Today Hot News

 

• The facts. Between January 1 and March 31, 2012, it sold 419.1 million mobile phones worldwide, according to figures from research company Gartner reported Wednesday. This is the first time since the second quarter of 2009 as the market retreats.

• Why is it sold less mobile. According to Gartner, the main reason is to be sought in Asia. Demand between January and March, traditionally driven by the Chinese New Year, has slowed, due to deferrals of purchases and a lack of new landmark.

Mobile phone makers have had mixed fortunes, however. So, Nokia has been the most impacted. Its sales have collapsed, from 107 million units last year to 83 million, a global market share of 19.8%. The Finnish group has lost its leading position in mobile, he had held since 1998. Samsung (20.7%), with sales however rose from 68 to 86 million units, an increase of over 25%, is now number one industry.

In fact, manufacturers are well positioned in smartphones that are best left in the quarter. It sold 144.4 million smartphones between January and March, an increase of 44%. Together, Apple and Samsung have concentrated almost half of sales (49.3%), against a little over a third last year. Interestingly, smartphones represent the total sales of Apple and 44% of those from Samsung, against only 16% for Nokia.

• The conservative projections for 2012, despite the iPhone 5. Given this trend, Gartner considers "inevitable" a downward revision of sales forecasts throughout the year. The research institute recognizes that the arrival of new Android smartphones and Windows phone, and the launch of the iPhone 5, will encourage strong growth in Europe and the United States. Similarly, the new BlackBerry, BB10, is expected by the end of the year.

During the first quarter, more than one smartphone sold in two (56.1%) was an Android, against 36.4% a year ago. IOS, the system of the iPhone, is it rose from 16.9 to 22.8% market share. In contrast, all other systems are now fallen below 10%. Smartphones running Microsoft's Windows phone have such great difficulty to penetrate. They represented 1.9% of sales this quarter, or 2.7 million units sold.

ALSO READ:

"Nokia shows a loss of 929 million in the first quarter

When you are searching for car insurance it's important that you do your homework and shop around. I would suggest you get at least 3 quotes from 3 different companies so you can make your own decision.

 

Wednesday after the nationalization of the first network of savings banks Bankia, the Spanish government on Friday introduced a new banking reform, the second in less than three months. Madrid requires banks an additional provision of $ 30 billion. This will add to the 53 billion that should already be provisioned by the end of the year to cover the risk of real estate the most problematic, representing € 184 billion globally, according to Bank of Spain.

This caution will also be extended to 123 billion of property assets considered non-problematic "for their hypothetical deterioration" in the words of Minister of Economy, Luis de Guindos. In total, Spanish banks will be funded 45% of their total real estate assets by the end of the year. Before the first government reform Rajoy, the rate was only 14%, the minister recalled. Other decision, banks will separate the real estate assets from their balance sheets and place them in specialized agencies, to better assess the right price. "It will be mandatory for all entities," the minister said. In the interests of transparency, and meet there at a request of the Eurogroup, Madrid will carry out audits of accounts. "Two independent evaluators" will be responsible for judging the soundness and credibility of assessments.

Recession in 2013

The question is how banks can finance such levels of provision and how much will be deducted from their own funds bad credit pay day loans. Guindos recalled that during the last injection of public money made by the previous government, the fund Frob had lent 15 billion euros to banks. "The total should be this time significantly lower," he thought, noting that the state would receive an interest rate of 10% on money lent. "The Frob keeps 5 billion in cash. We will see how it will be necessary to supplement, "said Guindos. The Minister further stated that this funding through convertible bonds to five years, would cost "nothing" to the taxpayer.

The exercise of clarity has not convinced the markets: the Madrid Stock Exchange immediately plunged 3%, carried away by banks. The chief minister, Mariano Rajoy, nice hammer that the deficit will not be affected, the target of 5.3% of GDP this year, against 8.5% in December, and above 3% target in 2013 , is very hypothetical. The European Commission, which today released its new forecasts for the euro area, anticipates a deficit of 6.3% of GDP in 2012, even worse, 6.4% in 2013. In less than three months, Brussels has revised up sharply the recession, to 1.8% of GDP, against 1% previously. Next year, the economy would be even the only Iberian euro area to be in red.

