Breaking News, World, U.S., Entertainment …

LG Electronics has just been invented the first mobile phone with touchscreen, the LG Prada, launched before the popular iPhone, the "chaebol" in South Korea suffered severely in smartphones. The reverse is so severe that the heart of summer, Chang Ma, Vice President Marketing of LG mobile phones, announces the method to return the game "At the end of the year to compete with our rivals, we launch ten smartphones, "said the official, the Wall Street Journal. These smart mobile phones will be launched under the brand Optimus, already used for several months, which will benefit from a dusting. The first aircraft, which will work with the Android OS from Google, will be offered in September. Called Optimus One, it should be distributed by 120 operators worldwide.This will be a smartphone that will allow customers to traditional mobile phones to get into the deep end of the mobile Internet, the official said. With these new products, LG hopes to sell 5 million of its smartphones by the end of the year in the United States.

The major challenge is the world's number three mobile phones that had succeeded, in 2009, establishing itself as the second mark on the U.S. market. In the second quarter of 2010, the dynamic segment of smartphones, which increased 50% to 61.6 million units, its market share was only 1.2% of the second quarter, according to research firm Gartner.

Above all, not a wide enough range, "the average revenue per mobile phone from LG has declined 27.8%," said Carolina Milanesi, analyst at Gartner. The group of Seoul has sought to gain market share at the expense of margins.This strategy has not worked. The division in mobile phones from LG has posted its biggest loss in eight years, in the second quarter, which has plunged to third profits of the chaebol.

Offering more than iPad

And for all mobile phones, LG has shown a decline in sales volume (from 30.5 to 29.4 million units) and market share (10.7% to 9%). The group has suffered, in addition, poor strategic bet. LG had, in fact, intend to become the leading partner of Microsoft. But LG has played the wrong horse: Google has more than RIM and Apple in the United States.

In addition, the market share of Windows Mobile has been halved over one year, falling to 5% of smartphones, say the experts.The weight of Microsoft could again later in the year with the launch of a next version.

Meanwhile, like HTC, Samsung, Motorola and SonyEricsson, LG focuses on Google's Android. The software group in Mountain View will also be used for its next internet tablet, promised for the end of the year. It will have "new functions" compared to the iPad, including "video editing and content creation," the official said the Wall Street Journal.

For now, KT, the largest operator in South Korea announced Friday that it will market in the coming days Enspert Internet tablet developed by a South Korean company specialized in September and that of Samsung. The Apple iPad should be proposed before the end of the year, such as LG.Most manufacturers are penalized by the late arrival of Microsoft in operating systems for low cost internet tablets.

Filed under: business, economics, finance, special, technology by admin Comments Off

In one country, Japan, where exports boost growth since late 2009, the sharp rise of the yen in recent weeks is shocking. Nissan, the third largest Nippon, said he was "very worried" the peak of the national currency against the dollar. The yen traded at a record 85.43 yen to the dollar. What start the competitiveness of the archipelago.

For three months, the dollar has lost 9.48% against the yen. A worrying trend: according to calculations by the OECD, a 10% appreciation of the yen would cut growth by 0.2 points in year one and 0.4 the second and third year. "The impact is not significant when the forecast is 2-3% growth per annum over the next two years," relativized in a note Takuji Okubo, senior economist at Societe Generale IPC.

Especially since the rise of the yen should not continue, says Raymond Van der Putten, Japan specialist at BNP Paribas: "The yen's appreciation is mainly due to poor growth expectations in the United States." Growth probably disappointing euro zone in 2010 and its own weaknesses in the Japanese economy should lead to a stronger dollar in the coming months, says the economist.

The Japanese economy has certainly been a thunderous start to the year thanks to booming exports to China and the rest of Asia. This was a very strong growth which acquired should enable the archipelago exceed the 3% growth in 2010.

The recovery falters

But recent statistics are rather alarming. Industrial production dropped 1.5% in June, after remaining flat in MayUnemployment is up slightly but steadily since January, rising to 5.3% in June And household consumption fell 2.4% in the second quarter.

"The Japanese recovery has entered a critical phase," said in a note Caroline Newhouse-Cohen, an economist at BNP Paribas. "The recovery plan and recovery of companies coming to an end." Finally, the resurgence of inflation after a long period of stagnation in prices could trim the margins of companies that will struggle to pass increases in material first on consumers.

In this context, the pressures on the government to become more insistent that extends the existing measures of recovery. No decision has yet been taken on this issue, "said Minister of Economy Satoshi Arai last week.

