My Opinions

 

On April 22, spreading the controversial Bahrain Grand Prix Formula 1, TF1 has a record two years old: one of the best audience for a broadcast on 14h race. More than 3.6 million fans attended the event, 23% audience share. A score due to the uncertainty surrounding the holding of the Grand Prix because of events in the paus, but also to third place in the beautiful young French Romain Grosjean, a newcomer on the circuit.

This renewed interest in the Hexagon for F1 did not spring from Sunday. It might even increase in coming months with the likely return of a Grand Prix de France in 2013, five years after the last edition at Magny-Cours (Nièvre). In any case this was confirmed Sunday Team Bernie Ecclestone, the head of the entity managing the marketing rights to the F1 (Formula One Management), explaining that an agreement was reached with the Minister David Douillet of Sports for the organization within two years of this event easy pay day loans. But while the circuit bourguignon was losing money, why give up such an event at a cost estimated at 30 million? "It's an opportunity to generate additional revenue for the local economy, details of Sponsorship Director Hervé Bodinier 360, a specialized agency of the F1. Moreover, all economic actors approached the site of Castellet pushed in the same direction. Finally, it is a wonderful showcase for France, land of constructors, and great nation of motorsport. With the arrival of French drivers in F1 and good audiences, that is a very positive dynamic. "  

Worldwide reputation

Prime Minister Fillon has strongly supported the project.

A standard feature of life insurance quotes is a set of written terms and conditions which set out whether the policy being sought is a term policy or a permanent one.

 

A new era for the yuan. From Monday, the Chinese currency will fluctuate by 1% above or below its central rate set each morning by the Chinese central bank and pegged to the dollar, against 0.5% so far. By doubling the fluctuation band set mid-2010, Beijing made a move to further liberalize its exchange rate gradually, in "responding to market requirements", in the words of the central bank. People's Bank of China (PBoC) has, however well maintain control over the exchange rate of the renminbi, another name for the Chinese currency, keeping it "basically stable at an equilibrium level." In a crisis situation, no question of letting the Chinese currency prey to international risks.

Beijing's decision is consistent with a policy direction set out again early in March by Premier Wen Jiabao, providing for a rebalancing of growth that relies less on exports and investment and more on domestic demand. Allowing a slight rise in the yuan, the PBoC's decision in this direction: a money a bit more expensive but reduces exports in return decreases the cost of imports.

The exchange rate, an essential tool

The slowdown in Chinese growth to power offers more leeway to ease monetary policy, whose exchange rate is an essential tool. The Chinese gross domestic product rose by 8.1% in the first quarter, against 8.9% last quarter, a sign that China can no longer rely on exports for growth pay day loans. But alongside that, fed by fears of inflation remain high. While rising consumer prices is less than 4% maximum set by the government, they rebounded to 3.6% last month. A rise in the yuan can therefore contain these inflationary pressures to preserve the purchasing power of Chinese consumers.

Reducing the trade surplus also puts less pressure the Chinese currency. Last month, China saw its trade surplus to 5.35 billion, a figure well below the surplus recorded last year. She was even deficit in February, from 31.5 billion.

All these data therefore give the Republic a window to pursue a goal long displayed: go to term the yuan convertible, with a free exchange rate. The multiple currency swap agreements signed with different countries, like Australia in March, are steps towards internationalization of the Chinese currency.

Trading partners of China should welcome the decision of the central bank. They have been demanding for years the appreciation of a currency that they believe benefit Chinese exports unfairly with its unusually low. "They have made progress," admitted a close advisor to Barack Obama Sunday, but Washington "expects to see more movements."

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A small sentence is enough to ignite the Web. The scoop carelessly launched Friday morning by designer Philippe Starck on France Info enough to wake all the fantasies about what could be the revolutionary new product from Apple. For all fans of the brand are convinced, after the iPhone and the iPad, the Cupertino firm should upset a new domain. But which one?

Citing the "cult of secrecy" dear to Apple, Philippe Starck has obviously meant nothing more. He just confessed that he met Steve Jobs, Apple founder has now disappeared, "once a month," and said he would return Monday (April 15) "see the wife of Steve Jobs" .

The care that the Apple brand brings to the design of its products is a sign of his gratitude. And Philippe Starck would not be at his first attempt in the high-tech. He was in New York this week to launch the headphones Zik, French Parrot.

