International Business News

Between 200 and 300 steelworkers at ArcelorMittal Florange were installed at the outlet from which the finished products of the factory. At the same time opens in La Plaine-Saint-Denis, the French headquarters of ArcelorMittal, a central works council on the future of the site. The ArcelorMittal steel plant in Moselle Florange

Between 200 and 300 steelworkers ArcelorMittal plant Florange (Moselle) Thursday blocked the release of shipments of the site to try to get the direction of restarting blast furnaces shut down since October, said a journalist of AFP. The protesters were installed at the outlet from which the finished products factory, mainly sheet metal coils for the automotive industry. Unions fear the "programmed death" of this site, which employs 5,000 employees, after the announcement of management, last week, the blast furnaces would restart not only in the second quarter. The No. 1 global steel industry maintains that it is just a temporary standby necessary due to insufficient demand.

"We decided to hit Mittal where it hurts: the wallet," the official said CFDT Edward Martin, announcing "a block of unlimited duration." "We will build a war chest, loot the fruit of our labor," he said. At the same time opened in La Plaine-Saint-Denis, the French headquarters of ArcelorMittal, a central works council on the future of Florange site. While its two blast furnaces are dormant for several months, the hot rolling mill train Florange always produces some 200,000 tonnes per month of steel for automotive technology. The site is stocked with steel slabs produced by the ArcelorMittal plant in Dunkirk.  

With this deadlock, the union hopes disrupt production in the automotive industry, has seen one of them, "just-works". ArcelorMittal Florange delivers its finished products manufacturers Peugeot, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Audi and Toyota. This action "punch" is the first conducted by the Inter CGT / CFDT / FO / CFE-CGC, after the occupation of management Monday. The Inter promised she would be "the nightmare of government," until May 6, when the second round of the presidential election. ArcelorMittal has recently decided the final closure of blast furnaces in Liege (Belgium) and Madrid, the other (two in Florange, Lorraine, one in Germany, two in Poland, two in Romania and Czech Republic) were officially launched pending before the upturn in orders.

On Tuesday, President-candidate Nicolas Sarkozy said: "We will make sure that (the Florange) reopens." FO federation of metallurgy has arrested Wednesday group management and government, demanding written commitments on the future of the plant Moselle.

Manitou in the first half is expected to reach its growth target of 15% of sales through an order book expanded, says CEO of the group specializes in forklift elements observers, although it remains cautious about the second half.

The group, which designs equipment for the industries of construction, agriculture and industry, had said in October that it expected growth in sales between 10% and 15% of the whole year.

"For the first half, I think 15% is almost acquired since, again, it is largely conditioned by the order book we have today in the hands," said Jean- Christophe Giroux, in an interview with Reuters. 

"The real question is what will happen in the second half and if the activity will slow or not by then," he added. "We can say that it will or may slow down if for example there was a real credit crunch."

Jean-Christophe Giroux has also confirmed its target of achieving a double digit operating margin in 2014-2015, a period when the turnover is expected to reach one billion from 1.6 to 1.7 euros, against 1.1 billion last year.

Manitou, which is to rival the French and American Haulotte Caterpillar, said in January this year wish to review in depth the organization to improve operational flexibility.

"We feel that we simply are not effective or efficient in our own industrial or operational management," commented Jean-Christophe Giroux. 

According Manitou, farming should improve and could become the fastest growing market this year, generating 45% of turnover, while the construction is affected by the uncertain economic environment in Europe.

"The construction remains depressed in many countries, there is almost no activity in Spain or Portugal, or even in Italy," said Group CEO.

The title Manitou increased 50% since the beginning of the year, bringing its market capitalization to around 700 million euros.

Sanofi announced Wednesday a rise in earnings in the fourth quarter of 2011, helped by the consolidation of Genzyme, reducing its costs and its strong performance in emerging markets and diabetes ; you.

However, affected by the loss of its patents of some of its major drugs including the anticoagulant Plavix, the group confirms that it expects a decline in earnings per share 12% to 15% at constant currency in 2012, an objective in line with its medium term plan. 

In a conference call with reporters, the CEO of Sanofi Chris Viehbacher stressed, however, "that beyond the last brevetaires expirations of certain products in 2012, the strong performance of growth platforms, reduced exposure to future losses patents and progress in R & D position (Sanofi) for a period of sustainable growth ".

As expected, the loss of patent for Plavix and Avapro in the United States should reduce the net income from about 1.4 billion euros in 2012. 

