Carbon tax: Europe inflexible face in Beijing - March 9, 2012

 

The European Union will not allow itself to do. In the aftermath of retaliation by China against the European carbon tax, which came into force on 1 January, the Danish Minister of Climate, Lidegaard Martin, said Friday that Brussels does not intend to reconsider the measure. "The EU will continue to ETS (the European carbon market fee, ed) and I feel we have a Council of Twenty-Seven united on this subject," he said on the sidelines of a meeting Brussels with his counterparts. "Europe and other countries want a solution within the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)," he added. To date, 26 of 36 ICAO member, including China, the United States and Russia, opposed the measure.

China took the lead from the dispute by freezing orders for Airbus aircraft placed by its airlines. "The decision of Beijing has an industrial impact: it hits 45 Airbus long-haul, 10 and 35 A 380 A 330," Louis said Thursday Welsh, CEO of EADS, when presenting the results of the 2011 group . "In 2013, 6 A 330 deliveries in 2014 and another 19 are endangered," he added, asking the EU not to insist on applying a unilateral measure. "We promote an agreed solution on a global scale. The European tax is not the appropriate solution. It distorts and puts us at odds with the rest of the world, "insisted Louis Welsh.

Trade war

The carbon tax applies to all airlines flying over European airspace. They will, however, forced to perform in the spring of 2013. Carriers must pay 15% of their emissions in the year 2012, 32 million tons, according to the price of a tonne of CO2. Otherwise, Brussels has set two types of penalty: a fine of 100 euros per tonne, more radical, the flight ban over European airspace.

China has calculated that the bill will amount to nearly 100 million euros for his companies and four times in 2020. In total, the carbon tax would cost 705 million euros for 2012 to stakeholders worldwide. Unacceptable for the Chinese, who are ready to tussle with Europe, even start a trade war with disastrous consequences for Airbus. Beijing is far from isolated. The rejectionist front also includes the U.S., India and Russia.

The threat is real for Airbus, which is fighting against Boeing, in all these regions to sell planes. It affects not only future orders, but also on its order books and production rates, thus on employment. EADS could stop wearing the monthly production of the A 330 to 11 copies, against 7 currently, from the second quarter of 2014. The future of the A350 XWB long-haul next-generation, could be thwarted.

China's strategy of Airbus is shaken

China, the fastest growing market in the world, is strategic for Airbus, which has sold 15 A 380, 2 of which were delivered to China Southern ordered five of them. Hong Kong Airlines, a subsidiary of China Hainan Airlines, has already threatened to cancel its order for 10 super-jumbos. If the case escalates, how Airbus can hope to convince other Chinese players? All its China strategy, whose cornerstone is the introduction of an assembly plant in exchange for A 320 commands, is shaken.

Other measures of retaliation are not excluded. What would happen if Russia, where the A380 has achieved a commercial breakthrough with Transaero last summer (4 A 380), or India decide to follow suit in Beijing? According to Airbus estimates, India and China account for 40% of global demand for aircraft in the next twenty years, or 10,320 units. Something to think about European bodies!

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Smartphones: ambitious Chinese manufacturers in 2012 - February 28, 2012

 

It's the world upside down. While Nokia, Samsung, LG and Apple are looking to grow in China, three Chinese groups want to strengthen the United States and Europe, in "smartphones", these smart mobile used to surf the Internet. ZTE, Huawei and Alcatel One Touch, passed under the control of TCL, must be taken seriously. They are ranked fourth, sixth and tenth largest global manufacturers in the last quarter 2011, according to research firm Gartner. Three years ago, ZTE was the only one to take its place among the top ten global manufacturers.  

Apart from their nationality, all three groups have one thing in common: each wants to launch 30 new models in 2012.

For Huawei, the first Chinese telecoms equipment supplier in the mobile but the second, Richard Yu, head of Huawei's mobile division, hopes to sell "60 million smartphones in the world this year, against 20 million in 2011 and 3,000,000 in 2010" . The weapon of war is the Huawei mobile called "Ascend D Quad" proposed "in the second quarter, first in Europe and China." This phone to be "the fastest on the market" will be sold "15% to 20% cheaper than in its class," the more expensive smartphones. To increase performance, especially for display in a record time of high-definition images for photos and videos, the Chinese group has developed its own "smart", called K3. Given its size, Huawei has the means to innovate to differentiate its product from the competition and, thereby, reduce the selling price of its aircraft by paying fewer royalties to chip designers. Around the same hardware platform, the Ascend D will be available in different versions, to be compatible with the networks of the fourth generation in the second half or slightly less expensive version in a bit slower payday loans in one hour. This recalls the strategy of car manufacturers around the same drawing of a car, develop a range of cars.

