T & D allows Areva to stay in the green

31st July

"The nuclear renaissance is confirmed", says Anne Lauvergeon, president of Areva, commenting on his group's interim results, and highlighting a turnover up 6.4% to 4.16 billion euros and a backlog increased 2.7% to 44.1 billion euros.

The group also reported a net profit of 843 million euros between January and June 2010. But excluding the gain realized from the sale of its subsidiary Alstom Transmission & Distribution and Schneider, who has reported EUR 1.3 billion to Areva, the accounts are in the red.Last year, during the first half, earnings reached 161 million euros.

Operating profit, excluding capital gains, it is clearly in the red at -485 000 000 euros, cons -170 000 000 euros in the first half of 2009.

Impairments chain

The world's largest producer of uranium indicates that it found "a depreciation of 300 million euros on some of its mining assets, because new data looking at futures prices of uranium.

There is also a provision of 400 million euros in late June increased to cover additional costs due to further delays, construction of the EPR at Olkiluoto in Finland.

It was the eighth consecutive allowance increased by Areva on this site.In total, Areva has recorded 2.6 billion euros of provisions for OL3 after the 367 million recorded in the first half cash advance loan. This third generation reactor will cost a total of 5.7 billion euros, while the original price was 3 billion euros.

The site has actually taken four years behind its original schedule, due to a series of technical difficulties. Scheduled to start in April 2009, the EPR should not enter service until late 2012 or early 2013.

An agreement with EDF

This publication comes as the Elysée has just demanded that the builder of reactors and EDF sign a strategic partnership agreement covering all areas of their mutual interest in nuclear energy.

The possibility of the rise in the capital of EDF in Areva will be examined in the context of this agreement.Areva also has proceed before the end of 2010 a capital increase of up to 15% to finance the necessary investments for its development.

Net debt stood at Areva 5.152 billion euros at end June 2010 against 6.193 billion at end 2009, for equity of 8.7 billion.

As part of its financing plan, Areva has also planned to divest its holdings from 25.6% in Eramet and 10.9% in STMicroelectronics, which must remain under public ownership.

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Life insurance quotes are the major means of calculating whether the rate of return is going to be worth the initial outlay.

The Paris Bourse welcomed the good results

31st July

The CAC 40 is the caution on Friday. After an opening in the red (-0.12%) followed by a brief stint in the green (0.24%), the benchmark index of Paris back into negative territory just over half an hour after the start Session: -0.11% to 3647 points. The markets are waiting game: the first estimate of U.S. GDP in the second quarter will indeed be announced this afternoon across the Atlantic. This Friday in Asia as investors remained on the defensive.

Besides GDP, the U.S. will publish the index of consumer sentiment and Chicago PMI. In Europe, German retail sales and GDP of the area will also be published.

But it was the positive interpretation of the many important results published before opening behind the rating.

Publication Burst

Alcatel Lucent (6.38% to 2.20 euros) announces revenues of 3.813 billion euros in the second quarter.The group reiterated its outlook for 2010, including an adjusted operating income of between 1% and 5% of its revenues.

JCDecaux (+0.35% at 19.94 euros) on Friday announced a net profit in the first half of 65 million euros. The group anticipates a change in organic revenue for the third quarter less than that of the second with a cash flow of 119 million euros, compared with -1.7 million euros in the first half.

Lafarge (-3% to 42.18 euros) has reported a sales increase of 2% to 4.43 billion euros in the second quarter. The company expects a reduction in capital expenditure to less than 1 billion euros in 2011.

EDF (2.02% to 33.12 euros) announced a net income Group share 1.7 billion euros including a provision for $ 1.1 billion on its North American operations.The group, which should sell its UK electricity networks based on an enterprise value of over 5.5 billion pounds, has announced a delay of two years for his BDU Flamanville.

EADS (4.38% to 18.35 euros) announces a net profit in the first half of 185 million euros and a turnover of 20.3 billion euros.

Schneider Electric (2.51% to 88.57 euros) publishes a turnover of 8.57 billion euros in the first half (+10.5%) of which 4.661 billion (+18.5%) in the second . In an interview with Le Figaro, Jean-Pascal Tricoire, CEO, set an improvement for the second part of the year.

Renault (+0.16% at 33.07 euros) issued a revenue increase of 23.1% for the first half like for like identical, to 19.668 billion euros. The constructor returns to the green with profits of 823 million euros.

