As every summer festivals in numbers on the territory have not failed to meet a great public success. However, despite attendance that does not deny, the contraction of budgets of local cultural events to make this worthwhile. For the vast majority of them are "small joint ventures", in the words of Emmanuel Negrier, author of "Public Festivals, tapped in large part by public funds.

According to a study by France festivals, grants from these mainly involved local average for 51% of the resources of these events. "The festivals of contemporary music, which developed later than others, however, are less dependent," says Emmanuel Negrier.To give an example of the financial stability of a festival of medium size, the budget of Auvers-sur-Oise is broken down as follows: 44% public funding, 23% from sponsorship or partnerships, and 33% of own revenue, notably from the ticket.

The counties, which face increasing social spending, have generally lowered their subsidies by 10%. This is the case in Rock en Seine, which begins this Friday with the envelope from the general council of Hauts-de-Seine is dropped from 300,000 euros to 265,000 euros on a total budget of 5 million. "The trend is clearly down government subsidies. In addition to the crisis, the reform of local finances led to a narrowing of the capacity of local authorities to act in the field of culture, "says Emmanuel Negrier. A feeling also experienced Lorient Inter-Celtic Festival."Apart from agreements concluded in three years, we enjoy public support dropped from 10% to 20%. In total, they nevertheless represent 35% of our budget, "says there is no fax payday loan.

Increased use of patronage

What, therefore, to overcome this shortfall? There are really only two main levers on which play to increase revenue: the price of tickets and the development of sponsorship. While the increase in ticket prices is a limited instrument which undermines the availability of a diverse public festivals, many events, however, attempt to play the role of patronage. This is for example the case of Inter-Celtic Festival Lorient or that of Annecy.The Crescendo Festival of Annecy has indeed experienced a revival this year thanks to the donation of 500,000 euros a Russian businessman, Andrei Valeriyevich Cheglakov. "The only thing Andrei Valeriyevich Cheglakov wait in return is the recognition by the Mayor of Annecy festival of this size that has an interest in the city," said Pascal Escande, festival director. This case, however, is very exceptional, "he concedes himself.

Especially in times of crisis, it also becomes more difficult to find private funds. While the vast majority of companies have retained last year an almost identical level of funding, "they tend to focus their actions and be more attentive to their consistency," said Beatrice Menanteau, director of Admical , an association that promotes corporate philanthropy.Above all, it is currently unthinkable in France private funds to replace grants: "In Spain, some festivals are completely private. But their benefits are not equivalent to those of French festivals. Neither stimulation of cultural creation, or access to culture to a diverse audience are possible without the help of communities, "argues Emmanuel Negrier.

Even Sotheby's, all recipes are good for boiling the kettle. On 23 September in New York, establishing world-class sales, which usually dispersed collections of paintings or jewelry the most prestigious, will auction … vegetables. But not just any old vegetable he will, almost extinct varieties of pumpkins, pumpkins and eggplants with the production, organic of course, is essentially American. Farmers in several states are currently pushing so valuable prizes. Simmered meals by top chefs and baskets will also be awarded.

Funds raised during this sale, called "The Art of Agriculture", are intended to teach children about nutrition.Agricultural projects for new organic farmers are supported.

Very rare, these vegetables will be presented very expensive: Unions mixing gourd "Lady Godiva Squash" and other "Pink Banana Pumpkin" will be priced at 1000 dollars. If vegetables are then donated to charities, gourmets can buy discrètement.Charles Gautier

Pernod Ricard has raised its annual forecast for Thursday operating profit due to improved economic conditions. The group of wines and spirits brands owner Ricard, Absolut, Havana Club, said in a statement that its sales showed a growth of 2% at constant exchange during the year ended June 30

Pernod Ricard said however that "given a negative foreign exchange impact of approximately -1% (turned positive in the second half) and a perimeter effect of -3%, primarily related to sales of brand Wild Turkey and Tia Maria, 2009-2010 turnover was slightly down -2%.

He added: "The year was marked by an economic improvement over that of last year, especially during the second half. Pernod Ricard has continued to benefit from its broad portfolio of premium brands. "

Turnover increased by 9% at constant scope and exchange in the second half, with growth estimated at 3% in the fourth quarter alone. Pernod Ricard said that Asia and Latin America are "remained very dynamic." The improvement trend continued in Eastern Europe, the United States and Duty Free markets. The activity continued to decline overall in western Europe (particularly Spain and the United Kingdom, and more recently in Greece). "

For the full year, the company is now targeting organic growth in operating profit of between 3% and 4%, while it expects an increase of 3% previously.

The turnover and the final results of 2009-2010 will be published Sept. 2.

