Archive for the 'people' Category

The Paris Bourse tries to continue the rebound on Friday. The CAC 40, which opened sharply lower did an about face in the morning. Halfway through, he won by 2.17% to 2871 points, pulled up by the banking sector. Investors seem to focus on a recapitalization of some institutions.

Other major European markets advance in unison, Frankfurt climbed 2.83%, Madrid and Milan by 3.23% from 3.75%. London, however, remains in equilibrium, the FTSE symbolically yields 0.05%.

Concerns about sovereign debt in Europe is still present when a crucial week for Greece ahead. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that a delegation will travel to Athens this week to determine whether or not the country can benefit from the sixth round of eight billion euros, it vital to avoid bankruptcy.Moreover, Germany will vote Thursday the agreement for the expansion of the scope of the relief fund of the zone (EFSF). Sunday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed confidence the outcome of the vote. Evangelos Venizelos, Greek Minister of Finance, for his part spoke with Jean-Claude Trichet, head of the ECB, a debt restructuring Greek. In an effort to reassure global markets, finance ministers of the euro area are committed in a common text, to "do everything necessary to solve the crisis of debt and financial stability of the area in whole and its Member States. " The idea of ​​taking office faster than expected EFSF has also been raised by Germany this weekend.EU Commissioner Olli Rehn himself has said that Europeans reflected to provide the EFSF additional instruments, beyond those agreed in July to give "more power" in an interview with Die Welt newspaper.

The Ifo index better than expected

The Ifo index of business climate in Germany has also provided a little balm in the heart of investors. He recorded a decline in September, less than expected. However, this is its third consecutive decline, which seems to suggest that the activity of the first euro zone economy is slowing.

Sign fears still strong on the issue of public debt in Europe, the euro held steady in the $ 1.35 this morning at 1.3407 dollar.

Values ​​to follow

• banking takes off

The banking sector led the trend.By late morning, flying from BNP Paribas 6.66%, 6.31% of Crédit Agricole and Societe Generale of 5.20%. Rumors of a recapitalization of French banks to benefit industry. In addition, the Deposit, the Postal Bank and Dexia negotiate the creation of a new public to fund local governments, according to Le Figaro. In addition, the Franco-Belgian bank could increase its program to sell its toxic assets, housed in bonds, 20 billion euros, according to Les Echos.

• LVMH (+0.38% to 105.85 euros)

The group announced Friday now hold almost all the shares of the Italian jeweler Bulgari, the luxury giant announced the takeover in March.

• France Telecom (2.13%) Iliad (2.11%) Vivendi (0.03%), Bouygues (-1.08%).

The state is on track to win his bet on the financial 4G mobile frequencies after a first series of which reported more than budgeted and, according to experts, suggests an aggressive posture in the second round by operators who have not had the expected number of lots.

Also note, the IPO of Groupama, long anticipated, was again postponed and is now expected "more towards 2015," said its director general, Jean Azema, in an interview with Les Echos.



The smart electricity meter – or communicating – also known as counter Linky, will be extended to all of France. The decision will be made official Wednesday by the Minister of Industry, Eric Besson, attended by all stakeholders in this important industry. So far, this counter had been the subject of a test phase, in Lyon and Touraine.

This counter communicator, which allows to know its power consumption in real time and thus better control, will be installed progressively from late 2013-early 2014. A five-year period is planned to equip 35 million consumers, knowing that the European directive assigns a target that 80% of users are in possession of this tool in 2020. "This counter is a future asset for the modernization of the electricity distribution network.It will particularly help to end the current system of estimated bills, sources of discussions, said one industry player. In addition, the meter installation will require the creation of over 10,000 jobs. "

Throughout the past few weeks, a severe battle was between ERDF – a subsidiary of EDF in charge of distribution – and local authorities about the property counters Linky. Upon arrival, the government has not decided to change the current law, which states that the networks, which include counters, belong to communities. In support of its reflection, the government relied on the report of "Committee Linky" on the generalization of communicating electricity meters in France easy payday loans.The report, led by parliamentarians Ladislas Poniatowski and Jean-Claude Lenoir, was sent Sept. 21 to Eric Besson.

