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The German publisher Axel Springer will have to raise its bid or win a battle if he wants to buy market group SeLoger.com ads, analysts said Monday.

The title SeLoger.com euro was trading around 11.00 to 38.00, or four euros above the offer launched on Friday by the German and French society that values at 566 million euros.

Trading in SeLoger.com was suspended Friday.

"The course is evidence that, for the market, supply is insufficient. The feeling is that there will be a cons-or at least offer a higher bid from Springer.The German group is also launching its offer to 34 euros, but there remain a small minority, "said Emmanuel Parot, an analyst at Gilbert Dupont.

Groupe Arnault, the holding company of Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, and a major shareholder of SeLoger.com with 9% of the capital, ruled Friday that the offer of Axel Springer undervalues the company.

Springer, owner of the German tabloid Bild, one of the best selling dailies in Europe, has already reached an agreement to acquire 12.4% stake in SeLoger.com.

Of the shareholders who accepted its offer, are the founders and Amal Amar Denys Chalumeau, respectively chairman of the supervisory board and board member of the group.

The supervisory board of SeLoger.com will meet Tuesday to consider this offer and should appoint an adviser to assist him.

Created in 1992, SeLoger is a leading real estate on the internet in France and claimed some three million visitors per month.

Renault and PSA Peugeot Citroen said on Friday morning for the early repayment of a tranche of one billion euros each on public loan which had been granted to deal with the crisis.

The two companies have each won the French State in April 2009 a loan of three billion euros to 6% which reimbursement was initially planned between 2011 and 2014.

The market reacted positively to these ads that will reduce the financial costs of the two automakers.

Around 9:20 am, under the PSA progressed and almost 3% to 23.32 euros, and Renault 2.1% to 35.99 euros, outperforming the DJ Stoxx European sector (+0.85%).

They had expressed before the summer their intention to redeem the first tranche of the loans by the end of the year by taking advantage of their improved financial situation in the wake of the boost premium scrapping gave automotive sales.

PSA said that the repayment will be funded from the Group's cash and that will reduce gross debt and significant financial costs. Renault has also said that this decision will reduce its gross debt and financial expenses.

No other details on the terms negotiated with the State for repayment has been made.

The Board of Directors of EDF on Tuesday approved the sale of distribution networks in the UK Group Hong Kong conglomerate Cheung Kong to the requirements of the agreement announced in late July, the French group announced in a statement.

The offer of Cheung Kong, on the basis of equity value of 3.2 billion pounds, induces a net reduction in debt of 6.8 billion euros for EDF, said the latter.

EDF has reaffirmed its commitment to this opportunity to continue its development in the United Kingdom, including nuclear.

"This assignment does not call into question the commitment of EDF Group in this country as evidenced by our commitment to build, along with partners such as Centrica, four new EPR type reactors, if the right conditions for investment are met", says in the press Vincent de Rivaz, CEO of EDF Energy.

EDF had announced the agreement to sell its UK network on July 30 along with quarterly results penalized by a provision of 1.1 billion U.S..

British bank Barclays said Tuesday the resignation of its chief executive John Varley and his replacement by Robert E. Diamond, head of Barclays Capital, the investment banking arm of the group.

The resignation of John Varley, who was appointed CEO in 2004 and his departure from the board of directors will be effective March 31, 2011. He had wished to leave after his 55th birthday.

Meanwhile, Bob Diamond, who was 59 years in July, will assume the role of Deputy Director General on 1 October.He attributes the success of the transformation of Barclays Capital in a major investment bank since his arrival 14 years ago.

The announcement did not surprise analysts who interpret this appointment as the willingness of the school to continue to depend heavily on its investment banking business, Barclays Capital.

Around 1000 GMT, the action gave up 3.4% at 311.75 pence, while at the same time bringing together the main Stoxx European bank stocks yielding 1.3%.

"Bob Diamond has been the main engine of development very successful BarCap (Barclays Capital).With him as CEO, we can expect that the banking business investment rose further at the expense of retail banking, "said Arturo de Frias, an analyst at Evolution.

ONE OF THE BEST PAID BANKERS OF EUROPE

Bob Diamond said there would be no change in the strategy group, which had avoided being bailed out by London during the financial crisis.

"There is absolutely no difference between John (President) Marcus and myself on the strategic direction of Barclays.We have much work to do on the implementation, but there will be no change of strategy, "said Bob Diamond at a press conference call.

The latter's loyal lieutenant, Jerry del Missier and Rich Ricci, will become co-CEO of BarCap from October.

Bob Diamond is one of the best paid bankers in Europe.If it has received no bonus last two years, it nevertheless received 21 million pounds (25 million euros) in 2007 and recovered 26 million pounds last year through the sale of activity of asset management BGI.

Currently working in the United States, Bob Diamond will return to settle in London and will receive a base salary of 1.35 million pounds, while his annual bonus could reach 3.4 million pounds, and will benefit from 2011 a program of long-term incentive of 6.8 million pounds.

The president of Barclays, Marcus Agius, said Bob Diamond had proved itself and was very qualified for the position.

