International Headlines and Stories

 

Even at age 20, Mickey is still not profitable in France. While the festivities celebrating the 20th anniversary of Disneyland Paris are in full swing, the company operating the theme park never ceases to sink into the red. In the first half ended March 31, 2012, Euro Disney SCA posted a loss after minority interests of 100.8 million euros. Last year at this time, this loss amounted to 82.9 million euros.

The 2012 vintage, however, is not lost. It is now that he plays. "The group's business is seasonal and annual results depend significantly on the activity of the second half of the year, which is traditionally the busiest season for Disneyland Paris," says Euro Disney. Depending on the success of its summer season, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company still manages to erase a part of twelve months more or less consistently the deficit incurred in the first half. Still, in five years, ever the operator had also started the year badly.

However, against this outperformance is assumed. It is explained by a surge in costs, with nearly 20 million of additional operating costs of a semester to another. "We have significantly increased our investments," said Philippe Gas, President of Euro Disney, citing "the introduction of new products and offers entertainment and construction of improvements targeted in both parks and hotels."

Many efforts to mark the twentieth anniversary, Euro Disney sees as a great growth opportunity. "We expect a significant impact of these investments this year," says management. "We are already seeing encouraging signs for the second half with an increase in bookings in hotels," says Mark Stead to AFP, the Deputy Director General.

European ghost

This gamble is to counterbalance the gloom throughout Europe. In the first half, at least, attendance has plummeted by 1% to 6.8 million visitors. Italian, Dutch, Belgians, or Spaniards are rarer in the twirling teacups and ghost trains Marne-la-Vallee.

Meanwhile, Italians and Britons shunned hotels, who billed 33,000 fewer room nights compared to the first half of 2011. The operator has managed, however, to partially offset this drop in price increases, allowing boost of 43.24 to 44.11 euros average spending per visitor.

To fund these developments in lean period, Euro Disney had to draw 136 million in its treasury, which reached 230 million at end-March. If the situation worsened, the group has the right to postpone deadlines royalties or interest owed to Disney and other creditors.

Note also that, by dint of being planed by the losses, shareholders' equity went into the red at – 15.5 million euros. Danger? The group expects to be back above the waterline at the close of its fiscal year to September 30.  

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Nestle will soon be able to give free rein to its ambitions on the Chinese baby milk market. After several months of a tight battle with its main competitor, Danone, the Swiss have been selected by Pfizer to buy its infant nutrition business, the Wall Street Journal. The agreement could be signed before the end of the month.

The amount of the transaction be around ten billion. "This operation has a real strategic sense for Nestle, said Andrew Wood, analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein, because it deals with good grades and good markets and is performed at a reasonable price. "Nestle has maintained through his status as favorite, because of its financial muscle and posture. He chose to go it alone, while Danone had allied his forces earlier this year with the U.S. Mead Johnson. The French had indicated during February to be interested only in "certain assets, certain brands in some countries," adding that he was not on the verge of acquiring a structuring of the type of Numico in 2008. It might have sinned, according to some experts, by his lack of enthusiasm on this issue. The alliance with Mead Johnson made it more complex to build a competitive offer.

Assets to be sold

Danone, however, could catch up. For competitive reasons, Nestlé will indeed be compelled to give up certain activities, including Mexico, Southeast Asia or South Africa. Danone will then compete with Heinz. The king of ketchup, which carries 11% of its sales with child nutrition, waived bid for the branch of Pfizer, but he is interested in potential sales, particularly in Latin America. Nestlé is about to offer a real nugget, who made last year $ 2.1 billion in sales (+15%). Activity following the acquisition by Pfizer in 2009, the Wyeth for $ 68 billion. Pfizer had announced its intention last summer to focus on the heart of its business. Officially, the pharmaceutical group was still hesitating between an assignment and a split.

Returning to the child nutrition branch of Pfizer, world number five in the sector, with over half of its business in emerging countries, Nestlé could catch up in China. With the SMA brand, Pfizer is already comfortably installed, with 6.7% market share.

