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More than a month after the fiasco of the France team in South Africa, the French professional football is definitely getting worse. While professional football league (LFP) expected at worst to a deficit of 150 million euros, the National Monitoring Directorate Management (DNCG) has recently established its report on the finances of French professional clubs. And the finding is instructive: their accumulated loss stood at 180 million euros for the 2009-2010 season, including 140 million for the Ligue 1 clubs. Record. The precedent dating from the 2002-2003 season with a deficit of 167 million.

And yet, the French professional clubs we were accustomed to much better in recent years. "This deficit is due more to a sharp decline in revenue related to shipments by a sharp increase in spending that we had already seen last year," said Vincent warmShe expert sports Ineum Consulting.Today, the situation is simple, both for small than for large clubs: he must sell players first and then build his team. This is far from easy. Why?

Spanish and English clubs are more buyers

Their main "clients", English and Spanish clubs, bear the brunt of the economic crisis and could not like each year to buy the best French players. And unlike like the French clubs do not hesitate to buy great players, the calculation is done quickly. "This deficit is a matter of timing. French football is constantly lagging behind the economic cycle.The French clubs have spent much of last year through the renegotiation of TV contracts in 2006, and the establishment of the right to collective image (which exempts a portion of payroll taxes to pay athletes, can not exceed 30% of the total, Ed), whose clubs n (were really benefit in 2009, "said Vincent warmShe.

Although we are far from 800 million euros of debt the English club Chelsea in January erased by its Russian owner Roman Abramovich. But the fact that this ad is not necessarily good news when we know that UEFA is planning to launch its draft financial fair play in UEFA's two years at the initiative of … France. Thus, from the 2012-2013 season, clubs will no longer spend more than they earn.Again, the French clubs are not the worst placed in terms of expenditure, but in terms of income, they are far from being the first …

If one were to summarize the 2010 summer transfer window, we would call dull. Like any economic activity, football suffers from the crisis. Marseille and Lyon have already purchased a lot last year and Paris and Bordeaux have had a sporting season 2009-2010 more than complicated. Thus, the OM has bought Andre-Pierre Gignac and Loic Remy because they sold Mamadou Niang (at Turkish club Fenerbahce) and lent Hatem Ben Arfa (at English club Newcastle).

Aulas has made "a little fun"

What about Lyon? Until the "little pleasure" that became Jean-Michel Aulas, the Lyon president of purchasing Yoann Gourcuff for $ 22 million last Tuesday, the club Lyon had previously spent only 6 million euros with the former Rennes Jimmy Briand.Far from 82 million spent a year earlier. "Unlike the big Italian clubs, English or Spanish, French clubs can not afford a repeat of" such "transfer window several times. The DNCG requires them to control their spending. And when the crisis gets involved … "Says one expert.

Last year like this year, Lyon as Marseille have sold less and less purchased. But the fact remains the same: they have spent more than sold. The OL has purchased $ 28 million and sold for 3 million in summer 2010 transfer window (82 million against 45.5 million in the transfer window in 2009). For the OM, the losses amount to 13 million euros in the summer 2010 transfer window (about 23 million euros in the transfer window in 2009). For their part, had to sell Gourcuff Bordeaux to balance its accounts and finally Paris Saint Germain all the trouble to sell his "big bucks" to be able to buy a defender. The crisis affects everyone.Relatively speaking …

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"We are confident in the future," says Olivier Piou, CEO of Gemalto, with BFM Radio, which recently released its results on Thursday for the first half of 2010. So much so that the specialist manufacturer of digital security and smart cards, SIM cards and electronic passports is a turnover of one billion euros in the second half. "The acquisitions made early nosu costs a little money, but we must continue to invest. We can because we are confident, "says CEO of Gemalto. Gemalto has "changed dimension. Now we're a start-up. When I arrived in the company, I do not think I'd still be in office with such a turnover, "he says.

