All World

EDF and Areva will strengthen their partnership

After months of tensions, the thaw begins between Areva and EDF. Luc Oursel, the president of the giant nuclear, will perform this afternoon its first official release by hosting one of its plants in Chalon-sur-Saone, the chairman of EDF Proglio. The symbol is more powerful than the two heavyweights of the team of France's nuclear plans to sign three agreements "technical and commercial." The information, which was unveiled by the Tribune was confirmed by the Minister of Industry, Eric Besson, who will also visit the website of Saône-et-Loire.

These agreements clarify the relationships that must maintain the two groups. They should focus on "the pursuit of optimizing the EPR, increased maintenance of the park" or "strengthening industrial cooperation on the storage of radioactive waste."

These agreements will be "historic in some ways," said Eric Besson on France Inter and will "ensure consistency throughout the French nuclear industry."

"A willingness to cooperate more»

A fourth agreement should include the development of medium-power reactor Atmea which EDF would not participate. The date of its signature was not specified by Eric Besson, but it should occur in September. Which will complete the strategic partnership, called by President Nicolas Sarkozy in July 2010.

According to the Tribune, other issues will be discussed later, as the organization of supply for export or supply in the long-term uranium for EDF. In the latter case, a stake of the electrician in the future subsidiary of Areva mines will be considered. The hypothesis is "neither foreseen nor ruled out," according to Eric Besson."There is a current subsidiary of the Areva mining activity that had been recorded and we will see who will enter the capital," he said.

The latter, however, said on France Inter does not "feel" at Henri Proglio will "particular" to enter the capital of Areva. "I feel from Proglio a willingness to cooperate more with Areva, what we today RECORDED agreements very important, but I do not feel particular pressure at home to enter the capital of Areva" said he.

ALSO READ:

"Areva Lauvergeon reopens without opportunities to EDF

"EDF leader of French nuclear

Benefit fraud estimated at 20 billion euros per year

In early June, Labour Minister Xavier Bertrand estimated at "several billion" the amount of social fraud and abuse annually, detected or not. On Tuesday, a parliamentary report published by AFP gives a figure a little more specific: over 20 billion euros. "Either 44 times more than the fraud being detected," wrote the rapporteur for the assessment mission statements for Social Security (MECSS) of the National Assembly, Dominique Tian, ​​UMP deputy of the Bouches-du-Rhone. In 2010, social security fraud was detected, in fact amounted to 458 million euros, a figure nevertheless up 20% year on year.

"Between 10% and 12% of companies are in breach"

Specifically, the report evaluates the existing fraud parliamentary levies (employer and employee contributions not paid because of the black) between 8 and 15.8 billion and those benefits (sick leave benefits, family allowances, RSA etc. .. ) 2 to 3 billion. With respect to illegal work, the UMP elected judge that "the practice is common, if not commonplace in some sectors of the economy." He said that "between 10% and 12% of companies are in breach and between 5% and 7% of employees are not reported." The report is also concerned about the development of "fraud by organized networks of smugglers."

While stressing the government's efforts in the fight, the report points to the results "insufficient".Its authors point out, that "the magnitude of the social deficits and the desire to better control public spending necessitate greater control over social spending." And the example of several European countries that have already moved in this direction, including the United Kingdom and Germany.

Vitale card biometric

The report, made 53 proposals, recommended to "improve the control of the state policy against social fraud" and simplify the "legal framework". The MECSS calls to "restore the face to face for the initial creation of files of requests for benefits and for which the remote procedures facilitate fraud."It also calls for a biometric card Vitale, limited duration, "which would include all social security data of the insured" and that would be issued by municipalities, such as for passports or identity cards.

To better "target audiences fraud", the report also encourages the spread of "Data Mining", or data mining, which involves crossing multiple data from different sources. Social agencies that can now exchange information with tax authorities or banks will benefit by the end of 2011 a common national directory of social protection (RNCP) that will identify compatible services in different branches.

Regarding sick leave abuse, the report suggests developing the "cons-visits" in the private and what is new among public servants.

Premium "presenteeism"

Finally, the fight against absenteeism, the report suggests "the principle of premiums presenteeism" in the image of anything done by the hospitals of Marseille, paying 219 euros gross officers with no absence in the years."This policy, in some ways depressing, had an immediate effect since the rate of abstentéisme fell 0.5% in 2010," while it increased in other hospitals, the report said.

