Daily International Headlines

Many companies have awarded the famous "dividend premium against" backwards. And in fact, the amounts paid are far from the expectations of the government, says a study by Deloitte from the first returns of negotiations in companies. As Labour Minister, Xavier Bertrand, was on the table before the payment of a premium of 700 euros per employee in companies that have paid dividends on the rise, the real turn around more than 300 euros. As for the maximum amount paid, it tops out at 600 euros.

Two reasons. The first is that the premium desired by Nicolas Sarkozy to "restore the purchasing power of employees in times of recovery," has been perceived by most companies as an additional constraint than an opportunity to motivate their troops.The premium has indeed added to the devices sharing the existing value, such as profit-sharing, mandatory for companies with over 50 employees who make a profit. "This is even more disturbing that the incentive for the prisoner has recently been tightened," says Emmanuelle Rivez-Domont, a lawyer in employment law at the firm Jones Day.

The other factor is the economic context. "Uncertainty room makes companies cautious," says Philippe Burger, a partner at Deloitte. The evolution of the economic situation is also evident throughout the negotiations. "Before the trouble was and he threw in the financial markets, companies thought given bonuses of around 500-600 euros payday loans guaranteed no fax. Today, the discussions revolve more around 150 euros to 200 euros per employee, "says Philip Burger.The crisis reduced the premium to a trickle.

Wage increases slightly affected

Some companies, such as Rhodia, were more generous than others. But it should not enjoy these raw numbers, without putting them in connection with the incentive policy, participation or wage increase of the company, the consultant warns. "Some companies had the tools to share value added very generous, and that worked well. Explain what they have paid premiums less important, "said he.

The study also brings its share of surprises. The dividend premium against does not seem to negatively impacted as wages were concerned that the trade unions. While most companies recognize that its influence is not neutral, only 10% of them say they have reduced the envelope increases the amount of the premium.And they are more than 60% to estimate its impact on wages has been small.

Companies have until 31 October to agree on the amount of the premium, or they are liable to criminal sanction. Evidence that firms do not rush, only one in two has already ended its negotiations on the subject. "Given the mandatory nature of these discussions, and urgency, companies are simple, says the consultant. They also generally a fixed amount equal to each employee. But if the premium is sustained, they could eventually refine their criteria for distribution. "

The CAC 40 is gives a little bit of air. Having lost 0.92% Wednesday, the stock market has gleaned a few points on Thursday, rising 1.07% to 3027.65 points. Investors have been somewhat reassured by the adoption unambiguously by the German parliament building of the European financial stability, designed to assist countries in the euro area in need. During the election, 523 deputies in the assembly which has 620 members voted "yes." And German Chancellor Angela Merkel was finally able to count on the support of his majority, 15 out of 350 MPs who defected.To discuss the plan to end the crisis, President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee will tomorrow afternoon Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou.

Elsewhere in Europe, financial markets have ended in no particular order: the Dax in Frankfurt Stock Exchange gained 1.10% to 5639.58 points while the London FTSE lost 0.40% to 5196.84 points.

U.S. GDP revised upward

At this good news were added two macroeconomic indicators on encouraging U.S. economic health in America no fax payday loans. The weekly jobless claims fell in the week to September 24, at 391,000 against 428,000 the previous week. In addition, the gross domestic product (GDP) was U.S. revised upward for the second quarter, up 1.3% of gross domestic product.

In this context, the industry finally has clearly supported the Paris stock exchange.The three main French banks and post three of the four largest increases in the CAC 40. Societe Generale rose 5.82% to 21.08 euros, BNP Paribas has acquired 5.01% to 31.14 euros and Credit Agricole rose 4.37% to 5.40 euros. The insurer Axa also benefits from this renewed optimism, the title winner 2.85% to 10.28 euros.

EADS, which has won more than 4% over the last two sessions, continued to grow after that Airbus has won its bid on the Danish Satair, gaining 96.7% of the company. The stock rose 1.50% to 21.59 euros. For its part, EDF announced an order for 44 steam generators for nuclear power plants of 1300 megawatts and French gains 1.40% to 22.13 euros.

It's a real bolt from the French audiovisual landscape. Wednesday morning the Competition Authority has just withdrawn the authorization in 2006 to Canal + to buy its rival TPS. Result, Canal + and its parent Vivendi will re-notify their proposed acquisition of TPS before the competition authority in a one-month periods. In addition, the authority sanctioning Canal + up to 30 million euros.