"Lack of communication of the group"

A trust that does not necessarily share the financial markets.At 9:30, the action Gemalto shows a decrease of 4.28% to 28.19 euros in a market up 1.07%, the largest drop in the SRD. "This drop is excessive, an analyst who follows reacts value. The elements that have affected the first half performance was known. The discrepancy between results and expectations of the market indicates a lack of communication from the group. "

Gemalto in line with the consensus

However, the group released under the first-half turnover of 840 million euros, up 5% at current exchange rates. "We accelerated our offers have been very well received, because they correspond to a real need," said Olivier Piou. There is a real market potential of contactless payments, particularly in Africa and South Asia.In France, we are in trouble because we took too far ahead. "

The group's net profit amounted to 63 million euros, down 7.35% from a year earlier. "Today, the consensus of analysts is around 200 million euros profit the year is well within our range," says Olivier Piou. In 2009, the group posted a net profit of 148 million euros.

No new acquisitions

In addition, Gemalto first half operating profit down 15.2% to 67 million euros but he "remains in line with the company plan to increase its result in 2010," the group said in its statement. Gemalto is 300 million euros in income from operating activities in 2013.Of the three main activities of Gemalto, security has the highest increase (+21%) in the first half to 148.2 million euros (17.6% of sales) to the mobile phone (8%) to 451.7 million euros (53.8% of sales) and secure transactions (1%) to 207.4 million euros (24.7% of sales).

After several acquisitions, including the United States and Germany, the group does not provide new acquisitions. Olivier Piou said that Gemalto had to concentrate in the second half on the integration of recent operations.

Radio Silence. Since the leaks to the press last July that Sanofi-Aventis has made an initial offer of $ 69 per share or 18.4 billion dollars, the pharmaceutical company and the American biotechnology company, Genzyme, have decided to no longer communicate on the subject. On the occasion of the publication of the results of the group in late July, the CEO of Sanofi-Aventis, Chris Viehbacher, confirmed to Le Figaro that the group will continue its acquisition policy. "We will continue to make acquisitions. We work on small and medium-sized operations. Small can be up to 5 billion dollars. The averages may reach twenty billion dollars. However, we do not want mega-mergers. ".

Between $ 75 and $ 80

A silence that analysts interpret as the beginning of discussions between the two parties.And, according to The Wall Street Journal, these negotiations have started badly. While Sanofi encamp on his positions, namely an initial offer of 69 dollars per share, the leaders of Genzyme seller would not be below 80 dollars. "I do not see Sanofi pay more than $ 80. However, the shareholders present capital of Genzyme – Relational and Carl Icahn – will not accept offers of less than 75 dollars, "said Hervé Manign, specializing in mergers and acquisitions. If Sanofi-Aventis declined to specify the amount of the envelope before it, the analysts amounting around 20 billion euros. The group comes easily to renegotiate a credit line of $ 7 billion to 2015.

"Sanofi is not obliged to do this operation"

If both parties wish that the discussions continue, they must s'entendrent on the initial offer."Genzyme is a very tempting prey for Sanofi, because it would allow him to catch up on organic products, which have the advantage of being more difficult to generics, said Herve Mangin. But Sanofi is not obliged to do this. On the one hand, an acquisition too expensive tarnish the good investments made by Chris Viehbacher since his arrival at the head of the group. On the other hand, it would force the group to increase its capital, which would reduce the value of the transaction.

A month ago, Sanofi-Aventis published in the second quarter sales up 4.6% to 7.8 billion euros, but down 1.2% at constant exchange rates. Net income from operations rose 7.6% to 2.5 billion (+4.5% at constant exchange rates).If the activity is driven by emerging markets (+19.4% organic growth for the half year), sales in Europe and the United States will continue to decline with further loss of patents, but after 2013 the group remains confident with the launch of new products. Sanofi-Aventis development Jevtana particularly in the treatment of prostate cancer has just been approved in the United States, and iniparib (BS1201) in the treatment of breast cancer.

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Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphics.

ArcelorMittal blows hot and cold. The steelmaker displays uninviting outlook for the third quarter, but he nevertheless kept his goals in the second quarter.

