All My Thoughts

Delays of trains: what's changing at the station

March 27, 2012 – 2:10 pm

SNCF will implement at the end of a new system of "Travel Guarantee" to better inform and better compensate for delays or cancellation of a TGV or Intercity train. The six measures under the microscope. The head of the SNCF, Guillaume Pepy, here in 2007.

While the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Paris on Tuesday condemned the SNCF to pay a fine of 1,500 euros to a young woman who said she lost her job because of repeated delays related to the train, the rail group Tuesday presented the new "Travel Guarantee" supposed to restore the confidence of travelers. This is new information system and compensation for non-time performance of TGV trains and Intercity. It has six commitments agreed upon with a dozen consumer groups. SNCF think they should cost him about 50 million euros per year.

A full and immediate repayment after one hour late

If the train is canceled or fails to start after an hour late: SNCF will refund in full, immediately and in cash the ticket even if it is a ticket Prems, non-refundable and non exchangeable . Another possibility for the customer, always if the train is traveling with an hour late: to exchange their ticket at no extra charge, as is the case now. However, it will make the trip within 48 hours on the same route. "This is progress. SNCF becomes aware that the client should be compensated for the delays. It takes into consideration, "said Jean Lenoir, vice president of the FNAUT (The National Federation of Transport Users Associations, who participated in the development of this new system

. The Punctuality: new criterion in the purchase of the ticket

Another change, this time on the side of the passenger information: by buying his ticket, the customer will have access to on-time performance. Thanks a history of delays for each train on the last sixty days, he can make his choice in full knowledge of the facts, "according to the punctuality of trains before," noted Guillaume Pepy, SNCF president. New signage will be implemented: a TGV which is green, it's a train arrives on time, however, the red means that a train has accumulated problems of punctuality.

Moreover, the exact cause of delays over 15 minutes and their possible compensation, will be shown the next day's journey on the internet. This system adds to the existing system, namely a real-time information on schedules and traffic conditions, the station, by telephone at 3635 or infolignes.com.

Coupons from 10 to 30 euros if the journey is up

It is a well known system, the SNCF tickets issued by focusing on overbooked passengers will not show up. But sometimes it gets stuck: when boarding the train, many travelers find themselves without a seat or back seat. Now, the controller will do everything to find free places to ride than a 1:30 or even by putting the customer first class (even if traveling in seconds). If no space is available, the skipper will compensate the traveler from hand to hand by issuing travel vouchers 10, 20 or 30 euros, on account of the coming move. These discounts will be higher or lower depending on the distance traveled and the degree of discomfort.

Taxis when matching missed it

In case of large delay, if the client missed the match, the station "will do what she can so that it reaches its destination," said Jean Lenoir. Translation: it will pay a cab, will introduce bus replacement or new express trains.

Envelopes hourly guarantees to get off the train

The "envelopes schedule guarantees" are eligible for a partial refund of the ticket beyond half an hour late (between 25% and 75% of the price). They are usually distributed at the station. Problem is sometimes the obstacle course to get them. Suddenly, from 31 March, they will be systematically distributed off the train. Exit the long search on the platform.

A faster response by email

Last point: for any claim by mail, the SNCF is committed to responding within a maximum of five days for e-tickets (electronic tickets) from late March and will be extended to all tickets and all claims ( 600,000 per year by mail) by the end of 2012. In 2011, the SNCF has compensated 1.4 million records with a payment of € 21 million

The new scheme should apply from 31 March. Still, this "small cultural revolution" in the words of Guillaume Pepy will be limited to TGV trains and Intercity. But "it is rather small delay repeated every day which is frustrating. We therefore hope that this new system SNCF applies to other categories as well as the TER trains Transiliens," said Mr. Lenoir. Before proceeding, "there is a dissatisfaction with the accuracy of the trains, we expect the trains arrive before-just now, as was the case twenty years ago".

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Stanislas de Quercize Richemont appoints head of Cartier

March 26, 2012 – 4:05 am

Richemont announced Monday the appointment of Stanislas de Quercize at the head of Cartier, replacing CEO Bernard Fornas, which reached 65.

Stanislas de Quercize, joined Richemont in 1989, is currently the head of Van Cleef & Arpels after having officiated for Alfred Dunhill and Montblanc brands. He will take office at the end of the year.

