Archive for the ‘news’ Category

11
Jul

Call centers in the sights of government

Posted by admin

Often criticized by customers, the outsourcing of call centers to foreign countries is becoming a government priority. According to Le Parisien on Sunday, the record has been taken over by the Secretary of State for Employment Laurent Wauquiez. The latter is studying a plan of action to fight against the leakage of these jobs outside French territory.

To emphasize the installation of these centers in France, the Secretary of State may well introduce a surcharge "of calls from sites located abroad.Conversely, companies deciding to keep their call centers in France would receive the "nudges" as aid in recruitment, training, installation in rural areas or relief from social security contributions, believes Learn daily.

More transparency

Laurent Wauquiez would generally aim to "make practices more transparent" left to prepare "a list of poor performers. The fight against the relocation, however, looks very difficult. According to latest estimates, dating to 2008, the Union of professional contact center (SP2C), an employee of a call center Morocco is for example paid between 400 and 450 euros a month against a minimum of 1320 euro gross France (including bonuses and thirteenth month).The battle is also likely to face the refusal of the Commission in Brussels which could object to these tax measures.

ALSO READ:

"Teleperformance eliminates 830 positions

"Call Centre: Orange treats living

09
Jul

The rating agency Fitch defends his model

Posted by admin

The question on everyone's lips invited journalists on Thursday in Paris by Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere, the president (and owner) from Fitch, one of three international agencies Credit rating with Moody's and Standard & Poor's. The French government does risk losing one day or the other its AAA rating, which assures financing conditions for the optimal time? There is a little over a month, Baroin, the budget minister, although he had caused disturbance by declaring that it was a goal "tense". He had had to return for saying that France would keep its good signature "no doubt".

David Riley, head of Fitch Sovereign risk has certainly not been outright, but he wished to remind the public announcement of his agency last March 30, confirming the rating of "AAA with stable outlook, the best that either.Since then the agency, including half of the experts working in London and New York, has published another "positive comment", May 28, welcoming the conference at the Elysee on public finances with the social partners.

The diagnosis remains the same, if we believe the criteria provided by Fitch. Compared to other AAA-rated sovereign states (a dozen Worldwide), France is characterized by a per capita income slightly below average (around 35,000 dollars against 37,500).

Challenge for France

Instead, it relies on a level of inflation among the lowest and least volatile and "stability of tax revenues" (well above the average for other countries AAA).David Riley has also recalled that France had not had to suffer a banking crisis, unlike the United Kingdom or the United States, and its level of budget deficit below these two countries. Still, the notes are never acquired for eternity. "If the debt level should continue to grow, the question might arise in the medium term. But it is a challenge that France is not alone in facing. "

Fitch's meeting was not intended to scrutinize the French case but to explain the mode of operation of the agency. "If BP makes a mistake in the Gulf of Mexico, we do not criticize all the oil companies so we constantly amalgam when it comes to rating agencies' protests Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere.It will distinguish itself from its major competitors "doing work more than other analysts, in order to provide a diagnosis if not more documented beyond doubt. "Because ultimately, it is the investors who are the referees. The euro area is structurally borrowing outside for more than 1000 billion euros, "he quips. Some would in fact that the ECB could build itself a rating agency, which would obviously be judge and party.

David Riley the opportunity to explain why Fitch is expected to worsen 28 May Spain to AA +, which then was considered the final blow vis-à-vis a country plagued by the suspicion of markets."What then has changed? The worse than expected deterioration of public finances, the slow pace of restructuring savings, the contagion of the crisis and the deteriorating Greek sustainable growth prospects. Our decision was taken after a long period of explanation with the Spanish government, "he says.

ALSO READ:

"The Fitch pin the Japanese government

"SELECT MY FIGARO – The operation of credit rating agencies

06
Jul

The solutions to reduce health costs

Posted by admin

Medicare will make 21 proposals Thursday to the government to "increase the quality of care and efficiency of health spending. Objective? Achieving the 2.2 billion savings in 2011 advocated by Nicolas Sarkozy. On the menu: "Developing the information provided and prevention, to change the management of chronic diseases" such as cardiovascular or implement "ways of dealing more flexible" as to make at home chemotherapy sessions payday loans instant.

The CNAM also propose to "develop the benchmarks, particularly in the areas of rehabilitation and work stoppages" to reduce the gaps in prescription medicines.

