Competition: EDF imposes its conditions

Posted by admin on March 29th, 2010

For several weeks, the entire energy chain in France saw the pace of the progress of the bill dedicated to the new organization of the electricity market, known as the Nome. His goal? Encourage competition through the sale of EDF by a significant amount, especially at attractive prices, energy from nuclear sources. The trajectory is abruptly accelerated, since the text has been forwarded to the State Council.

The case is crucial and crystallized many tensions. Just arrived at the head of EDF, its new president, Henri Proglio, has also expressed its deep opposition to the bill. No matter to him that the public enterprise "subsidizes" the other operators.But Francois Fillon, who promised in writing to Brussels in favor of increased competition on the French market has held firm.

After review by the State Council, the text should be presented to Cabinet in April, then come before Parliament for a vote before summer. However, the law will not be applied before January 1, 2011: in the meantime, orders will support the device.

EDF will make available to its competitors about one quarter of its production of nuclear or 20% of the electricity produced in France. At what price? The question is there.

For alternative suppliers, the price should definitely be competitive, otherwise void the reform. In other words, this "controlled access to the database" that will enable EDF should they believe correspond to the share of nuclear generation in the regulated prices for electricity.It now stands at approximately 34euros megawatt hour.

In contrast, after EDF, the price used must also include investments needed to maintain and expand its fleet of plants. And therefore be set at a higher level.

After his latest discussions with the government, the incumbent appears to have been heard instant payday loan. The sale price could be higher 40Euros megawatt hour. While discussions will continue and if the law establishes the broad principles of reform without specifying precisely the price, EDF is doing rather well.Experts have already done the calculations from 38euros megawatt hour, the new organization of the electricity market is beneficial for the public company.

Reorganization of the nuclear industry

EDF can also derive some satisfaction on another folder during the reorganization of the nuclear industry, which must lead, running April to award a long-awaited report. Francois Roussely, former President of EDF, has been charged with this mission by Nicolas Sarkozy. It is, after the failure of the bidding in Abu Dhabi, to determine the role of the individual companies: EDF but GDF Suez, Areva, Total or Alstom. Its conclusions are not yet public, but unless big surprise, the report Roussely should insist on the rule of EDF as a carrier pilot in the sector.

Some observers see this as a double victory for Henri Proglio.Other, more nuanced, analyze the evolution of the law Nome as a counterpart to the design of future roles.

The leadership on the nuclear industry, readily interpreted as a wish of EDF, is proving very costly indeed. This includes mobilizing teams on contracts that are not necessarily included in the strategy of the public company, as was the case in Abu Dhabi. So from the moment the public company would be formally chosen to lead "Team France's nuclear, some believe there is no question of imposing an unduly harsh treatment by law Nome.

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Two years suspended cons Zacharias

Posted by admin on March 27th, 2010

Two years probation and 375,000 euro fine. Such is the penalty required by the prosecutor in Nanterre cons Antoine Zacharias, CEO of Vinci from 1997 to 2006. Prosecuted for abuse of social good, Antoine Zacharias came to explain Thursday morning in court. His trial was held today and tomorrow before the fifteenth penal court of Nanterre. Specifically, it accuses the former CEO of Vinci have intrigued to receive a disproportionate amount. 12.5 million severance bonus when he left the company in June 2006, over two million annual pension from a salary of 3.3 million in 2004 and stock options with a greater potential value of 124 million.

To penetrate this mystery to date, the judges were interested in changing the membership of the Compensation Committee of Vinci in May 2004. Indeed, it is this committee that changed the method of calculating the salary of the big boss."It was good to renew the committee because some members like Alain Minc were benefits to Vinci, which deprived them of a form of independence," said Antoine Zacharias. A demonstration unassailable except that Zacharias had still left Alain Minc continue to serve on the board of the world leader in construction as the conflict of interest was the same.

Another element that is the problem, the consulting firm Towers Perrin had been consulted by the compensation committee on whether to remove ceilings on wages of Zacharias. He said it was negative, citing "inflation risks." But his advice was not followed or even communicated to the Board of Directors has decided to enforce rules that made Zacharias the highest paid boss of France.

