Apr 30




The purchase marks the final small-flowered happens next June 30th. But in his interview in The Tribunevendredi, president of Yoplait Lucien Fa remains confident about its future within the group. It would even be based on General Mills, the future owner of the French brand, to expand abroad, especially in emerging countries. Said Lucien Fa are even willing to adjust the income and price to new consumers. "Dairy products are among the few categories of food products in real growth in these countries because, in addition to the taste and the health aspect, they are convenient to use and relatively cheap," said Lucien Fa

Yet General Mills, is not well known on the international market, carrying nearly 80% of its business in North America.But that does not worry the president of Yoplait, convinced that the American group did not have a good vision of the international market. "The interest of General Mills is to keep the factories in France and the research center, even to consider deploying more in the world," said Lucien Fa La Tribune totally free credit score.

Direct competition with Danone

The president of Yoplait also said to be reducing the gap between brand (7% global market yoghurt) Group Danone, the world leader (21%). "The Chinese have moved from a consumption of 0.3 to 2 kg per capita per year in ten years, while the French consume 35 kilograms, imagine the potential!" He added.

At the general meeting of shareholders on Thursday, Danone CEO Franck Riboud also addressed the question of redemption of its direct competitor by the group General Mills."This operation does not change anything because we were competing in every country in the world with these two actors," he said, noting that General Mills has been the franchise of Yoplait USA.

Apr 19




LVMH saw sales growth accelerate in the first quarter despite the disaster in Japan, while analysts had forecast a slowdown in the growth of global luxury goods giant.

Group sales, which opens the dance industry publications, came out to 5.247 billion euros. This amount is significantly higher than the consensus of analysts polled by Reuters, which called for 4.970 billion.

Organic growth (ie at constant exchange rates), it also took analysts by surprise, posting a gain of 14% (as against only 9% expected) and marking a further increase from 13 % of first and last quarters of 2010.

LVMH achieves 9% of its sales in the Japanese archipelago, but to his nugget Louis Vuitton, the proportion reached 16% to 20%, according to analyst estimates.All the fashion and leather goods division of the group, which also marks Marc Jacobs, Celine, Loewe or Fendi, in turn realizes there 16% of its sales. At the Annual General Meeting in late March, its CEO Bernard Arnault had again expressed his confidence for sales in 2011, despite the situation in Japan, which should not affect his view that LVMH in a "fairly limited".

Development of brands

The luxury giant, which has a portfolio of sixty brands including Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Celine, Moet et Chandon, Ruinart, Veuve Cliquot, Parfums Christian Dior and Guerlain, speaks of an "excellent start to the year continuing trends "in late 2010 payday advance.

"The United States, Europe and Asia are experiencing a strong momentum," said Bernard Arnault group.By branches, wines and spirits increased by 20% over the first three months of the year to 762 million euros, thanks to good performance of champagne and cognac. The watches and jewelry surged by 28% to 261 million euros. Both areas were heavily affected by the global economic crisis in 2009. For LVMH, they continue their "strong rebound in effect confirmed the resumption of demand from customers."

Fashion and leather goods, driven by a Louis Vuitton "organic growth in sales and double digit increases his lead, rises 17% to just over $ 2 billion. Selective distribution (Sephora, DFS Dufy Free) increases from 20% to 1.4 billion euros.Perfumes and cosmetics registered a 9% increase to 803 million euros.

For 2011, "given the geopolitical and economic environment, LVMH will continue to focus its efforts on the development of its brands."

The group Bernard Arnault, who announced in early March, the takeover of Italian jeweler Bulgari, also relies on "the diversity of its businesses" or "the geographic balance of its sales in 2011 to further strengthen its lead in the global market high quality products. "

Apr 17




Turnover up 27%, a net profit rises 17%: Google on Thursday posted quarterly results spectacular … but not enough for Wall Street. Google saw its share fall immediately punished for earnings below expectations and rising costs.

But more than the share price is the rise of new competitors like Facebook and Apple worried. She forced Google to invest heavily to ensure its development in the social web and mobile. The group has hired 1,900 people during the quarter and announced that 2011 will be a record year in number of hires. Google has also invested in marketing to promote its new services, such as the Chrome browser, used by 120 million users worldwide.

Larry Page, co-founder of Google CEO returned in early April, was added to the message symbol.For his first appearance before analysts since his appointment, he made an appearance a few minutes introducing the conference, time to utter 398 words according to calculations by the American press. Brevity that shocked analysts but which reveals the priorities of Larry Page. "There are significant improvements to our core products and in the heart of our business, and we enthusiastically. (…) I am very optimistic about our future. "

Success of Android

These improvements will focus on the search engine, which remains a priority for Google. "We have 90 quality improvements on the engine in the first quarter," said Jeff Huber, director of commerce and local activities of Google.They focus on quality results, but also the integration of a community in its search engine with the recommendation button "1".