According to the overall pattern was retained, ERDF will be responsible for ordering and installation of new meters. These will be installed free of charge, the government decided that not considering either a tax increase for network use, one of the elements of the bill paid by customers.

A cost of 4.3 billion euros

To support ERDF therefore, which plans to spend 4.3 billion euros to widespread program Linky, to compensate for this investment by productivity gains achieved through this tool. For example, the new meter will perform many interventions that will distance the presence of agents of ERDF to the customer will no longer be necessary."But whatever the gains, a system of passing on costs is possible sooner or later," suggests an industry expert.

As for local, they indicated that the expected effectiveness of the new meter is fully proven. In other words it is shown that consumers can realize significant energy savings. Widespread Linky is a crucial element of energy efficiency policy of the government at a time when energy prices rise.

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Optimism has no place in French industry and households. According to the monthly survey published Friday by INSEE, the synthetic indicator of business climate in manufacturing industry fell by six points to 99 points in September, passing below the 100 that corresponds to the average long period for this indicator. "He finds his level of August 2010," INSEE said in a statement.

As for the index of business climate as a whole (including services, construction, wholesale and retail trade), it falls along eight points to 97 points. Clearly, "the economic climate deteriorated in all sectors except construction," says INSEE.

Even pessimistic side of French households, whose confidence index has lost five points to 80 points in September, according to data from the institute free business cards.This is its lowest level since February 2009. This indicator had a slight gain in July (three points) after months of stability. But in September, households appear significantly higher than in July to anticipate an increase in unemployment (23 points).

To this must be added the concerns of their income: between July and September, the opinion of households on their personal financial situation has deteriorated further, the balance corresponding dropping six points. Thus, the French are less numerous than in July to consider appropriate to make major purchases (-5 points). About their nest egg, they also feel that the time is not conducive to spare that the balance corresponding losing 8 points in its long-term average.



Former vice president of PayPal, Reid Hoffman, 44, is a key figure in Silicon Valley. It was the first to invest in Facebook, along with Peter Thiel, in 2004. His most recent investments include Ping.fm, Zynga and Grouply.

LE FIGARO. -What is the project founder of LinkedIn?

Reid Hoffman. – I always look for broad trends. When I started to think of LinkedIn, in 2001-2002, I saw two. The first is that the world of work is changing. Around the world, lifetime employment is disappearing and every individual is responsible for developing their own skills, in a connected world. The second was the rise of the Internet. Result, LinkedIn is the platform that allows each person to develop itself to show who she is, she works with, access to other experiences and skills.We are still at the beginning of the implementation of this vision. For now, people see the opportunity in LinkedIn to stay connected with others and find experts. It is not yet to the point where people question the means to invest in themselves, become more efficient. Today, everyone googlise names and everyone can be found on Google. What people do not realize is that they can ensure that what the first track of their professional profile.

How do you change the world of social networks?

The existence of other networks has been good for us. But people still think they choose to participate when we are already in a networked world. The question is: how will we navigate intelligently in this world? Today, Facebook is the barbecue in your garden. Twitter is the equivalent of the media.LinkedIn is the desktop. There is room for other networks but it has to offer is both broad and unique. There are broad categories such as religion or sports that are not occupied. I think there will be a big player that we do not yet know who will emerge within five years.

You see Google + as a potential competitor?

+ Google is a good social product. The question is: how will he differentiation? It is not yet a competitor of LinkedIn. It could go in that direction but it is not safe. To serve the professional market, it must be specialized. LinkedIn Today provides information to industry sources. A circle with your co-workers does not go into this level of specificity.Moreover, the context is important: what do you see on your screen?

What do you think valuations of Internet companies today? Is there a bubble?

Valuations are a sensitive issue. This is the net worth based on what we think is the future. My view is that social networks are fundamental phenomena that will change the world, yes. But with regard to the numbers, I let the markets decide. There are bubble if the prediction is bad, but I argue that change is very deep.

These networks generate data and make business. Is not this a problem?

