Apr 10




The unions had already waved the threats late last March. They put their threats into effect, calling all employees hypermarket distribution group to strike on Saturday to protest against including salary increases for 2011, considered insufficient. The appeal, launched by the FGTA-FP, the majority union at Carrefour (with 40% representation), is supported by the CGT, CFDT and CGC.

In total, the 65,000 employees of the French distribution group are known not to work and show around the shops this Saturday, the day the traditional busy in hypermarkets. Early estimates labor, the movement is widely followed in more than 200 superstores supermarket group. Over thirty sites are completely blocked, workers blocking access to supermarkets.Even when they are not blocked, the strike rate range from 30% to 85% as estimated by Dejan Terglav, general secretary of the FO-FGTA reported in the AFP. When contacted, the management of Carrefour has not confirmed those numbers, always carrying an inventory of mobilization.

From yesterday, union officials expected a high rate of mobilization of employees in a group unaccustomed to large-scale social movements. An impression confirmed this morning. "It's a movement that looks quite memorable. It is widely followed, "said Franck Gaulin, Steward central CGT.Jean-Claude Mailly, secretary general of Force Ouvriere (FOR), is expected today at Le Mans to support the movement.

Insufficient wage increase

While management offers its employees a 1% increase in wages to March 1 and another 1% increase on 1 October, union officials estimate that these increases do not cover inflation announced by 2%. "It does in fact represents only 1% over the year," says a leaflet distributed by the FGTA-FO.Even the promise of recovery to 10% (against 7% previously) discounts on purchases of stores, and the announcement of the reopening of negotiations next Wednesday, will not suffice to bring back the union leaders on their decision.

Moreover, the malaise is becoming stronger on the side of employees on the deteriorating conditions of employment and new working methods since the arrival at the head of the group of Swedish Lars Olofsson, in January 2009.

Opposition to the plans of division

While President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday expressed its willingness to link salaries to dividends, the unions could ask for more support for their speeches.For beyond wage increases claimed, employees believe that the demerger proposal by listing the subsidiary Dia hard discount and the 25% of Carrefour Property land would bring six billion euros to the two main shareholders, Bernard Arnault and Colony Capital (14% stake and 20% of voting rights between them).

In the words of Dejan Terglav, secretary general of the FGTA-FO, reported in Les Echos this Friday, the organization also wants the Mutual Fund Business (CIPF) 'vote against the division (during the next meeting June 21 di ed.) CIPF owns approximately 1.33% of the shares but the double voting rights "said the union leader. Bringing to nearly 4% the number of shareholders opposed the project, with the fund Knight Vinke (more than 1% of capital).But for now insufficient to meet a third of votes needed to derail the project.

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Mar 22




And if the natural disaster in Japan changed the game in the folder "Lauvergeon? In a context marked by accidents at Japanese nuclear power plant in Fukushima, which no longer serve and the intense debate on nuclear power it arouses in France, maintaining Anne Lauvergeon, whose term expires in June, at the head Areva could be a source of stability in this burning issue.

Questioned on the issue International TV5-RFI-The World on this assumption, the Minister of Industry and Energy Eric Besson did not rule out this scenario. For him, it is even "feasible". "The president and prime minister called for a clear process, which is to ask an ad hoc committee to prepare a list of potential candidates, said the minister. Anne Lauvergeon, as outgoing president, is automatically included in this list. "

But far from assured when we know it would maintain tense relations with the president and his counterpart EDF Proglio no credit check payday loans. Nicolas Sarkozy has even ruled that it carries a third principal. Ironically, the only woman to head a French multinational received at the beginning of March the support of Jim Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy, the … "EDF American" and client of Areva. "The power producers like Duke Energy foreground select their suppliers based in part on their leaders and their strategic vision," Jim Rogers wrote in a letter to the press.

