Archive for August, 2010

30
Aug

The recovery of Coface credibility to a formal exchange

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Coface, which announced Monday a further improvement in results due to the recovery of its performance in the insurance authorized by a decrease in claims and believes that its results any credibility to public offerings.

The credit insurer, 100% subsidiary of Natixis, the subject of strategic thinking since last February in BPCE, parent company of Natixis on his future within the banking group.

Commenting on the results of Coface published on Monday its chief executive, Jerome Cazes, said at a press conference that discussions had not been completed and that there was "no urgency".

However, he said "feel that the scenario of a public offerings in 2011 is gaining credibility with the results" the first half.

The credit insurer is considered unlikely scenario of recurrent growth under the policy followed by recovery in the United States and China and the dynamism of world trade, and expects a further improvement in claims in the second half.

"This situation (macroeconomic) can anticipate the second half a further improvement in claims, continued cost control and growth turned positive in its turnover," notes Jerome Cazes.

The company saw its second quarter results continued the recovery started in the last quarter of 2009, with operating income of 31 million euros after a loss of 76 million a year earlier and a positive result of 24 million in the first quarter of year.

PERFORMANCE ASSURANCE

Driven mainly by the insurance, which rebounded thanks to a decline in claims, despite a turnover fell 2% at constant rates to 303 million euros while the ratio claims fell to 59% in the second quarter, against 63% in the first.

Coface's objective is a loss ratio between 45% and 50% in the next 18 months as well as productivity gains three points per year.

Operating income from insurance activities has reached 31 million euros, against a loss of 126 million a year earlier and a positive result of 24 million in the first quarter of 2010.

In services, where sales fell 8% to 65 million euros, operating profit was halved to six million euros while in factoring it increased to 10 million EUR cons has a two million earlier, on sales up sharply (+21% to 29 million euros)

Net profit stood at 20 million euros, against a loss of 37 million a year earlier and a profit of 15 million in the first quarter.

Shareholders' equity improved to 1.311 million euros, signing up 21% from the end of 2009 and 11% from the end of 2007, before the outbreak of the financial crisis, mainly driven by the capital increase occurred at Natixis first quarter.

As part of its strategic plan 2010-2012, after which Coface is a net profit of 250 million euros, the group also wants to become a rating agency that specializes in financial firms.

In response to criticisms of credit insurance during the crisis, the company has introduced a free access to its insured ratings to their clients.

27
Aug

Boeing will delay delivery of the first 787 Dreamliner

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The first Boeing 787 Dreamliner should be shipped in the first quarter of 2011 because of a delay in availability of engines, said Friday the aircraft manufacturer.

The delivery date for the Dreamliner has been delayed, as these engines are necessary to the ultimate test flights, will be available until the fall, said Boeing.

The U.S. group is working with Rolls-Royce for faster delivery.

Last month, Boeing announced that the first delivery of the aircraft could be delayed into the early weeks of 2011, due to a series of difficulties.

However, the group said on Friday that the new schedule would not impact on the group's financial forecasts.

The testing schedule of flights will actually preserved Boeing said.

26
Aug

ABN Amro has lost nearly one billion euros in first half

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ABN Amro, nationalized by the Netherlands at the height of the crisis, said Thursday that most of the charges related to the integration of Fortis Bank Nederland was behind her while reporting a half year loss of nearly one billion euros.

The bank warned in May it expected to massive losses for the first half of the year due to a very high volume of loads.

It launched in June a new warning, explaining that its losses would be higher still, because of additional charges that Fortis would go for legal reasons.

On Thursday, the number one Dutch asset management and retail banking from third countries, has not yielded much information on the reasons for these provisions, but said they were "connected with international activities conducted in the past. "

The state has spent more than 26 billion euros to buy ABN Amro and support, making this rescue one of the most expensive in the world.Its managing director Gerrit Zalm said it was unlikely that the taxpayer comes one day even.

The owner of the bank said on Thursday he expected that the integration of schools is finalized by the end of 2012 and the government should find a way out for the group between 2013 and 2015.

