Archive for the ‘business’ Category

13
Jul

Hungary invented a "hamburger tax"

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In the fight against deficits, the prize for creativity back to Hungary. It has introduced a "hamburger tax" which, as its name does not indicate, not only will tax the burgers, which are beyond the last minute. In reality, this new collection in September will affect the crackers and sugary soft drinks high in sugar and packaged cakes.

This offensive against junk food is primarily aimed at combating the scourge of obesity, which affects 18% of the population. "Studies in recent years on the eating habits of Hungarians and health effects show that the problems associated with excessive consumption of fat and salt have increased," says Minister of Economy, György Matolcsy no faxing pay day loans.

This tax also has the advantage of the coffers of a state that really needs.Faced with abysmal deficits, the IMF ordered to redress the balance, the government of Viktor Orban multiplies the creation of new taxes, including banks, telecommunications companies, energy and distribution. Never mind, especially since he swears the "hamburger tax" will finance advertising campaigns on food hygiene.

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11
Jul

The industry rebounded sharply in May

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Unexpected rebound of the French industrial production in May. While economists had forecast a 0.5% increase in average industrial growth reached 2% over the month, according to figures released by INSEE on Monday. The only manufacturing industry, that is, outside of energy production, rose 1.5%. Germany, the first client of French industry, recorded a similar rebound in May (1.2%).

The increase is explained by a return to normal imports of parts produced in Japan, interrupted after the earthquake. "The disruption of production caused by the disaster Japanese, which affected production in March and April, were apparently stronger is believed," Dominique Barbet analysis, economist at BNP Paribas.

The car saw its production increase by 2.5%

All sectors are displayed in green in the month of MayThe production of electronic and computer equipment rose 2 online pay day loans.3%, the textile industry of 1.3% and rubber and plastics 2.2%. The car, itself, saw its production to rebound by 2.5%. In this context, chemistry and medicine show more modest increases of 0.3% and 0.5% in May Only agricultural and food industries suffer a decline of 0.2% of their business.

From March to May, manufacturing output increased by 0.9%. Compared to the same period last year, manufacturing output rose 4.8%, INSEE said. Despite these positive figures, French growth to slow in the coming months, according to the Bank of France. The institution has revised down its outlook, relying now on an increase of 0.2% of GDP for the second quarter (April to June).

06
Jul

Boulanger is a leap forward with Saturn

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Saturn must be profitable in three years: it is the objective that its new owner, HTM Group, has set. The holding of the family group Mulliez (Paragraph, Kiabi, etc.). Boulanger strengthens its brand with 35 stores in French Media Saturn, a subsidiary of the German Metro, which she bought on June 30 for an undisclosed price.

"Saturn knew generate traffic in its stores with low prices and promotions, but never developed Internet business and has never managed to be profitable," especially in front of supermarkets are on the same niche (26 % market share), explains Layous Bernard, director of purchasing and marketing Boulanger.

"With Saturn, Boulanger changes category. Faced with global suppliers, we will have greater purchasing power and we will be known to the public, "he says.The distributor of multimedia products and services and appliances improves its national coverage with this acquisition, which "saves 3 to 4 years of expansion." Even if Baker is, first, giving up open the store on the outskirts of Saturn provided Avignon and on the other hand, give five other outlets of the brand (Toulon, Le Havre, Mulhouse, Aubergenville , Angers), and a shop in Tours Boulanger to respect the opinion of the Competition Authority on the merger.

No project abroad

The integration of the stores kept Saturn, which carry a turnover of 500 million euros, will allow Boulanger (97 stores) to reach the 2 billion mark in sales in a French market the electrical appliance 22 billion euros, according to Gfk.

