Kodak's patents inflame lust - August 18, 2011

Many observers believe that Kodak missed the turn of the digital. The giant of photography at the age of 130 years, could now take his revenge with his key weapon: a portfolio of 1100 patents for digital imaging. These inflame the lusts of the giants of the computing and telephony, Apple to Microsoft via Research in Motion (RIM) – Blackberry's parent company – and Google, which multiply purchases in this sector to enhance the functionality their phones.

The phenomenon was illustrated recently by the acquisition for $ 12.5 billion, Motorola's Mobility by Google. An operation that allows the Internet giant to hand over a lucrative portfolio of nearly 17,000 patents telephone.In early July, a consortium led by Apple and Microsoft spent $ 4.5 billion to acquire the patents of the Canadian telecom equipment supplier Nortel for bankruptcy.

"Clearly, the ability to take pictures and send them to mobile devices is critical for manufacturers of smartphones, and Kodak may hold the key technologies that provide these services," said Paul Ausick, the financial website 24 / 7 Wall Street.

Kodak ready to sell

More operations and acquisitions are increasing the portfolio of Kodak takes the value. The financial firm MDB Capital, in an interview with the Bloomberg financial agency, has said the group's 1100 patents were worth, in today, nearly three billion dollars. All of Kodak's intellectual property would be five times the value of the company itself.The news panicked investors rushed to the title at the New York Stock Exchange yesterday. The action Eastman Kodak jumped 25.70% to 2.69 dollars.

Kodak, no question of missing the boat. According to the Wall Street Journal, the manufacturer of cameras "began promoting its portfolio this week, contacting companies that might be interested." Kodak said currently "explore strategic alternatives" for its patents.

When it is launched, the battle for the acquisition of these technologies will be tough. Kodak could play the card by removing the grudge he accuses Apple and RIM already violating its patents on technology for viewing photos on their iPhone and BlackBerry.

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The royal wedding impact growth - July 27, 2011

In London

It would be unfair to put all their back, but the marriage of Kate Middleton and Prince William has indeed drag on growth in the second quarter. The holiday offered to the British for the occasion has led to closures of factories, office buildings, helping to slow growth in the second quarter in Britain: 0.2% GDP growth, whichever comes first estimates published yesterday.

Other factors that have sealed-off growth: the heat of April, which reduced electricity consumption, and the drama of Fukushima, resulting in supply problems in the industry. Without these special events, growth reached 0.7%, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The general view of economists, these figures are not brilliant but the disaster that some had predicted did not occur.The Economy Minister George Osborne is relieved: "The good news is that the UK economy continues to create growth and jobs." But the goal of annual growth of 1.7% is particularly difficult. Also believes the opposition does the government needs to soften its austerity policy: "These figures show that the return to growth has been strangled by the increase in VAT set up by George Osborne and lower costs budget, "said Ed Ball, a spokesman for Labour cash advance today.

"There is no plan B"

But it seems unlikely that the government changes its mind. "Our economy is stable right now because the government has taken tough decisions to take over the debt, Osborne continued. If we abandon this policy as some want, we will jeopardize the jobs and growth. "The Chancellor of the Exchequer is supported by the Liberal Democrat Minister of Commerce, that "there is no plan B. We must keep our commitment. " Vince Cable, that the Bank of England to support growth by easing monetary policy again.

Small encouraging sign: the sale of tickets for the Olympics began during the second quarter, but according to international conventions, will be counted in GDP at the time of the Games themselves, in a year. Alone it is 0.1 percentage point of growth, the ONS calculates.

EDF and Areva strengthen partnership - July 26, 2011

After months of tensions, the thaw begins between Areva and EDF. Luc Oursel, the president of the giant nuclear conducted this afternoon in his first official friendly in its factory in Saint-Marcel, near Chalon-sur-Saone, the chairman of EDF, Henri Proglio. The symbol is strong. And the two heavyweights of the team of France's nuclear formalized their merger by signing three agreements "technical and commercial." The event was announced by The Tribune before being confirmed by the Minister of Industry, Eric Besson, who also visited the site of Saône-et-Loire.

