Sundial of world news

If this is not a government program or a setting under the supervision of Italy is like. Friday, Jean-Claude Trichet and his designated successor Mario Draghi sent a joint letter to Silvio Berlusconi stating the conditions set by the ECB to the acquisition of Italian government securities on the secondary market. Conditions detailed binding, behind which one can read the label of the current governor of the Bank of Italy, future boss of the ECB. The letter should have remained secret: the Corriere della Sera reported Monday morning, after the Executive Board of the central bank in the euro area, which has long balked at the reluctance of German and Dutch governors, gave the green light to purchases of securities in Italy and Spain.

Roadmap drastic

The ECB seems to blame the previous plans of Silvio Berlusconi to be inadequate, too general, too spread out over time.As she raises her conditions. First, she asked Silvio Berlusconi to proceed by order, immediately applicable, not Bill (DDL), that Parliament is still time to approve. It then lists the reforms it expects Italy. In terms of privatization, she cites municipal corporations (public transport, roads, electricity supply, with the exception of water which will remain public).

With regard to the Labour Code in force since 1970, the ECB requires to make more flexible the procedures for dismissal and to focus on agreements in companies with sectoral agreements negotiated at the national level. This is a crucial point: Sergio Marchionne, boss of Fiat, continues to denounce the rigidity of hiring and layoffs.

By asking such requirements, the ECB ventures into unfamiliar ground.But it does not matter to the hawks in Frankfurt to fly to the rescue of Rome by putting huge sums into play if Italy does not comply with a roadmap drastically. Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel pushed in that direction. In their joint statement on Sunday night, they emphasized that the return of Italy to a balanced budget in 2013 was an important "fundamental" for markets and called for "a rapid implementation and complete" the measures announced Friday by Silvio Berlusconi.

This intervention boosted the opposition: "What we really require the ECB and the international institutions? A government powerless now totally discredited and Trust must at least say what the real situation, "said the press head of the Democratic Party, Pierluigi Bersani.As for the former European Commissioner Mario Monti, he now believes that Italy is governed by a "foreign Podesta."

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In a market still panicked on issues of U.S. and European debt, he had to look this morning to find values ​​still moving into positive territory. Yet the case of Bic, which is Wednesday morning at the top of the charts in the SBF 120 and values ​​eligible for the SRD, with an increase of 5.27% to 64.74 euros an hour after opening. The reason: the publication of interim results above expectations, at least much of its activity. Good news that restores a little balm in the heart of the operators, cooled from a fortnight in business publications rather disappointing. Demonstrated again this morning the profit warning from Société Générale, in turn affected by the effects of the crisis of the Greek debt.

This is clearly not the case for Bic.The specialist in stationery, lighters and shavers has indeed unveiled Wednesday half-yearly sales up 5.5% (comparable) to 886.1 million euros and an operating profit of 174.9 million euros. An annual increase of 22.4% more than that of revenue, thanks in part to the increase in gross margin and cost savings involved in the restructuring program in 2009.

Offset deliveries of orders for back-classesCes good results are obtained Bic thanks to sales growth markets (+15.3% on a comparable basis) and by the strong performance of its consumer division (stationery, lighters, razors ).The latter, which represents over 85% of its turnover, has in fact increased by 8.8% over the period to 758.8 million euros, supported among others by the good performance in stationery and lighters in Latin America and Asia lighters.

However, in Europe and the United States, stationery grew much lower (about 1.5%), affected by the timing of delivery of orders to return to school. "Distributors delay until the last moment of receipt of goods back to school," explains the release. With the effect a shift in sales from the second to the third quarter. Despite this, the group remains confident for the year-end on this division that made its reputation. For 2011, management believes that growth in this sector will exceed the 5% previously announced for the year.

Advertising products to the penalty

Investors have therefore retained the good news rather than the poor performance of the other activities of Bic, namely advertising and promotional products (Bic APP), which represents 15% of its sales. In the first six months of the year, income from this activity decreased by 10.2% on a comparable basis, affected by "customer service issues, including delivery." In addition, BIC recorded in this division of non-recurring items mainly related to the reorganization of its Italian operations, affecting up to 1.9 million euros operating profit. In the end, Bic APP recorded a loss from operations of 3.5 million euros, against a gain of 1.6 million a year earlier.Bic said however, "confident about the success of the integration plan and return to growth of this branch in 2012."

