Sundial of world news » stories

Debt: S & P maintains rating of France after the election

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:56:22 +0000

France has not lost fiscal credibility in one night: the election of Francois Hollande suddenly does not make the country less able to finance its debt. While remembering not to take any "political position" is the message that wished to address the rating agency Standard & Poor's Monday morning, issuing a statement saying that the memo from France – "AA +" with perspective negative – was not challenged.

"We still believe there is at least one in three chance that we may need to lower the long-term rating of France this year or in 2013," says S & P, however, with regard to finances public.

Test market 16 May

In its statement, the agency says it will "analyze the choice of new president and new government" and take into account in any future decision on the outcome of the June elections payday advances.

The next auction of debt, which will be held Thursday, May 16, should serve as a real test markets. It is at this moment that we will know if investor demand to fund the French debt is as important as ever.

At the Agence France Trésor (AFT), we simply note that Monday morning, "the 10-year yield continues to relax"

Seize the opportunities of jobs in regions

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:56:12 +0000

"The year 2012? It will be for managers of private two-tier one year, with a side business confident in their investment and hiring, and the other companies in the uncertainty and lack of visibility on their backlog. I think this is true for regions: some are well oriented, others display recruitment forecasts downward, "says Pierre Lamblin, Director of Studies of Apec. According to the Association for the employment of executives, three regions are traditionally large purveyors of jobs: the Ile-de-France, Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (PACA), with 45% of GDP and over half of employment in the private sector framework.

Occupational mobility

This year, the Paris Region companies provide hiring 67,900 to 87,800 frames. "Although the Ile-de-France is a region of opportunities, we note that some executives to leave the better quality of life from 35-40 years. Conversely, applying the Paris region makes sense for executives in the provinces, for example after a hiccup or when the ambitions of growth are not up to par, "said Didier Gaillard, CEO of the firm Expectra. A study by Trendeo on employment in the territories has also established that the Ile-de-France, between 2009 and 2011, has a balance of negative job creation of over 7,000 positions, while Aquitaine shows a positive net balance of 12,340 positions.

In Rhone-Alpes, hiring forecasts recorded by Apec range between 16,600 and 19,900 jobs. Assets of the region? Two strong economic centers around Lyon and Grenoble, a structure of skilled jobs and a good balance between industry and services, type of activity and company size, which smoothes the effects of any economic downturns. "There's always a nice dynamic in sectors such as IT, where even we suffer from a shortage of candidates with hard to fill a good half of the jobs entrusted to us. Rhone-Alpes region is however that manages to attract candidates from other geographical origins, "says Jerome Lieutier, regional head of Expectra. With 61% of executives recently installed, the region is one that seems to attract as many newcomers to the Southwest (57%) and Southeast (59%) says a recent study by Michael Page on the situation frames into regions. In the same study, two thirds of executives surveyed nationally had changed region at their last job transfers.

For Paca, the situation appears more mixed. Companies counting on 11,100 to 14,200 recruits executives, representing an increase from – 10% to 15% depending on the scenario compared to the previous year, according to figures from Apec. Regional Sales Manager for the firm Kobaltt, which operates in the business accounting finance, engineering and IT and telecoms, Gregory Blazquez confirms: "In our business, Paca has declined since the end of last year . "

9000 industrial jobs in Midi-Pyrenees

Although relying on smaller volumes of recruitment, other regions have their own in the game This is the case of the Auvergne, driven by the dynamism of Michelin, or Midi-Pyrenees, which displays recruitment needs in the industry (including Aeronautics) of 9000 new employees in the next two years.

Regional Manager for the Western region Expectra, Isabelle Rivard also recalls that the Brittany and Pays de la Loire together with sectors such as aerospace, shipbuilding, biotherapy, or IT and telecoms: "In this last sector, we face a real shortage of candidates, which has always existed, but was strengthened. "The West wins the prize for satisfaction with 94% of managers satisfied with the region in which they work, according to study of Michael Page on frameworks in regions.