Alcatel One Touch wants to sell 10 times more mobile in 2011

For its part, ZTE, Huawei not as big as at the global level but more powerful in mobile, adopts a very aggressive strategy. He Shiyou, head of the division of ZTE mobile, reaffirmed its ambition to "rank among the top three global manufacturers of mobile in 2015." Already, "60% of turnover is made outside China." To increase its presence in the U.S. and Europe, the second group of Shenzhen has announced eight new smartphones using the Android operating system from Google (including Skate Aqua, Kis, Blade II and Mimosa X), including two designed for the fourth generation mobile phone, a new Windows Phone (named Orbit) and finally, the Era, very powerful, reminiscent of his compatriot Huawei announced.

Finally, Alcatel One Touch, a subsidiary of TCL Chinese, hopes to market "10 million smartphones in 2012 against 1 million in 2011," says Eric Vallet, marketing manager of the Chinese group. Ranked number four in France in terms of units sold, Alcatel will provide "for its range of new devices, from 10 to 15 smartphones in 2012 that will use Android." Unlike his compatriots who attempt a breakthrough on the most expensive mobile, to come and attack Apple and Samsung, Alcatel One Touch is more modest in its ambitions.

Borloo could take the head of Veolia - February 20, 2012

 

New episode in the folder Veolia Environnement. Its current CEO Antoine Frérot, is on trial. Borloo could indeed take control group of utilities and largest private employer in France. According to Les Echos, hostilities between the former boss of Veolia now head of EDF, and the runner Proglio Antoine Frérot, could be decided during the next meeting of the Board scheduled on February 29. Following this meeting promises to be choppy, several administrators of the group would seek a dismissal of the CEO. Conducted by a sling Proglio which intends to show that he still holds the strings of the group he led for many Annes before moving to EDF.  

Besides that of former Minister of Ecology Jean-Louis Borloo, several names would be approached to head the former Generale des Eaux: Augustin de Romanet, CEO of the Caisse des Depots, "but whose entourage denied any contact, "according to Les Echos, Jacques Veyrat, the former head of Louis Dreyfus and Daniel Bouton, former CEO of Societe Generale one hour payday loan.

The plummeting stock market as Veolia, which has lost nearly 60% of its value in one year, and the two profit warnings passed successively by the group that should show a loss of 200 million for fiscal 2011 the feed sling administrators.

And according to Liberation, Proglio have discussed the ouster of Mr. Frérot with Nicolas Sarkozy on February 12 when the two men met to discuss the rescue by EDF of Photowatt.  

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NBA: the profitable business of madness Jeremy Lin - February 18, 2012

 

Jeremy Lin and the American fairy tale. It only took seven games to the playmaker of the team's basketball for the Knicks panic counters and generate a media frenzy rarely seen in America. The defeat of his team that night, for the first time since its revelation to the public, does not diminish the power of the phenomenon Lin, who finished top scorer of the match. A true media darling, the "Lin mania" is now an economic nature.

According to Patrick Rishe, a journalist specializing in sports economics at Forbes, Jeremy Lin should earn this year between 10 and 20 million dollars in revenue for his team. Based on his calculations, he believes that the brand Jeremy Lin is now worth $ 14 million. Already, sales of products Knicks exceed those of all other teams in the championship. Better yet, the shirt of Jeremy Lin is currently the best selling of the entire league by site nbastore.com, ahead of Kobe Bryant and Lebron James, however, the two superstars of American basketball.

Since its emergence in the field, television audiences matches the Knicks were up 66%, according to ABC News and the price of tickets at Madison Square Garden, where the team plays, increased by 27%. A phenomenon that extends to the whole country, all brought to theaters soon receive the full display of the Knicks team and seeing the price of tickets on the black market soar.

Nike bounces on the phenomenon

Lin's exploits have even an impact on stock markets. The share price of the group Madison Square Garden Entertainment, which owns the Knicks, has increased by 6.2% over the last five days, reaching its highest of the year, according to Bloomberg. Performance directly attributed to Lin, the group has announced losses in the same week.

