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 11 2010

The Greeks in the street, meeting the EU

Tag: Uncategorized, business, events, features, resourcesadmin @ 5:28 am

Against "unfair and ineffective sacrifices, Greek officials Wednesday manifested in big cities. A 24-hour strike was launched by the Union Public Service ADEDY, with more than 300,000 members. Employees of public protest against wage cuts announced by the Socialist government to reduce deficits and thus reassure the markets.

Tuesday, Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou reiterated wage austerity measures provided for in the Public Service wage freeze, down 10% premium, 30% decrease in overtime, stoppage of recruitment in 2010, except in the sectors of health, education and security. Labor Minister, Andreas Loverdos, proposed back two years to 2015 the average age of retirement to raise it to 63 years.

In Athens, about 5,000 union members protesting in the rain in the streets, which must be added the separate gathering of 5,000 activists of the union Struggle Front (PAME), an offshoot of the ultra-orthodox communist party (KKE). In Salonika, is counting down nearly 3,000 officers pounding the pavement.

Moreover, tens of thousands of officials have answered the call to strike the ADEDY. Air traffic controllers joined the strike and there was no traffic Wednesday in Greece.

Meeting of Finance Ministers of the euro area

These events occur when the finance ministers of the eurozone plan to meet as Wednesday by teleconference to discuss the situation in Greece, several diplomatic sources.In view of this meeting, Nicolas Sarkozy held talks by telephone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU President Herman Van Rompoy.

According to Le Monde, President of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet and the chairman of the Eurogroup forum of finance ministers from the eurozone, Jean-Claude Juncker, will join the discussions.

This meeting will be held on the eve of a summit of EU leaders on the issue in Brussels saving account payday loan . At this stage, there is "not agree" on a plan of aid to Greece. The signs, however, a support mechanism for this country is growing. A senior parliamentary Conservative German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Michael Meister, has indicated that preparations were underway in the German Government for an assistance plan.It could take the form of housing provision of bilateral loans to certain countries of the euro area in favor of Greece, to help cope with higher prices for its cost of borrowing on the markets since the beginning of the crisis. The option of an advance payment of EU subsidies to Greece is also considered.

Papandreou lunch with Nicolas Sarkozy

Prime Minister George Papandreou, who visited on Wednesday in Paris where he had lunch with French President Nicolas Sarkozy has reaffirmed his determination.He promised Wednesday to "take all necessary measures" to reduce the deficit and ensured that "each of the measures of the austerity program will be applied.

The Prime Minister had called in an attempt to limit the impact of the strike, officials to "lead by example" to help end the crisis.

Furthermore, President Nicolas Sarkozy and Chancellor Angela Merkel Thursday held a joint press conference after the informal EU summit in Brussels, including the situation in Greece, said Wednesday the spokesman for the French government, Luc Chatel. "Under the EU summit, the president will have the opportunity to hold a joint press conference with Merkel on various subjects.I guess the question (of the situation in Greece) will be addressed, "said Luc Chatel in reporting to the press the work of the council of ministers.

"The French government is involved as its European partners on the situation of the euro and the situation in Greece in particular," he said, adding that the Economy Minister Christine Lagarde had "routine contacts with counterparts "on this issue.


Feb 05 2010

Camembert heckled by mozzarella

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

Click on image to enlarge.


Feb 04 2010

Social Housing: State releases 4.7 billion

Tag: economic, economy, news, special, technologyadmin @ 4:32 am

A territorial policy of social housing, that is to say building in priority areas in deficit, such is the ambition on Wednesday by Secretary of State for Housing. Two days after the publication of an alarming report of the Fondation Abbé Pierre on poor housing, Benoist Appearing presented the draft state for 2010, namely to contribute up to 4.7 billion euros to finance 140,000 housing, half in Ile-de-France, Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, the zones "tense". The program is ambitious, even by the balance of 2009 when 120,000 housing units were built "three times more than in 2000, the ministry said.

4 billion tax form

But if the Social Union for Housing which manages public housing can not approve a policy that it "calls for two years, is on the question of financing the rub.The state budget provides for the payment of 624 million euros to public housing agencies as aid to the stone. The rest of the state aid-more than 4 billion-will take the form of tax incentives (VAT, property tax, preferential interest rates). "The $ 624 million is less than 660 million euros achieved in 2009, and far from the 800 million budgeted in 2008," laments Pierre Quercy, general delegate of the Social Union for Housing which manages public housing bad credit payday loans . "We're going to build a priority in areas of shortage, and therefore more expensive, but with less money," says the delegate general who believes a more realistic assessment of the number of homes built to last 100,000.

