International & World Report

"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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Arnaud Lagardere is now the sole master on board of a subsidiary of sports rights and live shows, Lagardère Unlimited. Discreetly and after two years of wrestling with his bodyguards, the head of the Lagardère group has decided to dispose of Olivier and Stéphane Schindler Guiguet, numbers one and two sports. Two evictions, revealed by the website of the Nouvel Observateur and La Tribune, which is concomitant to that of Christophe Bouchet, the CEO of Sportfive sports rights agency and principal subsidiary of Lagardère Unlimited.

In 2006, Arnaud Lagardere has the intuition of the potential market for sports rights. He also knows that this activity requires a critical mass consistent. To quickly position, he must hit fast and hard. He does not hesitate to put on the table 865 million euros to acquire Sportfive, a leading market players.

In the process, it will expand this activity with the arrival in the lap of the group of players such as IEC in 2007 and World Sports Group in 2008, followed by the acquisition last year's Best (Blue Entertainment Sports Television) American expert in the representation of athletes and the purchase of 30% stake in the American academy of sports training Saddlebrook. Two operations to "several tens of millions of euros," he admits. Arnaud Lagardere, it is clear that the market for sport and entertainment is its future. "Sport is a market of 100 billion dollars", he still recalled when publishing the final results of the group.

Trading at European level

Aware after the time of acquisition is that of consolidation, it equips its assets in May 2010 of a new structure called the Unlimited, which succeeds Lagardère Sports.She becomes the equal of other major subsidiaries of the media and he becomes the president instead of his lieutenants.

But this tutorial is not enough to take off the activity. In 2010, its sales collapsed by 23% to 396 million and its losses amounted to 96 million euros. In defense of Arnaud Lagardere, new players with deep pockets is coming to the market beginning with the Gulf countries. In addition, the European Commission is considering changing the rules of trading rights to be bought at the European level rather than nationally. What sharpening a little more competition. For the entourage of Arnaud Lagardere, it is clear that to succeed we must therefore focus its resources on a few key disciplines such as football. The head of the Lagardère group has not given up "to be the world's number one sport in five years."

While the rating agency Fitch on Friday downgraded the rating of long-term debt of Greece, and the French minister Christine Lagarde asked Athens to take further fiscal austerity measures, the German finance minister speaks the ability to offer additional assistance to Greece.

In an interview published Sunday by the newspaper Bild am Sonntag, Wolfgang Schäuble believes that steps could be taken for the country if his efforts fail to reduce its debt. This additional support "is only conceivable if it is confirmed that the private creditors such as banks, do not opt ​​out of Greece, leaving European taxpayers to take full responsibility," said the German minister nonetheless. He believes that the creditor countries of Greece must first ensure that Athens is able to overcome its economic difficulties."Only in this case we could, if necessary, discuss an extension (the maturity) bonds that Greece should pay next year," says he.

The inspection visit, arriving in early to ensure that Athens respects the conditions attached to the bailout 110 billion made in the country, had to extend his stay. Officials hope it will make its findings next week but no date has been set. Wolfgang Schäuble also said that the decision to give an additional boost will require the approval of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and especially that of centrel Bank (ECB).On Friday, the IMF has in effect called the euro area to urgently adopt a more comprehensive range of measures to resolve the debt crisis, but some resistance has emerged towards the ECB.

'Soft' restructuring

George Papandreou, the Greek Minister Pemi must submit on Monday a multi-year plan with new measures to strengthen the fiscal consolidation of the country online payday loan lenders. He hopes to escape the restructuring of the enormous debt that he does not want to hear aujoud'hui, but that markets demand. Unlike the ECB, they are convinced that Athens can not solve its problems by merely the emergency loan of 110 billion euros already granted by euro zone countries and the IMF. Despite a big effort to reduce the deficit last year (five points of GDP), Greece is indeed still in a critical budget situation.

The leader of the finance ministers of the eurozone, Jean-Claude Juncker, is the promoter for this week of a 'soft' restructuring through debt rescheduling. He pleaded over the weekend for the creation of an independent umbrella of the Greek government's privatization program in the country. Athens has planned about 50 billion euros from privatizations in 2015, whose income must be allocated to debt reduction. This option is opposed by the European Central Bank (ECB), fearing that the outright failure of Greek banks, and chain reactions throughout Europe.Dominique Strauss-Kahn, former head of the IMF, was also on the same line.

