Archive for May, 2011

Ducati motorcycles in renaissance

Auto Date Saturday, May 14th, 2011

Ducati is back. Buffeted by the crisis in 2009, the Italian manufacturer of sport bikes up to the outposts. After a record 5,600 units sold in April – the best month ever for Ducati – this niche brand plans to increase its deliveries of 2,011 to 43,000 bikes against 36,000 last year.

To maintain momentum, the group, which owns 8.7% of the global market sportbikes, has implemented such a plan based on continued international expansion. Foreign markets already account for 75% of production, the United States, second country after Italy, already account for 18%.Soon, an assembly plant to Asia will be inaugurated in Thailand and is considered an industrial plant in Brazil to supply South America.

Returned to Italy in 2005 after its takeover by the Alpine fund Investindustrial with the American TPG, small business Bologna (397 million turnover, 1050 people) claims the DNA of sports brands neighboring Emilia-Romagna Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini. A commercial asset, like the recruitment of Italian Grand Prix driver, Valentino Rossi, 9 times world champion.

The cost of competition, secrecy, is embedded in 40 million euros in investments, or about 9% of sales.This is not philanthropy: the good results increase awareness, can increase prices and boost profitability, the obsession with the brand payday loan lenders.

A case study

"With an operating margin of 18% in 2010, we are the most profitable manufacturer in Europe," says CEO Gabriele Del Torchio. This margin was only 8.9% in 2006. This improvement obtained after an initial strategic plan (2006-2010) has not gone unnoticed. Since January 1, where Ducati is taught at the London Business School. The search for competitive suppliers in Asia, the increased efficiency of the workforce, halving the cost of warranty (5 million), the removal of some models have improved the financial situation.

To return to the forefront, Ducati has used the same recipe as Harley Davidson, whose record of profitability has exceeded 20%.As the U.S. firm, the Italian brand has focused on the evolution of a single type of engine and high margins. An example? The newest, the Diavel, designed by Harley customers attracted to cost more than EUR 20 000.

The prestige also boosts the price of accessories (25 million turnover in 2010) and derivatives such as clothing (18 million). Licensing agreements were signed, notably with the American Porter Tumi (5 million).

Right Foot: a reserve price of 600 million

Auto Date Friday, May 13th, 2011

Friday, Frederic Thiriez, the president of the Professional Football League (LFP) announced the tender for media rights to the L1 for seasons 2012-2016. The firm Clifford Chance and the LFP have concocted a bid on nine lots and two key ideas. The first is to strengthen existing partnerships with Canal + and Orange while attracting new entrants. The second main idea is to get at least 600 million euros. To be sure, the LFP has set this amount as a reserve price for the first 6 lots. The reserve price of lots 7,8 and 9 remain secret.

LFP has done everything to maximize the exposure of L1 championship with a great game Friday night at 21 o'clock a big match on Saturday at 17 am, followed by games at 19 hours and 21 hours.Sunday will be reinforced with a great match to 14 hours to 17 hours of games and a prestigious shows to 21 hours.

Forcing Canal + to build 420 to 510 million euros

The tender is very complex, it consists of 5 lots premium mixing both great games and magazines. Then comes the Lot 6 named Ligue 1 100% which allows a new entrant to provide a consistent supply at lower cost. Lot 7 – Lot old mobile is owned by Orange – is expanding to become nomadic lot with all games on mobile phones but also on the shelves with 3G and WiFi. Finally, lots 8 and 9 are lots of magazines issued during the week, two days of the championship.

Specifically, the bid is structured so that Canal +,-if it wants to maintain its current offer, should build between 420 million euros for lots 1-4 and 510 million if it wants to add Lot 5.As a bonus, Canal + will be able to choose his best posters. Canal + will have to fight on all lots premium with the risk of losing one of these lots and therefore damaging its offer.

The LFP also relies on the fact that a new entrant can invite themselves to the feast provided to 90 million euros minimum for lot 6. The LCS is designed specifically for foreign players as the sports channel ESPN subsidiary of Disney, or News Corp. Rupert Murdoch. Finally, while Orange wants to keep football on mobile phones and tablets, it will have to bid on Lot 7, whose reserve price is kept secret but should be close to 60 million euros currently paid for by Orange.