Photographers, cameramen, and around 70 MPs, including several tenors Socialists (Francois Hollande, Jean-Marc Ayrault) belonging to other committees, however … The Social Affairs Committee of the Assembly, Eric Woerth who auditioned Tuesday, just after presenting his plan to reform pensions in Cabinet, had on Tuesday an unusually busy. She was visibly much at the media-political context and the importance of the bill to the agenda. The audience was also gradually scattered throughout the session … And if the Left has repeatedly expressed its disapproval loudly – a ruckus usually reserved for the Chamber – is inside the text she attacked.

The fate of the Pension Reserve Fund has attracted the most virulent attacks.Introduced by Lionel Jospin and supposed to help pass the peak of demographic imbalance between contributors and pensioners, beginning in 2020, the FRR will finally be used to offset deficits in coming years, pending the promised balance by the government in 2018. "Your reform is shortsighted, accused DSK.The holdup on the Pension Reserve Fund is to penalize future generations. "

PS She also found that the device "hardship" (starting at age 60 with full rate, subject to a disability of 20%) returned to "say people who are disabled or sick are entitled to be recognized invalid or sick. "

"A good balance"

Labour Minister regretted the "distortions" and recalled that this device, combined with the long careers (early departure for those who started working before age 18) should cover 100,000 people per year in 2015, a new retiree on about six.Earlier, Eric Woerth was held, in an interview Capital.fr that the threshold of 20% was a "good balance", seemingly closing the door to a significant change – and potentially costly – on this point.

Not a word left, however, to challenge the alignment of the contribution pensions of officials on that of private sector employees.

The majority, she has power, supporting a reform considered "essential," "urgent," "fair" and "effective". Jean-Luc Préel however, raised a question: "I have some doubts about the economic forecasts that seem optimistic," said the member of the New Center.

Meanwhile, unions have reaffirmed their opposition to the reform, gathered before the Ministry of Labour hundreds of activists, including Bernard Thibault (CGT), François Chérèque (CFDT), Alain Olive (UNSA) and Bernadette Groison (FSU).

ALSO READ:

"Sarkozy said his firm on pensions

"Pension reform: unions hostile

"SPECIAL – The challenges of pension reform

Secretary of State for Housing returns including the removal of stacking individual housing for students and the half-tax share for dependent children.

LE FIGARO. – Do you react when prices of the older building are divided on the rise?

Benoist appeared. – These price increases are not good. What can be done to curb them? First, hire a real estate policy. Today, there is not enough land available. And that contributes to higher prices. We are moving ahead on the transparency of real estate prices. Currently, there are so many statistics that no one is confused. To provide clarity, we label the most reliable statistics. Finally, we are working on increasing housing supply in areas strained.Because if prices rise faster in Paris (15% in one year) than in France (+8.5%) (as Century 21, Ed), is that supply is insufficient. For example, in the next aid reform homeownership, people who buy new in the tension zone will be helped more than those who buy into the old to the same place. This will encourage developers to produce more housing.

The removal of stacking individual housing for students and the half-tax share for dependent children is debatable. Why did you make that decision?

It's a fairness issue. Families choose the device which is more favorable. The PLA is the only student for personal housing without means testing. Today, 535,000 homes add to the LPA half share in the income tax.Obviously, this does not affect the poorest households, who pay no income tax. And the higher the income, the higher the benefit of the half-tax share is important. We wanted to put an end to this combination. Now he must choose between the PLA or the half-tax share. According to our estimates, 70% of households will retain the PLA, the more financially attractive. This measure will come into effect in September 2011. And allow the state to save $ 200 million.

The contribution of EUR 340 million requested for social landlords has also brought controversy. How do you explain that?

This measure allows the equalization of implementing a major goal: to build more where the needs are! Of the 800 social landlords, 10% to 15% build and invest very little. In the middle, we call them "plump dormant.Especially we ask for them in 2011 an effort of solidarity to implement this equalization of 340 million euros. These amounts will be redistributed to many social landlords who build in areas where land is expensive and where the needs are increasingly important. For this contribution does not result in an excessive increase in rents, I hope the IRL (benchmark rents) is now a target growth that social landlords will not exceed.

How do you respond to social landlords who say it will lead them to build 20,000 homes in less than in 2011?

In late 2008, donors had social capital of 6.5 billion euros. That still leaves them real freedom of maneuver. Furthermore, the terms of participation and redistribution of these 340 million will be discussed with the world HLM.But we will maintain our high level of funding for social housing with government intervention 10 billion.

In 2011, Action Housing (formerly 1% Housing) Will there still subsidized to the tune of 1.25 billion euros the National Housing Agency and the national agency for urban renewal?

