Publicis Groupe: First Half 2010 Results

PARIS, July 29, 2010

PARIS, July 29, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –

Second quarter 2010
(EUR million)

– Revenue 1,376 (+21.3%)
– Organic growth +7.1%

First half 2010
(EUR million)

– Revenue 2,538 (+14.9%)
– Organic growth +5.3%
– Operating margin 369 (+28.6%)
– Operating margin rate 14.5%
– Net income (Group share) 213 (+27.5%)
– Free Cash Flow (1) 277 (+42%)
– Headline diluted EPS (2) 1.00 euro (+12%)
– Debt/equity ratio 0.20

(1) Before changes in WCR

(2) After elimination of impairment, amortization of intangibles arising on acquisitions and the tax credit arising on the deferred tax liability on the Oceane 2014 convertible bond.

Maurice Levy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Publicis Groupe declares:

“With organic growth of 7.1% for the second quarter of 2010 and 5.3% for the half-year, an operating margin of 14.5% and net income up by 27.5%, Publicis Groupe has once again given proof of its energy and ability to create value, even in the aftermath of the worst global economic crisis in many years.

This growth is the result of a strategy that has been effectively executed over a number of years. We were quick to take the digital route, gaining a decisive lead over our competitors and providing clients with the best and most innovative solutions for the new landscape being shaped by the explosion of digital technology.

We also opted for expansion in emerging markets. The economic crisis may have slowed the pace of their growth, but ZenithOptimedia’s latest estimates for 2011 and 2012 bode well for strong growth.

The challenges our clients face demand from us greater inventiveness, creativity and innovation, and relentless operational efforts to ensure that they win whatever the circumstances. I would like to thank them for their confidence, and to pay tribute to the hard work of all our teams who have performed wonders within the constraints of strict cost controls, enabling Publicis Groupe to emerge stronger than ever from the crisis.

Tight cost containment since end 2008 and strong growth in revenue have boosted operating margin to an impressive 14.5%, despite the fact that Razorfish is still in the integration phase with a margin that, while improving, is still well below average for the Groupe.

Without lapsing into the euphoria that these half-year results for our Groupe might warrant, I remain firmly convinced that Publicis Groupe will succeed in outperforming the market in terms of both growth and margin.”

At its meeting on July 28, 2010, chaired by Mrs. Elisabeth Badinter, the
Supervisory Board of Publicis Groupe examined the first half results for 2010
presented by Mr. Maurice Levy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Publicis Groupe.
Key figures

EUR million, except for 1st half 2010 1st half 2009 2010/2009
percentages and
per-share data (EUR)

Income statement data
Revenue 2,538 2,209 14.9%
Operating margin before
depreciation and amortization 422 333 26.7%
As % of revenue 16.6% 15.1%
Operating margin 369 287 28.6%
As % of revenue 14.5% 13.0%
Operating income 353 257 37.4%
Net income attributable to Publicis
Groupe 213 167 27.5%

Earnings per share (1) 1.04 0.83 25.3%

Diluted earnings per share (2) 0.95 0.82 15.8%

Balance sheet data June 30, 2010 June 30, 2009
Total assets 14,458 11,408
Shareholders’ equity 3,090 2,418

(1) The average number of shares used to calculate earnings per share was 204.5 million for 1st Half 2010 and 200.8 million for 1st Half 2009.

(2) The average number of shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share was 237.1 million for 1st Half 2010 and 206.3 million for 1st Half 2009. This includes stock options, free shares, equity warrants and convertible bonds with a dilutive effect on EPS. For the first six months of 2010, the instruments that diluted EPS were the Oceane convertible bonds, equity warrants, free shares and certain tranches of stock options with a strike price below the average price over the period.

Analysis of key figures

I. First half 2010 activity

The global economy rallied over the first half of 2010. After forecasting a 0.9% increase in 2010 global advertising expenditure in its December 2009 forecast, ZenithOptimedia upgraded its forecast in April this year to 2.2% growth and upped its latest estimate yet again, on July 19, to 3.5%. This steady improvement in growth forecasts is most encouraging.

As the advertising market recovered, Publicis Groupe posted an increase of 14.9% in reported revenue for the first half and organic growth of +5.3%.

Second quarter revenue was up by 21.3% and organic growth rose to 7.1%.

Revenue in first half 2010

Consolidated revenue for the first half of 2010 was EUR 2,538 million compared to EUR 2,209 million for the first half of 2009, an increase of 14.9% (exchange rate impact was positive at EUR 55 million).

Organic growth was 5.3%.

First half growth reflects the strong recovery in advertising expenditure after the record slump triggered by the 2009 economic crisis. The larger networks, in particular Leo Burnett and Publicis Worldwide along with VivaKi, made the most of the upturn, and digital activities maintained their strong growth trend.

The breakdown of consolidated revenue for the first half of 2010 is as follows: 33% from advertising, 20% from media and 47% from specialized agencies and marketing services (including digital activities).

Breakdown of first half 2010 revenue by region

(EUR million) Revenue Organic Growth
1st half 2010 1st half 2009

Europe 805 738 +3.1%
North America 1,258 1,061 +6.6%
Asia-Pacific 286 238 +6.0%
Latin America 126 109 +10.8%
Africa and Middle East 63 63 -3.3%

Total 2,538 2,209 +5.3%

Almost all the regions, Europe included, saw a return to growth, with the exception of Africa and the Middle East, which is still suffering from Dubai’s financial crisis.

North America continues to enjoy good growth. Organic growth for the USA was 7.2%, fuelled by strong growth from all the agencies and significant contributions from the healthcare and digital activities, the latter accounting for 42.5% of the region’s revenue.

The Asia Pacific region is growing again, thanks largely to India and Korea.

Every country in Latin America except Chile reported growth.

Expressed in US dollars, first half revenue was USD 3,362 million, an increase of 14.3%.

Revenue in 2nd quarter 2010

Consolidated second quarter 2010 revenue was EUR 1,376 million, an increase of 21.3% on the figure of EUR 1,134 million for the corresponding period in 2009 (the exchange rate impact was positive at EUR 73 million).

Organic growth was +7.1% in the second quarter, a significant improvement on first quarter organic growth of +3.1%.

The second quarter undoubtedly benefited from a low basis of comparison, but the marked upswing in advertising business seen in the first quarter was also maintained.

Growth was also fuelled by new business wins in 2009 and by an increase in advertising spending by major clients.

– Breakdown of 2nd quarter 2010 revenue by region

(EUR million) Revenue Organic Growth
2nd quarter 2nd quarter
2010 2009

Europe 437 381 +7.3%
North America 679 535 +8.1%
Asia-Pacific 154 123 +5.3%
Latin America 71 58 +11.5%
Africa and Middle East 35 37 -10.4%

Total 1,376 1,134 +7.1%

Europe performed well in the second quarter. Only Africa and the Middle East posted negative figures.

Operating margin and operating income

Operating margin before depreciation and amortization was EUR 422 million in first half 2010, up 26.7% from EUR 333 million for the first half of 2009.

Operating margin was EUR 369 million compared with EUR 287 million for the same period in 2009, an increase of 28.6%.

Operating margin rate for the first half of the year was 14.5%, up from 13% for the same period in 2009. This reflects the significant upturn in activity as compared with first half 2009, and continued tight control over costs. The effects of measures taken in 2009, particularly with regard to containing personnel costs, are beginning to be felt.

Operating income for first half 2010 was EUR 353 million compared to EUR 257 million for the corresponding period in 2009, an increase of 37.4%.

Net income

Net income attributable to the Group was EUR 213 million, an increase of 27.5% on the net income of EUR 167 million reported for the first half of 2009.

Net income includes a net financial expense of EUR 42 million and a tax charge of EUR 89 million for the half-year.

Free Cash Flow

The Groupe’s free cash flow, excluding changes in WCR, was up sharply (+42% on the corresponding period of 2009) at EUR 277 million. The increase is directly linked to the increase in operating margin before depreciation and amortization.

Net financial debt at June 30, 2010

Net financial debt was EUR 618 million at June 30, 2010 compared to 899 EUR million at June 30, 2009. This figure includes the impact of the partial buyback of Publicis Groupe shares held by SEP Badinter-Dentsu at a cost of EUR 217.5 EUR million. Net financial debt at December 30, 2009 was EUR 313 million, the raise observed at June 30,2010 reflecting the usual seasonal effect.

The Groupe’s average net debt for the first half of 2010 was EUR 673 million, down sharply on the figures of EUR 1, 002 million for first half 2009 and EUR 929 million for the full year 2009.

The Groupe’s available liquidity position at June 30, 2010 was EUR 3.6 billion.

Shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2010

Consolidated shareholders’ including minority interests was EUR 3,111 million at June 30, 2010, compared with EUR 2,838 million at December 31, 2009. This includes the impact of allocation of 2009 income (dividends of EUR 107 million distributed).

The debt/equity ratio thus rose from 0.14 at December 31, 2009 to 0.20 at June 30, 2010.

II. NETWORKS

The upturn in advertising markets over the course of the first half of the year is benefiting all the Groupe’s networks. The growing contribution from digital activities, up to 28.1% of first half revenue compared with 20.7% (at 2010 exchange rate) for the first half of 2009, once again confirms the Groupe’s strategic decision to help its clients keep pace with a changing consumer landscape and the new digital audience. Digital activities are now making their way into every one of the Groupe’s networks, bringing the benefits of expertise and new ideas in virtually every area of digital operations, be it search, display, or the social and mobile networks made possible by the creation of the VivaKi Nerve Center (and at the same time avoiding duplication of investments).

III. COST CONTROL

The Groupe continues to exercise tight control over its costs. Cost optimization programs are the focus of unrelenting attention and are ongoing. The deployment of shared service centers, initiated some years ago, continues, as does the process of regionalization. The “Americas” platform, designed to serve the entire continent, is scheduled to go fully operational at the end of this year. The rollout (first local and subsequently global) of ERP, made possible by the integration of most agencies into shared service centers and the adoption of shared processes, continues. The Group expects to achieve a significant reduction in its operating costs from this investment, through global harmonization of processes and systems as from 2012.

Thanks to a solid balance sheet and improved cost control, the Groupe is well placed to meet market needs and sharpen its competitive edge.

IV. New BUSINESS: USD 2.1 BILLION IN NET wins

Publicis Groupe took in USD 2.1 billion in net new business in the first half of 2010, clear testimony to the attractiveness of its products and services (see Appendix for list).

V. ACQUISITIONS

Publicis Groupe has embarked on a process of securing long-term growth by ramping up its engagement in digital activities and emerging economies, both of which are growth drivers for the communications sector today and in the future.

A significant number of targets have been identified, with special interest focusing on the opportunities offered by China.

On March 30, Publicis Groupe announced it had acquired a minority stake in Taterka Comunicacoes (Taterka), an advertising agency based in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

On April 6, 2010, the Groupe acquired Canadian agency In-Sync. Founded in 1989, the Toronto-based agency operates in the health and wellness space, specializing in market research consultancy and offering innovative marketing solutions to its biopharma clients.

At the end of April, Publicis Groupe bought out the minority interests in W&K and holds now 100% of the capital of this Chinese agency, now rebranded Leo Burnett Beijing Communications Co., Ltd.

On May 19, 2010, Publicis Groupe acquired Resolute Communications Ltd. Founded in 2002, Resolute Communications provides healthcare communications programs spanning strategic consulting, medical education, and media and public relations. Resolute is headquartered in London with an office in New York. Resolute will be merged with Publicis Life Brands in London to form a new entity renamed Publicis Life Brands Resolute, that will further entrench Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG) as a leader in the United Kingdom.

VI. FINANCE

January 2010 saw the early redemption of some of the outstanding 2018 Oceane convertible bonds. According to the 2018 Oceane prospectus, any holder was entitled to request early redemption of all or part of its Oceane bonds at the early redemption price of EUR 45.19 per bond. At the early redemption date, i.e. January 18, 2010, a total of 617,985 Oceane bonds were repaid early for a total amount of EUR 28 million.

The number of Oceane bonds subsequently outstanding is 2,624,538, representing 14.9% of the number initially issued (17,624,521).

Furthermore, in view of the authorization granted by the Combined Annual General Meeting of the shareholders on June 9, 2009, Publicis Groupe SA entered into an agreement on January 8, 2010, with an authorized intermediary, with a view to purchasing 2.7 million Publicis Groupe shares. This authorization was granted for a period of eighteen months from June 9, 2009, i.e. until December 8, 2010. To date, 2,482,440 shares have been purchased under this program.

On May 10, 2010 Publicis Groupe purchased from Dentsu Inc. a block of 7,500,000 of its own shares, held by SEP Dentsu-Badinter, to be cancelled. The total price paid for the block was EUR 217.5 million, equivalent to EUR 29 per share. The shares were immediately cancelled.

VII. RECENT EVENTS

Acquisitions

On July 12, 2010, Publicis Groupe announced its acquisition of G4, a Beijing-based advertising agency. Launched in 2009, G4 offers integrated communications solutions, including advertising, design and strategic consulting, to Nestle in China. G4 has rebranded as Publicis G4 and will join forces with the Publicis Beijing Nestle team. Concentrating all the skills and resources dedicated to Nestle within Publicis G4 will provide an enhanced service to this key customer throughout Greater China and the Asia region.

New Business

New business maintained its dynamic pace at the beginning of second half 2010 after total gains of USD 1 billion for the second quarter.

VIII. Outlook

For the second time in succession, ZenithOptimedia has upgraded its forecasts of growth in global advertising expenditure for 2010, most recently to 3.5% growth. These significantly higher forecasts confirm the upturn in the market, after a year of record decline in global advertising expenditure in 2009.

Publicis Groupe’s growth rates for the first two quarters of 2010 are a mark of excellent performance and testimony to its judicious strategic choices, with digital activities continuing to expand across all the Groupe’s networks and creating the right conditions for innovation and value creation. Emerging economies are returning to growth rates more commensurate with their level of development and opening up new prospects for the Groupe.

These two cornerstones offer assurances of growth both now and in the future.

Investments in talent and in digital activities are still very much ongoing, made possible by strict cost control and a sound financial situation.

With many emerging economies, China in particular, returning to high growth, a recovering US economy (although flat since May), and certain European countries (including France and the UK) holding up well, Publicis Groupe confirms its target of outperforming the market on growth for full year 2010.

“This document contains forward-looking statements. The use of the words “aim(s),” “expect(s),” “feel(s),” “will,” “may,” “believe(s),” “anticipate(s)” and similar expressions in this press release are intended to identify those statements as forward looking. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Other than in connection with applicable securities laws, Publicis Groupe undertakes no obligation to publish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Publicis Groupe urges you to review and consider the various disclosures it made concerning the factors that may affect its business carefully, including the disclosures made to the French financial authority (AMF)”

About Publicis Groupe

Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577] is the world’s third largest communications group. In addition, it is ranked as the world’s second largest media counsel and buying group, and is the first global network in digital and healthcare communications. With activities spanning 104 countries on five continents, the Groupe employs approximately 46,000 professionals. Publicis Groupe offers local and international clients a complete range of advertising services through three global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty, as well as New York-based Kaplan Thaler Group. Media consultancy and buying is offered through the two first ranked worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; and interactive and digital marketing led by the two first ranked Digitas and Razorfish networks. Publicis Groupe launched VivaKi to leverage the combined scale of the autonomous operations of Digitas, Denuo, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia to develop new services, tools, and next generation digital platforms. Publicis Groupe’s specialized agencies and marketing services offer healthcare communications with Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG, the first network in healthcare communications), sustainability communications and multicultural communications. With MS&LGroup, one of the world’s top three PR and Events networks, expertise ranges from corporate and financial communications to public relations and public affairs, branding, social media marketing and events, sports marketing and events.