The rule of the game is clear. All candidates must submit their tenders on June 20 and FIFA will hold a Board of Directors on June 24 to assign the rights.If the reserve price of 600 million is reached, all prizes will be awarded. However, if the reserve price is not met overall, only lots that have reached their reserve price will be awarded individually. The others will then be operated by the future chain of the LFP called CFoot on TNT charge. Frederic Thiriez has warned there will be no second round of negotiation or mutual agreement with Canal +. One way to get the encrypted string to play the game auction.

Quebec: the conquest of the Far North

Auto Date Thursday, May 12th, 2011

The Quebec Premier Jean Charest announced on Monday the outline of the Northern Plan, an ambitious development project located in Quebec territories beyond the 49th parallel. With massive infrastructure investments, the Plan North, whose full implementation will take twenty-five years, must make available the immense natural resources in northern areas.

"There are north of 49th parallel space to create the future," said Jean Charest. This space, including "Quebecers are the shareholders," says the Prime Minister, the Northern Quebec, a territory as large as France and twice populated by 120,000 inhabitants. After years of hesitation waltz, the head of government, with a half-dozen ministers, Unveils Plan North Levis, a dreary suburb of Quebec. Faced with a beaming Prime Minister, Native Americans applaud bellied intimidated.Nordicity is back in fashion, as in the 1970s. The government had undertaken the gigantic hydroelectric development of James Bay. From the economic potential of the Far North, very isolated, is underused. In the next five years, eleven mines of gold, diamond and copper should be created through the establishment of roads and airports. The government is considering building a deepwater port in the Hudson Bay. Hydro-Quebec will increase the number of its hydroelectric power. "The plan will be spread over North twenty-five years. Five-year plans will incorporate energy development, mining, forestry, bio-food, and transportation, "says Christian Dubois, deputy minister of the Northern Plan.

Rush Mining

The stated objective of Jean Charest is to open up the northern communities.One of the leaders of the Naskapi Indians, John Mameanskum, a beefy chubby face, said: "This is a historic day for us cheap credit report. We will collect money. Mining companies we guarantee good jobs. "If the Naskapi, Inuit or Cree initialed the map north of the Innu communities still oppose. Without the consent of all peoples, "the construction of an entire generation," as called Jean Charest will experience failures. The success of the Northern Plan also assumes that the commodity prices remain high for years. Otherwise, the mining companies close down their sites. Finally, the government must tackle the environmental groups opposed to the Northern Plan. If project participants are committed to protect 50% territory of the North, they do not specify how they will. Christian Dubois ensures that the Northern Plan "will not work bulldozer." Environmentalists are skeptical."This plan is the plan of supervision of a mining boom … What will be done once the mines close?" Asks Christian Simard, CEO of Nature Québec, an environmental group, before added that the project of Jean Charest is that "a fire sale to attract the most business, the time of a generation."

If the government estimated $ 162 billion impact on GDP of the province for twenty-five years, figures to achieve this remain extremely vague. Many unknowns remain. And development of Northern Quebec is in itself a challenge. The climatic conditions are extremely harsh. While some roads to the south of the province are sometimes closed in winter, maintenance of a road network in the Far North, however small, will surely be the real puzzle of this Plan North.

"Nicolas Sarkozy is the king of recruitment"

Auto Date Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

Xavier Durringer: "Sarkozy is the king of … by Cadremploi

The Conquest, the film that traces the takeover Nicolas Sarkozy released Wednesday, May 18 in theaters. Xavier Durringer, director, returns for the first time in detail the importance of casting the film.

It was a sparkling Rachida Dati, beautiful and petite, it was a nice and secret Jacques Chirac, he was a Henry Guaino frieze whose eye when he looks at Sarkozy. As for Denis Podalydès that interprets the candidate Durringer said he was not convinced from the start. By putting the shine on the forehead of the actor and performing the first test after he was shocked quick payday loan. "I had spiky hair on the forearms. Without Podalydès, no movie says it.