Yes and it's not a surprise. This contribution of 1.25 billion was provided for three years from 2009 to 2011. This will keep the government's commitments in the fight against fuel poverty, urban renewal, renovation of old neighborhoods and degraded fight against substandard housing. Already, we are discussing with Action Housing to determine its future contributions. And we have no plans to increase it.

"This is our operation this year." Michel Bouvard, MP (UMP) who chairs the supervisory board of Caisse des Depots et Consignations (CDC), sets the tone: the entry of public institution with a capital of La Poste is in itself that the Fund invests typically one year. The frame is fixed by law: The Post will benefit from a capital increase of 2.7 billion euros, 1.2 billion provided by the state, and 1.5 billion from the Fund. Must still agree on the value of the Post Office to determine what will be the level of participation of the CDC in its capital.

Twice a week since the beginning of the month, teams from the Fund – backed by Lazard and Morgan Stanley, helping Gimar Finance Supervisory Commission – and those of the Agency for State Holdings (advised by HSBC), compare analysis.Condemned, by law, to agree, the two pockets of the state does not want to go to war. No way to dwell on a range of recovery – a "fork" as an actor in the negotiations – which, however, reveals a gap of one to five.

The Post valued at 1.8 billion euros

Reportedly, in fact, the "buyer" – CDC – valued at this stage, the post office to 1.8 billion euros, including debt, when the "seller", the State, shows 9.5 billion. The discussion, in fact, is to converge to a value of The Post to be that of its own funds (4.1 billion euros at end 2009).The work involved with the management of La Poste – CEO Jean-Paul Bailly plate before the Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Fund on June 23 – and the EPA have already been able to fill a (small) part of gap.

Concordant sources, Bercy proposes to extend the revenue projections and results of the public company beyond 2015, the end of the current strategic plan, focusing on the extension of subsidies for the distribution of the press, Accessibility bank or land use. This involves taking a very long-term bet, even though projections for five years been based on optimistic assumptions, as stated by the Court of Auditors paydayloans.

For example, the public company anticipates a replacement for four retirements, two times less than in 2009.It sits on a decrease of 30% "only" the volume of business mail by 2015, when erosion caused by traditional Internet this activity has accelerated with the crisis.

"Prudent investor"

The financial trajectory, finally, projects a growth of 5 to 6% of revenues the Postal Bank in the period, based on a scenario of "macro" rather rosy, particularly in terms of changes in interest rates. She bet – she is not alone – a tightening of prudential regulations on international (Basel 3) which would cost only 500 million of equity to its subsidiary … These are all the more crucial that La Banque Postale represents alone worth more than 8 billion euros.On it depends on price which its parent.

To justify the target value, the arguments must be strong: the CDC should behave "prudent investor, in strict compliance with its property interests." Especially, the recapitalization not be considered state aid by Brussels. During the presentation of the report of the supervisory committee, Michel Bouvard reiterated the goal: the investment must provide a perspective of profitability similar to the average of the other assets of CDC. "We want to secure our investment in case of degraded scenario," he says.

The Fund negotiates as a shareholder pact that would endorse the joint control with the State on the public company, it takes 25 or 35% of the capital. "The state is more favorable to have the CDC in a strong position as shareholder," says one close to the matter.The Fund would have four directors, an involvement in appointing the CEO, and a veto not only on large investments, but also the most common big decisions, like budget.

No change in the short term. But the door remains ajar for two more months. Nicolas Sarkozy held a meeting this FRIDAY on pension reform in the presence of several ministers: Baroin (Budget), Georges Tron (Public Service) and Eric Woerth (Labour). Following this meeting, the President of the Republic has decided to send as is the bill (see the text in its entirety) to the Councils for review. No editing for now, is therefore proposed for this text which provides a gradual increase in the age of retirement until age 62 in 2018.

However, the executive says ready to developments on three issues dear to the CFDT: the situation of people who started working before age 18, taking into account the hardship and treatment of poly-pensioners (of persons covered by several pension plans).The special case of poly-pensioners had hitherto not been mentioned in the text of the reform presented Wednesday.

Nicolas Sarkozy has asked Eric Woerth offer him "at the latest before the start of parliamentary debate in September, possible developments on these topics.

ALSO READ:

"Pensions: unions call for mobilization

"Pensions: a majority of French opposed the reform

"CASE-Retirement: Issues of reform

L'Oreal wins year after year market share in China. Under the name "The Or Yia" (Beauty of Europe), L'Oréal remains behind his rival Procter & Gamble that market estimated at nearly 100 billion yuan (12 billion euros) since it holds just less than 12% of total sales in 2009, against 19% for the U.S.. The attack strategy of L'Oreal to settle as a leader in China seems not only feasible, but it also promises to bring much to the French group.