The reaction of Peugeot (-0.80%) is observed.Still in the automotive industry, Michelin (0.62% to 59.72 euros) announced a net profit in the first half and said it expects a continued rebound in demand for tires in the second half of the year .

PPR (-0.24% to 102.10 euros) announced a net profit after minority interests rose 86.8% to 407 million euros in the first half.

Imerys (2.01% to 45.36 euros) has reported a net operating income rose sharply to 122 million euros in the first half with a turnover of organic growth of 16%.

Total (2.09% to 39.15 euros) announced adjusted net income for the second quarter of 3 billion euros, up 72%.

CNP Assurances (-1.12% to 15.92 euros) has issued a net increase of 8% to 542 million euros and a turnover of 17.697 million euros (+2.4%).

Rhodia (2.98% to 16.22 euros) raised again after its 2010 targets announced Friday results exceeded expectations in the second quarter.

Saint Gobain is optimistic

Saint-Gobain (+0.02% to 33.3 euros) has reported a strong rebound in its first half results, while confirming its target of strong growth in operating earnings in 2010.

Capgemini (-0.59% to 36.13 euros) has announced the acquisition of the Swedish IT services Skvader Systems. No financial details were disclosed.

Air Liquide (-0.75 to 85.45 euros ù) has announced the acquisition of the company Lion Copolymer Geismar American Services. No financial details were disclosed.

Euler Hermes (4.92% to 61.39 euros) has reported net profit more than doubled in the second quarter from the first and said he intended to maintain profitability in an environment more favorable macroeconomic that over the past two years.

Ingenico (3.68% to 19.15 euros) on Thursday posted a net profit increased more than two in the first half thanks to increased transactions in Europe and raised its sales target.

Alten (1.43% to 22.71 euros) has reported a slight improvement in activity in its sector in the first half. Turnover rose 2.7% to 450.9 million euros over the period.

Flo (0.65% to 4.63 euros) said that the activity in its restaurants had not yet regained the level that was hers before the crisis, despite the reduction in VAT.The turnover of the group stood in the first half rose 7.6%.

Pensions: the Government is preparing the battle

24th July

Place the masons and painters! Members of the Committee on Social Affairs of the National Assembly completed late Thursday afternoon, discussing the draft law on pensions, with a few hours ahead of schedule. Members will now leave the Palais Bourbon completely delivered to artisans, who have already begun the usual summer work. Return scheduled Tuesday, Sept. 7, even on Monday night at 6 for a special session will begin by examining the same text, but this time in the Chamber.

"It is in times of transition, summarized perhaps one at the Elysee. The real battle will take place from September. "The for Sarkozy are well aware that this first parliamentary stage was a formality. Not surprisingly, the debates have been looped smoothly."The Socialists have just wanted to make a coup by breaking the lock-in twitter discussions with their phone," is a counselor. What the left willingly admits. For now, she preferred surf the weakening of Labour Minister Caught in the case Bettencourt. Godsend for the Socialists, who are careful not to request his resignation.

Paradoxically, the majority seemed more worried by the progress of the case and its component Bettencourt Woerth that by the turn of the debate on pensions. "The left is going clubbing Woerth in September. He held up? "Wonders already a Minister. The Elysee hopes that the summer break will reduce the pressure. Nicolas Sarkozy and François Fillon reiterated that Eric Woerth defend indeed the text on Sept. 7. In other words, he will not be driven to resign by then."It is quiet because we know there is nothing in the record," says the Prime Minister.

"Everything will be decided in September. We are ready for battle. But it also depends on the mobilization in the streets, "says one seat in the PS. Clearly, the left hopes to build on part of the public. Even if the opponents and proponents of reform are divided into two shares more or less equal bad credit pay day loans.

Unions united

Unions, too, prepare to maturity. For September 7 will also be a new day of strikes and protests against the reform that SF has, once again, on Thursday asked the "withdrawal". In reality, most organizations do not believe and do not even dream to win concessions on key points, beginning with the postponement of the age to 62 years.However, they have not conceded the changes on other aspects of the text during the parliamentary debate.

They rely for that on the "pressure" of the street. Will they go over the two million demonstrators, after 1.9 million announced on the evening of the last day of action – successful – last June 24? Not easy to mobilize massively, just days after school starts. Therefore, the central plan to continue their campaign throughout the summer, beach tour in the CFDT distributed a booklet "educational" on reform and its "alternative" possible, the CGT.

The unions will have an advantage: their unity restored. Having refused to sign for months, FOR has joined its competitors, and the CFE-CGC has done the same.It is the only organization to accept the decline of legal age, but she believes that the conditions there pose – including a strong financial closure of the reform – are not met.