"From Quercize gave up Van Cleef & Arpels since his appointment, making the brand profitable and grow making credibility with buyers of fine jewelry," said Jon Cox, analyst at Kepler Capital Markets.

Cartier, in his view, represents half the sales of Richemont and two-thirds of operating profit.

Stanislas de Quercize cede his position at Van Cleef & Arpels to Nicolas Bos, current creative director and CEO of the brand in North America.

In exchange, the action Richemont, the world of luxury behind the French LVMH, was unchanged at 9.50, to 55.75 francs, while its European sector index took 0.3%.

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European shares fall in mid-session

March 23, 2012 – 3:05 pm

Global equity markets are reluctant Friday, investors wondering about the prospects for growth. After a slight rebound in the morning after four sessions of consolidation, the main European stock markets are down in mid-session, while Wall Street is expected on a Note stable or slightly downward.

In Paris, in mid-session, the CAC 40 was down 0.8% at 3443.28 points. The Dax 30 yields 0.58% and the FTSE 0.47%. The index futures point to a New York opening on Wall Street rather indecisive.

PSA Peugeot-Citroen gained 0.9%. The French manufacturer announced it was studying with General Motors on the feasibility of development of common platforms for large segments of small sedans and minivans.

BT wins more than 5%. The British telecoms operator plans to pay two billion pounds into its pension fund as part of a new nine-year plan more advantageous for shareholders.

The French government raised its economic growth forecast for 2012 to 0.7%, against 0.5% previously, and was lowered to 1.75% for 2013, against 2.0%, said Minister of Economy Baroin. This announcement follows the revision by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), its growth forecast to 0% in the first quarter and 0.2% in the second quarter of 2012.

Moreover, the overall business climate in France has improved significantly in March, to 95 points, an increase of 4 points, according to INSEE.

In the U.S., the indicator of new home sales will allow investors to refine their expectations of recovery in the industry and the economy in general.

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The Tokyo Stock Exchange ended down 0.55%

March 22, 2012 – 3:05 am

The Tokyo Stock Exchange ended down by 0.55% on Wednesday in the wake of Wall Street the previous day amid fears of an economic slowdown in China.

The Nikkei lost 55.50 points to 10,086.49 points, away from its highest of eight and a half months reached Monday to 10,172.64 points. The Topix broader, yielded 9.57 points (1.1%) to 858.78 points.

The export values ​​have suffered from profit taking. Toyota was down 1.54% but still up nearly 38% since the beginning of the year. Nissan has lost 2.92% and Sony dropped 4.47%.

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With Viterra, Glencore diversified into agribusiness

March 20, 2012 – 5:05 pm

Glencore, the world leader in commodities trading, and its partners Richardson and Agrium International, announced Tuesday the acquisition of specialist Canadian grain handling Viterra for 6.1 billion Canadian dollars (4.64 billion euros).

Already in production and marketing of agricultural products, metals, minerals and oil, Glencore seeks to expand its activities in the food, he identified as a growth area.

The Swiss-based group is engaged in another parallel operation to seize the mining group Xstrata for $ 41 billion. 

Offering Glencore on Viterra, 16.25 Canadian dollars per share, was approved unanimously by the Board of Directors of the Canadian group. It complies with current recorded these days by Viterra but it represents a premium of 48% over its closing price on March 8, the day during which the group said he UNPAID ; u expressions of interest.

Shareholders holding 16.5% stake in Viterra, including Alberta Investment Management, the main one, have already given their support to the operation.

If Viterra finally came to accept an offer by another buyer, or if its board of directors withdrew or modified its recommendation, it should pay compensation of 185 million Canadian dollars.

Glencore did not intend to hold within it the entire acquisition. 

Agrium is already scheduled to resume most activities of agricultural products retail Viterra, especially the 34% stake in Canadian Fertilizer, for which he will donate a , 8 billion Canadian dollars to Glencore.

Richardson will take over on its side 23% of the grain handling business and certain assets Viterra processing in North America for $ 800 million.

"The acquisition of Viterra reflects our strong confidence in the importance and future potential in the grain markets in Canada and Australia," said Chris Mahoney, director of product division Agricultural Glencore.

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Qatar wants to enter the supervisory board of Lagardère

March 19, 2012 – 7:05 am

Qatar has increased to 12.8% its stake in the capital of Lagardère and plans to apply for entry to the supervisory board of the media group, we read in a notice published Monday by the Markets Authority (AMF).