Finally, Medicare will also advocate to optimize spending, "re-pricing of biology," homogenize "the prices of medicines whose effectiveness is equivalent therapeutic" or "cap overtaking on acts of orthodontics.

04
Jul

Apple is the first place in the video

Posted by admin

In 2008, Apple became the first distributor of music in the United States, before the giant Wal-Mart and Amazon. The group of Cupertino is preparing to renew the feat in the film industry. According to research firm Screen Digest, Apple became the number one video on demand pay to the United States in 2014, before the two top cable operators in the country, Comcast and Time Warner Cable.

This will be overtaken by Apple at the end of this year. Apple is expected to generate $ 281 million in sales by selling movies online this year against 160 million in revenue for the VOD service from Time Warner Cable. The firm is expected to apple store almost 35 million transactions in 2010 against 30.5 million for the second U.S. cable operator. Still Number One, Comcast will make a turnover of 380 million dollars with 88 million transactions."While the pay-TV players offer to lease the works in DOS, Apple sells movies. The pricing is more beneficial to Apple, "said Dan Cryan, responsible Broadband Media at Screen Digest.

In 2014, the reverse hierarchy: Apple should be leading with 470 million dollars in revenue for 56 million transactions, when Comcast will reach 400 million dollars in sales with 108 million records of tenancy, says Screen Digest. At that time, Apple will control 32% of video market demand pay.

Google TV has a playing card

This leadership position gives Apple the opportunity to influence the price of selling movies for download, as the U.S. group has done in music.Another advantage is the unit sales reported more income to the beneficiaries that the subscription models or lease and therefore the iTunes Store a valuable partner for the studios, which multiply the simultaneous releases in theaters and on video.

If the model for the iTunes Store gives a good lead time to Apple in VOD, it is not certain that the firm with apple foreclosing the movie as it did for digital music. "There was an effect on iPod music because of the integration platform for downloading with the terminal was better, because the iPod allowed to make music where consumers want to have it ie mobility. It is not certain that the iPad plays that role for the film, Dan Cryan analysis. Terminals other than the PC are key to getting consumers to pay for entertainment.But for video, this advantage is less pronounced for the iPad for a TV. This is Google, with its Google TV decoder, which brings Web video into television, has a playing card. "Indeed, the Internet group has not discussed a possible blocking of illegal content which could online access through Google TV. This vagueness could benefit from piracy: "iTunes is selling on average 30 songs per iPod sold, the rest of the music is not purchased it is copied from CD or downloaded illegally. There could have the same effect on Google TV. The party has just begun in the video, "said Dan Cryan.

ALSO READ:

"Google TV: Making 'the best of television and the Internet"

"Apple TV attacks

"Apple sells 25% of the music in the U.S.

"The majors are betting on the growth of video platforms

01
Jul

Losses: AMF Natixis is harmless

Posted by admin

Like the case of EADS, the Enforcement Committee has once again not followed the advice of the College of the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF). While the policeman of the Exchange, after two unsuccessful attempts, was finally concluded that Natixis had lied about its losses in October 2008, Matthew Pechberty, a journalist with The Tribune, the Sanction Commission of the AMF has therefore upheld any complaint against the bank.

"It does not appear that the emergency situation in which it was placed to make before markets opened an initial response to articles in The Tribune, Natixis has disregarded the requirements of accuracy, precision and fairness set out in Article 223-1 of the AMF general regulation, "says the Enforcement Committee in a statement released Wednesday.

It is an article of the daily La Tribune dated November 12, 2008 which stated that Natixis had lost 975 million euros in October 2008. The next day, Natixis issued a press release reporting a loss of 500 million euros.

Neither of the two former leaders of Natixis, Philip Smith and Dominique Ferrero, respectively Chief Executive and Managing Director of Natixis, challenged by the Tribune, have been punished.

In an interview she had given the figaro.fr, Colette Neuville, president of the Association of Defence of Minority Shareholders representing the interests of more than 1,000 shareholders of Natixis, demanded that the bank will refund a portion of its lost its shareholders. No doubt she had to accept this decision with some disappointment.

