The fans thought they were lights beverage spared the tax on soft drinks made by the Government in late August. Did not count on a UMP Amendment / New Centre approved in committee Wednesday as part of the review of the draft budget 2012. While the amount of tax on sugary soft drinks is on track to be doubled, MPs are now looking to expand the scope of this tax on soda beverages containing sweeteners.

The government, which did not include this option in the first place, now says not to exclude the idea. "It is the wishes of the parliament, we will discuss," said the spokesman of the government, Valérie Pécresse, on the set of Canal + on Thursday.

The stakes are high for the government because the sugar-free drinks, but with sweeteners that give a sweet taste, is increasingly consumed.Today, they account for 17% of the soft drinks market with strong brands like Diet Coke or Coke Zero.

No figures have yet been provided about the extra tax revenue that would generate this new amendment, if adopted in plenary session. The previous amendment adopted by the Finance Committee of the National Assembly, to double the amount of tax, also remains to be validated by all the members. By itself, it could generate a windfall estimated at 250 million euros a year, instead of 120 million euros initially planned. The rate of contribution on the sodas would be increased to 6.22 euros per hectolitre in 2012.Then he would be raised from the beginning of 2013, to January 1 of each year, at a rate equal to inflation (excluding tobacco) in the penultimate year.

Support the agricultural sector

As announced in the Figaro, the objective of this expansion drinks with sweeteners is to finance the lower cost of agricultural labor "to allow our farmers to sell their products at the same price as Germany and Spain" explains Valérie Pécresse. The government has in fact reduced in 2012 from 210 million payroll taxes on permanent farms. The tax will be reviewed and corrected to about half.

The industrial problems digesting the news. "We said from the beginning that it was normal to participate, provided that everyone involved in the fight against deficits.Simply, we do not want to be the adjustment variable of all the deficits that pass and on which we have not much to see, "said Jean-Rene Buisson, president of the National Association of Food Industries (Ania ). The doubling of the tax sodas would, he said, an estimated increase "between 0.2 and 0.3 cents" per can.

No problem for Michel Diefenbacher UMP (UMP): "These drinks, which are not basic necessities, benefit from the reduced VAT rate.They must be able to withstand the additional load generated by this new contribution, "says he in a sub-amendment.

But for now, nothing is yet definitively confirmed nor on the doubling of the tax, nor about its extension to drink with sweeteners.

End of aspartame in system U

The distribution group Système U has chosen to abandon the use of aspartame in soft drinks sold under any brand, starting in January. For the first time a manufacturer makes such a decision. This choice responds to the concerns of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on the effects of this artificial sweetener.

Système U has already banned the use of parabens in cosmetics and Teflon in cookware. Its chairman Serge Papin, expresses his desire to "become a leader in healthy products."

ALSO READ:

"The tax on soft drinks industry reacted

"GAME NEWS – Target budget: Drive the finances of the state

"INTERVIEW -" A day of natural fruit is as sweet as a soda "

How to make a hitch to his dog kibble? Appeal to teachers, as do the manufacturers for ages in their advertisements, not enough. It is also pet the pooches in the grain. Nestle, the world leader in animal nutrition with Purina (Friskies, Fido, Felix …), is launching this week at the Austrian television advertising directed at the first of the canine race! A 23-second spot that touts its brand Beneful. The brand hopes to honor "the unique relationship between dogs and their masters."

The matter was taken very seriously by Nestlé. The group uses its team of specialists in animal behavior, based in Missouri quick pay day loan. They have identified the sounds that dogs, whose hearing is two times finer than that of humans, are particularly susceptible.Beneful spot, which features a dog bowl in front of her and his mistress, and has a grinding noise similar to that of a dog toy, a barely audible hiss of humans and a fairly high-pitched signal. Dogs are supposed to react differently to advertising based on their "individual experience" and the games they are used with their master, provides Nestlé. Last year, Nestlé Purina was pioneered in Germany with scented billboards that opened the appetite of dogs for a walk.

