Archive for December, 2010

What changes to your taxes next year

Auto Date Thursday, December 30th, 2010

• Financial investments

• Revenue Schedules

• Niche markets and shield

• Real Estate

• Families

• Consumption

The government keeps repeating it: there will be no general tax increase in France. However, samples that weigh on households will increase by 4.7 billion euros in 2011 (and 8.4 billion for the business)! At this Bercy contends that most of the measures include cuts in tax and social niches (10% plane, removing some features like the deduction for home use). Person who is required to use a niche, one can not speak of a general increase in taxation.Except that in state budgets and the social security in 2011, the government has also taken steps that will affect all French: VAT on Internet box, electricity tax, end benefits for newlyweds, etc. . Investors face a sharp rise in their samples. And the pending tax reform Heritage promised for mid-2011, which should see the end of the shield and planning – if not the disappearance – of the ISF.

Financial investments

Investors will be further taxed.

Life insurance levy each year

Alcatel-Lucent will pay $ 137 million to justice

Auto Date Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

Last February, Alcatel-Lucent said it had provisioned 93 million euros in a court case in the U.S. and assured that this issue would not affect its 2010 earnings. On Monday evening, on its website, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. stock Constable announced that the group, accused of having bribed some officials to win contracts in Latin America and Asia, would pay over 137 million dollars (about 103 million euros) as part of a settlement.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said that the Franco-American was accused of having paid government officials in countries such as Costa Rica, Honduras, Taiwan and Malaysia to win or retain business representative Tens of millions of dollars payday advance lender.According to the U.S. Justice Department, Alcatel-Lucent has reached 48.1 million dollars in profits as a result of these improper payments.

The group will pay more than $ 45 million to the SEC and $ 92 million in U.S. Department of Justice.

(With agencies)

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Areva speeds in offshore wind

Auto Date Sunday, December 26th, 2010

On the eve of the holiday season, Areva offers a nice gift. It is not in the register as expected. The French group, world leader in nuclear power, has indeed won a contract worth 400 million euros in offshore wind. Made official Thursday, the order calls for the construction, implementation and maintenance of 40 turbines of 5 megawatts M5000 (MW) each. These facilities are for the park Borkum West II, located in the North Sea.

Commissioning is planned for 2012-2013. Thanks to the 200 MW installed, Areva will supply electricity to some 200,000 homes. Often double as the contract signed with Trianel, an association of several German utilities, including an option – exerting in 2011 – for forty additional turbines. Incidentally, the French group was pleased that "eleven of the first rank banks committed themselves to fund this project."Evidence at his eyes firmly believe that investors in the development of green electricity.

Areva, which regularly insists on its uniqueness as an energy "low-carbon" – nuclear over renewable – the niche has invested in wind energy in 2007, taking 51% of the German manufacturer Multibrid. Last spring, he bought the remaining 49%. Multibrid became Wind Areva, a 100% subsidiary of Areva and solely dedicated to offshore wind.

The company currently boasts some 600 MW of projects. It has already commissioned six turbines M5000 Alpha Ventus, the first German offshore wind farm, also located in the North Sea, 45 km from Borkum.

Candidate in France

For the moment, France is still far behind Germany and especially Great Britain in development of offshore wind.However, the government is considering launching a call for tenders for all the French coastlines. A project of over 10 billion euros had sketched Borloo before leaving the Department of Ecology.

Even if the specification is yet to be finalized, the group led by Anne Lauvergeon is already in the running. Like all large energy companies, hoping that such tender will be discriminating, "as to the operators select the most serious," says one expert on the issue.

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Scrappage: Rush dealers

Auto Date Friday, December 24th, 2010

Automakers expect to last week's madness. A few days of stopping the vehicle scrapping, already reduced to 500 euros, they are preparing for a rush of customers at dealerships. "The windfall is accelerating since November," says Marc Giulioli, marketing director of Peugeot France. An additional step should be taken between Christmas and New Year's Day. "Owners of older cars are well aware that the opportunity to sell their car at a good price will not come before ten years," he says.

Peugeot expects 30,000 orders for the past week, as much as last year at the same time (the end of the premium of 1,000 euros and the move to 700 euros). That is nearly three times the level of orders weekly in recent weeks.Renault also anticipates a request "special" after Christmas.