ALSO READ:

"Europe has the means to save Spanish banks

"Spain is mobilized to clean up its financial sector

"Madrid ready to bail out its banks

 

The general meeting of shareholders of Dexia, which takes place Wednesday afternoon, from 14 hours in Brussels looks very heckled. For if the fate of the Franco-Belgian seems to be a non-issue in France, he ignites the political debate on the other side of the border.

Concretely, Belgium seems now to enjoy the transition period at the head of the French state to make its case. In two stages. The Kingdom requires the Management Board of Dexia, now led by the French Pierre Mariani. She then wants to renegotiate the terms of its rescue.

Destabilized by the debt crisis, Dexia survives today only because it can be financed with the State guarantee for the time up to 45 billion euros, up 90 billion soon and if the Commission European accepts. However, Belgium – Dexia is a Belgian group legally – bears the burden of 60% against 37.5% for France. Too much in the eyes of the Belgian political.

During the meeting, the confrontation should focus on the vote of "discharge" to management and the board. A legal act by which the shareholders validate the management of the past year and believe that good leaders have acted in the interest of society. "Dexia has been mismanaged," stated Wednesday morning a Belgian secretary of state, Melchior Wathelet.

The subject is divided into the Belgian camp, from one party to another, from one region to another, knowing that are present in both the capital state, regions and holding companies in liquidation. It is highly likely that Belgium refrain from voting majority in the discharge which could then be voted in favor of the voice of the Deposit French (20% stake in CNP with insurance).

Very precarious balance

After the meeting, the chairman of Dexia, the former prime minister Jean-Luc Dehaene, should resign. And Board should co-opt a new member, Karel de Boeck, that Belgium had already placed at the head of Fortis failed in 2008. The Kingdom has made its candidate now occupied by the French Pierre Mariani, Dexia dispatched late 2008. Ultrapolitique become a subject in Belgium where the government opposes the payment of severance pay of French. He also wants to accelerate the appointment of a Belgian so you can negotiate the best possible overhaul of agreements to dismantle the bank.

And France in all this? At this point, it is the Deposit which is first in line, quietly. The institution headed by Antoine Gosset-Grainville seems to defend the status quo. Or acceleration of change of men at the head of the bank or renegotiation of agreements. A firm attitude that justifies the issue: Dexia is now very precarious balance, as evidenced by the loss of 431 million euros in the first quarter (over 11 billion in 2011 remember), released Wednesday morning.

If the plan is derailed, the bank will be recapitalised. Or, worse, the guarantees provided by the States may need to play, a nightmare scenario for France certainly, but especially for Belgium. Dexia shows still 399 billion in assets, is a time bomb in the heart of the fragile euro zone.

In the coming days, it's the French who will leave the wood. Francois Hollande and his team will then display the color vis-à-vis the government of Elio di Rupo, the Belgian Socialist whose presence at Solferino Street Sunday night was noticed. With two options. Either France is trying to recreate a consensus on the decommissioning plan. Or it enters a power relationship with Belgium.

ALSO READ:

"The Post Bank takes up the bulk of Dexia business

"How will the bank communities

"Dexia: the battle continues

"Dexia: assuming nationalization returns

Presidential in major cities Paris | Leeds | Lyons | Toulouse | Leeds | Sheffield | Liverpool | Bordeaux | Lille

 

"If we do not respect the line to reduce our deficits and our debt to the minute interest rates will rise." Wednesday, Nicolas Sarkozy has gone a step further in the dramatization. After Francois Fillon, who suggested Tuesday that a hint of victory would boost Francois Hollande attacks against the euro area, the president candidate has warned against any slippage in the path of fiscal consolidation.

To raise the specter of an uncontrollable ascent rates, the current majority is based on digging for a few days the gap between interest rates ten years French (2.93% on Wednesday) and German ( 1.79%). At 114 basis points, after reaching 135 points Tuesday, this spread has actually widened over 30 points in a month.

