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Compensation stable state ownership

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:30:09 +0000

Navigate troubled markets, a fierce industrial competition and the need to "respect its property interests." The State shareholder is, once again, the experience of a difficult environment – under the sharp eye of Jean-Dominique Comolli, Commissioner of State Holdings, appointed in September 2010. The annual report of the Agency for State holdings (EPA) provides an overview of contrasts.

In terms of numbers, the net result of 57 companies (660 billion euros in total assets combined) in which the state is now stood at 7.9 billion euros in 2010, "a slight increase over that observed in 2009 "(7.4 billion), the report of the EPA.

Under the fiscal 2010, the State should receive 4.4 billion euros in dividends in 2011, "which is the level of dividends received in 2010."The rate of distribution to the State recorded a moderate decline from 59.5% in 2010 to 55.7% in 2011. However, it remains higher than for large companies in the CAC 40.

In a context of bearish markets, the portfolio of listed state accounted for 69 billion market capitalization at September 1, 2011 (as against 88 billion at September 1, 2010)."The value of the portfolio is highly concentrated EPA under the EDF, which fell by 35.17% over the period," says the document.

The evolution of the portfolio reflects in fact "a wide variety of situations" from positive performance in aeronautics / defense to significant reductions of "cyclical" (motor transport) or the financial sector.

A government that is perfect

Governance side, the state shareholder wants to be perfect, either in terms of earnings, mix, or territory. Thus, the overall percentage of women board is 15% in companies where the state is a shareholder. This rate rises to 20% for its own representatives.The state ownership "ensure that executive compensation is directly linked to their performance," says he, too.

The State shall last to the industrial development strategy of companies in which it operates. In 2010, Nicolas Sarkozy had called for a competent administrator in industrial systematically accompanies the representative of the EPA in the boards of industrial enterprises. It's done.

And since last year, the owners of the companies concerned are not a "regular" with the Minister of Economy. The main objective is to promote the activity in France.The results of the investigation Bercy last two years are quite encouraging: investment on French territory increased by 7.3% between 2009 and 2010 – even though they are very different industries – and jobs back less and less each year.

Prepare for retirement while paying less tax

admin — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 12:58:16 +0000

Despite successive reforms, the future of pensions remains uncertain. According to the circle of investors, it is expected that the replacement rate – that is retired from the last wage – down in the next twenty years. Middle managers, especially, will be penalized with lower returns on supplementary schemes. Individuals are aware they will have to save to preserve their future purchasing power. They can do this by reducing their taxes. Several savings products can indeed be a winner on the tax.

The Perp: still little used

The most universal of these savings products is also the least known. The popular retirement savings plan (PERP), established to encourage the French to build and open to all, hard to seduce.According to figures from the French Federation of Insurance Companies (FFSA), 27,000 new Perp were subscribed in the first half of 2011, 2% more than in 2010, but the number of building plans has stagnated at around 2, 1 million since its inception in 2004. "It produces a tunnel that compares poorly with the life insurance contracts, where the funds are not blocked until retirement and also offer a tax advantage," said Marc Darnault, Associate Optimaretraite consulting firm.Perp of the main asset is the ability to deduct contributions from taxable income, with two limitations: the amount deducted must not exceed 10% of earned income, and must remain lower for the 2012 tax return, to 28,281 euros – 10% of eight annual ceilings for Social Security (Pass).

The placement is especially interesting for those imposed in the higher brackets (30 and 41%) of the Income Tax Act and is most appropriate as thirty fifties. The Perp suffers from a disability second. The sums are blocked until retirement recovered mainly in the form of an annuity.Only 20% of funds can be "removed" capital (they are then subject to withholding tax of 7.5%), except in special cases (acquisition of a principal residence indebtedness, disability …) "The Perp is a wager on life expectancy, "says Marc Darnault. The pension amount is difficult to assess in advance and then it will suffer the same tax that the pension provided by the general scheme, namely the scale of income tax after deduction of 10%.