Web site: http://www.publicisgroupe.com
Appendices
New Business – 1st Half 2010
USD 2.1 billion (net)
Key wins
Digitas

Electronic Arts (Brazil), Topper (Brazil), CA (USA), Goodyear (USA), Aflac (USA), Sears (USA), Whitewave (USA), Olay (Hong Kong/ Taiwan), Airtel (India), Nestle (India), Renault ZE (France)

Fallon

Cadbury Flake (UK), French Connection (global), Nokia (global), The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. (USA), Cadillac (USA)

Leo Burnett

Chrysler (UK, Germany, Turkey), Samsung (Malaysia, Czech Republic, Thailand, Kazakhstan), COI/BIS (UK), Research in Motion- Blackberry (UK), DUFRY- duty free (Mexico), Sigma Alimentos (Mexico), Koleston (Colombia), Nestle (Guatemala), Sanofi-Aventis (Guatemala), Canon (Thailand), Amway (China), Siemens (China), Merrill Lynch (Korea), British Council (Sri Lanka), BMW (Malaysia), Pilipinas Shell (Philippines), Arla Food (Russia), Nycomed (Latvia), The ITI Group (Poland), Altıparmak (Turkey), El-Bi Electrics (Turkey), Turkcell (Turkey), Ulker (Turkey), Delipapier Sofidel (France), Campero (Guatemala, Salvador), V-Inspired (UK), Cemex (Costa Rica), World Gold Council (Turkey), Dubai International Film Festival, Tele2 (Kazakhstan), Fiat (Mexico), Cipher Lab (Taiwan)

MS&L Group

What’s on (India), World Gold Council (China), Central agency for national insurance (France), National Defense Ministry (France), Klepierre Segece (France), Pernod Ricard (France), RapidShare (Germany), Apoteket (Sweden)

Publicis Worldwide

Dolce Gusto (France, USA), Chrysler (Canada), City of Toronto (Canada), Metro (Canada), Siemens Energy (Germany, Asia), Telefonica / Movistar (Spain), Sky News / Online project (UK), Cafe do Brasil (Italy), Orogel (Italy), J.K. Helene Curtis (India), Reserve Bank of India / VIP Bags (India), SCMP Classified Post (Hong Kong), Le Monde (France), Ricola (France), Descamps (France), Carte d’Or (France), Cyrillus (France), GT Land Plaza (China), La Halle (France), Aeroports de la Cote d’Azur (France), Nestle / Dairy Culinary (Mexico), Bupa (UK), Concha y Toro / VCT (Brazil), Hamburger / Financial (Germany), Bud Light (Canada), Beefeater Gin (UK), Randstad (UK), Belle Avenue (Thailand), Black Canyon (Thailand), Wellcome / Social business (Germany), Emirates Airlines (Netherlands), Stivoro / Anti-smoking campaign (Netherlands), Musee du Louvre (France), Losc / Lille Football Club (France), Hammerson (France), Shanghai World Expo’s / Information & communication pavilion account, Virgin Mobile (Australia), City of Dreams / Digital account (Hong Kong), Indigo Books / Largest Canadian book retailer, (Canada), Hasbro (Canada), Canadian Olympic Foundation (Canada), Fiat / Punto Evo / International launch in Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Poland ( France), BNP Paribas / Investment Partners (Netherlands), Nestle Maggi (Malaysia)

Saatchi & Saatchi

Arla Foods – Lurpak (Global except for UK), BNP Paribas (Poland), Red.es digital TV (Spain), Chrysler & Dodge SUV (China), Vinda (China), Carlsberg: Dali, Wusu, XiXia (China), Petrobras (Brazil), Sanitarium (New Zealand), Toyota (Italy)

Starcom MediaVest Group

Honda (Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweeden, UK), CBS Film (USA), Turner (USA), Napa Auto Parts (USA), Nintendo (Netherlands), Dutch Government (Netherlands), Van Haren (Netherlands), Silesia Voivodship (Poland), Ministry of Environment (Poland), Skyways (Sweeden), FEW Online Retail (Sweeden), Prudential Direct Insurance (Taiwan), Coca-Cola (France), Mitre 10 (Australia), Mars Wrigley (China), in.gr (Greece), General Mills (China), Supermac’s (Ireland), AIB (Ireland), IKKS (Netherlands), Provident (Poland), Aflac (USA), Avon (USA), Kraft/Cadbury (global), American Egg Board (USA)

The Kaplan Thaler group

Aflac (USA)

ZenithOptimedia

Aviva (global), Reckitt Benckiser (global), Beijing Tourism Board, China Merchant Bank, Maoduoli (China), Electrolux (Vietnam), Georgia Pacific (Romania), Vivartia (Romania), BN Telecom (Turkey), Dyo (Turkey), Pegasus Airlines (Turkey), SAB Miller (Ecuador), Axtel (Mexico), Lindt (United Arab Emirates), Catalonian Government (Spain), Ministry of Environment (Spain), Perfume Shop (UK), Remington Consumer Products (USA), Beijing Lan Hai Cold Mineral Water (China), Warner Bros (Singapore), Universal Pictures (Mexico), Hubei Mobile (China), Reckitt Benckiser (China), AS Watson (APAC)

Glossary

Operating margin rate: operating margin/revenue.

Average half-year net debt: half-year average of average monthly net debt.

Free cash flow: cash flow from operations minus capital expenditures for tangible and intangible fixed assets, excluding acquisitions.

Net new business: this figure is derived not from financial reporting but from estimated media-marketing budgets based on annual business (net of losses) from new and existing clients.

For further information, please visit our website: http://www.finance.publicisgroupe.com

2010 Press Releases

08/01/10 Share repurchase program

11/01/10 Partnership between the Women’s Forum and Terrafemina

18/01/10 OCEANES 2018 – early redemption

05/02/10 Lov Group and Publicis Groupe in exclusive negotiations

17/02/10 2009 Annual Results

16/03/10 Management Board bonuses

30/03/10 Publicis Groupe acquires a minority stake of Brazilian agency
Taterka Comunicacoes

06/04/10 Publicis Groupe Acquires In-Sync Healthcare Agency

22/04/10 Publicis Groupe: First Quarter 2010 Revenue – Back to Growth

26/04/10 Re-Elections at the Publicis Groupe Supervisory Board

29/04/10 Publicis Groupe Acquires Remaining Capital of Leo Burnett / W&K
Beijing Advertising Co. Ltd

10/05/10 Publicis Groupe Announces its Acquisition from Dentsu Inc. of
7,500,000 of its own Shares in Order to Cancel Them

19/05/10 Publicis Groupe acquires Resolute Communications, in Healthcare
Communications

01/06/10 Publicis Groupe Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting – Dividend
set at 0.60 Euros per Share

01/06/10 Supervisory Board and Management Board of Publicis Groupe

28/06/10 Daniele Bessis Joins Publicis Groupe as CEO of Re:Sources
Worldwide

12/07/10 Publicis Groupe Acquires G4 Advertising co. Ltd. in China

For further information: http://www.publicisgroupe.com

Publicis Groupe

Consolidated financial statements – June 30, 2010 (unaudited)

Consolidated income statement

(in millions of euros) June 30, June 30, 2009
2010 2009

Revenue 2,538 2,209 4,524
Personnel expenses (1,613) (1,423) (2,812)
Other operating expenses (503) (453) (940)
Operating margin before depreciation
and amortization 422 333 772
Depreciation and amortization expense
(excluding intangibles arising on
acquisition) (53) (46) (92)
Operating margin 369 287 680
Amortization of intangibles arising on
acquisition (17) (15) (30)
Impairment – (20) (28)
Non-current income (expense) 1 5 7
Operating income 353 257 629
Interest expense (40) (34) (73)
Interest income 6 9 12
Cost of net financial debt (34) (25) (61)
Other financial income (expenses) (8) (2) (9)
Income of consolidated companies before
taxes 311 230 559
Income taxes (89) (59) (146)
Net income of consolidated companies 222 171 413
Share in net income of associates – 1 4
Net income 222 172 417
Of which:

– Net income attributable to
non-controlling interests
(Minority interests) 9 5 14
– Net income attributable to equity
holders of the parent company 213 167 403

Per share data (in euros) – Net income
attributable to equity holders of the
parent company
Number of shares 204,545,563 200,760,562 202,257,125
Net earnings per share 1.04 0.83 1.99
Number of shares – diluted 237,073,116 206,261,458 220,867,344
Net earnings per share – diluted 0.95 0.82 1.90

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

(in millions of euros) June 30, June 30, 2009
2010 2009

Net income for the year (a) 222 172 417
Other comprehensive income
– Valuation of available-for-sale
investments at fair value (1) 4 12
– Actuarial gains and losses on defined
benefit plans (24) (16) (4)
– Translation of foreign operations 431 (12) (59)
– Deferred taxes on other comprehensive
income 7 5 1
Other comprehensive income for the period
(b) 413 (19) (50)

Total comprehensive income for the period
(a) + (b) 635 153 367
Of which:

– Comprehensive income attributable to
non-controlling interests (Minority
interests) 18 7 17
– Comprehensive income attributable to
Equity holders of the parent company 617 146 350

Consolidated balance sheet

(in millions of euros) June 30, 2010 December 31, 2009

Assets
Goodwill, net 4,416 3,928
Intangible assets, net 937 835
Property and equipment, net 480 458
Deferred tax assets 96 73
Investments in associates 42 49
Other financial assets 113 94
Non-current assets 6,084 5,437
Inventory and costs billable to clients 406 290
Accounts receivable 5,941 4,875
Other receivables and other current assets 609 548
Cash and cash equivalents 1,418 1,580
Current assets 8,374 7,293

Total Assets 14,458 12,730

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Share capital 76 79
Additional paid-in capital and retained earnings 3,014 2,734
Equity attributable to holders of the
parent company 3,090 2,813
Non-controlling Interests (Minority interests) 21 25
Total Equity 3,111 2,838
Long-term financial debt (more than 1 year) 1,812 1,796
Deferred tax liabilities 235 214
Long-term provisions 499 449
Non-current liabilities 2,546 2,459
Accounts payable 6,858 5,835
Short-term financial debt (less than 1 year) 227 214
Income taxes payable 75 63
Short-term provisions 105 100
Other creditors and other current liabilities 1,536 1,221
Current liabilities 8,801 7,433

Total Liabilities and Equity 14,458 12,730

Consolidated cash flow statement

(in millions of euro) June 30, June 30, 2009
2010 2009
Cash flows from operations
Net income 222 172 417
Adjustment for non-cash income and
expenses:
Income taxes 89 59 146
Cost of net financial debt 34 25 61
Capital (gains) losses on disposal
(before tax) (1) (4) (10)
Depreciation, amortization and
impairment on property and equipment and
intangible assets 70 81 150
Non-cash expenses on stock options and
similar items 15 12 24
Other non-cash income and expenses 3 5 11
Equity in net income of associates – (1) (4)

Dividends received from equity accounted
investments 11 6 9
Taxes paid (103) (86) (157)
Interest paid (36) (51) (75)
Interest received 7 10 16
Change in working capital requirements(1) (266) (495) 59
Net cash flows provided by (used in)
operating activities (I) 45 (267) 647
Cash flows from investment operations
Purchases of property and equipment and
intangible assets (35) (33) (74)
Proceeds from sale of property and
equipment and intangible assets 1 – 10
Proceeds from sale of investments and
other financial assets, net (5) 3 10
Acquisition of subsidiaries (48) (70) (298)
Divestment of subsidiaries 1 – 1
Net cash flows provided by (used in)
investment operations (II) (86) (100) (351)
Cash flows from financing operations
Capital Increase – – -
Dividends paid to parent company
shareholders – – (107)
Dividends paid to minority shareholders
of subsidiaries (14) (15) (26)
Cash received on new borrowings 13 734 744
Reimbursement of borrowings (59) (115) (108)
Net (purchases)/sales of treasury shares
and equity warrants (249) 1 5
Cash received on hedging transactions – – -
Net cash flows provided by (used in)
financing operations (III) (309) 605 508
Impact of exchange rate fluctuations (IV) 173 34 (94)
Net change in consolidated cash flows (I
+ II + III + IV) (177) 272 710
Cash and cash equivalents as of January 1, 1,580 867 867
Bank overdrafts as of January 1, (33) (30) (30)
Net cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period 1,547 837 837
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period 1,418 1,162 1,580
Bank overdrafts at end of period (48) (53) (33)
Net cash and cash equivalents at end of
period 1,370 1,109 1,547
Net change in cash and cash equivalents (177) 272 710
(1) Breakdown of change in working
capital requirements
Change in inventory and costs billable
to clients (73) 31 29
Change in accounts receivable and other
receivables (458) 729 160
Change in accounts payable, other
creditors and provisions 265 (1,255) (130)
Variation in working capital
requirements (266) (495) 59

Statement of changes in consolidated shareholders’ equity

Number of (in millions of Capital Additional Reserves Translation
outstanding euros) stock paid-in and reserve
shares capital retained
earnings

178,854,301 January 1, 2009 78 2,553 (105) (315)
Net income for the 167
period
Other
comprehensive
income
Valuation of
available-for-sale
investments at
fair value
Actuarial gains (11)
and losses on
defined benefit
plans
Translation of (14)
foreign operations
Total other – – (11) (14)
comprehensive
income
Total – – 156 (14)
comprehensive
income for the
period

Equity component 49
of OCEANE 2014
Dividends (107)
Share-based 12
compensation
Additional (3)
interest on Oranes
Effect of changes
in scope of
consolidation and
of commitments to
purchase minority
interests
72,910 Purchases/sales of 1
treasury shares
178,927,211 June 30, 2009 78 2,553 3 (329)

Number of (in millions Fair-value Equity Non-Controlling Total
of outstanding euros) reserve attributable Interest Equity
shares to holders (Minority
of the interests)
parent
company

178,854,301 January 1, 2009 109 2,320 30 2,350
Net income for the 167 5 172
period
Other
comprehensive
income
Valuation of 4 4 4
available-for-sale
investments at
fair value
Actuarial gains (11) (11)
and losses on
defined benefit
plans
Translation of (14) 2 (12)
foreign operations
Total other 4 (21) 2 (19)
comprehensive
income
Total 4 146 7 153
comprehensive
income for the
period

Equity component 49 49
of OCEANE 2014
Dividends (107) (15) (122)
Share-based 12 12
compensation
Additional (3) (3)
interest on Oranes
Effect of changes – 3 3
in scope of
consolidation and
of commitments to
purchase minority
interests
72,910 Purchases/sales of 1 1
treasury shares
178,927,211 June 30, 2009 113 2,418 25 2,443

Number of (in millions of Capital Additional Reserves Translation
outstanding euros) stock paid-in and reserve
shares capital retained
earnings

187,168,768 January 1, 2010 79 2,600 390 (377)
Net income 213
Other
comprehensive
income
Valuation of
available-for-sale
investments at
fair value
Actuarial gains (17)
and losses on
defined benefit
plans
Translation of 422
foreign operations
Total other – – (17) 422
comprehensive
income
Total – – 196 422
comprehensive
income for the
period

Dividends paid (107)
Share-based 19
compensation
Additional (3)
interest on Oranes
Effect of changes
in scope of
consolidation and
of commitments to
purchase minority
interests
(7,500,000) Cancellation of (3) (215)
Publics Groupe SA
shares
(807,764) Purchases/sales of (31)
treasury shares
178,861,004 June 30, 2010 76 2,385 464 45

Number of (in millions Fair-value Equity Non-Controlling Total
of outstanding euros) reserve attributable Interests Equity
shares to holders (Minority
of the interests)
parent
company

187,168,768 January 1, 2010 121 2,813 25 2,838
Net income 213 9 222
Other
comprehensive
income
Valuation of (1) (1) (1)
available-for-sale
investments at
fair value
Actuarial gains (17) (17)
and losses on
defined benefit
plans
Translation of 422 9 431
foreign operations
Total other (1) 404 9 413
comprehensive
income
Total (1) 617 18 635
comprehensive
income for the
period

Dividends paid (107) (14) (121)
Share-based 19 19
compensation
Additional (3) (3)
interest on Oranes
Effect of changes
in scope of
consolidation and
of commitments to
purchase minority
interests – (8) (8)
(7,500,000) Cancellation of (218) (218)
Publics Groupe SA
shares
(807,764) Purchases/sales of (31) (31)
treasury shares
178,861,004 June 30, 2010 120 3,090 21 3,111

Earnings per share calculation details

Earnings per share and diluted earnings per share

(In millions of euro except for shares) June 30, 2010 June 30, 2009
Net income used for the calculation of
earnings per share
Net income attributable to equity holders
of the parent a 213 167
Impact of dilutive instruments:
– Savings in financial expenses related
to the conversion of debt instruments,
net of tax (1) 13 2
Net income attributable to equity holders
of the parent – diluted b 226 169
Number of shares used for the calculation
of earnings per share
Average number of shares composing the
company’s share capital 195,469,852 196,020,983
Treasury shares to be deducted (average
for the year) (11,231,966) (17,130,227)
Shares to be issued to redeem the Oranes 20,307,677 21,869,806
Average number of shares used for the
calculation c 204,545,563 200,760,562
Impact of dilutive instruments: (2)
– Free shares and dilutive stock options 3,904,161 1,045,823
– Equity warrants (BSA) 172,692 -
– Shares resulting from the conversion of
convertible bonds (1) 28,450,700 4,455,073
Number of shares – diluted
(en euro) d 237,073,116 206,261,458

Net earnings per share a/c 1.04 0.83

Net earnings per share – diluted b/d 0.95 0.82

(1) In 2010 and 2009, both Oceane 2018 and Oceane 2014 were taken into account for the calculations (the Oceane 2014, issued in June 2009, was only included for one month for the first semester 2009).