For its part, the government needs Wednesday, the Council of Ministers, to review its action in the fight against fraud social communications with the Minister of Budget, Baroin, the Minister of Labour and Health, Xavier Bertrand, and Solidarity Minister, Roselyne Bachelot.

(With agencies)

3.3 billion euros of overall fraud detected

3.3 billion of fraud have been detected globally in 2010, says Le Parisien-Aujourd'hui en France on Wednesday morning. In detail, it is tax evasion, which represents most of the scams to the public finances, amounting to 2.4 billion euros.Social fraud is only for its "only" 458 million euros. The Minister of Budget, Baroin, is expected to announce the figures in the day after the cabinet meeting, and give details of its plan to fight against fraud.

ALSO READ:

"The child benefit fraud jumped 10% in 2010

"ON DEMAND INFO-How to fight against welfare fraud

ECB prepares to raise rates in July

As expected, the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, meeting Thursday in Frankfurt, has left unchanged its interest rates. However Jean-Claude Trichet sought to prepare the minds of an increase in July. "Overall, the risks to price stability are on the upside, and a strong vigilance is therefore warranted," said the president of the ECB at the press conference that followed. In the coded language of Frankfurt, a "strong vigilance" is the conventional signal to indicate a rate hike next month."Right now we still believe that the July increase will last (this year)," said Jonathan Loynes, however, the chief economist for Europe of Capital Economics.

Jean-Claude Trichet has not sought to exaggerate the danger of inflation: "The upward pressure on inflation (is) mainly due to energy prices and raw materials," he admitted. Markets have noted that the ECB had not raised its forecast of rising consumer prices for 2012, which remain in the range of 1.1% to 2.3%. This status quo, compared to previous estimates of last March, has contributed to a decline of the euro vis-à-vis the dollar.

In terms of economic growth forecasts have been revised slightly upwards for 2011 (from 1.5% to 2.3%), the range for 2012 is particularly large (between 0.6% and 2.8 %)."Uncertainty remains high," commented Jean-Claude Trichet installment payday loans.

No "default"

It was also expected on Greece, "after the procession of contradictory statements from finance ministers, who have unfortunately contributed to widen interest rate spreads on sovereign debt in the euro area in recent weeks," regrets a market economy. The ECB President was extremely strong. "It would be a great mistake" than engaging in a debt restructuring, "he insisted. "Our position is clear and we served on European governments" no "credit event", no "default". The ECB considers that Greece would be closed permanently while the financing markets.

"We exclude any participation of private creditors who would not volunteer (from them), he only conceded.He however refused to say what would the ECB on securities it has in its balance sheet (between 60 and 70 billion euros), if private investors decided to extend the maturity of their claims.

In a less dramatic, the college of 27 governors took action on the succession of its chairman, in the form of a statement. "The governors did not Councilof objectionable to the proposed candidate, Mario Draghi, who is a person of recognized standing and professional experience in monetary or banking matters."

Cardin would be well bought by a Chinese

Cardin seeks buyer, preferably Chinese. At age 88, the developer who owns 100% stake in his fashion house, said two weeks ago that he wanted to sell its entire brand. This weekend, in addition to the presentation of the new collection in China, Pierre Cardin has expressed its preference for a buyer's country.

"I had offers from buyers in the U.S. or England but I preferred because the Chinese are owners of my brand. That seems more polite to me, "he said, after The Tribune published on Monday. Courteous, but also strategic for the brand a strong presence in the country. Cardin, indeed, among the first French brands to move into the Middle Kingdom from the late 1970s. Today, the teacher has over a thousand shops.If the house, which is not publicly traded, is discreet about its turnover in the second world economy, she argues, however, expect a 20% annual growth in sales.

"If they can not afford, they do not buy"

The creator, star in China, announced it has already received offers of Chinese buyers, but declined to reveal their identity. According to La Tribune, which quoted the representative of the brand in China, candidates have tried to negotiate the purchase price of one billion euros in vain so far. For his part, Pierre Cardin was firm: "If they can not afford, they are not buying. They did not discuss. That's clear. "

In 2009, Cardin had sold 32 licenses in China textile and accessories companies Jiangsheng Cardanro and Trading Company, amounting to 200 million euros.