The Perco: the advantage of leaving capital

In comparison, the Retirement Savings Plan (PERCO), which allows the retirement funds out an entire capital – option selected by three-quarters of investors – more attractive.Reserved for the minority of employees whose company has set up this device (about 2.8 million people affected), it has experienced in 2010 an increase of 27% over 2009, according to the French Association of Financial Management (AFG). Some 690,000 employees have passed and the stock reached 4 billion euros on 31 December, an increase of 35% in one year.

The Perco can be powered both by the employee, who can contribute a maximum of 25% of its revenues, as the employer of up to triple up to a maximum of 5,656 euros per year. These payments are exempt from social charges and tax. Only the CSG (7.5%) and CRDS (0.5%) must be paid. "It's a little device binding is a management tool. It may in fact be powered by the profit-sharing payday advance low fees.Since 2010, half of it is also paid directly to the Perco, "said Philippe Crevel, general secretary of the Investors' Circle, which advises to choose security, particularly at the approach of retirement. "It should also be careful because insurers who manage packages often encourage more risky," warns Marc Darnault.

Préfon: The Perp of the Public Service

This optional retirement plan is open to staff and those who worked for a time in the public service. He met with mixed success. Only 3.7% of potential members contribute to gain points Préfon. A lack of interest that can be explained by the low incentive to contribute, the Pension Plan of the Public Service to ensure a replacement rate of 75%."This has made less sensitive to the officials the opportunity to purchase additional pension that private sector employees, including the replacement rate is 50%," says Philippe Crevel. In addition, the level of pension paid will depend on the pension point value, passed annually in the board. A rather complex system that does not allow the insured to have a clear idea of what it touches.

The Préfon was dusted in early 2011. If the principle is the payment of a pension supplement in the form of annuity (taxed at the rates of income tax after deduction of 10%), it is now possible to recover 20% of the money invested capital (taxed 7.5%). Its main attraction is nevertheless able to reduce its income tax by contributing.As for the Perp, amounts paid annually to the Préfon are tax deductible within the limit of 28,281 euros for 2011 income.

Madelin: a necessary complement to the self

Created to encourage self-employed (merchants, independent artisans, professionals, leaders of society … self-employed) to accumulate savings and a pension insurance scheme Madelin contracts are tax-advantaged. As for the Préfon and Perp, contributions are deductible from taxable earned income (BIC or BNC). The device is even more advantageous, since the deduction of 10% of income to a maximum of 28,281 euros plus an additional deduction equal to 15% on income between 35,352 euros (the maximum Social Security for 2011) and 282,816 euros (eight times in the past). The maximum deduction is set at 65,401 euros."Contributing to this diet is all the more necessary for the self that the benefits of their pension base are lower than for employees," said Marc Darnault.

According to the circle of investors, 61% have an independent contract Madelin (including retirement). The FFSA counted 899,000 contracts outstanding of 1.1 billion euros. The funds invested – usually on euro fund or units of account such as life insurance – are recoverable in the form of an annuity (taxed at the rates of income tax). No events capital is possible except in very specific cases of bankruptcy or disability of the investor.Finally, unlike other retirement investments, payments on contracts Madelin must be regular.

Thousands of outraged the world

admin — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 11:42:37 +0000

• Incidents in Rome

Tens of thousands of demonstrators, inspired by the "outrage" of Wall Street and Spain, marched Saturday in Rome, the city had been cordoned off by police. "One solution, the Revolution!", "We are not property in the hands of bankers," could be read on the signs of the protesters no fax cash advance.