(2) Only stock-options and equity warrants with a dilutive effect (whose exercise price is lower than the average share price for the period) are taken into consideration.

Headline earnings per share and diluted earnings per share

(In millions of euro except for shares) June 30, 2010 June 30, 2009
Net income used for the calculation of
headline earnings per share (1)
Net income attributable to equity holders
of the parent 213 167
Items excluded:
– Amortization of intangibles arising on
acquisition, net of tax 10 9
– Impairment, net of tax – 16
– Deferred tax asset linked to Oceane 2014(2) – (11)

Headline income attributable to equity
holders of the parent e 223 181
Impact of dilutive instruments:
– Savings in financial expenses related to
the conversion of debt instruments, net of
tax 13 2
Adjusted net income attributable to equity f
holders of the parent – diluted 236 183

Number of shares used for the calculation
of earnings per share
Average number of shares composing the
company’s share capital 195,469,852 196,020,983
Treasury shares to be deducted (average
for the year) (11,231,966) (17,130,227)
Shares to be issued to redeem the Oranes 20,307,677 21,869,806
Average number of shares used for the
calculation c 204,545,563 200,760,562
Impact of dilutive instruments:
– Free shares and dilutive stock options 3,904,161 1,045,823
– Equity warrants (BSA) 172,692 -
– Shares resulting from the conversion of
convertible bonds 28,450,700 4,455,073
Number of shares – diluted
(in euro) d 237,073,116 206,261,458

Headline earnings per share (1) e/c 1.09 0.90

Headline earnings per share – diluted (1) f/d 1.00 0.89

(1) Earnings per share before Amortization of intangibles from acquisitions, impairment and deferred tax assets linked to equity component of Oceane 2014.

(2) Effect of deferred tax asset recognized against deferred tax liabilities linked to equity component of Oceane 2014 recorded as equity.

SOURCE Publicis Groupe

Publicis Groupe: First Half 2010 Results

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100728007270/en

PARIS–(Business Wire)–
Regulatory News:

Second quarter 2010 (EUR million)

* Revenue1,376 (+21.3%)
* Organic growth+7.1%

First half 2010 (EUR million)

* Revenue2,538 (+14.9%)
* Organic growth+5.3%
* Operating margin369 (+28.6%)
* Operating margin rate14.5%
* Net income (Group share) 213 (+27.5%)
* Free Cash Flow (1)277(+42%)
* Headline diluted EPS (2) 1.00 euro (+12%)
* Debt/equity ratio0.20

(1)Before changes in WCR

(2)After elimination of impairment, amortization of intangibles arising on
acquisitions and the tax credit arising on the deferred tax liability on the
Oceane 2014 convertible bond.

Maurice Lévy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Publicis Groupe declares:

“With organic growth of 7.1% for the second quarter of 2010 and 5.3% for the
half-year, an operating margin of 14.5% and net income up by 27.5%, Publicis
Groupe has once again given proof of its energy and ability to create value,
even in the aftermath of the worst global economic crisis in many years.

This growth is the result of a strategy that has been effectively executed over
a number of years. We were quick to take the digital route, gaining a decisive
lead over our competitors and providing clients with the best and most
innovative solutions for the new landscape being shaped by the explosion of
digital technology.

We also opted for expansion in emerging markets. The economic crisis may have
slowed the pace of their growth, but ZenithOptimedia`s latest estimates for 2011
and 2012 bode well for strong growth.

The challenges our clients face demand from us greater inventiveness, creativity
and innovation, and relentless operational efforts to ensure that they win
whatever the circumstances. I would like to thank them for their confidence, and
to pay tribute to the hard work of all our teams who have performed wonders
within the constraints of strict cost controls, enabling Publicis Groupe to
emerge stronger than ever from the crisis.

Tight cost containment since end 2008 and strong growth in revenue have boosted
operating margin to an impressive 14.5%, despite the fact that Razorfish is
still in the integration phase with a margin that, while improving, is still
well below average for the Groupe.

Without lapsing into the euphoria that these half-year results for our Groupe
might warrant, I remain firmly convinced that Publicis Groupe will succeed in
outperforming the market in terms of both growth and margin.”

***

At its meeting on July 28, 2010, chaired by Ms. Elisabeth Badinter, the
Supervisory Board of Publicis Groupe (Paris:PUB) examined the first half results
for 2010 presented by Mr. Maurice Lévy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Publicis Groupe.

Key figures

EUR million, except for percentages and per-share data (EUR) 1st half 2010 1st half 2009 2010/2009
Income statement data
Revenue 2,538 2,209 14.9%
Operating margin before depreciation and amortization 422 333 26.7%
As % of revenue 16.6% 15.1%
Operating margin 369 287 28.6%
As % of revenue 14.5% 13.0%
Operating income 353 257 37.4%
Net income attributable to Publicis Groupe 213 167 27.5%
Earnings per share (1) 1.04 0.83 25.3%
Diluted earnings per share (2) 0.95 0.82 15.8%
Balance sheet data June 30, 2010 June 30, 2009
Total assets 14,458 11,408
Shareholders` equity 3,090 2,418

(1)The average number of shares used to calculate earnings per share was 204.5
million for 1st Half 2010 and 200.8 million for 1st Half 2009.

(2)The average number of shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share was
237.1 million for 1st Half 2010 and 206.3 million for 1st Half 2009. This
includes stock options, free shares, equity warrants and convertible bonds with
a dilutive effect on EPS. For the first six months of 2010, the instruments that
diluted EPS were the Oceane convertible bonds, equity warrants, free shares and
certain tranches of stock options with a strike price below the average price
over the period.

Analysis of key figures

I.First half 2010 activity

The global economy rallied over the first half of 2010. After forecasting a 0.9%
increase in 2010 global advertising expenditure in its December 2009 forecast,
ZenithOptimedia upgraded its forecast in April this year to 2.2% growth and
upped its latest estimate yet again, on July 19, to 3.5%. This steady
improvement in growth forecasts is most encouraging.

As the advertising market recovered, Publicis Groupe posted an increase of 14.9%
in reported revenue for the first half and organic growth of +5.3%.

Second quarter revenue was up by 21.3% and organic growth rose to 7.1%.

* Revenue in first half 2010

Consolidated revenue for the first half of 2010 was EUR 2,538 million compared
to EUR 2,209 million for the first half of 2009, an increase of 14.9% (exchange
rate impact was positive at EUR 55 million).

Organic growth was 5.3%.

First half growth reflects the strong recovery in advertising expenditure after
the record slump triggered by the 2009 economic crisis. The larger networks, in
particular Leo Burnett and Publicis Worldwide along with VivaKi, made the most
of the upturn, and digital activities maintained their strong growth trend.

The breakdown of consolidated revenue for the first half of 2010 is as follows:
33% from advertising, 20% from media and 47% from specialized agencies and
marketing services (including digital activities).

- Breakdown of first half 2010 revenue by region

(EUR million) Revenue Organic Growth
1st half 2010 1st half 2009
Europe 805 738 +3.1%
North America 1,258 1,061 +6.6%
Asia-Pacific 286 238 +6.0%
Latin America 126 109 +10.8%
Africa and Middle East 63 63 -3.3%
Total 2,538 2,209 +5.3%

Almost all the regions, Europe included, saw a return to growth, with the
exception of Africa and the Middle East, which is still suffering from Dubai`s
financial crisis.

North America continues to enjoy good growth. Organic growth for the USA was
7.2%, fuelled by strong growth from all the agencies and significant
contributions from the healthcare and digital activities, the latter accounting
for 42.5% of the region`s revenue.

The Asia Pacific region is growing again, thanks largely to India and Korea.

Every country in Latin America except Chile reported growth.

Expressed in US dollars, first half revenue was USD 3,362 million, an increase
of 14.3%.

* Revenue in 2nd quarter 2010

Consolidated second quarter 2010 revenue was EUR 1,376 million, an increase of
21.3% on the figure of EUR 1,134 million for the corresponding period in 2009
(the exchange rate impact was positive at EUR 73 million).

Organic growth was +7.1% in the second quarter, a significant improvement on
first quarter organic growth of +3.1%.

The second quarter undoubtedly benefited from a low basis of comparison, but the
marked upswing in advertising business seen in the first quarter was also
maintained.

Growth was also fuelled by new business wins in 2009 and by an increase in
advertising spending by major clients.

- Breakdown of 2nd quarter 2010 revenue by region

(EUR million) Revenue Organic Growth
2nd quarter 2010 2nd quarter 2009
Europe 437 381 +7.3%
North America 679 535 +8.1%
Asia-Pacific 154 123 +5.3%
Latin America 71 58 +11.5%
Africa and Middle East 35 37 -10.4%
Total 1,376 1,134 +7.1%

Europe performed well in the second quarter. Only Africa and the Middle East
posted negative figures.

Operating margin and operating income

Operating margin before depreciation and amortization was EUR 422 million in
first half 2010, up 26.7% from EUR 333 million for the first half of 2009.

Operating margin was EUR 369 million compared with EUR 287 million for the same
period in 2009, an increase of 28.6%.

Operating margin rate for the first half of the year was 14.5%, up from 13% for
the same period in 2009. This reflects the significant upturn in activity as
compared with first half 2009, and continued tight control over costs. The
effects of measures taken in 2009, particularly with regard to containing
personnel costs, are beginning to be felt.

Operating income for first half 2010 was EUR 353 million compared to EUR 257
million for the corresponding period in 2009, an increase of 37.4%.

Net income

Net income attributable to the Group was EUR 213 million, an increase of 27.5%
on the net income of EUR 167 million reported for the first half of 2009.

Net income includes a net financial expense of EUR 42 million and a tax charge
of EUR 89 million for the half-year.

Free Cash Flow

The Groupe`s free cash flow, excluding changes in WCR, was up sharply (+42% on
the corresponding period of 2009) at EUR 277 million. The increase is directly
linked to the increase in operating margin before depreciation and amortization.

Net financial debt at June 30, 2010

Net financial debt was EUR 618 million at June 30, 2010 compared to 899 EUR
million at June 30, 2009. This figure includes the impact of the partial buyback
of Publicis Groupe shares held by SEP Badinter-Dentsu at a cost of EUR 217.5 EUR
million. Net financial debt at December 30, 2009 was EUR 313 million, the raise
observed at June 30,2010 reflecting the usual seasonal effect.

The Groupe`s average net debt for the first half of 2010 was EUR 673 million,
down sharply on the figures of EUR 1, 002 million for first half 2009 and EUR
929 million for the full year 2009.

The Groupe`s available liquidity position at June 30, 2010 was EUR 3.6 billion.

Shareholders` equity at June 30, 2010

Consolidated shareholders` including minority interests was EUR 3,111 million at
June 30, 2010, compared with EUR 2,838 million at December 31, 2009. This
includes the impact of allocation of 2009 income (dividends of EUR 107 million
distributed).

The debt/equity ratio thus rose from 0.14 at December 31, 2009 to 0.20 at June
30, 2010.

II.NETWORKS

The upturn in advertising markets over the course of the first half of the year
is benefiting all the Groupe`s networks. The growing contribution from digital
activities, up to 28.1% of first half revenue compared with 20.7% (at 2010
exchange rate) for the first half of 2009, once again confirms the Groupe`s
strategic decision to help its clients keep pace with a changing consumer
landscape and the new digital audience. Digital activities are now making their
way into every one of the Groupe`s networks, bringing the benefits of expertise
and new ideas in virtually every area of digital operations, be it search,
display, or the social and mobile networks made possible by the creation of the
VivaKi Nerve Center (and at the same time avoiding duplication of investments).

III.COST CONTROL

The Groupe continues to exercise tight control over its costs. Cost optimization
programs are the focus of unrelenting attention and are ongoing. The deployment
of shared service centers, initiated some years ago, continues, as does the
process of regionalization. The “Americas” platform, designed to serve the
entire continent, is scheduled to go fully operational at the end of this year.
The rollout (first local and subsequently global) of ERP, made possible by the
integration of most agencies into shared service centers and the adoption of
shared processes, continues. The Group expects to achieve a significant
reduction in its operating costs from this investment, through global
harmonization of processes and systems as from 2012.

Thanks to a solid balance sheet and improved cost control, the Groupe is well
placed to meet market needs and sharpen its competitive edge.

IV.NEW BUSINESS: USD 2.1 BILLION IN NET WINS

Publicis Groupe took in USD 2.1 billion in net new business in the first half of
2010, clear testimony to the attractiveness of its products and services (see
Appendix for list).

V.ACQUISITIONS

Publicis Groupe has embarked on a process of securing long-term growth by
ramping up its engagement in digital activities and emerging economies, both of
which are growth drivers for the communications sector today and in the future.

A significant number of targets have been identified, with special interest
focusing on the opportunities offered by China.

On March 30, Publicis Groupe announced it had acquired a minority stake in
Taterka Comunicações (Taterka), an advertising agency based in São Paulo,
Brazil.

On April 6, 2010, the Groupe acquired Canadian agency In-Sync. Founded in 1989,
the Toronto-based agency operates in the health and wellness space, specializing
in market research consultancy and offering innovative marketing solutions to
its biopharma clients.

At the end of April, Publicis Groupe bought out the minority interests in W&K
and holds now 100% of the capital of this Chinese agency, now rebranded Leo
Burnett Beijing Communications Co., Ltd.

On May 19, 2010, Publicis Groupe acquired Resolute Communications Ltd. Founded
in 2002, Resolute Communications provides healthcare communications programs
spanning strategic consulting, medical education, and media and public
relations. Resolute is headquartered in London with an office in New York.
Resolute will be merged with Publicis Life Brands in London to form a new entity
renamed Publicis Life Brands Resolute, that will further entrench Publicis
Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG) as a leader in the United Kingdom.

VI.FINANCE

January 2010 saw the early redemption of some of the outstanding 2018 Oceane
convertible bonds. According to the 2018 Oceane prospectus, any holder was
entitled to request early redemption of all or part of its Oceane bonds at the
early redemption price of EUR 45.19 per bond. At the early redemption date, i.e.
January 18, 2010, a total of 617,985 Oceane bonds were repaid early for a total
amount of EUR 28 million.

The number of Oceane bonds subsequently outstanding is 2,624,538, representing
14.9% of the number initially issued (17,624,521).

Furthermore, in view of the authorization granted by the Combined Annual General
Meeting of the shareholders on June 9, 2009, Publicis Groupe SA entered into an
agreement on January 8, 2010, with an authorized intermediary, with a view to
purchasing 2.7 million Publicis Groupe shares. This authorization was granted
for a period of eighteen months from June 9, 2009, i.e. until December 8, 2010.
To date, 2,482,440 shares have been purchased under this program.

On May 10, 2010 Publicis Groupe purchased from Dentsu Inc. a block of 7,500,000
of its own shares, held by SEP Dentsu-Badinter, to be cancelled. The total price
paid for the block was EUR 217.5 million, equivalent to EUR 29 per share. The
shares were immediately cancelled.

VII.RECENT EVENTS

Acquisitions

On July 12, 2010, Publicis Groupe announced its acquisition of G4, a
Beijing-based advertising agency. Launched in 2009, G4 offers integrated
communications solutions, including advertising, design and strategic
consulting, to Nestlé in China. G4 has rebranded as Publicis G4 and will join
forces with the Publicis Beijing Nestlé team. Concentrating all the skills and
resources dedicated to Nestlé within Publicis G4 will provide an enhanced
service to this key customer throughout Greater China and the Asia region.

