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Italy: Calls for immediate election after court ruling

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Italy’s Constitutional Court has modified a contested electoral law, in a move that could pave the way for early elections this year. Reported by euronews 38 minutes ago.

Pope: Christian unity can't happen if we linger on problems of the past

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Rome, Italy, Jan 25, 2017 / 10:20 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During an ecumenical Vespers service on Wednesday, Pope Francis told both Catholics and members of other Christian communities that unity can only happen when past grievances are forgiven and all sides walk forward with their gaze on Christ.

“How do we proclaim this Gospel of reconciliation after centuries of division? Paul himself helps us to find the way. He makes clear that reconciliation in Christ requires sacrifice,” the Pope said Jan. 25.

Referring to the Gospel of Luke, he said that willingness to “lose our lives” out love of God in order to save them, as St. Paul experienced personally, “is, and always has been, the Christian revolution.”

“If we experience this dying to ourselves for Jesus’ sake, our old way of life will be a thing of the past and, like Saint Paul, we will pass over to a new form of life and fellowship,” Francis said, explaining that looking back is helpful and even necessary in order “to purify our memory.”

However, the danger comes with the temptation “to be fixated on the past, lingering over the memory of wrongs done and endured, and judging in merely human terms,” he said, adding that doing this “can paralyze us and prevent us from living in the present.”

We are called to draw strength from the memory of the good things the Lord has given us, but at the same time God asks us “to leave the past behind in order to follow Jesus today and to live a new life in him.”

Authentic reconciliation among Christians, he said, “will only be achieved when we can acknowledge each other’s gifts and learn from one another, with humility and docility, without waiting for the others to learn first.”

The Pope spoke during a Vespers service at Rome's Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Wall after celebrating a private Mass to mark both the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul as well as the close of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which this year focused on the theme “Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us.”

Led by Pope Francis, the Vespers was attended by representatives from various other Christian churches and communities in Rome, including Metropolitan Gennadios, a representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; David Moxon, personal representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Rome; members of the joint commission for theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches; students from the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey; a group of Orthodox young people studying in Rome; and members of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

In his speech, the Pope pointed to the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, saying the love of Christ referred to “is not our love for Christ, but rather Christ’s love for us.”

“Nor is the reconciliation to which we are compelled simply our own initiative,” he said, stressing that “prior to any human effort on the part of believers who strive to overcome their divisions, it is God’s free gift.”

“As a result of this gift, each person, forgiven and loved, is called in turn to proclaim the Gospel of reconciliation in word and deed, to live and bear witness to a reconciled life.”

Christians from all confessions are invited to move forward not by getting caught up in “programs, plans and advantages, not to look to the prospects and fashions of the moment,” but rather to find the path “by constantly looking to the Lord’s cross.”

Christ's sacrifice of himself for our sins, he said, “is an invitation to leave behind every form of isolation, to overcome all those temptations to self-absorption that prevent us from perceiving how the Holy Spirit is at work outside our familiar surroundings.”

Francis then pointed to the fact that 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, noting that while in the past it would have seemed impossible for Catholics and Lutherans to join in commemorating an anniversary that divided Christians, it’s possible today, as is demonstrated by his recent visit to Sweden for a joint commemoration of the event.

The fact that Catholics and Lutherans can commemorate the anniversary “with hope, placing the emphasis on Jesus and his work of atonement, is a remarkable achievement,” thanks to both prayer and God’s intervention, he said, adding that it is also the result “of 50 years of growing mutual knowledge and ecumenical dialogue.”

Pope Francis closed his speech saying the prayer for Christian unity is a reflection of Christ's own prayer to his Father on the night of his arrest “that they may all be one.”

“May we never tire of asking God for this gift. With patient and trusting hope that the Father will grant all Christians the gift of full visible communion,” he said, urging those present to “press forward in our journey of reconciliation and dialogue, encouraged by the heroic witness” of past and present martyrs.

He prayed they would take advantage of every opportunity given “to pray together, to proclaim together, and together to love and serve, especially those who are the most poor and neglected in our midst.” Reported by CNA 2 hours ago.

