A turbulent stock market history for Dexia - October 5, 2011

In recent years, Dexia has moved from an institution offering a regular dividend to a penny stock that ruined its shareholders. The action is worth more than 1.06 euro on Tuesday, down 94% in five years. Until 2010, Dexia was part of the CAC 40 after entering in 1999. We now know the epilogue of a story that could be summed up in three parts: the time of ambitions, a last-minute rescue and collapse.

In 1996, the marriage of Credit Local de France and Credit Communal de Belgique is celebrated with great pomp. It gives birth to a bank player in the financing of local authorities in both France and Belgium. Rather than focus on this specialty, the leaders will demonstrate a burning ambition in the years that follow. The acquisitions will increase. Nothing is too good for executives who leave the checkbook repeatedly.No matter if capital does not follow. Access to liquidity seems unlimited and redemptions can be easily financed. Dexia is the time highly rated by rating agencies.

In 1997, Dexia is a 40% stake in the Italian specialist of financing local authorities. Units held will be brought to 60% in 1998. Especially in 2000, Dexia made two acquisitions that will prove disastrous. The property bought FSA in the United States for 2.7 billion euros. This company called credit enhancer has become over the years one of the insurance behemoth of financial securities. Moreover, again in 2000, Dexia bought Bank Labouchere. A few years later, a scandal will cost several hundred billion euros to Dexia. It turns out that customers of Labouchere bought shares on credit, the establishment of incentive. The crash of 2001-2002 and ruined.

Payment of a dividend is known to be regular and copious

At the time, financial analysts and portfolio managers criticize little Dexia. The bank made steady progress in earnings per share. It pays a dividend is known to be regular and plentiful. Many individual shareholders, entered the capital of Crédit Local in 1991 and have remained loyal to Dexia. No one really makes the fact that the risk profile of the bank has been completely changed.

In 2004-2005, Dexia is the subject of many rumors of marriage. Pierre Richard, the head of the bank, Dexia is that merged with the Italian Sanpaolo. He turned down its directors and officers in Italy. In September 2005, leaders refuse to merge with Dexia Fortis. Rumors of an alliance with Societe Generale also circulating, but nothing concrete emerges from the noise corridor.At the end of 2005, the action is close to 20 euros.

In 2006, is welcomed. It enables Dexia to enter the promising market of the local retail banking. In late April 2007, Dexia's most button above historical 24.51 euros.

Its subsidiary FSA is vulnerable

When the subprime crisis broke, the bank is discreet. She knows that its subsidiary FSA is vulnerable. The leaders tried to reassure but the 2008 financial crisis and the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers will put the institution to its knees. In autumn 2008, the CDC, the State and the Belgian regions implement a capital increase of EUR 6.4 billion. In addition, the Belgian, French and Luxembourg governments were forced to implement security to enable the bank to borrow again.

Despite reduction measures and restructuring the balance sheet, and his teams have not managed to recover the bank.The task was daunting given a totally unbalanced balance sheet. The latest figures, Dexia had 6.9 billion euros of capital to 517 billion euros of assets. Shareholders are ruined and no one said that the action could still have value in the coming months. As for local governments, many of them are dissatisfied because the Dexia led to raise loans in Swiss francs to take advantage of the difference in interest rates. Only the value of the Swiss franc has soared, and the weight of loans proved unbearable for many communities.

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Employees of Lafarge in hunger strike - September 28, 2011

To save their jobs, twelve employees of the Lafarge plant in Frangey, in the Yonne, have chosen the weapon of hunger. They begin on Tuesday the eighth consecutive day without food. Their camp of five tents in which they placed cots, is placed just under the windows of the direction of the cement business of the group at Saint-Cloud in Hauts-de-Seine.

With this strong action, these employees, joined by the mayor of the commune of the Yonne, hoping to push Lafarge to reverse its decision, announced in late May to close their factory. Frangey site, dating back over 80 years and employs 74 employees, should gradually close its doors next year to a permanent closure in April 2013.Lafarge justify its decision with "a local market that is reduced by 40% over-capacity and an inability of the site to produce cement that meets new environmental standards."

