Sundial of world news

The story accelerates. This Friday, the Japanese group Sharp has introduced a tiny touch screen, color, reproducing 3D videos. The big innovation is that this screen does not require glasses. A step that should be taken seriously. Unfashionable as it may eventually large screen televisions in 3D now being launched in the U.S. by Samsung and Panasonic but need to don special glasses.

However, to see the effect in relief, it is necessary to be right in front of the small screen, 30 cm apart. "We can only produce small screen in this technology. In addition, 12.7 cm diagonal. It must be well in front, otherwise the perception of 3D fade, "says Patrick Chardin, director at Sharp France. To develop its new technology, the Japanese group has improved its previous innovations.Three years ago, in Tokyo, Sharp has introduced an innovative technology which allowed three people to watch at the same time, a different program broadcast by the same TV, depending on the position of each face on the screen. Each point on the screen was broadcasting a different image depending on the viewing angle of the viewer.

According to this principle, with an image emitted for each eye, the semiconductor division of Sharp has designed its new 3D display device called an "interlaced effect. The additional cost compared to a conventional screen is not excessive.For the screen in landscape consists of a conventional LCD panel on which is placed a filter.

Nintendo

But because of its limited size for the 3D effect, "we focus on three markets: portable gaming devices, smartphones (note: mobile phones for surfing) and embedded screens, such as GPS in cars" said Patrick Chardin make quick cash.

Production should begin in September. One of the first objects that can use this technology should be the next portable game console, Nintendo 3DS, announced last week and promised for 2011. For its previous screens of the DS, sold 125 million units, Nintendo had already appealed to Sharp as a supplier.

Nintendo's next console will be presented in June in Los Angeles at E3.The Japanese group said the old games the DS can be reused on its future console. With 3DS, the group led by Satoru Iwata will take another step ahead of the Sony PSP (67 million), which was sold two times less than the DS. In addition, the CEO of Nintendo will reduce competition from the iPhone and iPod Touch which guests are on the market for portable game consoles.

Moreover, it could sell 78 million smartphones equipped with 3D screens by 2018, says DisplaySearch.For now, only one mobile is sold only in Japan by Hitachi, with a 3D effect without glasses.

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Observed by the whole world, the trial Rio Tinto, which opens Monday in Shanghai, is the culmination of nearly a year of trade tensions between China and the mining giant Anglo-Australian Rio Tinto. This will also be a political test for Beijing, which has promised transparency.

Four employees of Rio Tinto appear from Monday for "corruption" and "theft of trade secrets": the Australian Stern Hu, head of the Shanghai office of Rio Tinto, and three of his Chinese collaborators. Upon their arrest in July 2009 in Shanghai, they were accused of stealing state secrets, that is to say, highly sensitive information on China's position at the negotiating table on ore prices iron.

Since the beginning of the Rio Tinto trade negotiations and lawsuits strangely coincide.The arrest of Hu Stern and his staff intervened when the negotiations on the price of iron ore were being ruined and one month after the rejection by shareholders of Rio Tinto to increase the participation of the giant China's Chinalco aluminum in the group's capital.

Partnerships in Africa

Earlier this year, announcing the end of the investigation fell when the price negotiations for the year 2010-2011 debuted without China. Like every year, the big mining groups that dominate the global market – Rio Tinto, both Anglo-Australian BHP Billiton and Brazil's Vale – agree with their key buyers – Japan, China, Europe – a price for the year beginning April 1, fast cash advance .But the mining groups have decided this time to discuss first with their Japanese buyers.

Last year, Chinese steelmakers were on a very firm position. No agreement had been reached. Steelmakers had ended up paying the market price, 80% over prices negotiated. This year, the talks heated still ahead. Miners might seek to secure increases of 50% to 90%, according to sources. Higher difficult to accept for the Chinese steelmakers.