Patrice Evra set to join Marseille from Juventus

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Patrice Evra set to join Marseille from Juventus Patrice Evra's time in Italy looks to be over after the Juventus man agreed a deal to return to France with Marseille. He has agreed terms to join the Ligue 1 side until the end of the 2017-18 season. Reported by MailOnline 2 hours ago.

Italy Closer To Early Elections After Constitutional Court Modifies Election Law

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Italy Closer To Early Elections After Constitutional Court Modifies Election Law As previewed last night, on Wednesday afternoon Italy’s Constitutional Court struck down parts of the electoral law for the lower house, effectively devising a new voting system for the country, and bringing the country one step closer to early elections in a boost to former Premier Matteo Renzi. The court, which had been tasked to rule on Renzi’s 2015 electoral reform, struck down a provision for a run-off vote for the lower house, saying it should be held in just one round. The rest of the law was left largely intact and the court ruled that it can be applied immediately.

In a written ruling, the court rejected a core part of the original law, which had envisaged a run-off ballot in future national elections, saying instead that the vote should be held in just one round. However, it endorsed a clause that would award an automatic parliamentary majority to any party that wins 40 percent of the vote. No opinion polls put any of Italy's plethora of parties anywhere near 40 percent at present.

That means the new system will almost certainly lead to a coalition government, *something that may benefit traditional parties and penalize the main opposition 5-Star Movement, which has always refused to form alliances.*

The court said the amended law could be used immediately if elections were called. A vote is not scheduled until 2018 but former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who heads the ruling Democratic Party, has said he wants a ballot this year. “We need to vote immediately,” said Ettore Rosato, chief whip for the Democratic Party, or PD, in the lower house, stressing that the new law could be used straight away.

Renzi, who remains leader of the PD, the biggest group in parliament, has been pushing for elections by early June according to Bloomberg. He resigned following his referendum defeat, and backed Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni as his successor.

Quoted by Bloomberg, Giovanni Tarli Barbieri, a professor of constitutional law at Florence University, said that “the ruling is good for Renzi because it makes the electoral system for the lower house more proportional, more similar to the Senate. It’s now up to the mainstream parties to see whether they can or want to make even more changes.”

“The outcome, overall, increases the likelihood of snap polls by June,” according to Teneo Intelligence Co-President Wolfango Piccoli.

While most political parties have called for parliament to approve a new
electoral law to take account of the court’s ruling, they remain divided on how to shape a new system and the Italian establishment is concerned that the populist Five Star Movement could win the bonus for topping the election, helping them achieve their goal of a referendum on Italy’s membership of the euro area. Five Star is neck and neck with the Democratic Party in opinion polls. Wednesday’s ruling preserves a majority bonus for the leading party which wins at least 40 percent of the vote in the first round, or which wins the run-off ballot.

Promptly after the Court's decision, lawmakers from Italy's anti-establishment 5-Star Movement on Wednesday called for an immediate election. "The court has told us what we have to do to give the country an electoral law that at least respects the constitution, now we must respect the court and hold elections," prominent 5-Star Senator Nicola Morra wrote on Facebook.

Echoing the sentiment, Alessandro Di Battista, a senior Five Star lawmaker, said after the ruling that “we’ve always said that we want to vote with the law which the ruling produces, and among other things it would appear to be immediately applicable."

As for what the revised law means now, here is an explanation:



“We now basically have two proportional laws for the two houses, the only exception is if someone gets 40 percent and gets the premium in the lower house," Enzo Palumbo, a lawyer for a court in Messina, southern Italy, which appealed the law, told reporters outside the court. “If nobody gets the premium, there won’t be a run-off and seats in the lower house will be assigned on a proportional basis,” he said.

 

The so-called Italicum law was designed to provide more political stability in Italy by awarding the bonus seats. But with the composition of the Senate determined by a proportional voting system, the law raised the prospect of potential gridlock if different majorities control the two chambers.



As Bloomberg adds, a few hours before the ruling, "Renzi started a new blog, writing that millions of Italians have “a clear and beautiful idea of Italy’s future.” He added: “These millions of Italians don’t give up. I want to walk with them.” Renzi listed priorities as the role of European Union institutions, tax cuts, protecting those who had lost out on globalization, and fighting poverty."