In addition, the American justice confirmed Tuesday the authorization to market a generic version of Lovenox anticoagulant, denying the accused the French laboratory that re U.S. FDA regulator for not having followed the procedures.

Lovenox was one of the top-selling medicines by Sanofi, with sales of close to four billion dollars a year, before the arrival on the market a generic version ; summer 2010.

Meanwhile, Sanofi and its U.S. partner Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that Apotex had paid them 442.2 million worth of damages to which she had e ; tee convicted in the trial for patent infringement of Plavix. 

DIVIDEND TO 2.65 EUROS PER SHARE

Sanofi also announced that improving the production of Genzyme was "well underway" following approval by the U.S. and European health authorities at the new , Framingham, Massachusetts.

The company said that its U.S. subsidiary continues to hope for an improvement of their supplies of Cerezyme (Gaucher disease) as of this month and that globally, the return Total to normal production levels of Fabrazyme (Fabry disease) begin in the second quarter.

Fabrazyme and Cerezyme generated more than $ 1.7 billion in revenue in 2008, before their sales collapse by 29% in 2009 and another 25% the year following a failure in industrial. It is in this context that Sanofi Genzyme acquired in spring 2011 to more than $ 20 billion.

Oddo Securities analyst Jean-Jacques Le Fur said that "the results and predictions of Sanofi are in line with expectations. This means that the group holds out its roadmap and this bodes well for the future "

. the fourth quarter 2011, Sales of Sanofi rose 8.8% (+9.2% at constant exchange rates) to 8.508 million euros (8,535.6 million consensus), operating profit by 11.3% to 2.828 million (consensus 2931.5 million) and net profit by 13% to 2.077 million (consensus 2071.7 million) or 1.56 euro per share (1.55 euro) ..

……. Sales Genzyme, consolidated as of 1 April 2011, rose 7.7% to 2.395 million euros … Under

…… fiscal 2011, Sanofi proposes a dividend of 2.65 euros per share, against 2.50 euros in 2010 ….. ….

Last night was the Superbowl in the U.S.. And as so often with the Americans, unreason was de rigueur. Back on the key figures of the sports event of the year. Giants celebrate their victory against the Patriots after the 2012 Superbowl.

The final of the football championship, best known as the Superbowl, was seen yesterday's New York Giants beat the Patriots in Boston. But the event goes well beyond the sporting aspect.

120 to 500 million viewers

This is the average global audience for a Super Bowl, 90 million Americans. The event is broadcast in 182 countries, representing 88% of world states. It is accessible to a billion people.

$ 250 million in a night of pub

In one night, NBC will have gained about a quarter of a billion dollars. What return on the purchase of human competition, prohibitively expensive. Beginning in 2014, and ESPN TV will pay directly besides $ 6 billion a year to broadcast the entire season. During the Superbowl in 2012, the 30-second spot was coined to 3.5 million. In total, nearly 70 advertisements were broadcast. They are a spectacle in themselves so that some viewers would not watch the match for them. It must be said that brands compete imagination to suggest that the pub looks great. Apple is the gold standard and the video for launch of the first Mac, directed by Ridley Scott and aired at the Superbowl of 1984:

YouTube, the Volkswagen commercial, aired during the Super Bowl 2011, featuring a child dressed as Darth Vader, has amassed 50 million views. This figure is in addition to more than 100 million live views during the game.

This year, the German mark was at it again, with a humorous result. Discover a best of pubs in this Superbowl 2012:

2500 dollars instead

The minimum charge to attend the event. Prices that can rise to $ 800 000 in big suites! In total, there were about 70,000 in the aisles of the stadium in Indianapolis.

4:30 to show …

For one hour before the match only. The Superbowl is more than a sporting event. This is a varied spectacle, with the long awaited national anthem sung by a celebrity (Kelly Clarkson yesterday), but especially the concert halftime. This year, it's Madonna who provided a performance for 30 minutes, whereas in a classic football game, the pause is only 15 minutes.

88 000 match bonus dollars

the amount each player has received the Giants, winners of the match, knowing that a football team has 53 members. The losers, they have still pocketed $ 44 000 each.

The leader of Conti was sentenced to 1200 euros on appeal. The CGT union had already been sentenced to a fine of € 4000 for the sacking of the sub-prefecture of Compiegne in 2009. He then refused to submit to a DNA sample.

The Court of Appeal of Amiens Friday condemned the CGT trade unionist of the old factory Continental, Xavier Mathieu, 1,200 euro fine for refusing his DNA by police.Une fine of 1,000 to 1,500 euros had was required.

