International & World Report

EDF is optimistic. The electrician today reported improved results for first half 2011 and has set ambitious targets in the medium term. In a statement, the group announced that its sales rose 2.7% to 33,464 million euros and aims for the period 2011-2015 average annual growth of between 4% and 6% its gross operating profit (EBITDA), and 5% to 10% of its net income.

It also provides a ratio of debt to EBITDA of 2.1 to 2.3 (two in the first half) and a dividend at least equal to that paid for 2010. EDF will also establish an investment program, the amount reach 13 to 15 billion euros by 2015.Perspectives of "profitable growth" long overdue and should bolster the market.

Side results, the net half the group up 54% year on year to 2.6 billion euros, also benefits from a favorable comparison effect since EDF had spent in its 2010 accounts a provision of a billion euros to cover the risk of impairment of its assets in the United States. Analysts had forecast a net profit slightly below the 2.429 billion euros.

"The first half of 2011 is marked in a troubled context, a strong operational performance, particularly related to the increase in nuclear generation in France and the UK", says Group CEO Henri Proglio, quoted in the statement.

Nuclear generation raised

In an interview with Les Echos, Proglio stresses that nuclear generation in France has a record in the first half. It amounted to 218.4 terawatt hours (TWh), offsetting the decline of 7.6 TWh of hydropower production group in France, which has suffered water conditions "deteriorated". As a result, the group raised its target and has produced in France from 411 to 418 TWh, against 408 to 415 before. "The group has investments necessary for the proper operation of power plants, increasing capacity and extending their service life beyond 40 years, and incorporate lessons learned related to Fukushima," said Henri Proglio.

The group that had fallen in 2009 to its lowest level of production for 10 years as a result of breakdowns and strikes, had already made an investment effort in 2010.Nearly two billion euros were spent on ten-year inspections, the program of replacement of heavy components and other investments related to plant operations, against 1.5 billion euros the previous year. This amount is expected to reach 3.4 and 3.6 billion euros in 2015, according to Proglio.

At the Paris stock exchange, EDF lost 1.06% while the CAC was down 0.84%.

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The fifteen-minute speech of Barack Obama addressed the U.S., not markets. The objective of the President was to convince his fellow citizens that the right of the Republican Party is responsible for the impasse. He asked the rest of his listeners to call their senator or their Republican Congress asking them to compromise.

Barack Obama said the disaster would be a failure to pay the Treasury on Tuesday, if this compromise was not reached. The economic crisis that would result, he said, entirely caused by the political dysfunction in Washington.

Obama maintains its position

For the chief executive of the United States, the problem of excessive indebtedness of the country is the result of at least ten years of lax fiscal policy. First, because of excessive spending and irresponsible tax cut decided in George W. Bush.He then explains the explosion of debt since taking office by the need to save America from a very serious recession.

Nothing he outlined in his speech Monday night was not already stated in previous days by Barack Obama. From this point of view, it may disappoint the market. The White House put on the pressure of public opinion to split the Republicans in two.

He tries to rally the Republican pragmatists to what he calls "a balanced approach" to reducing debt. That is a major plan that includes both tax increases and cuts in public spending.

However, he supported the plan proposed by the Democratic majority leader of the Senate, Harry Reid. It abandons the idea of ​​raising taxes.It offers a massive and immediate increase in the debt cap, with "savings" of the same order.

Republicans denounce economies sham

John Boehner responded Monday night's speech by Barack Obama. Photo credits: NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP

Further escalation, that night, in the war between the elected officials for several months Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. to find a solution to the need to reduce the U.S. budget deficit. Having failed to reach an agreement with Barack Obama, the chairman of the House of Representatives, Republican John Boehner, Friday slammed the door to negotiations with the president.

At issue this time, as the Republican's will vote Democratic president to make an additional $ 400 billion of tax increases. A demand unacceptable, according to Boehner, while the two sides had previously agreed to a ceiling of one trillion dollars in additional tax revenue.This Saturday, the threat of a default by August 2 of the world's largest economy has thus further increased.

Of default formally excluded

The President has convened several political leaders to an emergency meeting Saturday afternoon at the White House to try yet again to reach compromise. Both sides say they are confident of raising the debt ceiling (14.294 billion U.S. dollars), reached on May 16, but whether common ground had been reached on the amount of the uncapping. Barack Obama and John Boehner have ruled out a formal non-payment within 10 days.