Luc Oursel assured wanting to "write a new page" in the history of relations between Areva and EDF. For its part, Proglio said that "Areva is intended to be a major partner of EDF".

Specifically, these agreements should help to clarify the relationship between the two groups.They focus on "the pursuit of optimizing the EPR, increased maintenance of the park" and "the strengthening of industrial cooperation on the storage of radioactive waste." Described as "historic in some ways" by Eric Besson on France Inter this morning, they aim to "ensure consistency throughout the French nuclear industry."

"A willingness to cooperate more»

A fourth agreement should focus on optimizing the third generation EPR reactor, improved maintenance and operation of existing nuclear plants, to prepare for extending the period of operation beyond 40 years and the management of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle.

The date of its signature was not specified, but it should occur in September, according to a promise of college participants in the meeting.Which will complete the strategic partnership, called by President Nicolas Sarkozy in July 2010.

The two companies also intend to continue discussions on the development of medium-power reactor Atmea, in which EDF would not participate. But these discussions will lead to another executive that the contracts mentioned Monday.

Another point of interest between the two groups that was you today, the assumption of an equity investment by the electrician in the future mining subsidiary of Areva is "neither foreseen nor ruled out," says Eric Besson. "There is a current subsidiary of the Areva mining activity that had been recorded and we will see who will enter the capital," he said. The latter, however, said on France Inter does not "feel" at Henri Proglio will "particular" to enter the capital of Areva."I feel from Proglio a willingness to cooperate more with Areva, what we today RECORDED agreements very important, but I do not feel particular pressure at home to enter the capital of Areva" said he. No details were given about not e the two leaders after their meeting.

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Publicis strengthens social networks - July 19, 2011

Publicis, the French media group, acquired 51% of the New York agency Big Fuel, specialized in communication on social networks. The agreement gives the public an opportunity to increase its stake to 100% from 2014, said the French communications giant. Big Fuel will join other agencies digital (Digitas, Razorfish …) Publicis in VivaKi.

Armed with 170 employees, Big Fuel shares many customers with Publicis, including General Motors, McDonald's, Microsoft or T-Mobile. The agency has grown 500% in 2010 and generated $ 10 million in sales. In 2011, its turnover is expected to reach $ 30 million.

For several months, multiple audiences, he, acquisitions, aiming to take 35% of its revenue from digital by 2013.He has already approached 30%, since the purchase in May, the U.S. interactive marketing group Rosetta.

According to research firm eMarketer, worldwide spending on social networks will reach nearly $ 6 billion this year, with $ 3.1 billion expected in the United States and 2.9 billion in the world.

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Viagra soon dethroned by a competitor - July 11, 2011

After years of it alone, Viagra, Pfizer's drug, to fight against impotence, will be joined and overtaken by its competitor, Cialis from Eli Lilly group. John Lechleiter, president, told the German press that Cialis would exceed the reference molecule, the number of prescriptions worldwide before the end of the year.

"In many markets such as France, Italy, South Africa and Australia, we are already with Cialis to Viagra," he said. According to the American College of Physicians, in 2020 some 322 million people worldwide may suffer from erectile dysfunction. In 2010, these treatments generated a turnover of 3.7 billion dollars, 2.6 billion euros.

How Facebook imposes its currency - July 8, 2011

Click the preview to enlarge the graphic.

This will be the next revolution Facebook. With nearly 750 million members, the social network is already in the shade to the e-mail to photo sharing sites like Flickr and Google. Today, Facebook is opening a new front, which could result in a "blitzkrieg" on the virtual economy. His weapon: a virtual currency, the Facebook Credits, poised to become the electronic purse of any user.

Launched quietly a year ago and a half, Facebook Credits are required on the site since July 1. Now any game publisher or service on Facebook to provide the currency of the site, in addition to its own virtual currency, like the FarmCash well known to fans of the game Farmville.Credits can be bought on the Facebook site with a card, a Paypal account, payment systems such as mobile Zong, even – as in the U.S. – via physical gift cards sold in supermarkets.