In Rome, several cars were torched. Photo credits: ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP

A lack of Greece increasingly discussed

admin — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 11:07:57 +0000

In recent days, the word "default" is no longer taboo in Greece, where the announced new austerity measures, the rising social unrest and growth forecasts more and grow darker to look for alternative scenarios. While the Troika team must return Monday in Athens to discuss the progress of the country in control of their deficits, the majority of the press reported on Friday a case of a default involving restructuring 50% of current debt. One scenario would have raised the Greek finance minister, Evangelos Venizelos, in front of Deputies. Immediately, the minister put a stop to these allegations, pointing out that it would do anything to "implement the decisions of the euro area on 21 July."The European decision includes the restructuring of 21% of the debt through voluntary participation of the private sector, especially banks, holders of Greek bonds. But privately, the Minister would have evoked as alternative scenarios, a restructuring of 50%, a "disorderly failure".

"People panic"

A restructuring would mean a partial collapse of the country. A hypothesis that is growing in Europe as soon as possible to avoid a domino effect on subsequent Greek procrastination. Many economic analysts, as Katerina Sokou, see this as a political game. "The government hopes the restructuring of 50% but does not want to ask, she says. The idea is to pass the measures, even if they are bloody and unjust for the most disadvantaged, in order to be rewarded with a debt restructuring, while remaining within the euro area.Of course, this implies a shower of austerity for years. But having a viable Greek debt is better for Europe. "

Several other European officials have discussed in turn: Klaas Knot, Member of the Board of Governors of the European Central Bank said it had absolutely no idea of a Greek default, indicating that s 'acting in one of the scenarios. This is the first member of the ECB to speak in this sense. More cryptic, the German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, said he was "whether what was proposed in June and July for Greece is still sustainable in light of recent developments." At the same time, it is "too early to speculate on this idea right now," he added.

This evocation of more frequent non-payment of Greece begins to cause problems in the country."People are panicking. We receive many calls and emails requesting information, or should keep their money in the bank or not, says Sia Kossioni, presenter of TV news 20 hours SkaiTV. So we pedagogy and what it means to decrypt a bankruptcy, framed or not, a default or restructuring. "What a little more fragile banking sector, already in poor condition. Moody's dropped the rating by two notches from eight Greek banks. A decision justified by including "the expected impact of the deteriorating domestic economic environment of non-performing loans" and "still fragile liquidity position." The rating agency also believes that the outlook for the rating of the eight banks are negative.

The Paris Bourse still grinds of black

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:19:53 +0000

The atmosphere is dull on the Bourse de Paris. The CAC 40 was down over 3% to 2694 points, after plunging 5.25% on Thursday. Over the whole week and he gave up 9.3% since the beginning of the year almost 28%. Mobilization and call for unity of the G20 held yesterday evening in Washington fail to reassure the markets. Friday morning, Asian stock markets were still sharply lower.

Elsewhere in Europe, the Dax in Frankfurt Stock Exchange lost 1.10% and the FTSE in London yields 0.50%.

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Barack Obama attacks the American millionaires

admin — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 10:08:06 +0000

Barack Obama has heard Warren Buffett. One month after the American billionaire's call to raise taxes of the richest in the United States, Barack Obama will propose on Monday during a speech at the White House – expected at 16:30 French time – a special tax on the income of taxpayers earning over a million dollars a year (about 725,000 euros). The U.S. president should not indicate the precise tax rate that it intends to apply or the amount it hoped to achieve by this. But according to The New York Times, the tax on millionaires only for 0.3% of taxpayers, less than 450,000 of the 144 million returns recorded in 2010.

Dubbed the "rule Buffett," this tax is in terms of reducing the budget deficit that the U.S. president must explain to Congress Monday.Its goal? Ensure that the wealthiest taxpayers pay at least as much taxes as middle-class homes. This is not the case, as pointed out by Warren Buffett this summer, because of certain provisions of the Tax Code.

1200 billion dollars in savings to find

Thus, capital income such as dividends or interest earned by the fund managers are taxed at 15%, while labor incomes are between 10 to 35% payday loans. "While the poorer classes and middle classes are fighting for us in Afghanistan, while most Americans struggle to make ends meet month we mega-wealthy continue to benefit from special tax exemptions," wrote Warren Buffett in an article published last month in The New York Times.

