Meg Whitman, 55, led the auction site eBay from 1998 to 2008. In 2010, she was defeated candidate for governor of California. Since September 22, she took the head of Hewlett-Packard (HP) then in turmoil. Billionaire, a graduate of Princeton and Harvard, Meg Whitman was chosen to revive the world's largest information technology. HP is less profitable than Apple and IBM, but its biggest revenue (127.2 billion dollars). His predecessor, Leo Apotheker, had planned this summer, the sale of the PC, which controls 20% of the world, with more than $ 40 billion in sales. These decisions have plunged by a third the price of the stock HP. On the contrary, Meg Whitman has decided to revive HP PCs and tablets.
LE FIGARO. – Apple is expected to become world number one personal computer in 2012, according to Canalys.Finally, the HP brand is indisputably linked to our PC.
Why start the Slate 2, your second tablet, sold off after the TouchPad?
We will return on the market shelves. The Slate 2 sign our return. We stopped using the products that our operating system WebOS. We will return in 2012. We will have an Internet Tablet that will use Windows 8 Microsoft.
A tablet is it comparable to a PC?
Not at this time. Internet tablets are mainly used to consume media and e-mails. If you want to use productivity software such as Microsoft, you can not do. Our studies show that this is an additional purchase that does not encroach on the PC market.
From our correspondent in Washington
American giants distribution keep their cool. The absolute record of purchases in one day is certainly to be beaten after the national holiday of Thanksgiving.
This Friday, malls and independent stores in the United States sold more than 11.4 billion worth of goods. But up from last year about 7% of purchases this Black Friday (known since the 1960 Black Friday in the sense of "black people") does not necessarily mean that the holiday season, crucial for annual profits of distributors, will be memorable. The purchasing power of Americans do not progressing. Only by drawing on their modest savings that households increased their spending in the fall.
To draw in their paths some 152 million Americans, most major retailers like Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy have dared to open their doors in the middle of the night from Thursday to Friday. Offering discounts up to 60%, they mobilized a group of customers eager to use after months of deprivation. Commerce online has participated in the movement also offering exceptional discounts. Friday and for 24 hours, Apple has reduced by 10% and the prices of its popular digital tablets. The net impact of these promotions on margins in the industry to be determined. Monday is called Cyber Monday.
A little paradise, and it likes to describe Mauritius. It is true that between its climate, turquoise blue lagoons and white sandy beaches, this state of the Indian Ocean is not without assets. Qualities that appeal to the French, the latter also attracted a lively French-speaking and low time difference (2 or 3 hours), representing one third of a million annual visitors to the island. Wealthy retirees enjoy, in turn, to reside in a country with attractive tax: no wealth tax, no inheritance tax, flat tax on income of 15% …
Yet in times of crisis, these arguments are not enough in attracting investors in local real estate projects. So far, a number of programs involved imposing villas sold between 1 and 2 million, but now struggling to find buyers.This is the only marina project on the island, a must for lovers of water sports. There are also a shopping center, a wellness area and large villas whose prices exceed $ 2.5 million and apartments more affordable, starting at $ 800,000.
The coming months will determine whether those efforts are paying off Mauritius with senior French.
A specific legal framework
In Mauritius, the real estate purchases by foreigners are governed by three tax schemes .- The IRS (Integrated Resort Scheme) for the freehold property of a minimum of 500.000dollars. It immediately gives purchasers the right to a permanent residence permit. They are free to then perform the steps to take up residence on site tax .- The RES (Real Estate Scheme) has, in turn, subject to any minimum price.
Financial markets now include in their forecasts scenarios of "extreme risk" in Europe. Among these include a breakdown of the single currency, an outflow of Greece to the euro, but also larger countries such as Italy or Spain. The widening of spreads between countries in the euro area shows a clear divide between North and South. France is in the middle, but it looks more and more dangerously on the side of vulnerable countries instant payday loan.
The current political developments in key countries of the South do not seem to reassure markets. The departure of Silvio Berlusconi and his replacement as head of government by Mario Monti has not calmed the markets doubt the ability of the new chief executive to impose Italian program of deficit reduction required by the European Commission .
After suffering a decline of more than 3% yesterday, the Paris Stock Exchange on Tuesday recidivism holiday. The CAC 40 began the session on a further decline of 1.89% to 3185.30 points before to increase its losses. He dives over 4% at 3142.59 points just Vanat noon. In its wake, the Dax in Frankfurt was down 3.37% and the FTSE-100 in London lost 1.71%. Milan plunged nearly 5%, while the Athens Stock Exchange falling more than 6.31%.