L'Oreal, which sponsors the World Expo in Shanghai, will provide 20% more revenue in the country this year, one billion euros. This is what Paolo Gasparrini, the boss of China said on Tuesday there.In 2009, sales have climbed 25% on a comparable basis (862 million euros) in China, making the country the fifth largest market growth in its insolent.

"We expect 650 million new customers in the Asia-Pacific, with half in China," says the director of L'Oreal in China to Echos.

The men discover cosmetics

According to the Financial Times, the products of Skincare for Men Rise particularly in China sales rose 27% in one year and in 2009 the rate reached 40% since the beginning of 2010 overnight pay day loans. That's five times more than the same products for women.

Improve the look for men is to give more chances to marry, the newspaper said. In general, the physical is very important in China.Traditionally, women were preparing their own products for skin with water such as rice. "A person picks up pretty easily for a job or a good partner," says Lin Xinrong, Chief of Research & Development of skin care in Shanghai, quoted by the newspaper.

L'Oreal has understood that its Chinese customers is unusual. Therefore 80-85% of L'Oreal cosmetics products are specifically developed for this destination.

ALSO READ:

When the focus is luxury Mandarin

The concern is strongest on Wall Street. While the Greek parliament adopted the austerity measures required to pay using the EU and the IMF, the American financial markets plunge. The Dow Jones fall at the close of 3.21% to 10,520.32 points, the Nasdaq lost 3.44% to 2319.64 points and the S & P 500 3.24% cowardly to 1128 points.During the session, the markets have even panicked: the Dow Jones has suffered a historic collapse of 9% and the Nasdaq is up 8.85%! But according to CNBC, a single error in a large trading company was behind the short dip seen between 14 hours and 15 hours …

Strengthening investor panic, the spokesman for the White House said the reforms, as austerity plan imposed in Greece were "important" but they "take time".

"The situation in Europe has a low potential impact on the U.S. recovery. But this remains an important market for import and export for many countries and the euro is the second currency of international transactions, "says Fred Dickson, chief investment strategist at Davidson Cos.."We all know that we also have budget problems and deficit," warns Jay Suskind of Duncan-Williams, implying that the United States themselves might be affected.

Again, fears of contagion go before the national indicators. However, good news came on the employment front. Entries weekly unemployment declined in the United States during the first week in May, against 444,000 451,000 the previous week, according to the Department of Labor. Economists had expected jobless claims averaged 440,000.

In addition, productivity gains of U.S. companies have been higher than expected first quarter. Productivity increased 3.6% over the fourth quarter, while analysts expected an increase of 2.5%.

The euro plunged again

The euro sank under $ 1.26 for the first time since March 2009. The European currency, which was still worth $ 1.33 last Friday, has broken the symbolic threshold into this new 20:45.

Investors were disappointed by the decision of the ECB to keep interest rates unchanged, while some wanted the European monetary authority takes steps to stem a possible contagion of the Greek debt to other countries the euro area paydayloans.

And the fences in the bright red of the European markets do not help matters.

Oil tumbles

Oil prices fell for the third straight session Thursday in New York.On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of light sweet crude for June delivery ended at 77.11 dollars, down from 2.86 dollars the previous day. Over the past three sessions, he accumulated a dip 9.08 dollars, or 10.5%.

"This is entirely due to macroeconomic concerns," said Ellis Eckland held, independent analyst. "The debt crisis in Europe would clearly be negative for economic recovery in the world, especially in Europe."

Freddie Mac and distributors troubled markets

On the side of values, Freddie Mac has asked yesterday in federal funding additional $ 10.6 billion the U.S. Treasury. At the end of 2008, the Treasury has pledged to cover an unlimited losses for Freddie and Fannie until 2012. This new application brings to more than $ 61.3 billion total spent on federal aid to rescue Freddie Mac.In trading, the shares drop 6.24% to $ 1.34.

Retailers Costco Wholesale Corp. and Gap reported sales difficult last month, up just 0.5% for the first and were down 3% for the second comparable basis. Consequence: their respective securities fell by 3.86% to 58.03 dollars and 7.17% to 22.91 dollars.

In their wake, Target was down 1.86% after publishing sales down 5.9% in April against 2.3% expected by the markets.

The telecom equipment maker, JDS Uniphase (-20.15% 10.94 dollars) has announced a loss of 11.9 million (101.7 million against last year). The sales were above expectations at 332.3 million dollars.The company said stronger growth in its order book for 2 years in the first quarter

The security software vendor Symantec (+1.72% to 16.53 dollars) announced a profit of 184 million dollars and the video game publisher, THQ, significantly reduced its losses to 10.4 million against a deficit of nearly $ 100 million last year.

The CBS group (-4.49% at 14.88 dollars) recorded a loss of posting $ 26.2 million for a turnover of 3.16 billion.

Jean-Louis Dumas in June 2001. Photo credits: AFP