This tax should allow Barack Obama to approach a little more of his electoral base of the Democratic Party criticized him his "gifts" to tax the wealthiest people. The Republican majority in the House of Representatives have already announced that he would vote no tax increase.

While the United States must find 1.2 trillion dollars in savings by the end of the year, Barack Obama warned on Saturday the Americans that they would provide "pull their weight" to reduce the budget deficit. And pressed again, the Congress, including Republicans, to adopt his plan for the use of 447 billion dollars. "More games or impasses. More division or delay, "he said during his weekly radio address.

The anti-deficit plan will be relaxed

admin — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:12:08 +0000

MPs begin on Tuesday the review of the proposed supplementary budget, which includes measures of anti-deficit plan presented in late August. A risky period for the government, some measures of the plan is hotly contested in the majority.

After the removal last week of raising VAT on theme parks, the UMP president of the National Assembly, Bernard Accoyer, pleaded Tuesday morning in an interview with Les Echos, a lower threshold for taxation of high income. Those reporting more than 250,000 euros would be affected, while the government's plan was initially not as income of more than 500,000 euros.

"It's still very high level. I think this discussion will be debated in Parliament. I am at least favorable, "said Bernard Accoyer. A proposal that the government seems willing to consider instant credit report.Europe 1 this morning, the Minister of Economy, Baroin, said here that "it will be discussed in the budget for next year. We made a proposal, the debate is open. " This measure, however, should be discussed in October.

Remove the Consolidated Global Profit

The government and members of the majority, however, have already agreed on Monday to restore the deduction on real estate gains after 30 years of detention of property, excluding primary residence. To fund this measure, the budget minister, Valérie Pécresse, expressed on Tuesday on Canal + ready to tighten the tax on luxury hotels and large groups.

"Whatever the arrangements, relaxations or changes you make to a particular measure, it will have to be fully compensated," recalled the minister.

Start with a bang for the post office in the mobile

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:44:05 +0000

Party in May to conquer the mobile market, La Poste is a misfortune! The group has attracted 150,000 customers in three months. "We had anticipated 25,000 sales per month, we are at 50,000, is two times more than expected," revealed to Figaro Jacques Rapoport, Deputy Director General of La Poste Group and CEO of La Poste. And if postal workers were starting the first customers, they are now a minority.

This success has also led to stock shortages, some bugs and a saturation of computer centers. "We suffered a bit but it is now settled," said Jacques Rapoport, who is reviewing its objectives and is on the rise now "300,000 to 400,000 customers by the end of the year, against 210,000 originally planned."

No typical profile for the client to the mobile station, which is recruited from all social classes and age.Offers balanced, "there are so many packages with high-end smartphones that prepaid kits. The social package (10 euros for 45 minutes of calls and 60 SMS, Ed) also works well with 10% of sales, "said Jacques Rapoport. "The smaller are welcome here. But we are not the operator of the poor. We are committed to serve all customers. "Finally, subscriptions (most profitable) are in the majority compared to prepaid. Another lesson: while the Post was the first to launch non-binding offers, customers prefer offers mostly sold with a phone and then a commitment.

This initial assessment also confirms the importance played by the network of post offices which carries 75% of sales, the remaining 25% being done by Internet and telephone quick payday loans. "They want us to believe that everything is sold on the Internet. This is not reality.Consumers want the closeness and service. Seen in the return of small businesses face the hypermarkets, the return of customers in bank branches. In mobile, our presence throughout is a huge asset, "said Jacques Rapoport.

Hopes in rural areas

And the band accelerates: already in 1000 the largest post offices, the mobile will be distributed in 450 additional offices on 12 September and another 450 in November. It will even be sold in 70 small rural offices in September, they will not physically products, but customers can order and be delivered the next day by Chronopost. While the offices of small towns have sold more mobile than those in larger cities, La Poste Mobile high hopes on rural areas. "At the end 2012, 10,000 post offices will distribute the mobile offering.By itself, the Post will have more outlets that Orange, SFR and Bouygues together, "said Jacques Rapoport. The mobile station will also develop synergies with La Banque Postale, in line with the special youth launched in late August that offers a discount of 40 euros on the price of the mobile.