Greece is the main reason for this new diving indices. The country has placed his fate in the hands of the people by deciding to hold a referendum on the decisions of the European Summit of 26 October. "The will of the Greek people be binding on us," said Prime Minister George Papandreou, who will also seek a confidence vote in Parliament on the agreement on debt.They are again assailed by doubts about the debt situation in Europe. Operators including questioning the ability of banks to recapitalize. They also seek to know whether additional funds will be allocated to the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF).
In short, "investors are becoming aware of the lack of details in the agreement reached at the EU summit last week," said Michael James of Wedbush Securities cashadvance. "Reports suggest that the plans for the EFSF were not easy to sell to China and Japan," commented on his side Patrick O'Hare of Briefing.com site financial analysis.In addition, "there is a growth problem, a very bad direction of unemployment, inflation at 3%, so no rate cut, and now Germany has a real growth in retail sales by 0.3% so she is not going to save the euro area ", listed his side Evariste Lefeuvre, an economist at Natixis. "Without real support of the economy, the Agreement on Greece will not have any real effect," said Michael James.
Manufacturing activity in China slows
Traders also expect the G20 to be held in Cannes Thursday 3 and Friday, November 4 for more information on the involvement of other countries in the European rescue plan. In an interview with Le Figaro, the South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has already ensured that his country will support the rescue of the euro area, "if necessary".
In this tense atmosphere, the euro lost ground against the greenback.
The UMP deputies know that the growth forecast (1.75%) on which the draft budget for 2012 is revised downwards, and a new train of savings 5-7000000000 necessary, in addition to 11 billion already planned for next year. "The 2012 budget is credible, but it can be denied by a significant slowdown in growth," Analysis Louis Giscard d'Estaing. The Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Assembly recalls that "the time of the government of Lionel Jospin, it was the logic of the cicada, while in Germany Gerhard Schröder had imposed a cure without reduction of wage restraint working time, in line with the ant. But the wind is coming … "says the deputy of Puy de Dome, paraphrasing the fable of La Fontaine.Vice President of the National Assembly warned the Socialists: "Those who would maintain the idea that there is room for maneuver in the reuse of public spending, as does Francois Hollande, would directly threaten the notation France and our ability to deleverage. "
However, Louis Giscard d'Estaing is convinced that there is still food for thought in the financing of 35 hours. He will file an amendment in the bill funding the Social Security (PLFSS) for further reduce the limit on exemptions from employer contributions on wages at 1.5 times the minimum wage (currently against 1.6). Which would represent just over one billion euros in savings, if the measure comes into force on 1 January. He even suggested to lower the ceiling to 1.4 times the minimum wage in July 2012 to "give companies time to adjust."The UMP also suggests to "a general movement of the plane of the allocations to the operators of the state" by reducing them to 3% in 2012 payday advance lenders.
"Do not replace two staff on three"
In this area, Hervé Mariton (UMP, Drôme) also proposes to "ease the regulations that impact cost." Other proposals of the Liberal "not to replace two of three officials" and "examining investments less profitable," particularly in the area of infrastructure. "Do not panic about short-term savings. We will be judged on the strength and seriousness of a savings plan in the long term, "said Mariton. Special Rapporteur of the mission work jobs, Chantal Brunel (UMP, Seine-et-Marne) will propose to leave the tax deduction on home jobs "all leisure activities and relaxation."Isabelle Vasseur (UMP, Aisne), Rapporteur of the Finance Committee on Social Security Financing Bill, will propose this afternoon the establishment of "prevention, source of major savings in health" she assures.
The former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Jean Arthuis think we need to "reduce the amount of grants to local authorities" and "to lower executive compensation operators of the state." Former budget minister, Dominique Bussereau is more cautious: "We are still on the bone. The revision of public policies (RGPP) was very effective, so that the state is under-Box at the local level, "says he.
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The G20, which takes care of everything but no matter what, is interested. At their summit on 15 October in Paris, the central bankers of major economies in the world have endorsed the charter "consumer products and financial services." This text prepared by the OECD focuses "on the effort of education and awareness of financial issues," the general public.
The debate rages in the United States since the mortgage crisis "subprime" that erupted in 2007, putting the straw millions of Americans. Already 7.6 million families were divested of their homes, unable to meet their deadlines bank, and additional 7.4 million expected to be dislodged by 2016, the consultant provides Housing Predictor.This disaster certainly responsible for financial institutions that have dangled their customers become unbearable when mortgage interest rates began to climb. But as a last resort should we not blame the naivete and ignorance of borrowers unable to understand what they were doing?