In the longer term, Bic is also focusing on growing markets for its development. Within a decade, he wants to increase the share of its business that is conducted at over 40% against 29% in 2010. And to address inflationary environment of commodity prices, Bic plans in the coming weeks price adjustments "targeted" on some of its products. A "power-pricing" that would also be useful to offset increased marketing investments to support the brand.

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The proposals "Fund Deposit" and "itching powder" are rarely associated. They are even more often seen as mutually exclusive! Yet the old lady of the Rue de Lille, as we nicknamed the public financial institution, is now ready to shake up some French capitalism. It shows at least now clearly his ideas on corporate governance, an area where it operates through its investment portfolio, worth 45 billion euros. The CDC is thus "the institutional investor of reference in France, said its Deputy General Manager, Antoine Gosset-Grainville. His votes in general meetings of shareholders have a non zero … "

During the 2011 season meetings, the Fund has participated in 238 general meetings, and 6% voted against the resolutions proposed to shareholders.His motives in a bad mood generally join those of other heralds of good governance.

Gender and salaries

The first theme is that of the organization and composition of boards of directors or supervisory board (with attention to gender), the Fund is "generally favorable to separate the functions." Second area of ​​vigilance: the compensation of officers and directors. "We are opposed to the remuneration of executives for which the variable significantly exceeds the fixed portion, and the distribution of bonus shares or stock options to a very small number of people without condition or performance," said Antoine Gosset -Grainville. Third issue: the rights of shareholders no fax pay day loan.The resolutions authorizing such massive capital increase without preferential subscription rights for existing shareholders are not, for example the taste of the Fund.

With a "score" of 6% negative votes, the CDC is far from being a shareholder "activist". But the institution wants to know that she is not inactive. With her as with other large institutional investors, "there is now a very heavy dialogue ahead of meetings to identify the risk of blockage. This is a good mode of regulation, "said Antoine Gosset-Grainville.

By the end of the year, the Fund will publish its "general principles to vote" in assembly. A text that is not a straitjacket."We have deviated in 20% of cases, such as to renew the directors in office for over twelve years, but actually brings more to the company," explains the number 2 of the Fund.

This guide does not directive for special cases, like when it comes to voting for or against a strategic move. Antoine Gosset-Grainville recalls the general philosophy of the institution, "the anti-model of some investment funds that are not as long-term horizon, or good governance to rule."

For specific cases, the CDC prefers silence his choice. But he said, as reported Challenges, for example, it has been against the division of the discounter Dia Carrefour Group, at a meeting that was one of the roughest of the season.

The NYSE was struggling to find a clear direction at the opening Friday, the day after net gains brought by the agreement reached in Europe on debt and as the market digested a series of results: the Dow Jones lost 0, 21% but the Nasdaq gained 0.25%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gave 27.09 points to 12,697.32 points while the Nasdaq, dominated by technology, taking 6.98 points to 2841.41 points. The broader index S & P 500 fell by 0.04% (or 0.52 points) to 1343.28 points.

On Thursday, the New York Stock Exchange ended sharply higher Dow Jones gained 1.21% to 12,724.41 points, its highest closing level in over two months and the Nasdaq 0.72% to 2834.43 points .The broader index Standard & Poor's 500 rose 1.35% to 1343.80 points.

The announcement of a concrete agreement on the plan of aid to Greece, made shortly before the close of the U.S. market, has largely contributed to the surge in indices. In the U.S., investors remained optimistic despite the denial by a spokesman for the White House, press reports that a market was about to be reached with the Republican chairman of the House, John Boehner, to raise the debt ceiling. At 12 days of the deadline set by the Treasury, the Democratic leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate have found for nearly two hours the president Barack Obama to the White House. The rating agency Standard & Poor's reiterated Thursday that there was a chance that two lower sovereign rating of the United States within three months.The downgrade could occur "possibly by early August" and could be "one or more notches," says the agency.

On the foreign exchange market, the overall relaxation of the Greek fire, which had once benefited the euro last Thursday, however, did not have a lasting impact on the European currency was stable against the dollar on Friday. At mid session on European markets, the euro was worth 1.4412 dollars, against 1.4417 dollars on Thursday night. In the wake of the announcement of the plan, the euro reached a peak Thursday at 1.4443 dollar. In terms of oil, oil prices start rising, supported by a European, but also by the announcement of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IEA), which has no plans to release a reserve again strategic.In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" took 28 cents to 99.41 dollars, after crossing at the meeting yesterday the 100 dollars. That of Brent North Sea took 23 cents to 117.74 dollars.