The mobile station should be profitable in 2013. Both shareholders and SFR Post rub their hands.

Essilor launches a new class of glasses

admin — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 06:20:04 +0000

Essilor International is innovative. According to the global glasses, "75% of wearers expect an anti-fog solution." To meet this demand, the group decided to create anti-fog lenses under the name of Optifog. With this new product, Essilor International is "1.2 billion consumers worldwide."

Results aside, the mood is set fair. The group recorded the first half revenues up 6.9% to 2.1 billion euros and net profit up 30.7% to 258.2 million euros. These results confirm the group to maintain its growth objectives "between 6% and 8%" (excluding currency and acquisitions, strategic) for this year.

Side perspectives, Essilor says it "will continue to rely on innovation, operational efficiency and financial capacity to consolidate its position in the high end."The group also intends to "continue its conquest in the mid-range and benefit from the rapid expansion of high-growth countries."

Consultations in all directions after the degradation of the United States

admin — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 21:52:40 +0000

The American and European leaders were under pressure Sunday to try to agree on a concerted response to the debt crisis in the eurozone and the degradation of the note of the United States. Front line, they seek to avoid further financial market plunge Monday, worried about the slowdown in global growth and spread of the debt crisis in the eurozone. Since Friday, so they stepped up contacts.

• Maintenance of imminent G7 finance ministers. Finance ministers of the G7, which includes the U.S., Germany, Japan, France, Canada, Italy and Britain, have stepped up telephone contacts this weekend in order to develop a common strategy to offer.After heavy turbulence in global financial markets, which lost 2,500 billion during the past week, they must reassure investors about the ability and determination of their countries to reduce deficits and public debts. A telephone conference of finance ministers and central bankers to be held Monday, according to Japanese news agency Kyodo. Interviews are tentatively scheduled before the opening of Asian markets (in the night from Sunday to Monday in Europe).

• A G20 focused on the debt. More broadly, the G20, which groups the world's major economies, contacted by telephone Sunday morning to discuss the consequences of the debt crisis on both sides of the Atlantic. Nothing had filtered from the meeting at noon.Only South Korea said that its confidence in the U.S. Treasury had not changed despite the decision of Standard & Poor's. "There will be no change in the policy of foreign exchange reserves of South Korea," said Vice Minister of Finance.

• The ECB will speak Sunday. Among the tracks in the study is a possible intervention by the European Central Bank, which could buy government bonds in Italy and Spain. This intervention is strongly demanded by the markets payday loans. The European Central Bank Thursday reactivated its share repurchase program of sovereign debt in order to calm soaring interest rates in some countries of the euro area, but has so far bought only small amounts of debt and Irish Portuguese, while speculation is focused on Italy and Spain.If the decision to intervene is taken, the ECB and national central banks will begin to redeem the bond markets open Monday. A meeting of governors will be held Sunday to 18 hours.

• Nicolas Sarkozy met with David Cameron on Saturday. The President, who chairs the G7 and G20 met Saturday evening on the phone for thirty minutes of the financial situation with British Prime Minister. The two men "agreed on the importance of working together to monitor the situation closely and keep in touch in the coming days," said a London spokesman for Downing Street, without giving further details. The discussion between the two leaders has focused on his view "the euro area and the lowering of the rating American."

• Barack Obama called on Europeans Friday night.According to the White House, Bush spoke by phone separately with President Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel about "the latest developments of the crisis in the euro zone" and noted "the importance of [the] implementation "of measures adopted at the summit of the euro area on July 21. The leaders of the eurozone had concerted Friday after finding that the agreement found to cope with the debt crisis had not convinced the markets. If Italy and Spain are at the heart of the turmoil, other countries are also affected such as Belgium.