Arrived late in the Middle Kingdom, the group of Vevey occupies only the eighth (3.7% market share), behind Abbott. But this market dominated by Mead Johnson, which are born each year 16 million babies, weighs 7 billion. It is set to double by 2015, according to Euromonitor. Number 3 in China, Danone sells more boxes of Dumex baby milk in France. In a rapidly growing market, the cards of infant nutrition are about to be reshuffled in the coming months.

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Concern is growing about employment in the telecom sector. Jean-Claude Mailly, general secretary of the Workers Force, wrote to Constable telecom (ARCEP), with a copy to Francois Fillon, a letter to "attract (his) attention to the impact of the fourth mobile license in the sector ". An appointment was set with the President of ARCEP, Jean-Ludovic Silicani next Monday late afternoon.

"Our fears are a large alignment with lowest social ultimately affect employees in terms of pay, job destruction and group benefits and more generally on the future of this branch , "wrote Jean-Claude Mailly. "The public authorities must establish as quickly as a regulated framework for preventing the destruction of jobs and preventing these abuses do not fall into place," he adds.

Concerns for call centers

End of March, in an interview with Le Figaro, Jean-Ludovic Silicani indicated that the sector "risks losing about 10,000 jobs in two years." But this destruction should be creating value, generating new jobs at Free Mobile first, but also in related sectors such as electronic commerce or the Web.

A macro view is far from convincing FO. "Our feedback from the field we are rather echoes of 30,000 job cuts on the entire industry," said Pascal Pavageau, FO confederal secretary in charge of economic and industrial.

Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom, destabilized by the arrival of a new competitor, of course, have interest in stirring the cloth of employment. "Some may want to cry wolf. But we see that restructuring is already underway among operators: contracts are stopped, benefits with subcontractors shall be adopted, the new hires are canceled and call centers are now going abroad, " Pavageau said Pascal, even claiming that "3% to 7% of jobs in France are starting to be outsourced, mainly on call centers." In the medium term, the union also fears that the sector is no longer able to invest as much in development, innovation and research and development.

That is seeking its FO meeting with the regulator? "First, we want to immediately and quickly, from the regulator and the government, an overview of employment in the sector, says Pascal Pavageau. Second, we want the government obtain a commitment of four operators in the maintenance of employment in France and their investment opportunities. "

The union will even consider that Oseo or ISPs may be called on to provide funding, if necessary.

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Confusion will be enough oil to burn in minutes. Brent crude rose from $ 118 to $ 120 Wednesday at 13:30, while news agencies, citing the Iranian television channel Press TV evoked an immediate suspension of Iranian oil sales in six European countries including France, Greece, the Italy and Spain.

Finally, according to Al-Alam, Tehran has only "warned" that could disrupt its sales in retaliation for the embargo imposed on 23 January by the European Union (EU). But it will not do "for now and for humanitarian reasons because of the cold," said Al-Alam. Six European ambassadors were received by the Director for Western Europe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hassan Tajik them said his country had found "other buyers". At 14:30, a barrel of Brent crude in London fell back side around 118.40 dollars. By climbing a few moments to 120 dollars a barrel returned to a level reached last summer, also close off the hook early 2011 highs at the beginning of the Libyan war.

Embargo unprecedented EU

The foreign ministers of the European Union adopted on January 23 a series of new economic sanctions against Iran, suspected of developing nuclear weapons program. An embargo "progressive" on imports of Iranian oil has been decided. The bill provides that existing contracts can be implemented until July 1. A delay obtained at the request of the European countries most dependent on Iranian crude, beginning with Greece, which buys 30% of its oil to the regime of Mullah, followed by Italy (13%) and Spain (12% ). Twenty-Seven took weeks to agree on the sanction regime. France for its part does not buy that about 3% of its black gold to Iran.

The progressive nature of the embargo would allow European countries to compensate for expected losses by supplies provided mainly by Saudi Arabia pledged to pump more crude. While Tehran, contrary to the statements of its leaders, is not guaranteed to sell its Asian customers that the oil would be shunned by Europe, the Islamic regime wants to use short-term increases in financial income generated by each spike courses. And perhaps divisions among its customers more or less vulnerable.