Qatar Holding, one arm of sovereign investment fund Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), said holding 12.83% stake in Lagardere and have surpassed the 10% voting rights, to 10.05%.

Qatar Holding says it reserves the right to further increase its stake in the company but said not wanting to take control. 

However, it indicates that it intends to seek appointment to the supervisory board of Lagardère and "talk with any interested actors, as appropriate, to strategic partnerships to the credit ation of long-term value for shareholders, with the stipulation that there is currently no specific plans in this regard ".

Qatar says it is not targeting any merger or reorganization, liquidation or transfer, modification of activity or status of Lagardère. He also says not to consider proposed cancellation or issuance of securities of Lagardère.

Nobody was immediately available for comment at Lagardère announced.

The Qatari fund became the largest shareholder Lagardère in December with 10.07% of the capital, before the family Lagardère (Lagardère Capital & Management), which holds 9.6% .

The market hardly reacted to this information, the Lagardère shares remaining unchanged at 23.56 euros at noon in a market down by 0.75%.

Lagardère has suffered a heavy loss in 2011 (707 million), due to massive write-downs on past sports. (See)

This diversification strategy considered by Arnaud Lagardère, General Partner of the group, ended last year with an operating loss of six million euros, after performance trading below expectations, loss of contract disputes and more.

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0.4% increase in consumer prices in the U.S.

March 16, 2012 – 9:05 am

The consumer prices rose 0.4% in February, their largest increase in ten months due to soaring gasoline prices, according to figures released Friday by the dice ; Department of Labour.

The increase is in line with market expectations.

In January, prices showed an increase of 0.2%.

Gasoline accounted for more than 80% of the increase in consumer prices in February, said the Labor Department.

Excluding volatile prices such as food and energy, inflation remains subdued with an increase of 0.1% in February after a 0.2% gain in January.

The February increase is below market expectations (+0.2%).

The price of gasoline jumped 6%, their largest increase since December 2010. They had gained 0.9% in January.

Food prices were flat last month after rising 0.2% in January.

Over one year, the consumer price as a whole jumped 2.9%, as in January.

Excluding volatile, they rose 2.2% after rising 2.3% in January.

The Federal Reserve said Tuesday that soaring energy costs would result in a temporary rise in prices. In the long term, inflation is expected to be more than 2%, the objective of the central bank.

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Vs. Francois Bayrou. Vinci's boss: follow the debate live

March 14, 2012 – 11:05 pm

The leader of the Modem and Xavier Huillard, the boss of da Vinci, are currently guests of L'Express and L'Expansion, in partnership with the company. Follow the proceedings live with Dailymotion and participate with Twitter. The Institute of Business Expansion and receive, Wednesday, March 14 at 8:30, Francois Bayrou, president of the Movement and Democratic candidate for president, Xavier Huillard, Institute President and CEO of the company of Vinci and economist Jean-Marc Daniel. They will discuss the theme: "Produce in France: what works to restore prosperity?"

In anticipation of upcoming elections, the Institute of Business and Expansion are now Bayrou, president of the Democratic Movement and candidate for president, Xavier Huillard, president of the Business Institute and CEO of Vinci, and the economist Jean-Marc Daniel. They discuss the theme: "Produce in France: what works to restore prosperity?"

The debate is moderated by Franck Dedieu, a journalist at L'Expansion. It is broadcast live on Dailymotion. You can also comment on twitter and ask questions via the # debateco.

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Florange: new lock ArcelorMittal

March 13, 2012 – 9:10 am

Tuesday morning, metallurgists to block access to the new administration buildings of the Florange ArcelorMittal plant in Mosel. Thirty workers wearing jumpers of the CFDT, CGT and FO have improvised a pyre outside the gates with straw bales and wooden pallets.

The fight continues. Metalworkers block since 6:30 this Tuesday access to administrative buildings of the plant ArcelorMittal Florange (Moselle). Thirty workers wearing jumpers of the CFDT, CGT and FO have taken a position before the checkpoint leading to the "big offices" staffed usually several hundred frames.

In the pale light of dawn, the steelworkers have improvised at the gates with a pile of straw bales and wooden pallets. Some managers and administrators have been forced to turn back by the workers protest, fearing an imminent closure of the steelworks. Most of the inside workers hired to 8:00.