New round results

On the macroeconomic front, no major indicator is expected across the Atlantic. Investors should pay close attention to the results of the day. Starting with those of computer giant Microsoft has managed to achieve an increase of 23% of its annual net profit to 23.15 billion dollars, even though he suffered a slowdown in the IT market, felt by its flagship, Windows programs. The fourth quarter of fiscal shifted from Microsoft, completed June 30, exceeded expectations, with a 30% increase in net income to 5.87 billion billion.The turnover has meanwhile increased by 12% during the year to 69.94 billion dollars, including 17.37 billion dollars last quarter alone (8%). the title loses 1.93% to 25.87 dollars.

For its part, the U.S. manufacturer of AMD microprocessors without CEO since January, announced Thursday after the close of Wall Street have made a profit of $ 61 million in the second quarter against a loss of 43 million a year ago, to sales down 5%. The title takes off from 12.62% to 7.33 dollars.

Also note, the U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs (0.07% to 135.67 dollars) has won a legal victory against the Australian investment fund Basis Yield Alpha Fund failed (BYAF) who accused him of have made a mistake in selling him a financial risk before the financial crisis.A New York judge has in fact refused to hear the complaint, citing a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court which ruled that U.S. laws on financial products do not apply to transactions made abroad.

The U.S. maker of memory cards Sandisk recorded 1.37 billion of revenue in the second quarter of this year, including 248.4 million dollars in net profits. Numbers higher than analysts' expectations. The title earns 7.73% to 44.82 dollars.

The pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb (-0.32% to 29.46 dollars) announced Thursday that it has agreed "final" for the purchase of specialist treatments fibrosis Amira, a sum of up to 475 million. Under the agreement, BMS will acquire the entire share capital of Amira, which is not publicly traded, for $ 325 million in cash.Additional payments of up to $ 150 million could be made depending on the performance of the products currently developed by Amira.

Today, Genevieve Lethu almost a pioneer. It's been almost ten years since the specialist tableware decided to repatriate most of its production in France. The group did not wait for the rising costs of transportation and wage inflation that affects a part of Asia to relocate its production in France and Europe. While 40% are still manufactured in Southeast Asia in 2002, this proportion has now dropped to 9%. Aim of the operation to improve the quality of its products.

According to Edmond Kassapian CEO Genevieve Lethu and origin of this strategy, the manufacturing conditions in emerging markets were no longer satisfactory. "We see a lot of flaws too: for example, the colors were sometimes not good.Moreover, China does not always meet the hygiene standards required by the manufacture of kitchen utensils, "said he. Three or four people were paid full-time, just for the after sales service. Manufacturing defects that the company, positioned on a medium-high-end, could not pass up. With a significant portion of its customers for export, being a French brand was not selling enough. "Our customers are demanding products made in France, not South-East Asia," said Edmond Kassapian.

Especially these failures were added to other problems. "Our own suppliers copied our collections to sell at lower prices," recalls the CEO. Occur in Asia also means longer production lead times, which complicate inventory management.In addition to transport by ship, which takes about two months, the status of "world factory" in China in some areas it is a work organization to lean. In this context, start or restart a production cycle requires a waiting period of up to six to eight months.

Model difficult to transpose

By bringing back most of its production in France, Geveniève Lethu won as responsiveness and quality. But this shedding was not built without problems. "Finding plants in France and Europe that can ensure our production has not been an easy task. Invest in tools, machinery was necessary. The repatriation was ultimately effective only from 2004-2005, "said Edmond Kassapian.Despite the cost of transportation and the "huge mess" deplored by the specialist tableware of its products made in China, produced in France is generally two to three times more expensive.

Why the model Genevieve Lethu is not easily transferable. "Some activities simply can not be relocated. Products requiring significant labor to manufacture or those who stand out from the competition will cost products in Asian countries. Our relocation was only possible because we are positioning ourselves in the middle and high end because the argument made in France for us was a selling point, "Edmond analysis Kassapian.

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Investors have a sharp tongue this morning at the Paris Bourse to the Sodexo. The title of specialist catering opened sharply lower on Tuesday (-0.93% to 53.45 euros), thus one of the largest declines in the SBF 120. Figures released this morning before market had, however, is appealing. In the first nine months of its fiscal year 2010-2011 (ending August 31), the turnover number two worldwide in its sector has in fact increased by 7.7% to 12.408 billion euros. On a comparable basis, sales advanced 5.2% between September 2010 and May 2011.