Determined to "save" his country that he says can work it through his own efforts, George Papandreou is due to visit Paris this week, Tuesday and meet with key political leaders of his country to reach a consensus on measures to be taken to cope with the crisis. This agreement required by the countries of the euro area, however, looks difficult to obtain, the prime minister faced with a sling, even within his own party.

(With agencies)

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Carrefour wants to list its subsidiary Dia hard discount from 5 July to the Madrid Stock Exchange. The demerger received the endorsement Friday of the Spanish market authority, but must be approved at the general meeting of shareholders of Carrefour June 21 The group announced Friday in a document of 323 pages of detailed accounts of Dia, and the ambitious projects of the future independent company, to be chaired by Ricardo Currie, current head of the hard discount sector. A meeting is scheduled tomorrow to financial analysts.

Dia is now very dependent on the Iberian Peninsula, where it generates more than half of its sales and nearly three-quarters of its profits. This does not preclude the company to post a very ambitious development plan.It is an annual growth of its turnover by 7% by 2013, up 10% of its operating income.

The sign, which now has 6,373 stores, intends to move its fleet to 8,000 units by end of 2013. About 500 openings are planned this year, between 600 and 700 in 2012 and between 700 and 800 the following year. Now present in Argentina, Brazil, China and Turkey, Dia placing on emerging markets to grow. In 2013, they contribute to 30% sales slide (against 22% today) and 22% of operating income, as against 7% today.

Dia promises to invest between 300 and 350 million per year for its expansion, but primarily relies on the franchise to accelerate its development no teletrack payday loan.Late 2013, the franchise would be 40% of the park, against 32% today.

The group has, moreover, continue the program of cost reduction of 230 million euros by end 2012. While Carrefour insisted on limited synergies with its branch deep discount to justify its proposed demerger, the document states that half of the purchases of branded products Dia (which represent the bulk of sales of the brand) in Spain and France are carried out jointly with Carrefour. To preserve the purchasing power and price competitiveness of the two groups, a joint procurement contract is scheduled for three years.

Micromania boss appointed to the Board

At the time of the split, the current shareholders of Carrefour will receive shares of Dia in proportion to their participation. Colony Capital and Groupe Arnault will meet then, at least initially, the former shareholders of Dia.Their leaders do not personally sit on board of the world's number three discount stores, but two of their employees will be appointed directors: Nadra Moussalem and Nicolas Brunel. These French sit in a council dominated by Spaniards, alongside compatriot Peter Cuilleret, Micromania boss.

U.S. stock markets take a breather after three sessions of consecutive increases. The Dow Jones lost 0.39% to 12,710 points in early trade, the Nasdaq was down 0.23% to 2865 points and the S & P coward 0.38% to 1352 points.

On the macroeconomic front, more bad news fell. The United States saw their trade deficit widened sharply in March, reflecting among other things of higher oil prices, according to figures released Wednesday by the Commerce Department. On a seasonally adjusted, the deficit rose to $ 48.2 billion against 45.4 billion the previous month.The deficit reached 18.1 billion with the second partner, China.

In fact China, the government announced Wednesday that inflation in the country fell slightly in April to 5.3% against 5.4% in March (less than expected by analysts), while output growth Industrial slowed with an increase of 13.4% in April against 14.4% in the first quarter.

Oil down

These statistics demoralize the Chinese oil markets worried about the state of global demand. Oil prices retreated at the opening in New York on Wednesday before the publication of the state of U.S. inventories.On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of light sweet crude for June delivery traded at 102.88 dollars, down $ 1 from the previous day.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro lost it again a little ground against the dollar Wednesday in a market where persistent concerns about the fragile fiscal position of countries in the euro zone, with a spotlight on Greece. The euro is worth 1.4307 dollars against 1.4410 dollars on Tuesday at the close of Wall Street.

Disney severely punished

The side of values, the media group and leisure U.S. Walt Disney (-4.80% to 41.80 dollars) disappoints.He reported on Tuesday after the close of Wall Street, a decrease of 1% of its net profit in the second quarter of fiscal shifted, to 942 million, far below expectations.

In contrast, Macy's (7.25% to 28.24 dollars) on Wednesday quarterly profit rose, thanks to a stronger middle class consumption, while raising its forecast for earnings and sales business for 2011 quick cash. The quarter ended April 30 ended with a net profit of 131 million dollars (91 million), or 30 cents per share, which is six times higher than the $ 23 million (five cents per share) recorded the previous year.