While it is no longer clear precisely on what side of the anti-establishment divide 5-Star leader Beppe Grillo can be found after his recently rebuffed attempt to merge with a pro-Europe federalist in the European Parliament, should the 5-Star movement win in the upcoming elections, Europe will be one stop closer to the populist tipping point, especially since that will likely mean new all time highs in global markets. Reported by Zero Hedge 30 minutes ago.

Remains of young British soldier killed in action in Italy identified by painstaking detective work after nearly 75 years

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Reported by Telegraph.co.uk 8 minutes ago.

ValueSelling Associates Congratulates Finalists in the 11th Annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service

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2017 Stevie Winners demonstrate the power of the ValueSelling Framework®.

Rancho Santa Fe, CA (PRWEB) January 25, 2017

ValueSelling Associates, a nine-year sponsor of the Stevie Awards, congratulates the finalists of the 11th Annual Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service, which were announced on Friday, January 20.

Finalist organizations include a wide variety of clients using the ValueSelling Framework®, a simple, scalable and sustainable sales methodology, for measurable success in sales and revenue growth. Among them: Adobe Systems, Berry Plastics, CAC 2000, Comprehend, NCR, Market Track, ServiceNow, UNOX and VMWare. Visualize Inc., and its President, Scott Anschuetz, is also a finalist in several categories. Visualize Inc. is a certified partner and reseller of ValueSelling Associates.

More than 2,300 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were evaluated in this year’s competition, an increase of 10% over 2016. Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners will be announced during a gala banquet on Friday, February 24 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“We are very pleased with the quantity and quality of nominations received in this year’s competition,” said Michael Gallagher, founder and president of the Stevie Awards. “The final judges are in for a treat, because they’re going to review many remarkable, inspiring stories of workplace success from around the world.”

“This year, we have a record number of clients that are Stevie Award finalists from a range of industries such as engineering, financial, manufacturing, services and technology, representing the best-of-the-best throughout the US, Italy and Jamaica,” said Julie Thomas, President and CEO of ValueSelling Associates. “These visionary organizations continue to outperform in their industries with the consistent use of the ValueSelling Framework. We congratulate these companies and sales leaders, and look forward to celebrating their achievements at the gala event.”

About The Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 10,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 60 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

About ValueSelling Associates, Inc.
ValueSelling Associates is the creator of the ValueSelling Framework®, a proven formula for accelerating sales results. Our customized training on the ValueSelling Framework methodology, reinforcement tools and consulting services are simple, scalable and sustainable. Since 1991, thousands of sales and customer-facing professionals around the globe have adopted the ValueSelling Framework to grow revenue, increase productivity and improve win rates. Visit http://www.valueselling.com. Reported by PRWeb 20 minutes ago.

Italy's constitutional court gives mixed verdict on 'Italicum' electoral law

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In an immediately applicable verdict, Italy's constitutional court has upheld the concept of a winner's bonus but rejected a rule calling for a run-off. The ruling could pave the way for new elections. Reported by Deutsche Welle 1 minute ago.

Atos official IT Partner of AutoMat, the first open Automotive Marketplace for Vehicle Big Data

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- Paris, Madrid, 26 ^th January 2017 -

*Atos* *, a leader in* *digital transformation, announces its role as Technology Partner of AutoMat, the first open Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)-independent marketplace in the automotive industry based on access to Big Data generated from vehicles.* The project, funded by the *European Union* as part of the *Horizon 2020 program* , aims to make currently unused aggregated vehicle data accessible to cross-sector service providers in order to facilitate the deployment of a totally new set of services and products for the automotive industry.  

Vehicles act as mobile sensors, collecting a wealth of data (such as navigation information, driving behavior, smartphone usage, road conditions etc.) via the onboard sensors that produce more than 4000 signals per second per vehicle. The number of these sensors is increasing exponentially, thereby increasing the amount of usable data in the near future. AutoMat therefore ensures that businesses can make the most of this business data, both now and in the future.

