Return to Athens international experts

27th July

Suit and tie, dark glasses, briefcase and severe look. The "Men in Black", as are known as experts from the International Monetary Fund and the European institutions are back in Athens for two weeks. Their mission: to scrutinize the country's overburdened public accounts and the first assessment of the official plan of 110 billion euros for Greece in early May. If they judge that the government of George Papandreou meets its commitments, a second payment of 9 billion euros, will be completed in September.

The Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou, is not afraid of men in black. "The second tranche of the plan will be paid if we have achieved the targets" by the international community, he said this weekend in an interview to a Greek newspaper. "These conditions were replies and we've even gone ahead with the vote of the pension reform.Greece adopted in June a postponement of the age of retirement at age 65.

"Progress"

The International Monetary Fund had also considered a report published in mid-July, the Greek authorities' making strides to redress public finances. " Athens was required to reduce the deficit by 39% in the first half. He did much better than that, reducing it by 46%.

"They were the hardest, reducing public spending more severely than expected," Judge Jean-Francois Robin, rate and currency strategist at Natixis AM. "In terms of fiscal consolidation, they are on track to be the best European students in the class and should succeed in reducing their deficit to about 9%." Good student in 2009, Ireland is in contrast to the penalty this year and could be weighted with a deficit of 12% in late 2010.

Uncertainties on Revenue

In Greece, if the goal seems far exceeded expenditure side, the revenue side "is more uncertain because revenues depend heavily on economic growth and tax base," Philip Sabuco shade, an economist at BNP Paribas., Philip Sabuco shade, economist at BNP Paribas. The government has managed to find only 7% of additional revenue to date, well below the target of 13, 7%.

Greece will not be judged solely on controlling the budget deficit. The IMF will look very closely the progress of privatization of public enterprises, the state (disastrous) finance social security, the release of occupations "protected" (trucker, notaries, architects, etc..). Records of which Athens is late.

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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.

Pflimlin wants a TV for all on all screens

9th July

Remy Pflimlin candidate Nicolas Sarkozy as president of France Televisions, and knows his records showed yesterday at his hearing before the Conseil Superieur de l'Audiovisuel. His hearing before the 10 advisers on the Quai de Javel lasted half past two which nearly half past one of a set of questions and answers fed.

For candidates, two strong expressions dominate his mandate: "To provide programs and quality information for all and on all screens" and establishing "a bond of trust with the viewer citizen." This is to make a difference with the private television, he said, "is addressed, it, to consumers.""With the abandonment of advertising that allows us to contact the citizen and not the consumer and thanks to digital, we can offer an open television and inspires confidence."

Remy Pflimlin identified four key priorities in terms of programs. In order to defend the French production, he first insisted on the need for innovation in French fiction. For him, it is essential to develop new formats. It intends to increase "the time series and soap operas all day develop that are specific to strings.

For him, "it is essential to intervene very early and be able to finance the audiovisual writing. Similarly, he wants to develop the documentary. While paying tribute to his predecessor, he intends "to expand to new topics such as history and science."Also in line with the previous team, Remy Pflimlin continue "the diffusion of the performing arts. But the next president wants to "give emphasis to contemporary.

Strengthen the identity of channels

Finally, in terms of information, who has been a media owner wants to return to the fundamentals of "a group with 2,000 journalists." "At a time when our citizens are subjected to a constant flow of information, we must allow them to find the references in terms of rankings and explanations of the latter. We must not fall into the trap of the Internet by example and participate in the race. It is not only the credibility of our editors, but of the entire company. "However, he stressed the need" this information and logs run on all screens.That means to move the organization of editors.

For Pflimlin Remy wants to put digital at the heart of its strategy. "France Televisions has taken a little behind in its offerings, but also in exchanges on social networks. Yet more than 10 million of our fellow citizens consume television wrestling TV. It must therefore be given the opportunity to enjoy our programs on all the screens and that of the reaggregate their choice. "

As such, it has announced the appointment of a controller that will define digital, personally, a strategy for the group. This area such as fiction and documentary should be rare, enjoying a transverse direction, apart from general services.For in terms of organization, Remy Pflimlin intends to restore "a bit like Radio France principals embody the antenna channels and will have a strong autonomy in terms of programs." Its purpose is to strengthen the identity of channels: France 2 to be the chain of events, France 3 and RFO those of nearby, while France remains one of four innovation and France 5 that of decryption.

Moratorium on Economy

The changes in the organization has implications for social dialogue. "We must go to the essential," he said. "That is to say, first determine the objectives for the company and think about the business, organization of work and equal representation based on them." Thus, the future president of France Televisions will take time to reforming the company.For this, it says it wants to build on existing teams in place "and" indisputable retain professionals in their careers. "

Finally it is prudent on the financial issue and falls within the framework of the law which provides for the extinction of advertising. In this case, it does not advocate "for the increase in the fee. Otherwise, it will ask a "moratorium" for France Televisions to keep its advertising.

