Posts Tagged ‘currency’

Heineken sells more beer but costs rise

April 19, 2012 - 1:25 am Comments Off

Heineken, the world's third largest brewer, said Wednesday an operating profit down slightly in the third quarter due to cost increases greater than the increase in sales and that the effects of her last savings program.

Revenues increased 6.8% over the period from January to March, up more than expected, thanks to a 4.7% increase in volumes sold to pe rimètre constant over two times higher than analysts' expectations.

Operating profit before exceptional items decreased due to higher fixed costs in some markets with high inflation and production costs associated with, eg barley. 

Quarterly sales stand at 3.834 billion euros against a Reuters poll of 3.729 billion.

Quarterly net income totaled 175 million euros against 151 million a year earlier.

Heineken, which generates 45% of its billings in Western Europe, has also confirmed its targets for this year.

The action has risen sharply, from 4.3% to 44.13 euros, in the course of the morning.

The Dutch brewer said in February is expected to grow in emerging markets where it is growing in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Heineken was also anticipated marketing costs and marketing for this year equivalent to those of 2011 due to its efforts to develop its brands Desperados, Strongbow, Amstel and Sol. The increase in barley prices will contribute to an increase of around 6% of input costs.

Heineken plans to offset the spiraling costs by higher sales volumes, an increase of its price and a new savings program of 500 million euros which will run until 'in 2014.

Heineken is the first major brewers to publish its results for the first quarter. The world number two SABMiller will make a point on its activity on Thursday and another one of its joint venture MillerCoors in the U.S. on May 8

The world's number one beer Anheuser-Busch Inbev will release its results for the first quarter on April 30 and Carlsberg, May 9

The field of business has expanded in a broad way, and one area that is common is the business of financing people who are on paychecks. The opening in this business has grown to a greater extent, and now, people have limitless options, including one of getting payday loans online.

The German export machine is doing well

April 10, 2012 - 4:40 pm Comments Off

Foreign trade continues to be a real asset to the German economy. The raw data published today in fact an upward trend in exports, which should enable him to escape recession early this year. Volkswagen new models ready to exported waiting in the port of Emden in Germany

Foreign trade is a safe bet for the first European economic power. The increase in exports has enabled Germany to enhance its growth ambitions, avoiding a recession that some economists feared. The trade surplus of Germany has reached 14.7 billion euros in February, against 13.2 billion in January, according to raw data released Tuesday by the Federal Statistical Office Destatis. Exports on the other hand reached 91.3 billion euros, against 86 billion in January, still raw data, according to a statement.

In data adjusted for seasonal and calendar followed by most economists, the German trade surplus has instead declined in February compared to January, to 13.6 billion euros against 15.1 the previous month millliards . Blame it on the highest increase in imports than exports (+3.9% against +1.6%). This decline did not stop Carsten Brzeski, economist at ING, to judge that exports remain "faithful friend" of the German economy and that they had "defied the cold of February".

The statistics released Tuesday are all the more reassuring to economists that they contrast with previous indicators rather bleak, especially concerning the production and factory orders. "Finally a good number", and exclaimed Ulrike has Rondorf, bank Commerzbank. Unlike some other economists predict that in Germany a short recession, it has "the hope that the German gross domestic product in the first quarter increased, if only modestly."

Mr. Brzeski underlines that the fate of Germany depends increasingly in the hands of partners outside the euro area, which will not make the rebalancing (in EMU) easier. According to the Statistical Office, German exports accumulated since the beginning of the year to the member countries of the euro area increased 4% year on year, against an increase of 8.5% to the countries members of the European Union which have not adopted the single currency, and 14.4% to countries outside Europe.

This trend was confirmed today by President of the Federation of German Wholesale and exporters (BGA) Anton Börner: "outstanding for the year, we see again and foremost a good chance of growth in Asia South and East, Latin America, North America and the Middle East, "he said at a news conference. Despite the debt crisis and austerity plans that discourage orders in the euro zone, Mr. Börner table for 2012 on "a trade surplus of 159 billion euros against 158 ​​billion last year." Exports are expected to increase by 6% to 1.124 billion euros in 2012, and imports by 7% to 965 billion euros, while the nominal data, he said.

