Sundial of world news

Danone raised its sales growth target for 2010 after the publication of its results for the first half Tuesday. The group recorded an increase in its turnover by 7% over the period (6.9% in the second quarter) to 8.364 billion euros. Danone now expects growth in sales of "at least 6%," cons "at least 5%" previously.

Current operating margin stood at 15.30% in the first half, against 16.03% over the same period in 2009. The band announced target for the whole year stable margins on a comparable basis compared to 2009. The operating profit amounted to 1.28 billion (against 1.2 in the first half of 2009).

The current net profit climbed 10.1% to 848 million euros.

Danone also aims to increase free cash flow from operations of at least 10% compared to 2009 historical data.

"A good start to the year"

Group CEO, Franck Riboud, speaking of a "good start to the year" and that Danone announces in particular will continue "to invest in developing countries, products and brands with strong potential: Child Nutrition in Asia, the Fresh Dairy division in United States, Brazil, Russia.

"At the same time, he adds, we are continuing our efforts to improve productivity, essential to cope with the volatility of our raw materials." Third key point, Franck Riboud said that "cash generation continues to grow strongly."

New outbreak of fever at SNCM. During one week, a dozen sailors were delayed for one hour each day the ship departs The Corsican liaising Nice L'Île Rousse. They demanded an adjustment of their pay with that of other marine company. They succeeded, and The Corsican found Thursday its normal pace.

This social movement falls at the worst time, tourist season and while the company controlled by Veolia has also lost market share in the first half. Its traffic decreased 7.1%, one of Corsica Ferries increased by 17.5%. Moby Lines, comer, has received nearly 33 000 passengers in three months.

"Our main concern is with Moby Lines are denied benefits that help the passenger, and Corsica Ferries.With the current system, they can only gain additional market share, "worries Alpozzo Frederick, Secretary General of the CGT sailors of the SNCM. For the union, the welfare system to the passenger distributed by the local authority Corsican airlines operating out of Nice and Toulon is "antagonistic" to that of the public service delegation (PSD), benefiting SNCM and CMN from Marseilles. "This is not a compensation of public service but a premium for social dumping," Frederick Alpozzo ton.

Risk of losses in 2010

A report commissioned by the government pointed the problem. The ball is in the camp community Corsican. A special session is scheduled in September to review all aid to maritime transport. "SNCM is in a delicate position.She could ask to not go after the convention of CSP, which expires at the end of 2013, we recognize the Corsican Transportation Agency (CTA). Out of the red in 2008, SNCM has gained nearly 18 million euros in 2009 thanks to a gain on disposal of a vessel (26 million). The CTA believes that the company's losses could reach 20 million this year. To make matters worse, if a new DSP is launched, the agreement could exclude ferries operating at peak periods. She would come into force in 2012. Suddenly, the reduction plan envisaged by the SNCM fleet in February, dropped after the strikes of the CGT, may become relevant.

"We need things to change and we stop losing money.Either we reorganized the DSP is still there and it will be dramatic, because it will break everything, "Frederick alarmed Alpozzo who admits fear a scenario where the SeaFrance 725 employees will be dismissed.

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Mixed. Between the good results released Tuesday by Intel and announcements pessimistic Fed, the U.S. markets have been slow to find the right direction. They finally finished in extremis in the green. A green very hesitant. The Dow Jones gained 0.04%, Nasdaq 0.35% advance in 2250. In contrast, the S & P 500 was down 0.02% to 1095 points.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro remains above 1.27 dollars to 10:40 p.m. at 1.2738 dollars (0.14%). The dollar seems to lose some of its appeal as a safe haven. The encouraging start to the season half results in the United States seems to restore investor confidence and encourages risk taking. The European currency was on his side with the success of the issuance of treasury bills Greeks.The operation, with a rate of 4.65%, the first since May, when the euro zone and the IMF have provided loans of 110 billion euros over three years, has aroused demand of over 4.5 billion euros, well above the 1.25 billion that the country wanted to raise.