Bollor? shows a strong increase in its net profit in 2009

Posted by admin on March 27th, 2010

The Bollor? Group has published a net income of the group stood at 94 million euros, against 50 million in 2008 (88%), under the year 2009 on the basis of a consolidated turnover down 17% to 6.011 billion euros. A decline that the group attributes to "the decline in oil prices in the energy distribution and the decrease in volumes and freight rates in the transport and logistics business.

The company services transport and logistics explains the increase in its net profit in part by that of its operating profit by 21% to 174 million euros and also by increased participation in the net associates at 72 million euros in 2009 against 125 million euros in 2008 make quick cash .The group said in a statement that these 72 million euros, 65 million from investments in the media sector (Havas, Aegis, Euromedia Group).

Bollor? submit in June for approval to the next General Assembly of shareholders a dividend of 1.30 euro (18%).

Havas, which Bollore is the largest shareholder, issued last Tuesday, down more than 11% of its net profit to 92 million euros and 8.1% of its turnover of 1.44 billion 'euros.

Sarkozy ready for a crisis with Europe on the CAP

Posted by admin on March 25th, 2010

The President of the Republic Nicolas Sarkozy, who delivered his first speech after the defeat of the right in regional elections, said he was ready for a "crisis in Europe" to save the common agricultural policy and confirmed that it had not abandon the carbon tax. He tbc it was postponed and must establish the "European level".

Moreover, Nicolas Sarkozy has argued that the EU should "assume that the productivity of its business" and the development of its uses should not be on the bottom of unfair competition.

On this last point, it must, according to the head of the French state, "simple principles and common sense, without which living together is not possible."Remarks that echo those of Christine Lagarde, set mid-March to Finanial Times.La Economy Minister had expressed doubts on the German model, very competitive, but at the expense of the rest of Europe, which has yet need for "greater convergence cash till payday .

Nicolas Sarkozy intends to "continue the reforms" and "continue to reduce (our) labor costs and investment" and refuses any new tax increase. "

All to save the CAP

A crisis in Europe? Nicolas Sarkozy did not say no, if it saves the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).The Head of State said refuse "to accept the dismantling of the common agricultural policy and leave the speculation fix erratic agricultural prices that would not allow our farmers to make a decent living from the fruit of their labor."

At the Salon of Agriculture, where he held a round table – a first – with all unions representing agriculture, the President proposed 800 million euros of additional loans, and 50 million more in cuts financial costs for the old loans.

Berlin wants to overtax its banks

Posted by admin on March 23rd, 2010

From our correspondent in Berlin

This was over a year that Angela Merkel had banks in the crosshairs. Embittered by the irresponsible behavior and the "greed" of some institutions, the Chancellor had promised to pay the banks their share of responsibility in the financial crisis that has hit Germany hard. Monday, his government announced the creation of a special fund financed by a tax on banks to help stabilize the industry crisis.

"A levy bearable by the banks is expected to finance the costs of future crises. The samples will go into a fund that will finance the costs of restructuring in a crisis, "said the spokesman of the Ministry of Finance, Michael Offer.Berlin was said to want to establish a fund to ensure "the dismantling or the stabilization of banks in crisis, involving the financial sector so that the taxpayer has to pay much more in case of banking crisis.

Berlin has not released details of the fund, which should amount to several billion euros, according to German media. Neither the levies. The Finance Minister Wolfgang Sch?uble said that it should consider the role and weight of a bank in the economy. "It is important that the ability of banks to lend is not hampered by this levy," said Michael Offer, while "the danger of a credit crunch still exists.The bill would make a difference between banks deemed "serious" as the savings banks – Sparkassen – and the institutions that generate significant profits through speculation, which will be most heavily taxed guaranteed fast personal loans! !???!!!???!!!.

IMF proposal

The decision came after a meeting between leaders of the three main parties in the ruling coalition at the Chancellery, which could well see a rare show of unity. "We all agree that those responsible for the crisis also pay the consequences," said Vice-Chancellor and leader of the Liberal Party (FDP), Guido Westerwelle.We can not all be done on the backs of taxpayers. "The bill should be debated and adopted at a special Council of Ministers, March 31, in the presence of the French Finance Minister, Christine Lagarde.

Berlin hopes to run at full speed during the Franco-German push for a European initiative along the same lines and get a "strong international coordination" in regulating the banking sector. An international conference on financial regulation is expected in Berlin May 27

With the crisis, many countries want to overtax the banks, including the United States and Great Britain. The U.S. administration is considering two samples: one for the Treasury to repay the funds provided to the financial sector during the 2008-2009 crisis, the other to pay for future banking crises, without using taxpayers' money.Very controversial in the United States, the tax favored by the EU and IMF, which should make proposals to that effect in April.