See also:

"The stronger yen last fifteen years

Filed under: economics, economy, news, opinions, top news by admin Comments Off

LE FIGARO. – How do you improve your sales and your profits in the first half?

Benoît Potier. – It's an interesting semester. It marks both a recovery in volumes directly linked to the global economy and an upturn in industrial projects. The industry again expressed his interest in the preparation of the future.

We found the pre-crisis levels in virtually all market segments. Only construction accuses six to twelve months behind schedule. Offset restart cycles. Overall, growth in volumes that logically resulted in 10% of our turnover, which grows in all businesses and geographies. However, Air Liquide is one of the industries that were more resistant, with a decline of only 5% in 2009. Moreover, our turnover is 4% higher than the first half of 2008.In this period of euphoria that some groups show up to 30% growth, it is important to see what is the basis for comparison. Our results were up 12% over the same period in 2008.

You can find levels of profitability higher than pre-crisis. Your business has changed significantly in two years?

There is a real disconnect between emerging and mature economies. Our sales increased by 6% in mature economies and 30% in emerging which represent 20% "only" the activity of the group, or two thirds of our growth. In twelve months, the distribution of our investments has changed structurally. It went from 50/50 between emerging and mature to 80/20.However, be careful not to bury the mature markets, growth of 6% is good, there are many industries that satisfied with them.

But to give you an example, our sales in China in the first half of 2010 rose 65% and they had also increased last year. China is catching up with the level of industrialized countries in streamlining its industry. There is no excess production capacity. Typically, we have seen closure of four sites steelmakers, grouped into a larger one. The latter now invests in technology and modern capabilities. All the industrial world benefit.

Chemistry, property and equipment, how do you explain that the whole industry registered a sharp improvement in its growth and profitability?

The crisis has hit so hard that companies do not have any choice.They had to rest fundamental questions about their structures, their capacity, so their exposure to market, their management parameters. I think all industries are now much stronger than before the crisis. Faced with problems of liquidity and access to financing, companies have strengthened their balance sheets. Their debts are either stable – for those who invest and continue to grow, it is the case of Air Liquide – is declining.

What do you recommend to stop the loss of competitiveness of French industry?

It is a vast subject. The ideal solutions for the industry have not yet been found in Europe and in different countries. Whether as a planned or coordinated, it seems that Europe has not sufficiently defined what strategies or industrial sectors in which it wants to occupy a leadership position.It means rather the leaders speak on a national solution, which is logical, but we do not have European body for industrial communication, unlike the U.S., China and Japan which are three countries integrated and better than us in the definition of industrial strategy. We are losing a major card: The strength in unity. In addition it must maintain a production base in Europe, since that's where ideas materialize. Without production, we have more innovation, but only for research.

European standards they penalize the industry?

Europe does not want to be a hindrance, but it seems to suffer from the narrowness of the missions that have been determined in different organs. The European Central Bank is there to control inflation while the Fed has a wider role.The European Commission organizes the market, ensures fluidity but has no mandate to make Europe competitive beyond its borders. It does not take sufficient account of the external markets. The European institutions can improve.

What makes you confident for the end of the year and may be beyond?

The resumption of growth projects. Signing of contracts shows that the client is ready to commit and so are we. Every time we sign a contract, we bring a stone to the growth of 2012-2013, or even 2015.

You do not fear a relapse of the economy?

The answer is clear: no. We have seen nothing that points in the first half as a direct risk. Since the crisis, we follow the weekly volume of gas consumed by our customers.In case of "double deep", it would stop producing customers, making maintenance. This is not the case. The situation is normal. It must occur because the world consumes. We are almost out of the zone of turbulence to go toward growth, even if the signal "attached belt" remains lit.

ALSO READ:

"Air Liquide is still growth in 2010

Filed under: business, economy, online, opinions, world by admin Comments Off

A history of gold? The fund Bridgepoint entered into Friday night to Saturday two agreements to buy the first two channels simultaneously French jeweler midrange, Histoire d'Or and Marc Orian.

If successful, a priori, in October, the transaction remains subject to the advice of two councils and the approval of competition authorities, would bring the delicious result of two brands created by successive Sylvain Krief in the 1980s, and whose networks are geographically complementary.

Histoire d'Or, owned since 2006 to fund Silverfleet Capital, has 200 stores, almost all located in shopping malls on the outskirts of cities. The company is dynamic. Its turnover amounted to 220 million euros in 2009, up 1.1%. In France, its network of stores has almost doubled in size in four years.Elsewhere in Europe, the brand has established in Belgium and Italy. History Gold was also launched in 2007 teaches J'M (six stores), on the same niche, but more likely.

