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It's another setback for the patron saint of MEDEF, in trouble a few months before the elections of the next president of the employers' organization. Confirming the decision of the Tribunal de Grande Instance, Cour d'appel de Paris Laurence Parisot Wednesday dismissed his defamation suit against Daniel Dewavrin, former head of the UIMM, considering the facts "insufficient" to prove the allegation.

In March 2008, Daniel Dewavrin put into effect because the version of Laurence Parisot that she would have learned only in September 2007 the scandal of cash withdrawals from the UIMM, through the press. And Daniel Dewavrin quoted his successor as head of the Federation of matallurgie, Daniel Gautier-Sauvagnac, who would have reported one of his interviews with Laurence Parisot about the famous black case, starting in July 2007. Three months before the revelation of the scandal.

Parisot weakened

"The court held that the only testimony of Denis Gautier-Sauvagnac [...] was insufficient, the person who himself never publicly denounced the alleged lies" claims court, which takes the arguments of the trial court proceeding held "good faith of Mr. Dewavrin.

This case should not arrange Laurence Parisot, MEDEF weakened in a few months of elections in which she will run for his own succession. After smashing start of the National Association of Food Industries (Ania) last December, then Jean-Charles Simon, one of its directors, Laurence Parisot must still endure the deliberate setting – next May, just days after the date of deposit of candidacy for president of MEDEF – its decision to the industrial tribunal for unfair dismissal of the predecessor of Jean-Charles Simon, Jacques Creyssel.

Sunday morning in the grand showrooms of Valentino on the Place Vendome, small hands arrived in Rome a few days earlier were busy with finishing touches on the dummies for the parade ready-to-wear fall-winter expected in the post – noon Monday in Paris. "Look at this little dress, spear Stefano Sassi, CEO of the company. If we can show consumers that Valentino is no longer an untouchable mark, we can go far. "

Two years after the retirement of its iconic couturier, the most Parisian of the Italian houses turns the page on this legacy. After some initial mistakes, the duo of Chiure designers Maria Grazia and Pier Paolo Piccioli embodies this vision of a new Valentino. The president said he will wait until next year to recover lost profits trading this complex transition, to which are added the consequences of the crisis.In 2009, the brand has declined by about 10% of sales, close to 250 million euros. But since December, it recorded 15% bonds, including the United States weighing one quarter of turnover. If it is "prudent" for this year, Stefano Sassi sets a target of 400 to 500 million euros in sales by 2015, which may appear very ambitious.

M payday advance . Was the Valentino brand. But when one door closes, you can open a larger one. We want to open and expand the brand while respecting its DNA. We were on a niche high-end, with loyal customers fortunate that we know well.We now want to seduce their daughters as being more contemporary and offering better prices closer to those of our competitors. "While not an item on the shelf for less than 2 000, the regular supplier of red carpet outfits now offers ready-to-wear from 1 000. While retaining his haute couture to tens of thousands of euros, mainly for the image of her dream can convey. Accessories, already one third of turnover, should be even larger.

This strategy of conquest has been in place since the arrival of UK fund Permira, which bought its subsidiary Valentino and Hugo Boss in 2007 to 2.6 billion euros, on the eve of the financial crisis. The fund has restructured its debt reduced to $ 1.5 billion at the end of last year.Now, Valentino and Hugo Boss are housed in separate structures, owned by the same holding company.

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On 18 February, in an interview with Le Figaro, President and CEO of Schneider Electric, Jean-Pascal Tricoire, said that "if intelligent acquisition opportunities arise, we will watch them." This is done with the signing of an agreement with Zicom Electronic Security Systems Limited, announced on Friday. It focuses on the acquisition of the assets of its business integration of electronic security systems, namely "Building Solutions Group" and "Special Projects Group. In 2009, this business employs approximately 200 employees, generated turnover of around 30 million euros. Other companies Zicom, including its joint venture in Dubai, are not affected, Schneider Electric said in a statement.

For the CEO of Schneider in India, Olivier Blum, this acquisition comes on the one hand confirm the group's position in this country."This acquisition represents another major step after the sustained development of recent years and integration in 2009 Conzerv Systems and Meher Capacitors, leaders in energy efficiency" make quick cash .

And secondly, the desire to strengthen two areas, "which are among the first challenges facing India and experiencing very strong growth in the country," said Olivier Blum. Namely security and energy management. "With this acquisition, Schneider Electric will be in an even stronger position to seize these opportunities through the support of its 8,000 employees," he continues.

The completion of the transaction, subject to conditions and prior approval of shareholders Zicom, expected in April 2010.

On 18 February, the group posted a turnover down 15.7% to 15.8 billion euros and net income declined 49.3% to 852 million euros.

At the opening of the Bourse de Paris, Schneider Electric Action replica higher CAC 40, Friday: the title ahead of 0.49% to 81.69 euros.

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The services PMI in Eurozone amounted to only 51.8 in February, against 52.5 in January, according to Markit. If this level exceeds 50 points, reflects an expansion, it remains limited and uneasy. The difference between activity in services and industry, more dynamic, is growing.

"The services sector is becoming a growing concern in the evolution of the recovery of the Eurozone," notes Rob Dobson, economist at Markit. "This sector has difficulties to benefit from the effects of the stronger expansion observed in the manufacturing industry.The renewed threat of weak GDP growth and sustainability of recovery. "

The gap is also a part between Spain and Ireland in the negative, and also Italy, Germany and France, the last six months since registering a growth rate higher its neighbors cash till payday .

Job cuts and confidence

The PMI purchasing managers' French was established in February to 54.6, against 56.3 in January, according to data published by Markit. Although high, the index recorded its lowest level in four months after a "sustained growth" in the fourth quarter of 2009, notes Mark.

"Companies continue to cut jobs despite a further increase in the volume of work in progress, while the awards they agree keep the pressure on their margins," says Markit. However, the projected activities are at their highest level in four months. More than half of respondents to the PMI survey anticipate an increase in their activity over the next twelve months.