*Atos is responsible for the design and development of the Marketplace* , and to ensure that Services Providers have access to this vast pool of data, so that they are able to cost-effectively develop new products and services and improve existing ones. Furthermore, Atos is managing exploitation and business analysis activities to identify market potential in automotive and cross-sectorial industries.

The aims of the project are to:

· *develop, define and validate a market business model* and a value chain that stimulates the participation of multi-sector industries.
· *provide a broad spectrum of collected data in an open ecosystem* , independent of automotive manufacturer and service-provider, with a single point of access and guarantee the security, integrity and privacy of such data.
· *define standardized and open interfaces* - provide secure access to harmonized vehicle data in a new and brand-independent Common Vehicle Information Model (CVIM) data format. Currently each business receives vehicle data in different formats, which limits third-party business initiatives due to additional costs.

*Germán Herrero, coordinator of the transportation sector in the Research & Innovation department at Atos and director of the AutoMat project* , commented: " Thanks to the Automat open ecosystem, we are unlocking the value of the existing aggregated data from the connected car, and enabling new B2B and B2C services that empower the new mobility trends and driving experience. "

The project is supported by a consortium of 11 European businesses, including Volkswagen (Germany), Renault (France), Centro Ricerche Fiat (Italy), Institute for Applied Systems Technology Bremen (Germany), ERPC European Research Program Consulting (Germany), Technische Universitaet Dortmund (Germany), Atos (Spain), MeteoGroup Nederland B.V. (The Netherlands), Institut Mines-Telecom (France), Trialog (France) and HERE Global B.V. (The Netherlands).

####

About Atos

Atos SE (Societas Europaea) is a leader in digital transformation with circa 100,000 employees in 72 countries and pro forma annual revenue of circa € 12 billion. Serving a global client base, the Group is the European leader in Big Data, Cybersecurity, Digital Workplace and provides Cloud services, Infrastructure & Data Management, Business & Platform solutions, as well as transactional services through Worldline, the European leader in the payment industry. With its cutting edge technologies, digital expertise and industry knowledge, the Group supports the digital transformation of its clients across different business sectors: Defense, Financial Services, Health, Manufacturing, Media, Utilities, Public sector, Retail, Telecommunications, and Transportation. The Group is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic & Paralympic Games and is listed on the Euronext Paris market. Atos operates under the brands Atos, Atos Consulting, Atos Worldgrid, Bull, Canopy, Unify and Worldline.

Press contact:

Laura Fau - laura.fau@atos.net - +33 (0) 6 80 84 95 43 - @laurajanefau

Click here for pdf
--------------------This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: ATOS via GlobeNewswire

HUG#2073721 Reported by GlobeNewswire 5 hours ago.

Theresa May takes time out from Brexit to congratulate Nottingham...

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Theresa May takes time out from Brexit to congratulate Nottingham... Prime Minister Theresa May took time out from leading on Brexit to congratulate Nottingham Panthers on their "historic victory" in Europe – in the Continental Cup.The club has received a letter from 10 Downing Street in the wake of becoming the first British team to win a major European ice hockey title, lifting the trophy in Italy almost two weeks ago.And in it the PM said: "I wanted to write to congratulate you and everyone at the Nottingham Panthers on your historic... Reported by Nottingham Post 4 hours ago.

Italy avalanche survivors describe horrific 58-hour ordeal

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Italy avalanche survivors describe horrific 58-hour ordeal Giorgia Galassi, 22, and her boyfriend Vincenzo Forti, 25, have described the horrific ordeal of being trapped in the luxury Hotel Rigopiano, in central Italy, after it was hit by a wall of snow and rubble. Reported by MailOnline 44 minutes ago.

Juventus reaping the benefits of new attacking formation

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TURIN, Italy (AP) " Four forwards seems to be the way forward for Juventus.Coach Massimiliano Allegri has unveiled a daring 4-2-3-1 formation in the past two matches, and the team has played some of its best soccer of the season.The... Reported by New Zealand Herald 4 hours ago.