"The market has been growing steadily for twenty years, with the exception of 2009," says Francis cord, CEO of HTM Group. Since the beginning of the year, but the activity is again down, 1.2%, except for sales professionals on the Internet, such as Darty and Fnac. These are already doing about 10% of their sales through this channel, twice as Boulanger, who made his priority. Points boulanger.com withdrawals and will appear in the old Saturn, because a client of two picks the order.More reason to want to see HTM Group "soon" its goal of 150 stores Boulanger on the rise, with major cities and especially Paris-line of sight. International expansion, produced by its competitors, remains a dream, "but before going abroad, one must be strong in our home market," said Francis cord. Confident, it provides a higher turnover of Boulanger 3% over the year, at constant perimeter.

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29
Jun

The Cac 40 rebounds with caution before the vote of the Greek Parliament

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Busy schedule these days. The successor to Dominique Strauss-Kahn to head the International Monetary Fund could indeed be announced this Tuesday – Christine Lagarde is the favorite -. But it is Greece that all eyes remain fixed, while growing and sy strikes may last until the vote of the austerity plan by the Greek Parliament which must take place by Thursday. However, it seems, according to analysts, the markets are betting on good news. While the euro area would, as a precaution, already developed a backup in case of a negative vote.

In the wake of Wall Street Monday closed sharply higher, the Paris Stock Exchange has expanded its gains yesterday, Tuesday, in the morning, but irregularly.After winning up to 1%, the Cac 40ne accounted for more than 0.77% in late morning, above the 3825 points, and 0.55% in mid-session at 3817.47 points.

On the currency markets, the euro declined slightly against the greenback mid-term, to 1.4275 dollar.

As for oil prices, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in August gained 0.29% to 90.87 even dollars in mid-session.

Housing: housing starts and building permits up

On the macroeconomic front, the number of starts of new homes increased by 11.4,% year on year in France for the period from March to May, while the number of building permits for these homes has increased 4.3%, according to figures from the Ministry of Housing.

At 18 hours, will be published the figures for registered job seekers and offers collected by the job center in May.

In the U.S., the S & P / Case-Shiller of home prices in April (15 hours) and consumer confidence in June (16 hours) are also expected.

Carrefour jumps, Casino unscrews Accor (3.01% to 29.44 euros) held in mid-session the head of the CAC40, while Alstom (-1.43% to 41.08 euros) was last in the index star. Alstom, which takes 14 hours to its General Assembly on Tuesday.Against a background of optimism about the outcome of the parliamentary debate on the budget austerity in Greece, the banking sector performs well: Crédit Agricole climbed 2.50% to 9.87 euros, Societe Generale is 1.54% to 38.25 euros, BNP Paribas rose 1.10% to 50.71 euros and Natixis gained 1.04% to 3.29 euros.

EADS: + 0.09% to 22.07 euros

China could control dozens of Airbus during a visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday in Berlin, said on Monday sources familiar with the matter.

Carrefour: + 2.16% to 27.02 euros; Casino: -5.10% to 62.54 euros

The distribution group received Monday a "proposal" to create Gama Brazilian joint venture equally owned by both groups in Brazil, the latter to eventually become a shareholder of Carrefour.Casino intends to disturb their alliance, saying the project "hostile", prepared in secret, but against which "has the power to oppose."

In addition, the rating agency Fitch has downgraded the French retailer Carrefour up a notch to BBB +, along with a negative outlook, expressing concern the pace of recovery activities and French pressure from shareholders , said in a statement Tuesday.

Thales: -0.41% to 28.27 euros

According to an internal study cited by the Tribune, the electronics group shows a drastic decrease of 13% of customer satisfaction since the arrival of the new direction.Some regret the centralization of applications and other lack of attention to their concerns.

Lagardère: + 0.92% to 28 euros

Analysts at the Swiss bank UBS raised their recommendation on the title to "buy" against "neutral" before.

Trigano: -4.08% to 22.10 euros

The specialist for caravans and motorhomes has said it expects a sales growth and results in 2011, following growth of 8.2% of its business in the third quarter, which covers the period from March to May

Teleperformance: -6.84% to 19.41 euros

The global call center cut its operating margin target in 2011 because of the recent slowdown in its business in the United States.

BioAlliance Pharma: + 1.83% to 6.12 euros

The biotechnology company said it had filed with the French Drug Agency an application for leave to Phase III clinical trial for Livatag, treatment of primary liver cancer.