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The growing unease among the agents of employment center. After the hostage Monday by two executives seeking employment in an agency in East Paris, the unions called on workers to exercise their right to withdraw this Wednesday morning from 9:00 to 11:00. This is for Inter to "denounce the continued risk of aggression sites," while a committee of health, safety and working conditions (HSC) Extraordinary meets at the same time to discuss the hostage taking.

The attacks of this magnitude are fortunately minimal. But officials complain, according to unions, to address a growing tension in the workplace. "For several years the violence they face every day progresses," says Philippe Berhauld, national secretary of the CFDT employment center. "The insults to home are becoming more frequent.Accusations of incométences have become commonplace. Accidents of this kind, we are about two a day just in my area, Midi-Pyrenees, "said Diane Gastellu, employment center agent and member of the HSC.

"We are ill-equipped to respond" Unemployment, which is struggling to recede, contributing to frustration and sometimes despair of the unemployed. The share of those seeking work for over a year, in particular, continues to grow. As for the merger of the ANPE and Assedic, made a forced march at the height of the crisis in 2009, workers often feel that it has exacerbated the situation. By increasing the pace of work – each manages a portfolio average of 110 to 120 job seekers – and requiring most agents they are versatile, transfer of public service employment has made their task particularly arduous.

"If the relations are more strained with the users, it is often because we are ill-equipped to answer them, says Diane Gastellu. The officers present at the reception may not have the dual responsibility on compensation and job search faxless pay day loans. Colleagues who have dual training are far from being the majority. " Result, when a job applicant has a question about computing the allowance, "it happens very quickly, we swim," says Councillor example. A situation reinforced by the fact that many agents are welcome CSD, and employment center of recent date.

Absenteeism on the rise

The use of telephone platforms, to relieve the agencies, does not help. "We refer more users to these platforms. This is resented, they feel taken for a ride. Their instinct is often to seek to impose the contact, "says she again."Before the merger, we had more time to spend in conversation with each job seeker. It's frustrating for everyone: for employees who feel they do not do a good job, and for users who feel abandoned, "said another officer, former Assedic, who has in the Centre region. Work overload, poor management of priorities, setting targets unrelated to the quality of service: agents are not left out of arguments to explain the increasing frustration of users.

Many strains on the health of employees and the social climate of the public institution. According to a Senate report released last July, absenteeism has increased by over 20% in five French regions and from 15% to 20% in five others. Urban areas, where the density of job seekers is important, are particularly affected."The medium and long stops diseases have increased significantly, says John Montero, TF delegate employment center. We deplore more depressions. More and more agents are taking psychotropic drugs, neuroleptics, have addictive behavior. It is time to do something. "

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After winning nearly 4% last week, the CAC 40 was hesitant Monday. After opening on a positive note on Monday, rising 0.81% to 3243.93 points, it is passed back to balance, to 3218.06 points (-0.02%) on the stroke of 13 hours.

Investors have not long welcomed the determination shown by European finance ministers at the G20 Finance last weekend. At this meeting, the central bankers of the EU porutant promised to bring an answer this week "comprehensive and lasting peace" to the debt crisis at the G20. "Advanced countries will adopt, taking into account their respective national circumstances, policies to strengthen the confidence and support growth and implement measures clear, credible and targeted to rebalance public finances" stressed ministers in statement.

Above all, they promise to make a decision at the European Summit of October 23, described as "decisive" on Saturday by Minister of Economy Baroin. For its part, the ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet said the euro was "not threatened", but called on all Europeans to be "extremely vigilant" with regard to public finances.

Attempted to reassure the ability of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support countries in difficulty, Christine Lagarde, the Executive Director, has determined that the resources of the institution for the time were "appropriate" and "fit" to Micro Europe 1.And, while many European countries are considering to use the Fund to prevent contagion of the crisis in the euro area in case of bankruptcy of Athens.

Measures of expected savings on the U.S. side

On the other side of the Atlantic, U.S. President Barack Obama must include measures of fiscal consolidation through a savings plan. Last Friday, the country's budget deficit reached 8.7% of GDP in 2010-2011, 0.3 points less than in the previous year, according to the Treasury. In absolute terms however, the fiscal gap widened slightly compared to fiscal 2010, 0.4%, from the threshold of 1.299 trillion dollars, making it the second biggest deficit of the History of the United States.Concerns also weigh on U.S. growth, after the deterioration of consumer sentiment surprise U.S. beginning in October, falling incomes leading consumer expectations to their lowest level for over 31 years.

