The popular jury ruled. Vivendi misled shareholders about its financial situation between 2000 and 2002 and may have to pay billions of dollars in damage to hundreds of thousands of shareholders.

The trial class action lasted more than three months in New York and requested fourteen days of deliberations. The jury convicted Vivendi guilty of "recklessly misleading communication" on all of the 57 statements on which the group was pursued. He cleared the former CEO of the group, Jean-Marie Messier, and its former CFO, Guillaume Hannezo.

Vivendi will appeal

"The verdict will allow investors to recover an estimated 6.6 billion euros, announced the plaintiffs' lawyers, welcoming the decision of the jury."It'sa huge victory," welcomed the lawyer Maxim Delespaul, while acknowledging that it was only half of what experts had requested.

Vivendi strongly disputes the jury's decision and will appeal. "The jury said that two men are innocent while the company is guilty of the same facts. Furthermore, to calculate the damage, he simply divided into two amounts proposed by the plaintiff, a verdict is absurd and contradictory, "says the group's lawyer, Herve Pisani.

The outcome of this trial will not be known before long. It depends on the outcome of the appeal, and this procedure can be initiated only after the final calculation of damages.Furthermore, if the complaining party announces sales of 6.6 billion, Vivendi said it will take between twelve and eighteen months to calculate the amount of damages.

It will indeed consider each of the complainants' requests, which will be calculated daily based on purchases and sales of securities made between October 30, 2000 and August 14, 2002. It is not known how many shareholders ask to be compensated. In the United States, between 20 and 30% of investors demand compensation after a class action, according to Herve Pisani. The number of shareholders was estimated at one million, the shares traded in the period to one billion.

The trial in "class action" is unique in its kind.This is the first time that so many French shareholders are involved in class action U.S.: about half a million shareholders divided between France, the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. It is rare in the United States a company refuses, as did Vivendi, to compromise with the complainant before the verdict. U.S. companies believe they can get away with a bill less salt if they find a compromise with representatives of the class action.

Whatever happens, "Vivendi will not pay a penny before the outcome of the appeal, said Herv? Pisani.All elements are present for Vivendi wins this appeal. "

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Hardly already revealed and challenged. Here and there, people have criticized Apple's iPad charges of usurpation of all kinds. The product name is first challenged. This Friday, the group of services and computer equipment that Japanese Fujitsu claims first use of the name "IPAD" for some of its equipment for supermarkets. For example: "IPAD" is the name of a digital mobile group, for ease of reference prices and stocks at any time and any place in a store.

The device is marketed in the United States since 2002. Futjitsu states have filed through one of its U.S. subsidiary, an application for the name in March 2003. An approach which, according to Masao Sakamoto, a spokesman for Fujitsu in Tokyo, has not yet resulted.According to Japanese press, Apple will have to decide before February 28 if he opposes the request for name registration by Fujitsu. This in turn has not yet decided whether to launch a lawsuit against Apple.

But Fujitsu is not the only one to blame for identity theft to Apple. American society Slate Computing has already filed with the Japanese name "IPAD" for a range of electronic products ranging from computers to metronomes through toys or mobile phones. The German giant Siemens has also registered the international trademark "IPAD" for micro-engines and electric motors, applied to various products.

The question is whether the commercial courts will be called to decide on the use of the name dispute into the blogosphere.The jokes are multiplying on the net, users do not fail to recall that "IPAD" suggests "towels" ( "pad") in English payday loan . Suddenly, the word "buffer" has become the second most discussed topic on Twitter …

"Why did they do the same thing as us?"

But the name is not the only object of all disputes. Since the lifting of mystery about the product and its features Wednesday, several companies around the world rise against the U.S. giant, accusing it of stealing their idea. The latest company to date to show his displeasure, Shenzhen Great Loong Brother Industrial Co. is Chinese. The company official, Huang Xiaofang, marketing claims exactly the same product … for 6 months in China.Shanzhai.com, a technological reference blogs in China, says in fact many similarities between the two devices. The tablet "P88", as dubbed in Chinese society, appearance is almost identical. Heavier and thicker than the iPad, the Chinese model boasts still offer a bigger screen, more memory and, above all USB ports, an element missing from the Apple iPad.