"This is once again disrupt production at the site" which is partly controlled from the "big office," said a trade unionist. The blocking is expected to continue throughout the day, he said. This is the second blocking access to the administrative buildings of the factory in less than two weeks.

February 28, fifty steelworkers were blocked for a dozen hours access to "big offices". This blockage was "unacceptable" by the management group's Atlantic-Lorraine. "ArcelorMittal strongly condemns the blocking (…) by a small group of trade unionists (who) and prohibit access to their workplace to the other employees of the company," had found direction in a statement.

Monday, the workers decided to continue meeting in their movement. The Inter announced it would conduct new blockages Tuesday, she would visit all workshops and site Wednesday that it "would rise" in Paris Thursday. A "great national day" demonstration will also be held March 22 in Florange by the CGT on the theme "The industry and the steel industry in France," said the union plans to bring in Lorraine "thousands of French and Belgian steelworkers. "

March 8, direction, accompanied by thirty guards, had taken possession of "large office", February 20 invested by metallurgists to cries of "Mittal, we want to work". Movement by engaging in late February, a CFDT Inter-CGT-FO (GSC / CFE has withdrawn since) had promised to make Florange "the nightmare of government" if the two blast furnaces of the steelworks, dormant for several months, were not given a prompt start. ArcelorMittal ensures it is only a standby temporary, made necessary by an insufficient global demand for steel.

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Wall Street should continue its forward march

March 11, 2012 – 10:30 am

While the week was a bad start, Wall Street finally closed Friday on a weekly gain, which told investors that the expected correction is perhaps not immediately and that the U.S. stock market can continue its momentum.

The S & P 500 benchmark index fund managers, rose 0.1% over the whole of last week, posting its fifth weekly advance in six weeks.

The current upward cycle in the S & P 500 is now five months since the beginning of the year, it was up about 9% after being flat in 2011.

Friday's session marked the third anniversary of a lower-end 12, to 676.53, hit in financial crisis. Since then, the index has more than doubled.

"(…) We'll probably have a bit of respite before the expected correction," said Scott Billeaudeau, portfolio manager at Fifth Third Asset Management.

Market participants explain the good performance of Wall Street by the recent series of U.S. macroeconomic indicators better than expected, suggesting that the upturn to the States United gaining momentum.

The latest example, the employment figures for the month of February, with 227,000 non-farm jobs created last month, against 210,000 expected by economists and an unemployment rate remained at , its lowest level in three years, to 8.3%. 

Although the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) said on Friday that Greece had triggered a credit event by enabling legislation requiring all private creditors to take losses, the Greek record ceases, the moment of worry.

The announcement came after the ISDA confirmation that Greece had managed to avoid an imminent default, for the largest restructuring of sovereign debt ever held e.

LOTS OF CASH

"Concerns about Greece will not disappear at once, but the nightmare scenario has been avoided (…)" noted Leo Grohowski , Investment Officer at BNY Mellon Wealth Management. 

Natalie Trunow, which occupies the same position at Calvert Investment Management, believes there could be a setback for U.S. equities in the short term, adding that any such reduction will not be drastic.

"There is so much money in the institutional and individual portfolios (…) long term evolution is increasing," she said.

From a technical standpoint, the indices evolve to a level close to thresholds of resistance. Their crossing or not could be decisive in shaping the market next week, said Chris Burba (Standard & Poor's).

The statements of the Federal Reserve after its decision on interest rates Tuesday (18:15 GMT) will also be well attended, the slightest indication of the Fed's intentions regarding possible new measures to support the economy is likely to give a boost to Wall Street.

Despite improvements in the labor market, a majority of "primary dealers", these intermediaries who deal directly with the Fed, think the Fed will eventually launch this year th a new program of quantitative easing, according to a Reuters poll. 

Compared to a previous survey of this type, the size of the "QE3" however, was estimated to decrease to $ 525 billion, 600 billion against anticipated s last month.

With over a barrel of U.S. crude which settled above $ 100, the data on producer prices and consumer, respectively scheduled Tuesday and Friday , will be well attended.

Among other indicators set next week include retail sales (Tuesday or the index of consumer confidence measured by the Reuters / University of Michigan Thursday).

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