New Business

New business maintained its dynamic pace at the beginning of second half 2010
after total gains of USD 1 billion for the second quarter.

VIII.Outlook

For the second time in succession, ZenithOptimedia has upgraded its forecasts of
growth in global advertising expenditure for 2010, most recently to 3.5% growth.
These significantly higher forecasts confirm the upturn in the market, after a
year of record decline in global advertising expenditure in 2009.

Publicis Groupe`s growth rates for the first two quarters of 2010 are a mark of
excellent performance and testimony to its judicious strategic choices, with
digital activities continuing to expand across all the Groupe`s networks and
creating the right conditions for innovation and value creation. Emerging
economies are returning to growth rates more commensurate with their level of
development and opening up new prospects for the Groupe.

These two cornerstones offer assurances of growth both now and in the future.

Investments in talent and in digital activities are still very much ongoing,
made possible by strict cost control and a sound financial situation.

With many emerging economies, China in particular, returning to high growth, a
recovering US economy (although flat since May), and certain European countries
(including France and the UK) holding up well, Publicis Groupe confirms its
target of outperforming the market on growth for full year 2010.

***

“This document contains forward-looking statements. The use of the words
“aim(s),” “expect(s),” “feel(s),” “will,” “may,” “believe(s),” “anticipate(s)”
and similar expressions in this press release are intended to identify those
statements as forward looking. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those projected. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Other than in
connection with applicable securities laws, Publicis Groupe undertakes no
obligation to publish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence
of unanticipated events. Publicis Groupe urges you to review and consider the
various disclosures it made concerning the factors that may affect its business
carefully, including the disclosures made to the French financial authority
(AMF)”

About Publicis Groupe

Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577] is the world’s third largest
communications group. In addition, it is ranked as the world`s second largest
media counsel and buying group, and is the first global network in digital and
healthcare communications. With activities spanning 104 countries on five
continents, the Groupe employs approximately 46,000 professionals. Publicis
Groupe offers local and international clients a complete range of advertising
services through three global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis,
Saatchi & Saatchi, two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle
Hegarty, as well as New York-based Kaplan Thaler Group. Media consultancy and
buying is offered through the two first ranked worldwide networks, Starcom
MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; and interactive and digital marketing led
by the two first ranked Digitas and Razorfish networks. Publicis Groupe launched
VivaKi to leverage the combined scale of the autonomous operations of Digitas,
Denuo, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia to develop new
services, tools, and next generation digital platforms. Publicis Groupe`s
specialized agencies and marketing services offer healthcare communications with
Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG, the first network in healthcare
communications), sustainability communications and multicultural communications.
With MS&LGroup, one of the world’s top three PR and Events networks, expertise
ranges from corporate and financial communications to public relations and
public affairs, branding, social media marketing and events, sports marketing
and events.

Web site: www.publicisgroupe.com

*******

Appendices

New Business – 1st Half 2010
USD 2.1 billion (net)

KEY WINS

DIGITAS
Electronic Arts (Brazil), Topper (Brazil), CA (USA), Goodyear (USA), Aflac
(USA), Sears (USA), Whitewave (USA), Olay (Hong Kong/ Taiwan), Airtel (India),
Nestle (India), Renault ZE (France)

FALLON
Cadbury Flake (UK), French Connection (global), Nokia (global), The Cosmopolitan
of Las Vegas. (USA), Cadillac (USA)

LEO BURNETT
Chrysler (UK, Germany, Turkey), Samsung (Malaysia, Czech Republic, Thailand,
Kazakhstan), COI/BIS (UK), Research in Motion- Blackberry (UK), DUFRY- duty free
(Mexico), Sigma Alimentos (Mexico), Koleston (Colombia), Nestlé (Guatemala),
Sanofi-Aventis (Guatemala), Canon (Thailand), Amway (China), Siemens (China),
Merrill Lynch (Korea), British Council (Sri Lanka), BMW (Malaysia), Pilipinas
Shell (Philippines), Arla Food (Russia), Nycomed (Latvia), The ITI Group
(Poland), Altıparmak (Turkey), El-Bi Electrics (Turkey), Turkcell (Turkey),
Ülker (Turkey), Delipapier Sofidel (France), Campero (Guatemala, Salvador),
V-Inspired (UK), Cemex (Costa Rica), World Gold Council (Turkey), Dubai
International Film Festival, Tele2 (Kazakhstan), Fiat (Mexico), Cipher Lab
(Taiwan)

MS&L GROUP
What`s on (India), World Gold Council (China), Central agency for national
insurance (France), National Defense Ministry (France), Klépierre Ségécé
(France), Pernod Ricard (France), RapidShare (Germany), Apoteket (Sweden)

PUBLICIS WORLDWIDE
Dolce Gusto (France, USA), Chrysler (Canada), City of Toronto (Canada), Metro
(Canada), Siemens Energy (Germany, Asia), Telefonica / Movistar (Spain), Sky
News / Online project (UK), Cafè do Brasil (Italy), Orogel (Italy), J.K. Helene
Curtis (India), Reserve Bank of India / VIP Bags (India), SCMP Classified Post
(Hong Kong), Le Monde (France), Ricola (France), Descamps (France), Carte d’Or
(France), Cyrillus (France), GT Land Plaza (China), La Halle (France), Aéroports
de la Cote d’Azur (France), Nestlé / Dairy Culinary (Mexico), Bupa (UK), Concha
y Toro / VCT (Brazil), Hamburger / Financial (Germany), Bud Light (Canada),
Beefeater Gin (UK), Randstad (UK), Belle Avenue (Thailand), Black Canyon
(Thailand), Wellcome / Social business (Germany), Emirates Airlines
(Netherlands), Stivoro / Anti-smoking campaign (Netherlands), Musée du Louvre
(France), Losc / Lille Football Club (France), Hammerson (France), Shanghai
World Expo’s / Information & communication pavilion account, Virgin Mobile
(Australia), City of Dreams / Digital account (Hong Kong), Indigo Books /
Largest Canadian book retailer, (Canada), Hasbro (Canada), Canadian Olympic
Foundation (Canada), Fiat / Punto Evo / International launch in Spain, Portugal,
Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Poland ( France), BNP Paribas / Investment
Partners (Netherlands), Nestlé Maggi (Malaysia)

SAATCHI & SAATCHI
Arla Foods – Lurpak (Global except for UK), BNP Paribas (Poland), Red.es digital
TV (Spain), Chrysler & Dodge SUV (China), Vinda (China), Carlsberg: Dali, Wusu,
XiXia (China), Petrobras (Brazil), Sanitarium (New Zealand), Toyota (Italy)

STARCOM MEDIAVEST GROUP
Honda (Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweeden, UK), CBS Film (USA), Turner
(USA), Napa Auto Parts (USA), Nintendo (Netherlands), Dutch Government
(Netherlands), Van Haren (Netherlands), Silesia Voivodship (Poland), Ministry of
Environment (Poland), Skyways (Sweeden), FEW Online Retail (Sweeden), Prudential
Direct Insurance (Taiwan), Coca-Cola (France), Mitre 10 (Australia), Mars
Wrigley (China), in.gr (Greece), General Mills (China), Supermac’s (Ireland),
AIB (Ireland), IKKS (Netherlands), Provident (Poland), Aflac (USA), Avon (USA),
Kraft/Cadbury (global), American Egg Board (USA)

THE KAPLAN THALER GROUP
Aflac (USA)

ZENITHOPTIMEDIA
Aviva (global), Reckitt Benckiser (global), Beijing Tourism Board, China
Merchant Bank, Maoduoli (China), Electrolux (Vietnam), Georgia Pacific
(Romania), Vivartia (Romania), BN Telecom (Turkey), Dyo (Turkey), Pegasus
Airlines (Turkey), SAB Miller (Ecuador), Axtel (Mexico), Lindt (United Arab
Emirates), Catalonian Government (Spain), Ministry of Environment (Spain),
Perfume Shop (UK), Remington Consumer Products (USA), Beijing Lan Hai Cold
Mineral Water (China), Warner Bros (Singapore), Universal Pictures (Mexico),
Hubei Mobile (China), Reckitt Benckiser (China), AS Watson (APAC)

*******

Glossary

Operating margin rate: operating margin/revenue.

Average half-year net debt: half-year average of average monthly net debt.

Free cash flow: cash flow from operations minus capital expenditures for
tangible and intangible fixed assets, excluding acquisitions.

Net new business: this figure is derived not from financial reporting but from
estimated media-marketing budgets based on annual business (net of losses) from
new and existing clients.

For further information, please visit our website:
www.finance.publicisgroupe.com

*******

2010 Press Releases

08/01/10 Share repurchase program
11/01/10 Partnership between the Women`s Forum and Terrafemina
18/01/10 OCEANES 2018 – early redemption
05/02/10 Lov Group and Publicis Groupe in exclusive negotiations
17/02/10 2009 Annual Results
16/03/10 Management Board bonuses
30/03/10 Publicis Groupe acquires a minority stake of Brazilian agency Taterka Comunicações
06/04/10 Publicis Groupe Acquires In-Sync Healthcare Agency
22/04/10 Publicis Groupe: First Quarter 2010 Revenue – Back to Growth
26/04/10 Re-Elections at the Publicis Groupe Supervisory Board
29/04/10 Publicis Groupe Acquires Remaining Capital of Leo Burnett / W&K Beijing Advertising Co. Ltd
10/05/10 Publicis Groupe Announces its Acquisition from Dentsu Inc. of 7,500,000 of its own Shares in Order to Cancel Them
19/05/10 Publicis Groupe acquires Resolute Communications, in Healthcare Communications
01/06/10 Publicis Groupe Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting – Dividend set at 0.60 Euros per Share
01/06/10 Supervisory Board and Management Board of Publicis Groupe
28/06/10 Danièle Bessis Joins Publicis Groupe as CEO of Re:Sources Worldwide
12/07/10 Publicis Groupe Acquires G4 Advertising co. Ltd. in China

For further information: www.publicisgroupe.com

Publicis Groupe

Consolidated financial statements – June 30, 2010 (unaudited)

Consolidated income statement

(in millions of euros) June 30, 2010 June 30, 2009 2009
Revenue 2,538 2,209 4,524
Personnel expenses (1,613) (1,423) (2,812)
Other operating expenses (503) (453) (940)
Operating margin before depreciation and amortization 422 333 772
Depreciation and amortization expense (excluding intangibles arising on acquisition) (53) (46) (92)
Operating margin 369 287 680
Amortization of intangibles arising on acquisition (17) (15) (30)
Impairment – (20) (28)
Non-current income (expense) 1 5 7
Operating income 353 257 629
Interest expense (40) (34) (73)
Interest income 6 9 12
Cost of net financial debt (34) (25) (61)
Other financial income (expenses) (8) (2) (9)
Income of consolidated companies before taxes 311 230 559
Income taxes (89) (59) (146)
Net income of consolidated companies 222 171 413
Share in net income of associates – 1 4
Net income 222 172 417
Of which: 9 5 14
– Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
(Minority interests)
– Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent company 213 167 403

Per share data (in euros) – Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent company
Number of shares 204,545,563 200,760,562 202,257,125
Net earnings per share 1.04 0.83 1.99
Number of shares – diluted 237,073,116 206,261,458 220,867,344
Net earnings per share – diluted 0.95 0.82 1.90

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

(in millions of euros) June 30, 2010 June 30, 2009 2009
Net income for the year (a) 222 172 417
Other comprehensive income
– Valuation of available-for-sale investments at fair value (1) 4 12
– Actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit plans (24) (16) (4)
– Translation of foreign operations 431 (12) (59)
– Deferred taxes on other comprehensive income 7 5 1
Other comprehensive income for the period (b) 413 (19) (50)

Total comprehensive income for the period (a) + (b) 635 153 367
Of which: 18 7 17

- Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests
(Minority interests)
– Comprehensive income attributable to Equity holders of the parent company 617 146 350

Consolidated balance sheet

(in millions of euros) June 30, 2010 December 31, 2009
Assets
Goodwill, net 4,416 3,928
Intangible assets, net 937 835
Property and equipment, net 480 458
Deferred tax assets 96 73
Investments in associates 42 49
Other financial assets 113 94
Non-current assets 6,084 5,437
Inventory and costs billable to clients 406 290
Accounts receivable 5,941 4,875
Other receivables and other current assets 609 548
Cash and cash equivalents 1,418 1,580
Current assets 8,374 7,293

Total Assets 14 ,458 12,730

Liabilities and shareholders` equity
Share capital 76 79
Additional paid-in capital and retained earnings 3,014 2,734
Equity attributable to holders of the parent company 3,090 2,813
Non-controlling Interests (Minority interests) 21 25
Total Equity 3,111 2,838
Long-term financial debt (more than 1 year) 1,812 1,796
Deferred tax liabilities 235 214
Long-term provisions 499 449
Non-current liabilities 2,546 2,459
Accounts payable 6,858 5,835
Short-term financial debt (less than 1 year) 227 214
Income taxes payable 75 63
Short-term provisions 105 100
Other creditors and other current liabilities 1,536 1,221
Current liabilities 8,801 7,433

Total Liabilities and Equity 14,458 12,730

Consolidated cash flow statement

(in millions of euro) June 30, 2010 June 30, 2009 2009
Cash flows from operations
Net income 222 172 417
Adjustment for non-cash income and expenses:
Income taxes 89 59 146
Cost of net financial debt 34 25 61
Capital (gains) losses on disposal (before tax) (1) (4) (10)
Depreciation, amortization and impairment on property and equipment and intangible assets 70 81 150
Non-cash expenses on stock options and similar items 15 12 24
Other non-cash income and expenses 3 5 11
Equity in net income of associates – (1) (4)

Dividends received from equity accounted investments 11 6 9
Taxes paid (103) (86) (157)
Interest paid (36) (51) (75)
Interest received 7 10 16
Change in working capital requirements (1) (266) (495) 59
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities (I) 45 (267) 647
Cash flows from investment operations
Purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets (35) (33) (74)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment and intangible assets 1 – 10
Proceeds from sale of investments and other financial assets, net (5) 3 10
Acquisition of subsidiaries (48) (70) (298)
Divestment of subsidiaries 1 – 1
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investment operations (II) (86) (100) (351)
Cash flows from financing operations
Capital Increase – – –
Dividends paid to parent company shareholders – – (107)
Dividends paid to minority shareholders of subsidiaries (14) (15) (26)
Cash received on new borrowings 13 734 744
Reimbursement of borrowings (59) (115) (108)
Net (purchases)/sales of treasury shares and equity warrants (249) 1 5
Cash received on hedging transactions – – –
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing operations (III) (309) 605 508
Impact of exchange rate fluctuations (IV) 173 34 (94)
Net change in consolidated cash flows (I + II + III + IV) (177) 272 710
Cash and cash equivalents as of January 1, 1,580 867 867
Bank overdrafts as of January 1, (33) (30) (30)
Net cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 1,547 837 837
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 1,418 1,162 1,580
Bank overdrafts at end of period (48) (53) (33)
Net cash and cash equivalents at end of period 1,370 1,109 1,547
Net change in cash and cash equivalents (177) 272 710
(1) Breakdown of change in working capital requirements
Change in inventory and costs billable to clients (73) 31 29
Change in accounts receivable and other receivables (458) 729 160
Change in accounts payable, other creditors and provisions 265 (1,255) (130)
Variation in working capital requirements (266) (495) 59

Statement of changes in consolidated shareholders` equity

Number of outstanding shares (in millions of euros) Capital stock Additional paid-in capital Reserves and retained earnings Translation reserve Fair-value reserve Equity attributable to holders of the parent company Non-Controlling Interest (Minority interests) Total Equity

178,854,301 January 1, 2009 78 2,553 (105) (315) 109 2,320 30 2,350
Net income for the period 167 167 5 172
Other comprehensive income
Valuation of available-for-sale investments at fair value 4 4 4
Actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit plans (11) (11) (11)
Translation of foreign operations (14) (14) 2 (12)
Total other comprehensive income – – (11) (14) 4 (21) 2 (19)
Total comprehensive income for the period – – 156 (14) 4 146 7 153