But Rio Tinto hopes to continue its business in a country that became the main destination of its exports last year, with 24.3% of sales. The Anglo-Australian multiplies friendly gestures. A new head for China and was appointed last month. The choice of Ian Bauert is not trivial.This sinophile and sinophone was created in mid 1980 the first office of Rio Tinto Republic. For his part, Tom Albanese, CEO of the group, arrived in Beijing Sunday to attend an economic forum.

Last week, his company signed a partnership with the giant Chinese aluminum, Chinalco, for an investment in a mine in Guinea. According to the Australian press, discussions are also underway for projects in Mongolia and Australia.

La France, Germany and other euro countries are preparing to establish a cordon sanitaire around Greece. To avoid the contagion of the fiscal crisis in southern Europe. The decision Wednesday by mature finance ministers must be confirmed Thursday by a special economic summit convened in Brussels.

Past Time denials on a "bailout plan", the sixteen Ministers of Finance have written Wednesday afternoon, the scenario during a videoconference decided in haste with the ECB president, Jean-Claude Trichet, and the new Commissioner of Economic Affairs Olli Rehn. Thursday it was the turn of the Heads of State and Government. Paris seemed to confirm an impending decision by saying that Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel will speak together at the end of the summit."This is a response to market concerns," said President of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker.

Risk of contagion

The capitals of the euro area are found immersed in financial emergencies. It is no longer helping private banks threatened with bankruptcy, but sovereign states, victims of speculative attacks that threaten the stability of the euro.

Greece, whose fiscal situation is dramatic, can not find a buyer for the debt markets, less than 6% for a state loan to ten years, a price two times higher than Germany.The scenario of failure refinancing of Greece, with an explosion of interest rates, leading to bankruptcy of the country, hanging over all Euro zone.

The risk of infection, reported by the European Commission itself has closed the debate on whether to isolate and treat the first victim vigorously payday advance . "Greece is affected, and everybody crosses their fingers on a much more cumbersome: Spain", notes one diplomat. Treatment thought Wednesday could well be applied to others. "We envision all possible scenarios," said one senior European official.The draft promises to be bitter for the country ill: an infusion of bridging loans and short-term government guarantees, with counterpart, a say close to Europe and / or creditors in the reorganization undertaken by the governments.

These are the states at the forefront Paris and Berlin, who took the initiative. The French and German banks hold nearly 40% of the Greek foreign debt, which is active in mueraient balls if the crisis drags on trust.

Even with a label "European", the injection of state funds – for example French and German – to help a national treasure would be a first in the euro area. The creditors will not invest lightly in countries that already spend for pierced baskets. "Yes, help arrives.No, there is no question of releasing the pressure on Athens, Wednesday secured a European negotiator.

In practice, they are also the states should ensure, with an assiduity worthy of the IMF, that Greece meets the rigor period prescribed by Prime Minister Papandreou.

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"How to achieve its goal three months of sales? By becoming a vendor at Renault Samsung, "The joke circulating these days at the dealership in Seoul, during the lunch break. Their enthusiasm was due to booming sales of Korean-French manufacturer since early 2010.

A surge of 74.6% on the South Korean market in January (compared to last year), while exports registered a strong increase of 43.6%. This spectacular start due to the immediate success by winning the new SM5, the car manufacturer's flagship, launched last month. The third version of the sedan, developed from the chassis of the Laguna 3 sells like hotcakes and allows Renault Samsung to face the future with serenity.

"This is a key operation, the SM5 must ensure the future of the brand for five years," said CEO Jean-Marie Hurtig.

Image quality

Things seem to parties because these excellent figures confirm the good results registered by the manufacturer in 2009, world in crisis. Defying the pessimistic prognoses of its own troops, the Korean branch of Renault reported a 31% increase in sales last year, thanks to a South Korean market remained buoyant despite the international situation. Based on image quality, still up in surveys of consumers, the manufacturer has strengthened its position as the second group of Korea, at GM Daewoo. In the land of morning calm, Renault Samsung is the manufacturer that goes against the behemoth Hyundai-Kia, which controls nearly 80% market share.The success of the SM3 but also export the Koleos, an SUV of the year in China, enable the brand to address the global recovery with optimism.