The New York Stock Exchange began the week as badly as he had finished the previous one. The debt crisis in Europe and the United States and the gloomy outlook for global growth still hovering in the markets. At the close, Wall Street lost 2.37% to 10,655.30 points, the Nasdaq 3.29% to 2335.83 loose points and the S & P 500 drops 2.85% to 1099.23 points. Friday, Wall Street had already been a difficult session.

On the macroeconomic front, the ISM manufacturing index in the United States has, however, unexpectedly increased to 51.6% in September (the consensus of analysts expected 50.5%) and construction spending rebounded in the month of August 1.4% (against 0.5% expected).These publications serve to mitigate the concerns about U.S. growth occurred even as the markets again questioned the ability of Greece to meet its budgetary commitments.

But the crisis of public finances continues to produce its harmful effects on the markets. Bad news yesterday in Europe, where Greece has announced that it would lack its budget deficit targets. The second Country Assistance Plan will be the focus of several summit meetings this week: Monday, finance ministers of the euro area were meeting in Luxembourg hours from 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday, those of the entire European Union.This will then be the turn of the Franco-German debate the future of Greece and "ways and means to accelerate economic integration in the euro area".

A new week promises to be tense on Wall Street, where investors are worried more about a possible erosion of corporate earnings, without the support of foreign demand. Past two years, export sales have averaged 30% of the turnover of listed companies in the S & P 500, allowing the results of many of them to exceed the expectations of analysts. In addition, many U.S. multinationals have benefited in recent months the relative weakness of the dollar to support exports.But the euro shows a quarterly decline of more than 7% against the greenback, depriving companies of the damper.

The U.S. ISM better than expected

Most analysts have already lowered their expectations of results. According to Thomson Reuters data, earnings for the third quarter are expected up 13.3% over the same period of 2010, against an expected increase to 17% in early July.

On the macroeconomic front, the manufacturing sector has grown stronger than expected in September in the United States, according to the purchasing managers' index released Monday. This index, calculated by the Institute of Supply Management (ISM), stood at 51.6 against 50.6 last month in August and 50.5 expected.

Construction spending rebounded against all odds in August after falling in July, according to official figures released Monday by the Commerce Department.They rose 1.4% year on year to stand at 799.15 billion dollars, while analysts expected a decline of 0.3% following a decline (revised) 1.4% the previous month.

Oil continues to fall and the dollar to strengthen

Oil prices have closed lower in New York lundisoir in the wake of the stock markets, despite the encouraging figures on manufacturing and sales of automobiles in the United States. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in November lost $ 1.59 from Friday's close, and accounted for 77.61 dollars.

On the currency markets, the dollar continued its rise against the euro, the euro falling by 1.46% to 1.3192 dollar.

Also note, the protest movement against the excesses of Wall Street gains momentum.The New York police said on Sunday that most of the more than 700 demonstrators arrested Saturday as they marched down the Brooklyn Bridge to protest against the excesses and other finance had been released. Further rallies are planned.

Yahoo! Alibaba in the crosshairs

Alibaba China Internet group would be "interested" in acquiring a large U.S. shareholder Yahoo! (2.73% to 13.53 dollars) and has been approached by private equity firms interested in mounting such an operation, said on Monday the Wall Street Journal. Yahoo! is the main shareholder in Alibaba, with 40.5% of its capital, but relations between the two companies are very tense for months.Alibaba has in the past tried to buy this participation, but the direction of Yahoo! there is still refused, partly because of the importance of the contribution for its own market capitalization. The group, which has dismissed its CEO, Carol Bartz, is valued around $ 17 billion in stock. Alibaba is not listed but the whole group is valued around $ 30 billion.

Intel (-3.35% to 20.62 dollars) will acquire Telmap, an Israeli company that designs software for mobile browsing. Details of the agreement were not disclosed, but Israeli media reported that the semiconductor giant would pay between 300 and 350 million dollars (224 euros 261 million).Telmap will become a 100% subsidiary of Intel, retaining its brand, its management and 210 employees.

For its part, Citigroup (-9.78% to 23.11 dollars) would be subject to an investigation by Japanese authorities for lack of information on financial products, according to Reuters. The Japanese Financial Services Agency seeks in particular to know if Citi did not breach disclosure requirements. It also attempts to determine whether the bank is not involved in laundering operations.