Emphasis is also placed on the mobile. Google has made the first Android mobile operating system, whose traffic has jumped 500% in two years. But unlike Apple, which sells its smartphones, Google does not sell phones or its Android software. Strategy: by widely Android (located on 350,000 new terminals each day), Google hopes to develop mobile Internet where it can sell advertising. This already brings in nearly $ 30 billion in fixed Internet.Already, his authority AdMob mobile advertising messages to 150 million handsets Android or iPhone per month.

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Apr 12




The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) does not know where to turn. While the barrel of oil tops $ 125 in London and $ 110 in New York, raising fears that inflationary pressures in many countries, member countries are unable to agree on an increase in production quotas for calm the markets. Remains to be seen if the latest monthly forecasts for world oil demand, whose publication is expected on Tuesday, will decide this debate.

Meanwhile, two factions seem to oppose the organization. First there is the one represented by Kuwait, which calls for calm markets. The country takes a dim view of soaring prices identical to that of 2008 which would result in slowing global economies and ultimately, the demand for black gold."While we appreciate a high price, we wish to see lower prices, we want a more normal," recently told the press Farouk al-Zanqi, the head of state conglomerate Kuwait Petroleum Corp.. (KPC). "Given current events, the normal price of a barrel should be between 90 and 100 dollars," he said.

In the same camp, Qatar has condemned a sharp rise in prices mostly due to speculators. "The fundamentals are good as regards the offer. Stocks are at an adequate level, "said Qatari Energy Minister, Mohammed Saleh Al Sada. "OPEC can do nothing regarding the speculation, but it seems to be the main reason for the current level of oil prices," he said.

Barrel "will reach $ 150"

Facing them, the other camp, represented by Iran, takes a different speech.President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, believes that rising crude poses no problem and reiterated last week that no decision was required from OPEC fast cash. "Currently, the price increase is not determined by market criteria, but by political issues. You asked me if the price was still rising: yes it will increase. I think it will reach 150 dollars, "he even added. The opinion of Iran should not be taken lightly: the country is the second largest producer in OPEC, which he currently chairs.

This view is shared by Venezuela, whose weight within OPEC is not negligible with 2.3 million barrels per day.

"No hasty decision"

This internal strife is nothing new. Since the beginning of the year, the tone has escalated between exporting countries.In February, Iranian Oil Minister Massoud Mir Kazemi stated that "OPEC members need not take hasty decisions and unilateral," a reference to Saudi Arabia, the largest producer (8.4 million barrels per day), who had expressed readiness to provide extra barrels to replace lost production from Libya. In early March, the Kuwaiti oil minister, Ahmed Abdullah al-Sabah, had countered that a "possible" increase in production was under discussion.

Despite the admonitions of the President of Iran, Saudi Arabia did increase its production to 9 million barrels per day last March. Kuwait and the UAE has followed suit.

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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 21




The results are not completely definitive, but the yes vote heavily – around 70%. The 4180 Air France pilots were invited by the National Union of Airline Pilots (SNPL) to decide until Friday evening on the principles of negotiation to be conducted with management to reorganize the business short-and medium- mail, attacked by low-cost companies.

The pilots' union, emerged winner of workplace elections – with 71.2% of the vote in his class – became the main interlocutor for the management of Air France to build its "bases province."These four platforms, based at the airports of Marseille, Nice, Toulouse and Bordeaux, should help to decentralize the flight short and medium haul, by modeling the utilization of the devices on low-cost airlines.

The management of the company now plans to base ten units on each base, which would mobilize a total of one thousand volunteers. The Cockpit living near the bases would not have to make stopovers, which should allow the company to save money. According to calculations by the management of Air France, the reorganization should reach 15% overall savings to return to profitability.

But for the project to see the day, management and unions of pilots, stewardesses and stewards must agree on a new social setting."The referendum gives us a mandate to start negotiations," said Louis Jobard, spokesman for the SNPL, commander of Air France.

While Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, CEO of Air France-KLM, in recent months had shown a degree of caution on its ability to open these bases this summer as planned, the pilots of SNPL seem more optimistic since the plebiscite in workplace elections.