Major industrial

Facebook Credits against such exchange of virtual goods in games like Farmville, PyramidZ and Empires & Allies, or, as suggested by the film studio Warner, against VOD movies. In the U.S., fans of télécrochets as "X-Factor" and "American Idol" can be used to vote for their preferred candidates, replacing the virtual currency of Facebook to Premium SMS.Eventually, all things virtual – an mp3 download, buy a newspaper article online, a coupon obtained by locating in a shop with his mobile telephone minutes of … on Skype – could Facebook Credits currencies.

"The use of Facebook Credits is required, but not exclusive," nuance Codorniou Julien, director of partnerships Facebook France. "This includes the game, but the media as Warner Bros, music, video, box office. This will ensure the liquidity of the currency on all services, "explains Julien Codorniou.Specifically, "consumers will increasingly lead the Facebook FarmCash Credits and less" analysis Michaël Amar, CEO and cofounder of Ifeelgoods, a U.S. company that provides e-merchants to offer Facebook in place of Credits vouchers to their customers.

For Facebook, the Credits are an industrial issue. In fact, each editor service that offers its users to pay Facebook Credits reverse 30% of the value of the transaction of the social network. For example, on a rented movie for 30 Credits Facebook, or 3 dollars, by a user, Warner will donate 90 cents to Facebook. These commissions will quickly become an important part of revenue from Facebook. "We want to go as soon as possible and as widely as possible to diversify our revenue," said Julien Codorniou.Already, sales are "significant" for Facebook, which still generates most of its revenue through advertising. To get an idea, just look at the business volume of Zynga, a major partner of Facebook and subject, like others, to pay the 30% commission, the publisher has made 850 million euros sales in 2010. Its revenues are expected to reach $ 1.5 billion in 2011.

Social games

It's not for nothing that Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and cofounder of Facebook, has made the article social game publishers during his visit to Paris in late May for the e-G8: "The game publishers have found that people preferred to play where their friends are Zynga and imported the social dimension in the game Why gaming is gone first? Because it is a very social experience at first.I think that other media will follow as music, newspapers, books, "he said.

For now, Facebook provides not want to conquer the physical properties of electronic commerce with its virtual currency. In shops in Facebook, the social network rather "Facebook experience on third party sites." "In the coming months will spread features such as" Shop with friends "(buy with friends), Julien Codorniou details. This is not to create shops on Facebook, but to bring its online store friends of the people. "These purchases on the site of a merchant with his Facebook identity will feed the basis of information available to the social network members, and facilitate its advertising sales.

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Portugal and China are pushing the Cac 40 - July 7, 2011

Insensitive to the new this morning reported last night, after-hours trading, the rating agency Moody's downgraded four notches of the long-term rating of Portugal, the Cac 40 back into the red. At closing, the stock index was down 0.59% to 3955.48 points.

On other European markets, the trend is downward: the London Stock Exchange lost 0.35% to 6002.92 points, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange was down 0.11% at 7431.19 points, but mostly Exchange Lisbon loose 2.99% to 7128.72 points, the Milan Stock Exchange drops 2.46% to 19,779.22 points and the Madrid Stock Exchange gives 1.37% to 10,188.60 points.

Moody's does not trust the program "ambitious" in the words of the new government which includes to reduce the country's deficit from 9.1% to 5.9% this year, and 3% by 2013, and believes it is likely that Portugal needs a new aid in addition to 78 billion decided last May.

In addition, major banks and international insurers have raised again the terms of their expected participation in the next plan of aid to Greece.Chaired by the Institute of International Finance in the presence of several countries, this meeting has brought nothing new. According to one familiar with the matter, the Minister of Economy Baroin believes that the negotiations will not end until "several weeks beyond the summer."

Finally, China has raised interest rates Wednesday for the third consecutive time this year by 25 basis points from February to April. The rates of the Chinese central bank now stands at 6.56%.

The euro widens its losses against the dollar

On the currency side, the euro fell sharply against the dollar on Wednesday, weighed down by renewed worries about the economic health of the most fragile countries in the euro area.Mid-afternoon in Paris, the single European currency was worth 1.4325 dollars against 1.4418 dollars late Tuesday.