ALSO READ:

Pierre Cardin is willing to sell its brand

Publishers, the first victims of pirated software

Sad record. In France, more than a third of all software installed on PCs in 2010 was pirated, according to the latest study by Business Software Alliance (BSA), an international group of software publishers. This represents a market value of 1.9 billion euros, on a global market estimated at 9.5 billion euros. "The retail market is worse than that of businesses, but it is more difficult to control," said Eric Beaurepaire, a member of BSA.

Worldwide, software piracy generates a shortfall of 44 billion and ten billion for Europe alone. The United States is the country where the loss in value is most important, accounting for 7.1 billion euros. But in some "small" European countries, legislation and a little flexible when the market is still underdeveloped, the piracy rate is approaching 70%, as in Bulgaria or Romania.More generally, emerging markets are at a peak, with a piracy rate 2.5 higher than in mature markets, with a total value estimated at 21.7 billion euros.

At the head office and messaging

Pirated software the most concern the office and mail systems. What makes Microsoft the publisher the most penalized. Exposure correlated with its market share. The case of misuse is the most common deployment abusive (a company buys a license for 100 PCs and installs it on 200). "Cases of pure piracy, with the use of unlicensed software, are more rare," says Eric Beaurepaire.

This does not prevent users or even entire departments of large private companies fraudulently install software on their devices, possibly bypassing the procedures established by IT departments."Such practices can have dramatic consequences for societies. Pirated software can be corrupted with viruses … "insists Eric Beaurepaire. Not to mention the risk of financial penalties for the company.

Departments also

In France, where industry, technical fields and those related to the creation on the Internet appear to be less virtuous, no area is spared, not even the utility or ministries! Moreover, there is no real correlation between the rate of software piracy and its price. The most expensive are not necessarily the most coveted.Thus, security software, which does not always worth a score of euros, are not copied less than for professionals, which can be worth several thousand euros.

Paradoxically, the French might be followers of illegal copying, they say they are also very sensitive to the respect of intellectual property. A poll conducted by Ipsos for the BSA found that 68% of French people support the remuneration of inventors the world average is 71%. Aware of the risks of "software purchased on the street or" borrowed "between friends", the French, however, not hesitate to perform multiple installations, they do not perceive a real fraud.The advantages of software legally acquired access to technical assistance, protection against intruders … not enough to convince either the French users, less sensitive than the rest of the world to these arguments.

ALSO READ:

"The site of the Business Software Alliance

The Paris Bourse pauses

The CAC 40 will not stack with a seventh consecutive month of meeting this Friday. Or so that presage early trade. At the opening, the benchmark index in Paris begins with a decline of 0.27% to 4093.61 points.

The Frankfurt Stock Exchange is in equilibrium at 7475.22 points. In London, the markets are closed. The wedding day princely between William and Kate was indeed decreed holiday.

Investors follow the footsteps of Asian markets, Tokyo without (closed due to holiday) were very hesitant after the announcement of a U.S. growth slowed in the first quarter. In Paris as in Wall Street, many traders were yesterday conceded that the new had yet been burdened by other negative indicators.

Decline in German retail sales

For this last day of the week, risk-taking should be smaller.In addition to the marriage, the eyes will be on the expected flurry of statistics. In France, the producer price of French industry continued in March for the sixth straight month of sharp increase their movement, spurred by soaring oil prices, Insee said Friday. The increase is 0.9% from the previous month, after +0.8% in February

German retail sales fell unexpectedly in March in Germany, as consumers bought fewer groceries on the shelves and textiles in a month where inflation has exceeded 2%.

In the euro area, unemployment is on the agenda.

Then the United States, the festivities start with the incomes and household spending in February (14.30) and the Chicago PMI for April (15.45) and the index of consumer sentiment this month ( 3:55 p.m.).

Side currency, the euro remains strong against the dollar at 1.4847 dollar.Oil markets appear, they, down, worried about the state of the U.S. economy. A barrel of light sweet crude for June delivery lost 45 cents to 112.41 dollars and that of Brent North Sea also June delivery yielded 17 cents to 124.85 dollars.

Values ​​to follow

News companies should also serve markets:

Total: -0.31% to 42.87 euros

The tanker jeudila announced takeover of U.S. manufacturer SunPower solar panels in view of creating the "world leader in solar energy."The group also released Friday the results up in the first quarter, thanks in particular to the sharp rise in prices of oil and gas, but production was down by 2.3% mainly because of the Libyan crisis.