In June, the U.S. has destroyed jobs

3rd July

The U.S. economy has begun to destroy jobs, after five months of net creation. In June, the number of job losses in the U.S. totaled 125,000 jobs including in the public, according to figures from the Labor Department. The figure was pulled down by the public sector, the end of the census causing the departure of 225,000 temporary workers hired for the occasion.

More importantly, the private sector alone has created 83,000 jobs. Is much better than the 33,000 net new jobs in the month of May However, analysts expected a figure close to 112,000. "We're going in the right direction but we do not go fast enough for many Americans. We are not moving fast enough for me either, "responded the president Barack Obama.

The increase in the number of private sector jobs due to "modest increases in various industries."The leisure industry in particular has created 28,000 jobs before the summer. Business services hired 21,000 people. Note, the industry continued to create jobs (9,000). The construction sector has meanwhile also destroys jobs (22 cash till payday.000), hit by a decline in new construction.

"Beyond these figures rather in line with expectations, the disappointment is the hours worked and wages," noted economists Exane-BNP Paribas. "Hours worked weekly find their level in April (34.1) and hourly wages shrink by 0.1% over the month." In bad omen for consumer spending.

On the other hand, the unemployment rate, calculated on a different basis, for its part fell 9.7% in May to 9.5% in JuneThe Labor Department said the decline by reducing the workforce and the growing number of discouraged workers who no longer work. "We still expect a gradual recovery in the labor market with unemployment rates remain high in 2010 before improving slightly in 2011," says Julian Thomas, an economist at Natixis.

"In general, the Labor Department report suggests weak growth, but not fallen into recession, say economists for their part of Societe Generale.

Google defies Apple in music

23rd June

This is a total war being waged now Google and Apple, opening the front lines in all areas of mobile Internet. Mobile advertising terminals via the operating system and applications, the giant online research and computer manufacturer will not release one ounce of ground to their opponents. That's why Google, who made a fortune during a decade in marketing advertisements on its search engine, is preparing to start selling music online.

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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Review subdued the VAT reduction in food

7th June

A year after the VAT reduction in catering, where are the conservators of commitments with the government? In the context of reduced public expenditure, where the measure put in place by 1 July 2009 is being challenged for its cost – about 3 billion euros – one of the main unions of restaurant firmly defends the record of restorers.

On the lower prices promised the advance Synhorcat containing figures from INSEE, reduced by 1.7% in prices. Far, indeed, the 3% promised at the signing of the contract establishing the future VAT at 5.5%. But better than the forecasts of the Secretary of State for Trade, Herve Novelli, who requested last December restaurants to limit their price increases, given the economic crisis, the level of inflation.

A decline also practiced mainly by large chains, which have clearly made this issue a sales and communication. Today Synhorcat not hesitate to praise the French restaurant as "cheap": "80% of meals in France costs less than 15 euros," he said beforehand. Not sure the French, whose purchasing power remains a major concern, hear it that way.

An agreement "historic" on wages

On the employment front, too, success is not free No teletrack payday loans. While restaurant owners had agreed, in consideration of the reduction in VAT, to create 20,000 permanent jobs and 20,000 contracts for professional learning or within 2 years, Synhorcat announces that for the moment creations 5700 jobs.The objective, however, seemed difficult to achieve in terms of economic conditions.

The only real success of the VAT reduction: the agreement on wage conditions in the restaurant, described as "historic" by Hervé Novelli. "We are hiring today with a salary 25% above the law", welcomes the Synhorcat. Wages have indeed been reassessed 5% when the non-frames increases leveled averaged 1.1% in 2009. A mutual health has been created, and employees receive an annual bonus equivalent to 2% of their annual salary, capped at 500 euros.

Employees are however not the only benefit from the reduction of VAT in 2009, the catering market has indeed registered a positive growth, and an estimated turnover of 72.5 billion euros, posting also Synhorcat.

The paralysis of the European sky could cost $ 200 million

17th April

A cloud of 200 million dollars (148 million euros). That bill, by far, the paralysis of traffic due to the cloud of volcanic ash, according to an estimate made Friday by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This amount corresponds to "the financial impact (…) day in terms of lost revenue," said a spokesman for IATA said in a statement.

"In addition to lost revenue for airlines costs to change the routes of their machines and take on passengers and equipment stranded in various airports," he added. This is a "first conservative estimate".

According to many analysts, the closure of airports in North Europe was difficult to quantify an impact on the finances of airlines. Experts estimate that it will depend on claims from customers.More recently prefer to postpone their flight, the more it will limit the losses to the industry.

"While we have no visibility on the duration of these disturbances, it is difficult to say what is the cost for companies," Marina J. Devitt, the Irish Goodbody brokerage told AFP.

An invoice of $ 30 million for Air France

In the ladle, it is possible to obtain an estimate by dividing the annual turnover of a company by the number of days during which the aircraft remain grounded. Based on this rough, it is possible to establish that Air France-KLM is 30 million euros and 25 million for British Airways, advance a Paris-based analyst.