Apple TV

Among the objects that the French could have drawn face on TV, this beautiful Arles Apple. The arrival on the market of ultra-thin OLED screens or flexible opens the field of possibilities in design. Only problem, the two major suppliers of screens are LG and Samsung. They are not necessarily willing to let the U.S. access to their latest technologies. Unless Sharp

.

Another track, the digital table. Samsung has also made a nice demonstration in Paris Thursday, April 12. This table, which resembles a TV a bit thick, is actually a large touch screen that can accept almost any application. A

Thus, the restaurant touch'In is the first to have equipped with the "size" of Samsung, including the ability to choose their cocktails, to prepare the menu and send the order directly to the bar. A London bar has even developed a message function to communicate with neighboring tables. More seriously, the Paris airports have ordered 300 to equip the waiting rooms of Orly and Roissy. But as usual "Apple does not comment on rumors."

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In trouble in Europe, PSA could have done to the Iranian crisis. But the group's activity in this country is at a standstill for several weeks. This disturbance is nothing trivial. Although he appears quiet on the subject, Iran is in fact the second largest group, with 458,000 sales in 2011, about 3.5 million.

This country, in which Peugeot holds nearly 30% market share represents 22% of the volume of the brand. It is even the main market of the Peugeot brand for passenger cars, ahead of France.

While these sales are made by Iran Khodro, the local partner of PSA. The manufacturer assembles on site of Peugeot 405 and 206 including parts manufactured in France, the site of Vesoul. "The Iranian volumes represent only 1.5 to 2% of sales of the automotive division. These disturbances will not have a significant effect, "a spokesman relativizes. This division has reached 42.7 billion in sales last year, Iran contributes an amount of 640 to 850 million euros, which is not negligible. These revenues come from sales of CKD units, spare parts, as well as royalties paid by Iran Khodro. "Although we currently have other more important concerns, Iran is a thorn in the PSA. This is all that activity, which requires few resources, gives off a good return, "says an inside source.

Renault, a different case

Specifically, the manufacturer is paralyzed by financial sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union to try to force Tehran, suspected of wanting to develop atomic weapons, to renounce its nuclear program. Remittances are prohibited between Iranian banks and European banks, the group "can no longer finance its activities to Iran," which led him to "suspend shipments to Iran." Consequently, the site of Vesoul, paralyzed since late February, will again be laid off in April. The workshop that manufactures parts employs 285 people. These parts are mostly to the 206 (approximately 40% of Peugeot's sales in Iran), the supply of 405 taking place almost exclusively in Iran.

This "situation may last," do you recognize internally. This is all that PSA is now allied with General Motors (which owns 7% of its capital), in a context where the U.S. increasing pressure on Iran. "GM has to its investors and customers forcing Peugeot to end its activities in Iran," said Mark Wallace Tuesday, Director of UANI (United Against Nuclear Iran) and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, calling on Congress to investigate the PSA-GM alliance.

Paradoxically, his rival Renault hopes to continue to increase sales of Logan in Iran. Unlike PSA, Renault has a joint venture with local manufacturers Iran Khodro and Saipa. "Sanctions do not apply to the automotive sector," said Renault, which states "to respect the regulations." The Diamond has doubled its sales in 2011 to 93,600 copies.

 

Consumer confidence has rebounded dramatically and unexpectedly in March. The economic confidence index, released Tuesday by INSEE, has actually won 5 points this month. At 87 points, it finds its level in February 2011 but remains low. "This increase, the third in three months, confirms the end of the downward trend of the index," says Alain Carbonne, France economist of Natixis.

Analysts scrutinizing the fine details of the statistics of the day, they explain this evolution wrong. Certainly, households are less numerous than in February to anticipate a rise in unemployment, reflecting the more moderate than before the number of unemployed in February. The indicator addressing the issue is still well above its long-term average, with 57 points.  

Anticipated change

But it is the consumer confidence about their future standard of living that records a boom in March (12 points to -39 points), pulling all the confidence index. It has, since its lowest level reached last November, a cumulative increase of 24 points. "The presidential election seems to be the only factor behind this increase, the economist Dominique Barbet of BNP Paribas Faxless payday loans. It seems that households expect a policy change for the better. "And the analyst noted that the previous record increase of consumer sentiment had occurred in May 2007, after the presidential election.