The CFO Jan van Rutte meanwhile estimated that the costs of integration were mostly gone.The operation, however, should lead the bank to pass a new charge of 400 million euros in the second half.

Current profit stood at 325 million euros during the first half, partly due to higher net income from interest, while the impairment of assets decreased by more than half.

ABN Amro, however, reported a net loss of 968 million euros, including a charge of integration of 481 million euros and 812 million loss on assets sold to Deutsche Bank under any injunctions European competition authorities.

She also had to spend 265 million euros in additional legal expenses.

24
Aug

U.S. GDP and employment have benefited from the recovery plan in Q2

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The plan to support the U.S. economy contributed 4.5% in real gross domestic product in the second quarter of 2010 and allowed to deliver up to 3.3 million people in employment, said Tuesday Budget Office Congress (OBC).

The CBO estimates, a bipartisan agency, believes the support plan, whose effects are challenged by the Republican Party, has prevented the economy contracted between April and June

Economists polled by Reuters expect the revised figures, which will be released Friday, show that GDP grew at an anemic pace of 1.4% in the second quarter, less than the 1.7% increase announced in the first estimate.

The CBO also estimates that support plan has put between 1.4 and 3.3 million jobs in the second quarter.

The total cost of the plan to support the U.S. economy should come out to 814 billion dollars while the CBO anticipated amount of around 862 billion dollars from a previous estimate.

23
Aug

The values to follow the U.S. markets

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List of key values to follow Monday on Wall Street.

CAMPBELL SOUP *

The group is considering a power supply of 1.5 billion pounds (2.3 billion dollars) on the activities of Britain's United Biscuits Cookies, reported the Sunday Times.

The U.S. group is not interested in the industry "snacks" of United Biscuits bought in 2006 by Blackstone and PAI Partners and that they intend to sell, according to information published by Reuters last month.

Closing price: 36.64 dollars.

* HEWLETT-PACKARD

* 3PAR

* DELL

Hewlett-Packard said Monday it proposed to acquire the data storage company 3PAR priced at $ 24 per share in cash, competing with the offer made last week by rival Dell.

The proposed HP is 33% larger supply of Dell, which accounted for at the time of its announcement a premium of 87% over the course of 3PAR.

The action of 3PAR blazing 37% in pre-market trade after the announcement of the offer from HP.The action of the computer group yielded 1.0%, however.

Closing Speaker: U.S. $ 39.85

Closing 3PAR: U.S. $ 18.04

Closing Dell: 12.07 dollars

* AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP

The U.S. Federal Reserve plans to reduce approximately 3.6 billion dollars (2.8 billion) credit line open to the insurer, which illustrates the growing confidence of the authorities in the group's ability to do without public support, Bloomberg reported, quoting an informed source project.

In addition, ILFC, the aircraft leasing subsidiary of the group, has paid nearly four billion dollars by the Fed after raising capital from private investors, officials said Sunday close to the matter.

Closing price: 35.17 dollars.

* 3M

The U.S. industrial conglomerate could spend about two billion dollars (1.6 billion) on acquisitions this year, twice more than its previous estimate, said Monday its chief executive in an interview with Reuters.

Closing price: U.S. $ 80.66

* AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS

The share of industrial gases group could grow by 20% within a year if its offer AIRG fails or if it ends at a price less than $ 70, says Barron's in its latest edition.

The offer values currently Airgas to 63.50 dollars per share.

Closing price: 75.01 dollars.

* WASHINGTON POST

After declining in recent weeks, triggered by concerns raised by its Kaplan education subsidiary, the title is outrageously cheap, says Barron's.

Closing price: 347.68 dollars.

21
Aug

Officials of private general rise of wages?

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We knew the salaries of civil servants threatened by pension reform. But the government also plans to "freeze outright index point" of wages in the public service, which sets about 80% of salary for civil servants, understands the newspaper Les Echos. And until 2013.Wage negotiations, which open Friday could even jeopardize the 0.5% long planned for July 1.