Accor: -0.46% to 30.11 euros

The group announced Friday to study a possible sale of the catering Lenôtre, as part of his refocusing on the only hotel trades.

GDF Suez: -0.27% to 27.69 euros

The group announced the launch of a new subsidiary trading on energy markets with the ambition to compete with industry heavyweights such as Barclays, Goldman Sachs, and E. ON EDF Trading

Legrand: -0.05% to 30.40 euros

The group announced the acquisition of SMS, a leading Brazilian electric inverters, in order to strengthen its position in a growing market.

Ingenico: 0.53% to 33.27 euros

The group denied on Thursday evening news reports that he would be interested in the activities of online payment from Hi Media.

Gifi: 4.23% to EUR 64

Ginestet family announced Thursday its intention to launch a simplified tender offer for the shares Gifi delist the distributor of first prizes.

Vinci confirms its objectives

Saint-Gobain: -0.56% to 46.89 euros

The group confirmed its 2011 targets after a first quarter marked by an acceleration of growth in its business thanks to the contribution of most geographic areas where it is present and better weather.

Vinci: 1.09% to 45.25 euros

The group also confirmed its full-year after a turnover up 25.4% in the first quarter, above market expectations, driven by acquisitions last year and its activities in the construction and energy.

Compagnie des Alpes: stable at 22.74 euros

The group reported Thursday a turnover up 5.8% for its first semester of the 2010-2011 fiscal year to March after a winter characterized by early snowfall.

Group Crit: 1.47% to 23.45 euros

The group again expressed confidence Thursday for earnings growth in 2011 after having posted a revenue increase of nearly 22% in the first quarter.

Saft: -2.54% to 30.47 euros

The group confirmed on Thursday its forecast for revenue and earnings for 2011 after releasing first quarter sales up 11%.

Bull: -4.91% to 4.45 euros

The group confirmed Thursday that the goals the group has set medium term, after realizing the first-quarter sales were down 0.9% to 270.8 million euros.The group also said that orders had risen to 313.8 million euros in Q1.

Fimalac: 1.23% to 29.66 euros

The group reported Thursday after the closing sales up 21.1% to 341.5 million euros thanks to the rise of nearly 17% of revenue from its credit rating agency Fitch.

Renault (-0.23% to 40.58 euros) will hold a meeting this Friday to 15 hours.

Belvedere will unveil its fourth quarter results, EDF Energies Nouvelles in sales the first quarter and Trigano its second quarter results.

Wall Street moves slowly

U.S. stock markets opened very slightly up on Tuesday. The Dow Jones gained 0.22% to 12,507.01 points, the S & P 500 is 0.40% to 1340.65 points and the Nasdaq rose 0.34% to 2835.44 points. On Monday, the NYSE has done in a piecemeal, beginning with one week ahead caution particularly busy, with many corporate earnings and a crucial meeting of the American central bank (Fed).

Investors should still be cautious on Tuesday. The week promises to be loaded into effect as macroeconomic and microeconomic levels.United States, some 180 companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 and eight of the Dow Jones must publish their first quarter results, including those from Amazon today, Coca-Cola and Office Depot.

Beginning of the Fed meeting tonight

The U.S. central bank meets from this afternoon and on this occasion could provide guidance on its strategy for ending the crisis so that its measures to support the economy come to an end late June. The U.S. central bank should maintain its interest rates between 0% and 0.25%, a threshold at which they have been held since December 2008 to reinvigorate the economy. On the other hand, the buyback program to $ 600 billion of debt the Treasury launched in November would go to its closure in June, in accordance with the wishes of the majority within the Fed.Markets also expect to see for the first time in the history of this institution almost centenary, the Fed chairman to answer questions from reporters after a meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee.

Housing prices in the United States continued to decline for the eighth consecutive month in February, 0.2% from January, according to the monthly Standard and Poor's / Case-Shiller index released Tuesday.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro rose slightly from 0.21% to 1.4610 dollar.

Oil prices were little higher on Tuesday at the market opening in New York, a barrel of benchmark winning 7 cents to 112.35 dollars, still supported by a weak dollar and tensions in the Middle East and North Africa .

Boeing: 0.21% to 75.06 dollars

The side of values, the investigators of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in a statement it had found cracks in the fuselage of the Boeing 737-300 Southwest Airlines involved in an incident in early April, and problems on the rivets .