Providing "a very significant influx," Peugeot "mobilized the entire sales network over the last week, asking him" not to take leave. " Last year, customers of Lion had been queuing outside the offices of the sellers until the last moment. Renault has also "reinforced" its sales force, because "it is expected there to be concessions in the world until the end."

Already, Peugeot and Renault note in December orders above 15 to 20% compared to 2009 at the same time.On the whole month, Renault believes it could exceed 300,000 cars all manufacturers combined, including 100,000 for Only Renault and Dacia brands.

Low profitability

"The windfall effect is even stronger this year," says Olivier Veyrier, the marketing director of Peugeot France, because "between buying in December 2009 and January 2010, there were only 300 euros of difference" while "this year is 500 euros or more if your car changes environmental bonus on line pay day loans."

To amplify this craze, manufacturers have launched exciting promotions. "Later, it will be too late," warns advertising Peugeot. "The premium breaks," warns Fiat. The Peugeot 107 is given to Euro 5690 bonus included. Citroen multiplies by 10 the scrapping some models.Renault and Dacia Sandero sells its latest version of 5.990 euro to LPG, which costs Fiat Panda also offers her.

Only flat, with sales primarily consists of small cars being off spectacular, "the conditions of return will really limits this year," says Marc Giulioli, Peugeot. Whatever, manufacturers seek to gain market share.

In early November, 1.1 million scrapping had been paid by the state since December 2008, including 500,000 this year (one quarter of registrations).

Renault and Peugeot expect this year on a French market more than 2.2 million cars, comparable to that of 2009, which reached a historical high since 1990.The year 2011 promises to be difficult, however, with a decline estimated at between 10 and 12% by these two marks.

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Toys: The End of Eldorado Chinese

Auto Date Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

The relative improvement of social conditions in China in recent months has failed to penalize the purchase of toys for Christmas. The scarcity of labor very cheap, in the "world's workshop", which are made three-quarters of toys sold on the planet, in fact both lengthened production times and increased costs industrialists. "Some factories have had problems recruiting, says Jean-Michel Grunberg, CEO of La Grande Recre, a leading distributor of toys in France. Others had limited production capacity due to the uncertainty of the crisis. Finally, in 2010, there was a month delay in deliveries. "

However, not enough to alarm the distributors, who have large stocks. Neither the main manufacturers, who have become accustomed to anticipate these hazards."This year, our schedule, we planned two months ahead of the shipment of products, says Stéphane Azoulai, vice president of Hasbro. This allowed us not to be late. "

The toy industry was among the first to settle in China, even before the high-tech textiles. The factories, which employ many seasonal, are located mainly in Guangdong province in southern Afghanistan. "After the Chinese New Year, many workers from the north or west, not returning to their jobs," explains Stéphane Azoulai. They are no longer willing to leave their families to work in any conditions. To keep them, it became a question of price. "For about three years, wages are rising at a rate of 10% to 15% per year."China is no longer a paradise for those seeking low prices," says Jean-Michel Grunberg.

For now, most manufacturers have absorbed the increase, which is allied to that of commodity prices, particularly oil bad credit pay day loans. But the economic equation is complicated. Hasbro will thus forced to ask retailers a price increase of 4% in 2011.

Relocations

Some preferred to reduce their dependence on the Middle Kingdom. In Asia, Thailand and Vietnam have benefited. "We do not rule out going there, especially for products that require a lot of labor, such as lint," said Pascal Chaillou, founder Yaki, a young company. "For three years, we buy much less in China, more in Europe, which facilitates reassortment with shorter deadlines," says Jackie Pellieux JouéClub president.For five years, Jemini, French manufacturer of toys, has repatriated in the Sarthe production of its furniture for children. Smoby has done in the Jura for some of his toys. "We will not hesitate to do so for other products if it is economically interesting," says the CEO of Jemini, Thierry Bertoux. Today there is far. "

China is indeed unavoidable. "It has evolved considerably in the quality of its production, the qualification of its workforce and its ability to implement quality standards," said Jean-Claude Grunberg. "There is a real platform expertise on electronics in Southern China," said Pascal Chaillou.

Concerning the quality and safety of products, many scandals have forced Chinese manufacturers to redouble their efforts. Quality inspections have increased."There are still three years he was making the toys do not pass quality tests," admits Jean-Laurent Picard, head of the quality of a major French retailer in China. The industry has cleaned up the point that it is almost the case today, provided to implement a responsible purchasing policy. "

The snow is going to cost 35 million to Air France

Auto Date Tuesday, December 21st, 2010

The Chief Executive of Air France-KLM Pierre-Henri Gourgeon encrypted Tuesday on Europe 1 between 25 and 35 million cost for the company for the last two episodes of December snow that paralyzed airports in Paris.