ALSO READ:

"Natixis suspected of lying about its losses

"Jouyet:" There will be a first for the AMF-EADS and an after

14
Jun

The CAC40 index returns in excess of 3600 points

Posted by admin

While experts from the European Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are in Athens to verify accounts of the Greek state and the status of the austerity plan, the Paris stock exchange continues the momentum of last week, where the CAC 40 had returned upward, three consecutive sessions, breaking a cycle initiated since April 16 last and prevented systematically aligning more than two consecutive increases. The CAC 40 in advance of 0.79% to 3583 points at the opening and exceeds the threshold of 3600 points. Although nothing is played, far from it. But in recent days, the indices seem more determined to resume the upward path. Trading volumes, including the Paris Bourse, were provided over the last week. The CAC 40 climbed beyond 3,600 points, a course that is almost a record a month.At midday, the index feature of the Paris Stock Exchange gained 1.46% to end at 3607.30 points.

On other markets in Europe, the trend is upward. In London, the Footsie took almost 1% to 5213 points this morning and gained further 0.64% to 5196.59 points shortly after noon. In Frankfurt, the Dax clinching the outset more than 1%, and still earning 1.23% to 6122.17 points in mid-day.

On Friday, the CAC 40 gained just over 1% to just over 3555 points. On Wall Street, the Nasdaq has also allowed U.S. markets finished the week on a positive note after economic indicators, however, mixed.

After a particularly bloody month of May for all equity markets, investors believe, however, that European markets are undervalued.This could naturally incite bargain hunting and so restoring the energy markets.

The start of the week is very quiet with a single statistic, Europe, the industrial production of the Euro Area in April. The agenda will be fleshed out, however, more tomorrow, with a range of indicators on the U.S. real estate, consumption and inflation. The speech of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday, will also be very influential.

On the foreign exchange market, the strengthening of the euro, long stuck in the $ 1.21, was confirmed this morning – it is trading at 1.2183 dollars against 1.2077 on Friday. The euro is close to $ 1.22 in the wake of the stock market, and good resolutions are shown in deficits on both sides of the Rhine, pending the meeting between Merkel and Sarkozy, this evening after missed appointments Monday .

Values follow

Club Med

The title is featured on Monday, clinching 7.54% to 13.55 euros. Chinese Fosun Group has acquired 7.1% stake in Club Med, where he has a director.

This is the beginning of the conquest of the Chinese market for Club Med. A promising market as the tourism industry in China is driven by a double-digit growth for ten years. The two companies also announce the signing of a strategic partnership agreement in the field of construction and operation of 'quality resorts'haut Guaranteed pay day loans. Friday, closing, Club Med's share jumped from 9.4% to 12.6 euros on the publication of a half-year net profit of 3 million Euros.

Societe Generale

The action jumps from 3.59% to 34.93 euros.Crédit du Nord, a subsidiary of Societe Generale, and BPCE entered into exclusive negotiations for the acquisition by Crédit du Nord, Société Marseillaise de Credit a little over 870 million euros. An operation that was in the pipes for several weeks and was formalized this morning before the opening of the Parisian market. The amount of the transaction is exactly 872 million euros, net dividend for 2009 (for the seller). The CMS was acquired, with other regional banks to HSBC by BPCE in 2008. It has 144 branches and 200,000 customers in southern France. With this transaction, Credit du Nord confirms its strategy of development in the banking system nearby.

Axa

The insurer (3.13% to 13.52 euros) confirmed the sale of part of its life insurance business in the United Kingdom.The buyer, Resolution Group, is prepared to pay 3.3 billion euros to get their hands on this activity. Axa will keep activities damage, life insurance and individual savings. The transaction currently under discussion provides for a lump sum sales of 2.75 Billion Pounds (about 3.3 billion euros). The insurer, however, remember that there is no certainty that current discussions lead to an agreement, note analysts at BNP Paribas.

Renault

Automaker (2.56% to 31.40 euros) should benefit from the information supplied on the weekend by its Russian partner Avtovaz plans to return to the green this year after heavy losses in 2009.The first constructor Russian head out of the water, enjoying the scrappage.

Veolia

The subsidiary of Veolia Water Environment (+1.10% at 21.16 euros) announces the signing of an agreement for the resumption of certain activities of United Utilities Group in Europe. Veolia Water would control Sofiyska Voda company in charge of utilities and water treatment in the city of Sofia, Bulgaria, serving 1.3 million inhabitants, of which Veolia Water would own 58%.

TF1

TF1 wins 1.96% to 12.21 euros. The subsidiary of the Bouygues group (1.23% to 35.770 euros) recorded Friday night at the game of the World Cup Soccer, France, Uruguay, its best audience of 2010. Viewers were 15 million to their desks on Friday night and even 18 million over the end of the meeting."This is the best audience of the Year for TF1 and the 15th best audience for a football game since the inception of Médiamat-Médiamétrie," insists the chain.