The CGT, the majority union in the factory, these sweeping arguments. "The business is viable and profitable. And if the activity of the furnaces is low, it is because the traditional customers come from other sites such as Le Havre. And when asked why they prefer to Lafarge as trucks do 500 km to deliver, they can not be explained, "protested Sylvain Moreno, union leader, who understands that this is part of" the strategy of large ". False, answer a spokesman for the cement, "There was never any agreement between Lafarge and its competitors."

"A pool damaged"

As the situation escalates, Lafarge insists that the closure will be without pay.The group "has provided 100% of reclassification with a job on a site of Lafarge Cement in France," said a spokesman. Other support measures include a support for moving expenses, payment of the new rent for 15 years, or the accompanying spouse in finding a new job. "We want a smooth transition because we understand the emotion and anxiety of employees," said she. "If the goal of Lafarge, CAC 40 company, is close to reclassify, industrial activity in France has fallen very low," said Sylvain Moreno for his part.

Meanwhile in Saint-Cloud, Lafarge claims to be in contact "permanent" with the striking employees who received a "medical assistance, psychological and technical" from the group instant payday loan. Lafarge, which does not want this movement drags on, wants to "find an expeditious solution."But the ground is hard to find since the cement does not reverse its decision so that the strikers call for maintaining a pure and simple activity on the site. "I do not know how long this can last, says Sylvain Moreno. But I know that employees are determined to stay the course. We are ready for us to launch legal proceedings against the group to prove a lack of economic reasons, "said trade unionist.

"What is annoying is that it's 74 fewer jobs in the basin of Tonnerre is already quite damaged. Since 2003, 1,100 jobs have already been lost here, "says Maurice Godard, representative of the local union CGT de Tonnerre (Yonne).

Political turn

An extraordinary central committee (CEC), during which the situation will be discussed Frangey, is expected on Thursday. "There will be others.We want to continue the dialogue process, "says one at Lafarge. "There is no social dialogue, slice Sylvain Moreno, who says that management plans to relocate the appointment for he did not take place in Saint-Cloud," which will result in throwing fuel to the fire, "he warns.

Meanwhile, the movement takes a turn more and more political. Yesterday, Manuel Valls, a candidate for the primary PS, passing the camp, said that "Lafarge is able to maintain this site. This is the direction to move because you have to maintain this site. " Before him, the President of the Republic Standing, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, came to see these "employees thrown like dogs" on the basis of arguments that "does not hold water."

The movement seems however not have the desired resonance within the company.A call to stop work was issued Monday on other sites but there has been little follow-up, pushing the CGT to regret "what little humanity" by other employees of the group.

Player Figaro BFM

The difficult conversion of athletes - September 25, 2011

Leaving a few weeks ago his book "When I was Superman," the former professional rugby player Raphael Poulain thought might not meet such a promotion for his first work. His testimony, however, echoes the experience of dozens of former athletes who have not managed early enough or seriously enough after their career. While attempting an acting career, the former player of the French stage is always at RSA …

Carefree, career fantasy, sports drink business … there are many pitfalls to a successful second career. "The Transformation of an elite athlete must be thought as soon as possible, even if the training choices that we made 18 years are not necessarily the same as the desires of end of career," insists Bruno Martini Former goalkeeper of France handball and now general manager of the Paris Handball.

"As soon as possible"

Do nothing in a hurry: the board is now accepted by all players around athlete (coaches, associations, consulting companies to sports, some agents). Many entities are trying to build bridges between the world of sport and of the company. Renault, official partner of the XV of France, has just launched with Proval (union of professional rugby players), a program offering a career to former professional players. One type of initiative more often the values ​​of the sporting world (fighting spirit, a taste for effort …) are highly valued in the business world.

In fact, the discourse is much more difficult to move among young people, especially in sports most media, such as football."Today a young footballer aged 15-16 in the training center already won 500 to 600 euros per month and turned professional at 18, with a nice salary," explains Sébastien Pampanay, director of the Ecole des sports occupations professional, working with football clubs on the training of young athletes. "Even in lesser-known individual sports such as tennis, table tennis a young age of 16 wins in the good clubs from 3500 to 4000 euros net per month. After that, go ask them to pass the exam! "Adds Thierry Maudet, executive director of the National Sports Institute, expertise and performance (INSEP), which trains and prepares high-level individual sports.