Should we see a sign of growing distrust of markets in anticipation of a victory for the left, and expect a speculative attack against France after the second round? If the debate on this subject undoubtedly grows, nothing concrete has yet support this thesis. "The widening gap in interest rates between France and Germany is primarily due to lower rates to ten years German, while at the same time the French rate increase very little," said Patrick Jacq, BNP Paribas. In fact, France borrowed Wednesday cheaper than January 1 – the rate at ten years then stood at 3.20%. At the height of the crisis in the euro area, last fall, the OAT to ten years had reached a yield of 3.70% and the gap with Germany was around 190 points. The position occupied by Francois Hollande favorite in the presidential polls did not even affect the bond markets.

The fact remains that, beyond political considerations alone, the French debt will find itself under strong pressure in the coming days. Several factors will combine. The first is technical. As of Monday, April 16, the derivatives market Eurex will boost the marketing of futures contracts on the OAT need a personal loan with bad credit. Some see an opportunity for traders to speculate on France. "The danger is actually involved as a hedging tool transformed into an instrument of credit risk management," says Patrick Jacq. In other words, that some operators are betting on a French credit event.

Community constraint

Precisely, the second is the threat to a likely downgrade of France by Moody's, which can occur anytime during the next four weeks. On this theme, moreover, that the Socialist candidate responded to the attacks of the UMP: "If there was loss of triple A, is due to the left or right because of?" , asked Francois Hollande in response to declining rating by Standard & Poor's mid-January.

But the main constraint to be exercised on the French debt will be at the community. By coincidence, in the days following the second round, the European Commission must publish its report on the growth prospects of French public finances. However, this report will not consider the program of President-elect. "There is a risk that this be interpreted by markets as a distrust of the new president," worries do we camp in the Netherlands. In fact, it is on structural reforms of the future government that markets deem the French debt. "The benchmark in Europe now, it's Mario Monti and his reform of the labor market," says a senior European official. From this point of view, Francois Hollande is a real risk, arguing such measures as hiring officials or the questioning, even partial, of the pension reform.

ALSO READ:

"France borrows in good condition

"Spain wakes the market fears

"First quack on Irish debt

"Italy borrows three times cheaper than Portugal

 

The merger between Universal Music and EMI, respectively number one and four global music publishing operation is not like the others, beat independent labels, headwind against it announced last November. And this acquisition which is the subject, since late March, a thorough review by the European competition authorities, gives rise to unusual trading.

In addition to the traditional arguments about the consequences that such a merger might have on prices, the protagonists struggle, indeed, the future of design in Europe. With unexpected postures. If the American Universal Music – directed from Santa Monica by the British Lucian Grainge and detained by the French Vivendi – poses as guarantor of European culture, his compatriot Warner Music – owned by Russian-born U.S. billionaire Len Blavatnik – shall guard on the "negative consequences for the identity and heritage of Europe, access to culture, creativity and innovation", in a note circulated to the Commission that Le Figaro is procured.

The strength of Hollywood

Warner – unsuccessful candidate for redemption of EMI – displays the same objective as the independent grouped in Impala: torpedo rapprochement with Brussels Universal-EMI but also the resumption of catalogs of the British recorded music (number 2), ranging from Norah Jones Sting, by a consortium led by Sony (No. 4). Both operations should lead to the birth in each of these careers in music of a domineering leader, strong market share of nearly 40% in Europe.

"A music company will seek to reduce risk by influencing the production of records or by focusing its marketing firepower on a few tracks that are most likely to travel abroad – usually in the Anglo-American repertoire," warns the Warner notes, which sounded the alarm: "In the European context with its very specific markets, record companies are essential to sustain production in local languages ​​and cultures. Leave a dominant player in deciding the viability of investments in local cultural carries a high risk. "

And prevent, "A local company is less competitive when a dominant player can absorb the bad years with a thick catalog of rights. This control of the catalog explains, in large part, Hollywood domination of the European Film Market. "

All subjects, Warner insists that should preoccupy European countries signed the UNESCO Convention encouraged to "adopt measures and policies to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions within their territory." A goal also highlighted in the European treaties, the U.S. recalled. Brussels must rule on the Universal-EMI merger by August 8. Universal as well as Sony have proposed sale of catalogs to reduce their scope. Recorded music side, if the Commission is not satisfied by the remedies of Sony, the European anti-trust will also open an investigation.