What is surprising is that in this interview Xavier Durringer and Nicolas Sarkozy, at one point had the same concern.Where the mayor of Neuilly, has made the right recruitment to form the team that was subsequently called the company, Xavier Durringer him, had to pass the good cast. He returns to each choice: Dati, Charon, Chirac, Lefebvre, Solly, Villepin … How did he recruited all of his actors for the film, that they should embody to be credible without being caricatured, Xavier Durringer book here Secrets of the cast of the movie event of the year.

At 125 years, Coca-Cola wants to grow bigger

Auto Date Sunday, May 8th, 2011

In Atlanta

Click image for larger graphic.

Albert Frere recruits at GDF Suez

Auto Date Friday, May 6th, 2011

A few days after telling the Figaroque's estate is "already settled", the Belgian businessman Albert Frere has announced significant changes in the governance of the group. Thus, the Belgian Gérard Lamarche, Chief Financial Officer of GDF Suez has announced his departure on 1 October for GBL (Groupe Bruxelles Lambert), the holding company of Albert Frère which has 5.2% of GDF Suez.

He became managing director alongside Ian Gallienne. Suffice to say that Gerard Lamarche occupy a leading role in managing the many interests of Albert Frère. GBL is, among other things, a shareholder of Total, Lafarge, M6, Pernod Ricard, Suez Environment. Brother Albert is the executive head of GBL.As for the chair of the board, it will be ensured by Brother Gerald, the son of the businessman.

Side at GDF Suez said that it will be replaced by Gerard Lamarche Isabelle Kocher, currently CEO of Lyonnaise des Eaux.

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BNP Paribas sees a number of European banks

Auto Date Thursday, May 5th, 2011

First major banks to report its quarterly results, "BNP Paribas is expected to publish the best result of the large European banks," Baudouin Prot provides the micro BFM. The Director General of the first French bank by market capitalization has expressed his great confidence following the publication of quarterly results well above expectations. In the first three months of the year, the hotel unveiled a net profit up 14.6% to 2.61 billion euros, where analysts on average expected $ 2.2 billion.

Baudouin Prot said that "the performance of BNP Paribas have been buoyed by good earnings dynamics in both retail banking and market activities and lower the cost of risk."

Net banking income, the equivalent of revenue for banks, amounted to 11.6 billion euros, up 1.3% from "high level" of the first quarter of 2010, then " marked by an exceptional performance in capital markets activities. A total deposits increased 8.5% and loans by 3.9% over first quarter 2010.

Revenues from investment banking and investment (IPC) amounted to 3.46 billion euros, "decreasing limited" by 8.6% over first quarter 2010 because, according to the group, "the good conduct of the activity" in financing businesses (+6.8%).

The solvency of BNP is growing

Baudouin Prot, and also highlights the significant decrease of 31.3% of the cost of the overall risk to 919 million euros. Doubtful, to 34.1 billion euros, decreasing by 1.5 billion euros compared to December 31, 2010.

The Director General further asserts that the solvency of the institution is growing. The bank has further strengthened its capital base. Thus, the Tier 1 ratio which determines the bank's ability to withstand an external shock, amounted to 9.5% by the end of the quarter as against 8 cash advance payday loan.3% on the previous quarter. In fact, Baudouin Prot said the improvement in that quarter the bank spends two-thirds of its findings to strengthen its capital base.The officer said that the bank "does not plan to increase capital." The debt restructuring could cost $ 1.2 milliardEnfin Greek, Baudouin Prot believes that debt restructuring Greek, a hypothesis seriously considered by markets, will have a "limited impact" on the accounts of the bank. "If the Greek debt was re-evaluated at baseline in the market price of the end of March, this would cost at BNP Paribas about one euro per share, while our net assets per share is 57 euros," said leader.

The hypothesis considered is a discount of about 25 to 30% on the price of bonds indefinitely. The number of shares of BNP Paribas in late December was $ 1.198 billion. Depreciation required in the accounts of the bank would thus be about 1.2 billion, according to calculations by Mr.Prot.

Exposure of BNP Paribas sovereign debt Greek, Portuguese and Irish is 6.7 billion euros, says Baudouin Prot.