ArcelorMittal plans a third quarter slowed, with lower operating performance. The group on a table and a gross operating surplus (EBITDA) of between 2.1 and 2.5 billion dollars. ArcelorMittal explains that the period will be marked "by a combination of seasonal factors and the effects of economic slowdown in China." The goal of a 10% increase in global demand in 2010, described by the group earlier this year, now seems difficult to achieve.On the other hand, the group's factories, which have operated in the second quarter to 78% of capacity against 80% expected in late April, are expected to slow to about 70%.

Long awaited on the subject, ArcelorMittal also said: "For the second half of the year, the challenge will be to pass all cost increases to our customers."

More encouragingly, the world's largest steelmaker has managed to keep its goals in the second quarter. The steelmaker has unveiled an operating surplus in line with expectations at $ 3 billion after an increase of 150% compared to last year. The net continues, as expected, grow, and was 1.7 billion dollars against a loss of 792 million last year. "The improved second-quarter performance is consistent with our expectations and reflects the continuation of the slow and gradual recovery," said Officer.

An independent company for the stainless activities under study

Turnover was slightly below expectations at 21.65 billion dollars against 23.1 billion expected by the consensus of analysts.

Finally, ArcelorMittal said currently evaluating the possibility of creating a separate company (spin-off) of its stainless steel business. "We have confidence in the future of the stainless steel business and believe that creating a separate company will create further added value for all shareholders," said the group.

The end of the nightmare in the Gulf of Mexico may be close. BP wants to believe in all cases: two days after the start of the crucial test of strength of the new funnel, no sign of leakage was observed. "We have no indication that oil or gas escape" of damaged wells, said the vice-chair of Kent Well. Tested since Thursday, the giant funnel that contains the daily flow pouring millions of gallons of toxic liquid into the ocean, seems to hold good.

Uncertainty remains high: the compressed oil, trapped in the wells blocked by the funnel, eventually creating gaps and spread back into the ocean.According to Thad Allen, head of operations against the oil spill administration, BP must conduct further tests because the measured pressure does not allow to draw definitive conclusions about what is happening inside the well.

High pressure would suggest that well resistance is good and there is no leakage. Low pressure instead leave thinking that oil escaping elsewhere. Admiral Allen said that the pressure increased from 0.1 to 0.6 bar per hour, which was a good sign. But Friday, the level of pressure in the well still left casts "doubt on the possible existence of a leak." On Saturday, Vice President of BP, however, that the pressure inside the well had continued to increase."The fact that the pressure continues to mount gives us more confidence that the test works," he added, stressing that the data are "quite" in the range predicted by the engineers.

The extended testing

As a precaution, the oil company said Saturday it would extend the period of initial testing prévuepour last 48 hours. "We continue in phases of six hours each time. If there is a change in the way we do, we will announce it, "said Mark Salt, a spokesman for BP at the end of this period.

If the test proves successful the well will remain closed until the risk of leak is definitely ruled out by injecting concrete through a relief well. An operation could be completed in early August.However, if a leak is detected, the valve will be reopened and the oil will be pumped to surface ships.

"If we decide to reopen the pit, oil drain into the Gulf for some time," said Mr. Wells, the time to connect the pumping lines at the wellhead. This would obviously a major failure for the oil group that tries since the end of April to contain the largest oil spill in U.S. history.

Since April 22, nearly 520 million gallons of crude that would have flowed into the ocean, estimated Tuesday the International Energy Agency. Even if the leak was finally stopped, Deepwater would remain one of the worst oil spills in history (see graphic below), a nightmare to $ 3.5 billion for BP and irreparable ecological catastrophe.

Jean Arthuis, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and chairman of the centrist Alliance, calls for a revision to bottom of the French tax.

LE FIGARO. – Nicolas Sarkozy said Monday he would keep both the tax shield and the ISF. Defend yourself always the opposite?

Jean ARTHUIS. – Yes. I think we should remove the two devices. The shield is a bad answer to a bad tax, the ISF. This shield has too many defects. It is calculated on income tax, not real income. Its beneficiaries are beyond any possible tax increase. This is clearly not fair.

Precisely, the government released the shield fiscal measures to finance the pensions …

Yes, but suddenly the complexity increases. Daring to break the taboos and radically simplify tax by removing the shield and the ISF.To finance this deletion, I propose to create an additional income tax (IR) to 45% and increase the scale of taxation on capital gains and real estate. I will table an amendment during consideration of the budget 2011, in the fall.