Faced with this united front, the government has chosen to keep the ballast drop. He has done at this stage, no specific proposals on issues which he is willing to develop: difficulty, and long careers polypensionnés.

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Pensions Gold bosses

22nd July

The Chairman of the Board of Directors and former CEO of L'Oreal Lindsay Owen-Jones afflicts some 3.3 million euros per year pension, according to Capital magazine, which published its last issue in a ranking of "retreats Gold bosses.

At 64, Lindsey Owen-Jones – CEO from 1988 to 2006 – which last year received two million euros of annual salary as non-executive chairman of the world leader in cosmetics, "already has a pension of 3.3 million euros per year, "wrote Capital.

The magazine's ranking, which evaluated from annual reports of the pension groups already affected or hats come from bosses, ahead of Lindsay Owen-Jones CEO Franck Riboud of Danone, which should reach 1.8 in the future million euros in annual rent, and that Axa's Henri de Castries, the pension provided, when he was 55, is 1.1 million euros annually.

Behind them are the CEO of reinsurer Scor Denis Kessler (800,000 euros per year), former president of Sanofi-Aventis Jean-Francois Dehecq (779,000 euros) and Henri Proglio, which besides a pension of 769.000 paid by Veolia Environnement, affects 1.6 million euros a year as CEO of EDF, said Capital.

"Under pressure from the public and shareholders, companies have significantly planed pensions hats they give to their leaders," the magazine notes, however, that assesses the average annual pension of "30 most spoiled" of them at 720,000 euros.

"The retirement of the CEO is generally calculated on the basis of its last three salaries (including bonuses), when ordinary workers must produce his best 25 years, also falls Capital, which said that the groups are saving for pouring the future pensions promised.

Texas Instruments profit triples

20th July

Texas Instruments (TI) makes a strong second quarter. The U.S. manufacturer of electronic components announced after the close of Wall Street on Monday, having tripled its profit in the period. It reached 769 million dollars against 260 million a year earlier to the same period, an increase of 196%. Per share, this equates to a net profit of 62 cents, in line with analysts' consensus.

Revenues climbed 42% year on year to 3.496 billion dollars and 9% versus the first quarter. "Our activities have included analog chip and reached a double digit growth compared to the previous quarter, rising faster than the market average", says CEO Rich Templeton.

However, the announcement disappoints Wall Street. In exchange after exchange, securities fell by 5.64% to 24.11 dollars my credit score.Indeed, analysts projected a turnover of 3.52 billion. In a conference call, TI said that the turnover of the second quarter was affected by the decision of a major mobile client not to replenish stocks as much as expected.

For the rest, the group is optimistic. It expects a turnover of between 3.55 and 3.85 billion with earnings per share between 64 and 74 cents. It ranges over observers who rely on a turnover of 3.59 billion for earnings per share of 64 cents. "Orders were strong this quarter, the backlog has increased and we expect further growth of our revenues in the third quarter," he assured Rich Templeton.

Controversy over property prices

17th July

Paris is burning there? This was the message last week by Century 21, one of the major networks of estate agents (850 in France). Prices of existing homes jumped 15% in the capital between the first halves 2009 and 2010. Let us all keep, replied two days later Fnaim: the trade association which brings together 12,000 independent agencies estimated up to 6.8%.

The two behemoths differ as much in their diagnoses of the French market. When Century 21 evaluates to 8.5% average increase in prices over the last twelve months, Fnaim reported an almost stagnant (+0.1%).

As regards property each looks after their own door, because nothing is more difficult to measure changes in prices of existing homes, all different from each other by definition. For its part, Century 21 invokes a simple method."No transaction is forgotten: the collection of information is done automatically from the software used when signing the preliminary contract (promise of sale)," said Laurent Vimont, network chair. Then simply compare the average price per square meter of transactions between two time periods to calculate the evolution.

Century 21 refutes the argument that sellers of "nice apartments" have retained their property during the recession of 2008-2009 winter to put them back on the market in greater numbers in the first half of 2010 when the economy restarts. That does it not distort price comparisons from one period to another? "Not because we are working on samples large enough for this" quality effect "does not play. Our transactions have focused on 23,200 units in France in the first half of 2010, with 1536 sales in Paris, "says one.

