6%. Aluminum has fared better: he loses "only" 1.15% and ended at 2558 dollars.

The situation shows no signs of improvements in Libya, the return of investors in this market should take some time. But China, whose imports are very important, could bring them back. Moreover, many traders were waiting for the decline of certain metals such as copper, before repositioning.The bargain-hunting could be quickly put together courses.

Gold, victorious

Risk aversion is, however, the happiness of safe haven. Gold, the most emblematic of them, is a perfect example. The yellow metal climbed back above Monday to $ 1,400 an ounce, the highest since Jan. 4 last. On Thursday, the yellow metal has even brushed his absolute record (1,431.25 dollars) to 1418.20 dollars. Gold has slowed the pace this weekend so that the lull was back on the oil markets and equity markets. It closed the week at 1402.50 dollars. The sequence of events should be interesting to follow because gold is correlated to oil fast payday loans.

In the wake of gold, silver is also mounted, touching 34.31 dollars per ounce on Tuesday, a level not seen since March 1980. Like gold, it cut its earnings over the weekend to finish at 32.54 dollars.

In the market for precious metals, platinum, however, are the red lanterns for their industrial applications. As base metals, they were penalized by fears of an economic slowdown. Tuesday, while the price of crude hit record highs, the price of platinum has plunged 70 dollars and that of palladium over $ 60. The international context was also been added in China, explaining his fears of slowing auto market. On the London Platinum and Palladium Market, an ounce of platinum finished Friday net decrease to 1791 dollars an ounce and palladium ended at $ 785.

Sugar falls further up the coffee

As for food, the week was marked by the continued decline in sugar prices.Investors noted that production volumes in Brazil and India could increase with the expansion of crop areas. In Brazil, the world's largest producer, output is forecast to increase by 5% to 35.2 million metric tons for the year 2011-2012. In India, production will jump 24% to 25.5 million. Result: New York, a tonne of white sugar for May delivery dropped to 27.64 cents while in London, it reached 699.50 pounds. Please note that hedge funds contribute to the overall decline. They have reduced their exposure long (buy position) of 7% in the second week of February.

In contrast, cocoa prices, affected by the Ivorian crisis, have hit their highest level in 32 years to 3666 dollars per ton in New York.

Their sides, coffee prices have been driven by renewed investor interest in hedge.In New York arabica climbed Tuesday to 278.40 cents a pound (not seen since late May 1977) and the same day, a tonne of Robusta reached in London in 2417 dollars (highest level since mid- March 2008).

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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.

In addition to being the richest man in France, his fortune amounted to 22.7 billion euros, Bernard Arnault, boss of LMVH, holds another record. According to the financial information site, Wansquare he exercised stock options to acquire nearly 1.4 million shares of the group.

In detail, he initially served on December 17 of stock options granted by LVMH to acquire 600,000 shares at a price of 43.3 euros. Then, on Dec. 20, he acquired 187,670 at a price of 52.82 euros.In total, he bought 787,670 shares in December, LVMH, which must be added the 600,000 acquired on November 26 by exercising stock options awarded by the group.

Franck Riboud worse than Bernard Arnault

If it sold 1,387,670 shares at the current price of 125.75 euros, Bernard Arnault and realize a capital gain potential of 99.5 million euros, based on the current price of LMVH. However, Bernard Arnault "did not intend to sell its securities. It is an investment in his group, "said a spokesman for the group.

Nothing to do with that Franck Riboud, CEO of Danone, could make if it sold the 141,330 stock options he acquired December 22, or 2.83 million euros.Last year at the same time, the CEO of Danone had already realized a gain of 3.351 million euros in carrying hundreds of thousands of stock options before Danone to sell securities.

LVMH has the highest increase in the CAC 40 since the beginning of the year, earning 59.8%, while Danone has appreciated 11.94%.

The Paris Bourse, which was recorded last week up 3%, continuing its momentum on Monday, while Asian stock markets move up comfortable early this morning. At the opening, the CAC 40 advances 0.44% at 3872.83 points.

The index in Paris was particularly supported by the Chinese stock market, which appreciates the fact that Beijing has not established measures of monetary restriction and price control, despite the announcement Saturday in an inflation rate of more 5%. Good U.S. indicators released Friday is also acknowledged.

Friday night, the CAC 40 finished at 3857.35 points. In Europe, the DAX reached 7,000 points last week. That had not happened since June 2008. The German index reached a low in March 2009 at least 3670 points. Over the year, the DAX was up 17.60%. Unmatched performance in the rest of Europe.Symmetrical and sometimes, as in Spain: Madrid, the Ibex 35 index dropped 15.23% since January 1.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro still sells land: -0.27% to 1.3193 dollars around 9 o'clock Monday morning. The Bank of France has published that Monday morning the balance of payments for the month of October. The current account deficit narrowed in October to 2.5 billion euros after 4.4 billion in September.