This option does not penalized Does not those with high salaries but little fortune?

No. The rate of 45% is a marginal rate, which would apply that beyond 100,000 euros per share. RI takes into account family responsibilities. And there is a 10% reduction on wages. In fact, it is mostly capital gains on shares or real estate, which enrich.

Should we raise taxes?

France can not escape the tax increases. Because the plan proposed by the Government alone will not reduce the public deficit to 3% of GDP in 2013. The growth assumption of 2.5% is unrealistic and inadequate conservation measures.It lacks about 50 billion euros. Besides reducing costs, I propose that VAT in particular the restoration and renovation for housing increased from 5.5% to a rate between 10% and 12%. To restore our competitiveness and combat unemployment, it would even raise without waiting the standard rate of VAT, currently 19.6%. Funding for Medicare and family policy must no longer weigh on earnings. VAT must take over.

At the risk of penalizing low-income households?

Is there any greater injustice than unemployment? By maintaining too high levies on production, is pushed to the relocation. All taxes are ultimately paid by the consumer. For a company that sees its tax increase raises its price. The additional VAT on imported goods will.

Should we cut more in the niches?

Yes.The tax shelters cost 75 billion euros. They are undermining the social compact, by making the tax illegible, unfair and inefficient. In addition, the pricing becomes artificial. Ultimately, we must consider deleting the niches, and especially stop creating new ones. Without the increase of the reduced rate of VAT, the government will have great difficulty in meeting its commitments, that is to say an economy 10 billion in two years. The overall ceiling should be lowered.

The government is strong enough on public spending?

During the hearings the Committee on Finance, I had the impression that some ministers were not always aware of the savings. However, it will be necessary to act with determination.Hack 66 billion in credit assistance amounts to touch on sensitive issues such as individual housing (PLA) or subsidies Réseau Ferré de France (RFF). I would add that it is not easy to force parastatal structures to decrease by 10% of their operating expenses. These organizations, ranging from museums to Météo-France, served as space flight for public expenditure.

Should we freeze the salaries of civil servants?

Despite job cuts, the state's payroll increased from 860 million in 2009. This increase is due to wage concessions and changes of the index. Strict moderation is essential.

As a senator from Mayenne, what do you think the value of blocking the funds that the State grants to local communities? This gel can be leveraged to conduct the review of local public policies.Do we really redo roundabouts standards expensive? Especially, the proliferation of standards must end. Premier promised. Despite this, the agricultural modernization law gives the government a right of limitation on the school lunch menu!

France will she one day a zero deficit?

It must. An overburdened state is in the hands of its creditors and threatens the solidarity between generations. This national independence is at stake.

Fourth day up to the Paris Bourse. This Friday, the CAC 40 has continued to rise started Tuesday and continued Wednesday and Thursday. The key index in Paris was up 0.46% at closing.

At the end of the week, and the CAC 40 gained 5.8%, from around 3360 points to 3554.48 points exactly at the close on Friday.

Elsewhere in Europe, the LSE has been 0.54%, to 5132.94 points while the German Dax rose 0.49% to 6065.24 points.

Yesterday, the index in Paris had passed the milestone of 3,500 points, reassured by U.S. data entries weekly unemployment benefits.

The euro has weakened a bit about him on Friday, while European ald evisa Thursday passed up the psychological and technical $ 1.27.

In France, French investors have learned that before the opening of the Hexagon industrial production had rebounded strongly in May rising 1.7% after falling 0.5% the previous month, according to Insee. Economists had expected an average growth of 0.4% of industrial production in May

EADS tanker of the series continues

EADS (0.53% to 17.01 euros) said it had responded to the call for tenders for tanker aircraft to the U.S. Air Force, on the eve of the deadline for the takeover bids . In addition, the World Trade Organization announced the postponement of the publication of a report on an action by the EU against the United States regarding subsidies granted to Boeing.

