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Who is EADS? we shall look it up.
Perhaps the 800 pound gorrilla needs to own up? I think so anyways.
The pounds value just dropped a bit.... sensitive. ( like me )
I guess life really is a play and we are merely players....
REUTERS Alcatel deal looms for Thales, doubts over EADS [FYDGPCS]
By Benoit Van Overstraeten and Tim Hepher
PARIS, April 5 (Reuters) - French defence firm Thales
<TCFP.PA> appeared poised to unveil a long-awaited deal over
satellites with its second largest shareholder Alcatel <CGEP.PA> on Wednesday, but signs faded that it was ready to roll out the welcome mat yet for its other long-time suitor, EADS <EAD.PA>.
The board of Thales, Europe's top defence electronics maker
and a major civil avionics supplier, met on Tuesday evening to
discuss the widely expected Alcatel deal but left investors in
the dark on EADS ahead of a statement to be issued on Wednesday.
A source familiar with the matter said Thales managers had
told staff representatives on Tuesday that Alcatel would lift its Thales stake to 25 percent from 9.5 percent in exchange for its satellite, transport and security assets.
One London-based analyst said evaluation of the deal would hinge on exactly what assets Alcatel would agree to transfer to Thales, noting that the telecoms equipment firm's space and transport businesses did not exactly fit with what Thales does. Alcatel is expected chiefly to contribute its 67 percent Alcatel Alenia Space unit, which had sales of 1.8 billion euros in 2004 and employs 7,000 people.
French daily La Tribune reported on Wednesday that Alcatel's share of the unit had been valued at 1.7 billion euros and that Thales would pay 340 million euros in cash plus new shares.
If the report is confirmed, and assuming a capital increase
for the remaining 1.36 billion euros at current prices, Alcatel
would wind up with some 25.3 percent and the state with 25.8.
Thales shares closed up 0.11 percent on Tuesday, valuing the firm at around 6.4 billion euros.
Alcatel and European aerospace group EADS have both been
courting Thales in a continued shake-up of France's defence and
satellite interests -- further complicated by Alcatel's recent
decision to acquire smaller U.S. rival Lucent <LU.N>.
The involvement of Alcatel in sensitive military satellite projects sped up efforts to keep them under full French control.
Thales staff representatives were told ahead of Tuesday's
board meeting that EADS, the parent of Airbus, would not have a
role in Thales for the time being, the source said.
But Thales remains open to talks on "enlarged cooperation"
with others, the source added, asking not to be identified.
It was not immediately clear how much this amounted to a
specific invitation to EADS to enter negotiations after more than a year of distrust between Thales and EADS, which wants to reduce its heavy dependence on jetliner subsidiary Airbus.
Thales declined comment.
EADS PRESSURE
EADS made a failed and informal bid to grab Thales in 2004
and relations between the two have been frosty ever since, even
though Thales is also a major supplier to Airbus.
An Alcatel stake of 25 percent leaves little room to squeeze in EADS at the same level without disrupting the equation. The government is Thales's main shareholder at 31 percent and is seen likely to remain on top, if only by a token amount.
Worried about being shut out of Thales as Alcatel tidies up its space interests before merging with Lucent, EADS recently came up with the idea of a three-way deal, industry sources have said, that would fold its own satellite production into Thales in exchange for share parity with Alcatel of 20 percent each.
The French government would fall from 31 percent to about 22 percent, industry officials familiar with the idea have said. EADS has put pressure on Thales to do a simultaneous deal or not at all, though talks between Alcatel and Thales have been going on for a year longer and are seen nearer to completion.
Any deal must also be approved by Italy's Finmeccanica
<SIFI.MI>, which owns the remaining 33 percent of Alcatel Alenia Space. A person familiar with the deal said Finmeccanica had some conditions, but declined to be specific. Finmeccanica Chairman Pier Francesco Guarguaglini said in a newspaper interview last month he had no objections to a tie-up
between Alcatel and Thales, but that he had his eye on
larger-scale cooperation with Thales in defence electronics.
Both claim the mantle of being No. 2 in defence electronics
in Europe behind Britain's BAE Systems <BA.L>.