In exchange, the sign as the largest increase in the CAC 40: it rises from 2.1% to 54.56 euros against a 0.3% decline for the index feature of the Paris Bourse. In the wake of BNP Paribas, the whole banking sector is well oriented: Societe Generale 0.6% advance and took second place in the ranking of the 40 largest market capitalization of the Paris, Crédit Agricole follows with a gain 0.5%.

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The Paris Bourse is expected to remain cautious

Auto Date Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

The Paris Bourse is expected to resume its breath on Tuesday. The CAC 40 was completed yesterday its eighth straight session, buoyed by the general relief that followed the death of Osama bin Laden. This effect, which had already faded during a meeting Monday, should not act today. Investors should be cautious while discouraging signals were sent by the Asian market this morning and by Wall Street Monday.

The day promises otherwise fairly quiet on the front of the macroeconomic indicators. Index are expected producer prices in Europe and the U.S. industrial orders.

On the currency front the euro off again sharply upward against the dollar. In morning trading, the euro traded at 1.4823 dollars (+0.20%).Oil, however, is declining even as the market continues to analyze the consequences of the death of Osama bin Laden and that instability in the Arab world continues. In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for June delivery lost 59 cents to 112.93 dollars while that of Brent North Sea also June delivery yielded 68 cents to 124.44 dollars.

Values ​​to follow

France Telecom

The operator issued Tuesday sales down 1.4% on a comparable basis to 11.23 billion euros in the first quarter of 2011, in line with analysts' forecasts, and earns 7% of customers additional one year. The share of winning new broadband subscribers is 20% against 36% in the fourth quarter of 2010. The group confirmed its annual goals, including a dividend of 1.40 euro per share for 2011 and 2012.

Ipsen

Ipsen announced Tuesday an increase in sales in the first quarter, helped by its specialty branch of medicine involving oncology, endocrinology and neurology. On this part of fiscal 2011, the turnover of the pharmaceutical group totaled 285.8 million euros, up 6.1% excluding currency effects.

Lagardere is to issue its revenue in the first quarter.

Bolloré

The group released Monday up 16% of its turnover in the first quarter and reported financial indicators "satisfactory" despite the events in Côte d'Ivoire, which have weighed on its business.

Areva

The group released Monday sales up 2.2% in the first quarter, thanks in particular to its activities in mining, and said it was studying the impact of the Japanese nuclear crisis on its activity and prospects.

Furthermore, Eramet like a partial withdrawal of Areva to increase the free float of mining group.

CAM

The group specializes in the automotive and pharmaceutical distribution in Africa, announced Monday an increase of nearly 16% of its turnover in the first quarter despite the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire, the earthquake in Japan, the "Arab spring" or unfavorable exchange rates.

Steria

The company services and computer engineering said Monday expect renewed growth in the United Kingdom, an area where the group achieves more than a third of its sales.

Hi-Media

The group reported Monday in an acceleration of its business in the first quarter, an increase of 9.5% of its turnover, and confirmed its forecast for the full year.

EADS

Airbus chief welcomed Tuesday's repechage of the second black box of the A330 Air France (Paris-Rio) crashed in June 2009 and hoped that the recording device, only able to determine The exact causes of the disaster, will still be readable.

Total

The petroleum announced Monday it had agreed to not take a majority stake in SunPower, at the request of the U.S. company that specializes in solar panels, during the first two years of their agreement.

STMicroelectronics holds its general meeting on Tuesday. After market, Tess, Vicat, and NRJ Group must publish their turnover for the first quarter.

The first rules of football on sale

Auto Date Sunday, May 1st, 2011

There are over 150 years, the English invented football. Sheffield FC was the first club to emerge in 1857. A year later, he published a paper to enact the first rules of the game now the world's most popular.

The corner, down the penalty, the referee or the yellow and red, is this heritage that the English club football is about to be auctioned in London next July. Sheffield hopes to receive about 1.2 million pounds (1.3 million). More than two times less than for a document dating from 1891 to enact the first rules of basketball, sold last December for 4 payday loans.3 million pounds (4.8 million).

The club now plays in the eighth tier of English football is facing financial difficulties and is now part of a whole of its history to survive.The CEO of Sheffield, Richard Times, explains in the weekend edition of the Financial Times that if the decision was "hard" to take, it was "necessary" to secure the future of the club.