Mar 11 2010

"Natixis has a debt to shareholders'

Tag: Uncategorized, international, life, news, resourcesadmin @ 6:58 pm

lefigaro.fr: A year ago, almost to the day, you said that "it was time for the truth about Natixis. How did you welcome the confirmation by the AMF (AMF) by sending a notice of objections to Natixis?

Colette Neuville: This is a new good, which will complete our complaint. But there will still be some way to go because, although Natixis has to be sanctioned, it will compensate the victims. The shareholders want compensation before any other words, recover some of their money.

If one assumes that the losses of shareholders are due for half to the general fall in stock markets, should implement a procedure that allows them to get half the introductory price (19.55 euros), or 10 euros.One might ask why the Banques Populaires and Caisses d'Epargne to buy Natixis shares they sold to the public offering in exchange for an IOU in the form of bonds or other securities composed of an amount of 10 euros. I

the need bear in mind that these are nearly 3 million shareholders who have lost 80% of the 5 billion they have invested in this case. It is the political and financial scandals have made the most victims in France. We for our part before the Prosecutor of the Republic there is a little over a year and, for now, we had no return. The only merit of our complaint so far is to have interrupted prescription.

Probably for political reasons and timing, the state has not seen fit to punish Natixis.

It seems that the French government considered that it was not appropriate to shed light on the matter Natixis when he put forward the behavior "virtuous" French banks during the crisis under their European and American counterparts. But he did not respect the principle of separation of powers, but embodied in the Declaration of Human Rights and considered from Aristotle through Locke and Montesquieu Great Britain in France as essential for the proper functioning of democracy. So I look forward to the appointment of a judge who makes all the light and determines all the responsibilities on the scandal Natixis cash advance in one hour .

What do you expect from the MFA?

I expect the Sanction Commission (member of the MFA, Ed) it is not limited to information on complaints issued in October 2008, but it is seized of the whole affair since the beginning. Regarding the objections that have been transmitted, Natixis said it is not pursued by the MFA for disseminating false information. I note however that according to Article 223-1 of its General Regulations which the MFA refers "to inform the public must be accurate, precise and sincere." So although the AMF services consider that the information given by Natixis did not exhibit these qualities.

You are involved in Vivendi (1), and you are indignant at the action taken on the matter EADS (2).The case Natixis is it more serious than the other two? Do you think that the MFA will draw lessons from the EADS?

The Vivendi case and Natixis have in common is that many shareholders were victims of misleading information. But the case of Natixis is more serious because of the shameful organized canvassing by both banks to enjoy the confidence of their customers and sell their securities. Vivendi shareholders had they bought their securities without being specifically requested otherwise by the misleading representation of society.

As in the case EADS, the chairman of the MFA has publicly expressed the day after the pronouncement of the decision of the Sanctions Committee of its wish to be making appeals against decisions of the commission. I think it will ensure that a text quickly gives it this right, the logic of separation of powers.

(*) Association for the Defense of Minority Shareholders

(1) Colette Neuville is the origin of a class action against Vivendi and two of its former leaders, Jean-Marie Messier, former CEO and Guillaume Hannezo, former chief financial officer, accused of transvestite results group between 2000 and 2002.

(2) after three years of investigation, the AMF has cleared all officers of EADS.


Feb 05 2010

Camembert heckled by mozzarella

Tag: economic, news, special, top news, worldadmin @ 8:12 am

Click on image to enlarge.


Feb 03 2010

Employees of Pier Import retain their direction

Tag: economic, events, features, opinions, publicationsadmin @ 3:40 am

The year 2010 will she, socially, as difficult as the year 2009? After the leaders of the metallurgical Swedish Akers, it was the turn of those of Pier Import of being selected by employees angry. They are fifty, working in 25 stores pending closure, to have forced two of their leaders, the CEO Sonia Ben Behe and CEO Gerard Démaret to spend the night Monday in their office.

The group's employees placed in bankruptcy protection since September, and reiterated recently by the group atmospheres, hope to obtain supra-legal benefits greater than those granted after the works council on Monday.For while 20 stores were saved by the recovery, the closure of 25 other lead 140 redundancies.

A strain devoid of aggression "

"The night [passed to company headquarters in Villepinte] went very well. They are still retains, in a friendly atmosphere, "said Fabrice Ménard, union CGT (majority) pay day loans . In turn, the CEO said last night that the constraint exercised by the employees was "devoid of aggression," and that the situation was "not annoying".

Employees require a half months of salary per year of seniority. Management, however, limits his proposal to a month for five years seniority."The supra-legal claims are being negotiated, nobody will be cheated of his rights, had assured the CEO Monday, pending a meeting Wednesday with Claude Ben Behe, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Förfina, principal shareholder of Pier Import. The Industry Minister Christian Estrosi said Tuesday morning on LCI it was the duty of government to "ensure" that a "way forward" is found for each employee, but said he can not be "real negotiations when there is violence."