Finmeccanica has, however, ruled out a middle course of
folding its minority share of Alcatel Alenia Space directly into Thales, alongside Alcatel's part, in return for a small stake.
Thales and Finmeccanica had contacts on merging their defence electronics businesses about a year ago, but the future of Thales became mired in political and industrial tensions in both France and Germany, nations which hold most clout in EADS.
05Apr06 03:04 GMT
Symbols:
ca;LUTI de;CGE de;CGEF de;CGES de;CGEX de;CSF de;CSFF de;CSFS de;CSFX
de;EAD de;EADF de;EADS de;EADX de;FMN de;FMNS de;LUC de;LUCF es;EAD fr;CGE
fr;EAD fr;HO gb;ATT gb;BA gb;FNA it;FNC us;BAES us;FINM us;LU us;LUTW
us;THLE
Source RTRS Reuters News
Categories:
AER DE DEF E ELC EMK EUROPE FR IT LEN MRG NEWS PCO PCU POL PSC RNP RTRS
TEL US WEU MST/B/BRK MST/G/DEF MST/G/POL MST/I/ARO MST/I/ELQ MST/I/MKT
MST/I/TEL MST/I/TLQ MST/L/EN MST/R/DE MST/R/EUR MST/R/FR MST/R/IT MST/R/US
MST/R/WEU MST/S/MRG TGT/RSF
"Such a wicked web we weave" quotes from Orange County, CA
REUTERS French Stocks - Factors to watch on April 5
PARIS, April 5 (Reuters) - Below are leading stories from
French newspapers and company-related news which could have an
impact on the French market or individual stocks.
SODEXHO <EXHO.PA>
The French catering and diversified services provider
Sodexho Alliance said first half like-for-like sales rose 5.5
percent to 6.546 billion euros ($7.98 billion) but growth could
slow in the second half.
AXA <AXAF.PA>
U.S. private equity group Stone Point Capital LLC is
considering a possible takeover of French reinsurer AXA Re ,
French newspaper La Tribune reported on Wednesday.
AXA Re, which La Tribune said was valued at around 1.2
billion euros ($1.5 billion), has previously been linked in
newspaper and analyst reports with a possible merger deal with
rival French reinsurer Scor <SCOR.PA>.
THALES <TFP.PA>
French defence firm Thales appeared poised to unveil a
long-awaited deal over satellites with its second largest
shareholder Alcatel <CGEP.PA> on Wednesday, but signs faded that
it was ready to roll out the welcome mat yet for its other
long-time suitor, EADS <EAD.PA>.
For story double-click on [nL05132923]
EADS <EAD.PA>, LAGARDERE <LAGA.PA>
French and German industrial shareholders in Airbus parent
EADS are cutting their stakes, marking the biggest shake-up of
the world's second largest aerospace group behind Boeing since
its launch in 2000.
French media group Lagardere nd German carmaker
DaimlerChrysler <DCXGn.DE> announced plans late on Tuesday to
shed 7.5 percent each in EADS -- worth a combined 4.2 billion
euros at latest prices -- to focus on their core businesses.
For story double-click on [nL05706591]
ARCELOR <CELR.PA>
The steel group shored up defences against a planned $25
billion takeover bid by rival Mittal Steel <ISPA.AS> with an
intricate legal manoeuvre to put key assets beyond the reach of
its aggressor. The decision to shelter just-acquired Canadian
unit Dofasco inside a Dutch foundation surprised markets and
stole attention from a hike in Arcelor's dividend and promises
of further cash handouts, two other planks of its defence.
For story double-click on [nL04360477]
EURONEXT <ENXT.PA>
The pan-European stock exchange operator said it would put a vote on the benefits of a merger with Deutsche Boerse <DB1Gn.DE> on the agenda of its next annual general meeting following a request by a firm called Winchfield Holdings NV.
DANONE <DANO.PA>, EURAZEO <EURA.PA>
French investment group Eurazeo said it had increased its
stake in food group Danone, the subject of recent bid
speculation, to 5.10 percent from 3.68 percent. Eurazeo said in
a statement it had bought 375 million euros worth of Danone
shares to raise its stake.