Palermo appoint Lopez as Corini replacement

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Palermo have appointed Diego Lopez as their fourth coach of the season. Lopez, who has previously coached in Italy with Cagliari and Bologna, takes over following the resignation of Eugenio Corini just two months into his reign. Davide Ballardini left the club after two games of the season, before Roberto de Zerbi was sacked at the […] Reported by SoccerNews.com 3 hours ago.

Plymouth drugs gang member arrested in Rome

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Plymouth drugs gang member arrested in Rome Eight men who brought large amounts of cannabis into Plymouth are facing jail – after the last gang member was caught hiding in Rome.Shkelzen Hasani, aged 29, was caught in Italy at the end of August on a European warrant and extradited.He was thrown into custody at Exeter Prison and dragged to Plymouth Crown Court with a co-defendant.Hasani, of Smethwick in the West Midlands, had pleaded not guilty when he first faced a judge over a videolink.But he changed his plea to admit conspiracy to... Reported by Plymouth Herald 4 hours ago.

Christo Abandons Work 20 Years In The Making To Protest President Trump

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For 20 years, artist Christo has been working to make his most ambitious artwork in America to date.

His plan was to hang a silver, fabric canopy over 42 miles of the Colorado section of the Arkansas River for a two-week period. The artist, an immigrant from post-war communist Bulgaria, has spent years fighting for his idea in state and federal court, against Coloradans who fear the project’s impact on local wildlife. (The Bureau of Land Management found no adverse impact.) He’s been paying for the project entirely himself, spending $15 million dollars on the work so far, with plans to spend approximately $35 million more.

However, the artist just announced that he will halt work on the piece entirely, in protest of his new landlord: President Donald Trump. Those familiar with Christo’s epic collaborations with his late wife, Jeanne-Claude, who died in 2009, will recognize a familiar formula in the Colorado project’s vision: Throughout their career, they’ve adorned natural landscapes with soft invasions of color and texture, creating temporary enchanted worlds with no deeper meaning other than the beauty and joy of its existence.

The partners’ past projects include 2005’s “The Gates,” in which 7,500 orange-paneled gates were installed in New York’s Central Park, and 2016’s “The Floating Piers,” in which Christo installed a three-kilometer-long walkway covered in fabric across the water of Italy’s Lake Iseo.

Christo has most recently been focused on his plans to dress the Arkansas river with a silvery awning, an idea he and Jeanne-Claude first had in 1985. Yet the project, initiated in 1996 on federally owned land, lost its sense of purpose and pleasure, Christo insists, when Trump came into power. “I am not excited about the project anymore,” the artist told The New York Times. “Why should I spend more money on something I don’t want to do?”This is the art world’s latest gesture of resistance against President Trump, coming from a community made up largely of progressive artists and wealthy, often conservative, collectors. On Inauguration Day, art institutions around the world participated in J20, a global art strike, communicating that Trump’s presidency was not “business as usual.”

Artists have also specifically targeted Trump’s daughter, an art collector herself, with a series of Dear Ivanka protests outside New York’s Puck Building. Then there’s Richard Prince, who disavowed a work he previously sold to Ivanka, reportedly returning the money she paid for it and deeming it a “fake.”

Christo’s decision is undoubtably the cultural protest with the most at stake. Critics have characterized the artist’s choice as a mistake, arguing that we need free, public art now more than ever. An installation running through blue and red states would offer a much needed message to the divided American people, they attest. 

“I think it is a mistake for [artists] to withdraw their work in the way Christo has just done,” Guardian critic Jonathan Jones wrote in an op-ed. “Such gestures will not harm Trump. If no art gets made or shown in the U.S. during his presidency, he and his supporters won’t even notice. The loss of works like Christo’s will, however, rob those who need its power ― from younger people who can be inspired by art to Trump dissidents who might be nourished by it.”Artists and workers at cultural institutions are still struggling to determine the most effective ways to object to a Trump presidency over the coming years. Christo modeled one potential mode of resistance, and at this point, it does not seem the artist will be changing his mind anytime soon. “The decision speaks for itself,” he told The Times. “My decision process was that, like many others, I never believed that Trump would be elected.”