The P88 was launched in August and presented last year at an electronics fair in Berlin. This makes it clear to Huang Xiaofang that Steve Jobs is a copier: "We have started before. We do not understand. Why have they done the same thing as us. "Note however that the P88 has a Chinese battery with a charging time of half past one while Apple promises 10 hours of continuous use without recharging.

This discussion shows at least Apple did not eventually hear disputes. The functionality of the iPad is already considered by some observers minimalist.

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This time it's official: the Dutch Spyker has concluded an agreement with U.S. giant General Motors (GM) to her resume its Swedish subsidiary Saab.

Until this agreement, the case n Saab has stopped bouncing. While the U.S. giant General Motors said in December that it simply shut its Swedish subsidiary Saab lack of buyer, the Dutch Spyker Cars was returned to office with an offer the last chance. Rumors surrounding the conclusion of this agreement have been numerous throughout the day. Spyker very careful not wanting to comment on reports that circulated in financial markets.

Spyker Trading suspended

Despite this caution, speculation quickly swelled Tuesday.So much so that the Netherlands Authority for Financial Markets (AFM) has decided to suspend trading in the Spyker action on the exchanges of Amsterdam at 12:45 GMT and that "until further notice" payday loans . The title of the Dutch manufacturer had gained 2.8%, to 3.90 euros before the intervention of the regulator. The AFM said it was awaiting the publication of a statement by Spyker, to clarify the situation.

Spyker is the only candidate for the acquisition of Saab. The group would put 400 million dollars on the table in cash (74 million) and shares (326 million) of the new company that emerged from the sale, according to sources familiar with the matter. Take it or leave it. Leaders from General Motors and Spyker met last Friday in Stockholm to address the remaining points of detail, reports U.S. magazine BusinessWeek.In particular, future production plans for this "new Saab.

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Criticized for the payment of bonuses to its traders, Goldman Sachs seems he decided to calm the game despite a profit of nearly $ 5 billion in the fourth quarter 2009 the bank had decided to limit the compensation of its percent more senior executives based in the United Kingdom, one million pounds (1.13 million euros).

The decision, reported Monday by Dow Jones agency, comes after the British government's decision to tax the bonus bank and the controversy generated by the high salaries of banks in the United States.

The bank has provided $ 16.2 billion in wages and bonuses to its employees in 2009, more than 10.934 billion paid in 2008. Reported revenues of the bank, the amount of wages and bonuses granted under last year's 35.8%. This is the lowest ratio since 1999 free credit score .In recent years, hovering around 50%. One way to show that Goldman Sachs has heard the message of Barack Obama. Furthermore, to confirm its commitment to end the excesses, the U.S. bank has paid 519 million euros to a fund to support SMEs, Goldman Sachs Gives.

After receiving 10 billion dollars of government support that the bank has now refunded the U.S. bank had caused a scandal by announcing that she would pay substantial fees.

After presenting the results much better than its rivals, Goldman Sachs also seems to want to position themselves in leading U.S. banks in terms of governance.

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The week promises to be even difficult for Asian Scholarships. On Monday, all the financial centers of the region are in red. In Tokyo, the Nikkei ended in decline by 0.74% to 10,512.69 points while the Topix fell by 0.67% to 934.59 points. This is the lowest level in a month. The technology sector was battered after Google results found disappointing. And the strength of the Japanese currency, which was trading at 90.26 yen to the dollar, worries the export sector.

Investors also expect further losses on Wall Street after the positions recorded last Friday across the Atlantic. On the eve of the weekend, the U.S. places had finished strong decrease of 2.13%, while the Nasdaq let go of 2.68%, 2205 points and the S & P 500, 2.22% to 1092 points. Google was not pleased the markets and had sealed the general mood by winning of 5.66%.For its part, Advanced Micro Devices (ADM), which was announced Thursday evening having completed its first quarter in the black for three years, has still declined by 12.12%, to 7.9 million.