New referendum

For them, an agreement was possible in June. "This is not a classic negotiation, said Jean-Louis Barber, the SNPL. It involves building a project and to share it with the entire profession. Changing conditions of use of devices will affect the organization of working time, the compensation system … And we want to ensure the same level of security for passengers, while the pace of work will be more sustained.We organize April 8 a general meeting with the drivers to clarify some points as compensation. Then we will enter into negotiations with management. "

In late May, the negotiators should hold a new referendum could lead to an agreement in June. A schedule that would allow Pierre-Henri Gourgeon display a table of honor at the next general meeting of shareholders. His term expires this summer.

Mar 17




The presentation on Wednesday morning, the results of the 2010 Strategic Investment Fund (ISP) gave the feeling of a routine exercise. Increasing equity of 1.3 billion euros, net income – dividends paid by equity – 646 million euros, well oiled speeches on the investment philosophy that seeks to reconcile profitability and serving the public interest . "Our goal is to sublimate all that oxymoron," even started, lyrical, the director general of the Caisse des Depots (CDC) and President of FSI, Augustin de Romanet.

Economic Patriotism

This apparent serenity was not acquired for the young institution. Actually created in December 2008, at the heart of the crisis, the ISP immediately caught many reservations.The presidential ambition to give France a sovereign fund dedicated to the defense of its enterprises in difficulty, while the country has no particular resource for abundance, was initially surprised. Governance complex induced by a shareholding split between the State and the CDC 49% to 51% then fed complex power struggles. Initially, the ISP has been regarded as the Trojan state to influence the CDC. Despite regular friction between representatives of both shareholders, the overall situation has subsided.

"The ISP is based on a governance issue," said Augustine Romanet. This is the only way for the public interest that the fund stands is forfeited no part i. "He responded to the changeover to criticisms of the senators of the majority.The latter had moved last winter that Parliament has no control over the management of the fund's portfolio, and it can not "judge the quality of investments and the criteria."

To withstand various pressures, the ISP must show exemplary results, not so much financial – the fund's portfolio is still too young to measure profitability – industrial cheap pay day loans. And that's where the question thickens. The ISP has set a goal to invest in minority businesses with high growth for a period of long-term to compensate for the lack of private capital.But behind these rational criteria overlap always more political demands of economic patriotism.

Among the key operations of this year include the acquisition and – timely for the vendor Areva – 10.9% in STMicroelectronics and the acquisition of Appolo alongside activities of the former Pechiney. As a result, the U.S. fund holds 51% of the company specializes in aluminum, and the ISP 10%. The alliance between the ISP and Apollo surprised. "It seemed more important to maintain the anchoring of the French company in France, defended himself yesterday Augustine Romanet. On the same front of the media files, are two sides to balance. During the division of Accor and the estate of Jean-François Roverato Eiffage, the ISP has failed to impose its views.

In total, in 2010, the fund has invested in 21 companies directly, bringing to 42 the number of beneficiaries of its capital since its inception. The figure is even greater if one takes into account the fund's satellite ISP. In total, he has made 1.7 billion euros in 2010.

The new CEO since September, Jean-Yves Gilet, an industrialist from ArcelorMittal, wants to accelerate the pace. In 2011, he set three priorities FSI: regional roots, promoting socially responsible investment and participation in development of industrial clusters. "We will look primarily to the famous midsize businesses (ETI). We have identified about 1000 targets. We have already seen 400 and invested in more than thirty of them, "he was welcomed.

Mar 15




The Paris Bourse playing yoyo Monday. Already upset Friday by the earthquake and tsunami that hit on Japan, the Cac 40 fell back. After changing course several times in the morning, he sold 0.72% mid-term to 3900.59 points.

In London, the FTSE-100 5839.11 0.02% gleans points. The concern, however, is more vivid when the ignition Dax loose 0.56% to 6842.66 points.

Operators are reluctant while alarming news from Japan are linked. The Government refers to as a loss that would have a "considerable" on the national economy, adding that huge funds needed to finance the reconstruction of the areas tested.

Serious malfunctions at nuclear power plants in the region ravaged quicken concerns about the consequences of this disaster on all Japanese companies and the entire region.The Bank of Japan (BoJ) tries to calm markets by injecting funds into the financial system records. At midday on Monday, already 15,000 billion yen (131.6 billion euros) have been released. But this news has not been enough to reassure the markets of the region, primarily the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which has unscrewed from 6.18% at closing for its first full day of trading since the disaster.

Concerns from Asia should also largely occupy the mind for that day. Indeed, no major indicator except industrial production in the euro area in January, is expected Monday.It will wait until Tuesday for a news might make a difference in publishing in the U.S. index of house prices and the Fed decision on rates.

Oil and euro down

In this tense environment, oil appears down in electronic trading in Asia, the market worried about a drop in demand in the short term hit in Japan. Around 11:00, Brent North Sea crude for April delivery traded at 111.82 dollars and New York, a barrel of light sweet crude (WTI) let go two dollars to 99.16 dollars.

