• 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.

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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.

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It is wrong to believe that May 1st is "traditionally" non-political in France! Since the first observance of Labor Day in 1891 in the Hexagon – which ended in a shootout by 9 victims in Fourmies (North) -, the protests have always been exploited politically. Including the left, which long ago found a way to fight "big capital". It was in Paris in 1889, at the meeting of the Second Socialist International, as of May 1 was chosen to celebrate Labour Day. The idea came from Raymond Lavigne, an elected socialist Bordeaux. Other collusion, Marshal Pétain decreed in 1941 the statutory holiday of May 1st "Labor Day and national harmony" on a proposal from René Belin, a former leader of the Communist wing of the CGT became Minister of Labour.

For ten years he has not had a chance without the left calls its members to inflate union marches to protest against the political right. In 2003, to oppose the Fillon reform of pensions in 2008 for the first year of Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee, in 2009 against the crisis response

. Between the two towers

Recovery attempts have been such that the union leaders had to restrain the demands of socialist leaders credit score. As in 2010, full pension reform Woerth: Bernard Thibault and François Chérèque had banned members of the staff of PS to march alongside them. A compromise had been reached by organizing a photo during the transition, at a street corner, union leaders. It would have been unrealistic to imagine that in 2012, which falls on 1 May as in every election between the two towers, it could be otherwise. It is only up a notch. The dikes were shattered, and the CGT find nothing wrong with the proposal of Jean-Luc Melenchon to manifest to him. And for good reason.

This will be a year on Tuesday that its leader has taken the field against the reelection of the head of state. On 1 May 2011, on the set of "Grand Jury RTL-Le Figaro-LCI," Bernard Thibault had first confessed that he would not, personally, that Nicolas Sarkozy makes a second term. A statement that had surprised on the day of Labor Day, supposedly, "by tradition" apolitical.

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Benetton where history repeated scandals. There are a few more months, in November 2011, the Italian firm made history again by launching it's ad campaign "UnHate", featuring heads of state kissing easy to get unsecured personal loans.

Alessandro Benetton, son and heir to his wife in 2006 in Venice.

Taxpayers can breathe: the local tax rates should not increase this year. Tax notices will arrive in mailboxes this fall only. But local officials, who had until April 15 to vote on their budgets, have made their decisions. "Overall, the mayors chose not to raise rates in 2012 of the housing tax and property taxes on both, on the frame and the non-built" summarizes Laurent Philippe, President of the variety right to the Finance Committee Association of Mayors of France (AMF). Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Lille, Grenoble, Nantes, Nice, Rennes or Bordeaux opted for stability in 2012. As medium-sized cities like Perpignan, Orléans or direction. Communes of Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, and Chatillon-sur-Seine, in Burgundy, has even dropped their local taxes! Departments follow the same path. "The majority of councils in 2012 froze the property tax rate on the frame. And most of those who did have increased moderately, between 1% and 2%, "says one to the Assembly of Departments of France (ADF). Among the few above this low water we find the Maine-et-Loire (rate increase of 5.1%) or the Haute-Garonne (2.8%)

But this apparent wisdom must not forget two things. On the one hand, the housing tax and property taxes are the product of the rental value of housing by a tax rate, which is voted by local councilors. The leasehold basis, they are indexed annually at the national level. For 2012, the parliamentarians decided a 1.8% increase (from 2% in 2011, 1 payday loans.2% in 2010 and 2.5% in 2009). Result, local taxes paid by households will increase by 1.8% where the tax rates of the department and the municipal block are stable.

Later in the rigor

However, in municipalities having decided to increase the rate of 1% tax bill will rise by 2.8%. On the other hand, the lull follows the fiscal shock in previous years. Newly elected in 2008, mayors and councilors have "benefited" from the beginning of their mandate to fill the coffers. Paris and has increased its local tax rates of 9% in 2009 and 8% in 2010. In Nice, the increase was as high as 14.8% in 2009. The Perpignan have been put to them in 2010 (+8%) and 2011 (+4%). The approach of the 2014 elections produced the opposite effect. "Elected officials will do everything to not raise taxes until the election" said Philippe Laurent.

The climate has changed in local communities. Transfers paid to them by the state were frozen in 2011 and declined slightly in 2012. Bank credit is harder to obtain. After years of massive hiring, operating expenses slowed (+2.4% in 2011). Departments will reduce their investment in 2012 for the third consecutive year. Nicolas Sarkozy wants to go further and impose discipline in the regions, counties and cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants not to replace a retiring on two of their agents. Francois Hollande and if does not want a "two", he advocates a stabilizing state transfers.

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.

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Since last summer, bank credit has become scarce for local elected officials. New regulations have made loans to local banks for less advantageous, when Dexia, their traditional bank, plunged. So it is impossible for municipalities, counties and regions to find in private schools 16 to 18 billion in loans they need each year to finance their investments. Aware of the danger, the government called the Deposit to the rescue. Twice, in late 2011 and early 2012, the Fund has allocated credit of 5 billion euros.

But if the fire was extinguished in the short term, elected officials are worried about post-2012. They look for alternative sources of funding. The use of bond markets is limited to major cities and regions. Quite expensive and reserved for communities heavily populated, borrowing from the people is not ideal. Hence the idea, supported by associations of elected officials since September, to create an agency of local government financing, which could provide 25% of their funding. She would borrow on financial markets and then offer loans to member communities. With this system, small communities would have access to the bond market.