CGG Veritas: + 0.06% to 23.2 euros

The group signed with the oil services group Bourbon marine services to offshore oil and gas a charter contract for five years to six new vessels support and assistance to its seismic surveys.

22
Jun

GPS Galileo finally on track

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After years of uncertainty, Galileo, the European satellite navigation, has reached a milestone Wednesday with the signing at Paris Air Show, the last two industrial contracts awarded to Thales Alenia Space (281 million) and EADS-Astrium (73.5 million) for the realization of the "ground segment" of the device. Namely, a network of 21 stations to receive and rebroadcast the signal transmitted by satellites, distributed on the surface of the globe as well as two control centers based in Italy and Germany, "Now it remains to put satellites into orbit and build ground facilities.Galileo becomes a reality, "welcomed Jean-Jacques Dordain, the Director General of the European Space Agency that provides project management of this mammoth project on behalf of the European Union.

The first two satellites to be launched on October 20 at 24:00 (French time) from the Kourou space center, a Russian Soyuz rocket that will be the first launch from French Guiana. Another dual launch is scheduled for first half of 2012. Once the first four satellites positioned 20,000 km above the in-orbit validation phase (IOV), which is essential to test the operational capabilities of the system will begin.The signal they transmit back to Earth will allow users equipped with a suitable receiver to determine their position in real time, with an accuracy of one meter.

But to ensure comprehensive coverage of the territory, with this level of performance, both in cities (where buildings cause interference) in mountainous areas, Galileo must be supported, ultimately, a fleet of 30 satellites .

"At the rate of a dual launch every six months, we hope to place 24 satellites into orbit by the end of 2014," said Wednesday the European Commissioner for Industry, Antonio Tajani. A level at which Galileo will begin to be operational. The remaining six satellites will be purchased now through the "500 million euros of savings" on the project budget, said Mr. Tajani.Specifically, "the European Commission will request 1.4 billion instead of $ 1.9 billion for the next financial perspective (2014-2018)". An amount that will add 3.4 billion to the current fiscal year (2009-2013).

A market of 90 billion euros

This "good news" is undoubtedly to reassure policy makers on economic and technical and financial viability of a project that has accumulated delays since the launch of the first test satellite Giove-A in December 2005. In addition, it is clear that Galileo will be operational more quickly, more quickly in the European economy will reap the benefits.

The market for satellite navigation, today mainly occupied by the American GPS, is estimated at 90 billion euros for the period 2010-2030.

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15
Jun

Asian stock exchanges in a disorganized

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Asian stock markets follow divergent paths on Wednesday. Markets are generally reassured by U.S. data released Tuesday, less bad than expected on the price front in the production and sales details. But the reluctance dominates.

In Japan, the Nikkei decides to follow the good mood on Wall Street has ended sharply higher on Tuesday. The benchmark index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange gained 0.28% to 9574.32 points at closing. The Topix, wider, took 0.22% to 824.65 points. Again, the action of the electric company Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO), operator of the nuclear accident in Fukushima, illustrated by a jump of 32.12%, after the government submitted to Parliament Support project to fund compensation for victims. The title had already taken 25% yesterday.

In contrast, Hong Kong and Shanghai are losing ground.The Hang Seng loose 0.39% and the Shanghai Composite was down 0.49%. Investors are troubled by the decision of the People's Bank of China to meet Tuesday to 50 basis points on required reserve ratio of banks, hoping to contain high inflation that poses many economic and social risks. Beijing had announced earlier that consumer prices rose 5 guaranteed personal loan approval.5% in May, an unprecedented growth in nearly three years. The banking sector battered the image of Bank of China (-1.27%) and HSBC Holdings (-1.01%).

The KOSPI Korea following the Chinese markets and decline of 0.17%. Same thing for the Indian Sensex losing 0.31% and the S & P dropped 0.43% Australian. In Australia, the rating is pulled down by the airline industry. Qantas Airways (-1.06%) and Blue Holdings (-3.33%) and are penalized by their decision to cancel domestic flights due to volcanic emissions.