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Jan 12 2010

The CAC 40 penalized by the Chinese measures

Tag: economics, economy, events, international, resourcesadmin @ 9:30 pm

"The Awards of the Asia-Pacific mixed

"Wall Street falls into the red

After closure of Wall Street without trend Monday, European stock markets are heading into the red Tuesday. In Paris the CAC 40 yielded 1.06% at 4000.05 points, in London, the FTSE-100 lost 0.71% to 5498.71 points and in Frankfurt the Dax concedes 1.61% to 5943 points.

The Central Bank of China has announced two measures to try to curb the overheating of the economy: raising the reserve requirement ratio for banks and rising interest rates on treasury bills to one year.

On Tuesday, the Bank of France issued at 8:30 its monthly business survey for the month of December: the gross domestic product (GDP) of France is expected to grow 0.5% in the fourth quarter of 2009.For the full year 2009, the government expects a drop in GDP of 2.25%.

Fifteen minutes later, the Budget Ministry said the budget deficit of the French state has widened to a record 143.3 billion euros on 30 November, against 66.6 billion a year earlier, and is expected throughout 2009 slightly below 140 billion.

Yesterday after the close of U.S. markets, the g aught aluminum Alcoa has announced a return to the red in the fourth quarter with a net loss of $ 277 million, widening its losses to $ 1.151 billion in 2009.In the series of American publications yesterday, Electronic Arts announced that it raised its forecast for losses in 2009-2010.

In an interview with Le Figaro, Christine Lagarde, economy minister, justified the measure "exceptional" tax on the bonus, resulting in a bill for the banks of around 360 million euros.

Across the Atlantic trade for November will be highlighted at 14h30.

As for currencies, the euro begun to rise again against the dollar Tuesday after the rebound of the single European currency yesterday. The euro gained 0.09% to 1.4526 dollar. The oil in turn is sharply down. The barrel of Brent North Sea crude for February delivery lost 1.70% to 70.67 dollars per barrel "Texas Light Crude (WTI) traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange for the same maturity, nibbles 1 53% at 81.61 dollars.

The detailed values to follow.


Dec 14 2009

Cadbury rejects new offer from Kraft Foods

Tag: economic, economics, events, online, specialadmin @ 12:40 pm

He had said in November he confirmed Monday. The British confectioner Cadbury rejects bid officially launched by the giant U.S. Food Kraft Foods. In a paper stock, the confectioner highlights the objectives of long-term growth above expectations to show the low supply of Kraft.

Cadbury expects organic growth of 5 to 7% per year instead of 4 to 6%. The profit margin would rise between 16 and 18% by 2013 instead of a margin of about 15% in 2011. He waits finally growth of dividend per share "double digit" from 2010. All of which explains why Cadbury's assets are worth more than 10 billion pounds (about 11 billion euros) proposed by Kraft Foods.

"Kraft Cadbury tries to buy at a discount, to provide some growth in its business model attractive to non-conglomerate low growth, irritated Roger Carr, the chairman of candy in the document.

Hershey, Nestle and Ferrero instantly

The rejection of the offer Kfrat opens an avenue to other agri-food specialists. According to CEO Todd Stitzer British group, "third parties" have actually indicated their interest but he refuses to name them yet.

The U.S. chocolate maker Hershey is in a strong position. Last month, Todd Stitzer had clearly said he would prefer a merger with the latter rather than Kraft because Hershey is already a partner of Cadbury in the United States. The Italian group Ferrero and Swiss giant Nestle are also in the race.


Dec 10 2009

Dubai falters, but his "King" is silent

Tag: business, events, international, online, top newsadmin @ 11:36 am

It took six days to break his silence. And yet the world was waiting he speaks. The Awards were panicking. The warning is part late November, when Dubai announced that its conglomerate Dubai World, is struggling to repay 59 billion in debt. As negotiations with creditors ahead delicate, Sheikh Mohammed has given an appointment on 1 December, journalists at the entrance of Dubai Media City, the neighborhood where settled CNN, AFP and al-chain Jazeera. Under the sun, disdasha white sunglasses and beard neatly trimmed, he stopped two minutes before the cameras. In fact interview, he let out a pithy phrase: "Dubai's economy is strong." He also regretted "the lack of international investors" before philosophizing on "Fruit Trees always attacked by those who throw stones.The allusion, acerbic, was aimed at Western media he despises. Then he climbed into his 4 × 4 white. Scholarships and fell again.

"His Highness is very determined"

This attitude, princely or haughty as the interpretation is actually not worth that friends at HRH. "He laughs at the criticism even if they hurt his pride," says one of its brokers. At age 60, Sheik Mo has shown the other Gulf monarchies it is not just the oil life. So Abu Dhabi prides itself on culture and joined the Louvre. The Sultanate of Oman has made ecology by building on its magnificent scenery. As for Qatar, it develops its universities.