Retail sales disappoint, the Fed resolutely pessimistic

To many observers, the Fed was going to share in the minutes of its monetary policy meeting, the revised growth forecasts downwards. It is clear that they were right. The U.S. central bank now expects growth of between 3% and 3.5%, against a range from 3.2% to 3.7% three months ago. The finding is similar to unemployment. Consequently, the Fed is considering new measures of monetary policy to support the U.S. economy.

Side indicators on Wednesday, the Commerce Department reported a 0.5% drop in retail sales in the U.S. last month, after declining 1.1% in May according to a revised estimate. Economists and analysts polled by Reuters were predicting a decline of 0.2%. Compared to June 2009, sales were up 4.8%. This statistic is added to a series of numbers considered disappointing, especially in real estate and industry, and suggests that the recovery ran out of steam a bit faster than expected.

Intel Features

On the side of values, the salvo of quarterly results continues on Wall Street. The microprocessor giant Intel on Tuesday said the "best quarter in its history, with net income of $ 2.9 billion, better than expected, and a turnover exceeding its forecasts and also market expectations.Intel shares gain 1.67% to 21.36 dollars.

Always on the side of values, the U.S. group Northrop Grumman defense (3.13% to 56.99 U.S. dollars) has also announced Tuesday after the close of Wall Street of its intention to separate from all its shipyards, it would close one on the Gulf of Mexico within three years.

European banks want to permanently remove the specter of the collapse of the banking system. Alessandro Profumo, UniCredit's boss and one of the most influential leaders in the sector, has relaunched the idea of creating a fund to rescue banks. The idea is simple: banks unite to raise funds that can then be used by an institution in difficulty.

Alessandro Profumo said that using this solution "allows one or more banks in trouble to find a quick solution and avoids any systemic risk." Deutsche Bank and Santander would be convinced by the project.In an interview with the Financial Times, the Director General of the Italian bank in advance that such funds could raise 20 billion euros in a few years no fax cash advance.

Several projects to protect the financial system have already been mentioned. Recently, France, Great Britain and Germany have called for the establishment of a tax credit which funds used to finance the rescue of an institution. However, according to Alessandro Profumo, the creation of a fund from the private sector is able to raise more money.

And initiatives to avoid another crisis are numerous. The Basel Committee develops banking sector reforms to prevent a collapse in the event of another financial crisis.Regulators, who are implementing these measures by 2O12, want to focus on strengthening the capital requirements and capital, and limit debt.

Monday, Le Monde has turned a page of his story in a calm atmosphere. Once is not custom. Upon completion of the supervisory boards of the World, offers the trio Pierre Berge, Xavier Niel and Matthew Pigasse ("BNP") received 11 votes. The other nine votes abstained. Employee representatives had 9 votes, and Louis Schweitzer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, which made the difference in making its voice and that entrusted to him by Claude Perdriel, boss Le Nouvel Observateur and unsuccessful candidate for the resumption of the World.Louis Schweitzer has done everything to ensure that The World is lost in a new crisis between the employees and field representatives (Lagardère and Prisa, La Stampa, Pierre Lescure, Jean-Louis Beffa …).

Over the weekend, in the daily columns, he emphasized the seriousness of the financial situation and warned: "I hope there will be convergence." At the end of the supervisory board, Gilles Van Kote The president of the Society of Editors (RS) welcomed "the gesture of a great lord of Claude Perdriel, which withdrew its offer and voted for its competitors. On Monday morning, Claude Perdriel and Orange announced they were withdrawing their offer, drawing the lesson of the plebiscite of employees of the World for the trio "BNP".Into effect on Friday, the different societies of staff (Le Monde, Le Monde Interactif, Telerama, Courrier International, employees, managers …) have spoken overwhelmingly (between 80 and 91%% for the Society of Editors of World) for the trio Pierre Berge, Xavier Niel and Matthew Pigasse. After the vote, will open exclusive talks with the trio BNP. Beforehand, prospective buyers are, as they had committed 10 million euro move before July 5 to cross to Le Monde's financial deadlines July 10 and have enough money to take all summer ."Then, in late July or early September a new supervisory board will endorse the negotiations and the deal should be finalized in late September or early October," said Gilles Van Kote.

