French stocks - Factors to watch on August 28
PARIS, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Below are leading stories from French newspaper and company-related news which could have an impact on the French market or individual stocks.
AREVA (CEPFi.PA)
The expected building costs of a new nuclear reactor in Finland by France's Areva have increased to 4.5 billion euros ($6.66 billion) from 3 billion and the group has to make new provisions, the Les Echos newspaper said.
CREDIT AGRICOLE (CAGR.PA)
France's biggest retail bank, reported a 94 percent fall in second quarter profit on Thursday with earnings hit by a widely expected loss at its Calyon investment banking division.
Agricole is the last of France's top three banks to post results for the second quarter, during which the credit crisis continued to weigh on the global financial sector.
For story see [ID:nLR160077]
NATIXIS (CNAT.PA)
The investment bank reported a second-quarter net loss of 1.02 billion euros, broadly in line with previous guidance, as it prepares a 3.7 billion euro rights issue to strengthen its finances. Natixis' earnings were hit by around 1.5 billion euros of writedowns related to the global credit crisis, as previously announced by the company in July.
For story see [ID:nLR170821]
ACCOR (ACCP.PA)
The French hotels and services group Accor said it expected 16 percent full-year profit growth before tax on a like-for-like basis, after it posted in-line first-half underlying profits.
For story see [ID:nLR210633]
ESSILOR
The French glasses maker said it was stepping up share buybacks after it reported a rise in first-half profit.
The group, whose shares have fallen 24 percent this year, said it would buy back up to 3.3 percent of its share capital.
For story see [ID:nLS344225]
VINCI (SGEF.PA)
The head of the world's largest public works and transport concessions group said the global construction sector will weather currency swings and the subprime crisis as prospects remain in emerging markets.
For the Reuters interview see [ID:nLR181991]
ESSILOR (ESSI.PA)
Essilor International SA said H1 net profit was up 16.8 percent at constant exchange rates and added full year performance was expected confirm Essilor's ability to drive steady growth in both revenue and margins.
AREVA (CEPFi.PA)
Says in Jordan uranium mining partnership. "The state visit to France by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan was the backdrop for today?s signing by AREVA and the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) of a memorandum of understanding in the mining business, providing for their creation of a joint venture for the exploration of uranium resources in the Central Jordan province," Areva said in a statement on Wednesday.
For story click on [ID:nWEA7279]
ACCOR (ACCP.PA)
* Announces board changes
* Says Colony-Eurazeo will have three members on supervisory board, up from two "The Board of Directors unanimously decided, based on the 21.6% interest in the Company?s capital presently held by the Colony/Eurazeo concert group, to increase the concert group'snumber of seats on the Board from 2 to 3, and consequently to appoint as Director Patrick Sayer, Chairman of the Eurazeo Management Board, who will also become a member of the Audit Committee, replacing Etienne Davignon," it said in a statement.
For story click on [ID:nWEA7269]
TOTAL (TOTF.PA)
French oil major Total SA may shut in oil and gas production on Saturday ahead of Tropical Storm Gustav, a company spokesman said on Wednesday.
For story click on [ID:nN27475370]
AIR FRANCE (AIRF.PA)
Italy's government said on Wednesday it would welcome Air France-KLM buying into a reshaped Alitalia AZPIa.MI, hoping to woo back the French carrier after helping scupper a previous deal between the two airlines.
For story click on [ID:nLR679330]
INGENICO (INGC.PA)
* CEO says sees 12-13 operating margin for 2008 - la Tribune "We can count this year on an operating margin of between 12 and 13 percent, excluding exceptional items," Ingenico Chief Executive Philippe Lazare told French daily La Tribune in an interview to be published on Thurday and a copy of which was made available late on Wednesday.
For story click on [ID:nWEA7283]
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