Equity component of OCEANE 2014 49 49 49
Dividends (107) (107) (15) (122)
Share-based compensation 12 12 12
Additional interest on Oranes (3) (3) (3)
Effect of changes in scope of consolidation and of commitments to purchase minority interests – 3 3
72,910 Purchases/sales of treasury shares 1 1 1
178,927, 211 June 30, 2009 78 2,553 3 (329) 113 2,418 25 2,443

Number of outstanding shares (in millions of euros) Capital stock Additional paid-in capital Reserves and retained earnings Translation reserve Fair-value reserve Equity attributable to holders of the parent company Non-Controlling Interests (Minority interests) Total Equity

187,168,768 January 1, 2010 79 2,600 390 (377) 121 2,813 25 2,838
Net income 213 213 9 222
Other comprehensive income
Valuation of available-for-sale investments at fair value (1) (1) (1)
Actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit plans (17) (17) (17)
Translation of foreign operations 422 422 9 431
Total other comprehensive income – – (17) 422 (1) 404 9 413
Total comprehensive income for the period – – 196 422 (1) 617 18 635

Dividends paid (107) (107) (14) (121)
Share-based compensation 19 19 19
Additional interest on Oranes (3) (3) (3)
Effect of changes in scope of consolidation and of commitments to purchase minority interests – (8) (8)
(7,500,000) Cancellation of Publics Groupe SA shares (3) (215) (218) (218)
(807,764) Purchases/sales of treasury shares (31) (31) (31)
178,861,004 June 30, 2010 76 2,385 464 45 120 3,090 21 3,111

Earnings per share calculation details

Earnings per share and diluted earnings per share

(In millions of euro except for shares) June 30, 2010 June 30, 2009
Net income used for the calculation of earnings per share
Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent a 213 167
Impact of dilutive instruments:
– Savings in financial expenses related to the conversion of debt instruments, net of tax (1) 13 2
Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent – diluted b 226 169
Number of shares used for the calculation of earnings per share
Average number of shares composing the company`s share capital 195,469,852 196,020,983
Treasury shares to be deducted (average for the year) (11,231,966) (17,130,227)
Shares to be issued to redeem the Oranes 20,307,677 21,869,806
Average number of shares used for the calculation c 204,545,563 200,760,562
Impact of dilutive instruments: (2)
– Free shares and dilutive stock options 3,904,161 1,045,823
– Equity warrants (BSA) 172,692 –
– Shares resulting from the conversion of convertible bonds (1) 28,450,700 4,455,073
Number of shares – diluted d 237,073,116 206,261,458
(en euro)
Net earnings per share a/c 1.04 0.83

Net earnings per share – diluted b/d 0.95 0.82

(1)In 2010 and 2009, both Oceane 2018 and Oceane 2014 were taken into account
for the calculations (the Oceane 2014, issued in June 2009, was only included
for one month for the first semester 2009).

(2)Only stock-options and equity warrants with a dilutive effect (whose exercise
price is lower than the average share price for the period) are taken into
consideration.

Headline earnings per share and diluted earnings per share

(In millions of euro except for shares) June 30, 2010 June 30, 2009
Net income used for the calculation of headline earnings per share (1)
Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent 213 167
Items excluded:
– Amortization of intangibles arising on acquisition, net of tax 10 9
– Impairment, net of tax – 16
– Deferred tax asset linked to Oceane 2014 (2) – (11)
Headline income attributable to equity holders of the parent e 223 181
Impact of dilutive instruments:
– Savings in financial expenses related to the conversion of debt instruments, net of tax 13 2
Adjusted net income attributable to equity holders of the parent – diluted f 236 183

Number of shares used for the calculation of earnings per share
Average number of shares composing the company`s share capital 195,469,852 196,020,983
Treasury shares to be deducted (average for the year) (11,231,966) (17,130,227)
Shares to be issued to redeem the Oranes 20,307,677 21,869,806
Average number of shares used for the calculation c 204,545,563 200,760,562
Impact of dilutive instruments:
– Free shares and dilutive stock options 3,904,161 1,045,823
– Equity warrants (BSA) 172,692 –
– Shares resulting from the conversion of convertible bonds 28,450,700 4,455,073
Number of shares – diluted d 237,073,116 206,261,458
(in euro)
Headline earnings per share (1) e/c 1.09 0.90
Headline earnings per share – diluted (1) f/d 1.00 0.89

(1)Earnings per share before Amortization of intangibles from acquisitions,
impairment and deferred tax assets linked to equity component of Oceane 2014.

(2)Effect of deferred tax asset recognized against deferred tax liabilities
linked to equity component of Oceane 2014 recorded as equity.

PUBLICIS GROUPE CONTACTS
Peggy Nahmany, Corporate Communication: + 33 (0)1 44 43 72 83
peggy.nahmany@publicisgroupe.com
or
Martine Hue, Investor Relations: + 33 (0)1 44 43 65 00
martine.hue@publicisgroupe.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

UPDATE 1-Japan June aluminium stocks fall 1.6 pct m/m

July 12 (Reuters) – Aluminium stocks held at three major Japanese ports came to 201,500 tonnes at the end of June, down 3,300 tonnes, or 1.6 percent, from a month earlier, trading house Marubeni Corp (8002.T) said on Monday.

Aluminium stocks were about 3 percent below levels from a year earlier, narrowing sharply from a 15.8 percent year-on-year drop in May, suggesting inventory levels were normalising.

Japan, which must buy nearly all the metal it needs, imports about 2 million tonnes of primary aluminium every year. Industry sources said stocks amounting to around 10 percent of imports is considered appropriate and not in excess.

“Aluminium stocks remain at an appropriate level, and the slight drop may be due to Japanese firms becoming cautious about boosting stocks before the end of the quarter book closing,” a Marubeni official said.

Marubeni collects data from the key ports of Yokohama, Nagoya and Osaka.

The official said inventories of aluminium, which is widely used in products ranging from computers, planes and electronics to the food sector, were likely to stay near current levels for now as demand has neither risen nor fallen after a moderate recovery earlier this year.

“Buyers are taking a wait-and-see stance due to lingering worries about the economy,” the official said.

Japan’s shipments of the metal have been recovering from a slump that set in after the global economic crisis in late 2008 led automakers and others to slash output and cut demand.

Japanese shipments of aluminium products rose 19.6 percent in May from a year earlier to 165,638 tonnes, but were down 6.5 percent from April, data provided by the Japan Aluminium Association showed. [ID:nTKC005871]

Although there are concerns about slowing appetite in the near term, the association said Chinese demand for primary aluminium will likely nearly triple to 43.6 million tonnes in 2020 from an estimated 15.5 million tonnes this year. [ID:nTOE65M00V]

Term premiums for primary aluminium shipments to Japan for July-September were mostly agreed at $120 per tonne, down from $122-$124 per tonne in the April-June period. [ID:nTOE65E02R]

Following are details of Japanese aluminium stocks, including month-on-month and year-on-year comparisons (in tonnes):

Yokohama Nagoya Osaka Total June 30 96,300 92,200 13,000 201,500 May 31 96,400 95,400 13,000 204,800 Apr 30 89,800 87,700 13,000 190,500 Mar 31 92,300 87,000 13,500 192,800 End-June 2009 106,900 87,900 12,800 207,600 (Reporting by Chikako Mogi; Editing by Chris Gallagher)

UPDATE 1-Japan June aluminium stocks fall 1.6 pct m/m

July 12 (Reuters) – Aluminium stocks held at three major Japanese ports came to 201,500 tonnes at the end of June, down 3,300 tonnes, or 1.6 percent, from a month earlier, trading house Marubeni Corp (8002.T) said on Monday.

Aluminium stocks were about 3 percent below levels from a year earlier, narrowing sharply from a 15.8 percent year-on-year drop in May, suggesting inventory levels were normalising.

Japan, which must buy nearly all the metal it needs, imports about 2 million tonnes of primary aluminium every year. Industry sources said stocks amounting to around 10 percent of imports is considered appropriate and not in excess.

“Aluminium stocks remain at an appropriate level, and the slight drop may be due to Japanese firms becoming cautious about boosting stocks before the end of the quarter book closing,” a Marubeni official said.

Marubeni collects data from the key ports of Yokohama, Nagoya and Osaka.

The official said inventories of aluminium, which is widely used in products ranging from computers, planes and electronics to the food sector, were likely to stay near current levels for now as demand has neither risen nor fallen after a moderate recovery earlier this year.

“Buyers are taking a wait-and-see stance due to lingering worries about the economy,” the official said.

Japan’s shipments of the metal have been recovering from a slump that set in after the global economic crisis in late 2008 led automakers and others to slash output and cut demand.

Japanese shipments of aluminium products rose 19.6 percent in May from a year earlier to 165,638 tonnes, but were down 6.5 percent from April, data provided by the Japan Aluminium Association showed. [ID:nTKC005871]

Although there are concerns about slowing appetite in the near term, the association said Chinese demand for primary aluminium will likely nearly triple to 43.6 million tonnes in 2020 from an estimated 15.5 million tonnes this year. [ID:nTOE65M00V]

Term premiums for primary aluminium shipments to Japan for July-September were mostly agreed at $120 per tonne, down from $122-$124 per tonne in the April-June period. [ID:nTOE65E02R]

Following are details of Japanese aluminium stocks, including month-on-month and year-on-year comparisons (in tonnes):

Yokohama Nagoya Osaka Total June 30 96,300 92,200 13,000 201,500 May 31 96,400 95,400 13,000 204,800 Apr 30 89,800 87,700 13,000 190,500 Mar 31 92,300 87,000 13,500 192,800 End-June 2009 106,900 87,900 12,800 207,600 (Reporting by Chikako Mogi; Editing by Chris Gallagher)

UPDATE 2-Japan May aluminium shipments climb 20 pct yr/yr

TOKYO, June 25 (Reuters) – Japanese shipments of aluminium products rose 19.6 percent in May from a year earlier to 165,638 tonnes, industry data showed on Friday.

That marked the sixth straight month of year-on-year increases but the level of shipments was about 16 percent below May 2008, before the global economic crisis hit demand for the metal used in products ranging from computers and planes to the food sector.

Shipments were down 6.5 percent from April, the Japan Aluminium Association data showed, the third straight month-on-month decline. <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Graphic on Japan shipments: r.reuters.com/qut93m ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^>

Japan’s shipments of aluminium have been recovering from a slump that set in after the global economic crisis in late 2008 that led automakers and other manufacturers to slash output and cut demand for the metal.

The pace of recovery this year is still unclear, especially as demand in the construction sector remains weak, even as the government raised its overall economic growth forecast for the financial year. [ID:nTFD006450]

Reflecting a slow recovery in demand, term premiums for primary aluminium shipments to Japan for July-September were mostly agreed at $120 per tonne, down marginally from $122-$124 per tonne in the April-June period. [ID:nTOE65E02R]

In the near term, expectations for Chinese demand were likely to help support Japan’s aluminium product shipments, an industry official said.

Chinese demand for primary aluminium is likely to nearly triple to 43.6 million tonnes in 2020 from an estimated 15.5 million tonnes this year, the association said this week.

It estimated Japan’s demand for primary aluminium at 1.9 million tonnes in 2010 and at 2.4 million tonnes in 2020, though it said the forecast was very optimistic, based on an assumption that robust global growth will push up 2020 demand to a level equal to a record marked in the past. [ID:nTOE65M00V]

Aluminium stocks held at three major Japanese ports came to 204,800 tonnes at the end of May, up 14,300 tonnes or 7.5 percent from a month earlier, trading house Marubeni Corp (8002.T) said. [ID:nTOE659068] (Reporting by Chikako Mogi; Editing by Chris Gallagher)

Kazakh bank Halyk repays $408 mln in govt support

June 22 (Reuters) – Halyk Bank HSBK.KZ (HSBKq.L), Kazakhstan’s second-largest lender by assets, said on Tuesday it has returned a three-year deposit of 60 billion tenge ($408 million) to state welfare fund Samruk-Kazyna ahead of schedule.

Financials

Kazakhstan, one of the earliest victims of the global economic crisis, has allocated about $20 billion since 2007 to bail out banks, finance unfinished construction projects and help other sectors hit by the downturn.

Halyk said the deposit was placed in January 2009 as part of a government programme to finance and refinance projects in the real economy, and was thus returned 18 months ahead of schedule.

Halyk said the money allocated by Samruk-Kazyna had helped it finance projects and refinance debts in areas such as food production, chemicals, manufacturing, healthcare and construction.

It said the early return of the deposit would not have any negative effect on outstanding loans granted earlier within the government’s stabilisation programme.

Halyk posted a 9 percent rise in net profit last year. (Writing by Robin Paxton; Editing by Dan Lalor)

CORRECTED – EU leaders work on ways to prevent new debt crises

BRUSSELS, June 17 (Reuters) – European Union leaders hope to agree on ways to strengthen budget discipline and economic policy coordination on Thursday to show financial markets they can prevent a repeat of the euro zone debt crisis.

Leaders of the 27 member states and the executive European Commission will also work on tightening financial regulation to help prevent another global economic crisis, including a levy to ensure banks pay for any future crises. [ID:nLDE65F24E]

The leaders have agreed on a 500-billion-euro ($617.2- billion) safety net to help struggling countries that use the euro and a 110-billion-euro aid mechanism for Greece.

But despite repeated denials, they have not allayed concern that Spain will follow Greece by seeking financial help.

“The turmoil in the sovereign debt markets has cast a serious shadow over financial stability in Europe, which could … derail the still nascent recovery of the real economy,” EU Monetary Affairs Commission Olli Rehn warned on Wednesday.

A show of unity is likely at the one day-summit, which will review the findings of a task force set up to look at reforms designed to prevent debt building up, increase cooperation and set up a permanent aid mechanism for countries in debt trouble.

Failure to show solidarity could increase the market nervousness that has helped drive down the euro and shares.

The leaders broadly agree on the need for closer economic policy coordination, or “economic government”, and on the need for tighter financial regulation, but do not all see eye to eye on how to go about it.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy set the tone on Monday by pledging unity to defend the euro from its worst crisis since it was founded 11 years ago.

Sarkozy bowed to German demands for tougher budget rules and accepted euro zone states which persistently breach deficit limits should have their voting rights in the bloc suspended, even if it requires treaty changes.

He also accepted closer “economic government”, or greater economic policy coordination, should involve all 27 EU member states and not just the 16 that use the euro, and dropped demands for dedicated euro zone secretariat.

“More than ever, Germany and France are determined to talk with one voice, to adopt common policies, to give Europe the means to met its legitimate ambitions,” Sarkozy said.

MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB

But EU diplomats say differences remain and there is a long way to go to convince the markets and get through the crisis.

Britain, for example, is hostile to important parts of the drive towards closer budget surveillance and says it will not allow its budget plans to be submitted to the Commission for review before the national parliament.

British Prime Minister David Cameron is likely to defend his position strongly at his first EU summit. [ID:nLDE65F1JD]

Swedish Prime Minster Fredrik Reinfeldt ruled out any changes of the EU treaty to strengthen budget discipline on Wednesday, opposing calls for amendments led by Germany to step up sanctions on budget sinners. [ID:nLDE65F2CC]

“My mood is still bleak. We are not over the hill on this, we are still climbing up it,” a senior EU envoy said.

A decision by Moody’s rating agency to cut Greece’s debt to non-investment grade on Monday served notice of the need for the EU to remain alert over the debt crisis.

Spain, which has a closely watched bond auction on Thursday, also is a cause for concern although member states say it is not on the agenda of the summit and have denied repeatedly that Madrid is seeking financial help. [ID:nLDE65F24E]

Madrid won plaudits from Merkel on Wednesday for announcing labour reforms to try to boost its competitiveness. But financial analysts questioned whether its plans, or pension reforms announced by France the same day, go far enough.

The leaders are expected to press ahead with moves towards Europe’s own banking levy after the world’s top economies failed to agree on such a tax for an industry widely seen as one of the main culprits behind the global economic meltdown.

They aim to agree a joint position for the G20 summit in Toronto on June 26-27.

Pressure also is mounting for European regulators to publish results of stress tests on individual banks to restore market confidence and overcome a partial freeze in inter-bank lending. Such tests show banks’ ability to withstand liquidity problems.

Finland’s finance minister said on Wednesday that support for more transparent bank stress tests was growing in Europe, but it was not clear whether such moves would be on the agenda.