Oracle: -0.12% to 34.79 dollars

The IT group and Oracle software has announced the departure of its CFO Jeff Epstein, whose duties will be assumed by its co-president Safra Catz, who was both his direct supervisor and his predecessor.

Yahoo!: -0.23% to 17.07 dollars

Yahoo! announced Monday the acquisition of very young IntoNow company, which launched on January 31 an application for iPhone to connect to family television programs we are watching.Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but the news website TechCrunch specialized evaluation between 20 and 30 million dollars.

General Electric: 1.07% to 20.10 dollars

The U.S. Department of Defense has terminated a contract from General Electric and Rolls-Royce for a replacement engine for fighter jets F-35.

Also note, the White House lashed out Monday night that U.S. oil companies will announce this week their profits when gasoline at the pump is at its highest in three years.Exxon Mobil advance of 0.19% to 86.38 dollars, Chevron gained 0.13% to 107.56 dollars and ConocoPhillips takes 0.17% to 80.62 dollars.

Goldman Sachs 0.21% to 152.52 dollars, Morgan Stanley: 0.47% to 25.90 dollars

A group of creditors of Lehman Brothers Holdings, led by Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, introduced in turn before the bankruptcy court in Manhattan plan to restructure the bank, the third since the collapse of the facility in September 2008. It provides a recovery rate of over 40% for the creditors of the derivatives business at Lehman, which include the designers of this new plan, and a rate of only 16% for bondholders. The plan is very different from that filed in December by a group of bondholders, led by Paulson & Co. under which creditors would recover only derivatives that 25.7% and 24.5% of bondholders.Lehman has also filed its own restructuring plan, presented as a compromise. It provides a recovery rate of 34% for the creditors of derivatives and 21.4% for bondholders.

Pact for the Euro: Eastern Europe hostile

For Hungary and the Czech Republic is not. Prague or Budapest or accept the pact to join the euro, introduced at the request of Germany and France to prevent non-members of the eurozone new debt crises, and adopted at the summit European 24 and 25 March in Brussels.

The pact aims to strengthen mechanisms for monitoring and rapid reaction within the eurozone, for situations similar to those of bankruptcy occurred during autumn 2008 in the most fragile economies of the EU (Hungary, Estonia ).

This ambition has met with resistance from some capitals, who see the pact as an infringement of the independence of their fiscal policies: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Great Britain and Sweden have chosen to remain outside this strategy."The meeting on Friday, March 25 in Brussels has focused on a radical new limitation of the sovereignty of member countries of the EU, on Monday lost his temper very eurosceptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus.

In the wake of the Head of State, the Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas, said he regretted that countries outside the euro zone were not consulted prior to the measures constituting the pact. He has not ruled out that the Czech Republic to join later.

Tax competition

Before Klaus, Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, whose country holds the EU presidency until June 30, had already expressed its categorical refusal to accept the pact cash advance flexible payments. "Right now, the Hungarian government decided not to join the pact for the euro, he said March 22.After consultation with the parties in Parliament, I can say that the desire to maintain the independence of our tax policy is unanimous. "The aim of the pact does not encourage tax competition. But a country economically weaker can hardly do without such a measure, "says Minister for Foreign Affairs Janos Martonyi.

However, the pact partially limits the discretion of governments, promoting a "convergence" of fiscal policies, particularly for the corporation tax, a strict limitation of government debt and wage moderation.

The rising discontent in Central and Eastern Europe. After Slovenia and Slovakia, some neighbors are still hoping to join the euro in 2013 or 2014, but a fundamental change is taking place in public opinion increasingly hostile to single currency.In a recent survey, 78% of Czechs said they were against. Hungary, she no longer hopes to join the euro before 2020.

ALSO READ:

"Lithuania will join the European Pact for

"Euro: Hungary rejects the Covenant

"The Portuguese will stand a little more belt

The resumption of construction at the trial of Egyptian crisis

Confidence and optimism. Bouygues in Vinci, through Lafarge, Saint Gobain, Ciments Vicat or French, the recent wave of publication of annual results in the construction ended on quite positive outlook for 2011. "I am convinced that the return to growth, yet very contrasting last year, will continue this year," said Pierre-Andre and Chalendar, CEO of Saint-Gobain, in an interview with Le Figaro, after the publication of annual results of the group. The diversified giant Bouygues seeks to increase its share of sales by 2% in 2011, driven by construction and telecoms. The prospects are very favorable for Lafarge, which "anticipates growth in its markets of cement demand between 3% and 6%" for the current year.

For Natixis analysts, however, the horizon is perhaps not so clear for the construction industry.According to them, "lack of visibility into Egypt" may weigh on the sector. In a note, they believe that "even if the long-term prospects remain very attractive, the Egyptian market in 2011 is expected to suffer from political turmoil that hit the country with the transition from the old regime and the establishment of a new ". And they expect a decline in demand for cement 5%, and on a slight decline in prices, "because of new capacity will be commissioned in 2011, representing 4 to 6 million tonnes, 10% of the request.

Egypt, a barometer of 2011?

This analysis echoes the concerns expressed recently by Standard & Poor's. The rating agency announced Feb. 23 that it planned to lower the note by the Lafarge Group, world's leading cement, due to its exposure to the Middle East and Africa, particularly Egypt.Lafarge has made about 40% of its operating profit in 2010 in these areas has advanced S & P. According to Natixis, the political situation in the Middle East and Africa could jeopardize the objective of growth of volumes of Lafarge in 2011. The French group, which employs 2,200 people in Egypt and produces 10 million tonnes of cement per year for the local market, ceased activity at its plant located 200 kilometers from Cairo for seven days.

For its part, the Italian Italcementi Group, which claims the number one spot in Egypt, admitted last week that "the current financial year could suffer from some factors of uncertainty, such as rising commodity prices and time needed to normalize the situation (in the country, Ed). The cement had to temporarily suspend production at its five plants in Egypt late January.

The French established a very

According to the 2010 report of the African Development Bank Group in Egypt, the construction industry grew by 14.7%, supported by giant infrastructure projects developed by the government. Sites on which the French groups are present in strength. In particular Vinci and Bouygues, which involved the construction of Metro Line 3 of Cairo. In the wake of Lafarge and Saint-Gobain, the two groups had to organize the repatriation of almost all of their some 180 expatriates in Egypt. The work of the subway line was suspended, but Xavier Huillard, CEO of Vinci, acted on March 6 that it restarts "in the coming days."

In unison, the French industrial relativize the impact of the political crisis in the Middle East on their business. Lafarge is not too worried.Its CEO, Bruno Lafont, spoke of "a limited economic impact" after the cessation of production at its plant in Egypt. Pierre-Andre de Chalendar, CEO of Saint-Gobain, which opened last November in Egypt's largest flat glass plant in the region, recalled that the area represented "less than 0.5% of the aggregate exposure" group. On Vinci, analysts Exane BNP Paribas have recently emphasized the "limited exposure" group in the region, particularly Egypt.

Opportunities to seize

Finally, the cement company Vicat, whose consolidated sales in Egypt posted a solid increase of 7.6% in 2010, assured that its industrial base was not affected by the unrest. "The group remains confident about the evolution of the Egyptian market and its ability to fully benefit from its growth," he said during the presentation of its annual results.

Some even see in the "revolution" Egypt is a great opportunity. "Egypt, the most populous country in the region retains its potential. She has significant needs for housing and infrastructure, "said Bruno Lafont, CEO of Lafarge. Bouygues said he was not present in the Middle East and North Africa, a region that represents less than 4% of its backlog, but he was interested. CEO Martin Bouygues, look forward with enthusiasm: "I hope that the movements of revolution will create an economic boom in these countries."

In exchange, the shares of construction players have found the colors, as a result of optimistic statements from their leaders.In January and February, they had been severely battered by the crisis in Egypt.

ALSO READ:

"Bouygues plans to resume growth in 2011

"Lafarge expects to reduce its debt in 2011

"Saint-Gobain off again on the offensive"

"SPECIAL – Arab Revolts

Oil Tripping the Cac 40

After the nice gains yesterday on Wall Street and in Asia this morning, European stock markets saw their rate of increase slowed even fall into negative territory. In Paris the Cac 40, which closed yesterday up nearly 1% beyond 4100, declined by more than 1% to 4067.15 points after leading much of the day. The CAC 40 suffered profit taking after several fine sessions of gains. Investors worried about the risk of contagion of violence in the Arab world to major oil producing countries, like Kuwait or Oman.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro continued to rise against the dollar on Tuesday, still supported by persistent speculation about an early monetary tightening in the euro zone before the policy meeting of the European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday.To 17 hours in Paris, the euro bought 1.3816 dollars against 1.3803 dollars late Monday.

Registrations of new cars bound

Tuesday, statistics aside, the European Commission announced expect a growth of 1.6% for countries in the euro area this year, up 0.1 points from previous projections, despite rising prices Oil and debt problems of some countries. Note, however, inflation accelerated again in February in the eurozone to 2.4% yoy from 2.3% in January, according to a first estimate Tuesday of the EU statistics office Eurostat. Still according to Eurostat, unemployment in the euro area fell to 9.9% of the workforce in January, after at least 10% in almost all of 2010.Also note, the growth of French manufacturing activity accelerated in February, according to final results of the Monthly Markit published Tuesday.

Registrations of new cars jumped 13.7% in France in February, still enjoying the effects of scrapping, according to figures released Tuesday by the Committee of French Automobile (CCFA). Registrations of Peugeot SA climbed 10.7% and 15.2% of Renault. The CAC 40, Peugeot SA and Renault respectively lost 1.64% to 28.54 euros and 2.23% to 43.42 euros. Furthermore, Peugeot SA is considering a name "low cost" for Europe, but has not yet taken a decision thereon, said Tuesday its chief brands, Jean-Marc Gales at the Geneva Motor Show .

Note also challenge Toyota, Peugeot and BMW in the hybrid car.The two groups will invest 100 million euros in their joint venture. Research and procurement will be located in Germany, while production of components will be located in Mulhouse.

In Paris, the luxury group LVMH with doing well, which accounts 0.17% to 114.70 euros. Investors ignore the departure of Galliano Dior. His rival, PPR advance more (0.86% to 110.95 euros)

Technicolor has reduced its losses in 2010

Sales of the former Thomson – on the brink of bankruptcy in 2009 – have rebounded throughout the year. The net loss of 69 million has been divided by five.The title is sanctioned: -5.66% to 5.17 euros

Vivendi (-1.31% to 20 business cards.39 euros) projects a slight increase in its profits and maintaining a high dividend in 2011 after posting 2010 earnings in line with expectations, the economic daily reported Tuesday Voices.

Steria (-1.25% to 22.57 Euro) announced Monday anticipate an acceleration in organic growth in turnover in 2011 against a backdrop of improving the IT services market, but its margin is expected to remain stable against 2010.

Remy Cointreau: + 2.74% to 50.01 euros specialist in wines and spirits to be announced Monday night entered into exclusive negotiations with the PPE Group for the sale of two brands of Champagne Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck.

Bureau Veritas (-0.45% to 55.70 euros) on Monday published the results in 2010 net growth due to emerging countries and said to anticipate further strong growth in sales and operating profit in 2011.

Ingenico: -1.66% to 26.98 euros The group announced Monday night that he might have to raise its medium-term objectives, set for 2013, on the basis of year 2011 for which he anticipates growth organic turnover and improved margins.

Casino Guichard (unchanged at 70.98 euros) wants to sell assets for 700 million euros.The group expects an increase in sales of more than 10% annually over the next three years, but shows a 7% drop in net income in 2010 to 550 million euros in 2010 against 591 million euros a year earlier.

Carrefour (-1.71% to 34.79 euros) and the Alliance Boots company announced Monday an agreement of long-term cooperation in the field of cosmetics. Both groups will also explore partnership opportunities in emerging countries in the field of health.

GDF Suez degraded by UBS

GDF Suez, the second largest European utilities in terms of turnover, is studying the possibility of selling its gas distribution network in Italy as part of a transaction that can represent 750 million euros. Value (-2.13% to 28.75 euros) suffers from a lowering of recommendation from UBS, spent "neutral."

Dried Environment (-0.49% to 66.35 euros) on Monday published the results in 2010 rising, driven by the treatment and recovery of waste, and it was announced a further increase in current operating profit in 2011.

April Group (-2.25% to 22.38 euros) announced Monday a 9.6% increase in net income in 2010 for increased income from investments and the sale of nonstrategic assets .

Damartex (0.46% to 21.70 euros) announced Monday a Damartex Monday announced an increase of 17.5% in operating profit in the first half of 2010-2011 ended in late December, to 23.4 million euros thanks to improved sales and profit margins.

Predica, a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole Assurances and Land Wall announced Monday it had signed with the Louvre Hotels Group protocol to acquire a portfolio of 33 hotel properties operated under the Campanile.