President Obama has made it a priority that "Americans have the skills to effectively manage their disposable income and guard against deceptive practices and predatory." It is in these terms that the White House, with a "Council for Financial literacy" (financial literacy), decreed that April is "National Financial Literacy Month." One way to educate the public each spring operational introduction to finance more and more overseas.Even the Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) devotes part of its website with practical advice for a wide popular audience.
There is much to do. According to a survey conducted by FINRA (Investor Education Foundation), 68% of households have no personal events to finance as predictable as retirement or education for their children. And only 49% of households have "sufficient funds to cover the expenses of three months in case of illness, unemployment."
Carelessness or incompetence? "Most Americans lack the basic numeracy skills and knowledge of basic economic principles, such as the mechanisms of inflation, risk diversification, and the relationship between interest rates and financial asset prices "said Annamaria Lusardi economist, the George Washington School of Business.He has just published a series of studies on the subject.
This decision is based on a strict set of five test questions contained in the survey FINRA and here are the results. Thus only 65% of respondents answered correctly that "a capital of $ 100, paid 2% per year, worth over 102 dollars in five years overnight pay day loans." Similarly 64% understand that "if inflation is 2% and the returns on their savings by 1%, their capital will be worth less in a year." Only 21% know that the price of a bond decreases mechanically when interest rates rise in the market. This is the question most cotton test: the Financial Times noted for its readership "high end" has to explain every time the mechanism in its reporting of the market.In contrast, 70% of Americans know that "a fifteen-year loan requires monthly payments higher than a loan of thirty years, but that all interest paid over the life of the loan will be lower." They are, however, that 52% believed that the purchase of a share of one company is necessarily more risky than the subscription of shares of mutual funds in shares. In total "less than 10% of Americans are able to correctly answer all five questions," said Annamaria Lusardi.
The French should not make fun of poor performance. The Institute for Financial Literacy public (IEFP), established in 2006 at the initiative of the Financial Markets Authority (AMF), is about to publish a similar survey conducted in the Hexagon. However the results appear even worse, can we prevent the IEFP.
The issue is probably lower in France.The balance of PAYG pensions and group health insurance does not appeal to individual decisions. Besides the French are much less indebted than their cousins across the Atlantic.
Weaknesses in the calculation are the best thing in the world shared. Luc Chatel, Minister of Education and Xavier Darcos, his predecessor, did they not been trapped on television to have a mistake in a rule of three? This rule of proportionality, it is nevertheless essential to know the place to convert into euros the amounts in dollars! While it is fashionable to "be angry with the figures," while no one admits not knowing how to read. "Everyone complains of his memory, and no one complains of his trial," said La Rochefoucauld.Failing to properly count unfortunately causes the tragic misjudgment we know, both for households and for states. Hence the saying advisors financial products, worthy of the name: "It must be understood before taking."
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The applications are increasing in the resumption of Swiss France Telecom. In any case, think they know what the Echoes, which announced Friday the opening match of Xavier Niel in the race for the resumption of the Helvetic subsidiary of the French operator. According to the newspaper, the co-buyer of the World with Pierre Bergé and Matthew Pigasse, have filed an application for the acquisition of the asset, the group wants to get rid Stéphane Richard since late July. Announced during half-year results, this operation should yield between 1.5 and 2 billion euros to France Telecom. Or so hopes in the group.
Despite the difficult conditions of funding and the increased reluctance of banks, the French operator has not given up the sale. The facts seem to prove him right, a dozen candidates who have passed the process of selling the asset.But the arrival of Xavier Niel somewhat diversified profile of potential buyers. So far, the majority of applications related investment funds: Apax, Providence, EQT, Bain Capital, Liberty Global, Doughty Hanson and Carlyle separately and Altice, Numéricable shareholders.
Support of Goldman Sachs
Xavier Niel, the head of the Iliad, the 297th ranked Fortune Global Forbes, meanwhile intervene personally. The Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris politician, former CEO of the operator Orascom is also in the race. Faced with these heavyweights of finance, the French entrepreneur has joined forces with the U.S. bank Goldman Sachs, report echoes.
"At 2 billion Swiss francs (1.6 billion euros, Ed), Orange Switzerland is valued six times its gross operating profit on the stock exchange more than 3.8 times that of France Telecom," the daily explains.A premium is explained by the fact that the sale of Orange Switzerland is the only major operation in progress on the Old Continent now, and that France Telecom has commissioned ahead of banks, including Credit Suisse, HSBC, JP Morgan, to prepare a financing plan ahead in order to facilitate the implementation of the operation.