In the case of LinkedIn, the use of data turns to the advantage for our users. There is no question of location of Internet users or photos of their children but rather to know what skills are likely, and so on.Users can not feel taken aback by the use of data. When you have a technological transformation, people fail to recognize that transparency is good for them massive. Surfers will discover that to move towards more openness and transparency is beneficial for them. We are often asked about our practices and always act quickly. Must maintain confidence.

LinkedIn helps determine business strategy according to their recruitment. This can be problematic vis-à-vis their competitors?

When a company publishes a job, it puts as much detail as possible to attract the best profile. We can already draw a lot of information of such data. But we must look at the return: a company wants us to know in which area it recruits to form the best teams.For investors, this can also be good to know in which direction it goes. So there is more value to be open and transparent. Finally, for us, the interest of the individual will always pass before that of the company. We want our users to have a positive experience.

Personally, you are investing in numerous start-up early, including Facebook and Zynga. What is your strategy?

I look at three things when I invest: market places that inspired me to invest in newly-Airbnb, networks, Zynga is a network of games and platforms-as Shopkick. It is also important that there is no conflict of interest with my work at LinkedIn. So I'm on the board of Zynga, but not Facebook.This is useful in that I see common trends on both sides, parallels that are used for my investment as my work at LinkedIn.

Where do you come the next big technological breakthrough?

I closely monitor the field of open source hardware.

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Signs of abating in the real estate frenzy in Paris. After growth of over 20% yoy in the first quarter (numbers of notaries), the house prices have stalled this summer. "We anticipated a slowdown of rising prices later in the year 2011. The events give us reason Fortunately, "says Bernard Cadeau, president of the branch network Orpi. The peaks in June, with the ceiling of 8000 euros per square meter happily burst, combined with the gradual rise in lending rates, have affected the volume of sales since the beginning of 2011. It made sense that eventually, prices undergo an adjustment. For more than a drop, it is a market correction it is.

Drain excess

"If there is downward, this concerns the very large apartments of 100 m2 which the price had been overestimated in the euphoria of late 2010 and early 2011," said Gilles Ricour of Bourges, president of the FNAIM Paris. "The capital market is a very individual who has self-sustained higher prices. Many potential purchasers already own their homes had postponed their plans because of the crisis in 2009. In 2010, when prices started to increase, they came with very important contributions. In addition they have changed their behavior. Rather than sell their home before buying another, they started buying in a market that climbed before to bear part of the price of their new acquisition to the purchaser, pushing prices up, "says Laurent Vimont, Chair of the Century 21 network cash advance loan no fax."Today, we purge the excesses," he adds. A correction that he says will not exceed a slight decline in the order of 1%.

The threat of taxation

"The summer months are not representative of normal activity in the sector. It was not until September which is traditionally an important month for the volume of transactions, "said he. "Always be careful. Paris concentrates all the ills of the market immobilieravec a very high demand and low supply, "said Bernard Cadeau. A shortage that could he said to go to … amplifying with assistance from the government. "There is very little construction in the capital, and with the new tax measures, are discouraged sellers put their property on the market," said he. "Since August 25, and the announcement of the taxation of capital gains to 32.5%, many sellers have withdrawn their products," alarmed Gilles Ricour Bourges."It would be unfortunate if these new measures will undermine the stabilization of prices," he concluded, as a warning to members who are currently planing tax loopholes.

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Aug

31

While many companies publish their results on Wednesday, so good for Vivendi. The group of telecommunications and media has indeed released the results broadly in line with market expectations for the first half and confirmed its outlook for 2011.

On the occasion of the publication, the Chief Executive Jean-Bernard Levy said he "confirms the outlook annual adjusted net income in excess of 3 billion euros" against 2.69 billion euros in 2010, which will increase the dividend per share. The businessman says he is confident because of "operational indicators on the rise, despite a financial and economic disruption."