Also note, WellPoint (-4.53% to 62.32 dollars) has increased its budget share repurchases of $ 5 billion more.

After China, Russia and India, Renault-Nissan continues its conquest of the BRICs with Brazil, a market that the Alliance considers particularly promising. Japanese Nissan, 43.4% owned by Renault, will announce next Tuesday the construction of its first plant in the country. It would produce about 200,000 cars a year according to Nissan. This would be after a source quoted by Reuters car to make affordable electric cars. The manufacturer will invest $ 1.5 billion (1.1 billion euros). A figure not confirmed by Nissan, but the sum generally allocated to the creation of a new plant. The site could be located in the State of Rio de Janeiro. So far, Nissan produces its cars in the Renault plant in Curitiba, in Parana state.

Meanwhile, Renault will expand the capacity of its plant to better meet market demand.The investment could be around 200 million euros, according to estimates from an internal source to the manufacturer. The Curitiba plant produced 190,000 cars last year, about 30,000 Nissan vehicles.

Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault-Nissan, said in June, during the presentation of the new strategic plan of the Japanese, that Nissan would announce an investment in Brazil by the end of the year. He also promised two weeks ago, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the major announcements about upcoming BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China).

Renault-Nissan, whose global market share stood at 10.3% in 2010, wants to catch up in Brazil, where the Alliance was granted last year that 5.9% of the market ( 4.8% for Renault and 1.1% for Nissan). The French manufacturer this year is 5.5% of market share and 7.4% in 2013, with 250,000 vehicles sold (against 160,000 in 2010).He estimates that Brazil, last year's third market, could become the second to the horizon behind France.

While the market is currently dominated by Fiat, Volkswagen and General Motors, which share almost two-thirds of sales, the French rival Renault, PSA Peugeot Citroen, also seeking to hold its own in the game PSA , had already announced in 2010 an investment of 530 million euros in Brazil, including the development of models tailored to the local market and increased capacity. The plant in Porto Real, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, should be capable of producing 220,000 cars from next year, against 150,000 now.

Higher taxes on imports

Renault-Nissan also want to be able to benefit fully from the growth of the Brazilian market, last year became the fourth in the world, with 3.3 million vehicles and an increase of 10.6%. In recent months, growth has slowed significantly, however, even if the first 8 months of the year, it still reached 7.5% over the same period in 2010. The country could fall back to fifth or sixth place this year, according to the local builders association.

Increasing their industrial presence in local, French manufacturers are also able to escape the measures recently implemented by the Brazilian government to tax heavily on imported cars and thereby encourage investment in the country.

Renault-Nissan was headed for emerging markets, giving priority to date every time to one of two manufacturers. In Russia, the Alliance is currently negotiating the takeover of Russian Avtovaz before the end of the year, Renault could hold 35%. In India, Renault will produce four new models by end 2012 in the Nissan plant in Chennai. Remains China, where the Japanese are strongly represented, but Renault is still absent. An absence that seems more than ever out of place when Nissan is growing in Brazil.

Bernard Bigot, High Commissioner for Atomic Energy and alternative energy, draws lessons from the catastrophe of Fukushima.

The FIGARO. – Germany and its industry turning its back on nuclear power. Do you regret that choice?

Bernard BIGOT. – The German decision is final. The choice of Siemens, it makes sense: even a very large international company has no choice but to follow the policy direction of his home country. Yes, of course, we regret this shift: the nuclear returned to 20% in the German energy mix and it will therefore increase the use of fossil fuels to make up the loss. The need for electrical interconnections will also grow to increase import capacity, which will weigh even more on costs.

The cost of this decision has recently been estimated at 250 billion euros for Germany.What would happen if France were to make the same choice?

It is quite normal that the competent institutions are seeking to quantify the opportunity cost from the current nuclear power generation for everyone to measure the financial consequences of the choice that was made out of nuclear power in 2022. We must examine the assumptions, but the figure quoted seems a reasonable order of magnitude. As for France, whose nuclear is more than three times larger than the German fleet, I believe that at this stage, no figure can reasonably be argued, because alternative resources are not the same . The impact may be even heavier than the simple application of a rule of three.How much is an open question.