Kaufman and Broad (2.23% to 18.14 euros) issued a revenue down 7.6% to 385.7 million euros in the first half, below expectations.But reservations are up 55% to 675 million euros and the property portfolio is up 50% over one year.The gross margin reached 17.1% against 12.9% in the first half of 2009.

Areva (5.11% to 347.55 euros) announced Thursday it would investigate the possibility of building a second nuclear reactor in the Canadian province of New Brunswick.

Mestrallet, CEO of GDF Suez (+0.4% to 24.96 euros), confirmed Wednesday that negotiations with suppliers in Norway, Holland and Russia to obtain lower prices.

The German utility E. ON has indicated in an interview with Les Echos on Friday that he would be "very interested" in acquiring a stake in EDF reactors (-0.91% to 31 euros) to help extending their lifespan.

Moreover, the banking sector with the exception of BNP Paribas (+1.05% to 50.09 euros) suffered some profit-taking, like Credit Agricole (-1.13%) or Societe Generale ( -0.98%).

Similarly, the automotive sector should still react to earnings announcements commercial Renault and Peugeot this week. Titles manufacturers earn 1.13% respectively to 33.45 euros and 1.94% to 23.09 euros.

Louis Welsh, president of EADS, is convinced. The decision of the World Trade Organization (WTO), said Wednesday that "illegal" certain EU subsidies paid to Airbus for the A380, "changes nothing" for the A350. "The support for the A350 are not iIn the" scope "(Field, Ed) of the panel that reviewed the complaint of Americans," said Louis Welsh Saturday. He added: "It was explicitly stated that although such aid is not in the" scope ", they were sentenced prior BLES, since the system of repayable advances itself is not contrary to the rules WTO.

Always on the fringes of economic meeting organized by the Circle of economists in Aix-en-Provence, Louis Welsh, assured that Airbus would submit an offer in time with U.S. partners for the bulk tanker contract from the U.S. Air Force."We have reached an agreement with 200 companies amricaines. The Pentagon must decide to fall on the mega-tanker contract enviton estimated at 35 billion dollars. Airbus and Boeing have until July 9 to finalize their proposals. A decision is expected next fall. "I think the nervousness that manifests Boeing in this case and the propaganda campaign that he led for three or four days shows qu'ls fear that we have a competitive bid on the tanker," said Louis Welsh. Ambiance, atmosphere …

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A little respite on Friday in Asian markets. After more than five consecutive days of decline, the most important place on the continent Asia-Pacific represents a reversal of trend. The Nikkei started Friday's session up 0.47% earning 43 points to 9234 points. An advance that the Tokyo market has struggled to keep since mid-session, the majority of gains were erased.

In contrast, Hong Kong, the trend is clearly down because the benchmark Hang Seng yield 1.38%. In Australia, the Sydney Stock Exchange ahead slightly (+0.1%).

The mining stocks rose

In Tokyo, the market is mainly guided by higher mining shares following the downward revision of tax on the profits of these companies decided by the Australian government. This has encouraged new JX Holdings Inc., an oil refiner and producer of copper jumped 3.5%.Inpex, oil explorer, rose 3.2%. Komatsu, the largest manufacturer of earthmoving Asia, gaining 1.5%.

In contrast, the values are auto oriented down significantly, especially for Honda (-1.89%) and Toyota (-2.27%), after the monthly statistics considered disappointing sales in the United States.

Evolution contrast to oil

On the oil market, crude prices were mixed in electronic trading. In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for August delivery gained 18 cents to 73.13 dollars a barrel, while Brent North Sea for delivery in August, yielding six cents to 72.28 dollars. Oil prices fell Thursday in New York on a market worried that sent the barrel under $ 73.

Volatility remains high on the market

Investors remain nervous about the possibility that the slower recovery of the global economy becomes more pronounced. On Friday afternoon will be known monthly unemployment statistics in the United States before the opening of Wall Street. They could reflect a deterioration of the labor market for the first time since December, according to economists.

The indicators Thursday were accentuated anxieties of investors. The ISM index of activity in the manufacturing sector declined more than expected to 56.2%. On the front real estate, the promise of selling homes fell more than expected in May (-30%). In China also, the two indices of purchasing managers showed a slowdown in manufacturing activity in June