CNP <CNPP.PA>
The French insurer reported a 46 percent rise in net profit
against a backdrop of bid speculation that has caused a surge in its share price. Net profit rose to 952.3 million euros ($1.2 billion) last year, a result that came in at the top end of forecasts, as CNP benefited along with other insurers from
rising stock markets that spurred sales of savings products.
THALES
Managers at French military electronics supplier Thales
<TCFP.PA> have told staff that Alcatel <CGEP.PA> will raise its stake in the firm to 25 percent from 9.5 percent in exchange for its satellite, transport and security assets, a source close to the matter said on Tuesday.
Staff representatives were told at a briefing that EADS
<EAD.PA>, the parent of Airbus, would not have a role in Thales
for the time being, but that Thales remained open to further
talks on "enlarged cooperation" with outsiders, the source said.
VALEO <VLOF.PA>
French carparts maker Valeo <VLOF.PA> on Tuesday said it was selling the Zexel Logitec Company to Vantec Corporation for an undisclosed consderations as part of its strategy of divesting non-core activities.
LEGRAND <LEGP.PA>
The institutional trance in the initial public offering of
French electronical goods group Legrand is largely
oversubscribed, one and a half day before it closes, primary
market sources said.
FRANCE/STRIKE
Hundreds of thousands of protesters demanded the withdrawal
of a new hire-and-fire youth job contract on Tuesday in giant
rallies across France as unions rebuffed concessions by
President Jacques Chirac.
Union leaders said they had matched last week's day of
action with more than three million joining a one-day strike and demonstrations that were being closely watched for signs they had peaked after the softer line adopted by Chirac.
REUTERS European stocks - Factors to watch on April 5 [nL08435636]
PARIS, April 5 (Reuters) - European shares are seen
rebounding on Wednesday after a drop in oil prices and comments
from Federal Reserve officials suggesting the central bank is
almost done with raising interest rates, helping Wall Street
close higher.
A trading update from oil giant BP <BP.L> will top a
relatively bare earnings agenda.
EADS <EAD.PA> is likely to come under pressure after French
and German shareholders Lagardere <LAGA.PA> and DaimlerChrysler
<DCXGn.DE> announced plans to cut their stakes in the world's
second largest aerospace group behind Boeing <BA.N>.
Not sure why this is ? -dsd
Here's how the day looks:
MARKETS
* Spread betters in London are calling the FTSE <.FTSE>, CAC
40 <.FCHI> and DAX <.GDAXI> indexes between 9 and 12 points
higher.
* The FTSEurofirst 300 <.FTEU3> index of leading European
shares ended 0.5 percent lower at 1,374.2 points, held back by
energy stocks. Double click on [nL04171323] to read the
closing European market report.
* U.S. stocks rallied, helped by a late drop in crude oil
prices and comments from Federal Reserve officials. Double click
on [nN04184601] to read the closing Wall Street report.
* U.S. Treasuries <US10YT=RR> were narrowly mixed as the
absence of economic data left investors seeking fresh direction
after weeks of heavy selling. Benchmark U.S. 10-year yields were
trading at around 4.87 percent.
Comparable 10-year euro zone government bonds yielded 3.85
percent. Double click on [nN04603436] for the latest Treasury
market report and on [nL04351105] for the latest euro zone
debt report.
* NYMEX crude oil futures traded sideways around $66 a
barrel ahead of inventory data expected to show a build in crude
but a drop in fuel supplies in the United States. Double click
on [ID: nSP293941] to read the latest oil market report.
* The dollar hit a fresh two-month low against the euro
boosted by expectations that the European Central Bank will
raise interest rates next month and beyond. Double click on
[nT271527] to read the latest forex market report.
* In Tokyo, the Nikkei average <.N225> finished up 0.57
percent after earlier hitting its highest point since July 2000,
while the TOPIX <.TOPX> climbed to its highest level in nearly
15 years. Double click on [.T] to read the latest Japanese stock
market report.