"All this will represent about 15 to 20 million euros in total over the weekend," knowing that "we already had an episode a little less strong, which represented 10 to 15 million euros two weeks ago of days, "said Pierre-Henri Gourgeon. And to clarify: the company has accommodated 4,000 passengers including dormant in hotels.

Pierre-Henri Gourgeon presented his "apology to all passengers because they can not find enough rooms at Paris" and "pulled his hat to the staff who was" on deck "the whole weekend.

Monday night, remained significant disturbances in the Paris airports.Delays reached two to three hours at Roissy and Orly to three hours.

Some 5,000 people have spent the night at Paris, including 4,000 in London, said Pierre-Henri Gourgeon. He admitted a "weakness": "taken by the pace of operations and decisions, we do not make enough effort to provide passengers with information on the fact that we do not know when it starts up again, but we're working no fax cash loans. "

However, "what you saw is exceptional since, even when in London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Roissy have been blocked" and "conjunction with a vacation" makes the situation "extremely difficult", he argued. Asked if he foresaw a "fourth night's galley," Mr.Gourgeon said: "I can not guarantee it, I'm not a meteorologist, this morning, flying restart".

He recalled that "in cases of force majeure such as this, the passengers were not entitled to" additional compensation ", but in addition to being" supported "they" are perfectly repaid all the facilities given to them. " He said that passengers would have until March 5 for a refund of their ticket.

(With AFP)

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How far will the madness of the stone?

Auto Date Sunday, December 19th, 2010

At least, buying an apartment, we are sure that something will remain. "That is what many investors believe real estate. Yet, they buy today at record prices. In less than ten years between 2002 and 2010, housing prices have doubled in France. The latest figures notaries are staggering. The price increase reaches 20% in one year in the capital, where the average square meter is now worth € 7500. Figures obtained for the first time in light of promises and sales agreement signed in September, October and November. And not, as before, final sales, which can reflect the market almost in real time. Based on preliminary contracts in October and November, which will make sales for January and February, notaries expect the same in 8000 € per square meter at the beginning of the year.

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphic.

These figures make us shudder more than one buyer. But not all, though. "For some investors, the price is not the determining factor. They want a good view, a pied-à-terre that corresponds to their dreams and are willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars more to get it, "observes St. Vincent Thibault, president of Barnes Real Estate . The presence of foreigners in the city museum adds to pressure on part of the Parisian market. "Of the luxury items from EUR 4 million, it is foreigners who make the market," said Charles-Marie Jottras, President Féau, like his colleagues who regretted not having more goods to sell.For buyers, they are there.

Foreigners under the spell of the "city of love"

"Paris is still cheaper than London and at about the same price as New York," said Nathalie Garcin, Group President Emile Garcin, describing a world apart in which pied-à-terre can sometimes rhyme with 200 m2. Property Market about to turn except a little in isolation. "Their value is not correlated to prices recorded in the district where they are. These apartments are selling unique and incomparable to the average prices of more than 20,000 € per square meter, "says Thibault de Saint Vincent.

Real estate agents are also increasingly provincial buyers who purchase either to accommodate a student children, but to invest capital. "Low interest rates have been a great accelerator," says Elix Rizkallah, chairman of House buying.Borrow at low interest rates, will constitute income for retirement, is what drives many buyers. Refuge from financial market heckled, real estate is experiencing a veritable golden age. Sometimes, the search becomes frenzied. "The property at market prices go in one day," explains Laforet Immobilier. "There is a tremendous imbalance of supply and demand which we have no control," says Laurent Vimont on his side, President of Century 21. There is little time I was in a XVearrondissement agency. Each of the five vendors receiving fifty requests per week and, opposite, there are only seven mandates in stock! "The stone, now everyone wants."Housing prices are based on supply, demand, solvency, but also a lot of psychology," says Guy Marty, chairman of the Institute for the property and financial savings (IEIF).

Parisians looking to buy to stay in the bill. Especially since, in the capital, the family apartments are small: they accounted for only 9.2% of sales this year (late September). For families seeking three or four bedrooms, competition is fierce: 2200 sales in just nine months. Result, prices are rising, despite the banks that open the valve of credit and rates that can borrow at around 3.5% with a good folder (the rates are slightly stretched), the account there more. And Ile de France is won by the contagion.