The union was acquitted at trial in June 2011 by the Criminal Court in Compiègne. The prosecutor, who had requested a one month suspended prison sentence, had appealed his acquittal. "I am condemned (…), which means they can point back next week and ask me again my DNA and retry me if I refuse," responded Xavier Mathieu, graying beard, wearing a red sweater hoodie and jeans, after deliberation.

The facts date back to the conviction of Xavier Mathieu 4000 euro fine by the Court of Appeal of Amiens for their involvement with workers from Continental to the destruction of the sub-prefecture of Compiegne in April 2009. He then refused to submit to the taking of DNA fingerprinting, as required by law.

The Clairoix tire factory, where he was employed, was closed in early 2010, resulting in the elimination of 1,120 positions. In spring 2009, a labor dispute for several months, including Mr. Mathieu was the emblem-had allowed the workers to get severance extralegal.

"The worst is not fine is to be treated delinquent"

Created in June 1998 to identify DNA from convicted for sexual offenses final, the national computerized DNA (FNAEG) was extended in 2001, 2003 and 2010 to many other crimes. "This is not fine the worst thing is to be condemned, to be treated as a criminal. offenders, it is the leaders of Continental. They are not even thugs, they are criminals. I wanted that (they) are tried for the consequences of closing the box, the economic disaster on people's lives, "he told Mr. Mathieu reporters.

"We are struck by the rather categorical motivation of the court and the refusal to integrate clear and explicit refusal (DNA test) of Xavier Mathieu in the context of social struggle," said Pascal Moussy, collaborator Marie-Laure of Dufresne-Castets, counsel for Xavier Mathieu, in the absence of that ci.Estimant that the judgment of the Court of Appeal of Amiens was "regression," Pascal said that Moussy it would "look closely if it deserves an appeal." "What Xavier (Mathieu) in the same file as rapists and murderers, it is shameful," he told AFP Pierre Summoned, one of about 100 "Conti" came to support the union as it exits the court.  

"Normally, if all goes well, I would not have to go to the Supreme Court because my file will be removed from the file FNAEG (…) as if it were committed" in Amiens in the trial of the union, four candidates Left for president – Eva Joly (EELV), Jean-Luc Melenchon (Left Front), Nathalie Arthaud (LO) and Philip Poutou (NPA) – Xavier Mathieu recalled.

Burberry reported Tuesday a 26% increase, as expected, its adjusted earnings in the first half of fiscal 2011-2012, thanks to sustained consumption of tourists around the world, and confirmed its annual forecast.

"We remain mindful of the uncertainties and ready to respond to them," said in a statement, however, the British manufacturer of waterproof leather goods founded 155 years ago.

It posted a profit before tax and exceptional items of 162 million pounds (190 million euros) over the six months to September 30, 2011, against an average estimate of analysts polled by Reuters of 159 million.

Last month, the group announced quarterly sales exceeded expectations, saying not yet have found the slowdown in demand despite uncertainty about the evolution of global growth.

Burberry has confirmed its ambition to increase its network of outlets around 15% in the second half, including the opening of eight to ten stores in places like China and Latin America, and that a new "flagship" in Paris.

The values ​​of luxury far seem to defy the crisis, but the uncertainties in this highly cyclical, the question remains whether the growth in Asia will escape the crisis.

France is the most fragile countries rated AAA. The elections also reduce the room for maneuver in terms of austerity. The France remains very solvent, judge Bruno Cavalier, chief economist at Oddo Securities. But a drop in spending is essential. The 7 World Trade Center, the headquarters address of the credit rating agency Moody's in New York. You have no doubt about the solvency of France?

No. On many occasions, the rumor current trading rooms said that France was about to lose its AAA. To date, all the rating agencies have reaffirmed that the French note kept a stable outlook. Before the elections, it is this perspective which may be changed more than the note itself. However, the situation of French public finances requires quick adjustments.In addition, the French specificity is that elections are before us.

What the next presidential election is she at risk?

Electoral constraint involves two risks. First, there is a risk of inertia or paralysis pre-election, which forced the choice of economic policy in half measures or even, as we have seen in the extreme case of the United States in malfunctions. In France, the measures announced on August 24 to put the deficit on track were chosen with the clear objective to give no pretext for the corporatism of the public to take to the streets to defend its "social gains". Almost all of the 12 billion euros in savings is to increase the tax burden in a country where government revenues are already over 50% of GDP.

Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe announced Monday his intention to devote one third of the investments of the city housing next year. Housing is the recurrent problem of large cities.