LVMH

LVMH gleaning 0.09% to 91.99 euros. Bank of America Merrill Lynch lowered its recommendation on the luxury group and its parent company, Christian Dior (0.63% to 83.23 euros).

12
Jun

Peugeot: more than 6,000 employees of layoffs

Posted by admin

Following the violent hailstorm that hit the department of Doubs, production plant in Sochaux suspended since Wednesday 19 hours.

Production was halted at least until Monday on the assembly line at the Peugeot factory at Sochaux, suffered Wednesday night by a violent hailstorm which caused some damage, said Thursday Jean-Philippe Jombart the site director. No vehicle out of the factory that produces daily in 1600.

"For sure until Monday at least the production is stopped but is still too early to be sure that the recovery will take place Monday," he said Thursday afternoon during a press conference."We take the time needed to rehabilitate the roofs which have suffered from weather and ensure safety of employees," he added.

About 3,500 cars will not be built

First production of PSA Peugeot Citroën group and the cradle, the plant employs 12 Sochaux cash advances pay day loan.000 employees divided into three sectors: manufacturing, development and experimentation. Of the 12,000 employees of the factory employees 6000-7000 employees on the production lines are laid off. About 3,500 cars will not be built.

"That's two and a half days to stop manufacturing it is important to us," he went on stating that the shortfall was not encrypted yet.

Jean-Philippe Jombart said that it was mainly the press shop, which had been damaged.Regarding the parking of cars, "the vast majority of new vehicles was protected by tarpaulins anti-hail, some vehicles were hit, but has not quantified the damage," said Jean-Philippe Jombart.

ALSO READ:

"Thunder in the Doubs: the Peugeot factories to stop

07
Jun

Euro: Angela Merkel shook hands with Sarkozy

Posted by admin

On the fluctuating barometer of Franco-German relations, the weather is stormy. Received on Monday in Berlin with Angela Merkel, Nicolas Sarkozy will seek to close ranks with Chancellor suspected of wanting to play alone against the economic and monetary instability in the European Union.

With the approach of the European Council of 16 June and the G8 in Toronto, a week later, it becomes urgent for Nicolas Sarkozy to give the violins with Angela Merkel. Both are broadly on the same line in regulation, the outlawing of the speculators and the taxation of banks.A good starting point for the "couple" to meet, after weeks of tension related to the crisis in the euro area.

Also measured, on both sides of the Rhine, from internal politics that goes into the respective positions of President and Chancellor, both the penalty on the home front.

Between the two partners, the near collapse of Greece and its impact on the single currency have accumulated ulterior motives. The support mechanism 750 billion for the country in great financial difficulty should be finalized today by the finance ministers of the euro area, after having obtained a great struggle, the green light for German MPs.

Bone of contention

But Berlin is still reluctant to make a joint guarantee the completeness of money lent and insists that every country is accountable to the tune of the funds it allocates, and its conditions.French side, it also criticizes the Chancellor to have weighed 70 billion cost of the rescue of Greece was slow to react.

Two other cases have come to complicate the climate. Paris Berlin accused of having acted without consultation last month by banning until March 2011 the naked short selling to a technique that allows the sale of securities without holding on bonds and credit derivatives (CDS ) shareholders. Christine Lagarde has adopted a conciliatory tone, saying yesterday that Paris and Berlin agreed on the principle of the sales ban "naked" But the Minister of Economy has particularly stressed the need to "act together" , how to deplore once again the initiative of Germany alone.

The other bone of contention concerns the "mix" of austerity and European supervision of budgets, proposed by Berlin.Paris is hostile even if Nicolas Sarkozy has taken a step in this direction by proposing a constitutional reform on reducing deficits. For on the merits, the head of the state knows it can not afford to widen the gap with the Chancellor and his "stability culture". This is now the maintenance of optimal grade awarded to the "enterprise France" by the specialized agencies.

22
Apr

The meteoric rise of John Elkann

Posted by admin

His first thoughts as the new chairman of Fiat was to his grandfather, the legendary Avvocato Giovanni Agnelli: "How I wish he could be here." John Philip Elkann Jacob took over the destinies of the industrial group the age of thirty-four years. Giovanni Agnelli was forty-five when he did in 1966.