For more on the EU, double-click on [EU/LOOK]

For more on the euro zone, double-click on [ID:nTOPNOW2]

(Editing by Michael Roddy)

FACTBOX-EU works on reforms in euro zone debt crisis

(Reuters) – European Union leaders meet on Thursday to discuss reforms intended to prevent future debt crises in Europe. Reforms designed to prevent debt building up, increase macroeconomic cooperation and set up a permanent aid mechanism for countries in fiscal trouble are being worked out by a task force led by EU President Herman Van Rompuy.

Bonds | Global Markets

The task force, which includes the bloc’s finance ministers, the European Central Bank and the European Commission, is to propose changes before an EU summit in October.

The 27-country EU also has pledged to pioneer reform of the financial sector following the global economic crisis, but large EU member states disagree on exactly how this should be done and discord has slowed down progress.

Following are the main reforms and some sticking points:

STRONGER BUDGET DISCIPLINE RULES

* All EU countries should strive to achieve a budget close to balance by cutting their deficits by 0.5 percent of GDP annually. Penalties should be automatic or semi-automatic for exceeding the deficit ceiling of 3 percent of GDP.

* Countries failing to move towards the balanced budget could be forced to make financial deposits with the EU executive, the European Commission. Rule breakers could also be stripped of EU aid funds. Germany wants all countries to incorporate tough budget laws into their national legislation.

* There should be more focus on debt. Since the current rule that countries should have a debt-to-GDP ratio below 60 percent is not respected, disciplinary steps should be taken against governments that do not cut their debt levels fast enough.

ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE

* Governments should cooperate more closely on synchronising their budget policies, reducing differences in competitiveness of their economies and aiding countries in trouble.

* EU countries would in the first six months of each year send Brussels their rough budget plans for the following year so that the Commission and all finance ministers can review them.

* Surveillance of the macroeconomic imbalances should be beefed up. The Commission would assess the risk of all possible forms of macroeconomic imbalances that jeopardise the proper functioning of the euro area, and suggest what needs to be done. Finance ministers would then ask the country to take the necessary action to remedy it. The Commission could also issue warnings to that country.

AID MECHANISM

* An aid mechanism approved for Greece worth 110 billion euros ($132.4 billion) and a safety net for other euro zone countries worth 500 billion euros are temporary measures and will expire after three years.

* Proposals being floated include a common bond issued by euro zone countries, possibly overseen by a European Debt Agency or a European Monetary Fund similar to the International Monetary Fund. Germany opposes a common euro zone bond and backs the European Monetary Fund idea.

STICKING POINTS

* France has called for regular meetings of euro zone leaders that would function as an economic government for the currency area and be a political counterweight to the European Central Bank.

* Germany shuns the idea of a euro zone government able to make voluntary decisions and wants tough budget discipline rules inscribed into national laws or an amended EU treaty.

But in a display of unity, French President Nicolas Sarkozy bowed this week to German demands for tougher budget rules and accepted euro zone states which persistently breach deficit limits should have their voting rights in the bloc suspended, even if it requires treaty changes. He also accepted that closer “economic government” should involve all 27 EU member states and not just the 16 that use the euro.

* Britain opposes any reforms that would cede more powers to EU institutions. It rules out sending budget plans to Brussels before its national parliament is informed about them, but the leaders are expected to point the way to a compromise by saying the plan should take account of national budget procedures.

BANK LEVY

* Most European leaders would like to collect more money from banks but they disagree over whether this should end up in the public purse or in a special fund for future crises.

* The debate has been complicated by proposals from Germany to introduce a tax on financial transactions, which London opposes.

* With a global deal ditched before a meeting of G20 countries this month, Europe is struggling to find a formula that could work across the whole bloc.

TACKLING SPECULATORS

* EU politicians have long blamed “speculators” for making the euro zone debt crisis worse. They believe investors who bet on Greece defaulting on its debt caused panic on markets and forced euro zone countries to build a $1 trillion safety net.

* But tackling the market bettors has been messy, with Germany imposing a unilateral ban on some trading, a move that caused more chaos on markets.

* The European Commission is set to unveil a draft set of rules to control the $600-trillion market in derivatives, which give investors the option to buy anything from currency to gas at a fixed price in the future.

* A row is brewing between Germany and France, who want some trading to be banned, and Britain, which wants looser controls.

EU REGULATORY SUCCESSES

* Hedge funds and private equity are the first parts of financial services covered by new post-crisis EU rules that will place them under the watch of a new pan-European super watchdog.

* Ratings agencies will also be subject to new controls this year that require them to outline how they take ratings decisions for countries such as Greece.

* Michel Barnier, the EU commissioner in charge of an overhaul of financial services, has said he will do more to break the power of the big three agencies that dominate this market. One of his ideas is to set up a European ratings agency.

For a story, double-click on [ID:nLDE65F2IR]

For more on the EU, double-click on [EU/LOOK]))

(Compiled by Marcin Grajewski, John O’Donnell and Timothy Heritage; Editing by Michael Roddy)

EU’s Van Rompuy says strong euro masked problems

(Reuters) – The strength of the euro masked underlying fiscal problems within the euro zone, the President of the European Union, Herman Van Rompuy said in an interview published on Monday.

“The euro became a strong currency with very small interest rate spreads (on government bonds). It was like some kind of sleeping pill, some kind of drug. We weren’t aware of the underlying problems,” Rompuy told the Financial Times.

Rompuy also attacked the financial markets for overreacting to Europe’s economic difficulties and being swayed by “rumors and prejudices.”

“The markets were too indulgent in the first decade, but now they overreact a lot of the time to small incidents,” Rompuy said.

European leaders will meet on Thursday to set out proposals to convince financial markets they can contain a debt crisis by agreeing how to tighten economic policy coordination and strengthen budget discipline.

A task force under Rompuy has started work on reforms to reinforce budget rules and changes are planned to tighten financial regulations after the global economic crisis.

“Most of us are not happy with excessive market developments,” Rompuy told the FT. “But when you look at this in a broader perspective, the markets are sanctioning bad policies, sometimes excessively, disproportionately and based on rumors and prejudices.”

Rompuy told the paper European leaders were committed to implementing tough reforms to safeguard the euro zone’s future.

“The toughest thing now is reforms in the budgetary field and the economy competitiveness, labor market reforms, the retirement age,” he said.

“Of course, it will be difficult. At certain times there will be social unrest and political opposition to all this. But I know most of the leaders now. They are preparing to take huge risks because they know what is at stake for the euro zone.”

(Reporting by Caroline Copley; Editing by Marguerita Choy)

EU’s Van Rompuy says strong euro masked problems- FT

June 14 (Reuters) – The strength of the euro masked underlying fiscal problems within the euro zone, the President of the European Union, Herman Van Rompuy said in an interview published on Monday.

Currencies | Bonds

“The euro became a strong currency with very small interest rate spreads (on government bonds). It was like some kind of sleeping pill, some kind of drug. We weren’t aware of the underlying problems,” Rompuy told the Financial Times.

Rompuy also attacked the financial markets for overreacting to Europe’s economic difficulties and being swayed by “rumours and prejudices.”

“The markets were too indulgent in the first decade, but now they overreact a lot of the time to small incidents,” Rompuy said.

European leaders will meet on Thursday to set out proposals to convince financial markets they can contain a debt crisis by agreeing how to tighten economic policy coordination and strengthen budget discipline. [ID:nLDE65C0FB]

A task force under Rompuy has started work on reforms to reinforce budget rules and changes are planned to tighten financial regulations after the global economic crisis.

“Most of us are not happy with excessive market developments,” Rompuy told the FT. “But when you look at this in a broader perspective, the markets are sanctioning bad policies, sometimes excessively, disproportionately and based on rumours and prejudices.”

Rompuy told the paper European leaders were committed to implementing tough reforms to safeguard the euro zone’s future.

“The toughest thing now is reforms in the budgetary field and the economy competitiveness, labour market reforms, the retirement age,” he said.

“Of course, it will be difficult. At certain times there will be social unrest and political opposition to all this. But I know most of the leaders now. They are preparing to take huge risks because they know what is at stake for the euro zone.” (Reporting by Caroline Copley; Editing by Marguerita Choy)

EU leaders try to convince markets over euro crisis

(Reuters) – European Union leaders will make a new attempt this week to convince financial markets they can contain a debt crisis by agreeing how to tighten economic policy coordination and strengthen budget discipline.

The 27 EU member states and the executive European Commission will also set out plans for boosting economic growth and creating jobs at a summit on Thursday, three days after the leaders of Germany and France discuss strategy in Berlin.

A show of EU unity would help persuade markets the bloc has a common response to the worst crisis to hit the 16-country euro zone since the single currency was created 11 years ago and can prevent Greece’s debt problems spreading to other countries.

“Our priority is putting order into our public finances. We need fiscal consolidation and a new financial stability culture in Europe,” European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said after meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday.

“There is new awareness in Europe that rules have not been respected and must now be respected. Circumventing the rules … is putting at risk our collective economic future. We need to move in the opposite direction. We need to strengthen our rules and the way the EU runs its economy.”

Failure to show solidarity could increase the nervousness on markets that has helped drive down the euro and shares globally, and increased worries that countries such as Spain and Portugal could follow Greece into debt payment trouble.

Agreement on an aid package for Greece worth 110 billion euros ($132.4 billion) and a safety net for other euro zone countries worth 500 billion euros has gone some way to calming investors’ worries, at least in the short-term.

A task force under EU President Herman Van Rompuy has started work on reforms to reinforce budget rules and changes are planned to tighten financial regulations after the global economic crisis [ID:nLDE65A0O5]

CONCERNS OVER EU ABILITY TO ACT

But EU leaders have often appeared slow to react during the crisis and investors still have medium- and long-term concerns. They want to see how the rescue mechanisms will work in practice and whether the bloc is truly making a united stand.

“Policymakers in the EU have been rumbled. They’ve regularly fallen behind the curve and their announcements have often been full of smoke and mirrors,” said Philip Whyte of the Center for European Reform think tank.

“The markets don’t see how the southern European states are going to get out of the predicament they are in.”

The tone for the summit could be set by Monday’s talks between Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who lead Europe’s largest economies. Both want to protect the euro and improve Europe’s economic performance but disagree how to do so.

The German Finance Ministry has circulated a nine-point plan demanding stiffer sanctions against governments that flout European fiscal rules, including suspending repeat offenders’ EU voting rights, and an insolvency procedure for states.

Sarkozy has avoided the rigor sought by Berlin, and wants an “economic government” for the euro zone, with a dedicated secretariat to coordinate economic policy and focus on rebalancing the European economy and boosting growth.

Sarkozy and Merkel postponed a meeting last week at the last minute, a move widely seen as a sign of how far relations have deteriorated between countries long seen as the EU’s engine.

They went some way to assuaging concerns by issuing a letter to Barroso calling for faster financial reform and an EU-wide ban on some forms of trading in certain shares and state bonds, but doubts remain about their relationship.

“It’s hard to see that France and Germany will be singing from the same song sheet,” Whyte said.

PREVENTING “CONTAGION”

EU leaders want to address concerns that the debt crisis will spread to EU states that do not use the euro but have big deficits or debts such as Hungary and Britain.

They face hostility to important parts of the drive toward closer budget surveillance from British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is attending his first EU summit. IDnLDE64K1FW

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Sunday the country’s new coalition government remained firmly opposed to proposals that EU countries, including Britain, should give Brussels an early sight of their budget plans.

“That’s not a proposal that we can support,” Hague told the BBC. “The British budget must be presented to the British parliament and that is … the position we will maintain.”

Hague said he hoped the euro zone would survive current financial turmoil. “It’s in our national interest for those who do join the euro to be OK,” he said.

Austerity plans announced by some European governments also face the threat of labor unrest over fears that such moves will limit growth and cause job losses.

The EU leaders will try to address these concerns when agreeing on their Europe 2020 strategy for the next decade to cut unemployment, which was 9.7 percent in the EU in April, and double annual growth potential to 2 percent.

(Editing by Matthew Jones)

For more on the EU, double-click on

FACTBOX-EU works on reforms in euro zone debt crisis

(Reuters) – The European Union is debating a series of reforms to try to prevent any future euro zone debt crisis. Reforms designed to prevent debt building up, increase macroeconomic cooperation and set up a permanent aid mechanism for countries in fiscal trouble are being worked out by a task force led by EU President Herman Van Rompuy.

Bonds | Global Markets

The task force, which includes the bloc’s finance ministers, the European Central Bank and the European Commission, is to propose changes before an EU summit in October.

The 27-country EU has also pledged to pioneer reform of the financial sector following the global economic crisis, but large EU member states disagree on how exactly this should be done and discord has slowed down progress.

Following are the main reforms and some sticking points:

STRONGER BUDGET DISCIPLINE RULES

* All EU countries should strive to achieve a budget close to balance by cutting their deficits by 0.5 percent of GDP annually. Penalties for exceeding the deficit ceiling of 3 percent of GDP should be automatic or semi-automatic.

Countries failing to move towards the balanced budget could be forced to make financial deposits with the EU executive, the European Commission. Rule breakers could also be stripped of EU aid funds. Germany wants all countries to incorporate tough budget laws into their national legislation.

* There should be more focus on debt. Since the current rule that countries should have a debt-to-GDP ratio below 60 percent is not respected, disciplinary steps should be taken against governments that do not cut their debt levels fast enough.

ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE

* Governments should cooperate more closely on synchronising their budget policies, reducing differences in competitiveness of their economies and aiding countries in trouble.

* EU countries would in the first six months of each year send Brussels their rough budget plans for the following year so that the Commission and all finance ministers can review them.

* Surveillance of the macroeconomic imbalances should be beefed up. The Commission would assess the risk of all possible forms of macroeconomic imbalances that jeopardise the proper functioning of the euro area, and suggest what needs to be done.

Finance ministers would then ask the country to take the necessary action to remedy it. The Commission could also issue warnings to that country.

AID MECHANISM

* A recently approved aid mechanism for Greece worth 110 billion euros ($132.4 billion) and a safety net for other euro zone countries worth 500 billion euros are temporary measures and will expire after three years.

* Proposals being floated include a common bond issued by euro zone countries, possibly overseen by a European Debt Agency or a European Monetary Fund similar to the International Monetary Fund. Germany opposes a common euro zone bond and backs the European Monetary Fund idea.

STICKING POINTS

* France wants regular meetings of euro zone leaders that would function as an economic government for the currency area and be a political counterweight to the European Central Bank.

* Germany shuns the idea of a euro zone government able to make voluntary decisions and wants tough budget discipline rules inscribed into national laws or an amended EU treaty.

* Britain opposes any reforms that would cede more powers to EU institutions. It has ruled out sending its budget plans to Brussels before its national parliament is informed about them.

BANK LEVY

* Most European leaders would like to collect more money from banks but they disagree over whether this should end up in the public purse or in a special fund for future crises.

* The debate has been complicated by proposals from Germany to introduce a tax on financial transactions, which London opposes.

* With a global deal ditched before a meeting of G20 countries this month, Europe is struggling to find a formula that could work across the whole bloc.

TACKLING SPECULATORS

* EU politicians have long blamed “speculators” for making the euro zone debt crisis worse. They believe investors who bet on Greece defaulting on its debt caused panic on markets and forced euro zone countries to build a $1 trillion safety net.

* But tackling the market bettors has been messy, with Germany imposing a unilateral ban on some trading, a move that caused more chaos on markets.

* The European Commission is set to unveil a draft set of rules to control the $600-trillion market in derivatives, which give investors the option to buy anything from currency to gas at a fixed price in the future.

* A row is brewing between Germany and France, who want some trading to be banned, and Britain, which wants looser controls.

EU REGULATORY SUCCESSES

* Hedge funds and private equity are the first parts of financial services to be covered by new post-crisis EU rules that will place them under the watch of a new pan-European super watchdog.

* Ratings agencies will also be subject to new controls this year that require them to outline how they take ratings decisions for countries such as Greece.

* Michel Barnier, the EU commissioner in charge of an overhaul of financial services, has said he will do more to break the power of the big three agencies that dominate this market. One of his ideas is to set up a European ratings agency.

Research and Markets: Algeria Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts 2010 Report – Algeria is One of the Most Penetrated Mobile & Fixed-Line Markets in Africa

DUBLIN–(Business Wire)–
Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/1ee327/algeria_telecoms) has
announced the addition of the “Algeria – Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and
Forecasts” report to their offering.