On the currency markets, the yen Monday morning in front flexes in other currencies. The intervention of the BoJ has helped slow the sharp rise of the yen against the dollar. Around 10:30 am Monday in Tokyo, the dollar went back to 82.20 yen after falling to 80.60 yen on Sunday, its lowest level in four months.For its part, the euro fell to 112.47 yen. Against the dollar, the European currency gained some ground. Around 11:45 am, the euro bought 1.3971 dollars against 1.3901 on Friday.

Renault, EDF and LVMH affected by the disaster

Renault: -3.15% to 39.47 euros, the biggest drop CAC 40

Nissan, Renault's Japanese partner in the Renault-Nissan, has closed four assembly plants in Japan and no site would reopen Monday. Nissan, the second Japanese manufacturer, manufactures 22% of its vehicles in the archipelago. Furthermore, the manufacturer faces a new twist in the case of alleged espionage. Dominique Gevrey, one of three security officials of the group, was remanded in custody to view this weekend.He is indicted for "organized fraud" and jailed in January following the dismissal last three frames of the group.

LVMH: -3.50% to 106.15 euros, PPR: -1.61% to 106.75 euros Hermes: -2.16% to 149.75 euros, L'Oreal: -0.70% at 81 , 07 euros

The luxury sector is likely to suffer the effects of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the north-eastern Japan. The archipelago is the second largest global luxury goods market after the United States and elbow to elbow with China. For Hermes is the first market (17% of sales) while for LVMH, representing 9% of sales. The luxury division of PPR meanwhile 16% of its turnover in Japan. L'Oreal, for its part carries about 2.5% of its turnover in the country.

Areva (-8.91% to 31.75 euros) shows the largest decrease in the CAC 40 also affected by the nuclear risks in Japan.EDF (-4.51% to 29.20 euros) is also in trouble as Scor (-2.29% to 18.82 euros).

Bolloré put on Guinea

France Telecom: -0.61% to 15.38 euros

Orange and the Kuwaiti Agility will acquire a 44% stake in mobile operator Korek Telecom Iraq, announced Monday morning the French incumbent in a statement.

Bolloré: + 0.29% to 158.95 euros

The group on Friday signed a contract worth 500 million euros with Guinea for management of container port of Conakry, the capital of the West African country, state television reported.

Sopra Group: -0.63% to 71.05 euros

The group announced its intention to hire 2,500 people in 2011 in Europe, 1600 in IDUs in France in the consulting, systems integration and software development.

Altran: + 1.22% to 4.30 euros

The French group technology consulting has reported a net income Group share loss of 26 million.The group said to be in talks to divest all of its activities in Brazil. He anticipates continued growth at a high level in France in 2011 and continued improvement of its operating margin in 2011.

Vivendi: -0.10% to 19.73 euros

The group does not invest more than 6 billion pounds (6.9 billion euros) for the redemption of the capital of SFR held by the British telephone operator Vodafone, according to the Financial Times.

Note that the bank is well oriented: Credit Agricole (3.99% to 12.13 euros) is the largest increase at Societe Generale (3.34% to 48.31 euros), followed by Natixis (+2 , 74% to 4.21 euros) and BNP Paribas (2.39% to 54.41 euros).

Mar 6




Wen Jiabao's speech at China's parliament on Saturday took on the appearance of mea culpa. Chinese Premier, speaking at the 3000 delegates to the NPC, met for ten days in Beijing, acknowledged that the price increase was the source of calls for protests that flourished in the country. "We need to consider price stability as the priority of our macro-economic control," he said.

During the inaugural session of the annual meeting of the National People's Congress, Prime Minister described the inflationary expectations of "problems which are closely the standard of living of the population, the overall situation and stability of the country." Rising consumer prices rose 4.9% in January over a year.The government promises to reduce it to "4%" this year.

Always fight against inflation, the Chinese authorities want to implement "a prudent monetary policy," which will require the limitation to 16% of the increase in money supply M2, which includes the aggregate of currency in circulation, accounts demand deposits and savings accounts.

Avoid the shock wave

Even if the Prime Minister made no reference to the popular liberation movements that are shaking the Arab world, his speech illustrated the authorities' concern to avoid any risk of spread to China. "Some issues that are subject to strong reactions among the population have not been resolved completely.Food security is poor and some sectors are vulnerable to corruption "he acknowledged.

To fight against these problems, the government would "continue to pursue a policy stimulus. Efforts will focus on "rural development", "improving the level of the population" and developing "social sectors".