The reason for this? The Competition Authority considers that Canal + has not complied with several of the 59 commitments made during this operation.These commitments were supposed to ensure that the encrypted string abuses its dominant position in pay TV.

Among the reasons for this heavy penalty, the Competition Authority Canal + accuses of not having available to third party distributors (telecom operators and their channel packages on ADSL) in a timely manner the seven channels mentioned in the commitments. Worse, the Canal + group would deliberately degraded the quality of TPS Star, the only pay channel capable of competing with its own channel Canal +. Finally, the group led by Bertrand Meheut failed to comply with certain commitments regarding relationships with independent channels.Clearly, it takes advantage of its dominant position to impose commercial conditions "opaque and potentially discriminatory"

Gendarme Competition

All of these unfulfilled commitments had been badly negotiated in 2006, on the redemption of GST. Telecom operators, Orange had in mind battled against Canal +. The Competition Authority had imposed severe conditions, but Canal +, no one has apparently ignored it.

With this decision, the Competition Authority comes on strong. She returns to the operation which allowed Canal + to eliminate competition in the market for pay television. Above all, the competition watchdog the fact at a time when Canal + ready to leverage its position in pay television to attack the free TV market with the acquisition of Direct 8 Direct and Star.

In a brief statement, the Canal + Group announced this morning that he took "note of the decision of the Competition Authority to date. He noted the highly unusual and disproportionate in relation to alleged breaches identified and appropriate action will commit. "

For the audiovisual group chaired by Bertrand Meheut, "it is naturally not possible to challenge a merger that's almost five years. The Competition Authority sees clearly in this decision means to force the group CHANNELS + to enter into new commitments, applicable beyond the end of those foreseen in the 2006 authorization, "said he.

ALSO READ:

"DOCUMENT – The decision of the Competition Authority

"Canal + TV enters the plain by buying Direct 8

Faced with medical deserts, the government has waived any measure requiring private practitioners to work in under-dense area – including those that had voted early in the five-year term. The risk is too great to discourage a little more vocatyions, including general practitioners, he believes. Faced with medical deserts, the government has waived any measure requiring private practitioners to go to work in under-dense area, including the measures he had to vote early in the five-year term. The risk is high, he believes, to discourage vocations, including GPs. He is now working to promote the latest incentives.

Secretary of State for Health, Nora Berra, now goes to the Faculty of Medicine of Dijon in order to praise the "contract of public service," Bachelot innovation of the law of 2009.Principle: a medical student can receive, since its second year, an allowance of 1200 euros gross per month until the end of his studies. In exchange, he agrees to settle in an area lacking doctors (country or suburbs, in most cases) and to exercise for an equivalent duration.

For 2010-2011 academic year of entry into force of the device, 400 contracts were budgeted. In the end, 148 were signed. "It's a good score, given that the measure was introduced later, just before summer 2010. The momentum is there, "said Nora Berra. Volunteers are, to two-thirds of students at the beginning of course – rather than external or internal, who are already receiving compensation from the hospital. "Do not have to worry about financing their studies they can focus on their career, says the secretary of state.And often to realize that working in these areas respond to their aspirations: quality of life, group exercise, part-time in which many women aspire, and the idea of ​​being a real doctor. "Another advantage, even if not the primary objective of the scheme: "It will encourage young people from poor families to engage in a long course, so expensive."

Communication to strengthen

The success of this contract is very uneven, however: 93% of available contracts were sold in Burgundy, in Picardy 79%, 67% Limousin and central, but 10% in Britain and none in Languedoc-Roussillon. For Nora Berra, these differences are due to ignorance of the device: some regional health agencies have promoted less than others.Communication will be strengthened.

Another obstacle has been lifted: the signatories now have the certainty of being affected in their area of ​​study, and no longer will run the risk – rather theoretical – have imposed an installation at the other end of the France, except to express themselves this wish. In 2011-2012, 400 new contracts will be offered, and all subsequent years. The cost to the state peak at 29 million euros per year in 2015.

The most obvious common point between 2008 and 2011 is obviously the rout of bank shares. Monday, for example, Crédit Agricole was at a record low.