At the second round of bidding, all filings seem to hold the interest of the French operator, since no application has yet been ruled out.
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Wall Street earnings increases, on Thursday. After opening slightly higher, U.S. financial markets concluded the session by increases above 1% for the third consecutive time. The Dow Jones took 1.68% to 11,123.33 points, the Nasdaq rose 1.88% to 2506.82 points and the S & P 500 gained 1.83% to 1164.97 points.
After weeks of dithering, European leaders have taken in hand to avoid a collapse of the banking sector, weakened by the debt crisis, which brought down the French-Belgian group Dexia.The markets were also reassured by the publication of macroeconomic indicators in the U.S. exceeded expectations: job creation in the private sector and the ISM services.
On Thursday, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced on Thursday to maintain its 1.50% interest rate, reference the cost of credit in the euro zone, despite the sharp deterioration in the economic and financial crisis.
Meanwhile official figures of employment for the month of September in the United States to be published Friday, new jobless claims are slightly lift the United States during the last week of September, according to figures released Thursday in Washington by the Department of Labor.The Ministry has identified the deposit of 401,000 applications for unemployment benefits in the country from September 25 to October 1, adjusted for seasonal variations, or 1.5% over the previous week, which is consistent with the estimate of analysts.
On the foreign exchange market, the euro reached 1.3435 dollars (0.65%). On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery ended at 82 personal loans for bad credit.59 dollars, up 2.91 dollars compared to the previous day.
Apple has resisted despite the death of Steve Jobs
As for values, investors will have their eyes on the technology sector.
• Apple (-0.23% to 377.37 dollars) will remain particularly observed after the announcement of the demise of the group's founder Steve Jobs.
• Yahoo (-1.70% to 15.65 dollars) is the subject of new rumors of a possible bid from U.S. computer giant Microsoft, which had already in 2008 attempted to seize the group's internet America.
• Hewlett-Packard (4.99% to 25.05 dollars) should not make further major acquisitions in the software after the acquisition of Autonomy, according to statement from the group's new boss Meg Whitman cited by Reuters.
• Boeing (2.54% to 61.48 dollars) has received an order for $ 1.1 billion from Ethiopian Airlines for four Boeing 777 freighters.
• Gilead Sciences (1.28% to 39.65 dollars) has obtained a license agreement Boehringer Ingelheim for the exclusive rights to research, development and commercialization of an anti-integrase for the treatment of HIV.
• Marriott International (2.13% to 28.78 dollars) issued for the third quarter, earnings per share of $ 0.29, up 32% year on year. Turnover was 2.9 billion dollars against 2.6 billion last year. The revenue per available room key indicator in the hotel sector grew by 8.7% on a comparable basis, while prices rose by 5.3%.
The Fed has launched "Operation Twist" on Wednesday. Following a two-day extraordinary meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (FOMC), the U.S. central bank announced its intention to sell by the end of June 2012 for $ 400 billion of treasury bills maturity of three years or less, to buy an equivalent amount of maturity from six to 30 years.
This mechanism, which takes its name from the famous dance that was all the rage in the 1960s, had just been used for the last time in 1961. Its objective is to reduce interest rates in the long run to give a boost to business investment and the demand for housing loans, which use these rates as reference.
The Fed, however, chose not to touch interest rates that determine the short-term rates. They remain between 0% and 0.25%.And they will remain at historically low levels until mid-2013, said a statement.
Market disappointment
In addition to this twist, and in order to support the mortgage market, the Fed will also buy real estate securities without increasing the size of its portfolio. For this, it will continue to reinvest the securities-backed real estate it owns as they fall due. But the FOMC said, instead of buying Treasury bonds as it did previously, she will buy securities backed by mortgage-agency mortgage refinancing para as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
This double operation shows that the Federal Reserve, the economy remains very depressed. The Fed also believes that global economic growth will remain slow.Conclusions that are similar to those of the IMF, which announced Tuesday it had seen very sharp fall in its growth forecast for the U.S., in theory at a level insufficient to expect a decline in the unemployment rate, which remains very high to 9.1%.
On Wall Street, where the launch of Operation Twist was widely anticipated, the operators retain the gloomy perspective of the Central Bank on the economy. Shortly after the news release of the Fed, the Dow Jones was digging his losses and gave up 1.10% at 11,283 points.
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