The British oil company BP (+0.27% to 7.37 dollars), said it had received the final green light from the Brazilian authorities for the purchase of ten exploration blocks offshore Brazil to the American Devon Energy in a transaction of $ 7 billion.

Google (-0.33% to 540.80 dollars) said Tuesday it had set aside $ 500 million in anticipation of the results of an investigation recently launched by the government on the practices of some of its customers in advertising. This provision reduced net income for the first quarter to 1.798 billion dollars against 2.298 billion announced April 14.Advertising has secured 97% of 8.575 billion dollars in turnover during the quarter.

AIG (6.33% to 31.45 dollars) and the U.S. Treasury Department could launch a capital increase of $ 9 billion in May, while analysts expected an increase of 7 to 25 billion dollars, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Chinese airline China Southern Airlines has announced that its subsidiary Xiamen Airlines has ordered six Boeing 787 (-0.24% to 79.34 dollars), the new jumbo "Dreamliner," a list price of 1.1 billion dollars.

General Motors (0.60% to 31.80 dollars) announced Tuesday it would invest two billion dollars in 17 of its U.S. sites. GM says these investments will create or safeguard over 4,000 jobs.

Also note, these Chinese companies will start this Wednesday at the New York Stock Exchange.The first website Chinese dating, Jiayuan. Com, hopes to raise nearly $ 78 million. Meanwhile, China Zenix Auto, which is defined as "the largest manufacturer of wheels for commercial vehicles" in China, will debut on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Wednesday. The offer is expected to total $ 135 million.

While Greece and Portugal have seen worse with a vengeance by the rating agencies in recent months, leaders protest against these messengers of bad news. Latest episode of this unequal struggle, the Greek finance ministry said on Monday that he rejected the further lowering of its rating by Standard & Poor's. A decision "has no validity," he judged.

"This degradation occurs in a period where no new information or decision aggravating the situation in Greece has occurred since the previous assessment, a month ago, has developed the ministry said in a statement. However, "the rating agency decisions must be based on evidence, decisions and real data evaluation of each economy.Otherwise, their validity is questioned. "

"Unfair Practices"

In Portugal, another country recently described by deterioration in score, four economists complained against rating agencies for "unfair practices" have caused "serious damage to state interests and the Portuguese people." An investigation was opened on 3 May, the newspaper Diario Economico. Last month, Jean-Claude Trichet himself, the president of the European Central Bank, which acknowledged that "high concentration" agency "was problematic." They are just three: Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch.

Credit rating agencies have since the beginning of the crisis of sovereign debt, accused of feeding a downward spiral for the countries attacked by the markets.While the financial situation of Greece, Ireland and Portugal are deteriorating, their interest rates rise, adding to the same time the burden of debt. To reflect the worsening situation, the agencies in turn degrade the country and note those decisions lead to new increases in interest rates.

"Easy Target"

"Agencies are an easy target for politicians, it allows them to deceive," relativized a bank economist. "Above all they were not brilliant since the beginning of the crisis: they missed the subprime disaster and have not witnessed the arrival of sovereign debt problems in the eurozone." Until early 2010 All countries in the area benefited indeed flattering notes.Even Greece, while its debt was already over 120% of its gross domestic product.

A country in a precarious balance, however, seems to escape (temporarily?) With the severity of agencies: Belgium. For 11 months without a government, the country had been pressed flat to resolve its political crisis. But Saturday night, Prime Minister Yves Leterme Acting launched its Twitter account "Standard & Poor's less pressing." Under close supervision, Belgium should not be degraded immediately. An austerity plan adopted in April aims to balance public accounts in Belgium in 2015.

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Three raps with a hammer-shaped wooden bottle of Coke. Thus, Muhtar Kent, CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, launched Friday night in Atlanta the weekend of festivities to mark 125 years. The first glass of Coca-Cola has been officially served in a pharmacy in the capital of Georgia, May 8, 1886. "My predecessors had used the hammer to the 50th, 75th and 100th birthdays," said the big boss at the company headquarters. No way to shake up tradition, although modern technologies give some freshness to the event.

A sound and light show ignited the building up to 122 meters. "This is the biggest thank-you cards that we send you," Muhtar Kent has launched its guests, the leaders of North American bottlers and oils from the city of Atlanta, the State and the University of Georgia, or even the local clergy.The famous bottle was projected in 3D on all four sides, in a show of twenty minutes presented as the greatest illumination of a building in the world.