EDF poised to win the French offshore wind

admin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:24:08 +0000

For tender in giant offshore wind, it's time for final arbitration. After a series of exchanges non-stop for 48 hours at the top of the state, the verdict is very close and although nothing has yet been formalized, EDF would be the big winner. The electrician tricolor should be assigned by the government three fields respectively in Saint-Nazaire (Loire-Atlantique), Fécamp (Seine-Maritime) and Courseulles-sur-Mer (Calvados).

A total of five fields within the scope of this tender, but the allocation of the remaining two sites – in Saint-Brieuc (Côtes d'Armor) and Tréport (Seine-Maritime) – could be called a later date. The schedule is not known but "a period of discussions should be reopened," does one advance in the entourage of the file no fax payday loans. Some background information might be reconsidered, particularly affecting the price of electricity.

If this scenario occurs, EDF would therefore gain all of the fields for which the government has decided. It would be a victory for the utility but for its main partner, Alstom, which would be commissioned to build and assemble the wind turbines. Two weeks ago, the industry group presented in Saint-Nazaire the prototype of his machine: it has a capacity of 6 megawatts (MW), making it the most powerful wind turbine market.

Vivendi took over the reins of SFR

admin — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:12:12 +0000

Vivendi confirmed Monday, after market, the departure of Frank Esser, CEO of SFR, revealed by Le Figaro. This departure will be effective from the end of the week. Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO of Vivendi, this function takes live indefinitely. No other redesign teams SFR is expected. The announcement of a smooth transition reassured the 10,000 employees of SFR, where the announcement of the departure of Frank Esser, who presided over the destiny of the group for twelve years, has been a bombshell.

Vivendi wants to take the time to find a new boss for its subsidiary SFR, a pivotal moment in its history. Greatly shaken by the arrival of Free in the mobile sector, Vodafone is obliged to rethink its economic model. And why the research group "rare bird". Several names of potential candidates circulate: Bertrand Meheut (current CEO of Canal +), Thierry Breton (CEO of Atos), Didier Quillot (former CEO of Lagardère Active), Michel Combes (CEO Vodafone Europe), Gilles Pelisson (ex- Accor CEO) and Jacques Veyrat (Direct Energy) … But none is needed.

One thing is certain, the chosen one will have a profile of "cost killer" while SFR expects a decrease of 12% to 15% of its EBITDA margin in 2012 and Jean-Bernard Levy said at the Vivendi earnings presentation in early March, the need to "tighten the bolts." The future head of SFR should be able to reassure financial markets, while the declining profitability of SFR weighs on Vivendi. The stock has lost 17% since the beginning of the year.

The departure of Frank Esser was decided Friday afternoon during a supervisory board of Vivendi, and presented Monday at 5:00 p.m. in the Board of SFR. It does not seem to be a coup as often in the wars of succession, but a decision by mutual agreement. Friday, same day that his fate was sealed, Frank Esser was attending a lunch with the entire executive of Vivendi, in which Jean-Rene Fourtou, director of Vivendi, and Jean-Bernard Levy have sent him some very complimentary. Frank Esser, Mannesmann's German came (acquired by Vodafone), is indeed recognized and appreciated by both teams by his peers.

Free to adjust the face

But, before the onslaught of Free Mobile, it was essential to give new impetus to SFR, which lost 200,000 customers between 10 January and late February. "Jean-Bernard Levy knows SFR. We are confident in its ability to revitalize all appear the beginnings of a stabilization of the situation. After the initial excitement, Free began to experience a certain loss, "said a spokesman for Vivendi.

The task does not look easy. We'll have to cut some expenses without burdening the future. "In the hundreds of service developments underway at SFR, it will have to choose between those that are essential for the future and those who can be stopped, says an inside source. Always painful choices that force teams to redeploy réinternalisant projects that were previously outsourced to external service providers. "The suppliers and providers of SFR should be the first affected by this clampdown.

Add paid features

It will also have to rethink the positioning packaging opportunities. Free Mobile face, all operators have launched entry-level offerings, sold only on the Web at very aggressive prices. But where Bouygues Telecom, the first chopping last July, has managed to impose "B & You", followed by Orange with "Sosh" SFR has not really enticing with its brand "Red" launched in late September.