Sheikh Mo himself, runs Dubai like a business. If an order, it must be executed finger on the seam of his trousers."His Highness is very determined, confided the CEO of Emirates airline, Sheikh Ahmed, the magazine Vanity Fair in 2006. To follow, he must recharge his batteries at 100% and give everything. "This has enabled the micro-state to jump two centuries, between 1990 and 2009. But when crunch time, he must reassure communicate, the man is rare.

Born in 1949, Muhammad is the heir of the Maktoum dynasty. Bedouin who have settled in Dubai in 1833. In this small port that saw trade and smuggling, child's little prince is so spartan. Running water, phone, electricity, roads do not exist. At nightfall, on the creek, we lit the oil lamp. "We played ball on the dirt floor, we did not travel and we had no government," Sheikh Ahmed confided to Le Figaro in 2003. Mohammed was 9 years old when his father, Sheikh Rashid, seized power.The oil discovered offshore in 1966 freed the royal family of the dependence of ancient Arab traders, Iranian and Indian.

Visionary Sheikh Rashid began the first stage of modernization of Dubai. In three decades, he transformed the inlet in a regional logistics and industry. In 1966, Mohammed was sent to Cambridge to learn English. In 1971, the British left the Arabian Peninsula. Abu Dhabi, which owns the majority of oil resources, and Dubai, plus the best location, create, with five mini-states, the federation of United Arab Emirates. At age 21, instead of continuing studies, Mohammed is powered defense minister. Despite the turmoil in the region, his country is developing slowly but surely.

The privacy of Sheikh Mo is as secret as eventful.Horseman, he created a stable of thoroughbreds Godolphin, who became the great rival that of the Aga Khan. Each fall, he is one of the best customers at Deauville. In winter, the horses are in the sun in Dubai. In April, they leave by plane for Europe. Except this year as the Godolphin stable has been accused of doping. Sheikh Mo also owns the largest yacht in the world. He publishes his poems on the Internet. Married several times, he would have 19 children – eight girls and eleven son – now aged between 2 and 27 years. His biography on his official site does not mention them. But many of those princes and princesses have a page on Facebook. Like all young surfers today, they have taken hundreds of photos for free access.In a few clicks, one discovers the Sheikh's private life: the inside of his jet, his palaces, his children, their holidays in Europe, stretching their albino tiger on leather couches, their hawks. In the family album, just missing the wives and mothers.

Cape Town Tourism

On October 7, 1990, the life of Mohammed switches. His father, Sheikh Rashid, died after a long illness. The eldest son, Maktoum, ascends the throne. Mohammed became crown prince. But it will always be regarded as the true boss of Dubai, well before the death of his brother in January 2006. Surrounded by bodyguards brilliant émiratiens commoners, he began the second stage of the transformation of Dubai. Cap on tourism, shopping, services and finance.With hundreds of thousands of workers forced laborers to thank you, he built skyscrapers, shopping malls and luxury hotels, including the famous Burj al-Arab, a 7 star hotel. Ski, giant aquariums, artificial islands, tallest tower in the world: everything must be extraordinary. Within a radius of 10 000 kilometers, Dubai is the only place where there are any consumer product, where women have no constraints imposed on Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Sheikh Mo, whose appearances are rare except in the photo on the property, has no ambition in international politics, but it pushes the girls to pursue careers and encourages entrepreneurs. "We are 1.5 billion Arabs which 50% are under 25 years. If we can save them by giving them meaningful employment, we will avoid to be extremists. "Strange speech, but little understood.Only the expansion of Dubai forced march draws attention. Speculators took power. And miscellaneous multiply: turning the car ram into a jewelry, demonstrations of "slave laborers" settling of accounts between the Russian mafia, rape of a young French … Sheikh Mo has also suffered heavily from the anti – Arab Congress in Washington opposed his bid for U.S. ports. According to Forbes, the fortune of the master of Dubai has shrunk from 28 to 16 billion dollars between 2008 and 2009.

All eyes are now turning to his son, Hamdan, 27 years. Nicknamed "CP" for Crown Prince, the military trained at Sandhurst in Britain has it in hand, the soul of a communicator. Familiar with Facebook, he put his videos on YouTube.The latest shows his impressive collection of cars, hundreds of cars, Ferrari, Rolls Royce, Porsche … Another clip presents declaiming, for five long minutes, a speech in Arabic on a thoroughbred in the desert or caressing lioness on a beach. His poems are "coo" of thousands of young women. Nice kid, he is Prince William of the Middle East.

Meanwhile, his father is negotiating with international bankers from whom he borrowed too. Next Monday, Sheikh Moh will have repaid a portion of its debt. One thing is certain: the economic model he developed for Dubai showed its flaws and shortcomings. His son did he understand? Does he realize that he must invent a new one?

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