Other signals, less visible but more alarming, are pressed to bright red in recent weeks. They relate to the refinancing of banks, that is to say their ability to borrow from the market – every day, every week, every semester or ten years – according to their needs and the life of their assets. The price of these loans exploded in Europe, he returned, on average, three months, its levels of spring 2009. Money is also more rare: the U.S. money market funds, major providers of short-term liquidity, have stopped their relationships with banks in Italy and Spain, and very significantly reduced their lending in Germany and France.Finally, deposits with Central Bank (ECB) swell again (more than 150 billion euros on Friday night), indicating that financial institutions prefer to entrust their surplus rather than lend it to others.

The symptoms are largely the same as in 2008. Yet the nature of the crisis is different. Three years ago, she found its roots in the defeat of the U.S. mortgage market, the famous subprime. Today is the public debt which is the mainspring of mistrust.

Doubts about the ability of European states to repay their loans undermine the banks. Because, on the Old Continent, 8% of banking assets – 3,000 billion – are sovereign debt, the banks are in Europe, part of the monetary system.Second, markets are finding that European political institutions are so far failed to implement a concerted and lasting solution. And if the Greek plan is not working, financial institutions should make provisions massive.

In 2008, financial stocks on the stock market knew a massacre led by the bad news from the front and U payday loan lenders.S. real estate mortgage. Today, they live to the rhythm of political Europe. The rout of bank shares yesterday was fueled by the regional election defeat Angela Merkel on Sunday, the delay of Italy on its austerity plan, and tensions emerged between Athens and the IMF.

Controversy with the IMF

Under these conditions, the remedies to the crisis can not be the same as those implemented three years ago.At the time, states had largely replaced the market to provide capital to banks and liquidity on a daily basis that they lacked. Today, Treasuries no longer have necessarily the means. The needs of banks are not necessarily the same. In terms of capital first. The controversy continues to rage on the appeal of Christine Lagarde to recapitalize, if necessary by force and public funds, European banks. These have yet raised $ 414 billion of capital since 2008 (against 314 billion U.S.), recalled Monday the International Institute of Finance. "A forced recapitalization would signal that policy makers do not believe the success of their measures," complained the head of Deutsche Bank, Josef Ackermann.

Regarding liquidity, strong strains may not lead necessarily to a global asphyxia as in 2008.The valves of the central banks are now more wide open than they were at the time. And meanwhile, the banks have loosened their funding constraints in the short term. In Europe, they have raised $ 544 billion of debt this year, for up to 90% of their needs for the entire year. A situation that does not allow to exclude an "accident" in a particular bank. And leaves intact the concerns for 2012.

Rosneft has finally found a partner to conquer the Russian Arctic shelf. Three months after the failure of an agreement with the British group BP, the oil giant has signed an alliance "strategic" with the American ExxonMobil.

The agreement first announced by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin states that "approximately $ 3.2 billion will be spent in exploration blocks in the Kara Sea in the Arctic and a block in the Black Sea "said the two groups in a joint statement. These two regions "are among the most promising areas offshore and least explored in the world, 'the two partners. The area under the Arctic ice is released almost a hundred days a year, Moscow had absolutely need the contribution of Western technology to carry out its work cash advance payday loan.

Meanwhile, the Russian group wins the opportunity to participate in exploration work conducted by Exxon in North America, particularly in the United States in the fields of offshore Gulf of Mexico and Texas. This alliance could represent direct investment up to 200 to 300 billion dollars.

If the CEO of Rosneft Khoudaïnatov Edward points out that the agreement "is the result of years of cooperation with ExxonMobil," it comes just months after the Russian giant has turned the page of a strategic alliance with BP, which provided an exchange of shares weighing 16 billion.

ALSO READ:

"Russia: € 3.6 billion of recourse against BP

For his arrival in France, Banana Republic offers a prime location: the Champs-Elysees. At the bottom of the avenue, sunny side, work has just begun. The Gap Group, owner of the sign, hoping his inauguration in early December naviral Admiral Paris, next to the shop and in front of the Adidas Abercrombie & Fitch.

"After the success of our new stores in London and Milan, we found the right time and the right location for us to launch in Paris," says Sonia Syngal, who oversees Gap's European operations. On two floors and 1,500 square meters, the brand of "affordable luxury" – as this group – will present its Ready-to-wear for men and women in chic and classic style, at prices close to those of Sandro and Maje , signs in French of the moment.In the mid-dresses (from 85 euros) and trench coats (from 189 euros), guests will find the same accessories and care products.