Piracy Alert

The day before, the organizers had a cold sweat. "We realized that students from the University of Georgia Tech, located in front of the seat, trying to hack into the programming of the sound and light," says one officer. We were afraid they are trying to project a naked woman or a bottle of Pepsi. "Neither of these nightmares, the second being the scariest for Coca Cola, has occurred.

In Atlanta, apart in the sky, blue is not red shade at the weekend. Saturday afternoon, nearly 15,000 people attended in the heat to a four-hour concert, the group broadcasts live on the internet to "thank the entire planet." Nothing less.An outdoor show started by K'Naan and his "Wavin 'Flag", a hymn to the success of the last World Cup football, with the refrain "oh oh oh oh oh" has the merit of being included in the 206 countries where Coke is sold.

The host Ryan Seacrest, the American Nikos Aliagas, then invited on stage "the next American Idol" Muhtar Kent, before the governor of Georgia and the mayor of Atlanta did join in wishing happy birthday to the Coca-Cola … behalf of their constituents. Aediles quickly replaced by the former glory of American Idol Kelly Clarkson, the band One Night Only, the R & B singer Ne-Yo, Natasha Bedingfield or, standing ovation for his cover of "Purple Rain". A colorful tribute, no doubt, to the Prince of cola.

In the morning, a good-fair was reserved for employees of Coca-Cola and their families facing the World of Coke museum.Mostly dressed in red T-shirt, they chained face painting and tattooing, before engaging in an artistic activity: design their own bottle of Coke! But the United States, any successful self-celebration can not have a good feeling. Delegates have they bundled packages for families Georgian victims of tornadoes that ravaged the south last month. An operation conducted in partnership with the Red Cross. Red like Coca-Cola, of course …

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This is no time to feast on world markets and the Paris Bourse was not really moving. This Friday, the CAC 40 opens just in balance, rising a timid 0.08% at 4008.43 points, retaining the symbolic threshold of 4000 points, and was saved yesterday after a lackluster session. The signals sent from Wall Street are not encouraging, nor those sent by the Asian markets on Friday morning.

Prudence therefore prevents excessive risk taking. Especially as investors await the release earlier this afternoon by the U.S. Department of Labor's highly anticipated monthly report on employment. He should come to confirm the trend shown in recent days across the Atlantic by the wrong numbers ADP and weekly jobless claims.Still on macroeconomic, the French budget deficit stood at 33.6 billion euros at end-March against 28.9 billion a year earlier, according to data released Friday by the Budget Ministry.

German industrial production for March is also expected.

Side currency, the euro rising slightly against the dollar at 1.4566 dollar. The European currency plummeted against the greenback following the announcement by the ECB yesterday kept the interest rates at their current levels until at least July. On the commodity front, the dollar's rebound has led to a plunge the entire sector. Oil has fallen below including $ 100 in New York, while silver lost 13% and 4% gold.

Values ​​to follow

Total

The oil company should react to the sharp drop in oil prices flexcheck cash advance.

Alcatel-Lucent

The telecommunications equipment has greatly reduced its losses in the first quarter to 10 million euros, against 515 million a year ago, and has recorded an increase of 15.2% of its turnover to $ 3.7 billion euros.

Carrefour

In an interview with Les Echos, the CEO, Lars Olofsson, made the revitalization of hypermarkets in France and its priority does not like the boss for France, whose departure was announced Thursday, is replaced by a French.

Eiffage

The group announced an increase of 13.2% of its backlog as of April 1, to 11.7 billion euros and confirmed its target of sales in 2011.

Icade, Veolia Environment

The group was selected by Veolia Environnement as exclusive partner for project implementation, the order of 100.000 square meters, designed to accommodate the consolidation of about 3000 to 4000 in Aubervilliers (Seine et Marne). Exclusive negotiations which are expected to undertake to reach a decision by early 2012, said the land in a statement.

Wendel

The group has announced organic growth of 9.9% of its sales in the first quarter to 1.44 billion euros, its holdings, including construction companies, which have benefited from economic recovery.

French cement publish today its first quarter results. Euler Hermes and Gascony will lift the veil on the turnover of the first quarter.

Sanofi-Aventis and CNP Assurances hold their general meeting.

Union leaders had expected that the 1 May 2011 be a little raw, especially as "holiday character this time is less assertive, that day falls on a Sunday, is Marcel Grignard, number two of the CFDT.