Maybe this refusal will free up Christo to work on another proposal that’s been floating around the internet: a wall between the U.S. and Mexico. As proponents of an online petition have pointed out, if Christo were employed to build an updated version of his 1976 “Running Fence” ― rather than an actual wall ― he could transform a xenophobic political initiative into enchanting cultural commentary.


Artist Luis Camnitzer suggests: Forget the Wall. Have Christo build a Running Fence with Mexico https://t.co/hJI5idy18s

— Christopher Knight (@KnightLAT) January 10, 2017


Fingers crossed. 

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. Reported by Huffington Post 4 hours ago.

Olympic champion Dara Howell advances to final at slopestyle World Cup event

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Canada's Dara Howell qualified for the final, placing third in her qualification heat at the second competition of the slopestyle World Cup season in Seiser Alm, Italy on Thursday. Reported by CBC.ca 4 hours ago.

Southampton edge ahead in race for Napoli striker

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Southampton appear to have jumped ahead in the race to sign Manolo Gabbiadini from Napoli, say reports from Italy.

The post Southampton edge ahead in race for Napoli striker appeared first on teamtalk.com. Reported by Team Talk 4 hours ago.

Italy: 'FBI join police' in 'Ndrangheta crackdown

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More than 30 people have been arrested in a probe into the business interests of the ‘Ndrangheta, the organised crime group based in the southern Calabria region of… Reported by euronews 2 hours ago.

Chelsea battling Sevilla for £12m-rated full-back

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Chelsea have reportedly joined Sevilla in the race to sign Italy defender Andrea Conti, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The Premier League side, who have moved eight points clear at the top of the table following Sunday’s 2-0 win over Hull City, have been surprisingly linked with the Atalanta defender, despite not having signed any players […] Reported by Shoot 2 hours ago.

LVMH : 2016 record results

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Paris, 26 January 2017

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world's leading luxury products group, recorded revenue of €37.6 billion in 2016, an increase of 5% over the previous year. Organic revenue growth was 6%.

In the fourth quarter, revenue increased by 9% compared to the same period of 2015. Organic growth was 8%.  The American market remains on a good track as does Europe.  Asia, excluding Japan, continued its good momentum.

Profit from recurring operations reached €7 billion in 2016, an increase of 6%, to which all business groups, apart from selective distribution, contributed. This result compares to 2015 which was itself a year of growth.  Operating margin reached 18.7%. Group share of net profit was €3 981 million, representing growth of 11%.

Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH, said: "LVMH achieved an excellent performance in 2016 within a context of geopolitical and economic instability.  Continued innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and the quest for excellence: all Maisons continue to assert these core values while maintaining rigorous execution of their strategies on the ground.  In an environment which remains uncertain, we can count on the appeal of our brands and the agility of our teams to strengthen, once again in 2017, our leadership in the universe of high quality products."

Key highlights from 2016 include:

· Record revenue and profit from recurring operations
· Growth in the United States, Europe and Asia
· Good performance of Wines & Spirits in all regions
· The success of both iconic and new products at Louis Vuitton, where profitability remains at an exceptional level
· Progress at Fendi
· The sale of Donna Karan and the acquisition of Rimowa, leader in luggage of excellence 
· Good momentum at Parfums Christian Dior driven by successful product innovations
· Market share gains at Bvlgari and TAG Heuer
· Growth at Sephora which strengthened its position in all its markets and in digital
· Free cash flow of €3 974 million, an increase of 8%
· Gearing of 12% at end of December 2016

*Key figures* :
*Euro millions* *2015* *2016* *% change*
Revenue 35 664 37 600 + 5 %
Profit from recurring operations 6 605 7 026 + 6 %
Group share of net profit 3 573 3 981 + 11 %
Free cash flow* 3 679 3 974 + 8 %
Net financial debt 4 235 3 265 - 23 %
Total equity 25 799 27 903 + 8 %

* Before available for sale financial assets and investments, transactions relating to equity and financing activities

*Revenue by business group* :

*Euro* *millions* *2015* *2016* *% change*

*2016/2015*

*Reported  Organic**
Wines & Spirits 4 603 4 835 + 5 % + 7 %
Fashion & Leather Goods 12 369 12 775 + 3 % + 4 %
Perfumes & Cosmetics 4 671 4 953 + 6 % + 8 %
Watches & Jewelry 3 308 3 468 + 5 % + 5 %
Selective Retailing 11 193 11 973 + 7 % + 8 %
Other activities and eliminations (480) (404) - -
Total LVMH *35 664* *37 600* *+ 5 %* *+ 6 %*

* With comparable structure and exchange rates.