In the first six months of the year, the group has doubled its net profit after minority interests of 2.6 billion euros with a net gain of $ 1.2 billion related to the settlement of a dispute in Poland.Adjusted net income shows him up by 20.2% to 1.83 billion euros. As for the EBITA (operating income, net of amortization of goodwill), it stood at 3.36 billion euros, up 4.6% at constant exchange rates free online credit report. Group sales reached 14.25 billion, up 2.4%. The market on average expected a turnover of 14.24 billion euros, an EBIT of 3.31 billion and adjusted net income of 1.73 billion, according to estimates by seven analysts quoted by Reuters.

For businesses, the group's results were supported by the performance of Activision Blizzard and GVT. The developer and publisher of French-American game has achieved an operating profit of 833 million, up 34.4%.Over the past twelve months, the portfolio means of Canal + France recorded a net growth of 96,000 subscriptions.

Asked about the proposed IPO of 20% of Canal + agreed by the other shareholder of the group, Lagardère, and rejected the first time in March due to the nervousness of the markets after the earthquake in Japan, the CEO of Vivendi, Jean-Bernard Levy, kicked into touch. "As we all know the ball is in their court," he said. "We expect the recovery Lagardère decides whether or not what is now the right according to our agreements.



The speech will be delivered to a very limited audience, but it will be heard by the entire financial world. The head of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, will speak on Friday afternoon (French time) to his counterparts at the traditional central bankers in Jackson Hole Symposium, Wyoming.

While the U.S. economy slows dangerously, investors expect a tough response from the Fed. But they may be disappointed because, faced with two problems, the central bank runs out of ammunition.

Misdiagnosis

First, Ben Bernanke erred in economic diagnosis. He underestimated his own admission, the low growth in the first half and was counting on a rebound in demand in the second, which for now does not materialize.Problem with its main policy rate at zero since December 2008, the Fed has little room to revive again the supply of credit. Some members of the Monetary Committee refuses to go further. Among the reluctant, Richard Fisher, president of the Dallas Fed. It is estimated that on August 9 promises to continue until mid-2013 interest rates unusually low, the Fed made a mistake: the promise deters businesses and individuals to borrow quickly as they know that the rates are not nearly up cash advance america.

So what can Ben Bernanke promised? The resumption of purchases of long-term bonds the Treasury is the preferred option by the markets. But given the high level of inflation, the method is risky.In addition, low interest rates leaves little hope that this new "quantitative easing" has a significant effect on credit supply.

Ben Bernanke should focus on technical measures. The Fed could cut the compensation of bank reserves. It would be a way to push banks to lend rather than storing their cash with her. The second measure seeks to change more or less gradually the composition of its balance sheet, which reached 2.7 trillion dollars. To maintain long-term rates as low as possible, the Fed may decide to increase the proportion of its balance sheet invested in long-term securities, while reducing the one placed in short-term securities. The decline in long rates will encourage companies and individuals to refinance their debts and support the real estate.



The ocean depths to the financial markets, there is sometimes a step … that the U.S. company Odyssey Marine Exploration Exploration has already passed! Like the leader of the search for shipwrecks listed on the New York Stock Exchange since November 2003, other companies specializing in the maritime treasure hunting, smaller fund will come on the market and join the ranks of actors of the industry.

Even if the secret is king in the realm of salvors, one thing is certain: the hunt for sunken treasure under the sea can pay big dividends. Odyssey Marine Exploration, one of the few companies to communicate about its activities, has won the moon in September 2003 with the discovery of the Republic, an American steamer full of gold coins that sank off the coast of Georgia in 1865.After twelve years of research, American society has gotten hold of a booty containing nearly $ 400,000 of the coins in time, a current value between 120 and 200 million dollars. The company has retained 90% of the cargo. Odyssey was also able to develop products derived from this expedition. This discovery was also made flame the action of the group in exchange. And the eyes of the officers, "the 20 million spent on research is only one drop of water compared to the potential value remains of the Republic."

And if the gold and precious stones continue to dream the salvors, they are not the only treasure of value. Coins, guns, cups, bottles and even old cargo of raw materials can also be rewarding.Thus the British company Blue Water Recoveries, established in 1995, has collected 23,000 tons of precious metals through its research of wrecks.