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Tidjane will not at Societe Generale

Posted by admin on March 20th, 2010

The announcement of the ambition of Societe Generale to enter the boss of iconic Prudential to its Board of Directors has made much noise on the Paris market. The leader of the British insurer eventually declined the offer of the French bank yesterday, twenty-four hours after Societe Generale said it had offered a seat on its Board of Directors.

Tidjane was "very flattered to have been chosen for the post of independent director at Societe Generale," calling the bank "remarkable company."He justified his decision by the challenges it faces today: "My priority is to continue to focus on achieving strong results for our shareholders, and the success of the strategic transaction with AIG, and the 'integration that follows. "

More than a personal choice, his refusal would have been motivated primarily by strong opposition from shareholders of Prudential to this project. These are indeed alarmed at the proposal of Societe Generale, fearing that Tidjane not dispersed at the crucial moment of the acquisition by Prudential's Asian operations of AIG.

"PORTRAIT – Tidjane breaks through glass ceiling

The property sector shows optimism

Posted by admin on March 18th, 2010

Meeting this week in Cannes to show the real estate professionals around the world were rather optimistic, anticipating economic recovery, after having faced the most serious crisis the industry since the mid 90s.

The total investment in real estate business in 56 major countries is expected to jump 30% to 478 billion dollars (362 billion euros) this year compared to 2009, low point of the crisis, after a dive 23% in one year, according to a study by Cushman & Wakefield Council. Including a forecast bolstered by the outcome of the Director General of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who said Wednesday that global economic recovery was "better than expected, with 4% projected growth this year after a recession in 2009.

But "if the economies of Europe, Middle East and Africa emerging from recession, economic recovery will not be uniform in these regions, warns a study by Jones Lang LaSalle board. However, with the hope of restarting the economy, coupled with the attitude of banks willing to finance new projects demonstrating good profitability, the construction sector seems to go back online payday advance !!!???!! !???!!!.

A tower of 37 floors of Defense

The French bank Societe Generale has thus acquired the rights to build a tower of 180 meters and 37 floors in La Defense, the largest European business district, located in the northwestern suburbs of Paris."This is a strong indicator of release of the housing crisis", said to AFP Philippe Chaix, Director General of EPAD, public planning of Defense.

The same optimism prevails as well in Montreal, on the North American continent, to Barcelona in Spain, yet one of the countries most affected by the crisis although it was most struck residential property.

The 21st International Market Professionals Real Estate (MIPIM) in Cannes hosted 18,000 participants (exhibitors and visitors), from 78 countries, the same number as in 2009 but down 36% compared to 2008, according Nadine Castagna, Director of MIPIM. To confirm whether the recovery is quite the appointment in 2010, professionals will meet from November 10 to 12 at MIPIM Asia in Hong Kong.

easyJet considers penalized by ADP

Posted by admin on March 18th, 2010

It's a tradition. The low-cost companies stigmatize the benefits of the former national companies who claim themselves of differential payroll with low costs.

The Association of European low-cost airline called in Brussels on Wednesday to launch an investigation into state aid granted to Swedish companies SAS, Malev Hungarian, Czech and Spanish Spanair CSA. In France, it was easyJet, which folded this year on Wednesday, declaring that the new policy of economic regulation that prepares Aeroports de Paris (ADP) continues a tradition of support to Air France.

ADP, which froze the royalties in 2010, proposes an average increase of 1.38% per annum from 2011 to 2015. But the freezing of airport charges in 2010 because of the crisis, conceal lower landing fees and parking a share, offset by an increase in passenger fees other."This pricing policy penalizes low-costs that have high rates of filling and favors Air France going for her clients in aircraft to three quarters empty for the lead on its hub," explains Fran?ois Bacchetta, CEO of easyJet in France. He said the British company pays royalties for a larger Paris-Toulouse full 85% Air France aircraft with a full 70%.

Competition with Air France

Questioned on the subject, ADP recalls having spent half of its 3 billion euro investment from 2006 to 2010 in the development of its terminals. "It is normal that the passenger charge to follow this evolution," said a spokesman of the group.