Trend mixed before U.S. crude stocks

The time is also reluctance on the oil markets on Wednesday. In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for July delivery lost 25 cents to 99.12 dollars while that of Brent North Sea crude for delivery rose 49 cents identical to 120.65 dollars.

Investors await the day the report on the status of stocks of petroleum products in the United States. Analysts surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires, crude oil inventories have fallen by 500,000 barrels last week. In contrast, gasoline stocks had risen by 400,000 barrels and distillates (including diesel and heating oil) of 900,000 barrels.

11
Jun

GDF Suez focuses on microcredit

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After several months of development, GDF Suez has now officially launched its website for the 218,000 employees of the group, to enable them to support the development of micro-enterprises scattered around the world. While the week of microcredit is nearing completion, this unique initiative could give a fillip to microfinance solidarity.

Specifically, the site presents a selection of projects to be financed in a variety of countries (currently Peru, Lebanon, Senegal, Tajikistan, Cambodia pending, the Philippines and Madagascar). On the basis of information given to them, employees may choose to assist a particular activity: the purchase of pigs, creation of woolen hats, launching a candy … The proposed assistance takes the form of a 0% interest loan of EUR 20 minimum, payable in 6 to 18 months.The money is paid directly online (via credit card or Paypal account) and the loan is secured by local microfinance institutions. After retrieving their application, lenders are obviously free to reinvest or not the amounts paid on other projects. The site is open to employees and everyone who would be invited by employees.

The project has been fully assembled by MicroWorld, a subsidiary of PlaNet Finance, an NGO founded by Jacques Attali in 1998. Until now GDF Suez already funding specific programs through PlaNet Finance (Microfinance & Energy in Morocco and Egypt "Business in Suburbs in France). With this initiative, "Suez regains its banking business," joked Jacques Attali before noting: "Today's world is not socially sustainable.To reduce this gap, democracy is the first medium and the second is to give people the means to achieve ". Knowing that many of them will create their own jobs, he said that credit is a key lever for growth of these enrepreneurs. Even should you avoid some pitfalls: microcredit must learn to go along with ecology to be truly sustainable and must avoid certain abuses observed in India in particular or some companies claiming solidarity finance is much closer to practices of loan sharks.

GDF Suez side, if the group has funded the launch of this initiative and promises of matching shapes subsidized loans, it also recognizes the benefits expected from this operation. Firstly in terms of internal cohesion.The website encourages the creation of virtual communities and circles that can strengthen the bonds within a group and engage the best young troops. And then of course there is the group's image. CEO Gerard Mestrallet has also not stood in the preamble to introduce the launch of the new advertising group whose slogan is "Be good to men" and his view that illustrates the positioning of the company.

08
Jun

Bacteria: the EU will provide over 150 million farmers

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The European Union (EU) comes to the rescue of its farmers. The European Commission agreed Tuesday to revise upwards in a "substantial" his proposal to release 150 million euros to compensate producers of vegetables in Europe. This is to cope with the losses suffered by the fruit and vegetables after the psychosis to EHEC bacteria has killed 24 people in Europe.

Brussels proposed to compensate the losses up to 30%. But a large majority of European countries have found that it was not nearly enough and have had "strong pressure" to review the amounts rise, according to a diplomatic source.

The exact amount of aid will however be adjusted estimates by country. "We will take the period from late May, marking the beginning of the crisis at the end of June" to calculate the amount of compensation, "said Agriculture Commissioner, Ciolos.This envelope will be accompanied by compensation to 30% of the actual value of losses since the outbreak of epidemics in early May in Germany.

Insufficient support

The only Spaniards consider that the bill because of the boycott of their products by European consumers has cost them 200 million euros. In France, the bill, according to professionals, is approaching 5 million.

French and Spanish Ministers of Agriculture have also questioned the principle of a refund only 30% of losses paydayloans. "What we want is there an answer for all producers, whether or not members of producer organizations and 100% of fair market value of losses," said the Spaniard Rosa Aguilar. The French Bruno Le Maire for his claims for a refund "to the nearest euro.