Performance that also strengthen the position of the manufacturer within the Renault group. In 2009, South Korea became the third largest market for Renault (except Nissan) behind France and Germany. A spectacular leap from 9th place, a year earlier, made possible by the lowered sales in major markets like Turkey, Italy or Brazil.A breakthrough that allows the manufacturer to get rid of its image of Tom Thumb the group, which sticks to the skin from its takeover in 2000, on the verge of bankruptcy.

Logistically, Renault Samsung has also taken advantage of the crisis to increase its role in the alliance: taking advantage of the fall of the Korean won against the yen, the Pusan plant provides more and more parts to workshops Nissan, on the island of Kyushu. "Korea becomes competitive with China," said Jean-Marie Hurtig, who can also rely on the quality of South Korean engineers and a social climate less tense than in Hyundai and Ssangyong.

Only downside, the rise steeply from the Korean currency against the dollar and the euro, which threatens the competitive edge of exports.

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lefigaro.fr / jdf.com: The beginning of 2010 seems to mark a resurgence of activity. Is it time to review mergers and acquisitions?

Herve Mangin: The market mergers and acquisitions work for periods of three to four years from 1997 to 2000, then 2003 to 2007. Since 2009, we are in the trough of the wave. Current levels are the lowest ever achieved for five years. Between 2007 and 2009, the number of deals announced declined by 53% and 32% between 2008 and 2009. The market mergers and acquisitions have obviously suffered from the economic crisis but also the draining of financial markets, preventing firms from refinancing.Since late last year, we see a resumption of operations, with an increase of nearly 50% in the fourth quarter versus the third quarter.

How can we explain this turnaround?

The economic visibility improves, credit conditions are more flexible, companies have taken preemptive measures to deal with the crisis and some have a large cash cushion. There are two ways to use this cash, either redistribute it to shareholders through dividends or share repurchases, or generate growth through investments or mergers and acquisitions. However, growth remains soft, the high level of taxes, consumer debt and high unemployment. It is better to buy existing capacity rather than creating new plants that use rates are poor.

The takeover of Cadbury by Kraft has yet taken place earlier this year.

The operation took place earlier this year because it was strategically very important for Kraft. This is also not expected to return to a debt level more comfortable to launch its offer. He attacked as soon as market conditions are loaned. Another symbolic aspect of this acquisition: it illustrates the need to increase the cash portion of the offering to complete the transaction. In other words, the larger the share in cash, the higher the transaction was likely to occur. Then again Kraft could do so only because the visibility has improved.

What is special about your fund Axa Opportunities?

The management of our fund is unusual to begin by targeting predators, their strategic and financial interest to generate external growth.Once we've found a predator, we want to know what would be the best "prey". And only from there, we are studying the viability of the project on a financial plan. So we try to place us before purchase. Operations in 2010 will be more strategic than financial. We focus on companies that have cash and are facing challenges in terms of growth, diversification, and whose price is underestimated. Our fund is invested in particular sectors of health, chemicals, oil and telecoms. According to a study co-published by Boston Consulting Group and UBS in January 2010, 20% of CEOs will make an acquisition of at least 500 million euros in turnover this year. Groups that have the greatest appetite are in insurance, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

The portfolio is invested two thirds in mergers and acquisitions and third in special situations (change of management, disposals important modifying the profile of a group …, Ed), while in 2009 the allocation was balanced. Our pocket liquidity is still below 10% and amounts to about 2% today. This pocket is more tactical than strategic: we do not intend to play on the cash to take advantage of market reversals. And especially since our fund is PEAable (the fund must invest at least 75% in European equities).

Do you ever happen to take positions outside Europe?