Among the candidates to succeed, the press regularly cites former Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Anne-Marie Idrac, the deputy CEO of EADS Marwan Lahoud, Commissioner diversity Sabeg or master group Chemistry Rhodia Jean-Pierre Clamadieu.The latter has already announced he will not take the head of Areva. "I'm not part of the process of candidacy for the leadership of the company you mention," he said in late February on the occasion of the presentation of results from Rhodia.

Mar 8




The rating agency Moody's downgraded Monday the note of Greece three notches to B1 from Ba1, and warned it could still lower in the months to come. The Mediterranean country now finds itself ranked at Belarus and Bolivia. For analysts, the outcome is inevitable. "Greece is insolvent and continue to lend without significant reduction of its debt is not a viable strategy," write in a recent analysts Bruegel Institute. Athens returns to its public debt below 60% of GDP within two decades, according to them should be amputated about 30%.

Officially, a restructuring is not on the agenda. But Brussels can not do without thinking about his conditions of loans to countries in distress."The euro area is expected to lower lending rates in Greece and Ireland, two countries that have already appealed to European solidarity," said Monday, the Economic Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn daily Handelsblatt. "The maturity of the loan to Greece should also be extended to three and a half to seven years" to loosen credit conditions "too strict".

After haggling

This rate cut may be hard bargaining behind the scenes when the Heads of State and Government of the eurozone will meet Friday in Brussels for an extraordinary summit. Last week in Helsinki, Angela Merkel made clear that there would be counterparties to any eventual loosening of the device.In this case, negotiations could include corporate taxation, while Ireland defends a very low tax rate than its European partners see as a form of tax dumping.

Another sensitive topic, the abandonment of wage indexation on inflation is no longer included in the document prepared by the chairman, Herman Van Rompuy and chief executive Jose Manuel Barroso. In all, a sanitized version of the "pact of competitiveness" that Franco-German leaders discuss the eurozone Friday, including raising the retirement age or the inclusion of a "rule of Golden budget. But on all these issues, Europe must make a timely response and to see a united front cash advance no faxing. For another danger lurks already on the forehead Portuguese one.

Greek degradation was still climbing the Portuguese borrowing rate at 10 years, to 7.58%.An unsustainable level for analysts, who bet on an imminent call for help from Lisbon. Fund bailout (FESF) would again be involved; EU leaders have until March to complete the reform process.

Athens judge agencies 'irresponsible'

Lowering three notches on Monday of the sovereign rating of Greece decided by Moody's, making the country move back into the category of risk states having only "low security long repayment term" , caused a very unusual anger in Athens.

This reduction is "completely unjustified, because it does not reflect a balanced and objective assessment of conditions under which Greece is facing now," retorted violently Ministry of Finance said in a statement more than a page.The agency insists on actually all that remains to be done if the country can only borrow again in the financial markets and regrets that, despite the 6-point deficit reduction achieved by Greece in 2010 – or only a year – this country is failing to increase its tax revenues sufficiently.

It also stresses that, vis-à-vis the euro area, even if the partners agree to relax the terms of the loan granted last May in Athens, the result can only work by "reducing the rate and magnitude of the deteriorating situation in the country. " A few days before the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State of the euro area, this decision appears in the eyes of Athens as the kick ass.The Greek government considers the rating agencies completely "irresponsible", while, for its part, the European Commission does not wish to respond, showing, it seems, a certain embarrassment.

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Mar 3




The Courdi accounts furnish his report Friday on the Franco-German tax convergence. According to our information, this report concludes that there is some leeway in France for the VAT hike, but they should be used as part of a major tax reform. He advocated focusing instead on business taxation in order to align the two countries personal loans for people with bad credit.

The Court would consider in the future produce a joint report with the Germans focused on corporate taxation. This time it was a true co-relation. The report was issued Friday, he, been realized only by the French Cour des Comptes, which relied on the help of German authorities.