But the talks still face the question of the amount of budget cuts and debt reduction.Republican side, John Boehner said that after the new clash, he preferred to look to the leaders of the Senate to find a "reasonable" on these issues. Which casts a big doubt about the outcome of negotiations Saturday with the president, which is called Boehner. Democratic side, Barack Obama is prepared to assume full political responsibility to raise the debt ceiling in order to unlock at least for a time, the status quo. "If that's all Congress can do, I will sign an increase in the ceiling to take us to 2013," the president said.

Obama recalled that he had proposed to the Republican's $ 1.65 trillion spending cuts various offers an "extraordinarily fair" said the president.But still not enough for John Boehner, who accuses the president's inability to take "tough decisions" on reducing public spending. Boehmer wishes to bring to the 3 trillion budget savings over 10 years.

Time-critical

The time to find common ground is critical. The readiness of Barack Obama to convene a further meeting this Saturday is a sign that the U.S. president does not want to wait until the deadline of August 2 to reach an agreement. "We have more time in front of us," he said.

Recalling that Wall Street opened Monday, the president pointed to the impact on financial markets of such uncertainty. "Americans are outraged" by the inability of Congress to act, he said.This willingness to find a solution is also shared by the Republican camp, in which counsel highlighted the urgency of an agreement by Monday. What then leave both parties ten days to write a non-redundant legislation and get it validated by Congress.

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"After a rigorous regime of five open time of the attack by external growth," warned in March industrialist Vincent Bolloré, chairman and largest shareholder of Havas, on the occasion of the annual results of French communications group. First founding of the strategy of conquest, Havas announced Wednesday a majority stake in Host, "the largest independent creative agency in Australia," said David Jones, appointed four months ago, Havas CEO after chairing the network Havas Worldwide (Euro RSCG and Arnold).The group is already present in Australia through the agency Euro RSCG, Red Agency, Arnold Furnace and Media Contacts.

Founded in 2000 by Anthony Freedman, integrated advertising agency Host has 120 staff and advises clients such as Vodafone, Levi's, Coca-Cola Company and Australian companies BankWest, BT Financial Group and Sydney Water. Havas did not provide the amount of the transaction. David Jones said, however, that Host is "growing with double digit growth in its income for five years." Gross margin for the agency, which will retain its name and its current leaders, is estimated at about $ 30 million. "This acquisition is strategic for Havas, is its CEO. This is the largest independent agency in Australia, a brilliant creative agency several times crowned by lions at Cannes.It is also entirely consistent with our model by placing digital at the heart of everything we do. Over 30% of revenues come from digital Host. Finally, with Host and after the acquisition in late 2010 Porda corporate agency in Hong Kong, we increase further the percentage of our revenue in Asia Pacific. "

750 million cash

This external growth "measured but determined," to borrow the words of Vincent Bolloré, must lead the sixth largest global communications to reach 2.5 billion euros in sales within three years. In 2010, revenue was $ 1.558 billion."We now have a healthy balance sheet with cash of 750 million euros, one billion dollars available for acquisitions while in 2005 Havas posted debts of 750 million euros," says its new CEO.

To refine its strategy, David Jones was held in mid-June sixty major Havas executives in Barcelona. The group aims to strengthen in Asia and Latin America as well as in the digital businesses, with "priority given to social networks and geolocation, which represents the opportunity to major transformation of our industry." In 2010, digital accounted for nearly 20% of its revenues. But unlike its big French rival Publicis, which absorbed Digitas, Razorfish and Rosetta, Havas does not increase the scope of redemptions in the industry."We prefer to focus on budgets and talent at the heart of our agencies, rather than isolating them in silos experts, sometimes paid dearly, insists David Jones. That's what we did in recruiting team or Modernista digital with the acquisition of Socialistic. "Havas should also accelerate the deployment of its" microarray ", Arnold and BETC. The first, born in Boston, is a twenty offices around the world. The second, BETC, created in Paris by Mercedes Erra and Remi Babinet, will remain housed in the Euro RSCG network. After an initial introduction to London, BETC could export its "model of start-up" in the United States, Latin America or Asia.