ALSO READ:

"Redemption of EMI by Universal Music: to fight in Brussels

 

Salespeople earn more than a year ago. In 2011, wages increased overall by 4%, fixed and variable combined, compared to 2010. This is the conclusion of a study by recruitment firm Uptoo, made from the information provided by the 73,000 registered commercial MyBeautifulJob on its portal. Their average annual gross reach and 54.1 K €.

But these results must be qualified. First, there was a catch-up effect since 2010, in the wake of the financial crisis, wages had decreased slightly (- 0.8%), according to data firm. Then, the increase of 2011 benefits only the most experienced vendors at the expense of young graduates. If the first saw their wages rise by 8%, beginners accuse them down 9% (35.1 K €).

In an uncertain economic climate, employers prefer to play safe value. Surmotivé between a young and more experienced candidate, the choice will often second that, a priori, be faster to use, say recruiters. "Many employers tell us they do not have the resources to train beginners, says Didier Perraudin, associate director of Uptoo. There is a dearth of local managers. "

Negotiate fixed primarily

As a result, experienced the most stressed, those that combine capabilities manager at a knowledge of the sector, find themselves in a strong position to negotiate their salary. Chastened by variables that have fused with the crisis, these highly sought after candidates trying to secure their full paycheck.

According to the study, the increase in 2011 is largely explained by inflation fixed which average 75% of compensation, against 70% a year earlier. "Only 7% of vendors double their salary with bonuses, says Didier Perraudin. Dangling share of important variables, problems begin to move a business. "

Finally, it's not a surprise, the most high-tech reports: a package with average of 63.2 K €, sales in this sector earn 20% more than their counterparts in industry and 16% more as business services. They also record the highest increases in salary last year (+7.5%), but without catch up before the crisis.

ALSO READ:

"The Changing Face of Business

"Commercial: candidates hotly contested

SERVICE:

"Job offers in France and abroad with Cadremploi

FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON FIGARO:

"Twitter: @ LeFigaro_Emploi

 

1040 new aircraft worth $ 145 billion. This, according to the latest Airbus market research, the need for airlines in India in the next twenty years. Of these, the vast majority of planes (860) will be ordered to meet the growth in air traffic – to + 7.2% per year, it is already growing faster than the average in Asia (5.9%) . In total, the current fleet will more than triple to 1080 devices.

According to Airbus, the airline purchases will be predominantly (646 copies) on medium-haul aircraft type A320 and A320 Neo (version remotorisée). It to meet soaring domestic traffic should move quickly on a rate of 10% per year, which will make India one of the strongest markets in the world. The European manufacturer estimates that the market for 308 long-haul A350-type and 66 copies of the ultra-high capacity aircraft type A380.

Two giant orders

Airbus hopes to win a beautiful place in this promising market. Already, the European manufacturer claims "70% market share of new orders," his "ambition is to retain its leadership in the Indian market." To support its strategy to win business, Airbus has established local partnerships for forty years. It is manufactured locally A320 passenger doors, his best-seller. It is also recruiting Indian engineers in its Engineering Center opened in 2006 in Bangalore. The manufacturer employs 270 in total and has to hire another 180 by 2014.

Airbus' strategy has paid off. In 2011, the manufacturer has scored a major coup by winning two giant commands from Indigo (180 A 320 150 of Neo) and Go Air have ordered that, between them, 252 units.

Two threats

But the clouds on the horizon. On the one hand by the poor health of major customers such as local Kingfisher.Depuis his birth in 2005, the company has never made any money – it lost $ 90 million in the third quarter of fiscal year – and has accumulated a debt of $ 1.3 billion. Kingfisher international flights still canceled Wednesday, postponed delivery in 2014 of A 380 and ordered it does not exclude cancellations. In total, current orders are of 32 A320s, 20 A330 long-haul, long haul lonq five A350s and five A380 super-jumbo. The company promises tonight released a recovery plan within two to three days.  

