Archivio per la categoria 'features'

The CAC 40 increased his earnings

Despite the rebound in Asian stock markets Wednesday morning and the revival of U.S. consumer confidence on Tuesday, the Paris financial markets remain febrile for the first day of September. At mid-session, the index in Paris rose 2.03% to 3561.75 points. The CAC 40 closed Tuesday August on a small increase of 0.11% to 3490.79 points. Throughout the month, the index in Paris lost more than 7%.

The Footsie-100 from the London Stock Exchange ahead of 0.38% to 5244.92 points. In contrast, the German DAX 30, after opening up slightly, declining from 0.41% to 5900.95 points, following the unexpected decline of 0.3% of retail sales in July.

The Paris Bourse and benefits of U.S. statistics less bad than expected, especially the rebound in consumer confidence in August. The increase in manufacturing activity in China is also contributing to accelerating gains in the CAC 40."The upward movement was initiated at the close on Wall Street Tuesday night, says it in the rooms. We do not press too heavily on the markets, which explains that the movement is noticeable now, and not opening.

Vivendi stock rewarded

The set of interim results continued. Vivendi raised its forecast for this year, after posting a 6.1% increase in sales to 13.9 billion euros and 6.6% of its net profit to 1.26 billion euros. The shares rose 5.05% to 19.34 euros, the largest increase in the CAC 40, before Lafarge (4.77% to 38.09 euros). The group also benefits from the increase in the analysts' recommendations Credit Agricole Cheuvreux to "outperform" cons "underperformance."They also raised their price target to 48 euros 46 euros cons.

The investment company Wendel (4.31% to 42.15 euros) in the first half net profit of 124.5 million euros against a loss of 959 million for the same period of 2009.

Tuesday after-hours trade, Bouygues (-1.31% at 31.62 euros) issued a revenue down 1% in the first half and slightly raised its full-year sales (30.4 billion cons EUR 30.1 billion previously planned). The value is the largest drop in the CAC 40, about 9:25.

Vinci (2.86% to 35.62 euros) reported interim results exceeded expectations Guaranteed payday loan.Its net profit was up 1.9% to 703 million euros and sales rose 2.3% to 15.5 billion euros, thanks to improved traffic conditions and benefits the acquisition of Cegelec.

Finally, Eiffage (-1.36% to 35.50 euros) confirmed its forecast of sales for 2010 thanks to the growth of its backlog and achieved a 40% jump in net profit share Half of the group 70 million euros. The operating profit has however declined by 2.6% to 412 million, within the scope of the downturn in work due to a climate of increased competition.

In the tug of opposing Sanofi-Aventis (2.11% to 46.23 euros) to Genzyme, the CEO of biotech company judge, in an interview with Reuters, the high probability of finding an agreement on Sanofi bid on American group.However, he reiterated that Genzyme will not accept the proposed price of 69 dollars per share. According to sources close to the U.S. group will not negotiate at least $ 75.

Manufacturing: up in France, down in the euro area

On the macroeconomic front, the growth of manufacturing in the euro area shows in August to its lowest level since February, according to figures released Wednesday by the monthly survey Markit. The PMI purchasing managers fell to 55.1 against 56.7 in July. In France, it reached 55.1 points in August, against 53.9 the previous month in Britain, it fell to 54.3 in August, after a final figure revised down to 56.9 in July.

The same index will be unveiled in the U.S. in 16 hours. Also overseas, the ADP employment figures in the private sector will be published to 14.15.They give a first overview of the situation on the labor market in the U.S. before the official figures on Friday.

Another indicator of importance: New car registrations in France fell 9.8% in August on a year to reach 102,912 units with the breathless pursuit of the effect "scrappage" announced Wednesday the Committee of French Automobile (CCFA). In July, new car registrations fell by 12.9% compared to last year, and 15.4% for the only French brands.

Festivals face of declining public subsidies

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.