This year, no fewer than five new brands join forces for the first time in the Tour: Alcatel, Qatar Airways, Europcar (which also sponsors a team), and Banette Sojasun. It's better than in 2010, where three new partners (Digital, Teisseire, Cakes Saint-Michel) had entered the Tour.

It is true that the pyramidal organization sponsors tickets with different specific and visibility – enables sponsors to enjoy the varied biggest cycling race in the world. To be included in the club of four key partners alongside LCL, Vittel, Carrefour or Skoda, with arrangements for wider visibility and exclusivity of the brand associated with the Tour, it takes 3.5 to 5,000,000 of euros per year.

For their part the official partners (ten in total) as Antargaz, Orange, Festina, AG2R La Mondiale, Brandt or the PMU (the green jersey sponsor) must raise between 600,000 and one million euros. For that amount, they have a pavilion at the Village, a place in the publicity caravan and a right of communication associated with the Tour. Finally, the 17 official suppliers, engaged for three years, such as the ever-present Cochonou (14 years on the run), Nesquik, Sodexo, Etap Hotel and Haribo, capitalizing heavily on trade marketing operations, but are not associated with the sports section. Average amount of investment: between 300 and 500,000 euros.

Not to mention the octogenarian Caravan advertising that drives the pre-race with 160 vehicles and thirty brands that are paying 37,000 euros for the right to four vehicles (6300 euros per additional vehicle) and distribute the artists receive "goodies" . In anticipation of its 40 year history, has completely revamped its Cochonou device caravan and bobs will distribute 100,000 collectors, 400,000 sachets sausage, or 5000 bags. "Since our arrival in this race, we settled in aided awareness 95%.As for our market share by volume, it increases by 1.5 points during the competition each summer to 12%, "said Schneider Laétitia, Brand Manager for Cochonou.

Proof if any of the enthusiasm for marketing the event, we already know a new partner of the Tour in 2012: Le Coq Sportif, which will become the new supplier of ASO, some 60 years after a first experience!

New technologies invite themselves

Like likes to remember year after year Yvon Breton, No. 1 group collective foresight AG2R La Mondiale, signing 15-year presence in the bicycle, via a team (9 million budget) and a partnership with ASO, "what is the event that can give his name to a team that generates advertising equivalent of several million euros?" In 2010, they corresponded to 90 100% free credit score.5 million purchase of space or a new level, against 63 million euros in 2009. "We remain on the bike because it can continue to install the brand," he insists.Traveling agency that the group installed on each step also enables it to host more than 40,000 people during the three weeks of the competition and also to distribute the number of "goodies".

The media is probably the maximum calculation made by Alcatel One Touch, a newcomer to the team of partners ASO, which is the first investment in sports sponsorship. "We have a public position and the Tour is the premier event that allows us to reach out to families, much more available at this time of year, because vanaces," says Ludovic Leray, head of sponsorship. For his debut in the sport, the distributor of mobile phones and internet products will have a visibility distance through the appearance of its logo during the "course info" for the steps.It will also be the first partner to the general public to support the publicity caravan of the inside line, thanks to its smart phones and via Facebok and Twitter. Alcatel One Touch will also benefit from the device and expects to receive 550 hospitality guests during the Tour.

The passion is the same side of town who dream of one day hosting the festival of cycling. London did not hesitate to pay 10 million euros for the Tour in 2007, bringing together more than one million spectators along the Thames. The budget for a city of Grand departure starts at 2 million euros oeut effectivelment exceed the threshold of 10 million. Fortunately, the bill is more reasonable for the typical stages: 90 000 euros for a city of arrival, 60 000 euros for a departure city or 150,000 euros for the candidates to the city of rest.Result: ASO boasts more than 200 cities bidding to host the next edition of the Tour. What up years of the race tracks.

The ASO model is it infinitely expandable? "One wonders how the public finds it among the many brands partner on the Tour. Too many companies these may influence the visibility futures, "warns Marc Mazodier, research professor in marketing at the ISG business school. Specialist ambush marketing (ie ambush marketing), it stresses the need for brands to differentiate themselves from each other by a real working partnerships activation.

