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The British bride is more beautiful. British Airways, which should finalize during 2010 his marriage with Iberia, said Friday it had halved its operating loss in the third quarter.

"We still expect to lose money records this year," warned Willie Walsh, its director general. Due to a disastrous start to the year, the company has doubled its losses in the first nine months of its fiscal year. But saving measures taken upon entry into the crisis begins to pay. They have reduced operating costs by 10.5%.

To achieve this, the company has taken most of its competitors' revenues low costs. Starting with one of the keys to their model: a homogeneous fleet of aircraft, which reduces maintenance costs.On its base from London Gatwick, British Airways is gradually increased to a single type of aircraft (Boeing 777) for its long-haul flights and two models (Airbus A 320 and A 319) for its medium-haul flights.

All departments of the company have also made efforts. British Airways has cut staffing in its ground staff. A voluntary separation scheme and the non-renewal of retirements have to spend the staff of the London Heathrow Airport from 7 000 to 6 000 employees.

The operation of the hub has been completely redesigned. The development of online registration and training for staff to become versatile allowed both increase productivity and improve the punctuality of aircraft easy payday loans .

Last summer, finally, employees of support functions had to take leave without pay."Everyone had made efforts, but the sailors, summarizes a part of British Airways. We decided to make some changes so authoritarian. "

"Ability to react quickly"

Since the fall, steps have been taken to reduce the rest stops and to enhance the productivity of crews. The rest in Los Angeles after a flight from London for example is increased from two to one night.

A voluntary retirement plan was established to 1 000 cabin crew. 3 000 sailors have agreed to move to part time. This change has saved the equivalent of 700 employees at the company. British Airways has also offered its pilots a pay cut 6 to 7% against shares. This will allow the company to achieve 300 million pounds of savings this year."These reforms demonstrate our ability to react quickly, welcomes a part of the company. Our competitors have thought that we overreact. "

These drastic measures have however led social movements. The crew of the company and to vote February 22 on organizing a strike to oppose these measures, calling the union Unite.

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Statistics mixed and disappointing in November in the United States. Consumer spending rose for the second consecutive month, gaining 0.5% on month, after rising 0.6% in October, according to statistics published Wednesday by the Commerce Department.

Although most economists expecting the continuation of consumption suggests an acceleration of growth on the end of the year, confirming the rebound of 2.2% in the third quarter.

The increase in consumption was accompanied, in November, the fifth consecutive increase in household income at 0.4%. Although this is the largest increase in this indicator since May, it remains below expectations (+0.5%).

Despite this more favorable context, the real estate market continued its descent into hell, touching its lowest level since April.Sales of new homes have plummeted 11.3% in November to 355,000 units annually. A very unpleasant surprise to economists, who expected 440,000 sales. To make matters worse, the figures for October were revised downward, to 400,000 units against 430,000 previously estimated.

The National Association of food industries (Ania) decided this morning after three hours of heated debate, leaving the MEDEF, it was learned from corroborating sources.

After your secret ballot procedure rarrissime the board took this decision by 18 votes against 12. The Ania MEDEF considers that it "pays" too little regard to the amount of annual dues (over 600,000 euros).

Yet no decision to join another employer organization has been taken. The departure of a large federation, which had supported Laurence Parisot when she presented herself at the head of MEDEF, is a blow to the boss of bosses.

The owner of Ania, Jean-René Buisson, will hold a press briefing at 15 am explaining the decision of its directors.

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The European car still recovering. In a statement released Monday, the rating agency Fitch believes that 2010 will be a "transition year" for the sector, despite the appearance of "early signs of stabilization." But the number of bankruptcies in the sector should also remain high in 2009, provides for the rating agency.

Fitch anticipates that the impact vehicle sales in Western Europe will shrink in 2010, and that this decline could reach 6 or 8%. The rating agency predicts that by 2009 the decline in sales will reach 5%, and that production will open in fall of 20% over the same period.

The rating agency gives such a negative outlook because of the gradual but planned, the premium breaks that currently boosts sales.The impact of the disruption of these measures remains difficult to quantify, especially in Germany, "the largest car market in Europe where about one million vehicles were sold under these incentives," says Fitch. Emmanuel Bulle, Director in Fitch motor, said that uncertainty: "Based on sales growth and the actual ability of manufacturers to meet all these challenges, a stabilization of the ratings outlook could arise in the first half of 2010."

Increased pressures on cash

The sales momentum is indeed not the only challenge facing the sector. The issue of financial strength will also return to the front of the stage, including OEMs, Fitch said in another note."In the absence of specific operations, such as increases in capital or asset sales, abandonment of leverage will be a slow process for companies falling into recession with a substantial financial debt, as Renault, "the statement said. The manufacturer is rated "BB with negative outlook" when rival SAP is rated "BB +, B, with negative outlook."

Given these financial pressures, "the agency expects the trend to selective alliances and partnerships will continue into 2010, as well as downsizing discrete and gradual, which are necessary to support a structure lower cost, more in line with forecasts of declining sales.

Automakers will also adapt to new consumer needs.Fitch notes that "the trend towards smaller cars is another challenge for manufacturers of Western Europe, focused on technology, while margins are generally larger segments for vehicles and premium sedans. "No matter the size! Some prefer to bet on another emerging trend of consumption, mindful of its impact on the environment: Renault intends to become the largest producer of electric cars, since the launch of its first four models of its kind in 2011.

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In the lounge Actionaria, individual shareholders are smiling again. This Friday, November 20, the jostling in the aisles of the exhibition of the Exchange is open until tomorrow evening. The event, held at the Palais des Congres de Paris, Porte Maillot, meets all the financial players: listed companies, banks, brokers, financial media and individual investors.

The companies explain their latest results and present their strategy. On this occasion, small shareholders can meet with leaders of companies. Thierry Le Henaff, CEO of Arkema, goes every year on the show: "This is a very privileged that we can dialogue with our shareholders, and raise their expectations," says he.

Banks, home management and Internet brokers have their products and services.Some offer free training to enable individuals to master the new financial tools (eg CFD) and to discover new markets (such as Forex, the foreign exchange market), with the opportunities and risks of their own.

Individual shareholders Actionaria come to find explanations for technical information on a specific company or even counseling. The appointment creates the most opportunity to take the pulse of the market. "Among the questions we are asked most often, there are particular questions about the soundness of banks, and the prospects of the market," explains Benjamin Villegas, broker trading room at IG Markets in London. Regarding prospects for the CAC 40, the expectations are shared: