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Air traffic disrupted in Northern Europe

Thousands of passengers were stranded on Tuesday morning in Scotland as a result of the eruption of Icelandic Grímsvötn, which continued Monday spit a heavy cloud of ash and begins to disrupt air traffic in northern Europe. Eurocontrol, the European organization for aviation security, announced that 252 flights were canceled Tuesday.

Indeed, while Europe's airspace remains open, some companies have already taken action. British Airways has decided, "a precaution" to ensure no link between London and Scotland until Tuesday 14h (local time). For its part, the Dutch company KLM canceled sixteen flights between Amsterdam and the northern United Kingdom and Air Lingus and Easyjet have suspended their relations towards Scotland and northern England. In contrast, the British government has ruled out a total closure of its airspace.The Irish Aviation has also ensured that "all airports remain open," although "some flights could be affected by restrictions imposed by other European service providers."

The Scandinavian countries are also affected. The cloud reached Tuesday western Norway and Denmark. However, according to the Norwegian operator of airports, the impact on air traffic remains "very limited" for now. Ashes should be extending south of the country by the end of the day. In Denmark, the airspace was closed below 6000 meters on north-west. Delays and cancellations were reported at the airport in Copenhagen.

'No threat' for France by Thursday

"The cloud should reach the end of the day on southern Scandinavia, Denmark and parts of northern Germany," Eurocontrol said Tuesday.It could then move to France and northern Spain in midweek, "if volcanic emissions continue unabated," says Eurocontrol. Information figaro.fr confirmed Monday by the French Pascal Scavina forecaster. Monday night, the Secretary of State for Transport has, however, wanted Thierry Mariani reassuring. "For the next 48 hours, there is no threat, no risk.From Thursday, all depend on the nature of the eruption, "he said on France 2.

After the eruption of Eyjafjöll a year ago, the scenario of complete paralysis of European airspace could it be repeated? According to Thierry Mariani, "it will not take any risks but we can certainly go through some clouds of ash without any damage to the engines and therefore without any risk."

On Monday, the force of the eruption of Grímsvötn was still considered "important" by the Icelandic Meteorological Services. If the main airport in Iceland, the Reykjavik-Keflavik, reopened Monday night, civil aviation was unable to say whether he would remain operational on Tuesday.

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Unilever and Kraft share customer data

What common laundry between Skip, LU biscuits, liquid dishwashing Mir and Amora mustard? All these products are now part of the loyalty program "My Life in Colour", which just launched all the French subsidiaries of Unilever, the Anglo-Dutch behemoth of consumer products, and Kraft Foods, the giant of agribusiness.

By bringing together more than 60 brands in food, hygiene and beauty care of the house, the two companies will be able to reach 6 million French households. The issue is crucial for the industry. First, build powerful databases to improve knowledge of their end customers and do well against those distributors who have millions of contacts.On the other, consumers have with a direct and regular contact by mail and Internet-based information and discount coupons.

Loyalty programs launched in the 1990s lost momentum. Two years ago, Unilever took stock of its "To tell you the truth," launched in 1997 around thirty marks. The finding was unequivocal: it is increasingly difficult to emerge from the multitude of programs created by marks or competing groups as "Want more" Procter & Gamble, "Croquons life" Nestle or "Danone and you. " The attractiveness of "To tell you the truth," launched on the basis of a consumer magazine and enriched with a website in 2001, languished."Traffic growth was not enough, it lacked power," says Anne-Gabrielle Dangu, media and CRM Director of Unilever France.

In late 2009, the food group made the radical choice to sell his program to Publicis Groupe, responsible for finding other brands to strengthen it. However, Kraft Foods, which launched the program "suggestion box" for its LU biscuits bought from Danone in 2007, was seeking to launch a multi-brand. Publicis suggested the two groups together to create a common agenda. The pooling of their databases should reduce their costs while gaining attractiveness.

Nestle and Procter & Gamble align their data

The merger of Unilever and Kraft in the field of relationship marketing is a trend that is expected.Nestle and Procter & Gamble have already pooled their databases to send their respective print magazines in 3 million households. Each maintains its program for now, but both groups should soon announce a strengthening of their cooperation.

Will they go up to launch a single program? "You have to purchase a plate large enough to sustain a multi-program," said Viola Degas, CEO of OgilvyOne. The only approach to food no longer seems sufficient to capture the attention of consumers, already watered copiously on the Internet for revenue and cooking tips offered by sites like Marmiton.

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.

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AT & T buys T-Mobile USA for $ 39 billion

Redemption spectacular in the United States: the incumbent telecommunications operator AT & T has formalized an agreement Sunday with the German Deutsche Telekom to buy back its mobile phone subsidiary T-Mobile USA, the fourth player in the U.S. market. Amount of transaction: $ 39 billion (27.5 billion euros).

The transaction involves two components. On the one hand, AT & T will pay $ 25 billion in cash to the operator Deutsche Telekom. The other, the German group will take nearly 8% of its U.S. partner, and get a seat on the board.

Until now, T-Mobile USA accounted for nearly a quarter of the activity of Deutsche Telekom. But the subsidiary, less and less profitable, had become a source of concern.

For its part, thanks to the purchase of T-Mobile USA, AT & T should regain its leading position in mobile telephony in the United States, with more than 33 million customers. A chair that he had abandoned in 2009 in favor of Verizon.

The French nuclear industry met Monday at the Elysee

It is not on any official agenda, but a meeting to organize the French nuclear industry will go ahead on Monday at the Elysee. The Minister of Industry, Eric Besson, has indeed confirmed this morning on France 2 reports in the press, announcing today that Nicolas Sarkozy would chair the Council of nuclear policy, which he founded in 2008. "The only thing I can tell you is (this meeting) concerns the organization of the French nuclear industry, what has been called France's nuclear team," said Eric Besson on France 2.

According to La Tribune, a preparatory meeting was already held last Friday, bringing together around one table Lauvergeon, CEO of Areva, Henri Proglio, head of EDF, Gerard Mestrallet, head of GDF Suez Patrick Kron, CEO of Alstom, and Eric Besson Dipuo Elizabeth Peters, Minister of Energy of South Africa.The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma will indeed soon be visiting Paris to talk about nuclear. The challenge for France is to develop a coherent strategy to deal foreign clients especially not to not repeat the failure of Abu Dhabi in December 2009 when the French had lost a huge contract for nuclear centarles, at least 20 billion deal to Koreans.

The TTY in focus

On Monday, participants should discuss in particular the strategic partnership between EDF and Areva. The decision to bring the two French energy giants was taken at the last council of nuclear policy in late July 2010.According to unidentified sources quoted by La Tribune, the two companies involved do not share the same vision of the progress of the project: Areva, it says that "the agreement is ready in its broad lines" then for EDF, "there are still points of disagreement."

According to Les Echos, the discussion should revolve around one central question: "whether the combination of EDF reactor project at medium power, TDD, developed by Areva and its partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Capacity reaches 1100 megawatts Atmea, against 1600 for the EPR.EDF could decide to take part in the cooperation on the TDD, or work on its own medium-power reactor with its Chinese partner CGNPC, or both at once.

Both companies should also discuss their mining strategy, including a possible investment from EDF in the mining division of Areva, whose valuation problem. As for GDF Suez, which wants to grow in importance in the French nuclear industry, the group should also focus on getting its game in the middle of negotiations.

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Bank stocks support the CAC40

ACC 40poursuit its momentum, driven by corporate earnings considered in good order. At the close, the index in Paris gained 1% to 4151,26,14 points in trade volume expanded (4.59 billion euros treaties). Elsewhere in Europe, optimism was also practiced. The Footsie-100 from the London Stock Exchange ended on a rise of 0.80% to 6085.27 points and the Dax in Frankfurt Stock Exchange has eaten 0.19% to 7414.30 points.

On the macroeconomic front, the news was mostly American with the publication of figures on many indicators for the month of January. Rather mixed, but they can not reverse the upward trend observed since the opening.In January, housing starts in the U.S. rebounded more than expected, 14.6%, while building permits fell more than expected, 10.4%.

Higher-than-expected also for producer prices in January, they (seasonally adjusted) advanced 0.8% over the month, against 0.7% expected by analysts.

Finally, industrial production fell 0.1% in January, penalized by the return of harsher winter temperatures. An unexpected drop in the consensus building on a 0.5%.This is the first decline since June 2009.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro gained ground Wednesday against the dollar bending under the weight of disappointing U.S. figures published yesterday, but the single currency remains under pressure as concerns about the fiscal health of the fragile zone Euro persistent.Vers 18:00 to Paris, the euro bought 1.3581 dollars against 1.3488 dollars on Tuesday at 23:00.

Societe Generale its dividend multiplied by seven

On the podium of the largest increases in the CAC 40, are banking stocks, buoyed by the good results of Societe Generale. It wins 4.86%, to 51.24 euros. Credit Agricole took 4.76%, to 12.21 euros and Natixis jumped from 3.56% to 4.16 dollars. Sanofi-Aventis follows (3.51% at 51.55 euros), supported by the announcement last night of an agreement with U.S. biotech Genzyme.

In contrast, PPR, which reports tomorrow, shows the largest decrease (-2.07% to 113.40 euros) in its wake LVMH (-0.97% to 116.90 euros).

Societe Generale: + 4.86% to 51.24 euros

Meanwhile, good news comes from the results published by companies, including Societe Generale. After publishing the results in line with market expectations, the banking group has increased its dividend in September by Societe Generale in its wake Credit Agricole (4.76% to 12.21 euros), BNP Paribas (+2, 93% to 58.97 euros) which must publish its results tomorrow, Thursday before the opening of the Bouurse.

Banks also benefit from a buoyant economic environment and the easing of tensions on sovereign debt, while the Eurozone is currently developing measures to help the troubled country.

Sanofi-Aventis: + 3.51% at 51.55 euros

Another announcement that should be reacted in financial markets, even if she was waiting for: the acquisition by Sanofi-Aventis U.S. biotech Genzyme. The two groups have reached an agreement in principle after the French laboratory which will provide $ 20.1 billion plus a certificate of conditional value.

Renault: 0.34% to 45.82 euros, Peugeot: -0.65% to 29.83 euros

For the EU, new car registrations fell 1.4% in January to 1,041,650 vehicles, announced Wednesday the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA).Renault sales fell by 5.2% and Peugeot, 3.4%.

A new salvo of results

Atos Origin: + 0.02% to 41.36 euros

Atos Origin has more than tripled its net profit in 2010 to 116 million euros, indicating that they had "achieved its objectives."The group is confident for 2011.

Imerys: -0.23% to 51.52 euros

Imerys will rely on the growth of demand in its markets, particularly in emerging countries and in the paper and steel, to take over the restocking that has supported its findings in 2010, told Reuters its general manager.

Euler Hermes: -2.67% to 73.00 euros

Euler Hermes announced Tuesday a strong rebound in its annual results, driven by a drop in claims, and the resumption of a dividend to its shareholders.

ADP + 0.85% to 65.06 euros

ADP reported a January traffic up 5.5% from 2010.

Bic: -2,16,06% to 62.93 euros

The group of stationery and disposable Bic has made a net profit up 36.7% to 207.5 million euros in 2010, thanks to gains in market share and reported a very good start 2011.

Orpea: + 0.25% to 34.68 euros

Orpea reported Wednesday in a double-digit growth of its business in 2010, supported by organic growth of 8.7% and its external development. Group homes was confident for 2011.

After market, it was the turn of Bricorama (turnover in the fourth quarter) and Icade (results in the fourth quarter) to submit their figures. Is also awaited the outcome of the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the U.S. central bank, held tonight at 20:30.

The champions South rival those of North

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphic.

Huawei is the Chinese telecommunications industry who files the most patents in the world. Indian conglomerate Tata has done for $ 17 billion of acquisitions over the past decade. Brazil's Votorantim has become the number one global paper and entered the top five global zinc and in the top ten cement … Despite crisis, firms in emerging markets continue to climb.

According to the consulting firm that publishes BCG Tuesday its new survey on "New Global Challengers", the hundred champions from sixteen countries show strong growth in much better performance than those of European and American groups. They achieved a total turnover of 1300 billion in 2009, an average of 13 billion company.The Chinese continue to carve the lion's share with 32 companies. They play leading roles in construction, civil engineering, energy, telecommunications. The first three groups in the world are Chinese construction industry. The Indians come in second place with 20 companies. Brazilians in third place with 13 companies. Russia also ranks in fifth place with 6 firms behind Mexico, which has seven

The 'cat' in Africa

"Groups in Africa, South America and Asia, we baptize cats, needed among the hundred" global challengers. " Their rise will continue as the population and wealth of their countries are equivalent to those of Brazil, India and Russia combined.They represent 20% of world population and 16% of global wealth, "says Olivier Scalabre, associate director in charge of globalization in the Paris office of BCG.

The five best performing giants are able to compete with the more powerful Western multinationals. Vale of Brazil, Indonesian Wilmar International, the Mexican Cemex, the South African SABMiller and Anglo American are present worldwide no fax payday loans. They perform internationally 75% of their turnover has reached at least $ 20 billion. They are present in the top five worldwide in their business.

The new champions of the South will continue their conquest of the planet. Chinese home appliance manufacturer Haier has established research centers in Europe. The Mexican Grupo Bimbo has bought American brands of Weston Foods and Sara Lee.But their priority is the new middle classes in developing countries. "The emerging market companies prefer to make major efforts on growth markets rather than dealing with European and American markets that are growing soft. The European and American companies will also want to be very active in these new markets, "Oliver Scalabre analysis. Everyone should make great efforts to adapt to the needs of hundreds of millions of men and women. "The battle will be tough to conquer this new class of consumers who represent 30% in ten years of world population and the first contract to the U.S.," says Olivier Scalabre.

More efficient than the Europeans

The 100 champions have achieved an annual growth of 18% between 2000 and 2009.It is three times higher than their European and American counterparts. "Their rate of return over the same period is also 18%. 60% better than the groups of developed countries, "Olivier Scalabre analysis. They performed in 2010 57 mergers and acquisitions for approximately $ 37 billion. "They pay dividends to their shareholders while investing heavily in the future. Volumes and margins, growth and low debt levels, investment and dividends: they manage to reconcile opposites. What the American and European groups have a hard time, "says Olivier Scalabre.

Nexans waives make an offer on Draka

Nexans did not lodge a bid for the Dutch group Draka become the object of a bidding war between the Chinese and Italian Tianjin Xinmao Prysmian. The regulations in force in the Netherlands required the French group confirmed it by November 24 its intentions vis-à-vis Draka.

Nexans (…) his intention, in light of current circumstances, not to file a document relating to such offer from the Dutch Financial Markets Authority, "wrote the French group in a brief statement. "We will remain attentive to developments in the case Draka, then said a spokeswoman of the group.

Nexans, the worldwide cable, announced October 18 a proposed bid for Dutch rival the price of 15 euros per share in cash.But Drake had rejected this proposal and recommended Monday a rival bid by Prysmian at 17.20 euros, divided in half in cash and securities. A few hours later announced a higher bid Xinmao offering 20.50 euros per share Draka.

A spokesman said the Xinmao minimum value of the offer would be five billion yuan, representing approximately 560 million euros, the value of 48 instant credit report.5% owned by Draka in very discreet fund Flint Beheer, family Fentener van Vlissingen.

While doubts were cast on the feasibility of Xinmao, his consulting firm said on Wednesday that funding had been secured with a major Chinese bank.

According to Joseph Krant, firm Catalyst Advisors based in Amsterdam, the company Xinmao submitted a letter of commitment on the part of a "major banks in China to provide the funds necessary" for the proposed takeover.

The parent of Xinmao was founded in 2000 by a former officer in the Army Air China and employs approximately 30,000 people.

Draka-Prysmian marriage would create a new world leader in the cable. Xinmao for his part confirmed Wednesday its intentions vis-à-vis the Dutch group and ensured that funding had been secured with a major Chinese bank.

(With Reuters)

Bernanke defended its policy in Europe

The United States spared no effort to defend their monetary policy. The chairman of the Federal Reserve (Fed), Ben Bernanke, on Friday a conference held in Frankfurt alongside the President of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet, the director of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss Kahn, president and Brazilian Central Bank Henrique Meirelles.

The Fed chief will explain in particular the $ 600 billion of liquidity into the banking system decided in October "aims to support economic recovery, promote faster growth of employment, and reduce the risk of deflation. " "The commitment of the [Fed] to ensure price stability remains unwavering," he adds, as the text of his speech released Thursday in Washington.

Ben Bernanke wants to demonstrate, moreover, that this move widely criticized internationally, is to support the global economy. He will call and its counterparts around the world "to work together to achieve common benefits, including a solid recovery, sustainable and balanced economy."

Attacks overseas and the U.S.

The Fed policy has been accused of stopping outside the dollar to promote U creditreport.S. exports, and the United States to sow the seeds of inflation control. United States, the decision of the central bank is also debate: Republicans and economists accuse him of sowing the seeds of a return of inflation and a weakening dollar and believe it diverts the mission support the economy that normally accrues to fiscal policy, so political power.

Obama also goes to the plate

For his part, Barack Obama will attend the summit Europe and United States. The U.S. President will attempt to dispel the discomfort associated with the falling dollar and the Fed's monetary strategy. The White House has also made it clear that the issue of European debt crisis will be addressed while reaffirming its confidence in the ability of Europe "to solve the Irish crisis."

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Beef: Negotiating amid deadlock Slaughterhouse

The Minister of Agriculture, Bruno Le Maire, received Tuesday morning the players in the sector of the beef to try to resolve a dispute over prices between producers and processors. A meeting announced on the bottom lock, which began Sunday night by farmers, nine of the ten slaughterhouses Company Bigard (Cholet, Metz, Castres, Cuiseaux …). This family is the number one French slaughter, with 42% market share. Central claims: the revaluation of prices paid by manufacturers.The beef is currently paid to farmers between 2 and 2.40 euros per kilo for the carcass of a dairy breed (cow "reform") and around 3 euros for beef breeds.

Health Standards

"Currently between 3 euros and 3.10 euros per kilo, my meat is valued at the same price there are more than ten years while expenses have increased significantly since then and that we find between 3 and 6 times more expensive in radius, laments Michel Amiard, breeder of Red Meadows at Two-EVAILLE in Mayenne. I am forced to dip into my reserves to plug the losses. "This situation is not isolated."A quarter of the 80,000 French farmers are on the brink of the abyss and should increase 20 to 30% depending on the breeds they head out of water," says Peter Knight, president of the Federation Nationale Bovine (FNB , the branch of FNSEA to lead this movement) payday loan.

Specifically, the majority union requests an increase of 60 cents per kilo. This would allow farmers, he said, to cope with increasing costs. Increase that figure to 40% over the past ten years, under the impact of higher food and strengthening of food safety standards.

A request that the Minister of Agriculture, Bruno Le Maire, considers admissible. "I understand them, because producers of meat and especially beef in France are not paid enough," he told Europe 1 on Monday, but did not condone their methods.We must quickly come up with a better price for producers. "

The meeting with the processors will power: farmers announced on Tuesday blocked the seat of Bigard, Quimperlé to that of his rival Jean-SVA Rozé in Vitre, and that of a slaughterhouse Leclerc, still in Britain.

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