* Other Asian indexes such as the Kospi <.KS11>, Hang Seng
<.HSI> and Straits Times <.STI> were all firmer. Double click on
[MARKETS/AS] to read a wrap of the action in Asian asset
markets.
* Gold retreated slightly following losses in New York but
market sentiment remained bullish as funds were keen to
diversify into precious metals given firm oil prices. Double
click on [nT272002] to read the latest gold market report.
COMPANY NEWS
EADS <EAD.PA>
French media group Lagardere <LAGA.PA> and German carmaker
DaimlerChrysler <DCXGn.DE> announced plans late on Tuesday to
shed 7.5 percent each in Airbus parent.
More shares in the marketplace sounds good to me.... -dsd*****
For more on this double click on [EAD.PA-RTRS-LEN]
BP <BP.L>
The world's second-largest listed oil firm by market value
updates investors on its first-quarter activity a day after
Goldman Sachs estimated that earnings for the European oil
sector would fall by 8 percent in 2006 and 7 percent in 2007.
For more on this double click on [BP.L-RTRS-LEN]
THALES <TCFP.PA>
The French defence firm looked close to a long-awaited deal
over satellites with its second largest shareholder Alcatel
CGEP.PA> but left questions over its intentions toward long-time
suitor EADS.
For more on this double click on [TCFP.PA-RTRS-LEN]
ARCELOR <CELR.PA>
Arcelor's move to ring-fence newly acquired Canadian unit
Dofasco could trigger a deeper probe by U.S. competition
authorities into a merger of Mittal Steel and Arcelor, sources
close to the deal said.
For more on this double click on [CELR.PA-RTRS-LEN]
CNP <CNPP.PA>
The French insurer reported a 46 percent rise in yearly net
profit against a backdrop of bid speculation that has caused a
surge in its share price. CNP also raised its dividend by 15
percent and said it was upbeat over prospects for 2006.
For more on this double click on [CNNP.PA-RTRS-LEN]
UBS <UBSN.VX>
Switzerland's UBS is close to securing long-awaited approval
to buy a minority stake in troubled brokerage Beijing
Securities, a source close to the situation said.
Sounds like an effort to improve it, great...-dsd**********
For latest on this double click on [UBSN.VX-RTRS-LEN]
EURONEXT <ENXT.PA>, DEUTSCHE BOERSE <DB1Gn.DE>
The pan-European stock exchange operator said it would put a
vote on the benefits of a merger with Deutsche Boerse on the
agenda of its next annual general meeting following a request by
a firm called Winchfield Holdings NV.
For more on this double click on [ENXT.PA-RTRS-LEN]
EASYJET <EZJ.L>
JPMorgan was placing 65 million shares of the British
no-frills airline, representing a stake of around 16.9 percent,
on behalf of Icelandic investment group FL, dealers said late on
Tuesday. They said the shares were being placed at between
340-343 pence a share via an accelerated bookbuilding procedure.
For more on this double click on [EZJ.L-RTRS-LEN]
Yeah, Go Bjork, (silly sorry ) -dsd
SODEXHO <EXHO.PA>
The French catering group reported a 5.5 percent
like-for-like rise in first-half sales.
For more on this double click on [EXHO.PA-RTRS-LEN]
DANONE <DANO.PA>
French investment group Eurazeo<EURA.PA> said late on
Tuesday it had increased its stake in food group Danone, the
subject of recent bid speculation, to 5.10 percent from 3.68
percent.
For more on this double click on [DANO.PA-RTRS-LEN]
LEGRAND <LEGP.PA>
The institutional tranche in the initial public offering of
shares in the French electronical goods group is largely
oversubscribed, one and a half days before it closes, primary
market sources said.
For more on this double click on [LEGP.PA-RTRS-LEN]
BRITISH AIRWAYS <BAY.L>
The airline publishes March passenger traffic numbers.
For more on this double click on [BAY.L-RTRS-LEN]
((Reporting by Marie Maitre
Editing by Louise Ireland
Reuters messaging
rm://marie.maitre.reuters.com@reuters.net
Email marie.maitre@reuters.com
Telephone +33 1 4949 5331))
(
nL08435636
.EU
05Apr06 02:02 GMT
Symbols:
Elegance
el·e·gance ( P ) Pronunciation Key (l-gns)
n.