The British company also points a possible loss of the French network.The maintenance of this system of royalties could, she said, forcing her to abandon branch lines, more economically risky and focus on the most profitable routes in direct competition with Air France.

This strategy of direct competition with Air France is special easyJet, unlike Ryanair, which focuses on regional airports and routes not served by Air France. easyJet has opened a dozen roads in France since the beginning of the year and announced it will always profit at the end of the year.

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Car: Renault and PSA honored

Posted by admin on March 16th, 2010

The automotive industry has yet taken advantage of the premium for scrap in February. The new car sales rose in February from 3.2% a year, said Tuesday the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA). Just over one million vehicles were registered in Europe (EU and Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, but not Cyprus and Malta).

The increase in sales to 7.9% on the first two months of the year, ACEA said. But compared to pre-crisis in January and February 2008, registrations were down by 15% and 16%, said she.

The differences between the different European markets have increased compared to January. Countries like France, Italy and the UK still benefiting from the effects of scrapping bonus with dramatic increases in registrations respectively 18.2%, 20.6% and 26.4%. Spain has seen its sales off by 47%.In contrast, Germany, which has exhausted its position to support the sector, recorded the worst results in Europe, with a fall of 19.5%.

This buoyant market at arm's length by car scrapping has been particularly successful with French brands payday advance lender . Renault (Renault and Dacia brands) has seen its sales jump 30% on a year to 109,663 units, the PSA group (Peugeot and Citroen) of 18.4% to 149,128 units. The Volkswagen Group (Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda), European champion in the sector has recorded its share of sales decreased by 1.7% to 207,969 vehicles.

Renault in third place

Other brands, Fiat sees sales increase of 12.4%. In the high-end, sales of BMW rose 6.3% thanks to the Mini (+22.7%) while those of Daimler sank 9.7%.Among non-European groups, Toyota saw its sales fall by 7.6%, General Motors (Opel, Chevrolet, Saab) of 2.8% and 13% of Suzuki. In contrast, Nissan rose 32.1%, Korean Kya 26.8% and 24.5% of Hyundai.

Vokswagen The group maintains its first place in the European rankings, with 20.1% market share. PSA is in second place (14.4%). In third place, its good results enable Renault (10.8%) than Ford (10.1%).

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France Telecom blamed for "mobbing"

Posted by admin on March 14th, 2010

The veil is lifted gradually. The Labor Inspectorate, in charge of investigating the wave of suicides that has struck France Telecom, has submitted its report to the prosecutor of Paris, February 4 last. According to Le Parisien / Today in France this Saturday, this 82-page report clearly denounced the "political restructuring" implemented by the former management team of the operator in 2006.

The warning had been given

Based on the survey conducted by the firm Technologia since December 14 last, with 500 employees of France Telecom, the labor inspector, Sylvie Catala said that the former management has been warned "repeatedly" effects produced by its management policy of "health workers".Doctors labor union representatives, regional fund Medicare and "even justice" have sounded the alarm since 2006.

Neither worked. Management has maintained the course and put in place its plan Next, aimed at "improving the efficiency, effectiveness and productivity" of France Telecom. By what means? The removal of 22,000 jobs in three years and the transfer of 10,000 people to regions and / or different jobs.In its indictment, the inspection work is directly involved three people: Didier Lombard, the former CEO of the group replaced by St?phane Richard 1 March but retains chairmanship non-operational, Louis-Pierre Wenes, former director Operations France and Olivier Barberot, former director of human resources, both landed in the heart of the storm check cash advance .

The reorganization at any price

Thus, the inspector cites including about Olivier Barberot required to Staff Group in 2006, referring to the plane Next: "I will have failed if we do not the 22,000 departures. For the group, is 7 billion of cash flow. "The reorganization should be done.At the risk of certain employees remain "at the roadside," according to a formula used by Louis-Pierre Wenes at a convention this year 2006.

The conclusion of the inspection work is final. The organization of work implemented by the management of France Telecom is "likely to cause serious harm to the health of workers, it is written in the document shown by Le Parisien / Today in France. An accusation which excludes the regional operator. The latter "have merely applied the methods and decisions taken at the highest level of the group."

This questioning of France Telecom, which has complained about fifty suicides since 2008, echoed in another report from the inspection work on the floor of Besancon in January, following the suicide of an employee in the Doubs in August last.His verdict: "homicide by imprudence".


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