With a multilingual concierge and personal stylists, "This store has the ambition to become a major destination for Parisians and visitors from France and abroad," says Stephen Sunnucks, President of Gap International Group.

Born in 1978 in the United States, five years later bought by Gap, Banana Republic is still little known on this side of the Atlantic. Since October 2010, the French and the inhabitants of 24 European countries can also purchase the pants and shirts of the brand on the Internet. But the first European Banana Republic store was opened in early 2008 in London, in the shopping of Regent Street.Five other outlets have been opened since Britain, and other launches are planned this year and in 2012. Banana Republic has also planted a flag second in Italy last November. The store in Milan is a great success by group, who does not wish to provide figures. He expects the same home in Paris, but it is "too to think about other openings in France," said Sonia Syngal, which has not yet finalized the launch of marketing operations.

Seven new countries by the end of the year

Struggling in its home market for years, Gap, which also owns brands Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta, setting internationally to find a second wind. Only 20% of $ 14.7 billion in sales in the group of clothing last year came from abroad.By the end of 2013, this share should be increased to 30%, counting both the activity of physical networks Gap and Banana Republic and that of its other subsidiaries on the Internet.

In late June, the group had shops in 34 countries and could be delivered in 114 countries. "We enter seven new countries by the end of the year, the highest number for a single semester ever," said Glenn Murphy, CEO of Gap, in the presentation of interim results .

The CAC 40 is risky there twice this month. He was immediately returned. The threshold of 3000 points, as seen on the Paris market was down on Thursday 11 and Friday, August 19. On Monday morning, the Paris index recurred, opening down 0.85% to 2989.60 points. But again, it started to rise immediately after slipping below 3000, and closed on Monday evening at 3051.36 points (1.14%), having flown over 3100 points During the session this afternoon.

The level of 3000 points may well not be a technical threshold (it does not automatically trigger a sell order or purchase), it still plays a role of "support" on which the market arises before rebounding .Daniel Gravier, Head of Sales Trading at XTB France, believes that "this psychological level is transcribed in the courts and thus returns to a technical threshold."

The cross downward psychological sounded an alarm in markets which do not have a habit of getting carried away by their feelings. Professional traders define their purpose of orders passages through complex mathematical calculations, generated by high-powered software that constantly scan the share price indices, securities, commodities and all that is listed in order to predict the best time to invest or sell. And to build the software, the banks are recruiting the cream of engineers. But in this world of numbers, there is also a psychological dimension.So, see the CAC 40 fell below 3,000 points spurred the market to recover.

"This is a symbolic level, for its part says Harry Sebag, an analyst at Saxo Bank. In times of great nervousness, while visibility is poor, investors cling to benchmarks in the short term payday loans. It's an excuse to reposition itself for purchase. This morning, we felt that the markets began to rebound because the shares had suffered a significant discount. " And hope for regime change in Libya was a good news for oil companies operating in the country, making a breath of excitement to the Paris Bourse.

"Safeguards" but also to accelerate the panic

"These thresholds are safeguards on which the market rebounds," says Harry Sebag. But the psychological effects of contracts may jégalement ouer a role accelerator panic attacks.The violent stalls indices observed recently on global stock markets have shown. In Paris the CAC 40 fell by 32.4% since July 1, affected by short-term concerns (the debt crisis in the euro zone, bad macroeconomic indicators in the U.S. and deteriorating debt rating for American Standard & Poor's), but not only. "In late July, the market downturn downward was rational, said Jean-Louis Mourier, an analyst at Aurel BCG. However, the extent of movement and the high volatility experienced by markets in recent days show an overreaction. "

The index in Paris he could sink even lower? The scenario is possible if the disappointing macroeconomic indicators continue to grow and corporate earnings in the third quarter does not reassure investors, said Harry Sebag.Saxo Bank analyst would watch while the threshold indicated by the software, around 2850 points or even 2500 points. "But I hope we will not get to that," he adds.

The panic would still blow time on banking stocks on an exchange. In any case, what predicts Frederic Oudéa, CEO of Societe Generale, in an interview with Journal du Dimanche. The latter ensures that "nervousness can last at least until early November," that is to say at the time of publication of third quarter results.