Algeria is one of the most penetrated mobile and fixed-line markets in Africa.
This annual report provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of trends and
developments in Algeria’s telecommunications market, including forecasts.
Subjects covered include:

* Key statistics;
* Market and industry overviews;
* The impact of the global economic crisis;
* Regulatory environment and structural reform;
* Major players (fixed, mobile and broadband);
* Infrastructure development;
* Mobile voice and data markets;
* Average Revenue per User (ARPU) trends;
* Fixed-line, Internet and broadband market, development and forecasts;
* Convergence (voice/data, fixed/wireless/mobile).

With a mobile penetration of close to 90% and fixed-line penetration of around
10% in early 2010, Algeria has one of the highest teledensities in Africa. It’s
relatively well developed infrastructure includes a national fibre backbone and
one of Africa’s first fibre-to-the-home (FttH) deployments. The country’s oil
and gas reserves have made it one of the wealthiest nations in Africa. However,
the market has been affected by the global economic crisis, and its recovery
will depend on a combination of regulatory and economic factors, as well as
choice of business models.

As the mobile voice market approaches saturation, subscriber growth has begun to
flatten and the attention is shifting to maintaining or improving average
revenue per user (ARPU) which has continued to decline under intensifying price
competition between the three networks: Algerie Telecoms Mobilis, Orascoms
Djezzy, and Wataniyas Nedjma. The operators have entered the underdeveloped
Internet market by launching basic mobile data services, but the licensing of
third generation (3G) spectrum is being delayed, which makes it difficult for
them to fully compete in the broadband sector.

In the meantime, fixed-line incumbent Algerie Telecom (AT) is rapidly expanding
its ADSL and WiMAX networks and upgrading its CDMA wireless local loop network
with broadband capabilities. ADSL prices are among the lowest in Africa. Several
of the country’s ISPs are rolling out their own WiMAX wireless broadband
infrastructure. The full liberalisation of VoIP Internet telephony is enabling
them to become players in the fixed voice market as well, and converged
triple-play services (voice, data and video) have been introduced.

Competition in the fixed-line sector received a setback when the second
operator, Lacom (a joint venture between Egypt’s Orascom Telecom and Telecom
Egypt) exited the market in 2008 after three years of operations, citing
regulatory barriers that made it impossible to compete with AT. The government
then announced that the national telco will not be privatised, and plans to
invest US$6 billion into its mobile, fixed and fibre networks over the five
years to 2014 as part of a US$150 billion program to upgrade the country’s
infrastructure.

This report contains an overview of Algeria’s telecommunications sector,
analysis and key statistics, profiles of the major players, and scenario
forecasts for the fixed-line, Internet and mobile market to 2012 and 2015.

Market highlights:

* One of the highest levels of mobile and fixed-line penetration in Africa;
* GDP per capita fell by more than 15% as a result of the global economic
crisis, set to recover in 2010;
* Intense price competition is driving down ARPU;
* Forecasts for mobile, fixed-line and Internet markets to 2012 and 2015;
* Profiles of major players in all market sectors;
* 3G licensing delayed further;
* Major investments in national fibre infrastructure.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Key Statistics

2. Country Overview

3. Telecommunications Market

4. Regulatory Environment

5. Fixed Network Operators

6. Telecommunications Infrastructure

7. Internet Market

8. Broadband Market

9. Convergence

10. Mobile Communications

11. Forecasts

12. Glossary of Abbreviations

For more information visit

http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/1ee327/algeria_telecoms

Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager,
press@researchandmarkets.com
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Copyright Business Wire 2010

Research and Markets: Algeria Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts 2010 Report – Algeria is One of the Most Penetrated Mobile & Fixed-Line Markets in Africa

DUBLIN–(Business Wire)–
Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/1ee327/algeria_telecoms) has
announced the addition of the “Algeria – Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and
Forecasts” report to their offering.

Algeria is one of the most penetrated mobile and fixed-line markets in Africa.
This annual report provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of trends and
developments in Algeria’s telecommunications market, including forecasts.
Subjects covered include:

* Key statistics;
* Market and industry overviews;
* The impact of the global economic crisis;
* Regulatory environment and structural reform;
* Major players (fixed, mobile and broadband);
* Infrastructure development;
* Mobile voice and data markets;
* Average Revenue per User (ARPU) trends;
* Fixed-line, Internet and broadband market, development and forecasts;
* Convergence (voice/data, fixed/wireless/mobile).

With a mobile penetration of close to 90% and fixed-line penetration of around
10% in early 2010, Algeria has one of the highest teledensities in Africa. It’s
relatively well developed infrastructure includes a national fibre backbone and
one of Africa’s first fibre-to-the-home (FttH) deployments. The country’s oil
and gas reserves have made it one of the wealthiest nations in Africa. However,
the market has been affected by the global economic crisis, and its recovery
will depend on a combination of regulatory and economic factors, as well as
choice of business models.

As the mobile voice market approaches saturation, subscriber growth has begun to
flatten and the attention is shifting to maintaining or improving average
revenue per user (ARPU) which has continued to decline under intensifying price
competition between the three networks: Algerie Telecoms Mobilis, Orascoms
Djezzy, and Wataniyas Nedjma. The operators have entered the underdeveloped
Internet market by launching basic mobile data services, but the licensing of
third generation (3G) spectrum is being delayed, which makes it difficult for
them to fully compete in the broadband sector.

In the meantime, fixed-line incumbent Algerie Telecom (AT) is rapidly expanding
its ADSL and WiMAX networks and upgrading its CDMA wireless local loop network
with broadband capabilities. ADSL prices are among the lowest in Africa. Several
of the country’s ISPs are rolling out their own WiMAX wireless broadband
infrastructure. The full liberalisation of VoIP Internet telephony is enabling
them to become players in the fixed voice market as well, and converged
triple-play services (voice, data and video) have been introduced.

Competition in the fixed-line sector received a setback when the second
operator, Lacom (a joint venture between Egypt’s Orascom Telecom and Telecom
Egypt) exited the market in 2008 after three years of operations, citing
regulatory barriers that made it impossible to compete with AT. The government
then announced that the national telco will not be privatised, and plans to
invest US$6 billion into its mobile, fixed and fibre networks over the five
years to 2014 as part of a US$150 billion program to upgrade the country’s
infrastructure.

This report contains an overview of Algeria’s telecommunications sector,
analysis and key statistics, profiles of the major players, and scenario
forecasts for the fixed-line, Internet and mobile market to 2012 and 2015.

Market highlights:

* One of the highest levels of mobile and fixed-line penetration in Africa;
* GDP per capita fell by more than 15% as a result of the global economic
crisis, set to recover in 2010;
* Intense price competition is driving down ARPU;
* Forecasts for mobile, fixed-line and Internet markets to 2012 and 2015;
* Profiles of major players in all market sectors;
* 3G licensing delayed further;
* Major investments in national fibre infrastructure.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Key Statistics

2. Country Overview

3. Telecommunications Market

4. Regulatory Environment

5. Fixed Network Operators

6. Telecommunications Infrastructure

7. Internet Market

8. Broadband Market

9. Convergence

10. Mobile Communications

11. Forecasts

12. Glossary of Abbreviations

For more information visit

http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/1ee327/algeria_telecoms

Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager,
press@researchandmarkets.com
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Copyright Business Wire 2010

FIFA providing 150,000 more World Cup tickets

An extra 150,000 tickets for all 64 World Cup matches will be put on sale on Friday after 96 per cent of seats were sold, FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said.

At a ceremony officially handing over Cape Town’s majestic new seaside stadium for the World Cup, Valcke said that if the additional tickets were sold the tournament would reach almost 98 percent capacity across all the 10 stadiums.

A total of nearly 2.9 million seats were available for the world’s most watched sporting event, which runs for a month from June 11.

Valcke said the additional tickets were from inventory that soccer’s governing body had held back until now for its own use.

The number of tickets available for any stadium would vary from 200 upwards. Valcke said last week organisers were having trouble filling the smaller Nelspruit, Polokwane and Port Elizabeth stadiums for some matches.

Estimates of foreign visitors for the World Cup, once put at 450,000, have recently been reduced to between 300,000 and 370,000. The number has been depressed by the global economic crisis, the cost of a long-haul World Cup destination and fears over South Africa’s high levels of violent crime.

Last month, realising it had made errors in selling tickets only over the internet, FIFA launched a drive to market the remaining seats to South Africans, who have grabbed thousands in over-the-counter cash sales.

(Reporting by Barry Moody; Editing by Clare Fallon. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

FACTBOX – Sources of tension between China and the U.S.

Top U.S. and Chinese officials will meet in Beijing on Monday and Tuesday for the Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

The annual meeting provides a high-level forum to manage a vital but sometimes tense bilateral relationship between the world’s only superpower and the fastest-rising emerging economy.

Frictions that marred ties earlier this year have eased somewhat, but politicians on both sides face a challenging job cooperating on global economic and security while reassuring key constituents they are watching out for national interests.

Here are the main sources of tension:

CURRENCY AND DEBT

The United States complains that China keeps its currency artificially undervalued, unfairly helping exporters.

China has unofficially pegged the yuan to the dollar since mid-2008. The yuan has gained against a trade-weighted basket of currencies this year, tracking a strengthening dollar.

Beijing says a stable currency has helped the world economic recovery. It wants “quiet discussions” about exchange rate issues, and loud lobbying will only delay movement on the yuan, a senior official said this week.

The Chinese government has its own concerns about U.S. economic policy. It fears the value of its dollar holdings could be eroded by massive debt issuances to fund the U.S. stimulus.

China is the world’s largest holder of Treasuries with $895.2 billion, and added to its stockpile in March for the first time in seven months.

Rash U.S. moves that threaten China’s massive purchases of U.S. debt, and its funding of the U.S. deficit, are unlikely.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Anti-dumping measures and other trade frictions have piled up faster since the global economic crisis began in 2008 — even though both governments are quick to denounce protectionism.

Disputes centre on everything from tyres, steel products and poultry to Chinese tariffs on raw materials exports, and quality concerns over Chinese-made food, toys and other goods that Chinese manufacturers view as a type of protectionism.

U.S. firms investing in China complain about intellectual property theft, murky regulations, corruption and unfair advantages enjoyed by domestic rivals.

U.S. officials say they are particularly worried about parts of China’s “indigenous innovation” programme to promote homegrown technology, which they say is creating barriers to foreign high-tech companies seeking to win government supply contracts.

China complains about investment barriers on the U.S. side, citing resource investments blocked on national security grounds.

In 2009, U.S. exports to China totalled $77.4 billion, but were dwarfed by $220.8 billion in exports from China to the United States, China’s second biggest trade partner. Falling U.S. demand thanks to the financial crisis narrowed the trade gap.

In February, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao expressed hope that trade frictions would ease and said China was not deliberately seeking a trade surplus with the United States.

TIBET AND TAIWAN

Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama makes frequent visits to the United States and met President Barack Obama in the White House in February, drawing condemnation from Beijing, which denounces him as a separatist.

China accused Obama of damaging ties by meeting the Dalai Lama and said it was up to Washington to repair relations. Beijing fears ethnically distinct Tibetan areas will strive for independence, taking with them one-sixth of China’s territory.

Taiwan also remains a sore point. China has threatened sanctions against companies making weapons or planes that under a U.S. $6.4 billion arms sale plan would be destined for the self-ruled democratic island off the mainland’s cost.

Beijing has never renounced the use of force to reclaim Taiwan, which it considers sovereign territory. The United States says it is obliged by U.S. law to help the island defend itself.

China has yet to act on its sanctions threat, and recently allowed a U.S. aircraft carrier to visit Hong Kong. But Beijing has said it will curtail military exchanges to show its anger.

DIPLOMATIC AND MILITARY INFLUENCE

As China has grown to the world’s third-largest economy, it is gaining greater clout, especially in Asia and Africa.

It is also upgrading its military and space capability, and Washington has said Beijing should be more open about its defence spending and strategic intentions.

China is wary of the United States’ global military strength. U.S. patrols in waters China considers its exclusive zone led to minor incidents last year. In 2001, a U.S. spy plane was forced to land in China after colliding with a Chinese fighter.

Yet China and the United States work together in talks aimed at getting North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons programme. Washington wants China to put stronger pressure on North Korea, as well as Iran, over their nuclear activities.

INTERNET FREEDOMS

U.S. Internet firms have fared poorly in China, which censors content and blocks many foreign websites, including popular social media such as Twitter and Facebook, and YouTube.

In March, Google Inc shut its mainland Chinese-language portal and began rerouting searches to its Hong Kong site, after suffering a sophisticated cyber-attack that it said came from within China.

The United States has recently become more vocal in opposing other governments’ censorship of the Internet, but said the bilateral relationship is “mature enough” to handle differences as they cooperate on issues of common interest.

(Writing by Emma Graham-Harrison)

Business Leaders Are More Resigned to a Turbulent Economic Future Than They Were at the Height of the Economic Crisis,

BOSTON, MA, May 05 (MARKET WIRE) —
Top executives at large companies around the world anticipate rough going
for the foreseeable future and voice less optimism than they did this
time last year, according to a new survey of 440 executives in seven
major economies, published today by The Boston Consulting Group.

In its third survey of executives during the crisis — following surveys
conducted in September and March 2009 — BCG found that half of
respondents expect an L-shaped recovery — that is, a slow and difficult
one. This is a significantly higher percentage than in March 2009, when
only 17 percent were so pessimistic. It also runs counter to the
prevailing view, which is suggested by stock market movements and
investor behavior indicating that “the crisis is behind us.”

The survey — published in In the Eye of the Storm: Ignore Short-Term
Indicators, Focus on the Long Haul, the latest in BCG’s Collateral Damage
series of reports on the global economic crisis — found that the
corporate mood is even gloomier in some countries. In Spain, 64 percent
expect an L-shaped recovery, in Italy, 57 percent expect such a recovery,
while in France, the figure is 52 percent. The Japanese are the most
pessimistic, with 72 percent expecting an L-shaped recovery.

“The somewhat fatalistic views of these global executives corroborate our
perspective that one shouldn’t be overly influenced by short-term
economic indicators. For the West, at least, once the stimulus effect
wears off, we should expect an anemic recovery — the sort of slow-growth
environment that will change the rules of the game for companies as they
seek to grow amid increased competitive intensity,” said BCG senior
partner David Rhodes, co-author of the new book Accelerating Out of the
Great Recession: How to Win in a Slow-Growth Economy (McGraw-Hill, 2010).

“Most developed economies, particularly the United States, face a
prolonged period of slower growth. The world view we’re hearing from
executives is hardly one conducive to job creation, investment, and risk
taking. Executives are, in fact, less enthusiastic about the economic
outlook than many of their governments,” said co-author and BCG senior
partner Daniel Stelter.

Profitability Is Expected to Fall Even Further, M&A Is Expected to
Increase, and Growth Will Be Harder to Achieve

Among the findings from the survey:

– Even after a rather dreadful 2009 — when 64 percent of respondents in
March expected profits to fall — 61 percent now think profitability
will continue to drop.

– Fully 60 percent of respondents expect increased consolidation in
their industry, compared with only 42 percent last year.

– A large majority — 69 percent — now believe growth will be harder to
achieve moving forward; only 56 percent expressed that view in 2009.

Executives Expect Even Less Now from Consumers Than They Did in 2009

Overall, respondents believe consumer attitudes have undergone a sea
change:

– The vast majority of executives — 79 percent — now expect an
increase in the savings rate in their country, which will translate
into less spending. Only 54 percent anticipated increased saving last
year.

– Even more — 89 percent — now anticipate increased consumer price
sensitivity, up from 71 percent in March 2009.

More Protectionism and a Shifting Global Order

“With the passing of a year, managers have become far more resigned to
the likelihood of significant changes to the global economic order. They
believe governments in developed countries will continue interventionist
policies — imposing more regulation and much more actively pursuing
changes in industrial policy. Nearly three-quarters see more negative
attitudes toward Western capitalism taking hold in their markets,” Rhodes
said.

– Among surveyed executives, 78 percent anticipate more trade
protectionism, up from 57 percent last year.

– In the latest survey, 73 percent of respondents expect a rebalancing
of global trade, compared with only 56 percent last year.

– A large majority — 82 percent — believe there will be more
regulation, up from 58 percent last year.