Is it possible however that the French nuclear production back?

Our country has decided to preserve its energy independence as much as possible, and nuclear power contributes significantly. In 2003, energy imports have cost 23 billion euros to France, or 10% of its export income, all economic sectors. In 2010, this figure rose to 48 billion, or 25% pay day loans. This year, we should surpass the 60 billion. Suffice to say that without nuclear energy costs explode in unprecedented proportions. This does not mean that we should give renewable energy: in the next five years, CEA proposes to double its budget and staffing in this area, respectively, to the tune of 300 million euros and 1,800 people.The government wants the CEA adopts renewables the same approach as for the nuclear namely stimulate research and encourage the emergence of powerful industrial sectors.

In addition to France and six months after the catastrophe of Fukushima, the world nuclear power is still flickering it?

Such an accident in a large industrial country known for its industrial skills was seen as a legitimate shock wave in the world. Today is the time for questions: what are the reasons for this catastrophe on the one hand, how to protect the other. Meanwhile, a barrel permanently installed above the $ 105, the differential change unfavorable to consumer countries and the strengthening of climatic requirements lead to the need to maintain nuclear.All countries are conducting security audits: complementary investments in facilities that should result in increase their robustness.

The first reports on the stress tests suggest they think that plants are safe?

Two points can be distinguished. First, the facility design: it shows a good resistance in most countries, which involve changes at the margin. However, the chain of exploitation, which covers both human organization that the reaction of the authorities, should be carefully checked to ensure that safety is ensured at all times. In Japan, it was deficient, and valuable time was lost: 100 m³ of water per hour, that is to say a quarter of a fire truck, would probably permit the early hours of to avoid radioactive releases into the air.

From our special correspondent in Wroclaw.

The Europeans hoped "a dialogue between friends," the Americans had "no arrogance." Las. With the destabilization of markets and growing concern on both sides of the Atlantic, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, could not resist lecturing his seventeen counterparts in the euro area gathered Friday to Wroclaw (Poland).

The relief provided by five central banks – including the U.S. Fed – banks in the euro area will not long concealed the absence of concerted policy response to the crisis. On behalf of the Europeans, the President of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker declined projects Tim Geithner, citing "differences in approach with our American colleagues."Treasury Secretary, he has put his finger where the euro hurts: he publicly expressed concern "of the conflict between governments and the European Central Bank," a week after the sensational resignation of the Chief Economist of the ECB .

Barack Obama's America, soon launched a presidential campaign, fearing a collapse of Greece, a contagion to European banks and a possible fracture of the euro area. If the crisis deepens, it is the U.S. economy would suffer the backlash, shock reverse of that which had hit Europe after the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008.

The first message in Washing-ton is to push the Europeans to speak with one voice and act decisively. "Governments and the Central Bank should work together (…) to avoid catastrophic risks for financial markets," said Treasury Secretary.And he insists, denouncing the cacophony that destabilizes the common currency: "Everyone should also abstain from loose talk about the end of the euro area." Targeted: the proponents of expulsion from Greece …

Denial of a tax on financial transactions

The unprecedented invitation launched by Poland – host country because currently presiding the EU – Timothy Geithner had anything to embarrass, in turmoil, the finance ministers of the euro no fax payday loan. We saw Baroin host the head of U.S. Treasury of a strong handshake in Wroclaw. But the Euro has carefully kept at a distance. He has not formally participated in the circle, but a "preliminary conversation" about an hour. Contrary to custom, he did not sent to journalists.To tell his truths to Europe, he preferred an audience of bankers in another part of town.

Some did not take gloves to say that Europe has no lessons to learn. The United States, collapsing under the deficits should put their own house, says the Belgian Didier Reynders. "America has nothing to dictate when the person refuses flatly our suggestions," added the Austrian Maria Fekter. It is true that Tim Geithner repeated Friday his opposition front to the tax on financial transactions carried to Paris, Berlin and Brussels.