Negotiations with Lagardère and Prisa

In total, Pierre Berge, Xavier Niel and Matthew Pigasse provide 110 million euros. Therefore, they will control 64.65% of capital. For the first time in the history of the world, workers will abandon the majority stake and control group. The trio "BNP" had taken the measure of the importance of this decision. That is why he insisted on preserving the editorial independence of publications group. Better, it should make a gesture in their favor.Pierre Berge has promised to create a foundation with 10 million euros destined to gradually increase the share of employees to 33%.

With other shareholders, Lagardère and Prisa, also diluted, dialogue should engage. Following the recapitalization, Lagardere will have only 5.86% of capital, and Prisa 5.1%. Lagardère cons grin and heart. In the vote, he refrained. "This is a position consistent with what we've always said. We did not oppose the rescue of the World while taking care to safeguard our interests, "responded Khiroun Ramzy, the group's spokesman. However, Lagardere clearly leaning in favor of the trio Perdriel, Prisa, Orange, with whom he had begun negotiations for the acquisition of its stake in the holding company and Le Monde Interactif. In total, he was to receive nearly 40 million euros. The trio "BNP", everything remains to be done."The investors must now specify their intentions. Everything depends on the proposals they will make us, "adds the group. However, the trio "BNP" remained unclear. If he says he must "return to the activity in the digital world", it does not specify the amount he is prepared to pay to redeem the 34% of Lagardère in Le Monde Interactif.

The other loser is the media giant Prisa Spanish. The group led by Juan Luis Cebrian came late in the battle alongside Claude Perdriel and Orange. He has to defend its interests in the holding head. But his stance in favor of an issue of the daily morning have undermined his bid.

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lefigaro.fr / jdf.com – After having doubted the ability of countries to cope with budget deficits, the markets are concerned now plans rigorously implemented by European states. Are they become schizophrenic?

Eric Bleine – I do not know if we can speak of schizophrenia, but I find the reactions of financial markets is excessive. This is not surprising when one considers that most large companies in the CAC 40 are majority owned by U.S. pension funds, and increasingly by players from emerging markets. If individuals are continuing to ignore the actions, it will increase, and financial markets continue to be volatile. In this context, I advise investors to focus on their process of investment. In other words, to believe in what they do and do not move during moments of extreme doubt.It is when the visibility is poor economy and financial and prices of listed assets are low it takes to earn money. The doubts the current market is understandable but exaggerated. He should know how to take them by buying now, taking as a necessary condition to have investment horizons reasonable (between 18 months and 3 years) does not get into the position of having to liquidate its portfolio under stress specific personal.

European equities are they really excluded?

Financial markets have still not integrated as European companies are financially sound, well managed despite the crisis and they have high margins and refinanced debt. The euro zone is not in a situation so bad as that.The proof that more than European ones, are also international companies which derive a substantial part of its sales in the U.S. or in emerging countries. If fears about the euro area are so important is because pension funds are selling their fears, "the fear". What explains this high volatility. But I guess they will stop selling because valuation levels as low and reassuring news that we are beginning to have on the sustainability of our currency, the euro.

How do you manage the allocation of your portfolio between defensive stocks and cyclical stocks?

Overall, I'm quite recently strengthened financial securities in defensive stocks. I have preferences for certain banking stocks and am overweight, representing 18% of portfolio value Central.Despite the pressure around these companies, the current prices seem particularly attractive and excessive criticism. We focus on the big European banks such as BNP Paribas, Santander, Intesa, UniCredit, Deutsche Bank or Barclays. They are strong and come out winners in my opinion this crisis, the market does not take into account.

It is a rather surprising position in the current context. Other atypical cyclical stocks?