Refinement, grace, and beauty in movement, appearance, or manners.
Tasteful opulence in form, decoration, or presentation.
Restraint and grace of style.
Scientific exactness and precision.
Something elegant.
This is BIG....
Libertarianism is a political philosophy[1] advocating the right of individuals to be free to do whatever they wish with their person or property, as long they limit their action to that which does not infringe on the liberty of others to do whatever they wish with their own person or property. Libertarians specifically define infringing the liberty of others as initiating, or threatening to initiate, the use of physical force against others, or defrauding them.
This may be what is missing... Hmmmmmm.
Liberalism is an ideology, philosophy, and political tradition which holds liberty as the primary political value.[1] Broadly speaking, liberalism seeks a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on the power of government, wealth, and religion, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports private enterprise.
In modern society, liberals favour a liberal democracy in the form of either a republic (e.g. France, Germany and India) or a constitutional monarchy (e.g. the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the countries of the Commonwealth realm), with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law and an equal opportunity to succeed[2].
Liberalism rejected many foundational assumptions which dominated most earlier theories of government, such as the Divine Right of Kings, hereditary status, and established religion.
Fundamental human rights that all liberals support include the right to life, liberty, and property. In many countries, modern liberalism differs from classical liberalism by asserting that government provision of some minimal level of material well-being takes priority over freedom from taxation.
Liberalism has it roots in the Western Enlightenment, but the term now encompasses a diversity of political thought, with adherents spanning a large part of the political spectrum, from left to right. In the context of economics, the term "liberalism" refers to economic liberalism.
These 3 levelled off at 10 am.
Intraday IVHG at .014 400/.014 = 28600 shares 11:37. IN
GGI & KWBT decision to allow them to run for lack of better choices considering cost of crossover and potential gains.
XTHN, GNOLF, and ONTV are good on deckers for now.
KWBT crossing north of the 25 period sma line now.
GGI following a nice path now.
I may need to allow KWBT & GGI to correct a little and decide on thursday if a sellout and recovery attempt with intraday trades will be attempted.
Will take another look at 10:15 am.
Both kwbt and ggi sitting somewhat idle while sttk is flying. hmmmm what to do about that..
KWBT currently at a 10% loss but due to the nature of the 15 minute chart we'll allow the sma trendline to be the watch point. Gooooo KWBT.
KWBT & GGI are the two offerings left we'll try to max these gains out.
IRXI yesterday stopped out at 2.56 bought at 2.35 at 8.2%
Need a stock to perform to 42% gains to have both average 25% gains. Will look to intraday trade one of those.
IRXI which way is it going ?
KWBT, IRXI, and GGI are the stocks for me to root for the remainder of the week. Mondays double 20% plus pops on 2 are a good sign that last weeks +5% gains on the MDG momentum list will be surpassed.
Yeah for John Bogle's comments for this morning.
SMWK Small World Kids Net Sales Increase 14.5% Year-Over-Year
PR Newswire - April 4, 2006 6:00 AM (EDT)
CULVER CITY, Calif., April 4, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Small World Kids, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SMWK), announced financial results for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Net sales for Small World Kids was $33.8 million, an increase of 14.5% compared to net sales of $29.5 million in 2004. Gross profit for the year 2005 increased $1.0 million, or 8.6%, to $13.1 million. Net loss for the year-ended December 31, 2005 was $6.8 million versus a net loss of $1.1 million for the year 2004. Net loss attributable to common stock was $8.9 million which included the following non-cash charges.
* $2.2 million charge to reflect the warrants and beneficial conversion
feature relating to the conversion the $5 million Bridge Note to
Convertible Preferred
* $1.5 million interest expense resulting from the amortization of debt
discounts,
* $.7 million in depreciation and amortization expenses,
* $.5 million compensation expense attributable to the issuances of stock
options granted to consultants for services, and
* $.3 million charge for the write-off of barter credits
Year-End Highlights and improvements:
* Net sales for 2005 were $33.8 million, an increase of 14.5% over 2004
sales
* Acquired two major customers, COSTCO and Target.