It did not so much to interest sponsors. Decisive with his team, he also shines personality, humble and smiling and personal history. Out of nowhere, rejected by the leading clubs, he finally won through hard work, courage and tenacity. All values ​​that symbolize the American dream and please brands. Do well because already under contract with Jeremy Lin before hatching, Nike also is preparing to release a shoe in the name of the player and the colors of the Knicks. Jeremy Lin signed his first professional contract this week, amounting to 762,000 dollars for the season. It's a safe bet that it would reach many more especially if he continues to earn as much.

Wind "Folin" Asia

First American player of Taiwanese to move in the American Championship of Basketball, Jeremy Lin has become at the same time the new headline the NBA for Asia, which represents the largest market outside the league, according to Reuters. Asian TV channels were also eager to buy the rights to broadcast matches, the Chinese state channel CCTV has even changed its programs to broadcast several games of the Knicks this week.

"This is an unprecedented phenomenon and I am delighted for him, for the league and the Knicks' David Stern said Tuesday, the powerful boss of the NBA. It is true that the media hype and commercial around that player's personal story atypical is a boon to the American basketball league whose image had been tarnished by a long and costly strike that has raised fears a moment the cancellation of the season. Some broadcasters and sponsors in mind, feared even a year on the cheap and tasteless. By Jeremy Lin, American sport has found a goose that lays golden eggs and intends to capitalize on it. Remains whether it will uphold and maintain this level of play

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Air France: controversy about the benefits of leaders - February 15, 2012

 

The scandal could not have been worse. While Air France is embarking on an extensive and highly unpopular savings plan, the unions of the company revealed Monday that their former boss Pierre-Henri Gourgeon was preparing to travel to destination in Mauritius with its Women in business class for 24 euros.

This trip was to take place almost free along with two relatives also enjoy preferential rates. These tickets are embargoed during the school holidays, Pierre-Henri Gourgeon had to obtain special approval of the new CEO of Air France, Alexander Juniac, to lift the embargo and travel to this destination.

"It's scary to work in this context, a sorry part of the company. Our company is mired in research and maintenance of personal advantages. How do you get the support of employees and pass the savings plan? ". Given the excitement that the information generated internally, the former boss has finally given up the tickets at unbeatable price and opted for traditional GP tickets entitlements in the company's employees and retirees.

The ex-boss will have to pay 745 euros to get to Mauritius in business class or about 1500 euros for a round trip ticket worth between 3000 and 6000 euros at full price. "When traveling in GP, ​​the former executives often take tickets in economy class, or 400 euros round trip to Mauritius, calculates an employee of the company. Once on the plane, they do outperform if space is available at the front of the camera. "

"A trip to the Air France lounge"

Like many companies, the Air France employees receive preferential rates on their business activity. Like the employees of the car, who pay for their cheapest car, the Air France employees benefit from GP notes (partly free), a valid right to life from fifteen years of service. "I travel regularly to New York, welcomes a former executive of the company. It costs me about € 200 in economy class, but in general I do upgrade and I manage to go on a trip to the Air France lounge. "

As a former senior executive, Pierre-Henri Gourgeon does not need to go through the system of GP tickets. Like other executives recently departed from the leadership, the former boss has negotiated a confidential volume of almost free tickets.

These benefits may soon be challenged. Juniac Alexander, the new leader of the company, has announced an overhaul of the benefits enjoyed by current and former executives of Air France. "Such benefits are not unique to Air France, says aviation expert. All major companies are considering a historic reform of the preferential fare tickets costing them too much. "And who are less supported by employees who are asked to efforts increasingly harsh.

Nicolas Sarkozy wants to extend the life of nuclear plants - February 13, 2012

 

The lifetime of nuclear power plants should be paid beyond age 40. Such is the will of Nicolas Sarkozy, announced Minister of Industry, Eric Besson. "The president has decided to require all operators to put in a position to extend the lifetime of our reactors," he said during the Great Rendezvous, a Europe / i> TV / Le Parisien.

"It means to carry out all maintenance efforts, research of the highest standards of safety and security, to ensure that the park could be extended," he added. "The decision is," stressed the minister. "That does not mean it will happen mechanically since it is then the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN)" which must ultimately take the decision, he said. ASN will consider each of the reactors and give the green light on a case by case.  

A report commissioned by Eric Besson, to be published Monday, should warn against the consequences of reducing the share of nuclear and advocate the extension of the French nuclear fleet. This will be pursuing the development of third generation EPR reactors (1600 MW), of Atmea medium power (1000 MW) products with China and Russia as well as smaller units (300 megawatts).