On the macroeconomic front, the German industrial orders rose 1.8% in May after rising 2.9% in April according to a slightly revised upwards, said Thursday the Ministry of Economy . It now expects the annual Arcep to 15 hours and the economic outlook for the euro area in 16 hours.

Overseas, we will monitor the ISM index of activity in the service in June in 16 hours and the weekly inventory of crude oil after half an hour.

Casa loses CFO

Sodexo (-0.07% to 53.91 euros) on Wednesday confirmed its targets from 2010 to 2011, announcing an increase of 7.7% of sales in the first 9 months of the year in which emerging markets achieved growth rates in double digits.

The manufacturer Gemalto smart card (0.32% to 33.33 euros), the world, announced Tuesday it has been selected by Qatar to secure its online public services, after developing a national identity card e for Qatari nationals.

Bank stocks remain under pressure, affected by concerns surrounding the euro area after the rating is downgraded by Moody's from Portugal and the slow pace of discussions on Greece.Mid-session, BNP Paribas was down 1.70% to 51.41 euros, Societe Generale of 2.17% to 40.25 euros and Natixis 2.32% to 3.45 euros. Credit Agricole SA (-3.53% to 9.98 euros, the largest decline CAC) announced the day before the departure of its chief financial Badré Bertrand, completing an overhaul of the General Staff of the French bank since the arrival of the new management team in early 2010.

Dia hard discount to the company being divided of Carrefour (-2.38% to 23.58 euros), fell on his first day of trading Tuesday in Madrid Stock Exchange. In addition, the band recorded new setbacks Tuesday in his attempt to form the leading Brazilian distribution.

EADS (+0.38% at 23.64 euros).AirAsia will buy 100 Airbus 320neo more, bringing its total order to 300 aircraft, said a source with knowledge of the agreement.

Air France-KLM (-1.10% to 10.80 euros) anticipates an annual growth in turnover of at least 20% in China.

Renault searched, unscrews Scor

The IPO of Mauna Kea (15.03% to 15.03 euros) on Thursday will take place over 13 euros per share, the top of the range that had set the French manufacturer of equipment 'endomicroscopy for placement on NYSE Euronext.

Groups rated television (TF1, Metropole TV, Bolloré, NextRadioTV) will be in Paris to follow.The gross advertising revenue duty of television amounted to 4.29 billion euros in the first half, up more than 12% over the same period a year earlier, said Tuesday firm specializing Yacast.

Scor (-2.84% to 18.99 euros) announced that the exceptionally high cost of natural disasters in the first quarter led him to issue up to 75 million shares to strengthen its equity as part of an automatic protection.

The examining magistrate Herve Robert, in charge of the investigation into the case of pseudo-intelligence within Renault (-0.52% to 40.92 euros), visited Tuesday the premises of the manufacturer at Plessis -Robinson (Hauts-de-Seine) to view documents, said the lawyer for Renault.In addition, the group expects its second half sales results are better than the first half of the year, said deputy director general of the group, Carlos Tavares.

The businessman Bernard Arnault, CEO of luxury group LVMH (+0.16% to 127.25 euros), retains the top spot of the professional fortunes of France, with 21.24 billion euros, before Gerard Mulliez and Liliane Bettencourt, according to a ranking published yesterday Challenges.

L'Oreal (0.55% to 90.02 euros). Françoise Bettencourt Meyers Thursday filed a motion requesting the revocation of the mandate to protect his mother, while urging the judge of guardianships in Courbevoie (Hauts-de-Seine) to take legal action, said Tuesday in an AFP judicial source.

Overheating warning of emerging countries Coface - June 30, 2011

The emerging markets are facing a "problem-rich" fight against the overheating of their economies – from 6 to 7% last year – when developed countries are seeking to boost their low growth. "Their macroeconomic management faces a dilemma: keep inflation that accompanies this growth through restrictive monetary and fiscal policies, knowing that increases in interest rates contribute to the massive influx of capital," says chief economist of Coface, Yves Zlotowski. Some countries are better equipped, such as Brazil, the driving force of the South American continent and one of the first to respond, noting early on interest rates and imposing taxes on capital inflows.