Good mid-range resistance

Located also in the malls, Marc Orian Group operates its side a network of more than 250 stores under the Marc Orian and Treasury, and annual sales of around 130 million euros. The company is owned since 2006 by QUALIUM (formerly CDC Capital Investissement) who bought from Crédit Agricole Private Equity.

The combination of these signs would create a network of over 450 shops for a turnover of around 450 million euros. It has been several years that the funds eyeing the jewelry chains midrange.The sector has grown steadily against the current of a market down 2% last year, mainly at the expense of traditional jewelry stores downtown.

Bridgepoint could benefit from his position of arch-leader to refine the positioning of its various networks, optimize purchasing and address the heart of market towns by launching a new concept.

ALSO READ:

"The French prefer silver jewelry, cheaper

Filed under: economic, economics, life, resources, top news by admin Comments Off

A Virgin store in the heart of a Carrefour hypermarket? As of August 25, the sign of cultural goods will fetch the radius culture Crossroads Venissieux, a suburb of Lyon. "It installs a true Virgin of 300 square meters, which is the format of our stores in train stations and airports, says the Figaro Jean-Noel Reinhardt, CEO of Virgin Stores. The furniture is furniture Virgin, SEO will be managed by our own sales force. "

Virgin does not just manage the music department, as revealed in early July challenges.fr. The competitor Fnac will turn all the knobs. Carrefour will be delegated as 100% concession for the management of the entire radius culture (books, music and video) off the video games. Virgin and Carrefour have talked for eight months before signing the partnership. "We give a year, said Jean-Noel Reinhardt.If it works, we can decide with Carrefour to deploy the concept in other supermarkets. "

The approach, which aims to "re-enchant" the hypermarket, will allow Carrefour to boost its sales in non-food, fell 5% last year. Such a partnership will allow Carrefour to unload a radius deemed difficult by assigning responsibility to a specialist.

Discussion with SFR

"It's a win-win solution for Virgin and Carrefour, said Jean-Noel Reinhardt. We bring the legitimacy of our brand that appeals to young people. Carrefour, meanwhile, makes us very important benefit of the flow of its customers. "

Along the same lines, other "stores in the store" could be introduced in Carrefour hypermarkets.According to our information, Carrefour declined to comment, and discussions are well advanced with SFR, which could establish phone shops. Other partnerships could be concluded in the arts of the table, with the leader Arc International, or in video games, with Micromania.

The formula of the concession, in which Carrefour Virgin donate a percentage of its revenues, will allow Carrefour to reduce its costs and thus improve its performance. Incidentally, it will also give him the opportunity to redeploy staff to other departments or even reduce the staffing of the culture, both in stores and at headquarters of the distributor, where hundreds of people working on the offer non-food.For its part, Virgin is a way to revitalize its network (30 megastores and six stores in train stations and airports) by increasing sales at lower cost. "The company has developed a range of creative hobbies more interesting than the Fnac, is Thoumine Lawrence, a consultant at Kurt Salmon. But the initiative of Carrefour is presented more as a response to cultural spaces Leclerc, growing steadily for 10 years and the concept works pretty well, an attack against the Fnac. "

ALSO READ:

"Carrefour is growing in China

Filed under: business, features, news, resources, technology by admin Comments Off

The retraining is an obstacle course. It essentially said that a study by the Agency for the Use of Frames (APEC) published on Wednesday. If managers are increasingly likely to want to retrain mid-career, the process does not become easier for all. Indeed, beyond the speeches that are encouraging businesses, often plebiscite adaptability and motivation of atypical careers, recruitment always leave the spotlight on "cloning profiles," said the APEC.

"Today it is virtually impossible for a framework to achieve what professionals call the diagonal support: change both business and enterprise," said the APEC. Businesses, especially in times of crisis, most want is to secure their recruitment, and thus become more timid, more reluctant to hire people without experience on the job.Consequence: it is now much easier to convert internally, rather than changing at the same time employer. The mobility is viewed positively as a tool for employee retention, and a way to reduce uncertainty in hiring a person unknown.

A passion for the trades "ethical"

Some trades, however, are more open than others to atypical careers. This is especially true for businesses that engage in general skills, such as managers, consultants, sales representatives or heads of human resources (HR). "For people who do that are more and framed by" the shift is easier because it does not require highly technical skills, says a recruiter. However, positions that require some experience.