Also read on the subject: Austerity: those who will drink

Secretary of State for Public Service, George Tron, has nevertheless delivered Tuesday, as pesonnel in favor of maintaining the increase July 1, which had been recorded during the last negotiations three years. "J 'I like Eric Woerth (Labour Minister), tend to think that when a commitment is made, it is good policy to keep it, "he said before adding that while" it is all not adjudicated "and that" several scenarios are considered.

In contrast, the gel appears to be non-negotiable for the period 2011-2013. "You can not ask a staff effort, just as all the French, and automatically catch the fly.The question of the contribution rate is not mentioned in salary discussions, this has nothing to do, "said the Secretary of State for Public Service for Echoes.

The pension reform provides for a gradual alignment of contributions from the public over the private, the rate should increase from 7.85% currently to 10.55% in 2020. An increase of 0.27% per year. Rising wages would be a way to limit or even maintenair purchasing power of public servants.Meanwhile, these leaks could fuel the action on Thursday against government plans, whose intensity could influence the final decision.

According to Les Echos, it could attempt to sweeten the pill by putting forward measures and targeted wage clause "good fortune" that would revert to freeze possible if growth better than expected.

Tuesday afternoon, the Labour Minister Eric Woerth has sought reassurance by stating that the state "will not decrease the salary of civil servants". He added: "The remuneration of an employee, not only point to the index, because they always say, X%. This is the point index," but " there is a second part of the remuneration that is the evolution of employee remuneration in a grid. It is about 2% per year, average increase of purchasing power, "he said.

If freezing point index, "the purchasing power of employees fall by nearly 7% in three years" because of the risks of higher inflation, responded Jean-Marc Canon, Secretary General CGT officials.

06
Aug

AIG Exceeds Expectations, discusses privatization

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American International Group (AIG) publishes quarterly results better than expected and announced that he had initiated discussions to be free from state control.

The U.S. insurer, owned nearly 80% by the state since his emergency rescue in September 2008, published for the second quarter a net loss of 2.7 billion dollars (2.05 billion euros) or $ 3.96 per share, against a profit of $ 1.8 billion ($ 2.3 per share) over the corresponding period last year.

The loss resulted primarily from an impairment charge of $ 3.3 billion.

Adjusted data, AIG reports a profit of 1.3 billion dollars ($ 1.99 per share), against 1.1 billion dollar ($ 1.71 per share) a year earlier.

"The situation is quite stable," said Bill Bergman, an analyst at Morningstar. "Stabilization does not mean growth or strong growth, but it seems to take this path."

The panel also said he began talking with the New York Federal Reserve, the Treasury Department and directors of AIG Credit Facility Trust on a strategy to "enable the State to break its relationship with AIG owner" .

BOND EXCHANGE OF TITLE

On Wall Street, AIG earned under 5.2%, to 41.98 dollars around 1400 GMT, while the Dow Jones index yielded 0.2%.Since the beginning of the action took 33% while the S & P's insurance sector grew by only 7%.

The general insurance business of AIG, Chartis, posted an operating profit of $ 955 million before taking into account net realized capital gains, cons generated one billion dollars a year earlier.

Chartis had to record $ 287 million of losses from catastrophes in the quarter, including that relating to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

"There are a result of major operational and stable in general insurance business," said Bill Bergman.

SunAmerica Financial Group, a division of AIG specializes in retirement services and life insurance, for its part, recorded an operating income excluding net realized capital gains of $ 1.1 billion, against 254 million generated a year earlier.

"The results of operations of the insurance company remains strong and continues to implement its restructuring plans and to prepare its separation from the U.S. government," said AIG Chief Executive Robert Benmosche .

The latter looks to the future with AIG SunAmerica and Chartis the heart of its business.

The Life business group have generated earnings before taxes of $ 604 million while $ 314 million a year earlier.

American International Assurance (AIA), which should be introduced on the stock exchange after its failed sale to Prudential, has made the most of this result, through its investments.

AIG Financial Products, a subsidiary of derivative origin of the troubles the group in 2008, reduced the notional amount of derivatives in its portfolio of approximately 602.4 billion dollars at June 30, down 36% compared the end of 2009.