“The emergence of protectionist measures is reinforced by the
quandary in which many governments find themselves: having provided
massive stimulus, many are now heavily indebted — and lack financial
firepower for additional measures. Protectionism, however, does not
require any spending,” said Stelter.

Accordingly, 85 percent of managers believe that their companies are
likely to increase lobbying activities in the next two or three years.

Constraints on Management Are Expected as Well

As government involvement increases, executives see things changing for
management teams:

– Most surveyed executives — 60 percent — believe executive
compensation will be lower over the next five years. They also expect
that it will be more closely linked to long-term shareholder-value
creation and that a lower proportion of any bonuses will be paid in
cash.

– Among respondents, 77 percent believe risk management will become more
important than it is currently.

– And 70 percent of surveyed executives believe that nonexecutives will
play a more important role in setting and challenging company
strategy; will be more active in holding management accountable, and
will themselves need to have a greater technical understanding of the
business.

Companies Are Opting Out of Activities that Lay Groundwork for Growth

“With executives preparing for a more prolonged, anemic recovery –
characterized by greater trade problems, increased consumer price
sensitivity, and greater government interference — it is not surprising
that many companies are not building so aggressively for the future.
However, it is our view that the best companies are both strengthening
and rationalizing their core, preparing to ‘attack’ their competitors and
take advantage of others’ weaknesses in order to grow,” said Rhodes.

– Only about half of managers said that their companies are now
undertaking significant and concerted “attacking” options. By
contrast, two-thirds of market leaders are, in fact, beginning to
think more offensively; yet only about 44 percent of “middle-market”
companies — those typically with revenues of between $1 billion and
$10 billion — are doing so.

– When executives at market-leading companies were asked in which
categories they would be making significant efforts in 2010, only 41
percent said they are planning to increase R&D, only 35 percent
are planning to hire new talent, and less than 40 percent are thinking
of extending their geographic reach, expanding capacity, or exploring
acquisitions.

– Only about a quarter of respondents from middle-market companies are
planning to take any significant action in any of the categories
above.

Said Stelter, “Company executives are viewing the economic outlook
with more caution than the politicians are. But it’s important to
remember that those companies that act decisively can significantly
outperform even in the toughest of economic times.”

About the Survey

Survey results are based on an online questionnaire of 440 executives in
seven countries. All respondents represented companies with at least $1
billion in global revenues in 2009, from all industries except financial
services. The survey was commissioned by The Boston Consulting Group and
administered by Grail Research from February 25, 2010, to March 9, 2010.

About Accelerating Out of the Great Recession: How to Win in a
Slow-Growth Economy
For more about the book, published by McGraw-Hill
in 2010, see http://accelerating.bcg.com/.

About the Collateral Damage Series

The Boston Consulting Group’s Collateral Damage series by David Rhodes
and Daniel Stelter includes the following articles, which can be found
online at

http://www.bcg.com/expertise_impact/capabilities/managing_in_a_slow_growth_econo

y/collateral_damage.aspx.

Collateral Damage, Part 8: Preparing for a Two-Speed World–Accelerating
Out of the Great Recession, January 2010

Collateral Damage, Part 7: Green Shoots, False Positives, and What
Companies Can Learn from the Great Depression, June 2009

Collateral Damage, Part 6: Underestimating the Crisis, April 2009

Collateral Damage, Part 5: Confronting the New Realities of a World in
Crisis, March 2009

Collateral Damage, Part 4: Preparing for a Tough Year Ahead–The Outlook,
the Crisis in Perspective, and Lessons from the Early Movers, December
2008

Collateral Damage, Part 3: Asia, Advantage, and Action, November 2008

Collateral Damage, Part 2: Taking Robust Action in the Face of the
Growing Crisis, October 2008

Collateral Damage, Part 1: What the Crisis in the Credit Markets Means
for Everyone Else, October 2008

About the Authors

David Rhodes is a senior partner at The Boston Consulting Group and
global leader of the firm’s Financial Institutions practice. Since
joining BCG in 1985, he has worked primarily on projects involving major
strategy and organizational change in large financial institutions,
advising clients in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and the United
States.

Daniel Stelter is a senior partner at The Boston Consulting Group and
global leader of the firm’s Corporate Development practice. He is also a
member of BCG’s Executive Committee. During his 20 years with BCG, he has
participated in and directed many projects throughout Europe with a focus
on corporate finance (including M&A, IPOs, due diligence, strategic
alliances, and joint ventures) and strategy (including portfolio strategy
and value management).

About The Boston Consulting Group

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm
and the world’s leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with
clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value
opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform
their businesses. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the
dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels
of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve
sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and
secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 69
offices in 40 countries. For more information, please visit www.bcg.com.

Contact:
The Boston Consulting Group
Eric Gregoire
Global Media Relations Manager

Tel +1 617 850 3783
Fax +1 617 850 3701
gregoire.eric@bcg.com

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Business Leaders Are More Resigned to a Turbulent Economic Future Than They Were at the Height of the Economic Crisis

BOSTON, MA, May 05 (MARKET WIRE) —
Top executives at large companies around the world anticipate rough going
for the foreseeable future and voice less optimism than they did this
time last year, according to a new survey of 440 executives in seven
major economies, published today by The Boston Consulting Group.

In its third survey of executives during the crisis — following surveys
conducted in September and March 2009 — BCG found that half of
respondents expect an L-shaped recovery — that is, a slow and difficult
one. This is a significantly higher percentage than in March 2009, when
only 17 percent were so pessimistic. It also runs counter to the
prevailing view, which is suggested by stock market movements and
investor behavior indicating that “the crisis is behind us.”

The survey — published in In the Eye of the Storm: Ignore Short-Term
Indicators, Focus on the Long Haul, the latest in BCG’s Collateral Damage
series of reports on the global economic crisis — found that the
corporate mood is even gloomier in some countries. In Spain, 64 percent
expect an L-shaped recovery, in Italy, 57 percent expect such a recovery,
while in France, the figure is 52 percent. The Japanese are the most
pessimistic, with 72 percent expecting an L-shaped recovery.

“The somewhat fatalistic views of these global executives corroborate our
perspective that one shouldn’t be overly influenced by short-term
economic indicators. For the West, at least, once the stimulus effect
wears off, we should expect an anemic recovery — the sort of slow-growth
environment that will change the rules of the game for companies as they
seek to grow amid increased competitive intensity,” said BCG senior
partner David Rhodes, co-author of the new book Accelerating Out of the
Great Recession: How to Win in a Slow-Growth Economy (McGraw-Hill, 2010).

“Most developed economies, particularly the United States, face a
prolonged period of slower growth. The world view we’re hearing from
executives is hardly one conducive to job creation, investment, and risk
taking. Executives are, in fact, less enthusiastic about the economic
outlook than many of their governments,” said co-author and BCG senior
partner Daniel Stelter.

Profitability Is Expected to Fall Even Further, M&A Is Expected to
Increase, and Growth Will Be Harder to Achieve

Among the findings from the survey:

– Even after a rather dreadful 2009 — when 64 percent of respondents in
March expected profits to fall — 61 percent now think profitability
will continue to drop.

– Fully 60 percent of respondents expect increased consolidation in
their industry, compared with only 42 percent last year.

– A large majority — 69 percent — now believe growth will be harder to
achieve moving forward; only 56 percent expressed that view in 2009.

Executives Expect Even Less Now from Consumers Than They Did in 2009

Overall, respondents believe consumer attitudes have undergone a sea
change:

– The vast majority of executives — 79 percent — now expect an
increase in the savings rate in their country, which will translate
into less spending. Only 54 percent anticipated increased saving last
year.

– Even more — 89 percent — now anticipate increased consumer price
sensitivity, up from 71 percent in March 2009.

More Protectionism and a Shifting Global Order

“With the passing of a year, managers have become far more resigned to
the likelihood of significant changes to the global economic order. They
believe governments in developed countries will continue interventionist
policies — imposing more regulation and much more actively pursuing
changes in industrial policy. Nearly three-quarters see more negative
attitudes toward Western capitalism taking hold in their markets,” Rhodes
said.

– Among surveyed executives, 78 percent anticipate more trade
protectionism, up from 57 percent last year.

– In the latest survey, 73 percent of respondents expect a rebalancing
of global trade, compared with only 56 percent last year.

– A large majority — 82 percent — believe there will be more
regulation, up from 58 percent last year.

“The emergence of protectionist measures is reinforced by the
quandary in which many governments find themselves: having provided
massive stimulus, many are now heavily indebted — and lack financial
firepower for additional measures. Protectionism, however, does not
require any spending,” said Stelter.

Accordingly, 85 percent of managers believe that their companies are
likely to increase lobbying activities in the next two or three years.

Constraints on Management Are Expected as Well

As government involvement increases, executives see things changing for
management teams:

– Most surveyed executives — 60 percent — believe executive
compensation will be lower over the next five years. They also expect
that it will be more closely linked to long-term shareholder-value
creation and that a lower proportion of any bonuses will be paid in
cash.

– Among respondents, 77 percent believe risk management will become more
important than it is currently.

– And 70 percent of surveyed executives believe that nonexecutives will
play a more important role in setting and challenging company
strategy; will be more active in holding management accountable, and
will themselves need to have a greater technical understanding of the
business.

Companies Are Opting Out of Activities that Lay Groundwork for Growth

“With executives preparing for a more prolonged, anemic recovery –
characterized by greater trade problems, increased consumer price
sensitivity, and greater government interference — it is not surprising
that many companies are not building so aggressively for the future.
However, it is our view that the best companies are both strengthening
and rationalizing their core, preparing to ‘attack’ their competitors and
take advantage of others’ weaknesses in order to grow,” said Rhodes.

– Only about half of managers said that their companies are now
undertaking significant and concerted “attacking” options. By
contrast, two-thirds of market leaders are, in fact, beginning to
think more offensively; yet only about 44 percent of “middle-market”
companies — those typically with revenues of between $1 billion and
$10 billion — are doing so.

– When executives at market-leading companies were asked in which
categories they would be making significant efforts in 2010, only 41
percent said they are planning to increase R&D, only 35 percent
are planning to hire new talent, and less than 40 percent are thinking
of extending their geographic reach, expanding capacity, or exploring
acquisitions.

– Only about a quarter of respondents from middle-market companies are
planning to take any significant action in any of the categories
above.

Said Stelter, “Company executives are viewing the economic outlook
with more caution than the politicians are. But it’s important to
remember that those companies that act decisively can significantly
outperform even in the toughest of economic times.”

About the Survey

Survey results are based on an online questionnaire of 440 executives in
seven countries. All respondents represented companies with at least $1
billion in global revenues in 2009, from all industries except financial
services. The survey was commissioned by The Boston Consulting Group and
administered by Grail Research from February 25, 2010, to March 9, 2010.

About Accelerating Out of the Great Recession: How to Win in a
Slow-Growth Economy
For more about the book, published by McGraw-Hill
in 2010, see http://accelerating.bcg.com/.

About the Collateral Damage Series

The Boston Consulting Group’s Collateral Damage series by David Rhodes
and Daniel Stelter includes the following articles, which can be found
online at

http://www.bcg.com/expertise_impact/capabilities/managing_in_a_slow_growth_econo

y/collateral_damage.aspx.

Collateral Damage, Part 8: Preparing for a Two-Speed World–Accelerating
Out of the Great Recession, January 2010

Collateral Damage, Part 7: Green Shoots, False Positives, and What
Companies Can Learn from the Great Depression, June 2009

Collateral Damage, Part 6: Underestimating the Crisis, April 2009

Collateral Damage, Part 5: Confronting the New Realities of a World in
Crisis, March 2009

Collateral Damage, Part 4: Preparing for a Tough Year Ahead–The Outlook,
the Crisis in Perspective, and Lessons from the Early Movers, December
2008

Collateral Damage, Part 3: Asia, Advantage, and Action, November 2008

Collateral Damage, Part 2: Taking Robust Action in the Face of the
Growing Crisis, October 2008

Collateral Damage, Part 1: What the Crisis in the Credit Markets Means
for Everyone Else, October 2008

About the Authors

David Rhodes is a senior partner at The Boston Consulting Group and
global leader of the firm’s Financial Institutions practice. Since
joining BCG in 1985, he has worked primarily on projects involving major
strategy and organizational change in large financial institutions,
advising clients in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and the United
States.

Daniel Stelter is a senior partner at The Boston Consulting Group and
global leader of the firm’s Corporate Development practice. He is also a
member of BCG’s Executive Committee. During his 20 years with BCG, he has
participated in and directed many projects throughout Europe with a focus
on corporate finance (including M&A, IPOs, due diligence, strategic
alliances, and joint ventures) and strategy (including portfolio strategy
and value management).

About The Boston Consulting Group

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm
and the world’s leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with
clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value
opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform
their businesses. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the
dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels
of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve
sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and
secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 69
offices in 40 countries. For more information, please visit www.bcg.com.

Contact:
The Boston Consulting Group
Eric Gregoire
Global Media Relations Manager

Tel +1 617 850 3783
Fax +1 617 850 3701
gregoire.eric@bcg.com

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

India, Brazil condemn terrorism in all forms

Brasilia, April 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva here on Thursday, in their joint statement, strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whoever, wherever and for whatever purpose and stressed that there can be no justification, whatsoever, for any acts of terrorism.

Both the leaders during their bilateral meet agreed to support the global struggle against terrorism in conformity with the principles of the U.N. Charter, relevant international conventions and International Law. Both sides reiterated their commitment to continue efforts for an early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on international terrorism.

They recalled the significant progress already achieved in the Doha Round of Trade Negotiations and called upon all Members to work towards a balanced agreement and to refrain from seeking excessive and additional levels of ambition from a few developing economies.

The prolonged inconclusiveness of the negotiations may threaten the credibility of the rule-based multilateral trading system, which has proved its relevance in resisting protectionism during the recent global economic crisis. Brazil and India will continue to make all efforts to build a multilateral trading system that puts development at its center.

Prime Minister Dr. Singh and President Lula reiterated that early conclusion of the Sco Paulo Round of GSTP Negotiations among developing countries in accordance with the agreement reached last December will contribute in a concrete manner towards increasing South-South trade and economic cooperation.

On the issue of Climate Change, they reaffirmed their concern for Climate Change and its adverse impacts. They committed themselves to work in close coordination including in the BASIC group towards a comprehensive, balanced, and effective outcome at the 16th Session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 6th Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, to be held in Mexico in November-December 2010.

Both the leaders welcomed the Resolution of the UN General Assembly to hold a Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro, in 2012.

Dr. Singh and President Lula also reiterated their commitment to fight hunger and poverty, promote democratic values, and foster socially-inclusive economic development policies in their respective countries. (ANI)

India, Brazil condemn terrorism in all forms

Brasilia, April 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva here on Thursday, in their joint statement, strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whoever, wherever and for whatever purpose and stressed that there can be no justification, whatsoever, for any acts of terrorism.

Both the leaders during their bilateral meet agreed to support the global struggle against terrorism in conformity with the principles of the U.N. Charter, relevant international conventions and International Law. Both sides reiterated their commitment to continue efforts for an early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on international terrorism.

They recalled the significant progress already achieved in the Doha Round of Trade Negotiations and called upon all Members to work towards a balanced agreement and to refrain from seeking excessive and additional levels of ambition from a few developing economies.

The prolonged inconclusiveness of the negotiations may threaten the credibility of the rule-based multilateral trading system, which has proved its relevance in resisting protectionism during the recent global economic crisis. Brazil and India will continue to make all efforts to build a multilateral trading system that puts development at its center.

Prime Minister Dr. Singh and President Lula reiterated that early conclusion of the São Paulo Round of GSTP Negotiations among developing countries in accordance with the agreement reached last December will contribute in a concrete manner towards increasing South-South trade and economic cooperation.

On the issue of Climate Change, they reaffirmed their concern for Climate Change and its adverse impacts. They committed themselves to work in close coordination including in the BASIC group towards a comprehensive, balanced, and effective outcome at the 16th Session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 6th Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, to be held in Mexico in November-December 2010.

Both the leaders welcomed the Resolution of the UN General Assembly to hold a Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro, in 2012.

Dr. Singh and President Lula also reiterated their commitment to fight hunger and poverty, promote democratic values, and foster socially-inclusive economic development policies in their respective countries. (ANI)