From our special correspondent in Tokyo
François Fillon has dropped the word naturally. He who rejects the word rigor in Paris, finally telling the truth in Tokyo. "Of all the state budgets, the only one who is not subject to discipline is that of Higher Education and Research, argues the prime minister, at the turn of a sentence imposed before an audience of five hundred Japanese businessmen and under the approving glance of Christine Lagarde.
True to his outspokenness, the Minister of Economy has not taken greater care to reassure the business community Nippon concerned about turmoil in Europe since the sinking of the Greek economy. "There is not in France, I can assure you of hidden deficits. We have a package of structural deficits, but our accounts are audited very seriously, "warned the owner of Bercy.What has been told to François Fillon not without humor: "Unfortunately, there is no hidden revenue either!"
The European austerity plans discussed at length
He came to Japan to reassure businessmen and Japanese bankers, Francois Fillon has long defended the austerity plans implemented in the euro area. The European currency crisis causes, in fact, Japan concern and uncertainty about the strength of the European Union. The major daily newspaper Nikkei has made his One, two days ago, the 30% decline in investment in the euro countries during the first half of 2010 faxless cash advance.
"I understand that, seen from Asia, our operations can sometimes be difficult to perceive and understand.But Japan's national interest is not to turn away from the euro, "Francois Fillon urged by recalling that Europe is" the great market of the developed world with 500 million consumers. Incidentally, he ditch tackle the Anglo-Saxon does not deliver, he says, a "balanced view of the success of the European Union" and invited his audience to read the German press and French.
Before leaving Tokyo, Francois Fillon met with his counterpart Naoto Kan. In addition to macroeconomic issues, the two men discussed several issues of the Franco-Japanese: nuclear, automotive and aerospace.Weakened by his recent defeat in the senatorial elections, the center-left prime minister of Japan can not implement as it sees the budget and tax reforms that could reduce Japan's debt, too colossal.
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"PREMIUM – The decline of the euro and its consequences
Three years after its rival, Blackstone, and especially after three years of unsuccessful attempts, KKR was thus introduced for the first time at the New York Stock Exchange Thursday. Initially, the U.S. investment fund and private equity had planned to enter the market on Wall Street one month after Blackstone, but the crisis had decided otherwise. KKR, which was delisted from Euronext Amsterdam on Wednesday, offers no new action at this time, but plans to issue 500 million shares, according to market developments.
Valued at $ 7.1 billion in stock, as the closing price on Wednesday (up 2.9%), against 26 billion in the summer of 2006, KKR could see its market capitalization rise to $ 9.2 billion , according to analysts at Rabobank.They believe that after Blackstone's IPO in New York a second heavyweight private equity could galvanize investor interest and emulation.
Redeploy the firm
After the resignation of Jerome Kohlberg (the second "K" "KKR") in 1987, shares Henry Kravis (the first "K" "KKR") and his cousin George Roberts (the "R" of "KKR ") amounted to 13% for each of the company, which manages 55 billion in assets and employs 600 people. All employees of KKR a stake in the capital.
The two founders of U.S. private equity group hoping through the IPO to ensure that KKR will become less sensitive to cycles of uncertain LBO (leveraged buyout or takeover of a company through debt). This is why they are working on a redeployment of the firm towards the profession of investment banking.The question is whether investors will be convinced.
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J-1. That Tuesday morning Eric Woerth will present his Cabinet bill on pension reform. This text provides for the postponement by 2018 the legal age of retirement at age 62 (as against 60 now) and increase by 2020 the contribution period for a full pension at 41 5 installments. It also proposes to raise over 10 years to 10.55% of gross salary pension contribution rate of employees.Meanwhile, the government plans to introduce draft consideration – unprecedented – the strain at work to enable employees who have had a difficult career to continue to retire at age 60 but also extend the system "long careers "which allows people who started working early to liquidate their retirement before age 60.
"Unjust and unacceptable"
Trade unions, traditionally opposed the reforms they consider "unfair and unacceptable" because it would further inequalities have already planned to protest during the presentation of the Council of Ministers."The proposed reform does not respond to questions of employment, particularly youth and seniors, or the reversal of gender inequalities, or to the recognition of the hardship … It refers to the uncertainty of future generations sustainability of pension secured by the division, they were justified in a statement.They also criticized the closure of financial reform that puts "more than 85% of efforts" to employees only and require "a different distribution of wealth produced, particularly through higher taxes than expected capital income and senior income 100% free credit report.