05
Aug

The Paris Bourse opens down slightly, EDF climbs

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The Paris Bourse continued its consolidation Wednesday despite a series of good results of the CAC 40 falling in the wake of Wall Street reacted negatively to the latest figures on the eve of consumption and the U.S. real estate.

At 9:28, the CAC 40 index shows a decline of 0.38% to 3733.14 points after losing 0.12% on Tuesday.

Investors will pay attention this afternoon at the United States publication of the ADP employment survey and the ISM services.

EDF wins 4.1%, highest increase in the ACC after the announcement of an increase in electricity tariffs from 15 August.These price increases are in the top end of market expectations.

Societe Generale, which opened up 3%, gaining 0.8% after posting better than expected results for the second quarter with a decline in its provisions and a stronger than expected growth in revenues.

Nexity yields 2.3%, largest drop in the SRD. Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economy, has announced a zero-interest loan to replace the enhanced tax credit on the loan interest.

Other major European markets are also down: London and Frankfurt lost 0.8% 0.52%.As for the European indices, the EuroStoxx 50 yields 0.62% and 0.67% Eurofirst 300.

The euro is stronger after a break of recent days and is trading around 1.3205 dollars, as U.S. crude, which trades at 82.16 dollars a barrel.

03
Aug

Procter & Gamble missed the consensus Q4

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Procter & Gamble announces earnings below expectations during the fourth quarter, sales growth could not offset higher marketing expenses.

The group of consumer products said that investments in new products launched this year – Pampers Dry Max, ProGlide Fusion razor and tooth whitening strips Crest 3D White outpaced growth of 5% of turnover 'net sales.

"Next year will be another great year of innovation for us and we will invest accordingly," said CFO Jon Moeller, during a teleconference with the press.

Net income for the quarter ended June 30 was $ 2.19 billion, or 71 cents per share, against 2.47 billion (80 cents) a year earlier.The Thomson Reuters consensus I / B / E / S gave an EPS of 73 cents.

The turnover stood at 18.93 billion dollars (19.1 billion consensus).

P & G expects earnings per share of 97 cents to $ 1.01 in the first quarter of the year, and an organic growth of 3% to 5%.

Effects of unfavorable exchange rates would reduce net revenue growth of 3%.

Analysts are waiting for their share of $ 1.04 a share, in the first quarter.

The share lost 5.3% to 59.77 dollars in pre-market after these announcements.

02
Aug

Accelerated decline in provisions for BNP Paribas in Q2

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BNP Paribas publishes a net profit increase of 31.2% for the second quarter, above expectations, thanks to a sharper than expected decline in provisions for bad loans, offsetting lower revenues from its market activities.

The second bank in the euro zone by market capitalization, after Spain's Santander, said in a statement that recorded a net profit of 2.105 billion euros in the quarter ended June 30, with net banking income up 11 , 8% to 11.17 billion.

His provisions for risk of loss on the credit fell by 53.9% to 1.08 billion euros.

The consensus of the writing for Reuters on average expected a net increase of only 8% to 1.7 billion euros and provisions were down 36%.

BNP Paribas also said to be "ahead" on its program of synergies from the integration of the Belgian bank Fortis acquired last year, with 402 million euros of synergies on a target of 900 million.

In corporate finance and investment, the decline in profit before tax is also less than expected at 16.4% in the second quarter against 20% expected by the market.

Elsewhere in Europe, Swiss banks UBS and Credit Suisse have also announced last week the quarterly results above market expectations.

The German group Deutsche Bank's side recorded a drop in supplies.

The European banking sector has benefited in recent days a series of good news.

The results of stress tests that have been submitted 91 banks in the European Union and the announcement by the Basel Committee that it would make its proposed regulations have indeed helped to allay investor concerns about the soundness of sector balance sheets.

Since the beginning of the year, the benchmark Stoxx 600 European banks rose 0.36%. The action of BNP Paribas has cut its losses recently but it is still in decline of 5.7% since 1 January.

Societe Generale, the second French bank by market capitalization, reports earnings on Wednesday.