Yes, because we are also overweighted car values (5.32% of portfolio) as DaimlerChrysler, Faurecia and Michelin. For example, Michelin will benefit from new standards that will enable tire manufacturers to sell products with high added values.Furthermore, we focus Faurecia, because we believe that Faurecia has good chances of success in China by supporting the rise of automobile manufacturers in emerging countries

I'm also positive and closer to consensus on technology stocks (11.55% of portfolio) invested with Atos, Steria, STMicroelectronics. There is a real demand for computer services and technology assets. Finally, I like also valued as Lufthansa is one of the few aerospace companies to have limited its losses in 2008 and which we believe will be winners of an industry concentration. However, although it benefits from the dollar, we excluded EADS for which we still have some reservations.

A second half what should we expect?

We look forward to a calmer second half versus the first.We're going out of concerns about the sustainability of the euro area and the ability of states to refinance. The fears will gradually dissipate and the risk premium with them. This should drive us as a first step to a CAC 40-3800 points. Then the market should realize that the growth of European countries will not be as catastrophe we would suggest. This gives a potential ACC 40-4000 points, why not towards the end of the year. With the portfolio that I currently constituted, I am ready for the increase in ACC 40.

The time of new measures to reduce costs will soon strike in France. The State must indeed save 100 billion euros by 2013 to reduce its deficit and meet European standards.

Claude Gueant, advisor to Nicolas Sarkozy, says the Financial Times on Monday that further savings measures are in preparation. They should be announced in the fall. It says in part: "France has pledged to reduce its deficit to 3% by 2013. We are determined to achieve this goal. "

Forecast question

For now, the government relies on its growth forecasts to find half the sum. But estimates of France are considered optimistic. The European Commission and the International Monetary Fund have both criticized the government's optimism.The economy minister, Christine Lagarde, has itself acknowledged Sunday at the Grand Jury RTL-LCI-Le Figaro, saying that the forecast 2.5% growth next year was "bold" .

Lower costs

The remaining 50 billion euros will come from the decline in public spending and tax increases. How the State plan to do it? A belief in "Les Echos", the government intends to confirm its target of 100,000 new layoffs of civil servants between 2011 and 2013, after the 100,000 already achieved in recent years. Moreover, the government plans to freeze spending between 2011 and 2013 to maintain transfers to local governments and increase only slightly the health expenditure.The state should also remove the tax loopholes to recover 5 billion euros per year and create a new tax on the wealthiest to raise 3.7 billion euros. Finally, the adjustment of tax evaders will recover, as reported by the Budget Minister Francois Baroin to France Info radio this weekend, "over 1 billion just on the folder HSBC.

The Financial Times points out that these measures should not be sufficient to reach 100 billion euros in savings by 2013. If Claude Gueant has not revealed the content of the proposed measures, economists believe that the state could proceed with a wage freeze for civil servants, their salaries account for nearly one third of public spending.

The crisis has cost France dear. No less than 6 percentage points of GDP between 2008 and 2010 and 3 points of tax revenue and social, as estimated by INSEE. "The growth restarts quite normally, but it remains the scar," said Thursday its chief executive, Jean-Philippe Cotis.

Found 100 billion euros in three years. This is the government's objective to reduce the deficit from 8% to 3% in 2013, reiterated Prime Minister François Fillon on Saturday, which gave details of the proposed measures. "We have pledged by 2013 to reduce our deficit from 8% to 3% and all our efforts will focus on this priority. It means basically that should reduce the deficit of 100 billion by 2013, "he said during a meeting with new members of the UMP Salle Gaveau.

The $ 100 billion, "we (them) to find the half in spending cuts and half in revenue increases," said the head of government.The 50 billion euros in spending cuts will be made up of "45 billion by reducing public expenditure, 5 billion on reducing tax loopholes."

On the revenue side, the 50 billion do not result from increased taxes and levies, "said Francois Fillon. He bets on "35 billion upgrading after the crisis, loss of revenue cyclical. (…) As and when growth returns, revenues are growing once again, "he said. And the remaining 15 billion? They "will correspond to the end of the steps we have taken to boost the economy and have obviously not meant to last beyond this period of recovery," he added.