The sector should also be monitored in the coming days as the markets await U.S. publications from Texas Instrument (fourth quarter) and Apple (first quarter). The firm at the apple must also Wednesday presented its "last creation," probably the digital tablet.

As for statistics, markets will also pay attention to resale figures for new homes in December, released on Monday to 16 hours in the United States.

Exchanges in the region behind

In the wake of Tokyo, all other Asian places are displayed in red.The flagship index of Hong Kong, the Hang Seng 0.89% cowardly to 20,542 points.

In Shanghai, the Shanghai Composite lost 0.57% to 3110 points.

In South Korea, same story. The KOSDAQ index fell by 1.40% to 1321 points.

Finally, in Australia, the S & P / ASX 200 lost 0.69% to 4714 points.

French industry found an atmosphere worthy of pre-crisis. The situation improved further in the industry in January, the synthetic indicator of business climate rising 4 points to 92, INSEE reported. He "reached its highest level since September 2008," says the National Institute of Statistics.

According to the entrepreneurs interviewed, their past activity has significantly improved, approaching the long-term average (100 points). Inventories remain low but the order books "are filling up again," notes the INSEE. In the automotive sector, including factories running again under the effect of orders of the premium for scrap. But, in parallel with the gradual disappearance of the measure, the activity should slow in the coming months, according to the survey payday advance .

Individual expectations remain low

The overall indicator thus complete its turnaround started last spring. In March 2009, it reached a floor level at 69 points after 15 months of plummeting.

Still, the personal perspectives of production business leaders remain low (-9). Paradoxically, the overall outlook is to say opinion on the overall activity of the industry, improved "significantly" to -4 in January against -11 in December, exceeding the average long term , is the INSEE.

All your means of payment are in place in your portfolio, but you've spotted anomalies on your last statement of accounts. You're probably a victim of piracy. They equip vending readers and cameras, or more disturbing that they have collusion among retailers or banks to obtain details of customers, increasing criminal attacks. According to The Association of French bank users (AFUB) statistics on police use fraudulent credit cards on internet the secret code is then not necessary to validate the transaction, exploded in 2009. The association was an increase of 20% of complaints related to practice.

If the vigilance and regular monitoring of movements in his bank account remains the surest way to avoid mishaps, fortunately the damage is repairable post.

Opposition to the credit card used

Once flow suspects are found, must be opposed on the card used. If the earlier is necessarily the best, the SEPA directive (Ed.: Single Euro Payments Area) provides that corrupt payments can be challenged during a period of 13 months.

Since the opposition may be made by calling the center to each specific bank. The simplest is yet to contact the server number interbank 0 892 705 705 (0,34 euro). These numbers are usually shown on the ATMs and the back of tickets withdrawals.They are available 24 hours on 24 and 7 days on 7, in France and from abroad.

Confirmation of a written objection

The transaction is validated by issuing a code confirming the consideration of the application payday loan . Since the card is usable and the owner is relieved of all responsibility vis-?-vis the debits. "In most cases, banks are asking their customers to renew their request for a written objection and give the ticket office or send it by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt," said the French banking federation. This is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.

Complaint to the police

Account statement in support, the customer can complain to the police to report the fraudulent withdrawals.Banks sometimes require before reimbursing the amounts charged, however it is not a legal requirement.

Reimbursement of amounts debited

The SEPA directive states that the bank is obliged to repay any amounts fraudulently charged within 30 days. Beware however, if the cardholder did not oppose her will be liable for 150 euros, that is to say that the bank will reimburse the remainder.

Another benefit of the Directive, customers are exempt from all charges arising from fraudulent transactions, namely the costs of opposition and order a new card and any premium.

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"French banks and their regulator have masterfully maneuvered the Americans." This statement should be read in Tuesday's Wall Street Journal and refers to the fall of 2008, were negotiated when the unwinding of derivative contracts of credit (CDS) which the insurer AIG, the drift was the counterparty. At the time these CS were loose at full price, without discount.