Berlin slammed

Germany on the other hand was roundly criticized for his handling of the crisis by European Commissioner for Health in the European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg on Tuesday. She had made allegations, soon withdrawn, cons of cucumber Spanish after the demonstration of the first cases of contamination. "It is critical that national authorities are not lining up to give alerts unproven, because it creates problems and psychosis," warned John Dalli."It is important to trigger alerts when certain scientific data," he said.

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05
Jun

Athens: low marched against austerity

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"We resist '. That is what could be read on the sign of one of the protesters took to the streets of Athens on Saturday to protest against austerity measures additional adopted by the Greek government to clean up its public accounts. Responding to the call of the country's two main unions, GSEE (private sector employees) and ADEDY (public sector), the thousands of protesters denounced the identified "social barbarism" After the enhanced supervision of international institutions in their countries . "We oppose the government and the memorandum for these barbaric actions and antisocial," said Gregoris Kalominis, an official of ADEDY.In a joint statement released on the sidelines of the event, the two unions have called for "a different economic policy, with measures of development and social measures that preserve jobs and increase our social and economic rights."

A plea against the recent economic decisions imposed on Greece. Yesterday, the country has received the "troika" (European Central Bank, European Union and International Monetary Fund) the green light for the payment of this summer's fifth installment of the loan of 110 billion euros granted in 2010. But a green light conditioning to "accelerate fiscal and structural reforms in the country", which Moody's rates still at 50% the risk of default within five years. Enough to arouse the wrath of the unions.Indeed, George Papaconstantinou, the Greek finance minister, has already announced it is less than a month an austerity plan for 2011, about 6.4 billion euros.

Hardening of social climate on another front

After nine general strikes, mobilization has been moderate on Saturday. The demonstrators were mostly employees of the public power company PPC, port employees and teachers. An event that went smoothly. Nothing to do with the excesses seen in previous demonstrations.

Mobilization and social deterioration seems rather move on another front, the less supervised by trade unions or political parties. Already experienced in Spain, a spontaneous party Internet illustrates the ras-le-bol of the Greeks, that of "outrage".Now, they do not hesitate to take sides publicly in the political class and physically, according to them responsible of the current situation. For ten days, these "outraged" gather every evening on the Constitution Square, just before the Greek Parliament.

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03
Jun

The bad blood between Obama and Congress

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Since mid-May, the United States exploded the ceiling set by Congress of American debt, around 15,000 billion dollars currently. This ceiling has been found in January. It would suffice to go back again to exit the United States from embarrassment: the country can theoretically borrow on the markets when the threshold is exceeded. Which is to say that the U.S. is in a situation of default.

But the maneuvers have pushed until August 2, the bankruptcy of the federal state. The White House and Congress have so until that date to agree. The first press the other to raise the ceiling, but he refuses to press the button until the government has not detailed a program foresaw and specific reductions in public spending. The United States shackle in effect three years of deficit exceeding 10%.It should reach around 1.6 trillion dollars this year.

If the financial world does not doubt the ability of great leaders of the first world power to agree, for the good of the global economy, the timetable is narrowing. And rating agencies do not fail to recall. Thus, after Standard & Poor's in April, Moody's puts a sudden extra pressure on Thursday by threatening to put the debt rating of long-term United States, currently at AAA, on negative watch, implying an actual deterioration in the coming months.

No to raising the ceiling

Yesterday, Wednesday, Barack Obama received dozens of Republican representatives in the White House. These, a majority in their meeting, refused to give the green light to an increase in the federal debt ceiling because of cuts in spending."We need to tackle this debt," said out of the meeting the head of the budget committee in the House, Paul Ryan, author of a draft budget with drastic cuts in funding for the welfare state and criticized by Democratic allies of Barack Obama.

Tuesday night, the House rejected by 318 votes against 97 an increase of 2,400 billion of debt ceiling, a move described as "irresponsible" Democratic side.

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