Too big banks are no longer popular. International regulators working on a way to discourage institutions to reach a critical size, representing a systemic risk. The aim is to avoid repeating the situation in 2008 when, at the height of the crisis, governments were forced to come to the rescue of the banks described as "too big to fail", ie plants with failure could endanger the financial system.

The Basel Committee on banking regulation, which will meet next week and consider the implementation of specific measures to the thirty largest banks, reported Bloomberg and the Financial Times. The idea would be to impose new capital requirements higher than other institutions through the application of a new specific prudential ratio.If these measures are validated, the additional reserve capital that institutions would be selected will earn 3.5% of their risk-weighted assets according to Bloomberg, or 2.5% reported the Financial Times. Restrictions in addition to 7% imposed under the Basel III standards.

The new ratios would be imposed on institutions sliding scale depending on the size of banks and their links with their competitors. The Bloomberg stressed that the highest ratio of 3.5% is not applicable today. But it would serve to discourage institutions to grow further.

France wants to exclude Crédit Agricole and Societe Generale lists

In total, nearly 30 banks that would be an increase in their capital reserve requirements. The most severe restrictions relate eight institutions including BNP Paribas.Four other European banks (Deutsche Bank, HSBC, RBS and Barclays) and three U.S. (Citigroup, JPMorgan and Bank of America) are also involved no fax cash advance. They would be forced to comply with a Core Tier 1 ratio, an indicator that measures the equity of 9.5%, the Financial Times. A second level would include four other banks.

But the list of banks involved are not yet fixed. The French regulator to try and ensure that Crédit Agricole and Societe Generale will be free of these new rules.

In addition, regulators have not defined the means by which institutions can be put in order.The arsenal of new rules imposed specifically to institutions "too big to fail", whose size deemed critical obliges the authorities to intervene in case of bankruptcy, should be ready for the next scheduled for November G20 stated Mario Draghi, chairman of the Financial Stability Board, in April.

But these new laws should not prevent banks from merging. "Institutions should already get the green light from regulators before any merger, the new ratios will be charged an additional constraint," says a corporate lawyer at the agency Bloomberg.

Little reaction in the markets

These ads have little impact on the shares of French banks. In the morning, the folds of the securities of banking stocks are less important than their benchmark index, the CAC40.The banks operate in a pocket-handkerchiefs: Company Génarale folds 0.5% 0.4% BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole 0.3% against a fall of 1% for the CAC 40.

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The mood remains gloomy in the Paris Stock Exchange on Thursday. In the aftermath of a session that saw the CAC 40abandonner 1.49%, morale improved slightly with the release of U.S. indicators better than expected. In the afternoon, the Paris index erased some losses and ended down 0.38% to 3792.31 points after hitting a low of 3743.97 points.

The London Stock Exchange also ended lower, the FTSE-100 index lost 0.76% to 5698.81 points. The Frankfurt Dax finished down slightly from 0.07% to 7110.2 points.

This bad mood, which resulted in Wall Street and Asian markets this morning in the dark red, is mainly due to Greece. Indeed, the financial position and policy of the country bogged down.The special meeting of finance ministers has ended in failure Wednesday, Europeans failing to agree on the role of private creditors in the new rescue measures. Meanwhile, violent demonstrations took place in Parliament of the country, forcing the Prime Minister George Papandreou to announce a reshuffle of his government that is expected to announce on Thursday evening.

Decline in jobless claims across the Atlantic

In addition to Greece, the eyes were again turned to the United States Wednesday, the publication of disappointing statistics showed the weakness of the U.S. recovery, particularly in the industry.On Thursday, the news was, however, quite good: the new jobless claims have declined more than expected and the United States, where 414,000 benefit claims are submitted from June 5 to 11 – a decrease of 4% compared to last week.Analysts had expected 421,000 new registrations.

The housing starts and building permits issued in the United States are also rising again in May, increasing by 8.7% and 3.5%, according to figures released Thursday by the Commerce .

However, the deficit in the current account of the United States has widened in the first quarter to 119.3 billion against $ 112.2 billion the previous quarter, according to figures released Thursday by the Commerce Department.

Manufacturing activity declines in the Philadelphia area for the first time since September, said Thursday the U.S. central bank (Fed), whose local activity index fell to -7.7 against all odds, the lowest level since July 2009.