Eric Woerth's proposal to improve the bill at the time of the examination to the National Assembly from September 7 on three aspects of the text (strain at work, and long careers polypensionnés) has yet not had the desired effect. Even the beginnings of a better consideration of the prevention of the hardship brought up by the entourage of the Minister of Labour at a meeting with labor, has left them unmoved. "We want a broader discussion, said Friday Eric Aubin, the negotiator of the CGT, after an interview Rue de Grenelle.The position of the government that it seeks to show a continued dialogue. But we ride seriously and it confirms our intention to build a strong mobilization on September 7. "
On this day, the unions have scheduled a new day of strikes and unit mobilization, hoping to do better than June 24 when 800 000 people (and by 1.9 million CGT) had beaten the streets across France to protest against the postponement of 60 years. And thus weigh more on debates in Parliament. They do not despair, no longer convinced by that number of MPs to amend by Social Affairs Committee – where the text will be examined from July 20 to 22 – the bill. The CFDT has also planned to "harass" the summer MPs in their constituency.Act II of the 2010 pension reform does so may just be beginning.
"SPECIAL – The challenges of pension reform
What do you think of austerity plans adopted in France, Great Britain and Germany? Are they sufficient?
Targets chosen are appropriate. When started in 2011, for the most part, they reflect the forecast growth will remain weak in coming months. The credibility of the measures announced will have a positive impact on the economy over the medium term. It will also look favorably on the interest rate will be long term downward trend and therefore promote growth.
These plans are they in line with OECD recommendations?
Overall, yes. In all three countries, governments have chosen to cut public spending to reduce deficits, which is a good thing.The experience of OECD countries shows that fiscal consolidation based on expenditure reduction is generally more efficient and more sustainable than those based on a tax increase. Yes, we need to use the weapon of taxation, but if it has a limited impact on growth. In this case, we must emphasize the taxes related to climate change – CO2 tax – or indirect taxes on consumption – VAT – the property rather than income households or businesses.
In Britain, the specific measures such as increases in VAT or tax on capital gains in the right direction.
In France, the pension reform is essential, we must reverse the age of retirement at least 62 years because many European countries are already beyond this level.It is also important to address the budgetary rules to strengthen the credibility, setting goals of stabilization. As has just done in Germany out in the Constitution a ceiling for public debt by 2016 paydayloan.
The OECD has launched Wednesday a new warning on unemployment will remain high and the risk of falling into structural unemployment. What do you think, in this context, cuts aid to employment, in particular France and Germany?
Our position is that we must change the orientation of employment policies, by investing more in the long term. Countries should abandon the measures adopted early in the crisis to keep costs the employees in their jobs, promoting the reduction of working hours to avoid layoffs.Policies should be more targeted for career change into areas more vibrant and productive. This requires investment in training, education, innovation.
Yet France removes 16,000 teaching posts …
It may be more effective in education. But it is clear that there is not enough money to do everything! Times are difficult and involve choices. Must be cut, reduce deficits and debt while stimulating growth, promoting employment and education. This must remain a priority.
Is there a risk of falling into recession?
We maintain our forecast last month. The recovery will continue at different speeds, slower in Europe than elsewhere, but we see no risk of double dip recession.The real issue in the medium term is to find a good balance between sustainability of public finances and economic growth.
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The Paris markets are taking a break on Wednesday after a strong upward meeting. At midterm, the CAC 40 was down 1.49% to 3372 points. Tuesday, in a very quiet market, the indexes have climbed throughout the day to reach a closing up 2.73% over 3400 points. A rebound reflecting the high volatility of recent weeks: Monday again, the CAC 40 was approaching its lowest level this year.
Elsewhere in Europe, even movement. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange evolves decline of 1.27% to 5865.20 points while the FTSE index down 1.26% to 4902.70 points.
On Wednesday, investors in Paris after their Asian counterparts who chose to take profits.For its reopening after a weekend of three days, Wall Street gave no signal, calling instead for caution with a fence unconvincing in the green.
In terms of indicators, the trade deficit of France has risen sharply to 5.5 billion euros in May from 4.258 the previous month due to a decline in exports, according to data released by Customs. Economists had expected on average a deficit of 4 billion euros.
Also note that according to a recent estimate of the European office of statistics Eurostat, euro zone economy grew 0.2% in the soft first quarter.
Moreover, the German industrial orders fell for the first time this year in May, 0.5% from the previous month, according to figures released Thursday by the Ministry of Economy.Economists interogés by Reuters on average expected a rise of 0.5%.
The car in the viewfinder
As for values, the auto sector should move on Wednesday. Peugeot has announced an increase in worldwide sales of 16.9% in the first half. The title of the group climbed 0.14% to 21.60 euros. Furthermore, Peugeot would invest 700 million euros to resume production project in India, reports the Wall Street Journal.
For his part, Renault (-0.34% to 31.02 euros) which must publish its results tomorrow, Thursday trading.
Sodexo (-0.80% to 47.22 euros) released before the market turnover with 11.54 million euros in the first nine months of the year.The group is an organic growth of its turnover for the full year 2009-2010 of about 2% and hope to achieve an operating profit of between 780 and 800 million euros excluding currency effects the exercise.