Decisions deferred

For the second time in eight days, Treasury Secretary left Europe empty-handed. Friday, the Europeans have made a face at her suggestion to "leverage" means the EFSF, the bailout fund for countries of the euro in difficulty."This is not a subject that is discussed with a country outside the EU," Jean-Claude Juncker meant. Same end of inadmissibility of the American idea of ​​supporting the growth of public funds "even a donkey does not stumble twice on the same stone, 'says Didier Reynders, convinced of the urgency to fight first against the deficits.

For the Americans as to Europeans, the European event in Wroclaw ends with a disturbing sense of incompleteness, even for emergencies. The Eurogroup has pushed to mid-October a decision on payment of 8 billion euros to Greece. He did not reach an agreement on guarantees that Finland requires Greece.

The main emerging countries could come to the bedside of the euro area. So says a source on Tuesday the Brazilian government, according to the Brics acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – could increase their holdings of bonds denominated in euros.

These discussions are not yet at a "preliminary stage", says this source, who adds that this approach would not involve "the majority" of the reserves of these countries. The Brazilian newspaper Valor Economico understands that these purchases could be limited to the debt of Europe's most solid.

"To help the EU out of this situation"

A final decision could be taken at the meeting on September 22 finance ministers and central bankers of Brics in Washington bad credit unsecured personal loans.The Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega, has already confirmed that the Brics discuss the debt crisis in the euro area, without giving details. "We will talk about what it takes to help the EU out of this situation," he said simply.

Meanwhile, Italy, whose rates have soared during bond, has denied media reports that she would have asked China to invest in debt. But markets want to believe this solution. THE EUROPEAN stock markets have closed well over sharp increases. And Wall Street is also displayed in the green end of the session.

ALSO READ:

"Who owns the Debts

"Special Feature – Crisis: Fear of debt

It's great oral reentry. Denis Hennequin, the controls of Accor since the ouster of Gilles Pelisson in January, will unveil early next week its strategy to revitalize the hotel group. It will present its first new priorities for employees at headquarters Monday and Tuesday to investors and financial analysts.

His method and revenues to improve the performance of Accor are particularly expected that the share price has lost more than 30% since the beginning of the year, in a very difficult indeed. "We should have a clearer view on marketing initiatives, brand repositioning and expansion plans, hoping Exane analysts in a note published this week.Their impact will probably do not feel immediately, but a better brand strategy could lead to a better average income in both years, as if Holiday Inn has reopened. "

Accor should provide a detailed annual forecast for the year. In a context of great tension on the purchasing power, investors also hope that the group will provide guidance on trends for next year.

But the most anticipated the evolution of the brand portfolio, a question that Denis Hennequin, who spent his career at McDonald's, has always considered a priority. Reportedly, the CEO of Accor is expected to announce its intention to make Ibis spearhead the group's development in economy hotels. Ibis brand is already the highest contributor to the results of Accor.Denis Hennequin wants to further exploit its strengths in the imposing new on land now occupied by All Seasons and Etap Hotel. Ibis would be broken down into three "versions": Ibis, corresponding to the current Ibis, standard hotels, all in the same vein Ibis Styles, corresponding to the current All Seasons hotels, which would then be renamed; Ibis Budget, instead the current Etap Hotel. New logos would be launched with a pillow and different colors according to the formulas (red, green or blue). lnterrogée yesterday, the management of Accor declined to comment.

In the 2010 annual report of the group, Denis Hennequin felt the need to strengthen the brands so that they emit more personality. "They will be more aggressive in their communication, in their boldest and most innovative design in their service offerings," he writes.He continued: "Our priority is to strengthen their DNA. Ibis is a good example. It is not only the first contributor to the results of Accor, but also a nugget: in a market dominated by the economic basis of price, it has more soul and warmth that all clients recognize him. This is all the difference. "In late January, Ibis opened its 900th hotel in the world, in Tangier in Morocco.

"The Big Mac of Accor"

Launched in 1974 in Bordeaux, the chain now operates in fifty countries. It has opened 44 schools last year and provides 10,000 new rooms per year by 2015.In addition to providing accommodation at an affordable price, it offers the opportunity to purchase snacks and drinks 24 hours 24, a breakfast from 4:00 am to noon and to use an Internet space.