Social responsibility of clubs

The less publicized sports such as handball and volleyball are in turn more favorable to a successful conversion.Less concerned with early and huge income, keep young athletes' head on his shoulders. " Especially as their media visibility weaker does not help sponsors and advertising contracts very generous. "Clubs are beginning to understand they have a social responsibility on the support of their post-professional players," said Bruno Martini, 80% of its players are trained parallel.

In rugby, the professionalisation of sport sometimes lose their heads to the younger generations, but those who experienced the period amateur took the lead. With varying success. Kémana Spa, the spa center of Serge Betsen, former International XV of France, filed for bankruptcy earlier this year for lack of sufficient involvement in the management of his company he acknowledges himself.Not enough to scald his brothers studs, "who do not know offline realities professionalism," said Miguel Fernandez, players' agent. " Of the 30 French rugby parties in New Zealand, 14 have a side like Lionel Nallet (mechanical parts), Imanol Harinordoquy (clothing brand) or Vincent Clerc (Team One Group: event and sports marketing).

However, despite the good will, training remains a matter of priorities, and even sacrifices. His 30-year well underway, Bruno Martini had to change twice before finding a club in Nimes framework laid him to spend his degree club manager.

Fault lines as sports

Overall, fault lines affect the earliness and quality of the preparation of a post-career.Whether you are male or female, international sports or not, and in a team sport or individual management of retirement sports varies widely. However, the main difference between the high-profile sports and the more confidential. In the first case, the financial gains will promote a higher awareness of the athlete against the importance of rapidly forming a capital, and form. "In France, only 150 players on the 2000 working professionals do not have to worry financially for a second life project, warns Sébastien Pampanay. However, thinking of his conversion is still not part of the natural gait of a professional football player, unlike other sports where the mentality is different. "

For example, the judoka Décosse Lucie, triple world champion and European champion four of his discipline follows a parallel training as a journalist with the CFJ. A woman in an individual sport, the economy far less developed than that of football or rugby would be aware of any financial potential of his career. But exceptions exist, such as media Mickaël Landreau, footballer and current goalkeeper of the club Lille LOSC, now in training (master of management).

Ultimately, the issue of supervision and training of the athlete according to his discipline are crucial. "There is not a sport, but sports, with different realities, warns of Insep Thierry Maudet. The current problem is that we have cloned the same mode of organization for all disciplines.A gymnast has a volume of training equal or even greater than that of a footballer, to operate in a sport to the economic model does not exist! ". From this point of view, the family and the maturity of the sport often make the difference. "Too many young athletes are not yet aware of these constraints. They dream to come true in their sport, "career" and to live, says the head of school sport. We must make them understand that their responsibility in the field, it should be taken also in life. "

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Total discovered oil off French coast - September 10, 2011

The seabed French hide many treasures. Among them, the black gold. Total announced Friday a hydrocarbon discovery off the coast of French Guiana No teletrack payday loans. An oil rig exploration, which was installed in March to 150 km off the coast of Cayenne, allowed the discovery.

Greece, a popular destination - August 14, 2011

The fall of 6.9% of GDP in the second quarter is not for nothing. While the empty streets of Athens with the approach of August 15, the Greeks are reluctant to take a vacation. According to a survey by the Consumers' Association, six out of ten Greeks will not go this year because of the crisis. Specifically, "46% do not go a week, and only 5% will go over two days," Gianna Karatyni analysis of the Consumers' Association. "Morale is not, but the wallet either. Now the Greeks think twice before leaving, especially when the price of ferry tickets, for example to go to Crete for a family of four with a car, is 600 euros, one quarter of household earnings. A luxury, "she says.

Yet the absence of the Greeks is not visible on the beaches of the islands of the Aegean Sea. And for good reason, this summer, tourists from around the world flock by the thousands.Travel agencies estimate that 20% increase in bookings compared to 2010. "The French are fighting the same record," adds Theodore Chartomatsidis, director of the Hellenic Tourism Office in Paris: "Applications abound every day with our services. The numbers prove it. There is, for now, an increase of at least 28% of French tourists in Greece this year, "says he. "That means they could exceed one million visitors, a figure that was the goal for three years. It is therefore encouraging because with few means of promotion, we have shown that there is another Greek than the economic crisis, like the food for example. The French responded immediately, in solidarity, above all, "he adds.