Dilma Rousseff, Lula's successor as president, also began to impose fiscal restraint.If the funds continue to flow, growth has slowed down somewhat in the first quarter to 4.2% against 7.5% previously. "Brazil is a highly diversified economy in its exports, with an internal market dynamics. Above all, the country has lead the last ten years important structural reforms, "adds the analyst.

"Institutional delay"

Conversely, the credit insurer is more concerned about the neighbor Argentina, faced with high inflation of 23%, where the industry is operating at full capacity, supported by consumption and fiscal and monetary policy very accommodative personal loans for people with bad credit. Overheating is very important in part masked by a current account surplus driven by exports of soybeans in China. But the landing is likely to be brutal crash.

In Asia, the weakest link is located in Vietnam, with a very open economy model of development with Chinese characteristics, based on the investment, mainly Asian. Iran is benefiting from rising costs in China, resulting in even relocation. This generated a huge credit bubble, whose share in GDP increased in ten years from 30 to 120%. The difference is that it does not have the same cash reserves that China and he is obliged to regularly devalue its currency, the dong. "There is a real institutional delay, the risk is, in a skid, discourage investment, which finance the huge current account deficit," Yves Zlotowski analysis.

However, the restrictions put in place gradually in the large emerging economies – China, India, Turkey, Brazil – should provide a soft landing.The challenge is to develop real consumer markets that go through a reduction in inequalities and a growing middle class and to provide for future growth in developed countries.

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The Paris Bourse closed on a clear upward - June 29, 2011

Busy schedule these days. The successor to Dominique Strauss-Kahn to head the International Monetary Fund could indeed be announced this Tuesday – Christine Lagarde is the favorite -. But it is about Greece that all eyes remain fixed, while growing and sy strikes may last until the vote of the austerity plan by the Greek Parliament which must take place by Thursday. However, it seems, according to analysts, the markets are betting on good news. While the euro area would, as a precaution, already developed a backup in case of a negative vote.

In the wake of Wall Street is stepping up its gains since the opening day, the Paris Bourse ends in a net increase of 1.46% to 3851.89 points.Optimism is the same on other stock markets: featuring Dax index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange finished up 0.88% to 7170.43 points and the London Stock Exchange, the FTSE-100 index of major values ​​gained 0.78% to 5766.88 points.

On the currency markets, the euro has stabilized at 1.4305 dollar. Oil prices also rose in New York, the market betting on the release of new funds for Greece to prevent it from falling into bankruptcy. To 15 hours, on the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for August delivery traded at 81.84 dollars, up $ 1.23 from the previous day.

Housing: housing starts and building permits up

On the macroeconomic front, the number of starts of new homes increased by 11.4,% year on year in France for the period from March to May, while the number of building permits for these homes has increased 4.3%, according to figures from the Ministry of Housing.

At 18 hours, will be published the figures for registered job seekers and offers collected by the job center in May.

In the U.S., the price of houses fell 0.1% in April, down very low which could indicate a stabilization of the real estate market housing in the early spring season marked by a more many purchases.The S & P / Case-Shiller, measured in 20 metropolitan areas in the U.S. data seasonally adjusted, was expected down 0.2% according to economists polled by Reuters. Data not in CVS, however, the index increased 0.7%, its first increase in eight months.

The U.S. consumer confidence is, she fell in June to its lowest level since November 2010 because of concerns about jobs and economic recovery, according to figures released Tuesday by the Employers' Federation Conference Board. The confidence index fell to 58.5 in June, after 61.7 (revised from 60.8) in May. The median consensus analysts polled predicted by an index to 60.5.

Carrefour jumps, Casino unscrews Accor (4.51% to 29.87 euros) is the head of the CAC40.Against a background of optimism about the outcome of the parliamentary debate on the budget austerity in Greece, the banking sector performs well: Crédit Agricole climbed 3.56% to 9.9887 euros, Societe Generale is 3.03% to 38.81 euros, BNP Paribas rose 1.93% to 51.13 euros and Natixis gained 1.75% to 3.31 euros.