Confirm what the goal of organic growth of 4.5% of its annual turnover from 2010 to 2011 (target statement in April) and operating profit up "order" 10% off effects.

In a statement released this morning, management also details the performance by division.On the side of its core business, sales service solutions on site (catering services, 95% of the activity), billings were up 5.1% organically, driven by the strong performance of the restoration and services to businesses and governments. "This reflects the dynamism of emerging countries Sodexo," also details the statement said.

Latin America driving growth

As for solutions motivations (gift vouchers, tickets restaurants), there is also a dynamic steady, with sales up 6.2% organically, to 532 million euros. Again, the emerging regions have driven growth, including Latin America, where activity jumped 13.7% of the activity against a withdrawal of 0.9% in Europe.For example, Sodexo won a new contract with the Venezuelan Senate tickets for restaurants, covering 11,150 beneficiaries.

The reaction of the markets this morning is not worrying, investors took some profits after a rise of 13% of the title for four months. More than 18 times earnings estimates for the current fiscal year, the title is rather highly valued, which may also explain the correction on Wednesday.

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Here are the planned changes on 1 July 2011.

• Retirement

The law on pension reform, enacted November 10, 2010 after a long parliamentary battle will come into effect on Friday. The legal age will gradually increase from 60 to 62, with four more months per year. The first people affected are those born after 1 July 1951.The age of the full rate – that is to say that from which an employee receives a full pension even though he has not contributed enough quarter (165 quarters forward) – is raised gradually from 65 to 67 between 2016 to 2023.

By persons possessing a degree of permanent disability of at least 20% and, after notice of a multidisciplinary committee, those possessing a degree of permanent disability between 10 and 20% are still able to go to 60 years.

• SMIC

The minimum wage was last adjusted on 1 January will not be automatically upgraded in July. The rise in prices which reached 2% since last revaluation of the minimum wage – could lead to an increase in August the minimum wage indexed to inflation.Prime Minister François Fillon has also been clarified that no additional boost would be granted.

• Unemployment benefits

Unemployment benefits will be revalued by 1.5% from 1 July, decided Thursday Unédic or at a rate lower price developments and the minimum wage increase of 1.6% occurred at the beginning of years. "The debate was very long to the Board of UNEDIC" consisting of representatives of employers and employee organizations, which manage all unemployment insurance, said the president of UNEDIC, Gaby Bonnand at a press conference.

• Transport

– SNCF: the prices of train tickets will increase by an average of 2.5%. This increase will, as every year, uneven tickets. It will range from 10 cents to 2.70 euros by destination.The price discount cards remains unchanged.

– RATP Navigo Pass packages will increase by 2.7%, except for Zone 5. Zone 6 is removed and merged with the 5, which will mechanically decrease by 11% the price paid by its users, reduced from 123.60 to 109.90 euros for a monthly fee. In detail: the monthly zone 1 and 2 increased from 60.40 euros to 62 euros (+2.6%). That of zones 1 to 3 passes to 80.30 euros (+2.7%), and that of zones 1 to 4 to 98.10 euros (+2.7%). The single ticket remains unchanged at 1.70 euro.

The bus fare increases to 1.90 euro (+5.5%), while the book of 10 tickets will increase to 12.5 euros (+4.2%).

• Energy

– Electricity: Household bill increases of 2.9%.The industries and large companies take 4.4 to 4.9% according to the rate at which they are submitted.

– Gas: gas rates for individuals do not change, but those businesses increased by 3.2%.

• E

La Poste has announced that the price of postage for mailings of letters under 20 grams would rise by two cents, from 0.58 to 0.60 cents.

• Mobile Phone

The price of mobile communications passed from another European country down. It will now cost 42 cents per minute against 47 before. Subscribers operators in metropolitan departments and overseas subscribers Dom operators in mainland France also benefit from lower rates.

• Environment

A thousand everyday products will be subject to an experimental display decided at the Grenelle Environment Forum.Packaging will be accompanied by a statement indicating their carbon footprint and their impact on biodiversity, water, etc..

• Bank

A summary of bank charges (basket of services, payment systems, operational occurrences, agios) will now be on the monthly bank statements, which also display the ceiling of the overdraft.

• Pets

The electronic chip designed to identify the pet becomes mandatory for all animals that will travel outside French territory.