A safer country as Tunisia and Egypt

In the port of Piraeus, boats, coming and going in the islands of the Aegean Sea, are met.Karine, a French tourist, who came with family, preparing to embark for the island of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese. Impressed by the number of travelers, she concluded that ultimately the economy will be beneficial to Greece: "I think people, especially the French, were frightened by the situation in Tunisia or Egypt. Greece remains a safe country, to which is attached without really knowing him. The holidays are enjoyable, even if sometimes small strikes, "said she. Like many tourists, Karine does not hide his desire to acquire a small house overlooking the sea "if prices fall with the crisis," she says. The property prices have not fallen but never mind, for some tourists, there is an incentive to come back next year.

The Greeks do not let themselves down so far.Some invade the beaches near the capital, while others go for short-haul and less expensive way, almost 30% of Greeks went beyond their prejudices to enjoy the beaches and rates of neighboring Albania.

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SNCF advantage of the good tourist season in France - July 29, 2011

The political crisis of the Maghreb countries, boosting the number of tourists to France this summer, benefits the station. "We see a strong recovery in passenger traffic in France since mid-May," said David Azema, deputy director general strategy and corporate finance. After a difficult start to the year, hit by ongoing work on the network, the TGV of domestic activity recovered in the second quarter, with sales up 4.5% at end June The trend was more spread earlier this year. Throughout the first half, the station achieved a sales increase of 9.5% (6.1% at constant perimeter and constant exchange rates), to 16.3 billion euros. Firmly committed to a recovery plan of its accounts by 2015, it increased its operating margin to 8.4% (against 6.8% at end-June 2010). For the record, she has set a minimum of 10% in 2015."The accounts of the first half showed that we are on track, says David Azema. We do what we said, with the obsession of a return to a satisfactory level of profitability to cover investment needs essential to the quality of service and development. "

In one year, SNCF has stabilized its level of debt (8.7 billion euros) and increased its net profit group share of 478 million euros to 558 million, mainly due to the improvement in profit Financial.

The company is now able to self-finance 92% of its investment. During the first six months, it has invested 1.3 billion euros ($ 1.1 billion from its own funds). A 80%, this is the purchase of equipment (43 TER trains, 20 trains Francilien, 4 TGV trains, 26 locomotives …).

The French should expect more rigorous - July 22, 2011

French, whatever the next president, get ready to shake your belt! Thursday, according to documents as a basis for negotiation, Paris was about to commit, as all the capitals of the euro area that are not within the scope of a program of assistance, to below 3% deficit in 2013 "at the latest." A number in the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, stalled for years, and seems about to revive …

In recent months, France has undertaken vis-à-vis Brussels to reduce the government deficit (state, local government, social security) to 6% of GDP in 2011, 4.6% in 2012 and finally precisely, to 3% in 2013.But this promise of the Fillon government takes a turn this time much more solemn.

The government has already ensured that he would take in Brussels "all necessary measures to respect the path of public finances notified in the stability program." He planned to continue the non-replacement of an official two retiring, reducing the operational expenditure of the state by 10% in three years to review all the operating expenses (66 billion euros) to make the same effort as running costs, and above all to continue the removal of tax and social niches.

On this last point, the new Minister of Economy, Baroin, began to prepare minds to new cuts.It is "very likely that we will go through the Finance Act 2012, beyond the 3 billion reduction in planned niches," he said in an interview with Le Figaro Magazine last week.

Increased tax burden

Because it considers the government's growth forecast (2.5%) too optimistic and they fear that public spending grows at the same pace as the past decade, the Senate Finance Committee has also recently warned that should get up to 11 billion euros of revenue or additional savings next year.