Excess fees: what will change

March 22, 2012 - 11:55 pm Comments Off

A decree and a decree published Thursday in the Official Journal wants to charge higher fees the mutual most excessive. But the solution does not convince everyone. The overshoot of fees of ophthalmologists in France reached 60% in 2010.

Stop abuse of excess fees. This is the objective of the government on Thursday issued a decree and a decree in the Official Gazette binding the complementary health to repay overruns capped fees of medical specialists. It also set up a sector "optional", in addition to the existing sector 1 and 2. What will it change?

The measure comes into immediate application and requires complementary health (mutual insurance companies, pension funds) to reimburse patients for excess fees capped at 50% above the rate Safely.  

Are concerned overruns practiced by physicians in the operating room (surgeons, anesthetists, obstetricians) who are currently in "Area 2", that is to say, who are allowed to charge more for their patients that the rate paid by health insurance, unlike their colleagues in the majority, engaged in "an area".

These are practitioners who wish to opt for a new area, was called up to "optional AC" and now "option broader coordination". If they limit their exceedances Safely 50% discount for 70% of their technical procedures, health insurance will pay their social security contributions (health, retirement, etc …) about 30% of procedures they will costs continue to make enforceable.

In addition, these practitioners will know that their excesses will be capped and systematically reimbursed by complementary health of their patients, whereas currently they apply their own refund policy, more or less generous.

The decree signed by Prime Minister Francois Fillon forced health contracts known as "responsible", that is to say over 90% of those offered by complementary health, to include reimbursement for the excess capped.  

The order, signed by Health Minister Xavier Bertrand, complete a medical article of the Convention signed in July 2011 by health insurance and union of general practitioners and 50% fixed the permitted block for practitioners choosing " the option of coordination ".

If they were released discreetly, these official documents have provoked many reactions, all very critical. Mutuality French, spearheaded the opposition to "optional AC", condemned the measure. Its chairman Stephen Caniard spoke of "an unreasonable obstinacy of the government."

In a joint statement, Mutuality and the seven unions (CGT, CFDT, CFTC, CFE-CGC, FSU, UNSA) "disagreed (…) and called for" resolute action against the excesses of fees ". "This device runs counter-productive because it does not interest the specialists who practice overtaking the most important as he is a windfall for others", says the text.

The UFC-Que Choisir develops similar arguments and evokes a "black Thursday for access to care of the French," saying that this will cause "a new automatic dues increase of complementary health."

The union of doctors, the Bloc, representing the specialists involved, the concern that not only practitioners of sector 2 are not interested, but those of a sector, whose rates are frozen for years decide to apply those of the option of coordination. In fact, most healthcare players think that a real solution to overflows through a tariff increase effective against a sector by health insurance.

US private sector creates more jobs than expected in February

March 7, 2012 - 10:55 am Comments Off

The pace of job creation in the private sector accelerated in February in the U.S., according to the results of the ADP monthly survey released Wednesday.

Index futures on Wall Street have increased their rise after the announcement.

According to ADP, 216,000 jobs were created last month in the private sector, while the market expected 208,000 new jobs.

The figure for January was also revised upward, to 173,000 jobs created instead of the 170,000 initially announced.

These figures precede the monthly statistics of employment that will be published Friday. The markets expect the unemployment rate unchanged at 8.3% and 210,000 net new jobs in the public and in private but non-farm, after 243,000 announced for January.

"This suggests indeed that we are moving in the right direction," Beth Ann Bovino judge, economist at Standard & Poor's.

"This reinforces expectations of a new publication with over 200,000 (creations) in the employment statistics on Friday. The employment figures seem more robust."

Around 1400 GMT, futures on the major indexes on Wall Street progressed about 0.5%.