In late February, presenting the results of the exercise, Denis Hennequin was ruled IBIS takes to become a world reference. "Ibis is a bit of the Big Mac Accor, a jewel in a market economy. This is a brand that works everywhere, "he was delighted, much more critical of other brands. After the Big Mac index, he said he would see an "Index Ibis" to the extent of the global economy hotels. Walking is engaged …

ALSO READ:

"Accor is planning to separate from the catering Lenôtre

"Accor expects to sell more hotels by 2013

"A 900th Ibis Accor

The Paris Bourse on Wednesday will try to stop his downward series. The CAC 40 is at least on track to: the opening, it increases from 2.45% to 3038.57 points. Same movement in Frankfurt the Dax gained 2.74% and in London the FTSE-100 was up 2.20%.

The Paris markets were closed yesterday on a third round of consecutive decline, to the lowest of the year and still under 3000 points. This time, operators mimic their movement on the Asian markets who have chosen to embark on a bargain hunting.

Closing slightly lower on Wall Street also reassures the markets. The New York Stock Exchange, which remained very cautious, however, has not panicked by the announcement of a good non-manufacturing ISM index.All good news about the health of the U.S. economy are highly valued in a context of fear of a recession in America. As such, investors are waiting to know the details of the Fed's Beige Book, which will be announced tonight. Tomorrow, Thursday, will also be a crucial day in Congress with the speech of President Barack Obama on employment. The CNN already believes that it will propose to spend $ 300 billion to new posts. These new expenditures should be fully offset by budget cuts.

Germany at the center of attention

Side the euro area, all eyes turned to the German Constitutional Court which shall decide on Wednesday on the legality of the financial contribution of Berlin plans to help Europe.The observers could never imagine, however, that the Court considers illegal contributions already provided by Berlin, which would cause a cataclysm in the euro area. Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to comment on the decision of the Court in a speech to the Bundestag in the morning.

The European Commission has also expressed his relief after Tuesday night's decision by the Italian Government's plan to strengthen budgetary discipline, while financial markets doubted the real will of Rome to reduce its deficit. For its part, the Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, acknowledged Tuesday the difficult economic situation, highlighting the problem of Greece, and "tensions" in the markets, but said that Spain 's will not need help.

The single currency was this morning up 0.34% to 1.4055 dollar.It is particularly supported by the decision of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to set a floor price of 1.20 francs per euro. Oil side, in the early electronic trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October gained 51 cents to 86.53 dollars per barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery 39 cents to 113.28 dollars .

Values ​​to follow on Wednesday

• Banking

Countries in the euro area have no plans for financial support to banks beyond and above what was planned for the financial sector rescue packages in Greece, Ireland and Portugal, have sources said Tuesday the euro area. For its part, Greece wants to extend the powers of its central bank to strengthen bank supervision, hoping to put the sector in the shelter of a worsening debt crisis, according to a bill presented Tuesday.

• Air France-KLM

The company reported passenger traffic up 7.6% in August, a load factor of 85.7% on the month and stability of cargo traffic (-0.2%) with capacity up 2.8%.

• Pernod Ricard

The group said they did not consider major strategic acquisitions before next summer at least.

• Scor

The reinsurer expects to achieve a volume of gross written premiums, equivalent to sales of 10 billion euros in 2013, against 6.7 billion in 2010, according to a statement posted Wednesday on the occasion of a day devoted investors.

• Sodexo

The group, a global leader in catering, has announced the acquisition of Puras do Brasil, Brazil's number two industry, in a statement.With this self-financed operation, Sodexo will become number one in Brazil, a rapidly growing market where Puras do Brasil realizes a turnover of half a billion euros.

• Valeo

The group announced its intention to repurchase up to 670,000 of its shares to a maximum of 22.5 million euros in connection with operations authorized by the General Assembly in June These shares will be allocated for the implementation of any plan of options to purchase shares in the allocation of shares in respect of participation or implementation of any company savings plan.

• Biomérieux

The group released a consolidated net profit up 3.7% to 75 million euros in the first half and said forecast for 2011 organic growth in sales of around 5%, against a previous target of +5% or + 6%, in a context of weak European economy and the U.S..