As for the Socialist Party, already in his primary campaign, he will have soon detailing how it intends to meet a commitment that is now required for all political camps if he returned to power next year.Because he wants to play the card of the seriousness, the goal of a return to 3% in 2013 is also included in its program. But for this, less emphasis on spending cuts than on tax burden increased by 50 billion.

The theme of discipline inevitably hover on the presidential campaign.

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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Bourget: the battle begins commands - June 21, 2011

First day of opening of the Paris Air Show and business already struggling for their full long-awaited appointment of professionals. Before an audience of professionals in the aerospace, Nicolas Sarkozy called the area "to meet the challenges of globalization." "If we're not competitive, there is more than aviation industry, he said. There is only one possible strategy, the challenge of globalization by being more innovative, more creative and more competitive. "

The state has "a role" in the strategic industrial sectors, also recalled the president, referring to the "decades of public investment" in aeronautics and the level of credit facilities granted to the defense "despite the crisis ".So it is "no way" to abandon the research tax credit, assured Nicolas Sarkozy, adding that allocations of "20 billion euros of expenses" provided in the large loan will be confirmed "in a few days ".

• Boeing signed the first major order

Qatar Airways opened the show Monday orders. The airline, growing, has ordered six Boeing 777-300 long-haul aircraft ER for a list price of $ 1.7 billion. It already has 25 Boeing, including 15 Boeing 777. "The Boeing 777 continues to play a key role in our development strategy," said the CEO of the national airline of Qatar, Akbar Al Baker.
President Nicolas Sarkozy and Valerie Pécresse, Minister of Higher Education and Research, met the head of EADS, Louis Welsh.

Nicolas Canteloup piles up again on Europe 1 - June 11, 2011

"We just agree with Denis Olivennes. I remain on the morning of Europe 1 for a seventh season, "says the comedian Nicolas Canteloup. "What motivates me is greed. A presidential year is always a strong year and I feel confident on Europe 1. After the departure of the trio Alexandre Bompard, Philippe Balland and Marc-Olivier Fogiel, I hesitated. Then I got to know Guillaume and Denis Olivennes Cahour. And for the next season, I have great sympathy for Bruce Toussaint, I passed through the corridors of Canal +. "Nicolas Canteloup retains its format and schedule 8 5. It has become a pillar of the morning with peak audience of 1.4 to 1.6 million listeners, according to the waves. But the phenomenon goes beyond the antenna. It chronicles the most podcasted Europe 1 and, since Nicolas Canteloup found his character DSK, the replay on the website has doubled.

However, the chronicle of humor during the election period is a difficult exercise. "I am my first audience and I am aware of my responsibility to the antenna. If I flirt with the lines, I know I will not exceed. I will not pay attention to the political balance, the only balance that I respect, is whether or not it's funny, "analyzes the imitator.

William Cahour noon

The decision to stay Canteloup allows Denis Olivennes, CEO of Europe 1, to structure its first fall schedule. It will focus on three major events information with a morning from 7 am to 9 pm 30 entrusted to Bruce Toussaint paperless payday loans. Europe should fall to 1 MIDI William Cahour, replacing Patrick Roger. It retains the chief editor.The third appointment information is presented by Nicolas Poincaré who replaced Nicolas Demorand during the latter's departure as head of Liberation.

With this information, the second pillar will be the entertainment. No name is still stopped to replace Guy Carlier and his ticket mood 7 am 55. Europe 1 denies having proposed this niche Stephane Guillon.

Entertainment side, Jean-Marc Morandini take over the morning at 9 am 30 with a program of media literacy. Then, host Michel Drucker's big show home 10 am 30 noon home surrounded by comedians (as Willy) or beginners. The afternoon will begin with the historical issue Franck Ferrand, who won in a few months. Lawrence Ruquier retains its time slot of 15 pm from 30 to 18 hours.However, Faustine Bollaert is not renewed in early afternoon.

The grid is not completely stopped, and the question of the evening is not yet settled. So far Pierre-Louis Basse hosted a cultural show, "Welcome to Baja."

In this election year, Jean-Pierre Elkabbach memory of the station, retains his interview in the morning and Sunday morning political talk show "Le Grand Rendez-Vous". However, time slot and day of broadcast of the New Issue of Arlette Chabot policy, director of information, are not yet finalized.