Feb 10




With a turnover of 2.35 billion euros in 2010 ($ 3.11 billion), up 22.5%, French JCDecaux has delighted the world leader in outdoor advertising in the U.S. Clear Channel Outdoor (2.8 billion).

Le Figaro. – This world leader is a symbolic?

Jean-Charles Decaux. – This is a milestone in the development of the business created from scratch in 1964 by Jean-Claude Decaux. We are the only media company in the French world leader. Beyond the symbolism, which is involved in the crisis, this leading position is mainly the result of a long strategy. Winning this alchemy is, firstly, our boldness in innovation of products and services on the other hand, the growth in street furniture and transport and, finally, our large exposure in emerging countries.China, for example, become our second largest country in terms of sales worldwide. Our ambition is to achieve 25 to 30% of our business in emerging markets by 2015, against 23% today.

This milestone was also passed through many acquisitions?

After the acquisition of major strategic Futures in 1999, which we displayed in billboards and transportation, the group has made numerous acquisitions in Austria in 2001 and in China from 2005-2006, then in Great Britain Titan and Germany with Wall in 2009 business card. This development, which has led to our position on trades and fast-growing countries, has done while maintaining rigorous financial discipline.JCDecaux is, by far, the group least indebted sector.

JCDecaux does he need to strengthen in certain occupations?

JCDecaux is a world leader, who manages more than 1 million advertising panels in 56 countries, but our market share of less than 13%, a market estimated at more than $ 20 billion. The ability to grow is therefore real. And this, especially since we are worn in the street furniture by the desire to equip cities and local communities. This demand is global and does not slow. Similarly, in transportation, we are led by the vast modernization of trains, subways and buses. And airports benefit from continued growth in passenger numbers worldwide.

The digital he drilled in your job?

The digital represents less than 5% of our entire industry. Three years ago, it did not exist.This, again, an opportunity for growth. After having launched a large-format digital in Britain and Germany, we are working on projects for France as soon as the law allows. The digital messages can sell by time slots, to segment audiences, create events and expand the creative capabilities of our media.

Jan 8




In the strata of the arms industry is following with interest the first initiatives of Alain Juppe, the new Minister of Defense. After fiscal 2009 boosted by orders of the Recovery Plan in 2010 and more tense, the priority is to preserve the industrial "skills and research and development (R & D), leaves to produce less in Europe" in the words of one of them. In times of budgetary difficulties, "we must not repeat the mistakes post-fall of the Berlin Wall when Europe has focused on the size of armies at the expense of research. Recall that in the early 1990s, France was ahead in the drones. All credits were cut. And today, we are lagging behind the U.S. and Israel. "

The Department of Defense, it is reassuring on this point.No question of sacrificing R & D: "The envelope will be maintained around 700 million per year until 2013, told the entourage of Alain Juppe. It also stresses that some programs are sanctuarized: deterrence, intelligence and observation satellites.

Windfall

However, the department does not deviate from its roadmap budget. He has already decided to postpone the renovation of the Mirage 2000D fighter aircraft and the launch of Scorpio (modernization of the Army). Indeed, from the military budget law (PL) from 2008 to 2014 adopted in 2008, the department's budget was cut by 1.5 billion euros over the period 2011-2013.The army could not completely escape the efforts required throughout the state.

For now, the cuts are limited because the Department of Defense relies on windfall revenues of 2 billion euros by 2013. This year it expects to sell 850 million of radio frequencies by July and 150 million of real estate. Real estate transactions seem quite feasible. The army will give the barracks Lourcine in Paris at the Ministry of Higher Education who will make a schedule to the University of Paris I and student housing. Other assignments are initiated in Nantes or Montpellier.

Regarding frequencies in Bercy should start bidding early this year. This time, the timing is off.Remains whether the target price is reached.

For if the expected revenues are not there, then "we will screen all equipment programs except R & D areas sanctuarized. There will be behind schedule and the renegotiation of payments, "it warns the Department of Defense. Everything will play next summer.