Hewlett Packard and Dell in the struggle on the high-tech

The cloud computing continues to attract IT companies. A week after Dell announced it planned to buy the company for data storage, 3PAR, his rival, Hewlett-Packard (HP), outbid on Monday on supply Dell. HP has made an offer of 1.6 billion dollars (1.2 billion euros), against 1.15 billion dollars (894 million euros) for Dell. The proposed transaction represented by Dell when it announces a 87% premium over the closing price of 3PAR. An advertisement that has boosted the share 3PAR over 40% to 25.35 dollars in a market up 0.27%.And while, to 3:35 p.m., Hewlett-Packard lost 0.13% to 39.80 dollars.

Transaction close by the end of the year

HP recently rocked by the resignation of its CEO Mark Hurd in early August, said that the board had approved the transaction faxless payday advance. The closure of the transaction is expected before the end of the year, the company said.

This acquisition would allow the IT group to extend its range of storage products for the cloud computing (cloud computing) and to support its service activities, like other industry heavyweights like IBM, they which tend to generate higher gross margins than sales of computers.

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Sotheby's auction of old vegetable

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

Asia claims the world market of the press

Every day, worldwide, 1.7 billion people read a daily fee. Either one quarter of the adult population worldwide. With non-daily newspapers, 37% are adults, from Beijing to New York from Cape Town to Hamburg, from Calcutta to Moscow, blackened fingers over 12,477 titles, or 1.7% more than in 2008. The global distribution of newspapers has reached 517 million units sold in 2009, down 0.8% from 2008 but up 5.7% over five years.

These statistics, released Wednesday by the World Association of Newspapers and publisher of the news media (WAN-IFRA) in its annual report on global trends in the media are reasons to be "optimistic", says President WAN-IFRA, Christoph Riess.

In detail, the global market of the press especially took advantage of Asia's appetite for newspapers. The region is home to 67 of the 100 largest newspapers published worldwide.There is also the major newspaper markets – with, in mind, India (110 million copies sold daily), China (109 million copies a day) and Japan (50 million copies) . It also published in the archipelago that is the largest daily in the world published: Yomiuri Shimbun runs every morning at more than 10 million copies.

Very hungry for news, Asia recorded in 2009, an increase of 1% in the distribution of its daily revenue. Over the past five years, it has increased by 13%. The region is thus one of the most dynamic, after Africa, where the diffusion has increased by 30% since 2004. The distribution of non-daily newspapers in Asia, she rose 3.1% in 2009, ahead of Australia and Oceania (+1.8%) and Europe (+1.5%).Over five years, this category grew 17.3%.

Going digital

Conversely, markets with a mature media environment see sales of their papers back. The distribution of paid dailies has declined by 3.4% in North America and 5.6% in Europe in 2009. Over five years, these two regions have lost 10.6% and 7.9% in the distribution of daily press charges. "While traditional newspapers in many markets mature losing readership, media companies on these markets are at the forefront of the digital revolution, is consoled Christoph Riess.Many newspapers in mature markets have turned to digital platforms and new forms of printed publications, expanding their product portfolio, their audience and revenue. "

However, for WAN-IFRA, "the advertising revenue related to digital activities will not compensate the losses of printed products. However, newspapers have a real card to play on mobile phones: "Mobile services can reach 100% of the population and the payment for such services has been well established in the customs," the report says.

Paris hesitates despite SocGen

After opening at 3746.56 points on balance, the CAC 40 suffered some profit taking and lost around 10:30 just over 0.5% to 3726.45 points. At midday, the index feature yielded 0.54% to 3727 points before picking up one hour before the opening of Wall Street. 14.30 ACC exceeds 3750 points (+0.13%). Tuesday evening now, the benchmark index of the Paris market had bent slightly, from 0.12% to 3747.51 points, while nearly 3,750 points in the wake of Wall Street, penalized by economic indicators so good that anticipated.