"We do not have to be in the streets" to celebrate International Labour Day, said Sunday the first secretary of Lille Martine Aubry PS parades scattered about, saying that employees would demonstrate "in 2012 in vote. "Between 700 people, police said, and a thousand, according to organizers, marched on Sunday in Lille.

In Marseille, among 2000 people by 5000 according to police and organizers, marched through the rus, between 2200 and 3000 in Bordeaux between 1200 and 3000 in Strasbourg, only a few hundred at the start of the procession in Rennes.

It was also shown to Pau (800 to 1200), in Angoulême (500), Besancon (500 to 1000), Brest (250 to 300), Nancy (700 people according to the unions).

Winks comedy peppered some processions. "May 1st, we are the popes of the earth", alluding to the beatification of John Paul II.But also slogans in opposition to the FN, as in Rennes' French workers, immigrants, same bosses, same battles. "

A trade union unity crumbled

The protesters "are certainly fewer than we hoped," regretted Francois Chereque on Europe 1 (CFDT). Especially as the bargaining unit has somewhat disintegrated.

In Paris, Bernard Thibault (CGT) and Francois Chereque, in particular, will head behind the streamer head of the procession, which is just after 14:00 waver from Republic Square to join one of the nation.

The CFTC did not join the call unit but leaves the task to militants to carry out local initiatives, while the CFE-CGC stays away this May 1.

Workers Power is as usual alone.In Paris, however, that they were 300, according to AFP, to march through eastern Paris, the Bastille to the Place Gambetta, before going to bow to the wall of Federated.

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In recent weeks, rumors suggest that the industry group could carry a big external growth. Jean-Pascal Tricoire wishes to explain its strategy for acquisitions and announced sustained business earlier this year.

LE FIGARO: Schneider Electric has been rumor of a possible acquisition of Tyco U.S.. You have issued a statement that has not dispelled all doubts. What is it?

Jean-Pascal TRICOIRE: In principle we do not comment on rumors. But quite exceptional, we decided last week to respond because we were the subject of persistent rumors and speculation. I can confirm that we have no discussions with Tyco International.To be more precise, Schneider Electric does not perform in the current year, a big acquisition.

Stand back for much larger operations?

We prefer small-scale operations, a few dozen to several hundred million euros. We have already announced four since the beginning of the year. We may also be interested in the business of medium size, a billion to several billion euros, but, I repeat, we have no large acquisitions planned today.

Do you plan to evolve your strategy on acquisitions?

We must first specify the model of Schneider Electric delivers a very strong organic growth. Between 2004 and 2008 it reached 10% per year. There is also a highly focused acquisition strategy in a market of 200 billion euro still very fragmented.In this market, Schneider Electric is a leader in its sector and still does not realize that 20 billion euros of turnover. This pattern of external growth is now proven. We have demonstrated over the years that we know how to select companies, correctly assess the strategic and financial plans, and successful integration. Last year, nearly 13,000 people joined the Group. In just six years we have gone from 70,000 to 110,000 employees.

Why not apply this model to purchases of larger scale?

Collaboration with large companies do not necessarily pass through acquisitions payday loan lenders. This can be done through business partnerships, joint ventures or purchases that included only the branches. My duty is to do acquisitions that are meaningful to the strategic plan, emit very strong synergies and meet our financial criteria.They must also integrate into our business portfolio: our strategy is not that of a conglomerate! And we are much more demanding these criteria when we look for large transactions. To consider a very large acquisition, you need a good alignment of the stars individual and is extremely rare.

Why are there so many rumors about you now?

I already see that we are perceived as more buyers than as prey, which changes a few years ago.I think we have constructed a clear strategy, an economic model that works and have demonstrated an ability to make intelligent and profitable acquisitions.

Does the pursuit of critical size in order to protect yourself from a possible hostile bid in a sense for Schneider?

Increase its size in just to protect themselves from potential buyers does not seem a good idea. Our priority is performance. I believe in continuous improvement of our performance to give our group the ability to develop and provide our customers with unique skills.

How did the first quarter?

We are making a strong first quarter. We post organic growth high at 11.8%. This is our fourth successive quarter of organic growth above 10%. North America shows a nice bounce, + 15%.And Western Europe, our growth reached 6%. In these geographical areas, our strength comes not so much the growth of markets-very-low that our initiatives. Where they sold the products, we offer solutions, services, energy efficiency, an overall set of offerings to higher value added. Over the year, we maintain our outlook that are always on a rise in business organically between 6 and 9%.