Battle figures

Fnaim whose records are also on the "promise of sale", is based on a more sophisticated methodology and relatively delicate absolutely free credit score. "We correct the observed effects of price structures, including the size, location, comfort items, etc. …», explains Nicolas Thouvenin, the Director General of Fnaim. It also boasts a high number of transactions (5000 per month), 10% of the national market.

This method is quite close to the observation model established by notaries, with scientific backing from INSEE for 20 years. Except as notaries, considered the "justices" in statistics, working on sales contracts themselves, so with a delay of at least three months.Other disability, notary fees are not legal obligation to back the information to their rooms (85% do in Paris).

The Housing Secretariat is closely following this battle of numbers. After asking the National Council of Statistical Information (CNIS) a general report on "improving statistics, real estate and construction," which was presented in late March, Benoist Appeared plans to implement some of its recommendations "from the start," says one to his office.

Notaries will now be forced to disclose all their transactions to feed price indices. And they will work on the "pre-contracts" in order to better fit the situation. The reform should come into force from the fourth quarter of 2010 in Ile-de-France and the first quarter of 2011 in the rest of the country, says one.In addition, a device "calibration for private producers of statistics (like Century 21 and Fnaim) would be operational by spring 2011. A sort of tutelage that professionals look more or less enthusiasm and skepticism.

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Germany searched the offices of Credit Suisse

14th July

Diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Germany could still suffer. After the controversial purchase of a CD from Switzerland containing lists of suspected tax evaders in Germany launches massive search operation in the German subsidiary of Swiss bank Credit Suisse. Objective: to update the 1100 alleged customers of the bank suspected of evading taxes, and employees of the bank suspected to have helped.

The raids took place simultaneously in 13 cities and were conducted by 150 officers. Credit Suisse, which remained silent on the subject, has finally reacted by saying "cooperate with the authorities." "This is an ongoing investigation, so we can give more information," says the facility.

Unsurprisingly

Since March 19 this year, the Dusseldorf prosecutor's office suggested that he was investigating cons these clients in the fight against tax evasion carried out by the government. The purchase of the CD has already led almost 12.000à denounce himself, according to last count, in late March.

Credit Suisse is not the only Swiss bank in the sights of German authorities. UBS industry leader, is also subject of an investigation, not prosecution, but the authority of financial sector supervision Authority (BaFin).

Negotiations stalled

These searches involved in full discussions between Bern and Berlin on improving the exchange of information between the two countries payday loans in 1 hour. Both governments wish to reach an agreement that also aims to avoid double taxation.

In late March, the finance ministers of the two states signed a convention in this sense, but it is still not signed. Both governments face difficult issues such as control of German assets placed in Switzerland. A working group has also been mandated to expand the proposals and make findings in the fall.

Meanwhile, the convention is not in force, allowing Germany to put pressure on Swiss institutions. The spokesman for the German Finance Ministry wants yet reassuring: "We assume that the negotiations with Switzerland will continue to be constructive and to unfold in an atmosphere of mutual trust." He says they will, if successful, to "render obsolete" files using File Swiss bank clients stolen and resold.

The German technique is the same as that adopted in respect of Liechtenstein. In 2008, the Secret Service had bought a CD of stolen banking data, to 4.2 million euros. Having conducted several surveys, they managed to uncover many fraudsters, including the former boss of Deutsche Post, Klaus Zumwinkel. Under pressure, Liechtenstein was finally ratified an agreement on exchange of information on German assets located within the principality.

BP: Abu Dhabi reluctant to invest

11th July

The quest for investors to be difficult for Tony Hayward, BP's boss. According to the special edition of the newsletter Middle East Economic Survey (MEES) to be published Monday, the emirate of Abu Dhabi would be reluctant to invest in the oil. The richest emirate in the federation of the UAE would not be accountable to the U.S. Department of Justice, which wants to want to be informed of any transfer of assets from BP. The Sovereign wealth fund Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), became in 2007 the largest shareholder in Citigroup, is already in full court battle with the giant American banker whom he accused of fraud.

If the information is confirmed, it would be a setback for Tony Hayward, last Wednesday, went to Abu Dhabi, to convince the influential Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed to buy 10% stake BP.

Abu Dhabi, however, may "want to take stakes in certain assets of BP in the region, but provided they have no problems with the U.S. Department of Justice," says MEES.

Leverage counterparts

In addition to the SWFs in the Middle East, BP tries to seduce her American counterparts. According to the Sunday Times this Sunday, the tanker is currently in exclusive negotiations with the U.S. Apache Corporation to sell up to $ 12 billion of assets, including its share in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, the largest field North America. Apache, which is worth 29 billion dollars in stock, has already signed with BP repurchases in the past.But this operation would be of a different scale: Prudhoe Bay produces 390,000 barrels per day, or 15% of the production of the North Sea.