Dec 13




Employment center, the Musée du Louvre, Météo France, or the National Forests are part of the 497 state institutions that will have to tighten their belts in 2011. Baroin, budget minister, announced Sunday in an interview with Journal du Dimanche: they must "apply the same management rules as the state for the first time." In other words, all but the universities will be subjected to a rigorous regime that will be severe.

On the menu: a "retirement two will not be replaced," their park "of 17,000 vehicles" will be reduced "by nearly 3,000 vehicles, purchases of supplies will be" progressively reduced by 10% "and their surface properties will be "reduced to 12 m² per agent," says the Minister. "We will ban them from using any leverage.Merit pay their leaders should also be extended to the entire management team, "he adds.

All directors of public operators will gather Monday around the minister to know in detail the other decisions to be implemented.

Intensify the fight against fraud

The budget minister also announced that 2011 will be the year of intensifying the fight against fraud. "We will evaluate all types of fraud to prioritize our efforts," said Baroin, who has already announced a strengthening of the "legal arsenal". Employment center agents should be able to verbalize such offenses in clandestine work. For their part, customs officers may seize a drug dealer in all objects of daily life that would be "clearly improper" faxless pay day loans.

The fight against tax evasion also looks more intense.The Minister welcomed the work already in the cell regulation, closed last year, that would have allowed 4,600 people to "put their situation in the clear." Baroin is also pleased to have "cashed one billion euros rights penalties. We did return to France 7 billion euros of capital, "he says.

ISF tax shield, tax: Puzzles

Regarding taxation, the budget minister remains elusive. The thorny issue of abolishing the wealth tax (ISF), requested by the president, is not yet fully resolved. "There will be a tax reform of heritage in the context of a convergence with Germany," he says without elaborating.

Similarly, the removal of the tax shield is not yet decided. It is indeed an "element of the future taxation of wealth" but "it remains to be defined".A working group, composed of deputies and senators gathered around François Fillon, is currently working on the subject. "It is too early to say what are our conclusions," Baroin slice.

If both elements were deleted from the French tax landscape, could that lead to the creation of a new tax bracket? The response this time Baroin is very clear: "Our philosophy is not to increase the tax burden on labor income."

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Dec 4




Orange after a few days ago, it's time to sell the SFR Ipad in its stores. The iPad + WiFi, 3G, 16 GB is today at the online store for pre-order SFR and December 10 in stores SFR from EUR 179.90.

To receive this highly competitive rate, customers will have to meet two conditions. First, subscribe to the new box Neufbox Evolution of SFR. Second, purchase a package shelf iPad "Internet Absolute + 39.90 euros per month for the first 12 months and then falling to 34.90 euros per month. These prices are for a 24-month commitment. Any consumer already a customer of SFR (fixed or mobile) receiving a 10% discount on the package price each month. This package allows you to surf the internet freely 24h/24h and 7d/7d, with throughput up to 7.2 Mb / s.Throughput is reduced – but not cut – beyond 3GB of changed data per month.

Customers who do not wish to subscribe to Neufbox Evolution iPad will buy 100 euros more, or 279.90 euros, the package simply by subscribing to "Absolute + Internet".

For those who find it too expensive package, Vodafone offers a more economical package blocked. Thus, customers can acquire the iPad to 379.90 euros if they take a pass blocked at 26.90 the first 12 months then 21.90 a month. This package is also under 24-month commitment, and has a 10% discount for consumers who are already customers of SFR. This package is stuck at 1GB per month exchange.

On the Apple Store, the apps are already available SFR: SFR TV, but also neufbox SFR SFR WiFi that allows access to more than 3 million wireless access points throughout France. SFR customers thus gaining the largest WiFi network in France.

Nov 30




U.S. stock markets fail to recover. Aprèsavoir closed in the red its meeting on "Black Friday" Friday, the Dow remains down on the first day of the week. In early trade, it declined from 0.34% to 10,054 points while the Nasdaq dropped 0.57% to 2520 points. The S & P coward 0.72% to 1181 points.