Investors reacted positively Wednesday morning, however, the results of Societe Generale, published before the opening, and that are much better than expected.Monday, BNP Paribas and HSBC had already published accounts reassuring and had restored confidence to investors worldwide.

In Asia, Tokyo has fallen sharply while export values are penalized by the yen continued to rise against the dollar. At 85.5 yen to the dollar, the yen has never been stronger.

Economic News still loaded

On Wednesday, the macroeconomic news might still punctuate the markets. In the euro area, the focus will be on the PMI services and composite July (2nd estimate).Growth in the French sector of services has accelerated slightly in July, but expectations of entrepreneurs are less strong, according to the PMI survey published Wednesday by Markit Economics.

At 11:00, retail sales in the eurozone emerged flat in June mainly due to lower sales of food products, following a 0.4% increase the previous month (revised from +0.2%) but show a larger increase than expected 0.4% in one year, after 0.6% (revised from +0.3%) recorded in May Economists polled by Reuters had forecast an average increase of 0.1% from one month to another as well as annual.

Overseas, the ADP employment figures in the private sector in July will be well attended in the financial world, at 14.30. Then at 16 hours, the ISM index of activity in services should lead the market.Finally, at 16:30, the traditional weekly crude oil stocks are known. All these figures of importance, so that on Tuesday, the statistics on consumer spending and incomes of households were poorer than expected.

Société Générale and Axa have done better than expected

As for values, investors have been informed by stock-half-year results of Societe Generale (1.38% to 46.02 euros) payday loans. Net income was more than tripled to 1.084 billion euros in the second quarter. Economists expected a doubling.Moreover, its Greek subsidiary Geniki announced a widening its net loss in the first half, the economic difficulties the country promoting the proliferation of bad loans.

AXA (-1.76% to 14.47 euros), has reported net earnings in the first half down 29% to 944 million euros. It's better than expected and operating income, which excludes special items, spring, him, down 3%.

Suez Environment (-0.23% to 15.14 euros), which specializes in managing water and waste, noted Wednesday its growth forecast for the full year 2010, after posting first half results strong growth. Jean-Louis Chaussade, CEO of number two French water treatment and industrial waste, says his group's performance in the first half.

Bic (+0.54% at 56.10 euros).The group anticipates a slowdown in particular the growth in sales of lighters and razors in the second half.

Sopra (-0.02%) and Iliad (-1.15%) also posted pre-market.

Maurel & Prom: + 68% of first half sales

Energy. Departments of Ecology and Economy announced Tuesday that the government planned to increase to 15 August electricity rates by 3% on average for households and 4% to 5.5% for businesses. EDF is the head of the CAC 40 to 34.7 euros.

Maurel & Prom (-0.45%% to EUR 9.78) Tuesday announced sales up 68% in the first half of 2010, helped by the rise in production fields in Gabon and in particular into production fields and Omgw OMBG. Note that the oil companies are particularly sought after in recent sessions.The oil was indeed installed comfortably beyond 80 dollars.

Vilmorin (+0.17% to 74.63 euros) Tuesday posted a consolidated turnover from 2009 to 2010 up 6.2%, supported by his vegetable business. The fourth seed has confirmed global forecast fiscal year 2009-2010 ended June 30, "a good performance of its margins," despite the increased "significantly" from its research investment.

Teleperformance (-0.72% to 19.31 euros) announced Tuesday for the first half rose 3.9% in sales on a reported basis, down to a 2.6% decline in comparable, indicating that positive impact of its restructuring plan on the second play of the year.

The CAC 40 ended up, driven by banking

The Paris Bourse ended the session on Monday in the green: +0.8% to 3635.86 points after having doubted almost the entire session. The CAC 40 was indeed long hesitation on the way forward following the release Friday of "stress tests" conducted on 91 European banks and published Friday after the stock market. Only seven institutions have failed, which means a respectable success rate of 92%. However, 17 banks post notes just averages. What a cool little enthusiasm.