In Germany, total paralysis of traffic is expected to weigh on the entire industry to the tune of 50 million euros in total per day and "less than 10 million euros a day" for Lufthansa, said analyst Per-Ola Hellgren, bank LBBW, told AFP. An invoice less salty than the recent pilots' strike which had cost ratio of 48 million euros in total.

Finally, the "one-time impact on earnings of the Irish Ryanair should be low since most of the operational costs will be avoided, except for aircraft rental and labor costs," notes the brokerage Irish NCB.

Rush predictable

Companies should still limit the damage thanks to the predictable rush of customers at the end of the flight ban. The aircraft should then record load factors much higher than normal, making profitable at the same time much better flights.

Without waiting to preliminary figures, the titles of European airlines fell in stock this Friday. By mid-afternoon, Air France-KLM took down 2.21%, British Airways fell by 1.94%, 2.26% Lufthansa.

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The CAC 40 ended above 4050 points

9th April

After closing in the red Thursday, almost all the CAC 40 woke up green this Friday at 4022.66 points, excited by the great increase of Wall Street. And closed, its momentum, to 4050.54 points, up 1.81%, exceeding its peak.

The London Stock Exchange and Frankfurt have also recovered well in the wake of Wall Street, buoyed by an upturn in consumer spending … The London FTSE 100 closed up 1.02% to 5770.98 points. The German Dax closed up 1.26% to 6249.70 points.

Thursday evening, the CAC 40 lost 1.20%. After rising almost continuously since February. The index had been weakened by fears of renewed solvency of Greece.

The lifeline of the ECB

Fears eased by the reassuring words of Jean-Claude Trichet, called "lifeline" by the Greek press.The President of the European Central Bank, rejected any risk of contagion to other countries, like Italy. He also assured that a default of Greece was "beyond question". In fact, the President of the European Union, Herman Van Rompuy, promised Friday that the Europeans are "ready to intervene if the Greeks call" and implement a plan of assistance involving the IMF, which Greece seems to want to avoid. French President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed: the European Union is ready to activate its plan "at any time.

These incentives have led to a rebound of the euro against the dollar above $ 1.34 this morning, then at 1.3385 dollars this afternoon. Volatility remains a must. After being stretched to 7.5%, the yield on loans to 10 year-old Greek, too, calmed a time, returning this morning to 7.2%.It said Thursday that Athens be able to reduce its deficit by 40% YoY in the first quarter.

The Greek situation remains fragile. The rating agency Fitch has lowered a few minutes from the end of Paris, noted the long-term debt of Greece, from BBB + to BBB-. This could well lead Greece to seek EU aid promised on March 25 …

According to strategists at BNP Paribas, investors await the issuance of treasury bills by Greece on Tuesday to assess the ability of countries to find core funding. Markets await the second season launch of results from U.S. companies, with Alcoa on Monday.

Side values, in Paris, the banks have been resilient, despite their exposure to Greece, to the tune of fifty billion euros.This does not raise "no particular concern, said Friday the governor of the Bank of France Christian Noyer, even if the French regulators monitor" closely "the situation.

The rising price of rubber has instead penalized cars, Michelin (-0.08%) signing the only declines the CAC 40.

SNCF: strike notice Tuesday, March 23

8th March

On Tuesday, March 23 will be placed under the sign of the claims to the station, while at least three unions (CGT, UNSA, CFDT) has initiated a notice of strike and trigger a series of social alarms, to ensure "continuity" the strike on February 3, according to Didier Le Reste, the CGT.

On 15 February, five confederations – CGT, CFDT, FSU, Solidaires, Unsa – announced they were organizing a day of strikes and demonstrations inter employment, purchasing power, public services and pensions.

At the strike of February 3, about one-third of the railway had stopped work to support employment.

A report that is poisoning the debate

All unions in the public company denounced the ongoing reorganizations involving reclassifications and job losses (including freight), a deterioration of working conditions and managerial methods based, according to them, solely on financial criteria.

There are about a month, a report of the Court of Auditors noted that for the SNCF, the reform of 35 hours penalized the company public to address the opening of its monopoly to competition and revealed particular gaps productivity with its competitors low fee payday advance .

According to the report published today, law enforcement has led to increased numbers of staff from 7000 to 7500.However, "the additional staff that the reform had resulted represents almost half the number of posts abolished during the seven subsequent years, totaling approximately 15,600 officers between 2002 and 2008.

Southern Rail reserved

Workers Power has decided to turn to hold its own demonstration in Paris, while leaving open its regional organizations to participate in joint rallies in the provinces, while the CFE-CGC was not involved in the day.

Sud-Rail, Third Force Association at the station who is campaigning for a renewable greece, reserved its response but said "part of the inter-day."To delegate Alain Cambi, "after a day of strike action is needed now."

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