Meetic (-0.99% to 19.90 euros) announced Wednesday to build on an EBITDA margin of between 20 and 25% for 2010, unchanged from its 2009 goal. The leading European dating sites also said that synergies from the integration of Match.com, the first since last June, should reach 10 to 15 million euros in the first year.
Atos Origin (-1.34% to 32.33 euros) announced Tuesday the launch of new services known as "smart mobility".The services company led by Thierry Breton makes 850 million euros in turnover in the field of electronic transactions and placed on the strong growth in use on smartphones.
EDF restructures its financial management. The electrician is preparing a comprehensive plan public savings on purchases that came with the creation of a new division "synergies and transformation" in the CFO, said on Monday, Les Echos.
This new direction will be entrusted to Christian Fontanel, Director of Audit, and attached to the new CFO, Thomas Piquemal. Its mission is to "optimize the group's international scope, particularly in procurement," the newspaper said. While Les Echos reported that EDF has made last year to 11 billion euros of purchases – in France, but also in the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy – the savings on the position of the purchases can achieve 10% of the total, according to analysts. That's more than 1 billion euros in the case of EDF.
Another post where the group seeks to achieve economies: investment.Last year, EdF has spent over 12 billion euros over the budget line. And again, EDF plans to make some adjustments. The Finance Department will assist the operational divisions in the management of investments. This mission will be headed by Stéphane Tortajada, currently deputy CEO at Casino Development. From mid-July, so it will also be in charge of fundraising and investment of EDF, replacing Anne Le Laurier.
Finally, in terms of its debt, the newspaper wrote that EDF "will allow one more month to decide whether to sell its UK distribution network, estimated at 5 billion euros. If this solution was not ultimately successful, the group would consider making other assignments.
Funny idea that this loyalty program that focuses on infidelity … the customer! Yet it is betting that the Prufrock Coffee, a trendy café located in east London, has dared to face. Since late 2009, the hotel offers its clients a "Disloyalty Card", a map of "disloyalty" which invites them to take eight bars cafes in the neighborhood and make this famous stamp card. Once the "Disloyalty Card" filled the Prufrock Coffee offers coffee consumer "infidel" who for any coffee paid off again with a new card.
This concept has been designed by the owner of Prufrock Coffee, Gwilym Davies, also won the title "World Barista Champion (world champion of the coffee) in 2009. He imagined this card when friends decided to open their own cafes in the area."Initially, our clients have found this strange idea card advising them to go to our competitors," says Jeremy Challender, the manager of Coffee Prufrock at Figaro.fr. "But this concept amuses both consumers and the community café in the neighborhood."
In six months, the Prufrock Coffee has distributed some 6,000 cards "disloyalty". A success for Jeremy Challender, who intends to pursue the initiative. "Especially since I do not count the cards that are still in nature and will return once we met," laughs the cafe, which ensures that bars competitors play the game well and dab the card. "This is a healthy competition," he says."We're well aware that our customers will enjoy more cafes in other locations, which requires us to constantly innovate to improve the quality of our products."
Trade competition against the current
The Expert Group LaSer, a subsidiary of BNP Paribas and Galeries Lafayette that specializes in marketing and customer relations, identify in their monthly newsletter that the objective of this initiative is "to encourage customers to regularly attend teaches, but to give them the habit of going for a coffee, even in competing institutions. In sum, the common focus for everyone to "benefit from a greater overall abundance.
Within weeks, the idea of Gwilym Davies had already crossed the Atlantic. In Toronto, Canada, seven patrons of bars in April formed a sort of alliance called "Toronto Coffee Conspiracy.The principle of this partnership is somewhat different from how the map of "disloyalty" proposed by Coffee Prufrock. In fact, most customers choose this time the coffee, among the seven members of the "Toronto Coffee Conspiracy" in which they will return once their card filled. In Seattle, the United States, no fewer than 10 brands of cafes and bars, located in 13 different districts of the city have come together around a similar card program.
French cafes in lack of customers
This type of initiative has not yet made its way to France. French Café owners could do with finding parades down attendance which they suffer, especially since the smoking ban in public places. Many institutions have also put the key under the door in recent years.The second edition of the Observatory of independent trade wholesaler Metro Cash & Carry France, in partnership with BVA, it remains that 50,000 pubs in France in 2010, against 510,000 in 1914. This study shows that 82% of French people prefer these to traditional franchised cafes. However, only 2 out of 10 people go there regularly.
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• Transport
– Station: Ticket prices for trains Coral, Intercity and TER (Regional Express Train) will increase an average of 2.5%. This will result in higher ticket from 10 cents to 2.30 euros depending on distance traveled during the trip.
As for the discount cards (cards 12-25, Senior, and Child Escapes +), their prices remain unchanged.