Finally, Paris has chosen the rise. Like Wall Street, Friday, which had been optimistic, although Asian markets were more hesitant.

No macroeconomic indicator was expected in Europe.But the United States, sales of new houses in the U.S. rebounded more than expected in June, from 23.6% in May after hitting their lowest level since 1963 at least, but still extremely low, according to official figures released Monday in Washington. The news bolstered Wall Street upwards.

As for currencies, the euro climbed slightly against the dollar: + 0.53% to 1.2980 dollar.

Featured Banks

Who says interpretation of "stress tests", said reaction of the banking sector. At the Paris Bourse, the French banks took off and pulled the score up: +7.75% Dexia, 5.24% for Societe Generale, 3.12% for Credit Agricole, 2.37% for BNP Paribas and 1.91% for Axa.For the Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde, have no fear: French banks have succeeded in "this difficult test with flying colors, with honors.

The car values have also boosted the index: 1.65% for Peugeot, 1.58% and 1.28% for Michelin for Renault.

In red lantern ACC, a troucve STMicroelectronics: 2.34% to 6.34 euros.

Sanofi-Aventis lowered its earnings forecast for 2010

Sanofi Aventis (+0.16% to € 45.58) announced Friday that the first generic version of the anticoagulant Lovenox has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The supply of the generic, marketed by Sandoz in association with the American company Momenta began in the wake of the approval by the FDA.The news had tumbled 4.25% securities at the close Friday because the Lovenox was the second top-selling drug from Sanofi last year. In a statement, Sanofi-Aventis recalls his "reservations" about the approval by the FDA in regard to "patient safety".

The pharmaceutical group revises accordingly its earnings forecast downward, with "an evolution of the EPS of activities for 2010 of between 0% and -4% compared to 2009 at constant exchange rates. A turnaround from last April when Sanofi evoked a growth in earnings per share from between 2% and 5%.In addition, Sanofi would have views of the U.S. biotech Genzyme after the Wall Street Journal.

Fimalac (0.95% to 31.29 euros) on Friday issued after the market closes up its turnover by 6.9% to 443.2 million euros in the first nine months of its 2009-2010 ended September 30.

April Group (1.73%) and Faiveley (-0.29%) publish their turnover in the first half after the stock market. Icade (1.84%) and Klépierre (+0.6%) at the same time unveil their interim results.

Safran maintains its offer on Zodiac

Saffron is still on track, despite the rejection by the supervisory board of Zodiac's merger offer sent July 6. "We stand by our proposal. It is the shareholders to decide Zodiac. We were very surprised that the leaders of Zodiac reject our proposal without seeking to fathom, "says Jean-Pierre Cojan, Deputy Director General of Safran, head of strategy and development.

The group led by Jean-Paul Herteman no plans to launch a takeover bid (OPA) hostile Zodiac. "I'm not sure that the interests of our shareholders would be served by something other than what we propose, namely to gather around the table. We have no idea at this stage other than to repeat the proposal that was made there about ten days, "says Ross McInness, Chief Financial Officer of Safran.In the letter received by Didier Domange, chairman of the supervisory board of Zodiac, Jean-Paul Herteman, CEO of Safran, simply wrote that he proposed an exchange of securities and cash to the shareholders of the Zodiac. But he has not made any proposal encrypted. Saffron has a market capitalization of about 9 billion euros. The Zodiac is 2.4 billion.

For the moment, everybody sticks to his guns. The leaders disagree on everything. Zarrouati Olivier, CEO of Zodiac, ensures that the merger would have only "limited synergies" from the industrial and it would not "create value for shareholders of Zodiac.

The state voted for

Saffron, which produces both engines as landing systems, but rather emphasizes the importance of synergies."This merger, which we have thought for some time, makes sense for several reasons, technological and industrial pay day loan lenders. The major clients such as Airbus and Boeing want to work with a limited number of suppliers. The consolidations that have occurred recently demonstrated. There are also synergies in terms of after-sales services. Bringing after-sales services of both companies would share their infrastructure, "says Jean-Pierre Cojan.