One third of the total investment in the city of Paris will go to housing and 6,000 housing units will be funded in 2012, announced Monday the mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoe in Paris with the Council in 2012 budget guidelines based on "solidarity". Before "crisis," said the mayor of Paris, the city "will intensify its efforts this year to promote solidarity and innovation."

As for 2011, "more than 2 billion euros" will be devoted to solidarity: "It is necessary to preserve and develop the diversity of Paris' Bertrand Delanoë argued, often accused by the UMP Paris to promote "most helpful and easier."

"Housing is about a third of our total investment. 6,000 housing units will be funded in 2012," Mr. Delanoë has announced. For the poor, "we will enhance our efforts to create, by 2014, 2,000 places of emergency shelter," pointing out that this type of accommodation 1700 "have already been funded." He also indicated that 940 nursery places would be funded in 2012 and the extension of the tramway to the door of the chapel is completed.

The UMP denounced the tax increases

On behalf of the UMP, Mayor Jean-Francois Legaret I found that these budget guidelines reflected "disarray" and denounced a "hype tax". "You have increased taxation in all its forms" said Mr Legaret who cited the "increasing every conceivable tax levied on Paris.""During that time, transfer taxes, which are not an adjustment value, represent an 1/7th of all revenue of the city and will likely reach one billion euro of revenue" he said .

For his part, chairman of the NC Yves Pozzo di Borgo attacked the "tax snake that chokes strangle businesses and households," and cited a study of the Paris workshop planning (APUR), which he , has "made the finding of an increasing gap in the territory with a poverty rate of 13.9%, to a regional average of 12.1%." The 2011 budget of the City of Paris in the amount of 7.7 billion euros, is the most important of all French communities.

The group LVMH said on Thursday replaced by Francis Morel Nicolas Beytout to the general direction of Les Echos.

Nicolas Beytout, former managing editor of business daily, was appointed in 2007 after the takeover of the newspaper by the world leader in luxury.

He became editorial writer "for all group titles," said LVMH in a statement.

After weeks of rumors about a possible departure of Nicolas Beytout, LVMH has finally passed the act, while the newspaper Les Echos recorded losses for the second consecutive year.

"Nicolas Beytout is punished for his bad management," they say internally to Echos, where writing is concerned about his appointment as a columnist.

"We know its proximity to Nicolas Sarkozy and the ethical charter signed by the shareholder recognizes the need for a non-partisan editorial in the newspaper," says one.

Les Echos journalists are scheduled to meet Friday morning at a general meeting to discuss the appointment.

The group, in addition to the Les Echos newspaper, magazine Enjeux-Les Echos, Investir, Connaissance des Arts and the station Radio Classique.

General Manager of Le Figaro from 2004 to 2011, Francis Morel was the architect of the development of internet newspaper, owned by the Dassault family, and the revitalization of its sales.

The three main French banks signed Wednesday in mid-session the worst stock market performance of the European banking sector, some operators are continuing to worry about their access to liquidity despite the increase in denials.

At 12:45, while European bank index fell slightly by 0.56%, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale dropping 5.58%, 2.91% and 2.57% respectively.

Some analysts explain the sudden drop in BNP Paribas by the fact that it had best withstood the market turmoil of recent weeks, the course has not, unlike its two competitors, its lowest market in 2009.

For BNP Paribas, which is currently rated at nearly 24 euros, the lowest in 2009 had been hit in January to 20.08 euros.

Christophe Nijdam, an analyst covering the banking sector in Alpha Value, says that fears about the liquidity burden on French banks and the various interventions of politicians and industry have failed to appease the spirits.

Frédéric Oudéa, CEO of Societe Generale and president of the French Banking Federation (FBF), said Wednesday in an interview with Le Figaro, that the situation was "under control" in French banks' liquidity.

"In addition, information Tuesday on fears of withdrawal of deposit of large companies can have a snowball effect," added Christopher Nijdam.

The German group Siemens has withdrawn funds beginning in July of Societe Generale, a source told Reuters that it was due to the underperformance of its investment, but the news was interpreted by some in the market as indicative of the financial health of the bank.

"Foreign investors will not touch these actions (BNP Paribas and Societe Generale) because they are afraid that there are skeletons in the closets of these banks," commented one Paris trader, adding that in his opinion such fears are "totally unfounded".

The decision of Standard & Poor's to lower the sovereign rating of Italy, although it was expected by the markets, also helped fuel the fears of contagion from the crisis of debt in the euro area.