However, the desire for conversion especially managers aged 35 to 45 years, more inclined to question their journey. "The desire to change jobs is often associated with a need to reduce the dissonance between everyday work and personal taste," says Apec. "I wanted to take my dismissal to give meaning to my life," reflects his side a frame. As a result, trades are often considered ethical on a roll with these candidates for change.

The content of these trades, however, tends to change. While teaching, journalism and social work were acclaimed a few years ago, today it trades on Sustainable Development and Trade Fair that get the prize for ethics in the eyes of managers.Takers.

ALSO READ:

A website for CV atypical

"Use of frames: the worst is over

Filed under: economic, features, finance, resources, technology by admin Comments Off

LE FIGARO. – How do you exercise stress test which is to engage Europe?

Baudouin PROT. – The resistance tests show that European banks are sound and well capitalized. They were conducted using a common methodology and from economic scenarios comparable, if not more stringent than the scenarios used in a similar exercise conducted in spring 2009 by the Americans. These results should put an end to a period of unfounded concern about the health of the European banking system. However, it is essential to economic life that banks trust.

What do you think the score of French banks?

They have passed the test with flying colors.Three reasons: they entered the crisis well capitalized, they have weathered the crisis better than others and have significantly increased their capital by allocating a significant portion of their results for two years. In the end, and in the worst case scenario, the excess equity that French banks compared to the waterline defined by European regulators reached 70 billion euros. This is all the more remarkable that almost all French banks have repaid the government aid, while still 180 billion euros in state support in the European banking system.This is good news for France: our banks are more than ever to finance projects of their clients.

What lessons learned, while the Basel Committee on Banking seems to require more capital?

The French banks have for long argued that, compared to the level reached today, a massive build new capital would be unnecessary and inappropriate. The results of stress tests clearly support this point. Europe needs just as much vigor and rigor, when the economy picks up in many parts of the world. It should not be an excessive overinvestment reduces the ability of all its banks to finance the economy and thus stimulate growth. The decisions to be taken in Basel, the Financial Stability Forum and ultimately to the G20 in November in Seoul, are, for me, a historical significance.Europe must become fully aware of its core strategic interests and defend them.

You leave the presidency of the French Banking Federation at the end of a busy year. What are your reasons for satisfaction?

Both at the heart of the crisis in 2009 that since the beginning of 2010, French banks have never stopped doing their job, providing their customers with the relationship and funding the economy. If the overall image of the banks has suffered, the satisfaction rate of customers vis-à-vis their own bank remained above 80%. This shows the quality of the device relational French banks, through a dense network of trained counselors. Now they have stopped investing in this device even though it is already higher than other European countries cash advance loan.The pace of 30,000 hires per year in IFA has been maintained in 2009 despite the crisis, and will be again in 2010.

A tough job, with advisers attacked by customers …

These difficulties were at their peak a year ago. Since the relational climate has thankfully subsided in the agencies. And with the executive committee of the FBF, we conducted many meetings with regional business leaders in recent weeks: I also note a positive trend in relations. All this is explained by the fact that growth in France in outstanding bank credit to individuals and SMEs is the best in Europe. In late May, outstanding housing loans grew by 5.1%, those SMEs 3.8%, a record in recent times.The latest survey also shows that Oseo the cost of credit, which was an obstacle to investment for 48% of SMEs in November 2008, the remaining 23% only. French SMEs also benefit from a lower cost of credit watch on the European average.

Financial reforms, on both sides of the Atlantic, you feel they fit well?

French banks are convinced that regulatory changes are needed to draw lessons from the financial crisis. That being said, we must make the right decisions. The Anglo-Saxons tend to give undue weight to the ratios, when the quality of supervision is essential. In France, a single supervisor effective – which is still being enhanced – and bank officials have avoided the bad loans that have cost so dear to the American community.The situation is very different.

The paradox is that U.S. banks, causing excesses, emerge from the crisis stronger …

I note that U.S. banks are the only ones to have massively increased their size in their market after the crisis, with the help of taxpayer elsewhere. The crisis resulted in a wave of bank mergers that made JPMorgan, Wells Fargo or Bank of America mastodons much more impressive than before. At the same time, few European banks have grown. Moreover, while all the 13,000 European banks are subject to Basel II since 2008, U.S. banks do not always apply.It is difficult to accept that capital requirements are influenced by demands of countries we are not sure they apply the rules in the same way that European banks.

