October 1, Groupe Lucien Barriere should take his first steps on the Exchange. Wednesday night, after the close of trading, Accor announced it was withdrawing the offer to sell its 49% stake in Barrier lack of interest. "This participation is valued between 500 and 700 million euros", explained Gilles Pelisson Le Figaro (our editions of February 25).

By renouncing the transfer, it actually cancels the operation. Groupe Lucien Barriere securities were offered for sale at a price between EUR 16.10 and EUR 19.60.The final price for the placing on the market would normally be announced today, to allow the first steps Fellows casino operator tomorrow.

The Paris market does not like this ad: shortly after the opening of the Paris Stock Exchange on Thursday morning, Accor sells 2.5% thus registering one of the largest declines in the Cac 40, which fell for his part 0.6%.

Operation deemed "unclear"

"The operation was not obvious," says one banker specializing in fundraising. The segment of mid-cap companies is complex by nature and the sector does not dream of investors.The stock market performance of comparable, as Partouche, really did not plead for Barrier. "An argument partially taken over by Accor attributes that failure to both bad timing, a failure to market the casino sector, comparable to some carriers , referring to him as well, but a hint rival Partouche.

Accor justifies its decision, which took down many observers, the lack of investor enthusiasm for this band best known for its casinos but also has hotels, restaurants and bars, including the Fouquet's. "The offer did not meet the expected success in the proposed price range," says a spokeswoman for Accor.

A disposal plan quickfire

In an attempt to reassure the French number one in the hotel said that he is ahead in terms of asset sales it had set.In May 2010, he was 2 billion euros in sales by 2013, mainly walls of hotels. This year it was to achieve 450 million euros. The group should be ahead of its plan from 150 to 200 million by the end of the year.

In addition, good half also helped to strengthen Accor's finances. The abandonment of the sale should not have any impact on the balance sheet. This participation has been deconsolidated and should remain so for at least a year. However, "the group's debt was to be accelerated will now at a normal pace," said Gilles Pelisson warned Wednesday that "always said" it does not curtail Lucien Barriere.

Nevertheless, the sale of the stake in Barrier should be only a postponement. It remains a "non-strategic assets." All options are open again, including the search for an investor.This hypothesis has yet been abandoned once, management of the IPO Barrier preferring this solution.

Gilles Pelisson has reiterated "confident in the prospects of the group" remains "a great asset." Accor also claims to have "the ability to continue its expansion while retaining its stake in Groupe Lucien Barrière to benefit from the expected value creation."

The deficit in the general scheme of Social Security will reach 23.2 billion euros this year, according to the forecast this afternoon will validate the Accounts Commission's safety. In other words, 7.5% of expenditure for the year are financed by borrowing. Although historical, this "hole" is less than $ 3.6 billion from the previous forecast, made in June and more than 7 billion from the budget voted by parliament a year ago. Explanation: The payroll is rising again, resulting in less revenue than expected catastrophic.

Added to this deficit than the Old Age Solidarity Fund (4.3 billion), which funds the minimum pension and includes support for pension contributions for the unemployed personal business card. This latter expenditure has obviously exploded, while revenues from the VSF were reduced following two surplus years (2007-2008).His situation is now critical ", warns the Commission.

In 2011, the deficit would reach 28.6 billion general scheme, and that of FSV, 4 billion. But this figure does not include corrective measures that the government will present this afternoon (pension reform, lower reimbursement of some drugs, reduced costs or radiology tests médiacles …), in order to wreak havoc.

"Want to go to bed with Virgin?". True to its provocative spirit, that is how the British billionaire Richard Branson, Virgin founder, introduces its new Internet gambling: an open chain of luxury hotels. "Our next adventure: Virgin Hotels, Virgin announcement on the site virginhotels.com. Rapid presentation of the project lies in two pages, but the future hotels Virgin already promised to shake up the sector. "All the industries in which Virgin has challenged will never be like before," said Richard Branson, who built an empire now both in air transport, media, mobile phones, music, sports clubs , financial services, travel and even space tourism.