Thirty wrecks profitable to recover

But finding a wreck diving at a cost. According to Unesco, nearly 3 million shipwrecks littering the ocean depths, but only a thousand of them contain enough valuables to recoup research.

The investigations carried out to find shipwrecks hundreds of feet deep are indeed very expensive. It requires a technologically advanced equipment and crews experts, for shipments that can last for months or even years. Besides the work prior to the launch of an operation: tracking down archival maps and documents all able to identify and map potential treasures.John Morris, co-founder and CEO of Odyssey Marine Exploration and felt "less than thirty wrecks are financially attractive to recover" all over the world.

In addition, the development of technology makes the research more accessible and attracts treasure hunters. The funds of the world's oceans are scrutinized. Shipments are mainly carried out by Anglo-Saxon societies run by financiers. In this context, John Morris believes that "all the wrecks are likely to have been visited in ten years: our niche is very limited." A race against time is thus committed, sometimes in defiance of the rules.

Regulations wrecks hardens

In late 2007, Odyssey has been unraveled court.American society has gotten hold of the treasure of the "Black Swan", code name given to the mysterious shipwreck discovered off the coast of Gibraltar and which Odyssey has kept the cargo of 17 tons of gold and silver. Problem, Spain claimed ownership of the vessel and the treasure and she wants to recover the loot and the location coordinates of the wreck, kept secret.

In fact, the marketing of the treasures of the sea is governed by laws. The cargo must be declared and identified only the treasures found in international waters can be preserved, provided that vessels not flying the flag recovered Spanish, English, French or American, if not the rights of loot then return to the countries concerned. And Unesco is trying to further tighten the laws to limit the looting.The United Nations estimates that particular decade, almost three wrecks were destroyed and exploited commercially in Asia, and regrets for each looting of 500,000 objects.

In France now, "all the maritime discoveries belong to the state," said the Department of underwater archaeological research and submarine, affiliated to the Ministry of Culture. However, the rewards are awarded to the discoverers of wrecks and treasures.

A researcher from the body of wreckage hunt bin Laden

The hunt Seabed no longer the sole purpose of finding gold and other fabulous booty. Recently, a researcher of wreckage and chose to leave the body in search of bin Laden.Bill Warren, a famous scholar of American wreck, wants to prove to skeptics the death of the leader of the terrorist organization Al Qaeda, and touch in passing a premium of $ 25 million. To do this, the diver of 59 years will probe the northern Arabian Sea to find the body of the former number one enemy of the United States. But according Sciboz Bertrand, also a researcher of wreckage, "a body search in the Arabian Sea while there are 2000 meters deep, this operation is totally impossible."

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Wall Street opens again in the red Friday. The NYSE is not spared by the new storm that struck the European exchanges, which has already passed on the stock exchanges in Asia this morning. A few minutes after the start of trading, the Dow Jones fell by 0.81% to 10,901.20 points, the Standard & Poor's 500 by 0.75% to 1132.08 points and the Nasdaq Composite 0.76% 2362.48 points.

Yesterday, as elsewhere, the New York Stock Exchange closed down a massive, affected by disappointing indicators released during the meeting confirming the poor performance of the U.S. economy. Moreover, operators, already worried by the economy of the euro area, were cooled by the large loan dollars awarded by the European Central Bank (ECB) to a bank in Europe, whose identity has not been revealed.This action has reinforced doubts about the ability of banks to refinance the region. The euro also declined against the dollar and is trading around 1.4290 dollars against 1.4319 on Thursday.

Finally, Morgan Stanley confirmed the fears of a global economic slowdown by scaling back its growth forecasts for 2011 and 2012. The bank also said the United States and Europe were "dangerously close to recession."

Evidence that the operators' confidence is at its lowest, gold, a safe haven par excellence, is powered from yesterday to new heights. On Friday, an ounce reached a new record in 1864 dollars after jumping up to 1867.30 dollars in the morning.For its part, a barrel of U.S. light crude oil, which fell 6% yesterday, lost another 65 cents to 81.73 dollars at the opening while Brent gives 62 cents to 106.37 dollars.