As European markets, investors do not seem reassured by the bailout of Ireland, unveiled Sunday. The European Union has introduced a new package of measures to prevent contagion to the rest of Ireland the euro area and to reassure financial markets. On the foreign exchange market, the euro briefly fell to its lowest level in two months, falling below $ 1.32 in early morning. The single currency traded at 1.3093 dollars opening of U.S. markets.Note, the founder of BlackRock, Larry Fink, sees the euro falling to $ 1.20, reflecting fears of contagion to Spain and Portugal to the Irish crisis.

Moreover, investors are always attentive to the situation in Korea. The South Korean president, Lee Myung-bak, said Monday that North Korea would "pay the price" for its artillery "inhumane."

The consumption figures under the microscope

On Monday, investors also take time to digest less consumer spending numbers in the U.S. during the "Black Friday" on Friday. These have risen by 6.4% over the previous year, according to a study by the American Federation of distribution (NRF). Customers returned to the department stores and boutiques, while the last two years they tended to be confined to supermarkets and discount stores.

Total attendance over the period from Thursday to Sunday of Thanksgiving rose 8.7% to 212 million customers, compared to 2009, the study says the NRF, the institute conducted by BIGresearch, which counts Sundays are still looking. The expenditure incurred on the internet and in stores reached 45 billion over the four days, against 41.2 billion in 2009. Per customer, average spending stood at 365.34 against $ 343.31 last year. Overall, the study reveals that American consumers, whose spending accounts for 70% of local gross domestic product, were willing to pay more this year and no longer be limited to essential items.

On the macroeconomic front, the news is not very rich on Monday. The two main indicators of the week are expected Wednesday with the ISM manufacturing and Friday with the employment figures.

Wal Mart in South Africa

The side of values, the giant U.S. retailer, Wal-Mart (-0.19% to 53.54 dollars) on Monday announced its intention to purchase 51% stake in South African group Massmart for almost 1 , 8 billion. "The board of directors of Massmart has received a letter from Wal-Mart, which confirmed its firm intention to make an offer to buy 51% of Massmart at a price of 148 rands (U.S. $ 20.55 or 15.54 euros ) per share. The total transaction is estimated at about 17 billion rand (2.36 billion dollars or 1.78 billion euros) for the 51% of Massmart, "added the South African group. Wal-Mart had opened on Sept. 27 talks to buy back the entire capital of the South African group. A month later, he had mentioned the possibility to acquire only 51% of the capital, which helps maintain the listing of the company to the JSE.

General Motors (-0.71% to 33.56 dollars) has exercised the option on allocation on the IPO. These securities carry the additional amount of the transaction to $ 23.1 billion. These additional titles allow the introduction of General Motors to beat the record set last July by the Agricultural Bank of China is 22.1 billion dollars. The IPO of General Motors last week had allowed the builder to raise $ 20.1 billion of common and preferred shares, which was already the largest such operation ever conducted in the United States.

Britain's BP (-1.56% to 40.29 dollars), listed on Wall Street, has agreed to sell its 60% share in the Argentine oil and gas producer Pan American Energy's Bridas Corporation for 7.06 billion dollars. The latter now controls 100% of capital.The result of this sale will be used to cover the cost of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico estimated at 40 billion.

Nov 5




Just days after the midterm elections, U.S. employment surprise. The United States has created 151,000 jobs in October, according to figures from the Labor Department. This is more than double what economists predicted (60,000).

The Labor Department on the other hand lowered the number of job losses in September, to 41,000 against 95,000 initially announced.

Private companies have created 159,000 jobs, 107,000 in September cons. The public sector has destroyed 9000, against 159,000 the previous month.

The unemployment rate, calculated on a different basis, is itself remained stable at 9.6%. Its highest level in a generation.

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