Absolutely. Having decided to adopt an approach focused on the predator to detect targets the most interesting, sometimes I take positions in securities outside Europe when the target detected there.But this represents no more than 8-10% of the portfolio. For example, I have a line on Mead Johnson, an American company specializing in the infant food because it is an attractive prey for Danone and Nestle, in particular because of its positions in emerging markets.

What are your beliefs about the four areas you are most invested (health, telecommunications, chemicals, petroleum)?

In telecoms we further expect further consolidation of domestic markets as large cross-border transactions. A reconciliation between Telenet and Mobistar France Telecom would thus solve the strategic problems of France Telecom in Belgium. Health, which is a major provider of mergers and acquisitions, should suffer the same fate as laboratories continue to suffer from the rise of generics.Sanofi, which has made more than 8 billion of acquisitions last year, would buy biotech and further diversification. For this, Stada, Shire or Stallergenes are good prey. As for the chemicals and oil, they should see competition from emerging countries, notably China and India grow. SWFs should also be present, but more on that equity takeovers.

What about bank stocks? The sector is expected to undergo further restructuring, and Societe Generale would be again at the heart of debates.

For bank stocks, is a question of timing. From 1997 to 2000, banks were in second position on the market for mergers and acquisitions behind telecoms. Similarly between 2003 and 2007 but this time behind the property.I do not see them go top of the list before 2011, because of uncertainty about Basel 3. They should instead carry out asset sales as a first step. Regarding Societe Generale, which could at some point the desire to attract a European rival. In this case, a French white knight would come to her rescue (including BNP Paribas).

Why do not you invested in the car?

I am not invested in this sector because the European players are more predators than prey. Peugeot and Volkswagen are currently taking stakes in Asia for example.And anyway, it is better to invest on groups whose fundamentals are attractive, which is often not the case of the automobile.

On what themes you bet?

The race to growth lies in emerging countries will also be one of the most important theme in 2010-2011. We see particular for Kraft, who has not bought Cadbury confectionery in the UK, but to gain strategic positions in emerging markets. Sanofi has just acquired a vaccine manufacturer in India, and continues to build in China by 2020 40.000 new hospitals should be built, and 90% of the population should receive special protection. Others include Vivendi, which acquired the Brazilian GVT or Heineken has acquired the activities of the Mexican brewer Femsa to 7.6 billion dollars.An offer of GDF International Power also has a sense of perspective in particular geographical synergy in the Middle East.

What are your plans for 2010?

Now that the means of external growth are met, the operations will be resumed. 2010 marks the return of mergers and acquisitions, ie the beginning of the wave. This does not mean that we will experience a bubble market and we'll find the record levels of 2007. But clearly there is potential to find a standardized level. We nevertheless believe that large transactions will only be until the second half of 2010.We should save up 15% to 20% in 2010, the market for mergers and acquisitions.

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While the National Assembly must address on Tuesday on the shutters "great debt" and "Taxation of banks' of the supplementary budget, Eric Woerth, the budget minister, said on France Info this morning that" the impact of large borrowing on the government deficit in 2010 is limited to 2.5 billion euros, or 0.1 points of GDP, while stressing that he was "loaned funds, which will be refunded. Eric Woerth said the need to "reduce our structural deficit, but by the activity that will recreate the recipes that have failed during the recession."He recalled that the forecast deficit passed Monday evening in Brussels indicate a return to a level of public deficit below 3% of GDP, in line with European requirements in 2013, assuming a growth of 2% to 2.5% .

Another topic to be discussed by MPs today, charging the banks should "be subject to parliamentary debate," said Eric Woerth, adding that "it is essential to tax speculative activities.

A minister little to say on pension reform

Regarding the proposed pension reform, a project which must be opened after the regional elections, the budget minister has shown little to say cash advance to savings account .He merely noted that it is a "big issue" and that "all options for reform are on the table."