At the Department, any accusation of declining level of aid is denied."The effort of the State is not limited to 624 million euros of aid to the stone, take into account the full support of 4.7 billion euros, which will build 140,000 homes social, said the firm Benoist Appeared. Construction or purchase. As announced Tuesday the secretary of state, public housing agencies will be able to acquire any vacant units to turn them into housing. Another idea supported by the Social Union for Housing, but according to Pierre Quercy will face the same problems of funding. "We estimate that 350 million euros of state aid would be needed to buy 10,000 housing units in the tense areas," said the delegate general. What largely begin the budget.

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Jan 06 2010

Kraft / Cadbury: Warren Buffet says "no"

Tag: business, events, international, money, opinionsadmin @ 12:50 am

Warren Buffet has spoken. The American billionaire was strongly opposed to the will of Kraft Foods to issue 370 million shares to acquire Cadbury. Holding 9.4% stake in Kraft Foods, he says leading shareholder of U.S. food group. In a statement, holding the "Oracle of Omaha 'believes that this offer is a" blank check "for Kraft, which could, if necessary, modify its bid, thus harming shareholders. "What we are sure is that the current price of Kraft shares to $ 27 is a" money "too expensive for an acquisition," said the statement.

Kraft has announced its final bid for Cadbury by 19 January. "If we conclude that the offer does not destroy value for Kraft shareholders, we will vote" yes ".For now, we believe that no shareholder should do (vote "yes"), so it is not clear why he voted "he concludes.

At the opening on Wall Street Tuesday, Kraft Foods was up 2.99% to 28.25 euros. The Dow Jones lost 0.31% to 10,551.61 points.

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Dec 24 2009

Sanofi-Aventis continues acquisitions

Tag: Uncategorized, money, opinions, special, top newsadmin @ 11:47 am

Fight against the invasion of generics has become the creed of Sanofi-Aventis. The pharmaceutical group multiplies acquisitions for several months to cope with the loss of patents on some of its drugs by 2014. Latest news dated from Voices? A stake of 19.9% in the Danish biotech company Zealand Pharma for 100 million euros. The interest of the maneuver is to get his hands on the ZP10, a treatment against diabetes and obesity currently in phase three clinical trials, the last before the placing on the market. It also aims to strengthen an existing partnership with the company valued at between 400 and 500 million euros. In exchange, the news caused investors to react moderately. The title takes Sanofi 1.68% to 56.33 euros.

The ZP10, is baptized by AVE0010 Sanofi, should be launched on the market in 2012.Sanofi wants to be the successor of Lantus insulin his star, who in 2008 has already generated 2.4 billion euros in sales and has raised a number of sales of laboratory medicine in the first nine months of 2009. The pharmaceutical group is already preparing the loss of patent for this drug in Europe and the United States in 2014. So in addition to the ZP10, Sanofi is testing a new version of Lantus. If it successfully passes the test, he could receive a patent until 2025.

Being on all fronts

Since the beginning of the year, Sanofi is trying every means to expand its portfolio. In addition to equity from Zealand Pharma, the group also focuses its activity in atrial fibrillation, a heart disorder.

On Monday, Sanofi announced the acquisition of Chattem, a leading drug sold without prescription in the United States, for 1.9 billion dollars.An operation that should allow him to become the No. 5 global counter medications. A segment very promising since it generated 86.6 billion dollars worldwide in 2008 with 20 billion in the United States. On this market alone, it was the fifth acquisition made by Sanofi-Aventis between 2008 and 2009, after the Australian Symbion, the Argentine Gramon, the French specialist food supplements and beauty products Kernpharm the Netherlands last month.

Other operations were performed in the generic (Medley, Kendrick, Zentiva), ophthalmology (Fovea), vaccine (Shantha) or in animal health with the purchase for 2.8 billion euros of the 50 % of its U.S. partner in the Merck Merial Veterinary Laboratory. Recently, market rumors evoked recovery of German Ratiopharm fourth generic manufacturer in the world, boosted as the stock market.

In total, Chris Viehbacher, head of Sanofi-Aventis since December 2008, launched 31 acquisitions and partnerships in 2009. And the movement should continue in 2010.

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