Accor: focus on the BRIC

The French hotel group Accor (+0.15% to 33.175 points) to "accelerate its growth in emerging markets, BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China), said Denis Hennequin, the new boss of Accor during a meeting with reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of a Sofitel Vienna.CEO since 1 December and CEO effective January 15, the official also assured that the Sofitel brand was intended to remain in the Accor Group.

Alstom (+0.88% to 35.715 euros) will meet with French companies to tender for the high speed train between Helsinki and St. Petersburg, to be launched in the spring. Altsom must also take 25% of Russian TMH. The group also won the TGV in Morocco: the contract of 400 million euros includes 14 duplex trains.

Renault (2.62% to 45.175 euros) will show excellent results in 2010 despite a cautious start to the year. Sales are expected to reach nearly 2.6 million cars, beating the 2005 record, according to our information. Net income could rise to 3.3 billion euros over the year against a loss of 3 billion last year.

Sanofi-Aventis extended its takeover bid for Genzyme

The hostile bid of 18 freecreditscore.5 billion Sanofi-Aventis (+0.18% at 49.40 euros) on U.S. biotech Genzyme has expired Friday at midnight, New York, but has extended its Monday morning offers under the same conditions.

The supervisory board of Areva (4.75% to 368 euros) Saturday approved the proposed capital increase of EUR 900 million of public nuclear specialist announced yesterday by the state. The listing of the group was suspended Friday, resume nuclear at the opening of the Bourse. After the capital increase of Areva, Christine Lagarde does not, in an interview published Monday in Les Echos, the IPO of mining or renewable group.

JCDecaux (1.42% to 21.8 euros) announced Monday that its subsidiary JCDecaux Dicon has signed a 10 year contract for the advertising concession International Airport Dubai World Central, Al Maktoum, the new airport under construction in Dubai (UAE). The amount of the transaction is not communicated by the No. 2 worldwide in outdoor advertising.

Veolia Environnement (+0.21% to 21.575 euros) Proglio has confirmed his departure Sunday of the presidency of the group, stating that his focus entirely to EDF. The board has decided to collect as Chairman of the Board and CEO of the company and assign the new CEO Antoine Frerot.

Natixis (1.14% to 3.81 euros) announced Friday the acquisition of 1.35 billion euros of subordinated notes held by BPCE.

EADS (0.61% to 18.09 euros), parent company of Airbus, gave his support to John Leahy, Chief Commercial Officer of the aircraft manufacturer, in early November indicted for insider trading for sales of suspicious titles in 2005 and 2006. Airbus also held at 11:30 a press conference on the prospects of the market.

Former Legal Director of the Wendel Group (1.04% to 68.03 euros), Arnaud Descleves, filed a complaint for negligence against its former executives, including Ernest-Antoine Seilliere. He blames them for questionable practices incentive that would have ruined and led to the dismissal.

L'Occitane The controlling shareholder of L'Occitane, L'Occitane Group (LOG), sold $ 136 million worth of shares at a discount of 1.9% over Friday's closing. According to the cosmetics group, this sale allows LOG to monetize a small portion of its investment in the company.FBD's share in the capital of L'Occitane happens after the operation from 72.6% to 69.2%.

Following negotiations tight, cattle farmers have reached an agreement Wednesday with the industry on a higher meat prices. Chairman of the Federation Nationale Bovine, Pierre Chevalier, accordingly announced that farmers were willing to lift the blockade of slaughterhouses group Bigard, under certain conditions, including the withdrawal by the group assignments for interim measures aimed since Tuesday evening some demonstrators.

The pound has been increased by 5 cents for beef breeds and 2 cents for dairy breeds. The agreement signed on Wednesday is expected to increase by 70 € worth of each animal sold, said Christine Lambert, president of the FNSEA. "This is the first step of the way forward for a price increase whose goal remains at 60 cents a kilo," said Pierre Chevalier to the press. However, he did not set a date for achieving this goal.The negotiated agreement Wednesday ends a movement continues to fall in meat prices against which farmers rebelled.

They have also secured the establishment of machinery to grade carcases in plants Bigard, which controls 75% of the French market and 43% of the slaughterhouses, which represents an investment for the group of about several million to achieve. "The purchase orders will be signed before December 31, 2010, had warned earlier in the day Peter Knight.

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The rate of household credit in September reached the lowest level on record, continuing the decline as mortgage side than on consumer credit, according to figures released Wednesday by the Bank of France.

According to the institution, all credits and rate all maturities rose to 4.63% in September. The previous record was set in July 2005 with 4.70%.

The rate of housing loans at fixed rates, all durations combined, it was near the lowest level ever, at 3.52% against 3.50% in November 2005.

The decline also continues for consumer credit, including the average rate reached 5.95% in September low fee payday advance. It has been below this threshold only twice in September and October 2005. In business, after a slight rebound in August, the average rate loans fell in September to 2.96%.It was located in May to the lowest level on record, at 2.82%.

The series of Bank of France only go back to 1990 for these indicators. However, the level of inflation prior to this period suggests that the rate never dropped below these levels before.