According to this discourse that determines the main directions for the country's official year, "the educational resources and lack of quality medical and their distribution is uneven." Moreover, "the property prices have recorded an excessive increase in some cities," said Wen Jiabao, who promises to develop social housing."Social contradictions raised by the illegal requisition of land and demolition of illegal houses have multiplied," he added.

Target of 8% growth

These investments will be in a GDP growth of around 8% this year and an annual increase of around 7% over the next five years. These figures, which marked a slowdown from the 11.2% GDP growth recorded during the last five years had already been discussed by Wen Jiabao in late February at the Forum on China Internet.

Despite continued efforts to invest, the government wants to reduce the budget deficit will be contained in "about 2% of GDP".

Warning against the challenge

When the Prime Minister recognized the inequality at the source of disputes, an editorial published by the Beijing Daily, official newspaper of the Communist administration, launched a warning against the calls for protest. "Everyone knows that stability is a blessing and a curse chaos," said the newspaper stating that the "disorder" that has shaken the Arab world "has led to a massive disaster for the peoples of these countries." "It is worth noting here or abroad, some individuals feeding on ulterior motives trying to trigger chaos in China, using the Internet to foment illegal gatherings," it said.Following an appeal to all Chinese citizens so that they "conscientiously protect the harmony and stability".

In recent weeks, dozens of Chinese dissidents have been arrested and police have threatened to deprive alongside dozens of visas to foreign journalists if they continue to cover "illegally" appeals from sites based abroad.

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Feb 28




It's in a week, according to our information, that Switzerland will provide the Paris prosecutor's office the result of letters rogatory requested to check whether two of the three executives on suspicion of espionage and licensees have received money in accounts in that country , as stated by the manufacturer. Whether or not an account on behalf of a third part will Liechtenstein, it was announced in three weeks.

While executives say they are innocent and that Renault has never provided any evidence of their guilt, doubts grow about the strength of the charges. Matthieu Tenenbaum, former deputy director of the Electric Vehicle program, would not account for the Zürcher Kantonalbank, according to information transmitted orally by the Paris prosecutor in Switzerland, according to sources close to the investigation corroborating information from Duck chains.The prosecution, however, expected a written document to confirm this information.

Already, people close to the investigation believe more and more likely that Renault has been the victim of a scam. The group's management, who pounded his "certainties" about the guilt of executives, has become less categorical. "We are awaiting the results of letters rogatory. Let us have been victims of espionage or fraud and, in this case, someone wanted that separates these three people, "said one headquarters.

When the results of investigations bank will be known, two scenarios are possible. Is a frame (or several) to an account abroad: it will be heard by the police for "violation of trade secret." Either there is nothing, and the investigation will turn to Renault, to understand how the fraud has occurred.Management will face justice for his decision to dismiss managers without real evidence, while internal investigators asked for an extension.

Mysterious informant

In this case, the group should also give explanations on the methods used by his security service, which seems to have used a mysterious informant located in Belgium for information transmitted orally. In the case of fraud, false information could have been made either by that means, either by the security service itself. The whole question would then know for what purpose.

Another source of interrogation, the letter of layoff provided to three frames based on two elements: the supposed existence of bank accounts abroad and the letter of denunciation received in August. However, reading this letter is perplexing."In May this year, I saw Mr. Michel Balthazard negotiate a jar of wine, claiming that if Bob Bell, F1, would profit from it too wanted to enjoy it and feed his bank account. He added: "During another conversation, he spoke of the" little kid who works with Koskas (Matthew Tenenbaum, Ed), who understands how it works to fill his bank account. He concluded: "Of course, I have no proof, of course, is the accusation, but I do not care.I can not stand to see people fly properly paid more money. "Where are the" technical term that has tilt, "and" converging evidence "that had led the manufacturer to take this letter seriously" ? "How can we launch an investigation on the basis of such a letter? Is it credible that the crow was able to see my client negotiate before him a jar of wine? "Asks Mr. Thouvenin, one of the lawyers of Michel Balthazard.

If the case should be "pschitt, the consequences would be disastrous for the group's image.And the credibility of its chief executive, Carlos Ghosn, who spoke after evidence "multiple" on TF1, asked two weeks ago it still "trust" because "tens of people have analyzed the facts."

The alliance with Nissan could evolve

Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault-Nissan, will examine the capital structure of the alliance to improve the balance between the two manufacturers. "We will review the financial structure, not for reaching a merger (…) but to answer the main concern of investors who say" maybe you use too much capital for your financial structure, '"said Dual CEO Reuters. Renault owns 43.4% of Nissan, which in turn owns 15%.Moribund when Renault came into its capital in 1999, the Japanese now weighs more than twice the French stock exchange.

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