Olivier Zarrouati observes that marriage between a heritage whose key shareholders are families Domange Marechal and Gerondeau and the ISP (about 5%), and Saffron which the state holds 30%, is doomed to failure."Safran has not demonstrated in the past its ability to integrate different corporate cultures," he says in an interview with Voices. "Saffron, which is a company that makes money, has demonstrated in the past how much he knew of successful mergers and acquisitions," argues Jean-Pierre Cojan. Saffron has certainly been significant difficulties for the successful merger decided in May 2005 between the public group Snecma and Sagem private enterprise. But he has found new life since the appointment of Jean-Paul Hertelman in September 2007 at the helm. And in a sector as sensitive as aeronautics, its acquisition strategy is approved by the State. When the supervisory board has agreed unanimously to a merger with Zodiac, the representatives of the state voted for.And while interest in the Zodiac, the group remains on the lookout for other acquisitions.

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Prices in Europe: from single to double

From simple to double. In 2009, the price of a comparable basket of food and soft drinks were twice as high in the Member State of the European Union the most expensive in the cheapest, according to a survey published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU, which compared the prices of nearly 500 products in 37 countries across Europe.

Among the 27 countries of the European Union, Denmark takes the top spot, with rates higher than 39% the EU average. The Nordic country is followed by Ireland (29%) and Finland (20%). A laggard, Poland is the EU country where food prices are the lowest, 36% lower than average.Romania (34%) and Bulgaria (32%) are just ahead of Poland at the end of this ranking.

According to Eurostat, France was the eighth most expensive country in the EU for food in 2009, behind Germany (7th) and Belgium (6th), where food prices were respectively 11% and 15% higher than average.

In France, food prices (including soft drinks) were 10% more expensive than the EU average in 2009, reports Eurostat. In detail, the bread and cereals were costing 13% more in France, the 22% more meat and milk, cheese and eggs 4% more. Excluding food, prices of alcoholic beverages in France were 5% below the European average.Tobacco, however, was 33% more expensive.

"Taxation, particularly on alcohol and tobacco, varies enormously from one country to another, and this has an obvious impact on prices of products sold to consumers," says Mathieu Plane, an economist at the French Observatory Economic Conditions (OFCE). So tobacco is even more expensive in Ireland (117% above the EU average) and the United Kingdom (66%).

Discrepancies of wealth even more important

Other parameters explain the wide disparity within the EU. "The final prices are higher in the importing countries," says Mathieu Plane. Costs such as transportation of products are indeed passed on the labels on the shelves."As for producing countries, wages and other production costs are also reflected in consumer prices." Prices that are reported above the standard of living of each country.

Again, the European Institute of Statistics has found very large differences in wealth within the EU, in relation to gross domestic product (GDP) of all 27 members to its population. According to figures recently released by Eurostat, the EU's 13 states have a standard of living than the European average. France is in 11th place with 7% above average. At the other end of the table, Bulgaria ranks dead last with a per capita wealth less than 59% above the average of the 27 states. And seven times lower than the first classification, Luxembourg!

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Program loaded on the Paris Bourse

This Wednesday should be placed under the sign of the decline in Paris at the opening, while the CAC 40 seems to stand at ambient breathlessness on exchanges. The leading index has managed to maintain the 3,700 points on Tuesday night, but in the early exchanges, the threshold should not take.

In Europe, stock markets have made concessions on Tuesday after nine sessions chained up on. Announcing the easing of exchange rate policy of China, made Saturday, had pushed world stock markets Monday. The first steps in this direction have been given yesterday and Wednesday, with two cuts in a row the central rate against the dollar. But in exchange, the effect was short-lived. And on Wall Street, poor statistics on the front of the immmobilier has cast a chill on the market.So, this morning, the main financial centers of the Asia-Pacific are following suit.