In the euro area, consumer prices rose 2.7% year on year, after 2.8% in April, according to a second estimate of Eurostat made similar to the first end of May.

On the currency side, the euro has stabilized against the dollar in late afternoon. Around 17:30 the European currency was worth 1.4166 dollars against 1.4182 dollars late Wednesday. In the morning, the euro has continued to fall weighed down by the Greek crisis, and fell to 1.4090 dollars, its lowest level for three weeks.

Values ​​to follow

Banking

French banking stocks are still under attack on Thursday. They are among the largest declines the CAC 40 business cards. Societe Generale lost 3.28% to 37.50 euros, Crédit Agricole loose 2.77% to 9.63 euros, BNP Paribas was down 2.20% to 50.17 euros. Axa Natixis and follow the trend with decreases of 3.60% to 14.60 euros and 1.37% to 3.45 euros.Dexia unscrews for its share of 4.56% to 2.15 euros.

Areva: -2.80% to 25.31 euros; Eramet: -1.83% to 217.50 euros

Luc Oursel, deputy CEO of Areva, is the favorite to replace Anne Lauvergeon at the head of French nuclear specialist, says the newspaper La Tribune.In addition, the group extended for six months its shareholders in companies with Eramet Sorame CEIR and representing the shareholders of the family Duvan.

Bull: -1.47% to 4.68 euros

The French computer group announced Thursday a plan to recruit a thousand employees for 2011, including 400 in France, mostly young graduates.

Sanofi: -0.92% to 51.43 euros

The group announced Thursday the signing of a research collaboration of two years with the Dutch biotechnology company Audion Therapeutics for the development of potential treatments for hearing loss.

EADS: + 0.65% to 21.53 euros

The low-cost Philippine Cebu Air said Thursday it had entered into a $ 3.8 billion with Airbus for an order for 30 A321s and seven A320s.

Renault: -1.16% to 36.27 euros

The Renault-Nissan is about to take control of Russian automaker AvtoVAZ, an acquisition that would propel the world's third largest, said Thursday the Japanese newspaper Nikkei.

L'Oreal: -1.18% to 84.39 euros

The businessman Stephane Courbit explained in a letter to Liliane Bettencourt why he wants to break the financial partnership that had just concluded the head of Lov group and the heir to L'Oreal.

Total: -0.58% to 37.52 euros

The tanker has completed its friendly takeover bid of about $ 1.3 billion over the American SunPower, a majority of shareholders of the company specialized in solar panels have agreed to tender their shares.

Eurosic: + 0.56% to 33.99 euros

Batipart, family holding company specializing in real estate, will launch a takeover bid for Eurosic in the coming weeks after the sale by Nexity and Banque Palatine of all of their shares in the specialist real estate office.

Vivendi: -0.22% to 18.13 euros

Between September and the summer of 2012, SFR will take the rays of the telephone 80 Fnac stores in France.

France Telecom: -0.49% to 14.21 euros

The operator said Wednesday it had issued 670 million euros maturing in 2019 and 2021.

Perno Ricard: -0.42% to 66.46 euros

The group announced Wednesday that its board had decided to pay an interim dividend of 67 cents per share.

After market, Zodiac Aerospace announce its third quarter revenues.

"CONTEST Estimate the Cac 40 in late June

What is the real plan of assistance to Portugal? Since Friday, the question is on everyone's lips in the country. Doubts have been launched by the third television station in the country, Sic, who spoke of the existence of two different versions of the plan signed by the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with the Socialist government resigning.

Thus, a first version of the document, signed May 3 by the Socialist government after talks with the troika (EU, IMF, ECB), has been submitted for approval to the two main opposition parties, the PSD (center right) and CDS (right). But it is another version of the text, including changes in schedule, which was eventually signed officially by the government on May 17 in Brussels at a meeting of EU finance ministers.

A surprise for the opposition

This revelation has caused controversy in the country, forcing the Ministry of Finance to explain. In a memo to reporters, he confirmed the existence of "ad hoc adjustments" between "the draft memorandum of agreement" developed in Lisbon and "the final version signed by the Ministry of Finance, the Governor of the Bank Portugal and the European Commission on May 17 low fee payday advance.