The perverse effects of the bonus-malus automobile

March 3, 2012 - 8:55 am Comments Off

This device has not reduced CO2 emissions, however. Concerned, the greatest number of vehicles purchased, and higher mileage. In 2008, emissions of CO2 from cars rose by nearly 170 kilotonnes per quarter.

On 1 January 2008, the ink of the Grenelle Environment barely dry, the bonus-malus ecological comes into force. His goal: reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by the French fleet, by encouraging financially the purchase of low emission vehicles. "This is to give a competitive advantage to virtuous products," brags Borloo, Minister of Ecology.

Las … Researchers at the INSEE recently shown that the device had actually resulted in higher total CO2 emissions. Yes, the French began to buy greener cars: average emissions of new vehicles increased from 149 grams of CO2 per kilometer in 2007 to 130 grams in 2010. But this performance was not exceptional: the period, France ranks only sixth European countries where such discharges have declined most. And, above all, it is not enough to say that the measure has actually rendered service to the environment. "The fleet size, composition, mileage per car [...] and the effect on sales of new vehicles must also be taken into account," insists the study.

Measure the effects of mixed origin CO2 (1) short-term (2) long-term (3) releases due to the "greening" of cars – from 80.4 to 155.0 releases due to the increase in the number of kilometers traveled per vehicle + 6.1 + 73.0 releases due to the construction of additional vehicles + 232.1 + 29.0 releases due to the rising number of automobiles in circulation + + 10.4 + 9.5 Total 168 , 2 to 43.8% in total emissions (actual or projected) + 1.2% – 0.4%

All this put together, emissions of CO2 from cars have actually increased by almost 170 kilotonnes per quarter for 2008 alone. The French, encouraged by the extent and fearing it disappears, bought more cars: the overall volume of sales in early 2008 was 13% higher than expected without the device. Hence an increase of the mechanical quantity of CO2 emitted. Besides the automobile manufacturing industry is very clean: from the Environment Agency and energy management, it generates 5.5 tonnes of CO2 per tonne produced. Added to this is finally a "rebound effect": the households buying more economical vehicles may tend to use it more.

The device has boosted sales of diesel, more polluting

In the longer term, the INSEE experts are somewhat less negative about the bonus-malus. Admittedly, the government tightened the device in 2010 because it was too costly for public finances (1.5 billion euros in cumulative). The new scale would push manufacturers to innovate and bring to market cars less polluting. Over time, this would offset the negative effects already mentioned.

But this is an argument "all things being equal". In real life, the economic crisis has pushed the State to establish, shortly after the creation of no-claims bonus, a "cash for clunkers". According to the Court of Auditors, the two measures, together, have had "a positive effect on purchases of smaller vehicles, to the detriment, at least temporarily, public transport". With, ultimately, a zero profit for the environment.

Worse, if one takes into account all of the pollution emitted by cars, the impact is even strongly negative. Also according to the Court of Auditors, it is unfortunate that "the bonus-malus system based on the single objective of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, without taking into account [...] nitrogen dioxide, fine particles or nitrogen oxides ". This led to a postponement of buyers to diesel vehicles, more efficient in terms of CO2 emissions, but much less regarding these other pollutants. But these are very harmful not only for the planet, but also for the health …

Bankruptcy filing confirmed for four daily Norman

February 27, 2012 - 1:25 pm Comments Off

The bankruptcy of four daily Normandy, Paris-Normandie, Havre Libre Press Havre, Fécamp and progress of their two weekly supplements was announced Monday at an extraordinary works council, officials said a union source.

The Tribunal de Commerce of Le Havre (Seine-Maritime), which is based the headquarters of the League of Norman Press, Publishing and Advertising (SNPEI) that has these newspapers will be asked to rule next Wednesday on February 29.

Martin-Benoît Curtoud, representing the National Union of Journalists (SNJ) in the EC SNPEI, said that the direction of the latter and that of the Hersant Media Group (DRG) which it is subsidiary "hope the appointment of agents for assistance." 