EADS: + 2.22% to 22.54 euros

China could control dozens of Airbus during a visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday in Berlin, said on Monday sources familiar with the matter.

Carrefour: + 3.74% to 27.44 euros; Casino: -5.61% to 62.20 euros

The distribution group received Monday a "proposal" to create Gama Brazilian joint venture equally owned by both groups in Brazil, the latter to eventually become a shareholder of Carrefour.Casino intends to disturb their alliance, saying the project "hostile", prepared in secret, but against which "has the power to oppose."

In addition, the rating agency Fitch has downgraded the French retailer Carrefour up a notch to BBB +, along with a negative outlook, expressing concern the pace of recovery activities and French pressure from shareholders , said in a statement Tuesday.

Thales: 0.39% to 28.50 euros

According to an internal study cited by the Tribune, the electronics group shows a drastic decrease of 13% of customer satisfaction since the arrival of the new direction.Some regret the centralization of applications and other lack of attention to their concerns.

Lagardère: 1.42% to 28.14 euros

Analysts at the Swiss bank UBS raised their recommendation on the title to "buy" against "neutral" before.

Trigano: -5.58% to 21.76 euros

The specialist for caravans and motorhomes has said it expects a sales growth and results in 2011, following growth of 8.2% of its business in the third quarter, which covers the period from March to May

Teleperformance: -8.11% to 19.14 euros

The global call center cut its operating margin target in 2011 because of the recent slowdown in its business in the United States.

BioAlliance Pharma: + 1.50% to 6.10 euros

The biotechnology company said it had filed with the French Drug Agency an application for leave to Phase III clinical trial for Livatag, treatment of primary liver cancer.

CGG Veritas: + 0.80% to 23.37 euros

The group signed with the oil services group Bourbon marine services to offshore oil and gas a charter contract for five years to six new vessels support and assistance to its seismic surveys.

The bank saddled the Asian side - June 27, 2011

The stock markets in the Asia-Pacific begins this week in the gloom. The Tokyo Stock Exchange declined since the beginning of the session on Monday: around 7 am, the Nikkei folds of 0.54% to 9625.99 points. In China, the Hong Kong Hang Seng drops 0.66% to 22,025.30 points but the CSI Shanghai is 0.38% to 3038.89 points. In South Korea, the KRX yield 0.60% while in Sydney the S & P / ASX retrograde more frankly about 1.02% to 4462.10 points.

Bank stocks crippling trend. HSBC Holdings 1.51% of trips in Hong Kong, Mizuho Financial and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group lost 1.6%, respectively, and 1% at the meeting in Tokyo. Commonwealth Bank of Australia loose it, 0.85%.

The mood is worsened by the U.S. markets, which fell sharply on Friday night. The indexes fell to new technology very important. Greece still worried but the situation in the United States also remains fragile.Side values, the technology sector pulled down the indices including Oracle, which fell 4.06% against a backdrop of disappointing results. So, in Asia, the sector is shunned: Sony Japan lost 1.6%, for example.

Oil companies are also suffering: Japan Petroleum sells and 2.23%, the Australian group Santos yields 2.26% and PetroChina, 0.2%. Oil prices continue to fall on Monday, given the recurring concerns about the solvency of Greece and after the announcement of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IEA) to dip into its strategic reserves. This has brought down the barrel of 7.7% in two sessions. In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for August delivery lost 65 cents to 90.51 dollars. That of Brent North Sea crude for August delivery yielded 67 cents to 104.45 dollars.

The AG Tepco looks hectic

Note also that the operator of the nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO: 4.22% to 321 yen), meets Tuesday its shareholders at a general meeting expected under high tension.

The share value of the power company has shrunk about 85% since the accident on March 11, caused by a giant tsunami, which resulted in the emission of radiation into the atmosphere, sea and the soil surrounding the plant located 220 km northeast of Tokyo.

Units of riot police plan to deploy around the large hotel which will host the debate, due to events expected from residents of the prefecture of Fukushima and anti-nuclear activists.