Following the announcement of the failure of 20% of the 360,000 small businesses in Zhejiang Province since the beginning of the year, Beijing also pledged to "rebalance" its growth engines through a battery of measures this week.

The euro retreated slightly

On the foreign exchange market, the euro fell slightly against the U.S. dollar on Monday morning at 1.284 dollars (-0.21%). While oil was up in Asia after a barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery clinching 35 cents to 87.15 dollars in early electronic trading.Barrel of Brent North Sea crude for December delivery gained 18 cents to 112.41 him dollars.

In terms of indicators, the United States, industrial activity in the region of New York (October) and the country's industrial production are expected in early afternoon.

In Europe, a speech in London Wolfgang Schäuble, German Minister of Finance, on financial regulation and fiscal consolidation is expected.

In Japan, industrial production for the month of August will be published in the day.

Banks remain top values ​​to follow this Monday

• Banking

Standard & Poor's (S & P) announced Friday it lowered the long-term rating of BNP Paribas (-1.47% to 31.77 euros) from "AA" to "AA-" and the Bichri (Banking Industry Country Risk Assessment) of France in Group 1 Group 2.In this context, investors will keep an eye on Societe Generale (-1.46% to 20.53 euros) and Credit Agricole (-1.52% to 5.11 euros).

• Dexia

The National Assembly will consider the draft supplementary budget by establishing a government guarantee.

• Air France-KLM (2.79% to 5.68 euros)

A special board meets Monday for the start RECORDED Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, as revealed by Le Figaro yesterday. In addition, three cabin crew unions (PNC) filed a strike notice for the weekend of All Saints to protest job cuts.

• Renault (+0.02% at 27.48 euros)

The new organization called the head of the manufacturer after the false spy case will come into force on 2 November as planned and strengthen the power of the CEO Carlos Ghosn with the aim to avoid the fiasco of the early recurrence in 2011.

• Axa (0.82% to 11.02 euros)

The French insurer Axa wants to eliminate by 2015 about 1,500 jobs in Germany, or one sixth of its workforce in the country, the Financial Times Deutschland on Monday.

• Eurosic (-0.68% to 32.27 euros)

The group has completed the acquisition of 22 office buildings with GE Capital Real Estate valued rights included 340 million euros.

• Edenred (-0.26% to 19.10 euros), Guyenne Gascogne (0.62% to 81 euros), Mercialys (-0.58% to 27.37 euros) will release its third quarter results after market close.

A branch of the Chinese sovereign fund China Investment Corporation began purchasing shares of four major Chinese banks in trouble in the markets. The subsidiary in question, the fund Huijin rich 400 billion dollars and already the largest shareholder of the four largest banks in the country, did not specify the amounts invested in the operation, but the news was enough to reassure some investors. This morning, the values ​​of the banking sector take off in Hong Kong Stock Exchange: Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) jumped 8.9%, China Construction Bank ahead by 9.1% Agricultural Bank of China wins 12 % and Bank of China allows itself 9.8%, against an increase of 3.3% for the benchmark index of the Hong Kong, the Hang Seng.

The titles of Chinese banks have continued to decline on the stock exchanges in Shanghai and Hong Kong in recent months, reaching their lowest level in two years recently cheapest personal loan rates.These dismal performances reflect investor concerns on the issues of debt incurred by local governments in China, revealed by an unpublished government report last June. Provinces and municipalities have accumulated at least 1.16 trillion euros of debt in late 2010, with 80% financed by Chinese banks. Nearly 25% of these loans expire at the end of the year.

The explosion of informal loans, in an environment of tight credit, also weighed on banks, who have seen private individuals and companies take almost 50 billion euros over the first two weeks of September, a large part is then paid out of any legal framework.