Moreover, the implementation of the carbon tax by the European Union in January, also poses a threat to aircraft orders. Just as Beijing has frozen the purchase of 45 Airbus A 380, including 10 of its airlines, New Delhi is opposed to this tax. India may decide to retaliate. It threatens to bar its airlines to fly to Europe.

ALSO READ:

"Some European groups headwind against the carbon tax

"A tax on CO2 challenge, 4000 applicable to companies

 

Sometimes there are coincidences that plunge. A few days after Francois Hollande has triggered an outcry in the microcosm football with his proposal to tax 75% on incomes above one million euros per year, the union of professional players (UNFP) has announced a new record membership. Not at 20, 30 or even 50%. Not to … 96.45%, which means that few players playing in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 not to be enclosed in a union.

This score membership record is even more comical that exceeds the standards of the Nordic countries where, at best, three-quarters of employees are unionized (against 8% in France, it must be remembered) payday loans in 1 hour. But also because such a rate – worthy of glory of the USSR – in a profession considered golden demonstrates that unionism and categorical niche, including employees on the most spoiled society, has a future in France.

"At a time when the image of football is too often tarnished – wrongly, need I elaborate? – This unionization rate (…) shows that the professional football player looks at his job, his future, as much as the other, it is his teammate or opponent on the ground ", for his part prefers to deduce the UNFP. When will a syndicate of traders?

ALSO READ:

"A tax that could cost

 

The French prefer cats to dogs. This is what emerges from the latest survey by TNS-Sofres on behalf of Facco (Employers' Federation of manufacturers of prepared foods for dogs, cats, birds and other pets).

The number of cats is increasing (923,000 in 4 + years) to reach today 10.96 million topics at the expense of the dogs. The strengths of these are still in decline (- 488,000 in 4 years) and amounted to 7.59 million.

However, this view does not reflect a lack of love for the canine species from the French. It is rather an awareness of the responsibility that owning a dog that would be the main reason.  

Masters of free and responsible

Masters of increasingly responsible if one judges also by the rate of sterilization and that the investigation highlights that increases steadily year on year to 32.5% of the total population of dogs (or + 3 points compared to 2008) and 74.2% in cats (+ 2 points).

18.3% of non-dog owners believe that it can cause "problem when they go on a weekend or holiday." This may explain why the small breeds, the "boilerplate" are increasingly the coast.

The investigation revealed that Facco "dogs live mostly in homes of average size [in] rural areas, in houses with gardens. There are more often than in the past someone at home during the day. Cats, they are found mostly in medium-sized families living in rural areas in houses with gardens. "

The other reason cited for not acquiring a dog is "the commitment it represents over several years" for 11 no fax payday loan.8% of respondents.

Older, supposed to have more time, not "crack" not easier for a dog. The survey observed an underrepresentation of the age group over 55 years. "This age group made up largely of retired, healthy, and with a comfortable purchasing power, is a traveling public, which focuses on outdoor recreation and is therefore looking for a flexibility, "note the analysts Facco.

Cost and maintenance: a pattern little mention

And although some purebred dogs reach very high price to buy (up to 4000 euros), as also the care and maintenance budget is also taken into account, provided, "the cost of acquisition and maintenance of the animal is not a discriminating factor as a result of non-possession is cited as most important by only 2.9% of non-owners, "notes the survey yet. 

The maintenance cost to maintain healthy animals do not appear as a brake, it is also parallel to remind the French are only about 4% to ensure their pets by taking out a contract for Animal Health allowing reimbursement of veterinary fees for accidents or illness.

A rate that is struggling to "take off", France accused in this area lags behind compared to the UK where the rate of health insurance for 30% of animal owners, and … 80% in Sweden.

ALSO READ:

"From the bio for your pets

"Pets: France, European champion

SERVICE:

"Insurance Dogs / Cats: Protect your pets with CPLUSSUR.COM