There is an analogy of destiny in the Agnelli family. In a slight difference: the little son-burning steps faster than his grandfather. It did not take more than six years to take all the power in the dynasty, while the hall Avvocato had for twenty years under the tutelage of a trust manager, Vittorio Valletta.

He is now head of the three levels of command. President of the Family Partnership "Giovanni Agnelli and Co, when the current owner Gianluigi Gabbetti, a close family, will conclude his term in MayPresident since 2008 of the holding company Exor, the holding company controlled by the family. And now chairman of its main industrial participation, Fiat in this case.

Between U.S. and Europe

This course Emeritus, John Elkann was accomplished with a reserve and discretion authentically Turin, and casual air of one who "does that happen." Those who have followed him have still yet noticed that the young man knew where he went and made every effort to do so.

Born April 1, 1976 in New York, he has five when his parents divorced, the writer and journalist Alain Elkann Franco-Italian and the daughter of the Avvocato, Margherita Agnelli. With his brother Lapo and his sister Ginevra, he spent his youth between the U.S. and Europe, attended high school in Paris where he passed his baccalaureate at the Lyc?e Victor Duruy science.In 2000, he graduated from Polytechnic of Turin, nursery managers of Italian industry.

Without dwelling on trivialities like his grandfather had done after the war, he joined in 2001 at General Electric, as statutory auditor. Two years later, here he is already in IFI, the holding of a family: now associated with the first plan to revive Fiat, along with his uncle Umberto Agnelli. He succeeded in 2004 as vice president, at his death.

His cousin, Giovanni Alberto, the son of Umberto, was the designated heir to the head of the clan. His sudden death in 1997 at age 33, victim of cancer, created a vacuum. In December of that year, the Avvocato set foot in the stirrup to John by naming him director of Fiat.

In 2004, few were betting on its survival in a group adrift.Fiat collapsed under a huge debt, the family clan was divided, and cherry pie, General Motors threatened to seize the manufacturer. Several Agnelli were ready to pull out of the car.

Family unit

Near Gianluigi Gabbetti, the young Elkann took important decisions. He restored the family unit around an ambitious rescue of Fiat, the convincing to grab the wallet. On the other, it gave carte blanche to a manager of emergency, the Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne, supported by a family friend, Luca Cordero di Montezomolo named president. Understated but always present, he gave the endorsement of the clan in terms of a merger with Chrysler, which marks a new stage in the history of Fiat. Like his grandfather, John Elkann closely follows the exploits of Juventus. A "enough is enough" dry in 2008 lead to oust managers involved in a corruption scandal.He is also a sailing enthusiast and expects to complete another project dear to his grandfather to attend a race around the world. He told the skipper Giovanni Soldini, the task of representing him in October 2011 in the "Volvo Ocean Race with VOR70" Italia ", purchased with his own money.

ALSO READ:

"The accounts are in the red Fiat

"The redesign Agnelli Fiat Group

16
Apr

At Carrefour, the premium absenteeism goes wrong

Posted by admin

At Carrefour, the social climate is far from rosy. Dissatisfied with the management proposals as part of mandatory annual negotiations (NAO), the French unions of the retail giant called for the stoppage of work Saturday, the day of attendance in the group's stores.

In addition to a proposed overall increase of 1% of wages to be too thin, the negotiations foundered on the granting of a premium absenteeism desired by management. At a cost of 100 euros gross per annum, that would be assigned as a collective case of lower rates of absenteeism, store by store. In a supermarket whose average absentee rate is 10% – which is very high – for example, employees would receive the bonus if they manage to bring down the rate of 0.65% minimum.This device causes for the moment the ire of unions, which fear that employees absent from becoming the target of retaliation by their colleagues present.

"The absent?ime is an indicator of stress"

"We are opposed to such stigmatization of employees absent" outraged the CFDT delegate Sauzeau Christopher, who believes that management avoids asking the questions of substance. "Absenteeism is primarily an indicator of stress suffered by employees" says he, regretting the 5,000 jobs it eliminated by Carrefour in 2009. A visibly perceived hostility by management, that could change his tune. The human resources director of Carrefour, Jean-Luc Masset, said it had "saved the union position, and would think about."The progress of negotiations and new proposals likely to depend on the mobilization of employees on Saturday" predicted Christopher Sauzeau. If employees did not get satisfaction, a day of action on a larger scale could take place next April 30, the eve of Labor Day.

ALSO READ:

"Carrefour is gaining market share in France

"No increase in 2010 in 30% of companies