Added to the tax systems …

The fact that France, the United Kingdom and Germany are the only ones in the world to impose such a tax on banks that can not be cons-productive to the competitiveness of these countries. French banks, in any case, can not afford both to finance the economy, maintain a buffer of high security into equity while financing the budget deficit.

Filed under: Uncategorized, business, economics, top news, world by admin Comments Off

On Monday, the opening of stock markets in Europe, banking stocks will be the center of attention. While Friday night, 18 o'clock – evening after the close of stock markets in Europe – results of stress tests reported only seven failures out of 91. That is to say that 92% of the banks examined have managed to maintain a solvency ratio of at least 6% by simulating economic conditions deteriorated.

But among them, banks posted September 10 called Tier One ratios between 6% and 7%. It's like having a BA of 10-11 overall average. Deutsche Postbank, Piraeus Bank, Allied Irish Banks, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Banca UBI, Bankinter and eight small Spanish settlements are on the list, which will be closely monitored by investors.The four French banks surveyed, BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, Credit Agricole and BPCE have all scored honorable.

On Monday, central bank governors and heads of Supervisors will meet in Switzerland to discuss the reform proposals on the strengthening of bank capital.

But after their success in tests of strength, European banks may find it difficult to argue that they can not apply a stricter financial regulation.

"Banks are ready to begin implementing the new rules are needed to strengthen the capital reserves and liquidity management of banks," also provided Vitor Constancio, Vice-President of the ECB. Basel III could thus move at a good pace.

Filed under: economics, opinions, people, publications, resources by admin Comments Off

Anne-Marie Couderc, the current deputy director with the CEO of Lagardere Active, will be the candidate for the succession of Remy Plflimlin to head Presstalis (ex NMPP). After several days of hesitation and consideration, Anne-Marie Couderc will be the candidate of "consensus" by the Lagardere Group, operator of the largest distributor of media with 49% of its capital, to vote on the board of managers under 28 July. Its mandate should however not be limited to one year despite the change, expected by next June, the governance of Presstalis with the withdrawal of Lagardère.

His appointment is hardly surprising payday advance. Broken to the press, Anne-Marie Couderc has the ideal profile.A lawyer by training, she is vice-president of the Supreme Council Courier Press and knows exactly how it works Presstalis.

A time mentioned, the appointment of former senior official Bruno Mettling, rapporteur of the draft revision of the distributor that is the basis of work today, raised a legal issue. Immediately raised by the addition of competitor Presstalis, the Courier Lyons Press (MLP), which threatened a lawsuit in the event its name to Lagardère.

Anne Marie Couderc, asked the Buzz Media Orange-Le Figaro.

Filed under: business, economics, money, publications, resources by admin Comments Off

The efforts already made by the employees of General Motors in Strasbourg will be sufficient? Apparently not. Because if the employees agreed Monday to a 70% reduction in their production cost in exchange for the resumption of their site, the management of General Motors Company (a company from the ashes of the former General Motors bankruptcy), now requires more.

Monday, employees had accepted a referendum to give up one third of their RTT, the incentive pay (an amount of 500 € per year), and any wage increases for two years. This is to be closer at the request of management, the costs of the Mexican plant that General Motors Company may entrust the production of its transmissions, instead of the factory in Strasbourg.Between the two plants, General Motors Company is expected to choose the next month, and then seal the future of employees Alsace.

But on Wednesday, after the plebiscite of employees for the purchase of the plant, General Motors Company extension with the unions and the list of "if". The first American manufacturer to add those conditions for resuming the annualization of working time and the normalization of weekends. In plain language this means that employees may be forced to work sometimes less, sometimes more, depending on orders from GM, without compensation to pay for overtime.

An uphill battle

Two requirements that unions say they have discovered Tuesday at a special council of business, and two days of the planned signing Thursday of the takeover agreement."They take us for idiots," growls the CFDT delegate, which supports the agreement Tuesday to recovery. "The conditions of management are becoming increasingly stringent, and one wonders if she really wants to keep the site active, concerned about its side delegate Thierry Stachel CFTC.

However, the management denied today that it amended its terms of recovery, and ensures that the unions were previously aware of every step. "The annualization was well known to the staff representatives and employees as it was under discussion for several weeks. This is one of the measures which have negotiated to give to others who could generate less revenue, "says management.

A further meeting will take place on Wednesday, during which the unions insist that management is satisfied with the measures adopted by referendum.A battle even more difficult than General Motors seems to be the only buyer in contention, and that the deadline for agreement is Friday.

Filed under: business, finance, news, special, top news by admin Comments Off