Similarly, the outgoing Prime Minister Jose Socrates said the parties had signed "two documents, one with the European Commission, the other with the IMF, and the final text did the" make compatible . But for its part, the president of PSD, Pedro Passos Coelho says "not having been informed of these differences," which he said "are not just small adjustments."

For the socialist Jose Socrates, this mess falls at the worst time. The Prime Minister, who resigned in March following the rejection by parliament of its austerity program, is indeed a candidate to succeed himself for early parliamentary elections on 5 June. This Saturday, surveys conducted for the newspaper Publico and Expresso weekly show that PSD collects between 33.9 and 35.8% of the vote, beating the Socialist Party, credited with 32.3 to 34.1% of voice. CDS (right) remains in third place with 11.3 to 13.4% of the vote.

(With Agencies)

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The Cac 40, which is briefly fell below the 3900 points early in the day, closing up slightly on Wednesday. The index gained 0.31% to 3928.99 points.

On the stock market in Frankfurt, the Dax ended up 0.28% to 7170.94 points and the FTSE-100 rose at the close of 0.20% to 5870.14 points.

The OECD has reassured the United States and the euro area this year are expected to grow faster than expected, respectively 2.6% and 2% (against 2.2% and 1.7% previously), considers Wednesday the organization that maintains unchanged its forecast for 2012 to + 3.1% + 2%.

Concerns about the crisis of European debt have somewhat affected the odds: the morale of Germans, according to Gfk survey, should continue its degradation in June for the third straight month due to the debt crisis in euro and soaring oil prices. The index shows a decrease to 5.5 against 5.7 in MayIn addition, the Netherlands and Germany are threatening to commit the privatization of the Greek economy to foreign experts, reveals leFinancial Times. A new threat which seeks to lobby the Greek government to take drastic cost-saving measures.

United States, orders for durable goods fell more than expected in April, posting their largest decline in six months after the March increase, official statistics show on Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Commerce reported a 3.6% decline in orders in April after rising by 4.4% (revised from +4.1%) in March. Analysts polled by Reuters on average expected a decline of 2.2%.

With regard to the Icelandic volcano, France should be minimally affected, which should reassure the airline industry.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro is stable against the dollar on Wednesday.Late afternoon in Paris, the European single currency was worth 1.4110 dollars against 1.4100 dollars late Tuesday.

Airbus confident for Le Bourget

Side companies, cyclical industrial and banking resume colors. Renault (+1.65%) leads the CAC 40 in front of BNP Paribas (1.40%) and Societe Generale (1.27%).

Consumer complaints of gas and electricity rose 25% in 2010, about problems with their energy supplier.The mediator of Energy notes that complaints from customers at 43% of GDF Suez (-0.39% to 25.58 euros), 38% of those of EDF (+0.60% at 28.44 euros), 12% of Direct Energy and 4% of customers Poweo (balance to 3.91 euros).

BigBen Interactive (7.56% to 9.68 euros) jumped to the Paris Stock Exchange for its resumption of trading, after reaching an agreement to buy Modelabs, an operation that will allow him to change size and diversification, analysts note.

Airbus and its parent EADS (-1.20% to 22,30 euros) were optimistic Tuesday on future orders at the Paris Air Show in June in a market "active."

Carrefour (-0.03% to 30.28 euros) announced Wednesday the appointment of Mathilde Lemoine to the position of independent director of the group, replacing Jean-Martin Folz, who left the board for divergence of views on strategy.

The French group Alstom and its Chinese joint venture Casco signed two contracts worth a total of 85 million euros for the supply of signaling systems in metros of Shanghai (east) and Kunming (south).

The association of minority shareholders (Adam) who assigned Tuesday referred the saddle Hermes (-0.82% to 174.40 euros) to "deprive" the essential rights to vote at the next family meeting, has been confronted with an invalid procedure and the case was adjourned to July 12.Or after the meeting to be held June 30

Casino (-0.19% to 72.44 euros) denied on Tuesday it had agreed to the opening of the opening of negotiations between the Brazilian distributor GPA, which holds 35%, and Carrefour Brazil.

PPR (1.06% to 119 euros) and Volcom announced Tuesday it had received notification of the end of the statutory review period on the bid of French on the American brand.