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The great upheaval associated with the release of Daimler and Lagardère of EADS is imminent? The first holds 15% stake in the group and the second 7.5%. The State of Qatar would be entered into negotiations with the German government to buy half of the 15% stake in EADS held by Daimler, according to the weekly Der Spiegel. According to the paper, the Minister of Economy, Philipp Rösler, reportedly received two weeks ago members of the government of Qatar. Sunday, across the Rhine, no one has denied the report: the spokesman of the German said he could not comment on ongoing negotiations.

The rebound of the day continues at the Paris Bourse. The Cac 40 climbed 2.18% in mid-session at 3013.30 points, in the wake of Wall Street and Asian stock markets.The increase accelerated after the announcement of an exceptional action of major central banks including the ECB and U.S. Federal Reserve, to enhance the supply of dollars in the banking sector.

Wednesday he had already climbed 1.87% to 2949.14% points as investors cautiously welcoming the determination displayed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister of Greece George Papandreou during a conference call Wednesday evening out to Athens for the crisis.

Same upward trend in other European financial centers: London in mid-session gaining 1.38% and 2.10% while Frankfurt Milan rose 1.49% and 2.51% in Madrid.

For now, the markets show their confidence in the ability of the euro area to help Athens to prevent the country will default, and is forced out of the single currency.

After months of deadlock between Parliament and European governments agreed in principle to toughen the Stability Pact and fiscal discipline common EU response to the crisis of debt was signed in Strasbourg on Thursday morning. This device provides for financial penalties in the form of cash deposit in blocked accounts for countries that would leave too lax spinning their deficits, and processes more automatic than in the past to punish the worst performers in Europe.The agreement should therefore be subject to European finance ministers Friday in Poland, that will floor on the back of the Greek crisis in a macroeconomic environment deteriorated.

At the end of their conference, the Franco-German said he believed the day "that the position of Greece is very much in the euro area." But on one condition, also very explicit: "The implementation of strict and effective recovery program of the Greek economy supported by the countries of the euro area and the IMF and which conditions the disbursement of future tranches of the program. "George Papandreou was quick to deceive, confirming" the absolute determination of his government to take all necessary measures to implement all commitments. "For the budget minister Valérie Pécresse, what the Prime Minister of Greece were "reassured" the euro area, she said on Thursday LCI.

For its part, the Chancellor has again ruled out the idea of ​​European bonds, proposed by some to pool at least part of the issuance of debt of the euro area. It would be "absurd," she said this morning outside the Motor Show in Frankfurt.

The U.S. maintains pressure on Europe

To this, add the announcement of the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) said on Wednesday that they could increase their holdings of bonds denominated in euros. Brazil has such willingness to participate in a "global effort" against the economic crisis that affects rich countries, said the same day the President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff.The same goes for Russia, which has indicated its willingness to "consider an investment in the new mechanism in the euro area if the responsibilities are clearly defined" through its Vice-Minister of Finance. However, Italy, whose rates have soared during bond, has denied media reports that she would have asked China to invest in debt.

U.S. side, however, no way to release the pressure on Europe. It "must do more" in the words of Timothy Geithner, U.S. Treasury Secretary, who must participate in a meeting Friday of finance ministers in Europe.In an interview Wednesday on the financial channel CNBC, he considers, however, that the Europeans 'capacity' to solve the crisis, seeing a good eye that they "recognize that they are late."

Note that Christine Lagarde, Executive Director of the IMF, should give a speech in Washington on "Challenges and solutions for the global economy and the IMF" to 16 hours. While Ben Bernanke, the Fed chairman, should speak at a conference in Washington on the regulation of systemic risk in the early afternoon.

Oil prices continue to fall

On the macroeconomic front, the number of people employed in the euro area rose by 0 Online payday loans.3% in the second quarter compared with the previous three months, said Thursday the EU statistics office Eurostat.Still according to Eurostat, inflation remained stable in August in the euro area to 2.5% year on year, as in July.

In France, the trade deficit is expected to reach 75 billion euros this year, a new sad record after the 56 billion euros recorded in 2008, says Les Echos. For its part, the European Commission revised downwards its growth forecast for France for 2011 to 1.6% against 1.8% expected so far.The annual growth rate of the euro area as a whole also 1.6%, however, is consistent with a previous estimate.

For its part, Spain has raised 3.95 billion euros in the markets Thursday, with bonds to eight and nine years, with rates down from the previous issue of the same type on July 21.