At around 7:30 on Wednesday, the euro is at equilibrium after fell Tuesday. This rating 1.2270 dollar.

Economic News Authority

In France, on Wednesday will release at 8:45 INSEE's monthly surveys of important conditions in the industry, in construction and retail trade for the month of June as well as indicators of business climate and economic downturn. At noon, the Court of Auditors present its report on the situation and prospects of public finances.

In Germany, the GfK consumer barometer, always watched closely, will be visible at 8:10.

In the euro area, the first estimate of the PMI will be unveiled at 10:00.

And the United States, 16 hours, will be made public promises of home sales for the month of May, after a bad real estate statistics published in the ninth Tuesday: – 2.2% in volume last month, to 5.66 million units annualized.

The traditional weekly crude inventories will be available at 16:30.

Finally, this evening after 20 hours, the Monetary Policy Committee of the Fed will issue its statement.Highly regarded by investors, note any change in the discourse of the Federal Reserve.

The rate strategists believe that Societe Generale U.S. Federal Reserve will raise its rates faster and stronger than expected by the market and call for caution on U.S. government bonds.

Societe Generale wants to Kerviel lost 4.9 billion

Societe Generale will call Wednesday Kerviel just 4.9 billion euros in damages, a record amount corresponding to the loss she attributes to "fraud" of its former trader. Yesterday, the former CEO of Societe Generale, Daniel Bouton, has admitted "failures in the control of the bank during his testimony before the Tribunal of Paris.

L'Oreal Paul Bulcke, Nestlé CEO, said in an interview with Reuters that his group had no plans to change the status quo in the capital of the world's number one cosmetics line with the Pact of shareholders that binds to the Bettencourt family.

Alstom Alstom and Areva does not want to marry with Areva. "To dance the tango, it takes two. Areva does not really want to dance. We no longer so eager to dance ourselves, "Patrick said Tuesday Kron, Alstom's Chairman, at the general meeting of shareholders.

Total Total and oil stocks are worthy of attention.The International Atomic Energy Agency (IEA) publishes 10:30 prospects of markets for oil and gas.

ArcelorMittal the world's number one steel company, announced Tuesday that the apparent demand and actual demand for steel would remain positive in the second half of the year, even if they should show a slowdown during this period. Lakshmi Mittal, the CEO that the slowdown in demand was due to seasonal reasons. The boss also said he did not think the steel industry return to its pre-crisis level until 2012.

Insurance Axa, CNP, Scor … : Values of insurance will also be regarded as the French Federation of Insurance Companies (FFSA) releases on the market situation and its prospects.

Banks The banking sector remains to be monitored throughout the session. On Tuesday, he suffered a spate of bad news.In addition to degradation of the note in the long-term debt, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole said the cost of risk on its Greek subsidiary Emporiki would weigh 450 million euros more than expected. The BNP Paribas has yielded 1.92% and that of Crédit Agricole SA 4.69%.

Discussions on a tax credit and tighter prudential rules also weighed.

The Renault-Nissan automaker Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, said he received 890 million yen (8 million euros at current exchange rates) for 2009-2010, making him one of best paid bosses in Japan. Carlos Ghosn made the announcement at the annual general meeting of shareholders of the Japanese group, held Wednesday in Yokohama (Tokyo area).This does not include fees paid 1.24 million euros in 2009 he has received as CEO of the automaker Renault, Nissan's largest shareholder with 45.7% of the securities.

Peugeot Peugeot Italy said Tuesday it has signed an agreement with Sorgenia first private operator in the Italian electricity market created and controlled by Rodolfo De Benedetti, for the launch of its Ion Electric Vehicle in Italy.

France Telecom, the company announced Tuesday it would invest about 515 million euros over the next five years in its network in Switzerland a few weeks after abandoning its planned merger with Sunrise, blocked by the competition authority of the country .