*Profit from recurring operations* *by business group:*

*Euro millions* *2015* *2016* *% change*
Wines & Spirits 1 363 1 504 + 10 %
Fashion & Leather Goods 3 505 3 873 + 10 %
Perfumes & Cosmetics 524 551 + 5 %
Watches & Jewelry 432 458 + 6 %
Selective Retailing 940 919 - 2 %
Other activities and eliminations (159) (279) -
Total LVMH *6 605* *7 026* *+ 6 %*

*Wines & Spirits: good year with progress in the United States and rebound in shipments to China*

The *Wines & Spirits* business group recorded an increase in organic revenue of 7 %. On a reported basis, revenue growth was 5 %. Profit from recurring operations increased by 10 %. With volumes up 3%, solid growth continues for champagne and prestige cuvees performed particularly well.  Hennessy cognac enjoyed an excellent year with 10% volume growth.  The American market is growing well and China saw better momentum after a tough 2015 due to destocking by distributors. Other spirits, Glenmorangie and Belvedere, continued their growth.

*Fashion & Leather Goods: good performance of Louis Vuitton, other brands strengthened their positions*

The *Fashion & Leather Goods* business group recorded organic revenue growth of 4% in 2016. On a reported basis, revenue growth was 3 %. Profit from recurring operations increased by 10%. Louis Vuitton had a good year driven by the level of creativity across all its businesses.  The continued success of its iconic product range and the strong demand for recent creations such as the new luggage designed by Marc Newson and the Louis Vuitton fragrances, all contributed to this growth.  Fendi recorded robust growth crossing the symbolic revenue threshold of 1 billion euros during the year.  Loro Piana continued to expand its distribution network and opened a flagship store in Paris. Céline, Loewe and Kenzo all continued to grow. Marc Jacobs continued to work on changes to its collection. Donna Karan was sold in December to the American G-III group.  Rimowa, world leader in luggage of excellence, joined the LVMH group.

*Perfumes & Cosmetics: continued success of innovations; excellent performance in makeup*

The *Perfumes & Cosmetics* business group recorded organic revenue growth of 8%. On a reported basis, revenue growth was 6%. Profit from recurring operations increased by 5%. The inauguration of the new atelier for the creation of fragrances, Les Fontaines Parfumées, at Grasse was a highlight of the year. Parfums Christian Dior grew market share in all regions, driven by the worldwide success of Sauvage and the vitality of its iconic perfumes J'adore and Miss Dior . The progress of makeup also contributed to the Maison's excellent performance. Guerlain benefitted from the successful launch of its new makeup collection inspired by its fragrance La Petite Robe Noire . Benefit experienced strong growth driven by the success of its new collection for eyebrows.  Make Up For Ever, Fresh and Kat Von D performed well.

*Watches & Jewelry: market share gains for Bvlgari and TAG Heuer*

The *Watches & Jewelry* business group recorded organic revenue growth of 5%. On a reported basis, revenue growth was 5%. Profit from recurring operations increased by 6%. Bvlgari continued to gain market share with enhancements to its Serpenti, Diva and B.zero1 lines.  Growth continued in China, Korea and in the Middle East.  TAG Heuer grew despite a difficult market for watches, gained market share and benefitted from the success of its new collections and its connected watch. Hublot accelerated its development in Asia and recorded the best year in its history.  Chaumet continued to move its product lines upmarket and inaugurated a new boutique concept in Hong Kong.