Also arrested on the law of mobility of staff, Eric Woerth has detailed the operation: "the law of mobility must allow officials to move easily from one jurisdiction to another. An official unearmarked, because his position was eliminated as in private careers, will be entitled to retraining and individual training, which did not exist before. It will then propose a post. It will address three refusals, but then, it will be laid off. "Eric Woerth has assured that" the family and geographical constraints will be taken into account. "It concluded that "after three refusals, it is normal that the employee leaves the terminal, because it means that the person is more motivated to work in administration."

To those who accuse him of wearing a type of speech 'administration, you love him or you leave her', Budget Minister has assured that "this reform can finally build a real human resources policy in the Administration, with merit promotions. "

Around 14 hours, the Paris Bourse more clearly reflected the upward path after hesitating throughout the morning. The CAC 40 wins 0.75% to 3788 points in a trade volume of over 1.5 billion euros. At the opening, the CAC 40 index showed a greater increase of 1.07% to 3800.36 points. The finding is similar to London and Frankfurt: the FTSE-100 is progressing more than 0.21% at 5228 points (cons an opening 5261 points) and Dax from 0.19% to 5654 points (5687 points cons).

But investors in Paris were relieved by the publication of results of U.S. companies. In the vast majority of companies have reported results in line or better.Indeed, many companies publish their accounts in the fourth quarter: Ford, AT & T, Procter, Colgate, Motorola ….

Although business leaders and consumers in the euro area have found morale in January, for the tenth consecutive month, the sharp rise in unemployment in Germany (+8.6% in January) lead the growth indices European financial.

This morning in Japan, the Nikkei ended a spate of four sessions down to it lost 5%, to close a significant increase (1.58%).On Wall Street yesterday, the Dow Jones also finished in the green at 0.41%.

The U.S. Senate will vote Thursday on the reappointment of Ben Bernanke to head the institution.

Across the Atlantic, investors Parisian keep an eye on applications weekly unemployment benefits and orders for durable goods in December, at 14:30.

The bank ran out of steam

Consequence of slowing the renewed financial indices, values faltering: BNP Paribas (0.87% to 52.20 euros against 2.42% at the opening), Societe Generale (+0.69% at 43 14 euros against 2.46%), Credit Agricole (+1.86% at 11.77 euros against 2.81%) and Dexia (1.55% to 4.53 euros against 2.39% ) Payday Advance .

Plastic Omnium (3.14% to 23 euros) has announced a turnover of 2.458 billion euros in 2009, down 8.8%.In the fourth quarter alone, however, sales jumped 16.8% to 716 million euros. The group expects an operating margin up sharply for the full year 2009.

Many publications expected

Areva has returned to mid-session, the title losing 0.15% to 338 euros, having opened up slightly from 0.13%.The group will unveil its revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009, after having asserted yesterday held extensive discussions with GDF Suez for partnership in the French nuclear.

Are also expected publications: JCDecaux (1% to 18.6 euros, after opening up 2%), Sperian Protection (-0.38% against a rise of 0.30% at the opening) Etam (-2.89% to 17.45 euros), Eramet (+2.09% to 222.30 euros), Fleury Michon (+ 0.56% to 36.20 euros), Carbone Lorraine (+2.97 % to 25.45 euros) Vicat (-1.45% to 54.45 euros) and Norbert Dentressangle (+1.17% at 42.49 euros).

Beneteau (+2.36% to 12.6 euros) will hold an annual financial information to 17:30.

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To increase its capacity from 6 to 8 million passengers per year, the airport of Toulouse, who is now a publicly owned company, had decided before the crisis, to build the new hall. A very bright and functional addition to three already existing.

The architect Toulouse Gerard Huet, who was responsible for this achievement which cost more than the 100 million euros. A terminal voluntarily generalist who will be able to accommodate both the needs of low cost carriers as majors. It has been sized to be extended if the request came. There is, for example, 12 banks record that could very easily become 24. "This is not because we built a terminal that airlines and passengers rush!" Says, however, very pragmatic, Jean-Michel Vernhes, Chief Executive of the airport.