Depressed consumption

Renewed consumer confidence could result in a moderate recovery in consumption, after two small declines in December and January. Do not expect a dramatic recovery: "The opportunity to make major purchases (eg car), the most important component of the indicator of consumer sentiment from INSEE, remained stable in March despite the upturn in other sub-indices, notes Alain Carbon. And do not forget that consumption is expected to remain depressed throughout the year because of high unemployment and the expected decline in real wages through inflation amputees. "

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It was too dry in southern Europe. Particularly in Portugal, where the month of February was the driest in 80 years, and Spain. "The disturbances do not pass. (…) We are witnessing an upsurge in forest fires and streams experiencing flow rates up to 80% below normal, "noted recently The Weather Channel. "No improvement, or real return of rain is expected," worries do we, as the drought could lead to "catastrophic harvest."

Red indicates a severe drought.

 

The "Made in France" is a fashionable theme. And presidential candidates do not hesitate to dress their activists held in the Armor Lux Breton brand to prove their commitment in this area. Only 49% of French, yet are willing to pay more for local products, according to the latest brand Observatory * France, released Thursday by ViaVoice and marketing agency W & Co. Less inclined to protectionism as candidates, they are rather in favor of promoting offensive "skill and performance of French companies abroad." Therefore, they plébiscitent overwhelmingly (87%) creating a "brand France." "The possibility of a recession causes (…) a frantic search for poles of trust under the survival reflex", decrypts Gancel Denis, president of W & Co., in a recent blog note. "The" Brand France "can be leveraged to revitalize our exceptional growth."

As a standard-bearers, the French elect definitely automotive and telecoms! According to the study, 30% of them put Renault at the top of companies that provide the best image of France worldwide. Yet the image that has been severely tarnished by the case of false intelligence which sticks to the skin since late 2010. Still, the manufacturer is the diamond followed by rival PSA Peugeot Citroen (27%) and that, while the year 2011 has not been blazing for French car sales groups. Far enough behind, the phone operator Orange came third (13%) cash till payday advance.

The luxury does not have the side

For 60% of the French industry is one of the "main economic assets" of the country, just behind services (61%). This explains why, after the top three, the companies Bouygues (4th), Total (5th) and EADS / Airbus (6th) are listed among the best ambassadors of France. Strangely, the jewels of French luxury, yet acclaimed abroad, earning a lower "votes". Cited by 8% of respondents, L'Oreal wins seventh, followed by Chanel (8th), LVMH (10th) and Dior (11th). Achieving the same score (6%), EDF slips into this small group, at the ninth position. Finally, distribution and food are a laggard, Carrefour (5%) and Danone (4%) respectively arriving in the 12th and 15th positions. But the big loser in this edition of the Observatory is Areva, which was attended by only 3% of citations this year against 12% last year. The nuclear industry has lost its potential for seduction since the catastrophe of Fukushima there just one year.

(*) Survey conducted from February 22 to 29, 2012 online among a sample of 1001 persons, representative of the French population aged 18 and over.

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If the timing of the IPO Facebook is still not known, investors are in turmoil. And gendarmes stock alert. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the authority of U.S. financial markets, has struck a major blow this week by denouncing irregularities in the market called "pre-IPO" or pre-IPO. She has filed suit Wednesday against SharesPost, a leading specialized platforms in exchange for shares of unlisted companies, like Facebook or Twitter. His main mistake "of having effected transactions in securities without being registered in advance with the regulators as a brokerage." Clearly, the operations were carried out in a strictly regulated market.

Finally, the SEC and the founder of SharesPost, Greg Brogger, reached an agreement. The company must pay a fine of $ 80,000, and its founder will pay $ 20,000 bonus. In addition, SharesPost acquired a brokerage, which allowed him to register with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), another regulatory body. The SEC announced parallel lawsuits against two managers of private funds – Felix Investments and Free Facie Management Associates – "created solely to acquire shares of Facebook and other Silicon Valley companies, deceiving investors and pocketing commissions unspecified ". The managers of these two companies have sold securities to Facebook prices up to 66 dollars per share, nearly twice the rate at which they had got hold of it, denounces the regulator.  