But in a report requested by the Parliament, the government is wary shows the feasibility of such an agency. The report doubts that the structure can be rated AAA or even AA +, as expected by local officials. The state itself has lost its triple A!

Risk of debt

Furthermore, "the device does not yet appear likely to develop a truly autonomous structure and without government guarantee," the report said. But the state itself in debt, does not consider such a bond. Moreover, the structure will have significant equity. The equity will be provided by local, that may … have to go into debt to provide money destined to be blocked.

Anyway, the Minister for local government, Philippe Richert, believes that the Agency is not required. Local councilors, who were attached to the agency, probably will challenge this analysis.

Questions … Philippe Richert, minister for local government.

Funding for communities been secured for 2012?

Yes. Private banks are committed to providing just under 11 billion in loans. The new public bank, Dexia replacing, should provide 2 billion from the summer. To the join, the government asked the Caisse des Depots (CDC) to release $ 5 billion. An initial budget of 2 billion will be available until late March. In total, the account will be there.

But the CDC can not put out the fires forever

.

From 2013, we no longer need to resort to the CDC. Indeed, the public bank will rise in power. I think she may grant 4 billion of loans in 2013.

The funding agency will she need?

Local elected officials want to create an agency that would borrow on their behalf in the bond markets. In principle, this is a good idea. But the establishment of this agency, as it is now conceived, is problematic. This type of structure exists in Northern Europe. But in these countries, communities have more resources and are much less numerous, there is not 36,000 municipalities. The situation is not comparable. In the immediate future, it is better to focus on the new public bank.

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The Kerviel affair did not end annoying Societe Generale. While the appeal of Jerome Kerviel should be held next June, a new legal developments oppose the bank Tuesday to four of its employees. These employed a center of Marseille succession management demanding 15,000 euros in damages to their employer, Societe Generale, for the moral prejudice they suffered as a result of the Kerviel affair.

Since the discovery record losses in 2008 – 4.9 billion euros – earned by the former trader, these employees claim to be the subject of "jokes" from their customers, some having been until the deal with "thieves," said their lawyer, Richard Daniel. "These taunts lasted for months, at least until the first trial of Jerome Kerviel in 2010," he says. The employees would like to see these inconveniences recognized by the justice and compensation. A hearing is scheduled next Tuesday in the morning before the 6th Civil Chamber of the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Nanterre.

SocGen cleared

In the first trial of Jerome Kerviel in October 2010, two employees were already in civil proceedings. Also represented by Daniel Richard, they had managed to gain recognition by the judge moral prejudice "against the deleterious working conditions" resulting from the incident, and "threats" that it "poses to their career prospects. " At the time, the former trader was sentenced to compensate up to 2,500 euros each, plus 4.9 billion euros due to Societe Generale.

Mr. Daniel Richard had immediately called the bank to take the money for its support. "The bank must answer for his own faults: he was convicted July 4, 2008 by the Banking Commission for the serious flaws in its internal control system. Societe Generale would do well by doing this spontaneously compensation ", potentially involving every employee in contact with customers, he argued in October 2010. For the bank, completely cleared at trial of the scandal Kerviel, such a decision would create a precedent difficult to manage.

At the trial of Jerome Kerviel, the lawyer had failed to take the responsibility of the bank financial loss suffered by the employee shareholders of the group, linked to the loss of their holdings on the merits corporate savings. In 2008, SocGen's share price has lost more than 60%. "That damage can not be interpreted as a direct consequence of the facts," the judge had ruled.  

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For Pierre Chappaz, running a business is like managing a football team. "The coach sets the overall strategy, recruiting players, helping them to play as a team, while respecting their strong personalities," says the entrepreneur known for having co-founded Kelkoo. This is why Wikio, the company he founded in 2006 and renamed Ebuzzing meanwhile, made nine mergers and acquisitions since its inception.

Combines the latest in Ebuzzing BeeAd, the advertising agency specializing in online video, created by the founders of the music download site Beezik. When he met them, Pierre Chappaz was "immediately said, if these players could join our team, we would be able to win the European Cup," he writes on his blog.

Ebuzzing now specializes in communication on social networks – an analysis of conversations in the diffusion of video advertising – fabric and its offer of a new advertising format. BeeAd indeed offers users to watch a video ad to access media content. This model was initially tested on the platform Beezik, which allows downloading music for free provided you have clicked on a video advertising. "This will provide a complete solution of video and social networks to advertisers," said Bertrand Quesada, CEO and cofounder of Ebuzzing.

40 million

"We were approached by many groups for a takeover, but we wanted to keep moving. We had enough cash in reserve and good technological edge, said Jean Canzoneri, CEO and cofounder of BeeAd. Building on Ebuzzing, we opted for speed. "BeeAd will indeed be launched internationally through the network group Ebuzzing. Mid-April, the offer should be marketed in Italy, Germany, Spain and the UK.

To satisfy both parties, the transaction – the amount has not been revealed – based "largely on a share exchange," says Bertrand Quesada. BeeAd leaders become "shareholders and associates" of Ebuzzing. The system should generate 40 million euros in turnover in 2012 and doubled in a year. And that, not including revenue could be generated internationally by BeeAd. This expansion will be accompanied by 30 to 50 recruits. They will add to the 200 people working at Ebuzzing and 40 employees Beezik.

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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.

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