But offers low-cost, direct response to Free, are not the only priorities. The operators were able over time to all-inclusive packages (visual voicemail, MMS, mobile Internet …). We must now all unravel for a basic package comparable to that of Free, which you must add a number of services at extra cost. A vast perspective.

The program gets heavier Holland 5 billion

admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 07:48:08 +0000

"My proposals are known, I made 60, which will not prevent me to add one or two during the campaign," warned Tuesday Francois Hollande, the move in the Drôme. Indeed, the Socialist candidate has completed his list of promises last week. On the theme of the University and Research, Monday to Nancy on the family and gender, in Reims for Women's Day; for associations, Saturday and finally on low wages, on Sunday M6 , in "Capital".

At first glance, additions marginal to the program announced in late January, which accounted for 20 billion annual expenditure. Yet, according to Enterprise Institute, which projects sales of the leading candidates (www.debateco.fr assumptions and calculations), the addition is not negligible: in a week, from 3.9 to 6.5 billion of additional annual expenditure.

A real public service early childhood

The largest piece is the creation of places for young children, with the goal of "creating a true public service early childhood." The think tank is assumed between 200,000 and 400,000 people plus, half in and half manger among childminders (for reference, the 2009-2012 plan, the government provides 200,000 spaces created). Result: 1.8 to 3.7 billion spending per year by 2017.

These amounts include the provision of services for young children (Paje, paid by the family allowance funds in custody cases by a "nanny" approved), the construction of nurseries and their staff costs, tax credits on income, net of savings on benefits paid to parents on parental leave free online credit report. "This will encourage the return of parents to the labor market, with positive effects on value creation and contrasted the unemployment rate," said the Business Institute.

Second major expense: the change in calculating the minimum wage. At the current formula, based mainly on inflation, would add a "bonus" equal to half the growth rate. Companies bear most of the cost, but public finances will be affected, mainly in two ways: higher salaries for civil servants – who can not be less than the minimum wage – and reduced charges granted between 1 and 1.6 SMIC. The total estimated cost is between 1.3 and 1.6 billion euros in 2017.

"These measures, the Socialist candidate did not state financing, in addition to others in the draft (…), whose cost does not appear in the detail of spending 20 billion new release by the PS, "notes the Institute: ecological transition, valued at $ 1.8 billion for the state, very high rates over 100% of the territory (1 billion), hires employment center (0.8 to 1.2 billion), energy retrofit one million homes a year and establishment of a fifth branch of social security to fund addiction (to encrypt).

Holland Weeder Sarkozy Tax on tax exiles

admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:44:16 +0000

The time was expected. First of the three major presidential candidates invited to decline on Tuesday his plan at a symposium on "the challenges of competitiveness," co-organized by the French private companies (which brings together 100 companies from the Hexagon ), Francois Hollande has held the outlines of his program: a list of measures already known (contract generation, modulation of the corporate income tax according to their size, targeting of state subsidies on exporting companies, strengthening the research tax credit, development of strategic sectors, removal of certain tax loopholes …).

The Socialist candidate has also confirmed its intention to bring the public accounts in balance in 2017, through increased levies on businesses and wealthier households, as well as via a public expenditure control. Confirming that an effort would be de facto called on business, without raising disapproval in the audience, he said he was ready to "deal individually" each boss in the room who would care

Francois Hollande also recognizes a problem of labor costs in France in some sectors, particularly in relation to Germany. But he believes that cost almost the same on both sides of the Rhine in the manufacturing industry. Consequently, he criticizes "the so-called social VAT" the President has enacted before the end of the legislature: a measure "unjust, ineffective and inconsistent." He said the social VAT will have only a modest effect on exports as it will particularly benefit sectors not exposed to competition.

"There's a bidding war right now"

Only novelty of the discourse of the socialist candidate: the proposal for implementation of a "national pact of competitiveness" that would combine the State, enterprises, social partners and also, perhaps, the financial system quick cash. All this small world would agree to set "goals of competitiveness," which could exceed the cap of a five-year term. "The State would be to set the vision, through taxation, regulation, avoiding social change all the time and especially in the last week of five-year," said Francois Hollande.