(With agencies)

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After the accident nucléraire Japan March 11 Fukushima, who questioned the safety of nuclear power in the world, Areva intends to secure its investments by standing as a major player in offshore wind Thus, the group NUCLEAR he announced Wednesday morning that it has signed a strategic partnership with Iberdrola Renewables, a subsidiary of Spanish giant Iberdrola and world leader in offshore wind to meet the tender just launched by the French government. The project, detailed by Nicolas Sarkozy last January after being repeatedly postponed, for the first phase is to establish 600 wind turbines with an installed capacity of 3,000 megawatts (MW) in France. In 2020, Nicolas Sarkozy has described the goal of 6000 MW of offshore wind, or 1200 units to be built.The specifications of the tender will be published in July, two months behind schedule.

"Areva and Iberdrola are two major areas of the five selected for the first phase of the tender," said the French group said in a statement, without giving further details. The five development zones are located on the Atlantic coast and the Channel, between Saint-Nazaire (Loire-Atlantique) and Tréport (Seine-Maritime) easy pay day loans. According to the newspaper Les Echos, the areas of Saint-Brieuc and Saint-Nazaire are cited, and the two companies together produce between 500 and 750 MW of capacity. In addition, a construction group should join them "very soon".If the alliance was successful, Iberdrola Renewables will develop the project as it does in Germany or the United Kingdom while Areva exclusively manufacture and supply of wind turbines of 5 MW.

Recently, GDF-Suez and Vinci jointly responded to the tender which is a whole of 10 billion euros for zones of Dieppe-Tréport, Fecamp (both in Seine-Maritime) and Courseulles -sur-Mer (Calvados). While at the beginning of the year, Alstom and EDF Energies Nouvelles announced together to meet all of the tender.

This announcement could be the last made under the direction of Anne Lauvergeon whose term expires June 30 Luc Oursel then take the head of the Executive tomorrow, Thursday.

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A dozen days after an employee is killed at the site of the nuclear reactor of the third generation EPR under construction at Flamanville, the newspaper L'Humanité reveals that the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) denounced a "deliberate process" of non- -reporting of accidents on the site, particularly on the part of Bouygues. In a report dated June 6, Constable nuclear lists 112 accidents occurred in 2010 on the site of the EPR with 38 accidents "to report has not been the subject of a declaration." Thus, about one accident in four has not been under declared.

ASN emphasizes the responsibility of employers, including Bouygues, which controls the civil works on site and Elco Construct. "In many cases (at least 11 examples for the group Bouygues and 8 Elco), these employers were informed of the accident.They also had knowledge of the regulatory requirement to report any accident, "wrote the Authority, adding that this proves" intent to evade the information of the inspector's work and thus to divert the surveillance "of it.

Bouygues denies responsibility

In January, when another worker, 37, died after falling from 13 to 15 meters that the CGT Bouygues accused of being responsible for the accident, and claimed to have provided the Justice documents showing that the giant construction labor law trampled on the site of Flamanville cheapest personal loan rates. A spot investigation for "manslaughter" was opened by the prosecutor of Cherbourg. And last April, ASN insiqué it was beginning an investigation of "under-reporting of accidents at the site of the EPR."

At EDF, prime contractor for the project is ensured then "make every effort" to improve the situation. The site manager was replaced a few months ago. But according to Bouygues, which controls the civil engineering of this project over 3000 workers, non-reporting of accidents "are personal initiatives." Twenty people-safety recall "regular" instructions. According to the unions, a dozen subcontractors are involved in these accidents.

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They lied. This is a strange admission by Clement and Alec, the founders of La Chanson du Dimanche, the duo since 2007 Sunday night awakens the evil of Internet users in social and crazy song. Yes, they lied to their customers is a confession in the form of heartfelt cry that emerges from this interview.

Consultant bombed out of school, both graduates of the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Telecom are two mathematicians lost time in the land of recce missions and project management. It's hard to imagine a mission, wearing, clean-shaven, explaining to a client redesign of a master plan or the establishment of a new information system … Yet they did.

They retain a bittersweet feeling, a form of disenfranchisement that tells and sings with humor generation in their thirties they belong.On the one hand a job the temptation of food and the gentrification of bohemian and the other the desire to achieve otherwise. From this point of view, Alec and his anxiety to quit pretty much sums up the feeling of all those who want to move on but do not have the courage or the opportunity to go through. Clement has not experienced these feelings. It is the most relaxed of the two and gives math class today until the next season of the Song of Sunday.