The decline in circulation and advertising is the main reason for the bankruptcy filing.

The estimated turnover of SNPEI settled for 2011 to 39.6 million euros and its net loss was $ 2.2 million.

The draw of the four daily newspapers and their supplements was just over 75,000 copies paid last year, including 52,606 in Paris-Normandie, the main newspaper of the pole. The SNPEI employs 365 employees.

Live Petroplus: Sarkozy announces temporary restart of the refinery

February 25, 2012 - 8:55 am Comments Off

In the match to the distance on Friday opposed the defense of employment, Nicolas Sarkozy announced at the Petit Couronne do restart the refinery Petroplus temporary while Francois Hollande, in Florange, proposed a law requiring companies that do not want more than one site to appeal to a buyer.

Who will make the announcement the more sensational? How far will they go the candidates to win the labor vote? A new match is held at a distance between Nicolas Sarkozy, visiting the Petroplus refinery in Petit Couronne, and François Hollande, who moves in Florange to meet with employees of Arcelor Mittal. Two strategic locations in the field of employment, for a match that promises to be fierce. Follow live changes in the score.

2:05 p.m.: Arcelor Mittal is dismissed by the High Court of his application for entry ban to anyone outside the service in its application was primarily site.Cette the many journalists covering the occupation of the site by employees.

14:00: "There are 3 or 4 buyers interested [...] So far we have not yet found"

1:52 p.m.: regarding the financing, the president ensures that for two months of work needed to restart the refinery, "was 50 million. The 20 million were transferred to the state, 10 million will come CO ² through quotas, and another 20 million in Schell avanace cash "

1:50 p.m.: "Last night later, we signed a processing contract, which guarantees refining activities for a period of 6 months. If there was no contract, it was over.

1:40 p.m.: Francois Hollande reacted to the news of Nicolas Sarkozy: "It is in fact only get the former owner of the site. This is going to the most urgent."

1:20 p.m.: "I am a word. It is signed" with Shell, said Nicolas Sarkozy, adding: "I'm not saying it saves the refinery, but it is signed, it makes the job for six months ".

1:18 p.m.: Holland wishes to clarify that he came as an MP, and is prepared to file a bill: "When a large firm does more than one production unit but does not give the, we will do a bill that will force him to appeal to buyers. " Another proposal: the businesses that use too much to pay the interim benefit of unemployment contributions. He is applauded by employees.

1:10 p.m.: The Socialist candidate speaks. He says he wants to defend the steel industry, "sector of excellence". "I come before you to make commitments. I am aware of the anguish that is yours." He adds, to the attention of its competitors: "There are candidates and candidates of the people who claim to serve the people"

13.00: Francois Hollande arrived at the plant Arcelor Mittal, where he has not spoken yet. It stands in the middle of union representatives, who express their demands, after climbing a truck.

12:45: The president finally arrives on the site. Francois Hollande, is always expected Florange.

11:45: Nicolas Sarkozy will meet in closed session with the staff representatives and administrators of the Petroplus refinery.  

Faced with a record unemployment rate since 1999 that is almost symbolic of the 3 million people, the head of state has recently invested personally in two emblematic cases of companies threatened: the Lejaby lingerie factory Yssingeaux (Haute-Loire) and the solar panel manufacturer Photowatt to Bourgoin (Isère). Candidate since Feb. 15 to a second term, Nicolas Sarkozy made a record of his two electoral argument to illustrate his determination to protect "the France of the factories". "If I had said as they (the Socialists) + we + can not do anything, Alstom would no longer exist, Photowatt we do speak of it and Lejaby would have been wiped off the map", he said Thursday at a public meeting in Lille.

Quarterly loss greater than expected for Credit Agricole

February 23, 2012 - 8:24 pm Comments Off

Credit Agricole said Thursday a net loss more severe than expected in the fourth quarter of 2011, to 3 billion euros, due to heavy writedowns related to the crisis area euro and restructuring costs of its banking and investment banking (CIB).