The former head of PS is also expressed in two recent tax measures unveiled by Nicolas Sarkozy. Minimum taxes on corporations that do not pay taxes in France? This provision would penalize, he said, companies that have decided to keep their headquarters in France. It was much more verbose, and verve, on the taxation of tax exiles made Monday night on TF1 by the Head of State.

"There's a bidding war right now," he quips, perhaps in reference to his own project to tax at 75% on incomes above one million euros per year. "Whether the measure is an illusion because ultimately, if it does not apply to artists, athletes and those who put their heritage in the countries concerned, it's about that? Only those who have capital income?, He tried. Or the measurement is much stronger and the question of the overall tax exile and assume it all to negotiate tax treaties with the countries concerned. "

Lapidary conclusion: "I feel that right now there is a candidate who will do anything except renegotiate the treaty has been signed." Francois Hollande has indeed drawn the ire of Nicolas Sarkozy, to want to add a component on the growth of fiscal discipline pact, signed but not ratified by European states. "I leave you with this judgment on how to campaign," decide the favorite in the polls.

Suez aims to build on the water market

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:24:23 +0000

"Change Model" has become a leitmotif in the Lyonnaise des Eaux, a subsidiary of world number two services to local authorities, Suez Environnement.

"Our proposals meet the shared view that we must reinvent the governance of water, take into account environmental and social issues and meet the high demand for information from citizens," said Philippe Maillard, the new head of the Lyon water, which presents on Tuesday, the Congress of Mayors of France, the "contract for water security."

After the turn made by Paris in 2010, several cities are planning to remove the water management to private operators to switch to public ownership. Bordeaux switch soon. Evry, Lyon and Lille are wondering.

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:12:16 +0000

Company margins have never been so high, companies are full of cash, they were debt-free … and yet their share price despair managers. Some values, such as Peugeot, Air France and Lafarge are at their lowest for 20 years. "Since 1990, the profits of European companies have more than doubled, while the PE (valuations on the stock exchange), declined. But will there for years or decades to return to normalcy "asks Jacques Burlot, manager" action "Tocqueville Finance. The management company is nevertheless optimistic about business conditions. "Their margins may decline, but not collapse.There are of course cycles, but historically each drop, the level reached is higher than the previous "says Nelly Davies, also manager at Tocqueville, which lists all the supporting factors that benefit companies: inflation remains low, interest rates are at their lowest, the cost can be further reduced through outsourcing, wage inflation is zero and productivity gains have not been completed payday loans. However, managers are careful Tocqueville predicted a bright future for investors. "Trying to predict the future is a waste of time. Remember Goldman Sachs, which in March 2008 predicted oil at $ 200 a barrel at the end of the year. He had fallen to 50 dollars "they ironically. What to do? Forget the computer screens, and visit the companies consider their strategy, the quality of their management.

admin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:28:10 +0000

The Financial Stability Board, responsible for coordinating global financial regulation, announced Friday on the sidelines of the G20 is a list of 29 banks deemed "systemic". In other words, they are major financial institutions worldwide, which by their size or nature of their activities, are likely to destabilize the world in case of bankruptcy.

It's a surprise, as many as four French banks are listed: BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, Societe Generale and BPCE. Including Dexia, the Franco-Belgian bank in difficulty, the quota is the tricolor represented after the eight listed U.S. banks, JPMorgan and Wells Fargo, to Goldman Sachs. Are also four British, three Japanese, two Swiss, or an Italian bank (UniCredit) and Spain (Santander).Bank of China, finally, is the only Chinese bank to integrate this "elite" of fat.

These institutions, the list will be reviewed annually, will be subject to increased surveillance by the regulators. In particular, they will be more capitalized than their competitors. While the Basel Committee requires hard capital ratio of 7% for all banks, these institutions must show systemic 1.5 to 2.5 points of additional ratio by 2019. The exact level will be set for each speaker in 2014.

Pay the piper

This is for the authorities to break this hellish dynamic in which the banks seek to become ever larger, more complex, with no risk to it since at the end is always the taxpayer who pays the pieces.