The partners in the field of BP, Exxon and Conoco Philips, will certainly have rights of first refusal on the part of BP. This dernierpourrait allow them to buy if they offer the same price Apache. The Sunday Times also understands that the U.S. government would have allowed Exxon to study a possible takeover of BP.

The Sunday Times added that BP would also soon sell its 60% interest in Pan American Energy, a producer in Argentina. The acquisition of this share worth $ 9 billion Chinese CNOOC and try the Argentinian Bridas. BP is also expected to sell various other assets, including its activities in Venezuela and Colombia, worth one billion dollars, as well as those in Vietnam, a similar value.

The government is continuing its investigation

All these operations are part of the constitution by BP to a reserve fund of 20 billion dollars (15.8 billion euros) pledged U.S. authorities to ensure the cleanup costs and damages associated with the tide black.

So he has launched an operation which is expected to completely contain the leak, BP is still feeling the pressure from U.S. authorities. The Justice Department has announced that Sunday, through the voice of Minister Eric Holder would continue to investigate the causes of the spill that pollutes the Gulf of Mexico from late April to determine whether to proceed with indictments.

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Germany: Luxury cars leave

22nd June

Welcoming their blitz-boom, leaders BMW, Mercedes and Audi display confident smiles. Driven by China's growth, the three automakers upscale German came out of the crisis in record time. A year ago, they still increased the pace of layoffs for part of thousands of their employees to cope with the collapse of global demand. In recent weeks, they continue to advance the pace of production to meet the boom in exports.

"Never before has such a situation had been improving at a rate cutting your breath so brutally," enthuses a member of the supervisory board of Daimler, maker of Mercedes, quoted by the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ).The very expensive "scrappage" introduced by the German federal state, which had boosted sales of Renault-Dacia in Germany, had not benefited the high-end manufacturers. But the system Kurzarbeit, unemployment part financed by the German state, allowed them to retain their skilled workforce and avoid the waves of layoffs. And come back even stronger.

Success of "Made in Germany"

The FAZ, which displays an unusual enthusiasm, believes that "German car manufacturers are experiencing a tale was unexpected." The factories are at full speed. "Mercedes has almost regained its level before the crisis," said a member of the supervisory board of Daimler.

The resumption of exports to the United States but especially in China explains this success.The models are the most luxurious locomotive production pay day loans. Thus, Mercedes increased its production of S-Class 41% in May, while BMW has experienced a surge in sales of 34% of its 7-series.

In factories in Sindelfingen and Bremen Untertürkheim, which produces luxury Mercedes models, the assembly lines now run on Saturday. Just as in Neckarsulm, where the A8 is constructed, the limousine flagship Audi. Several factories are planning to shorten from three to two weeks summer holidays. Daimler plans to hire 2,100 temporary workers to maintain production rates during the holidays. Daimler already employs 1,800 temporary workers. At BMW, they are 5000.The Bavarian company is seeking to recruit hundreds of graduates and plans to train some 1,000 additional workers.

Health insolent the German luxury car industry should result in a significant increase in stock price for the businesses concerned. More broadly, the entire German economy should benefit from the recovery in exports in 2010. The Federation of German Industries (BDI) expects "a growth of 8% of exports," for the current year. "The international demand for" Made in Germany "can pull Germany out of the crisis," said Werner Schnappauf, head of the BDI. The chemical and electrical industries are the sectors that benefit most from the recovery.Result: analysts predict a continuing decline in unemployment in Germany.

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Dell lowers its forecast

11th June

The computer maker Dell said Thursday after the close on Wall Street have spent a sum of $ 100 million to settle charges related to an investigation by the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), the regulatory authority of U.S. markets , about his relationship with Intel and its accounting practices.

The legal provision pushed Dell to revise downwards its forecast for first quarter 2011. Net income for the company is reduced by $ 100 million to 341 million dollars. In turn, earnings per share decreased by 5 cents to $ 0.17 Easy Pay day loans.The result before exceptional items is not affected.

The SEC investigation into accounting practices and financial Dell and its business relationship with Intel, accused of anti-competitive practices, the computer maker said in a statement. Dell said it is in discussions with the SEC to settle amicably the investigation, adding that this did not imply recognition or denial of suspicion.

Following the announcement, as Dell was losing 2.5% in trading after-hours trade.