* Secured a new $18.5 million credit facility with Laurus Master Fund,
Ltd. on February 28, 2006. The proceeds were used to repay funds
borrowed under the revolving credit facility with PNC Bank,
* Entered into a Purchase Order Revolving Credit Line of $5 million with
Horizon Financial Services Group USA to provide financing for the
acquisition of product from overseas vendors, and
* Reduced operating expenses by $.6 million going into 2006
* In June 2005, Small World Kids acquired certain assets of Imagiix, a
developer and marketer of infant, toddler and preschool toys sold under
the Imagiix(R) brand
* Secured the exclusive distribution rights for the United States for Star
Electronics (TM) and will begin selling their products in the second
quarter of 2006.
"We are very pleased with our year-to-year growth, as we were able to grow our net sales 14.5% organically," commented Debra Fine, CEO of Small World Kids, Inc., especially with the additions of new customers, COSTCO and Target, and the rights to distribute Star Electronic(TM) products. In 2006, our key objectives will be to restructure our debt obligations, increase profitability and complete a financing that will put the company on solid footing to reach our projected 2006 growth of 15%," Fine concluded."
Small World Kids Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary Small World Toys, develops, manufactures, markets and distributes high-quality specialty toys and educational products for children. Its sales categories include infant, preschool, early learning, imaginative and active play, represented by award-winning brand names Ryan's Room(R), Gertie Ball(R), IQ Baby(R), and Neurosmith(R). The company also holds rights in the U.S. for specialty channel distribution for brands such as Tolo(R) and Star Electronics(TM). Small World Toys' products are sold in over 3,000 locations -- including educational channels, retail chains, Internet sites, catalogues and specialty stores.
For more information, please visit www.smallworldtoys.com or call 310-645-9680.
For information, call
Lisa Orman, KidStuff Public Relations
(608) 767-1102
SOURCE Small World Kids, Inc.
Lisa Orman of KidStuff Public Relations, +1-608-767-1102, for Small World Kids, Inc.
http://www.prnewswire.com
Copyright (C) 2006 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.
Answer peace and consistency with interesting info is good enough for me anyways.
Ummmm what is this channels ratings anyways ?
Bu Bye Verizon commercial with the Bu Bye dialup .... That was a MISTAKE to air that one boy.
The channel is sounding a bit too governmenty guys.
I gots to thinking about this... Its impossible to have a discussion about automobiles and have it sound like a caring discussion about peoples feelings which translate into productivity ( ie improved understanding of what customers want, improved design techniques, you know the whole list ).
So any negativity about the auto industry can translate into upset human emotion. I hope that Bloomberg has a day or at least some time discussed about the vacation industry, the entertainment industries, and the restaurant and hotel industries. That day would be FUN for me to watch anyways.
Topic List:
Hotel Sales working best how ( online, agents, through airlines ?)
Customers satisfied more with discount airlines are there midgrade airlines that are slightly higher in price ?
What type and style of people pick what hotels ( pools?, gambling?, vacinity to things?, family friendly, couples friendly, etc. )
Best rated Honeymoon locations, etc.
Best for motor sports types.... boating, etc.
Well I am sure someone can put together a good midday show about that. ( if your interested ).
Possibly the cast is feeling underappreciated, which is why all the vehicle talk today. It all comes back to Freud I think maybe.
If Ed was in reality he would realize that the vehicles are selling, but are they selling enough of them ? and is the company being managed well. Its a waste of time to talk about the company unless that is determined for both Ford and GM.
These are public companies and shareholders would at least be interested in that.
Vehicles got way too much airplay today IMOP.
New Camaros will sell faster than hotcakes at the Waffle Hut.
Ed Peters is god
See Post #920
This is like Tennis in a way with no score, and seemingly no progress, better than nothing anyways.
IRXI took an interesting plunge this afternoon.
See Post #920
Your approach is to try to get me hired.... I have not offered that.
Manage the Bologna I say, lots of uncredible stuff coming out over the airways.
This joker talking about Moussaoui is full of it.