This period will provide an opportunity for banks to prove to investors that they are doing well. Starting with Societe Generale, whose share price has further declined by almost 16% last week."We will have the opportunity to communicate to the market that the bank has no liquidity problems, its activity is healthy and that its investment capacities are intact," says Frédéric Oudéa, who had made similar remarks after that his institution has been a rumor about his health.

Wait and see

According to the head of the French bank, the sector is the first victim "of downward revisions of global growth prospects" and "doubts about the debt of the euro area". Markets therefore expect political decisions from the United States, France and Germany. But these "slow" because of the elections in these countries prepare themselves."You can see a waiting period," warns the leader then.

This will be even greater that there is a lag time between taking a political decision and its implementation, said the head of Societe Generale. For Europe in particular, "the area in need of economic convergence, integration of tax policies. That will not happen as fast as the markets want. "

According to Frédéric Oudéa, global stock markets in any case "slipped into excessive pessimism." The fear of a global recession, which shook investors, moreover, has no place: "What we see confirms our expectations. The second quarter marked a break. We said that growth in developed countries would be moderate. Things will balance but it will take time. "

No takeover bid for SocGen on

In this interview, Frederick Oudéa also ensures that the bank he heads will not be the subject of a takeover bid, despite the sharp drop in its share price. "I see no looming strategic move," said he. "It will happen in Europe if the bank nothing is happening in Europe at all. Industry consolidation will not intervene if the situation does not change. There should be no movement before attending two or three years. "

ALSO READ:

"Euro area: new fears of bank liquidity

"The banks again in the heart of the storm

"The authorities want to limit stock market speculation

"SPECIAL – Depression, fear of debt

Fifty-two euros to pay for a Paris-Bordeaux, 10.30 euros for connecting Lyon to Chambery, 87 km. At the time of taking the road to return from holiday, motorists have difficulty digesting the prices of French motorways. They do not understand either why the toll rates rose by an average of 2.24% in February last, while inflation rose only 1.5% in 2010.

These prices are even more crowded than the major networks (ASF, Escota, Cofiroute, APRR, Area, Sanef, AWS …) belonging to the majors in construction (Vinci, Eiffage, Abertis), making profits accumulated very comfortable : 1.5 billion euros, for a total turnover of 9 billion last year.Jean Mesqui, the managing director of ASFA (Association of French Motorway Companies), categorically denies any suspicion of wealth on the backs of motorists, "These results are used primarily to repay the debt incurred by the operators 2005 to redeem these networks to the state 15.4 billion, "says he.

No doubt. But the disparities in prices recorded on motorways for journeys have a way similar to annoy motorists. According to the latest issue of 60 million consumers, a trip from Paris to Nantes so expensive (more than 33 euros) a Paris-Toulouse, 300 km with less. Again, Jean Mesqui disclaims any liability for motorway concession. "These disparities existed in the privatization in 2005, he argues. The state says he does everything for convergence rates.But it will take twenty years. "

Another black tariffs on recent highway. On the A65, which links Bordeaux to Pau, which opened in December 2010, the kilometer is equivalent to 11 cents, against 7 cents on the A1 between Paris and Lille payday loans. Inflation this time due to … Europe. Since 1998, Brussels forbids dealers to finance new highways by their former networks already amortized. So they compensate by setting toll rates higher.

There is still a sore subject: the "expansion", a practice that is to massively increase tolls on the busiest sections and moderate increases on routes less traveled. Starting this year, the administration banned dealers to engage in that game"But she did not return what had been established earlier, said Daniel Discalced, Chairman of the Committee infrastructure and mobility of the association of 40 million motorists. Suddenly, a Paris-Le Mans motorway is much more expensive if we make the journey directly if you come out several times to enter the highway a few miles away. "

The toll is sometimes used to 'green' network

Moreover, the commitments of the "green package" to make more environmentally friendly highways, leaving a more skeptical. For a one-year extension of their concessions, companies that belong to Vinci (ASF, Cofiroute, Escota) and those of Abertis (Sanef, AWS) have agreed to invest one billion to green their networks.But on closer inspection, two thirds of the work initiated in this context concern the implementation of electronic toll.

Barriers that prevent good to stop reducing pollution, but they also allow operators to cut jobs to tolls and sell badges needed to benefit from these facilities. This example confirms that the motorway companies are there to make money. But is it really a surprise and a bad thing for private groups?