Societe Generale was the big winner of the transaction with a cash inflow of 16.5 billion dollars (with no impact on the income statement), followed by Goldman Sachs (14 billion). Calyon, sixth on the list, hit 4.3 billion.

According to the WSJ, the French banks supported their argument by the Banking Commission, have argued with AIG and the New York Fed that they could negotiate a possible discount, under pain of criminal responsibility and that leaders committed their business card .

Today, the WSJ has questioned the legal merits of this argument would have to fly the United States. And behind the tribute to the skill of French in this case, the business daily U.S. gives ammunition to the many critics of the current U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. Patron of the New York Fed at the time of the rescue of AIG, is now itself challenged in Congress for his handling of the case, one of the most expensive of the financial crisis for the American taxpayer.

As expected, the U.S. bank JP Morgan Chase announced a great performance this Friday for its fourth quarter 2009. Over this period, net profit stood at 3.278 billion dollars (2.27 billion euros), a figure four times over the fourth quarter of 2008. Net banking income (equivalent to the turnover) amounted to 23.164 billion dollars over the same period against 17.226 billion in 2008. Levels well below expectations of analysts who had forecast at 26.2 billion.

For the full year, JP Morgan Chase is much better than expected with a net profit stood at 11.728 billion dollars. Twice in 2008. Regarding the benefits of the fourth quarter alone, the performance of the bank exceeds expectations at $ 74 cents per share in the fourth quarter against the 62 expected by analysts.On the year, net earnings per share were $ 2.24, against expectations of 2.12.

The bank also announced having strengthened its balance sheet, with a Tier 1 capital of 133 billion dollars or 11.1% ratio against 10.2% in September 30.

The banking investments have contributed greatly to the group's results, with net income of 1.901 billion, against a loss of 2.364 billion last year in the same period.

Deception

Yet the markets react badly to this first major publication in the banking sector. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones opened down 0.26% at 10,683 points. Action JP Morgan lost 2.15%, resulting in his fall Citigroup (-1.71%), Bank of America (2.32%) Goldman Sachs (-1.06%) and Morgan Stanley (-2, 76%). In Paris the CAC 40 in red switch to -0.60 while it was resumed in mid-session.

Investors, disappointed, hold that the bank has added $ 1.9 billion to its reserves for losses on consumer loans. The financial institution also announced that "the results have not reached a level of return on capital adequacy and realized their full potential." "The results of companies have certainly not the desired leverage," stated Joseph Hargett of Schaeffer's Investment Research. "JPMorgan Chase has even gone so far as to express a high degree of caution on the current economic environment," says he.

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan, will indeed "be cautious" about its outlook. His bank has, he says, face a cost of "high" risk. JP Morgan has included in its accounts last quarter to 7.3 billion dollars in reserves to cover these risks.

Moreover, while the swelling controversy over the pay of bankers and traders on Wall Street, JPMorgan reported costs of "compensation" (which includes wages and bonuses) increased by 18% in 2009 compared to the year prev. A new and should not meet U.S. President Barack Obama said Thursday that a proposed tax of fifty large bank.

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Ira will not? A source close to former British Prime Minister confirmed to The Daily Telegraph a rumor that Tony Blair is about to join LVMH. "There is agreement in principle, but nothing has yet been signed," the source said. "Tony Blair will not sit on the board of directors but will have an advisory role and, as such, will work closely with Bernard Arnault." The British newspaper mentioned a salary "six figures" for his future job at LVMH . Contacted by The Figaro.fr, the group did not wish to make comments.

The battalion of "stars" of LVMH

It is clear that LVMH is not his first recruitment media. The Ring of former politicians is his favorite hunting grounds. A multinational field, like the luxury giant.So Jaime de Marichalar, the son of King Juan Carlos of Spain, he was appointed director of the Christian Dior group, one of the leading brands of LVMH in May. Another type of partnership, the group Bernard Arnault has managed to persuade former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev to pose for an advertising campaign for its leather goods brand Louis Vuitton in 2007.

Gorbachev becomes the icon of the Louis Vuitton Birdie.