• Boiron

The specialist in homeopathy said the uncertainties in the economic environment for caution in its annual outlook after a deuixème trimesre marked by a 3.3% decline in sales. This decline in activity, combined with an increase in personnel costs and a continued investment in advertising, led to a fall of 92.5% of operating profit in the first half of the year.

• Transgene

The specialist therapeutic vaccines has announced a net loss dug to 17.7 million in the first half, against -14.5 million a year earlier, but said he expected a second part of a year rich in results and starting clinical trials.

As for recommendations:

The UBS analysts raised their recommendation on the title Accor to "neutral" against the "sell" previously.Analysts at Morgan Stanley in turn have lowered their recommendation on the title PPR to "neutral weight" against "overweight" previously, said market sources Wednesday.

LE FIGARO. – Are you satisfied with the performance of Pernod-Ricard during the exercise?

Pierre PRINGUET. – Congratulations to the teams of Pernod Ricard. The group has an excellent performance, with both a strong acceleration of growth of our business and our operating profits. For the first time ever, our net income exceeds one billion euros. These figures show the relevance of our premiumisation strategy and innovation. Our high-end bottles account for 71% of our sales, against 69% last year. Our new products (Wild Tea Absolut, Malibu cocktails …) our limited series and our innovations in advertising and packaging met with success.With a new bottle of Ricard sales increased 5% in France, a market of aniseed stable.

You get ready for a worsening economic environment?

No, I fear neither slowing growth in emerging countries or return to recession in mature markets. The world faces a problem of public debt, with a unique in Greece, the country most fragile. But the political dimension is at least as important as the economic dimension. Everyone was betting on an acceleration of growth in mature markets: the targets are scaled down, but countries will experience low growth in 2011 (1.5 to 2%). And there is no reason for the dynamic growth of emerging countries is slowing. For 2012, the objectives are still serene. IMF sees faster U.S. next year. You can always play to be afraid.But the psychodrama of the summer on the state of the banking system has nothing to do with the situation of 2008 and the general crisis of debt at the time. It is a political problem, but not macro-financial.

There will be no effect on the growth of your business during the current year?

We expect continued moderate growth in mature markets for the fiscal year beginning in July (1.5% last year) and continued strong growth in emerging countries (17% last year) . These will drive our growth: built on solid economic fundamentals, these markets are naturally attracted to our premium brands.

The tension in the markets makes it more difficult to manage your debt?

For our bank debt, we have no due before July 2013.We have an active management of our debt, with two bond issues last year to EUR 1 billion and $ 1 billion respectively. Interest rates remain particularly low, we will seize every opportunity to issue bonds. We will continue our debt reduction, with the aim of achieving 30 June in a net debt / EBITDA of close to 4.

You will be able to resume your acquisition policy …

Does not expect to purchase several billion on 1 July. In the meantime, we will conduct no strategic acquisitions. However, we can make tactical acquisitions, such as tequila Avion in July. It is both a start-up and a brand ultrapremium, sold between 40 and 60 euros a bottle, which allows us to expand our portfolio in the United States.This is the type of operation we will focus in the immediate future. Acquisitions of Brazilian cachaça or baijiu Chinese are possible options. In our business, this is not the type of product that counts, but the brand. Pernod Ricard could also create one from scratch. This is one of the objectives of our internal team called BIG (Breakthrough Innovation Group), whose current head of our German subsidiary, Alain Dufossé, just take the lead.

This summer, Patrick Ricard, non-executive chairman of Pernod Ricard, said at that point the group should aim for first place in the spirits market. What is your strategy to achieve this?

This is the purpose of our project Agility. The goal is not size for size, but the growth momentum. Our sales have grown faster than our competitor's last year. We must repeat that performance this year.We take the market, we are the most innovative, we are well placed to achieve this.

Alexandre Ricard was promoted a few weeks ago. It is well positioned to succeed you …

Two things are certain. One is Alexandre Ricard has an excellent track. That's why I named Executive Vice President in charge of distribution networks. The second is that I leave my post January 31, 2015, when I turn 65, according to the statutes of Pernod Ricard.