The bank, listed vehicle Crédit Agricole group, said in a statement it had also passed a new supply of government debt, 220 million euros, bringing the discount on debt public of this country to 74% against 75% for BNP Paribas and Societe Generale.

The last three months of 2011, its provisions have generally been multiplied by 2.5, while its net banking income rose 4%. 

As announced in December, Crédit Agricole has recorded for 2.5 billion euros of writedowns in the fourth quarter 2011.

The bank also said that apart from these impairments, restructuring costs amounted to 482 million euros.

"Net banking income was impacted by EUR 258 ​​million in corporate and investment due to the disposal of portfolios," said she.

According to the consensus reached by the editor of Reuters, analysts on average expected a loss of 2.7 billion euros.

For the full fiscal 2011, the bank falls into the red with a net loss of 1.47 billion euros. 

Taken together, the Crédit Agricole group, however, shows a net profit of 812 million euros, which compares to a profit of six billion euros for BNP Paribas and 2 , 4 billion for Societe Generale.

Like many other institutions, Credit Agricole, already enmeshed in the difficulties of its Greek subsidiary Emporiki, has launched a restructuring of its BFI that includes: the removing more than 1,700 positions.

At the Paris Stock Exchange, the shares finished agricultural Wednesday down 3.76% to 5.01 euros. The title has nonetheless gained nearly 15% since the beginning of the year after plunging more than 50% in 2011.

Antoine Gosset-Grainville provide the acting head of CDC

February 20, 2012 - 10:25 pm Comments Off

Caisse des Depots (CDC) has designated Monday's Deputy Director General Antoine Gosset-Grainville for the interim Augustin de Romanet until the e presidential election.

The mandate of Augustin de Romanet, CEO of the public institution since 2007, expires on March 7. President Nicolas Sarkozy had warned earlier this year that he would take no appointment as head of public institutions play a vital role in economic and social policy of the government before the presidential election of April-May

"Augustin de Romanet today informed its Executive Committee and staff of the Deposit of its decision to designate Antoine Gosset-Grainville, Deputy Director General of the Deposit, as director and acting in the absence or incapacity of the CEO, "says the CDC said in a statement. 

Appointed general manager of the Deposit by Jacques Chirac two months before he left the Elysee, Augustine had said in early January Romanet be candidate to succeed himself. Under its mandate, with the financial crisis, the Deposit has intervened on many fronts, including participation in the rescue and the dismantling of Dexia or bailout of insurer Groupama.

The name of the secretary general of the Elysee, Xavier Musca, circulated as a possible contender for the post of CEO of the CDC.

Augustin de Romanet denied on Sunday evening as a candidate or being approached in the event of a replacement for Mr. Frérot at the head of Veolia Environnement.

Fitch welcomes the progress of Iceland raised its rating to BBB-

February 18, 2012 - 10:25 am Comments Off

The agency Fitch upgraded the credit rating Friday from Iceland to BBB-BB + cons, welcoming the country's progress in restoring macroeconomic stability after the financial plunge of 2008.

Note Reykjavik thus leaves the speculative grade and is endowed by Fitch with a stable outlook.

"The restoration of long-term sovereign rating of Iceland investment grade reflects progress in restoring macroeconomic stability, implementing the re ; structural forms and restore the solvency of the country after the financial and monetary crisis of 2008, "Fitch wrote in a statement. 

In late 2008, the three main Icelandic banks collapsed under the weight of their debts accumulated during a decade of aggressive expansion abroad. Their fall has plunged the Icelandic economy, which had to call using the International Monetary Fund.

Relatively untouched by the debt crisis of the euro area, it is not, Iceland is expected to grow by 2% to 2.5% in 2012-2013, Fitch believes.

The rating agency stresses, however, that private debt remains high, that of households above 200% of salary available and the business up to 210% of GDP.

Iceland is rated BBB-by Standard & Poor's and Baa3 by Moody's. His outlook is stable from S & P, but negative by Moody's.