"In making this appointment, the board of directors shall deliberate continuity in leadership, strategy and performance in respect of customers and shareholders," he said.

The changes at the head of the British banks are apparently there to the agenda since the British press reported on Tuesday that President Stephen Green, HSBC will resign from his position to become trade minister.

The Chinese authorities have ordered several public companies to explore investment banks with different options to impede the bid for 30 billion euros of BHP Billiton Potash, it was learned from informed sources directly file.

Following these instructions, the chemicals group Sinochem has held meetings with several banks which include Citigroup, HSBC and Morgan Stanley, said the source.

One option being considered is an alliance between Sinochem and the sovereign wealth fund CIC, much of some 300 billion dollars in assets, said a second source familiar with the matter.

According to sources, the most likely scenario would be for a purchase of a stake in Potash big enough to block BHP's offer, without trying to redeem all of the Canadian group.

If we consider that a consortium would add a 20% premium to current market value of Potash, acquired 15% stake in the group would cost about $ 8.3 billion.

Chinese companies have also approached at least one pension fund for Canadian participation in a possible bid for Potash cons.

The CEO of the Alberta Investment Management Corp. (Aimco), Leo de Bever, said Thursday that several parties had approached but that his participation in a bid did not seem interesting at this point.

The possibility of Chinese involvement in the case caused concern in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, which hosts the headquarters and many of the activities of Potash, for the redemption of the largest local company by a foreign group or a major customer could affect jobs and state revenue.

The Energy Minister of the province, Bill Boyd, has expressed some concern about a possible takeover by China and BHP declared intention to distribute itself potash production abroad, bypassing the means of export consortium Canpotex.

The instructions given by Beijing, which demonstrates that the Chinese authorities take seriously the hypothesis of a takeover by BHP and Potash its possible implications on the price and supply of fertilizer, despite obstacles that would surely meet a cons-offer.

Sinochem has declined comment. CIC could not be reached immediately. The banks mentioned were refused comment.

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

The new president of France Television said Friday Remy Pflimlin wish to have "fast" responses regarding possible privatization of the advertising group.

These statements Pflimlin Remy, who took office Aug. 23, comes amid La Tribune and Les Echos believe that the suppression of advertising during the day, scheduled for late 2011, could be extended beyond 2012.

"To develop a business must be able to work with recipes that are sustainable, predictable and dynamic," he said at his first conference returned.

"If another decision was taken, the privatization of the authority does not arise," he reiterated, noting that no group of the importance of France Television does not control its governance.

"(France Television Advertising) is an enterprise to which we must provide answers quickly," he said.

A parliamentary report on the subject is expected by late September.

Time is running out for France Television Advertising must submit the October 12 general conditions (GTC) of its advertising slots for 2011.

According to the business plan of France Televisions, advertising revenues of the authority of the group – which continues to broadcast monitors from 6 am to 20 pm – are scheduled to 310 million euros.

In the first half, France Television Advertising has already increased its revenue by 20% compared to the corresponding period of 2009.

The Group enjoys a market recovery in advertising, including television, who led his rival TF1 meet again in July its goal of annual sales.

France Televisions was suspended in mid-April the process of selling its advertising agency, citing uncertainties about the possible maintenance of advertising on its branches after day 2011.

This decision, seen as a gallant last stand of the outgoing president of the public group, Patrick de Carolis, followed an offensive by the elected majority and the opposition against a total suppression of advertising.

France Televisions had opened in February of exclusive negotiations with the consortium of Lov Group, holding company of businessman Stephane Courbit, and Publicis for the sale of 70% of its advertising agency for 20 million payday loan lenders.The joint venture is owned 60% by Lov Group and 40% by Publicis.

DO DEFICITS

Maintain advertising screens 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. would keep revenues totaled 404.9 million euros in 2009 against 260 million originally budgeted.

This performance helped France Televisions to rebalance their accounts in 2009 three years ahead of its business plan and would serve to avoid a deficit again in 2010.

The state has recovered the last year quarter of advertising revenue surplus of France Televisions – 35 million – bringing its endowment to 415 million.

Pflimlin Remy, aged 56, past president of Presstalis (ex NMPP), prevailed over Alexander Bompard, current head of Europe 1 (Lagardère Group), considered a favorite to be close because of the Head of State.

One of his first decisions was to oust Arlette Chabot, the news director of France Television to replace Thierry Thuillier, who left i> TV (Canal +).

Remy Pflimlin is the first president of France Televisions appointed by the head of state since the last reform of public broadcasting, which had already brought Jean-Luc Hees at the head of Radio France.

It is precisely the group of public radio, which is the "model" Remy Pflimlin, wants to appoint directors to the five channels France 2, France 3, France 4, France 5 and France O.

"The basic principle of operation is that the decision to return the string that is to say on the air," he said.

"We will first make a precise diagnosis of the current development. We'll take a few weeks to find the organization more fluid that allows us to differentiate the images of channels, reports to the creation and strategic objectives," Remy said Pflimlin.