Without falling into the trap of subsidy per passenger demanded that certain low costs "of practices which we reject," he says talks continue with low-cost airlines, which now represent 17% of the traffic bad credit payday advance .

For the year 2010, Air Nostrum, a subsidiary of Iberia, will reopen the line to Barcelona operated twice a day, however, EasyJet will increase its capacity to Charles de Gaulle and Air Austral to La Reunion. To facilitate access to the airport road has been reviewed and a new 3 700 parking spaces is under construction. It will then improve the service between the airport and downtown."We do not oppose the construction of parking and improved public transport," says the President to the attention of elected officials.

An open house is scheduled Saturday, March 6 just before the commissioning.

The French do they realize the inevitability of the efforts to achieve a satisfying retirement? This suggests that a poll published Sunday in the JDD. According to this consultation Ifop *, breaking with previous surveys on the subject, 41% of respondents said they were ready to contribute more to retire as soon as possible. The average age of starting accepted amounted to almost 62 years, one third of respondents saying the same for departure between 65 and 69 years. A first. Because of this development, the level of concern by the amount of future pensions continues to grow, 76% of respondents reported little confident, against 61% a little over a year.

If the French are therefore more willing to make sacrifices, they do show, however, little lenient with successive governments.They are in fact 40% believed that the pension system has not really been up to this reform, while 48% believe that those assets have gone done the wrong way.

An instructive survey, a few months of a new launching system. The Head of State has chosen last year to advance the timing of the pension reform from 2012 to 2010. If the CGT said the current system "viable", the secretary general of the CFDT Fran?ois Ch?r?que decides in contrast to the introduction of a points system, more personalized than the current system, as was done in Sweden. For now, the government appears not convinced, saying the country had recently suspended the system. If considering a reduction of the legal age of retirement now set at 60 years, a dues increase does not seem so far not in the agenda.

* Conducted the 7 and 8 January on a sample of 1019 persons, representative of the French population aged 18 and older, including 522 active. Quota method. The interviews were conducted by telephone at residence of respondents.

Christmas may be a small taste of social conflict to European officials. The EU countries have decided to increase by only 1.85% next year, instead of the 3.7% originally planned. Amputation justified by the economic crisis, but returns to divide by two indexing legally provided for in contracts. And that, therefore, more than likely be retoqu?e by the European Court of Justice.

The payslip of some 45 000 employees and contractors in Europe is automatically in effect revalued each year, according to a complex formula incorporating the wage of public service in eight Member States and the cost of living in Brussels.The calculation ended this year with an increase of 3.7% … which caused a surge in countries obliged to freeze or even reduce the salaries of their own officials.

As the Twenty-Seven have they endorsed this Wednesday, after weeks of procrastination, a halving of the annual adjustment. This sudden attack of virtue going very badly in Brussels – even if they, with their comfortable salaries, have trouble finding a sympathetic ear: the grid of monthly payments of civil servants will in effect from 2 600 euros gross, for a beginner bottom of the scale, 18 000, for a general manager at the end of career …

A strike in mid-January

The unions argue that if indexing payroll is divided by two, the samples increase as expected, reduces to only 2.3% higher net wages.Above all, they denounce the illegality of the decision, while the agreement on wage adjustments until near 2012. Several officials of the Parliament considered that a revision of the calculation could be considered later, but by 2012, the rules must be respected.

The case is far from over, because the unions are eager to assert their rights. The conflict could escalate if the Commission officials put their threat into execution and a strike vote in mid-January. Their colleagues in Parliament could decide to disrupt the hearings of the future European Commissioners, also planned in January.

But the most effective lever will probably come from the Commission itself, which is preparing to attack the EU countries before the European Court of Justice in early January.With a realistic chance of success: in 1972, the judges had given him reason in a similar situation.