– RATP: The price of individual tickets will go from 1.60 euro to 1.70 euro.
Subscriptions Navigo will also increase, except for packages zone 1-5 and 1-6.The monthly Zones 1 and 2 (Paris and suburbs) rises from 56.60 to 60.40 euros (+6.7%), the zones 1-3 of 74.40 to 78.20 euros (+ 5.1%) and the zones 1 to 4 from 91.70 to 95.50 euros (+4.1%).
• Energy
– Gas: After an initial increase in April, prices will increase again by 2% to 4.7% (about 8 euros per year for those who use gas for hot water and cooking 45 per year for those who use it also for heating)
– Bulbs: As part of the scheduled end of incandescents in the EU to promote energy saving, incandescent lamps of 60 watts are removed from store shelves.Those whose power was 100 watts or more have disappeared from shelves in 2009.
• Bonus for scrap
The premium case is lowered to 500 euros instead of 700 for any car ordered until December 31.
• Stamps
The price of postage for mailings of letters under 20 grams, will increase by two cents from 56-58 cents, an increase of 3.5%.
• Retirement
The index points which is the basis for calculating salary in three public (state, territorial and hospital) must be revalued by 0.5%.
• Unemployment benefits
Allowances of approximately two million unemployed by unemployment insurance compensation will be revalued by 1.2%.
• Communication
– Hadopi: It is from this Thursday that the first warnings will be mailed to users in violation of the law on downloading.
– Phone: The price of calls made and received from another EU country (roaming within Europe) will be reduced to 39 cents per minute excluding VAT cons 43 cent today. Receiving a call will be charged € 0.15 per minute instead of EUR 0.19.The SMS tariff remains unchanged for its 11 cents per message.
• Business and Disability
Firms with more than 20 employees employ any disabled person and took no action to promote employment of disabled people will have their penalties tripled to about 13,000 euros per person missing.
• Livret A
Currently at its lowest level since its inception to 1.25% – Return of the booklet A should move to 1.50% or 1.75% from 1 August by Budget Minister Francois Baroin.
Profits fell, but dividends have resisted. Despite the fall in profits last year, the CAC 40 companies will total $ 36 billion in dividends to their shareholders this year (in respect of 2009 results). "It's almost as much as in 2008, and it shows the willingness of companies to retain their shareholding," says Sonia Bonnet-Bernard, associate-manager Ricol Lasteyrie, who yesterday presented the fourth financial profile done by the CAC 40 firm.
The payout ratio (the amount of dividends compared to profits) has jumped to 90% (excluding Arcelor Mittal) in 2008 against 48% or 42% in 2007. Only four groups have decided not to pay: EADS, PSA, Renault and Alcatel Lucent.
The corporate largesse is all the more surprising they have not hesitated in the same time, to launch capital increase to finance themselves.More than a quarter of the CAC 40 companies have used the market last year to strengthen their capital, notes Ricol Lasteyrie. In total, shareholders might have paid 24 billion euros. "Companies that take on debt, make capital increases or selling assets … while maintaining their dividends, that has always existed. But for two years, it shows a little more often, "says Moudy El Khidr, portfolio manager at ING IM. In Europe, however, few companies have debts to pay their shareholders. They preferred the issue of new shares.
Lower prices, or increase wages and create jobs, such were the promises made by professional restoration in exchange for declining to 5.5% VAT. In practice the government had forecast a drop in prices overall 3%. But the overall direction of Treasury at Bercy, the decrease was 2.5%, as it must take into account price increases (+ O, 1% a month) that would have been saved if there had been no reduction in VAT. According to Insee, the statistical institute, the decline recorded between July 2009 and end MayOnly a conservator two on average applied the lower price.
The shortfall of the state would it 2.35 billion euros a year on some 130 billion collected last year under the VAT.
Disagreement on Figures
As for salaries, increments and other benefits provided under the industrial agreement signed by the five trade unions and three of five business organizations in the sector would reach one billion euros accumulated since March 1, date of application the agreement saving account payday loan. Some 21,700 jobs have also been created, the government said. This figure is disputed by the union FO who believes him, he must subtract the 15,000 net new jobs recorded on average each year for ten years in this industry.
The measure would also have saved 25000 companies, nearly one third of the 80,000 restaurants in trouble before the reduction in VAT, as the specialist firm Gira Board.
Second lowest rate reduced
Twelve countries now have a reduced VAT on food in Europe. Since the authorization granted in 2009 by the European Commission. Only France and Belgium have taken the plunge. On 1 January 2010, Belgium has lowered its rate of 21-12% in food, drinks. Before the green light from Brussels, ten other member states had historically lower VAT in restaurants. With a rate of 5.5%, France has the second highest in the restoration reduces the lowest in Europe, just behind Luxembourg (3%).