One of the priority concerns including France 3, Pflimlin that Remy ran, and M6 exceeded in terms of hearing in August.

Despite the advances of Sanofi-Aventis, Genzyme continues to have contact with other candidates for some of its activities, which could however also be interested French pharmaceutical group.

Genzyme, which specializes in very expensive drugs to treat rare genetic diseases, announced in May its intention to sell certain activities of gene therapy, particularly in oncology, as well as its diagnostics business.

They have achieved turnover of 371 million and 167 million respectively.

"The procedure is underway and we believe that transactions will be completed by the end of the year," said CEO Henri Termeer of Genzyme Reuters on Tuesday.

Although modest in comparison to 4.5 billion in annual sales of Genzyme, Sanofi could attract such activities, as a complement to its own line or as a means of raising cash to the extent that we advance a possible selling price of a 5 billion dollars for them.

"It is an object, apparently in molecular diagnostics, which Sanofi-Aventis is not represented today, but that could interest us," said Sanofi CEO Chris Viehbacher this week after an offer of 18 5 billion dollars (14.6 billion euros), or $ 69 per share.

If Sanofi is really interested, it will not let him wait too seems to manifest itself."It's an interesting area and something we would look at" told Reuters Robert Friel, CEO of the OEM PerkinElmer.

"It is obvious that the arrival of Sanofi complicates things," he said, adding however that if a commitment was relevant strategic perspective, "the price would not be a barrier to deter us."

EVERYTHING THAT CAN PULL

Potential candidates for these things to do, analysts say, whether in the medical field also, and even groups of capital.

Some doubt however that Genzyme entered into a deal on these activities only if the negotiations took a turn with Sanofi more intense.

"It surprised many that Genzyme sells these and other diagnostic tests before seeing what he can pull Sanofi," said Arthur Henderson (Jefferies & Co)."If he really wants to disrupt the discussions (with Sanofi), it may be a possibility."

Insofar as neonatology and personal progress and where more treatments are developed to target a particular gene mutation, companion diagnostics will play an increasingly large in the selection of appropriate patients.

"In these specialized areas, it has much more control on prices and growth is faster (than in routine medical tests), it generates so much cash flow and is therefore highly sought after," says Arthur Henderson.

Thus, Pfizer has developed a treatment for lung cancer that is only effective for patients with a particular genetic mutation.

The first works with global pharmaceutical subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories' molecular diagnostics for developing a test for this mutation, considered crucial to obtain the approval of the treatment.

Like Pfizer, Sanofi is not present in the genetic diagnosis or screening and Genzyme could see a good opportunity to make his first steps, in the opinion of some analysts.

ALL THE QUESTION IS THENCE

But others, such as Geoffrey Porges (Sanford Bernstein) believes that this is not relevant for Sanofi to keep these activities if redeemed them."It is more likely that Sanofi sees a source of funding rather than a permanent operational unit," he said, holding that these subsidiaries may from Genzyme at 1.2 to 1.5 billion.

Kemp Dolliver, an analyst with Avondale Partners, thinks that companies specializing in testing, such as Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp, is the most natural candidate to redeem such entities as large bands like Abbott and Roche Holdings, which are already widely present in diagnostics.

"LabCorp has made no secret of its interest," he notes. "It has the capacity for it; does he spend one billion dollars? The question is there."

The OEM PerkinElmer and its biggest competitor Thermo Fisher Scientific, could also try.Thermo has ample liquidity after the redemption of Millipore missed this year.

PerkinElmer is usually so high but it waits about 500 million dollars in cash by the end of the year, by the sale of a non-strategic.

The industrial conglomerate General Electric, present in the heavy medical equipment, diagnostics developed in recent years.

"Biology occupies a much more important in health, a point of view of diagnosis, with molecular diagnostics and point of view of treatment," noted John Dineen, CEO of the healthcare division of GE in June

The U.S. Laboratory Allergan announced Wednesday it had agreed to pay 600 million dollars (469 million euros) to end an investigation by federal authorities on the conditions for marketing its anti-wrinkle injection Botox. The U.S. Department of Justice declined any immediate comment. The investigations were the fact that Botox was marketed as a treatment for certain diseases for which he had not received the approval of U.S. authorities to health. Allergan agreed to plead guilty to some facts concerning the years 2000-2005. During this period, he acknowledged, he has marketed the Botox so that it has been used to treat conditions such as migraine and chronic pain while the product had not been authorized for such treatments. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved last March the use of Botox for the treatment of some stiffness in adults. Allergan has also filed an application for approval the medicine for the treatment of chronic migraine and is awaiting a decision on this matter before the end of the year. Botox has also been approved in 70 countries for the treatment of symptoms related to cerebral palsy but not in the United States. Allergan said it is in discussions with the FDA on this issue. The settlement announced Wednesday will result in the group accounts by an exceptional charge of 610 total $ 615 million ( personal loans), he said. At the NYSE, the action Allergan gained 2.56% to 62.99 dollars while the Standard & Poor’s 500 took 2 , 65%.
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