Richard Branson has repurchase up to $ 500 million of properties in the three years to make a name in the hospitality industry.For this, he created a real estate development company in partnership with the entrepreneur and the investor Alberto Beeck hotelier Diego Lowenstein. To carry out its projects, it seeks other partners with whom Virgin Hotels promises to be "flexible."

Initially, the target group of large cities in North America: New York, San Francisco, Miami, Los Angeles, Boston and Washington DC. Eventually, his ambitions are global. "With more than twenty-five years in the transportation sector, Virgin corresponds perfectly to the hospitality industry."

Highly competitive

Its hotels have a quality of service "four stars" and their size can vary from 150 to 400 rooms. They will be targeted at "creative urban populations and high income and highly educated." As a priority, it is millions of travelers on airlines Virgin Atlantic."Our customers want innovation and excellence, and our four-star hotels will provide exactly that," promises Virgin Hotels, explaining: "Our goal is to redefine the travel customer since before their arrival until their departure. "

This foray into the luxury hotel business is a gamble. Richard Branson will find its place in a very competitive industry, health intimately linked to global macroeconomic conditions. The businessman is not his first brilliant stroke and remains true to its strategy: repudiate its mark in all public sectors. Virgin currently represents over 300 companies to its brand, including Virgin Atlantic Airways, Virgin Mobile, Virgin Megastores, Virgin Holidays, as well as Virgin Cola, Virgin Trains … This conglomerate, employing approximately 50,000 people in thirty countries, generated $ 18 billion in sales last year.

Reserve growth decidedly surprises in France. The gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.7% in the second quarter, according to detailed figures from INSEE published Friday. The previous estimate was counting on 0.6% growth, after 0.2% in the first quarter. The government expects growth of at least 1.5% this year.

If the replenishment of stocks of companies largely explains the upturn in activity from April to June, consumer demand and investment are starting to rebound. After eight quarters of decline, companies are investing again (+0.8% in the second quarter after falling 0.9% in first). After stagnating, consumption rebounded to 0.3%.

In contrast, foreign trade-weighted growth.Imports deducted from the calculation of GDP, grew faster (+3.9%) than exports (+2.8%).

This recovery was accompanied by an increase in the purchasing power of households by 0.9% from 0.6% in the first quarter. "This change is due partly to the acceleration of payroll (+0.9% after +0.8%), due to higher employment and activity and also a slowing of the taxes on income and wealth, "explains INSEE.

After the food distribution and air transport, the shock wave reaches the low-cost optics. Two brands at bargain prices have emerged: Hans Anders and Lun's Eyewear, a new brand of Krys Cooperative Group. "The growth of low cost is dramatically since a few months," said Cedric Rossi, an analyst at Aurel-BGC. "This market is perhaps 8-10% of the total, a turnover of around 500million euros," said one expert, recalling the pioneering role of Alain Afflelou in the price war. This has created Claro, a chain offering special rates for children under 18.

To ensure competitive prices, operators are cutting back on their margins and sometimes sourcing in China. "The effects of the crisis are felt everywhere," says Cedric Rossi. In the end, consumers limit their spending to the frames of eyeglasses.In contrast, for sunglasses, branded products, which generate some nice margins are still being sought. "

Hans Anders, Dutch pioneer of low cost, continues to spread in France. His credo: eyeglasses at a single price to 45 euros, while the average is between 150 and 200 euros. "The insured less well covered are seeking new solutions," said Camille Rouze, marketing manager of Hans Anders France. Today we have 48 outlets in France. Affiliated with our future, we hope to open thirty stores a year. "The network does not communicate its 2009 revenue, but ensures that it is growing every year by 150%.

Long away from this, large retailers have entered the dance. Krys Group (Krys, Lynx, Vision Plus, Vision Originale) since 2009 developing its chain Eyewear's Mon malls."The advent of low-cost phenomenon seemed inevitable in view," says Arnaud Ploix, CEO Krys Group.