In May, Francois Fillon had already announced a freeze in spending value of the state but had not detailed the targets.These details are involved a little less than a week after Berlin has adopted a plan rigorously evaluated at 80 billion euros. France is under pressure from financial markets and rating agencies, who urged him to detail the measures to be taken to reduce debt.

"New sources of funding"

The Prime Minister also addressed the issue of pensions. While the government prepares to release his reform plan, Francois Fillon reiterated its intention to extend the duration of activity and pushing the "symbol" of the statutory retirement age to 60 years.

It will also seek new financing, he added. "Justice will lead us to seek new sources of financing because the effort must be shared by all," he said.Nevertheless, the government has temporarily waived taxing incomes over 11,000 euros per month, according to information from Figaro.

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"Maintaining the AAA rating is an objective" tense ", according Baroin

While Wall Street has ended sharply higher on Thursday evening, and the Asian stock markets move in the green, the Paris Bourse, which also took over Thursday evening colors, the trend should be confirmed on Friday morning, but surely more timidly.

The CAC 40, ending up over 2% yesterday, managed to climb beyond 3,500 points. Sign of the return of investors, the volumes are recovering. About 4.5 billion changed hands on the great values of the Paris stock exchange Thursday.

In Europe, the announcement by Jean Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank revised upwards its growth forecast for 2010 to 1% against 0.8% previously, has reassured investors.

Jean-Claude Trichet also reiterated its confidence in the euro, a currency "very credible".On the foreign exchange market, the euro, good barometer of market confidence returning the land to more than $ 1.21. On Friday morning, about 7:15, the euro does not move too much, and gold trading at around 1217 dollars per ounce.

Statistics follow

In France this morning, inflation will be unveiled by INSEE for the month of May, at the same time as the balance of payments in April (Bank of France).

In the eurozone, this balance will be issued for the entire quarter at 11:00.

While in the U.S., sales details in May, which will be published at 14.30, will be as usual well attended, and the second estimate of the confidence index from the University of Michigan for the month May, at 15:55.Five minutes later, it is the stocks and sales of companies in April will be known.

Club Med lots of red heads for China

Club Mediterranean in the first half of its 2009/2010 financial year ended in April with net income of 3 million euros, against 22 million loss a year earlier, in a European tourist market "sluggish" and despite the impact Icelandic cloud, "he said Friday in a statement. In addition, the group discusses with a Chinese group ready to open its capital, according to management.

EDF CEO Henri Proglio will meet this Friday, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller to discuss the pipeline project Southstream. Alexei Miller said one option would be for EDF to take a 10% stake in Southstream.

Moreover, the computer giant HP has partnered with a subsidiary of EDF to provide businesses with "Pod", aka Performance Optimized Datacenter, installed computer labs in containers.

Lagardere Lagardere announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the final disposal of the television 17 to Bolloré Virgin Media.

The manufacturer Renault has confirmed the reports of Figaro on the appointment of Dominique Thormann the position of Financial Director Replacment Thierry Moulonguet.

Peugeot Thursday, hail crippled the manufacturer's plant in Sochaux. The group has not yet quantified the shortfall.6000 employees are laid off.

With STMicroelectronics Soitec could could hold the attention after the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has estimated that worldwide sales of semiconductors will grow by 28.4% to 290.5 billion dollars in 2010 thanks to strong demand from emerging countries.

Banking Profession, held in the IIR, said that the regulation being developed in Basel will have a massive impact on growth, particularly in the euro area.

Societe Generale Kerviel At trial, the atmosphere is electric. The ex-trader annoys the President and General Counsel of the Company to show nervous.

Pharmaceutical companies across Europe, governments are spending on health to reduce their deficit. France is no exception. The government fell in April the rate of return of 200 drugs.He also announced a few days ago to further declines in commodity prices, in order to save 100 million euros by December.