Finally, many figures are expected in the U.S., including inflation for the month of August, the current account balance in the second quarter, the weekly claims for unemployment and industrial production for the month of August .

On the foreign exchange market, the euro climbed to 0.44% against the greenback at 1.3804 dollars on Thursday.In turn, oil prices continued to fall, after figures showing a decline in demand for refined products in the United States, and while the markets remain worried about the situation in the euro zone, analysts said. In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October lost 43 cents to 88.48 dollars per barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery 53 cents to 111.87 dollars.

Values ​​to follow

• Banking

The banking sector, including Societe Generale (13% to 19.73 euros), BNP Paribas (20% to 32.52 euros) and Credit Agricole (12% to 5.88 euros) remains in the spotlight. It does not seem affected by the revelation of a fraud, a trader at UBS.The crisis became systemic, according to a document sent to the European Union finance ministers and obtained by Reuters, which also recommended a further strengthening of bank resources.In addition, two out of three French believe that the weakening of the banking sector related to the debt crisis could threaten their economies, according to a CSA poll released Wednesday to Les Echos.

• LVMH (2.15% to 114.20 euros)

The group announced Wednesday it had chosen Jordi Constans, come to Danone, to succeed Yves Carcelle at the head of Louis Vuitton in 2013.

• ArcelorMittal (3.65% to 13.35 euros)

The company promised to stop its steel plant in Florange (Moselle) would be temporary, said Wednesday the French government.

• Areva (2.11% to 21.02 euros)

The nuclear expert will present its strategic plan in early December through improved operational performance, an adjustment of investment and possible asset sales, its chief executive said in an interview for Echoes.

• Publicis (2.03% to 31.11 euros)

The group announced Thursday the acquisition of 100% stake in a public relations agency in the United States, Schwartz Communications, which specializes in technology and health, for an undisclosed sum.

• Bouygues (1.31% to 25.05 euros)

Wednesday, Bouygues Construction, through the company Eirene, delivered the first 53 service centers and respond to the DIT (Directorate of transport infrastructure under the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transportation and housing), according to Reuters.Eirene now provides maintenance and management of these buildings for 28 years.

• Technip (2.06% to 68.77 euros)

The French group of Petroleum Engineering has won a contract for facilities ammonia-urea fertilizer in Port-Gentil (west of Gabon), from Gabon Fertilizers Company, said in a statement.

• Cellectis (6.19% to 6 euros)

The company will acquire the Swedish company Cellartis specialist tools for research and development in vitro derived stem cells, as part of a contract valuing the approximately 33.8 million.

• Hermes

The luxury group said that trading in its title would be suspended Thursday pending the decision of the Court of Appeal of Paris on the exemption granted by the AMF on the buyout of minority interests.

Essilor International is innovative. According to the global glasses, "75% of wearers expect an anti-fog solution." To meet this demand, the group decided to create anti-fog lenses under the name of Optifog. This new "represents a disruptive technology," with a "layer with hydrophilic properties," said Essilor. With this new product, which is "all continents", Essilor International is "1.2 billion consumers worldwide."

Results aside, the mood is set fair. The group recorded the first half revenues up 6.9% to 2.06 billion euros and net profit up 30.7% to 258.2 million euros. Adjusted net income per share was 1.25 euro, up 9.3%.

Essilor attributed these results to the "increase in volumes related to the expansion strategy in high growth markets, the rapid development of the supply in the mid-range" and the "growth of industrial investment."

Context "increasingly uncertain"

These performances allow the group to maintain its growth objectives in sales "between 6% and 8%" (excluding currency and acquisitions, strategic) for this year, despite "an economic environment more uncertain." Essilor also wants to maintain the high level of profitability, excluding strategic acquisitions.

The specialist in ophthalmic optics says it "will continue to rely on innovation, operational efficiency and financial capacity to consolidate its position in the high end."The group also intends to "continue its conquest in the mid-range and benefit from the rapid expansion of high-growth countries."

At the Paris Bourse, this news is greeted coldly. In early trade, the title Essilor loses 0.11% to 53.07 euros in a market down 0.05%.

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