Krys's stores renamed Mon Eyewear

Some shops will change soon grouping of teachers and provide eyeglasses from 60euros. "We will give a boost," said Arnaud Ploix we want from 25 stores currently to 200 stores in 2013. "

Since 2002, sales to opticians risen 30% and this year should reach 5.4 billion euros, according to the institute Xerfi France. If the increase is expected to continue in 2011 (+2%), fear Xerfi market saturation in the medium term. This could accelerate the pressure on prices and encourage offerings at discounted prices. Especially at the same time, the number of stores should continue to increase with the arrival of new graduates (2000 year).

In recent years, the average revenue per store was down. However, said Xerfi, the rate of net profit sector still remains very comfortable with 5.6% of turnover.

ALSO READ:

"Easy-verres.com invents glasses kit online

The bar will light up 3800 points 17.15. And at no time will the CAC 40 managed to board above this threshold. At the close, the CAC 40 lost 0.10% to 3784.40 points, after playing in the green all day. The London Stock Exchange was down 0.47% to 5576.19 points and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange dropped 0.30% to 6275.98 points. On Tuesday, shortly before 10:00 am, the CAC 40 has exceeded the threshold he had not seen since May 3 last, or almost five months ago, after three attempts.

This course is psychologically important. Once the index will reach Paris to climb beyond 3810 points, the CAC 40 "take a serious option to move to a new bull cycle development, with the highest annual line of sight, around 4090 points a horizon of two to three months' payday loan. "Significant resistance has been exceeded in the U.S.. The Dow Jones has broken the resistance of 10,720 points.The S & P 500 ended at a high of 4 months, surpassing the 1130 points, is there be analyzing graphs.

Evolution of the CAC 40 for 6 months.

Wuhan, about 900 kilometers west of Shanghai, is ready to pay the price for Air France moved into its airport. According to The Tribune on Tuesday, the secretary general of the Communist Party of the city, Yang Song, said in an interview with Dominique Bussereau, French Secretary of State for Transport on September 13 last he was ready to subsidize the French company if it decides to serve Wuhan.

30,000 euros per flight

The Chinese Communist Party is said and ready to put on the table 30,000 euros per flight during the first year of operation only. Or 300 euros per return ticket, which costs at least EUR 840, calculates the Tribune.

When asked, a spokesman for Air France declined to comment on this information figaro.fr.Knowing that a long-haul becomes profitable after one or two years of service, the proposal represents Yang Song attractive financial aid for the airline payday lenders.

This first European carrier in China, Air France-KLM already flies to six cities, providing 109 flights per week with partner China Southern and China Eastern.

A new business class

Air France on Tuesday also unveiled its new class affaires.Selon BFM radio: Each passenger will receive a seat that transforms into a bed two meters, the largest individual screens, new storage rooms and individual floor modernized … These facilities should be present on the Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 from the spring 2011.

In total, the airline would invest 110 million euros over the next two years to boost its business class.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) does not consider and if necessary additional assistance to Greece and help him avoid defaulting on its debt, said on Friday the Wall Street Journal, citing "a person familiar with the matter."

The exceptional support that Greece has received "does not in itself any kind of agreement with the IMF added later after the expiration of the current agreement in three years," according to the source quoted by the newspaper.

In May, Greece, heavily in debt, has received financial support from the EU and IMF, with a loan of 110 billion euros over three years in exchange for fiscal austerity measures to avoid bankruptcy the country. The IMF has supported third of the credit.

In a brief article entitled "IMF suggests further assistance to Greece," the business daily said the U.S. for the first time since spring, the IMF launched a signal indicating that he would not abandon the Greece if the country could not regain market confidence despite the implementation of reforms in the agreement.

The Greek finance minister George Papaconstantinou, this week conducted a mini-tour of the three main financial centers in Europe London, Paris and Frankfurt to try to convince international investors to buy debt Greek, showing them the progress .