Gamble "even for sophisticated investors"

"While we applaud innovation in financial markets, new platforms and new products must obey the laws and ensuring fairness and transparency are the basic mark of a good financial regulation", argued a officials of the SEC, Robert Khuzami, said in a statement totally free credit score. This is a very sensitive issue because Facebook is trading on a gray market with a valuation of nearly $ 98 billion! However, in the first approach, the experts were hoping for a stock of Figaro valuation of approximately $ 75 billion. Finally, it should rather be on the order of $ 100 billion, they say.

The issue of pre-IPO market is considerable, at a time when the SEC ensures restore investor confidence. "When you do not trust your neighbors are happy to see that there are police on the streets," said Max Wolff, in charge of research on the secondary market at GreenCrest Capital in New York, in the columns World. SharesPost and SecondMarket platforms are best known on the secondary market. A market that has allowed tens of thousands of wealthy investors to take their share of companies very popular, as were also Zynga or Groupon before their IPO. Caution, however, not to lose feathers, warns Marc Fagel, director of the SEC office in San Francisco, said in the statement: "This secondary market (…) is dangerous even for sophisticated investors."

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Twitter teams, the United States, could not believe it. On Tuesday, the name of their president, Jack Dorsey, was one of the hottest topics on the microblogging platform in France.

Nothing too surprising, however: the co-founder of the website was visiting Paris to meet several presidential candidates. In the morning, Jack Dorsey visited Francois Bayrou and Francois Hollande, before holding talks with Nicolas Sarkozy.

For the microblogging platform, which begins to deploy its commercial offer, these appointments were an opportunity to push the use of social networks as part of election campaigns. Overseas, Twitter has become an essential tool to launch polemics or defuse bombs during the Republican primaries.

"Learning lessons"

Its use in the French presidential campaign is also a good way of raising its profile and its use by the general public, a prerequisite for any advertising monetization.

French candidates themselves have sought to "learn from [the experience of Jack Dorsey, Ed] to promote the development of innovative French" (with Francois Hollande), and especially mentioned the opening of an office Twitter in France. The U.S. start-up is already established in London and announced in late January, will soon open an office in Germany.

A promising innovation system and tax revenues, while Nicolas Sarkozy presented his project on the table to tax U.S. Internet players for their activities in France, through a tax on online advertising or subjection to the corporate tax. Jack Dorsey also visited some French media, including broadcasting group TF1 and media group Le Monde.

 

Germany has been shaken Monday by a wave of strikes in public services. Consequence of the good health of the German economy, despite the crisis in the euro area: trade unions Ver.di and DBB are demanding wage increases of 6.5% after ten years of effort. The failure of negotiations started last week caused a series of movements that need to occur across the states throughout the country until the end of the week.

Monday, nurseries and kindergartens in Kiel, the capital of Schleswig-Holstein, were closed while the garbage was not picked up in Hamburg. "Several thousand" civil servants took part in the movement in Hesse, according to the services union ver.di Approximately 3,000 others were on strike in the neighboring state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

The city of Frankfurt, the financial capital of the country, was particularly affected traffic in metro and tram stops completely. Cruises on the Elbe are canceled and administrative services will run at idle in the north on Tuesday.

Wednesday, all municipal utilities will be affected in North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populated of Germany, and in Baden-Wuerttemberg, one of the richest. And a touching move 10,000 civil servants in Bavaria was announced Thursday. Only the city-state of Berlin is spared for the moment.

Claims up sharply

With this "warning strike", the unions agreed to lobby in wage negotiations began last week, but did not give any result yet. They cover employees of the federal government and municipalities, but not those of the Länder, which depend on another collective agreement.

Ver.di and DBB (union officials) demanding an increase of 6.5%, with a minimum of 200 euros per month on the paychecks of two million civil servants concerned.

Besides the public, other major sectors of the German economy lead or are about to open negotiations, for which the unions, who agreed to wage demands put on mute during the crisis to safeguard employment, have reviewed their claims up sharply.

Negotiating the most anticipated, for the 3.4 million employees in the metal, due to open March 6. Led by IG Metall, which claims 6.5% increase, it affects steel, machine tools, machinery, automobiles, appliances or semiconductors.

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