Values ​​of the day

On the corporate side, Hewlett-Packard tumbles to 18.74% to 23.98 dollars. The group published its results on Thursday lowered its annual forecast for the third consecutive time. It now expects an annual turnover of between 127.2 and 127.6 billion dollars, against a previous estimate of between 129 and 130 billion. The group, which has made a takeover offer for the British publisher of software Autonomy, has also announced plans to dispose of its business in personal computers.Another major surprise: HP goes out of business in the mobile, arresting the development of tablets and smartphones.

Autodesk (1.09% to 26.80 dollars) has reported a 6% increase in revenues in the second quarter and a net profit better than expected at 71.2 million euros, or 30 cents per share.

Gap (5.03% to 16.30 dollars) on Thursday posted a quarterly profit above analysts' expectations despite lower sales to a number of store. Net income for the group totaled $ 189 million (131.8 million), or 35 cents a share, against $ 234 million, or 36 cents per share a year earlier.

Bank of America (-1.07% to 6.94 dollars) will remove 3500 positions during the quarter, according to an internal document cited by Reuters.

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When in 2007 the Merkel government has created an additional income tax of 45%, Germany was against the current. At the time, it was time to lower taxes to encourage work. But the crisis and rising public deficits have changed everything. Germany has become more and more followers. In 2010, the UK has increased to 50% the rate of the highest portion of its income tax (IR). And Italy is preparing to introduce a solidarity tax for employees earning over 90,000 euros.

More surprising number of taxpayers potentially affected by such a tax do not hesitate to ask now open! American side, the billionaire Warren Buffett has called this week for a contribution of "mégariches."In France, Maurice Levy, chief executive of Publicis Group and president of the Afep (French association of private companies), wrote in his name, an article in Le Monde, where he considered it "essential that the effort Solidarity begins with those whom fate has spared. " All indications are that it will be heard as the French government pledged last spring to introduce a tax on high incomes. "Today we are working on the issue of remuneration is said sometimes extravagant," reiterated on Wednesday on Europe 1, the budget minister, Valérie Pécresse.

The majority has already noted last year from 40% to 41% in the final tranche of IR. But this time it is hit with higher incomes (the final installment begins 71,000 euros in annual revenues). And this without creating a new rate of IR.While some lawmakers, like Senator Jean Arthuis centrist, still defend the idea, Nicolas Sarkozy is opposed to any new slice. Since the fall, the government has consistently rejected in Parliament every initiative of his majority to create a slice with 46% annual earnings per share in excess of 100,000 euros.

A million or 150,000 euros of income a year?

The Ministers of Economy and Budget has established a working group of parliamentarians who must propose measures in the fall, in the 2012 budget pay day loans. The idea of ​​the executive, initially was rather taxing high incomes via the company by making non-deductible from corporate tax wages above a certain level. But the government now seems to favor a direct taxation at the household level, a solution advocated by many parliamentarians.Gilles Carrez, the UMP rapporteur of the budget in the Assembly proposes to introduce a contribution of 1% to 2% of annual revenues in excess of one million euros.

Advantage: All income is affected, including dividends and capital gains, not just wages (as with the non-deductibility). The threshold of 1 million French can target very easy – 30,000 homes would be affected. "The measure must be a symbol. This is not to bail out of the state, "said Jerome Chartier, UMP du Val-d'Oise. In fact, 2%, the new tax would yield only 300 million (against $ 1 billion for the portion eg 46%). "Be careful not to pour into demagoguery and rich hunting. The contribution must be calibrated, "adds Philippe Marini, UMP rapporteur of the budget in the Senate.

Problem: all members do not see it that way.Pierre Mehaignerie, the UMP president of the Committee on Social Affairs in the Assembly hopes that the contribution applies from 150,000 to 200,000 euros in annual income for couples and 80,000 euros for a single. At this level, more than 300,000 homes were affected, including many executives. "I understand that. But our people are ready to make an effort if, at the same time, the state reform, "Pierre defends Méhaignerie. The animated discussions ahead in the majority!

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