Between 680 and 860 million per reactor

To the Minister of Industry, extending the life of existing plants is the best solution, including an economic standpoint. He said nuclear power is twice cheaper than wind energy and five times less than solar. On the other hand, EDF considers that extending the duration of operation of its plants would cost 680 to € 860 million per reactor. The construction of a new-generation reactor Areva cost compared five billion per reactor.

Other scenarios would cause "inevitable consequences", Eric Besson insisted, as "the rising price of electricity" and "job destruction", "150,000" direct, "300,000 to 400,000" indirect. Besides the "2 million jobs" industrial "potential" which according to the minister, "can be impacted."

As to reduce the nuclear share of 75% to 50% in the French energy mix, as proposed by the Socialist candidate Francois Hollande, it is "irresponsible" criticism Eric Besson. In a draft, this would in effect in 2030 by a decline of 0.6% of GDP. The UMP wants to maintain 75% of the share of nuclear in electricity generation French.

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- November 25, 2011

While France, Italy and Germany are found in mini-summit in Strasbourg, Portugal is once again in the viewfinder of the rating agencies. Fitch downgraded one notch Thursday note of Portugal, from BBB-to BB +, together with a negative outlook. This decision made the downgrades of Portuguese debt the Safe investments to that of "rotten" or "risky".

"The deep deficit, high debt of all sectors of the economy and poor prospects for growth mean that the country will benefit more than qualified to hold a note type of investment, '" Fitch said in a statement . Portugal should address, according to projections by the agency, in a deep recession in 2012 with a decline in activity of 3%.

Among the areas of concern, the rating agency notes the debt of public enterprises."They have been the cause of upward revisions of the State debt and deficit figures, said Fitch. In this context, we expect a significant risk that new measures were announced in 2012. "Portuguese banks in turn will require a recapitalization, according to Fitch. They are strongly weakened by the debt crisis in Europe and amenable to private sector (firms and households), the most indebted in Europe, said the agency.

A 2012 budget "balanced"

Fortunately, according to Fitch, the Portuguese government is doing well. "The deficit target of 5.9% will be achieved this year, albeit with exceptional measures" and not reproducible in 2012, the agency notes. The 2012 budget, which targets a deficit of 4.5%, is "well designed," she continues. It contains substantial cuts in spending, including retirement pensions and salaries of civil servants.

- November 16, 2011

The European Commission on Tuesday launched its third offensive regulatory three years to reduce the power of rating agencies, suspected of fanning the debt crisis. Hardening through the option of civil action for misconduct or neglect, and a tight control of conflicts of interest.

The blunder of Standard & Poor's, mistakenly announcing the loss of the prestigious AAA of France, may have facilitated the political work of Michel Barnier."We need to ensure themselves of the risk we take," says Michel Barnier.

To achieve this, Brussels lists practical steps payday loans in 1 hour. Any investor can sue for damages "for serious misconduct or gross negligence" of a rating agency. A state will have a period of 24 hours to respond to a rating before it is published. Agencies should be transparency in their methodology.

A special chapter is intended to reduce conflicts of interest. It limits cross-ownership between the agencies and their clients. It also introduces the requirement for a borrower to change the agency after three years (or six if two competing uses).

- November 10, 2011

Indecision on the Paris Bourse. After losing 2.17% below 3100 points yesterday, the CAC 40 opened down sharply, falling more than 2% in early trade. He then did an about face and moves from 0.12% to 3078.02 points, around 10:20.

As on Wall Street and Asian stock markets, doubt seized investors, who are now considering the worst: a contagion of debt in the eurozone. With the center of these concerns, the situation in Italy, including the implementation of austerity measures remains uncertain. The announcement yesterday of the upcoming departure of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has in fact added to the uncertainty, as evidenced by soaring rates of the Italian Treasury ten years by 0.5 percentage points to 7.20%.

Unison concerns of investors, Brussels found the Italian debt situation "very worrying".Ditto for the International Monetary Fund: its director Christine Lagarde said today that "lack of political clarity" in Italy supplied the uncertainties, according to Reuters. Similarly, managers of U.S. Pimco, the largest bond manager in the world, estimated that "6% and 7% interest rate, the country will fail to stabilize its debt, which will become uncontrollable ".

To this distrust Rome, plus doubts about the ability to bounce back from Greece after the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced his resignation Wednesday. It did not cite the name of his successor, who will not be released until Thursday.

Consequence of this climate morose, oil prices were down Thursday, though the announcement on the eve of an unexpected fall in U.S. oil stocks managed to halt the downward trend.

- November 3, 2011

Why this referendum is it risky?