A loft of 450 m2 in the sixteenth in Paris (Daniel Féau, 6.9 million euros).

Carrefour France faces the discontent of certain employees

Auto Date Friday, December 17th, 2010

Saturday promises to be a significant day in Carrefour hypermarkets. Not just because the last Saturday before Christmas is traditionally one of the biggest days of the year in terms of turnover. But also because the CGT union's third distributor, social mobilization calls for that day. At issue: the reorganization of the business model Carrefour. This provides for the removal of department heads and the organization of work in four teams. Shelving and begin at 2 o'clock in the morning, against 4 pm today.

This project is in testing since last summer on two hypermarkets. November 25, FP, the majority union, accepted the extension has more than 15 hypermarkets in France, including those of Beaujoire Nantes, Marseille Bonneveine Venissieux, Rennes Cesson, Claye-Souilly and Chambourcy.Evidence that management is trying not to force it through.

The CGT is the only union movement nationally to call Saturday, he should have limited effects on activity. It could however be followed particularly in the Southeast, especially in Marseille, with partial walkouts, block store entrances and leafleting. Walkouts, rare at Carrefour, have already taken place this fall in Wasquehal and Nice.

This reflects a growing malaise among French employees of Carrefour. They are worried the project introducing the night work and primarily affects the use of the savings plan of 2.1 billion euros provided by Lars Olofsson, Executive Director of the group low interest rate personal loans.The implementation of the plan announced in mid-2009 to be completed late 2012.

James McCann, the new chief executive of Carrefour France, poached a year ago at Tesco, is responsible for reorganizing and restart the machine Carrefour. Hypervolontariste able to combine strategic vision with a sense of detail rarely seen this level of responsibility at Carrefour, the Englishman is determined to shake up old habits home.

Reforms too fast

But in recent weeks, the regional headquarters trace alerts on the consequences of too rapid implementation of reforms.An uncommon practice in the group, some analyze that as a lack of support of the regional and store managers.

"A sweep in the baronies of Carrefour was given the seat since the arrival of Lars Olofsson, but there is still work to be done at the regional offices and branches of the store, says one expert group. James McCann will get rid of a number of local barons. "

At the headquarters of the group, it is estimated that the criticism is proof that things are moving. Especially, it is hoped that employees will primarily mobilized Saturday to the achievement of sales. Christmas sales are indeed crucial for the group, which announced in late November a profit warning, partly because of disappointing operating performance in France.

Crossroads and RATP leave EDF

Auto Date Thursday, December 16th, 2010

Before the summer, the retail group, Carrefour, had launched a tender for the power of all of its supermarkets in France. Enel is the Italian who won the contract, previously held by EDF. For its part, the RATP took two prizes at stake, representing 90% of its consumption. Two different operators were finally selected – for a contract period of one year – and, again, EDF out of the game

Regularly attacked for lack of competition in France, EDF recalls the contrary he has lost between 40% and 50% of the market for large manufacturers, who consume more than 7 GWh (million kWh). One more argument to defend a floor price – estimated at 42 euros per megawatt hour EDF – which the incumbent will be forced by law to sell its nuclear generation to competition. But his rivals want a much lower price.Governments will have to arbitrate.

Freelance free calls to mobiles

Auto Date Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Iliad, the parent of the Free Internet operator, announced in August a "major innovation by the end of the year in the ADSL box." Xavier Niel, founder of Free submitted on Tuesday the new "box" operator, called "Revolution." And for good reason!

The design of this new case has been assigned to Philippe Starck. But the aesthetics of the new Freebox is not the only innovation. This new modem (television, internet, phone) will also allow the "free calls and unlimited to all mobile operators," said Niel.

Blu-Ray and game console

This new offering charged € 29.99 per month sounds like a late response to the triple play package at 30 euros, Free was the creator and the VAT increase will be shattered free credit score."We thought there was something we could do to make you save money: it is to include all mobile calls to all operators. A flat rate today it is 100 euros. " "You want to save money. You reduce your subscriptions to one hour and you spend your mobile calls from your landline, "commented one we nicknamed" the troublemaker of the Internet ".

The new boxes available now, also has a Blu-ray, and a game console created in partnership with Gameloft, publisher of downloadable jeuxvidéo.

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