Rexel (-0.20% to 17.70 euros) announced Tuesday it had won its bond issue of 500 million euros, whose order book has surpassed 1.8 billion euros.

Eurazeo (-0.30% to 56.07 euros) on Tuesday announced a capital increase, offering its shareholders one new share for 20 old shares held as of May 25, 2011.

The land Gecina (+0.19% at 98.70 euros), in 2nd place behind France in Unibail-Rodamco will continue to sell its assets in Spain and in the logistics industry, said Tuesday its chief executive Christophe Clamageran .

BioMerieux (+0.12% at 78.13 euros) announced Tuesday that the Health Authority (FDA) had recorded rapid testing and automated molecular diagnostic NucliSENS EasyQ MRSA screening for patients infected with resistant Staphylococcus Aureus methicillin.

Europacorp (0.71% to 4.18 euros) will publish its annual turnover, while LCD (poultry) will announce its annual results after-hours trading.

This is an internal letter from the Director of Information Systems (ISD) that senior GDF Suez len heard the news earlier this week. In this internal email which Le Figaro has obtained a copy, Véronique Durand-Charlot announced with "deep regret" that "one ISD staff in Lyon, Éric.C, made a suicide attempt "May 14 last.

According to sources inside the company, the man would set himself on fire inside his car in a parking lot near his home. Third-degree burns, he is reportedly in a coma. "He is in hospital care Edouard Herriot and our doctor is on site since Monday morning," says mail sent by management. The latter adds a psychological support has been established on the sites of Lyon and Saint-Ouen."The regular news on the health of Eric will be provided" to his colleagues, says the letter.

"It is too early to know the reasons for his gesture," we said a spokesman for GDF Suez. "This aa place outside the workplace," he held to be redefined. According to the latter, however, the company has declared a work accident as a precaution in order to "enable the regional health insurance fund to take up the issue and facilitate the support of the family."

A few days after the fact, Eric's colleagues. C are safe for their part that this acting out is directly related to working conditions. This framework would have repeatedly sent emails remained unanswered to his superiors in which he referred to his illness, including the day of his suicide attempt. GDF Suez information that does not confirm."We do not know for letters," says the spokesperson of the group. "He suffered from this violent restructuring implemented since the merger of GDF and Suez (2008, Ed)," says the other hand one of his colleagues.

Reorganization

A plan to transform the ISD, is underway since May 2010. An internal company document, sent to employees by Jean Paul Amoros, deputy director of ISD, is particular to a program of reorganization of the industry over the period 2010-2012. It provides, among other things, aims to "reduce disparities unnecessary and costly for the group," "share know" and "improving the career management of the IF chain.The same document gives a clear picture at the end of 2010, "it remains to be completed sites induced désimbrication with EDF and GDF and Suez merger with which some service offerings still weigh on economic performance."

Specifically, this policy would involve processing the closure of some area sites, including that of Lyon where the employee worked to centralize them in the Paris region. Veronique Durand-Charlot, who oversees these changes, confirmed in a company magazine dated May 2010 the need "to optimize internal operations and to propose a new, more integrated, more effective."

More worrying for the employees, the documents indicate a possible spin-off of ISD services between 2012 and 2014 which could lead to outsourcing of the latter.

"Psychological discomfort"

"This is a management that ignores the human," says an executive of the company. Yves Ledoux, coordinator at GDF Suez CGT refers more generally "psychological discomfort" that prevails throughout the company since the merger of GDF and Suez in 2008. "The takeover of Suez induced mutations. The executives from the GDF have moved from an industrial culture to a financial literacy and there are a lot of difficulties, "said trade unionist. "GDF Suez has signed a national agreement on psycho-social risks but they are not declined in the company. It is a semblance of agreement. "Last March, the CFDT also complained about the "social cost" of higher profits posted by energy group in 2010, "social plans in France, pressure on employment in Hungary or Romania, power losses purchase of group employees. These are not measures of facade that will hide the lack of social ambition, "she railed.

On Thursday, GDF Suez sweeping accusations. "The psychological problems are among the main concerns of the group since the merger," said the spokesman. So far only one employee had committed suicide in 2009 but "had nothing to do with work." Since the merger of both companies, "there was no problem," concluded the spokesman.

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