According to the Greek press, the minister declined to comment on a possible extension of IMF assistance to the maturity of the support plan for three years.Some analysts do not exclude that the threat of bankruptcy resurface in 2013, the loan term the euro area and the IMF.

While they are not convinced that this country does not restructure its huge debt, a move that would require a suspension of payment, investors refuse to Athens long-term loans were too risky. This denial requires Greece to increase fundraising and repayments in the short term, to a pressure of permanent market.

As announced in Le Figaro, the price of tobacco will increase by 6% before the end of 2010. Budget Minister Francois Baroin, confirmed on Thursday before the annual convention of tobacconists in Paris. by this announcement, the minister wants to "respond positively to demand higher prices from manufacturers and suppliers to a level similar to that of last year, about 6%, before the end of this year. " The previous increase was from November 2009.

Little effect for the previous increase

Budget Minister said that the increase was "moderate and reasonable" and consistent with the Cancer Plan 2, detailed a year ago by the President of the Republic.He said that "ensure" that future price increases are also "moderate and reasonable," "smoothly could destabilize the activity" of tobacconists guaranteed high risk personal loans.

Jusuqu'à today, Economy Minister Christine Lagarde, did not confirm the possibility of a rise while a spokesperson for one manufacturer admitted holding "discussions with the administration" while asserting that "nothing was yet act".

The previous increase had only little effect on cigarette sales, pushing down from 0.2% the number of packs sold between January and August 2010 compared to the same period of 2009.But in value terms, the tobacco market grew by more than 5% over the same period due to higher prices for the benefit of the state (taxes account for 80% of the price of a packet) tobacconists (which remuneration are 8% on every package sold) and industry.

ALSO READ:

"The hope of protection against lung cancer

"Lung cancer: a gene predisposing

It still does not sleep well at Paris airport Charles de Gaulle (CDG) at Roissy. This piles up again in effect for the few coveted spot of the world's worst airport for travelers who must spend a night in transit, after the site sleepinginairports.net.

Customers can vote on this site every year since 1996 to elect the 10 best and 10 worst airports in the world to spend the night. Four main criteria are retained: the comfort, convenience, cleanliness and customer service. This year the site recorded 4,039 votes that are of 657 airports worldwide.

A new worst student in the class, Roissy is not spared by the Internet, "this place is deteriorating every year," says David2010, a voter. "I am French and my experience, the CDG is the worst I have ever been," says Kimchietrip.

Too few facilities

The site highlights the recurring problems of the airport, such as lack of seating and shops or toilets, too few and sometimes dirty.

The presence of many homeless people is also problematic, although most are quiet and inoffensive as voting. "Sleep near other passengers, advises Donna, the Canadian designer of the site. Be careful to distinguish a traveler of a permanent resident [as] the homeless also have carts and luggage. "

"The trick to survive a night at CDG is to explore the terminal before you install, it adds. If you board in Terminal 3 based on the third world, you do not have to sleep there. "

ADP response

Fair enough, ADP has responded by launching a website called "Not sleeping in airports.""At Paris-Charles de Gaulle, it is perhaps not advisable to sleep, but there are many other things to do!" Is written on the homepage.

The site sends the visitor to its site "Tell us" to collect the opinions of travelers. The group manager of the Paris airports was a priority for the next five years to improve its service quality.

Beauvais penultimate

Beauvais Airport does not save the honor of France. Little City by the Internet, he had disappeared from the rankings. But he again entered this year … directly to the penultimate place. The airport closed its doors between 23 pm and 6 pm, it was simply impossible to spend the night!

Instead, Singapore wins again, and for the fourteenth consecutive year, the "golden pillow" award by the site.Contributors will advise to spend a few nights, even if you can afford to pay you a hotel room. Wifi, pool, Jacuzzi, places for sleeping, video games or concerts … the airport is well equipped. Enough to sigh with envy travelers in transit in Paris.