*Selective Retailing: good performance at Sephora, DFS impacted by a difficult tourism context in Asia*

The *Selective Retailing* business group recorded organic revenue growth of 8%. On a reported basis, revenue growth was 7%. Profit from recurring operations declined by 2%. Sephora gained market share across all regions and once again recorded double-digit growth in both revenue and profits.  More than a hundred stores were opened in 2016 including notably a flagship store in the World Trade Center in New York and major renovations in Boston and Singapore.  Its online offer accelerated with the launch in six new countries. DFS continued to face a difficult environment, notably in Hong Kong.  The expansion into new destinations continued.  The opening of the T Galleria in Angkor in Cambodia and one in Venice, Italy were the highlights of the year. 

*Cautiously confident for 2017*

Despite a climate of geopolitical and currency uncertainties, LVMH is well-equipped to continue its growth momentum across all business groups in 2017. The Group will maintain a strategy focused on developing its brands by continuing to build on strong innovation and a constant quest for quality in their products and their distribution.

Driven by the agility of its teams, their entrepreneurial spirit, the balance of its different businesses and geographic diversity, LVMH enters 2017 with caution but has, once again, set an objective of increasing its global leadership position in luxury goods. 

*Dividend increase of 13%*

At the Annual Shareholders' Meeting on April 13, 2017, LVMH will propose a dividend of €4 per share, an increase of 13%. An interim dividend of €1.40 per share was paid on December 1 of last year. The balance of €2.60 per share will be paid on April 21, 2017.

The LVMH Board met on 26 January 2017 to approve the financial statements for 2016.
Audit procedures have been carried out and the audit report is being issued.
Regulated information related to this press release, the presentation of annual results and the report "Financial Documents" are available at www.lvmh.fr .

*APPENDIX*

*LVMH - Revenue by business group and by quarter*

*2016 Revenue (Euro millions)*

FY 2016 Wines & Spirits Fashion & Leather Goods Perfumes & Cosmetics Watches & Jewelry Selective Retailing Other activities & eliminations *Total*
First Quarter 1 033 2 965 1 213 774 2 747 (112) *8 620*
Second Quarter 1 023 2 920 1 124 835 2 733 (67) *8 568*
*Total First Half* *2 056* *5 885* *2 337* *1 609* *5 480* *(179)* *17 188*
Third Quarter 1 225 3 106 1 241 877 2 803 (114) 9 138
*Nine months* *3 281* *8 991* *3 578* *2 486* *8 283* *(293)* *26 326*
Fourth Quarter 1 554 3 784 1 375 982 3 690 (111) *11 274*
*Total 2016* *4 835* *12 775* *4 953* *3 468* *11 973* *(404)* *37 600*

*2016 Revenue (Organic growth versus same period of 2015)*

FY 2016 Wines & Spirits Fashion & Leather Goods Perfumes & Cosmetics Watches & Jewelry Selective Retailing Other activities & eliminations *Total*
First Quarter +6% 0% +9% +7% +4% - *+3%*
Second Quarter +13% +1% +6% +2% +7% - *+4%*
*Total First Half* *+9%* *0%* *+8%* *+4%* *+5%* *-* *+4%*
Third Quarter + 4% +5% +10% +2% +8% - +6%
*Nine months* *+7%* *+2%* *+8%* *+4%* *+6%* *-* *+5%*
Fourth Quarter *+7%* *+9%* *+7%* *+8%* *+11%* *-* *+8%*
*Total  2016* *+7%* *+4%* *+8%* *+5%* *+8%* *-* *+6%*

*2015 Revenue (Euro millions)*

FY 2015 Wines & Spirits Fashion & Leather Goods Perfumes & Cosmetics* Watches & Jewelry Selective Retailing* Other activities & eliminations *Total*
First Quarter 992 2 975 1 129 723 2 648 (144) *8 323*
Second Quarter 938 2 958 1 099 829 2 627 (67) *8 384*
*Total First Half* 1 930 5 933 *2 228* 1 552 5 275 *(211)* *16 707*
Third Quarter 1 199 2 939 1 143 852 2 603 (155) *8 581*
*Nine months* *3 129* *8 872* *3 371* *2 404* *7 878* *(366)* *25 288*
Fourth Quarter 1 474 3 497 1 300 904 3 315 (114) *10 376*
*Total 2015* *4 603* *12 369* *4 671* *3 308* *11 193* *(480)* *35 664*

*Reclassification of cosmetics company Kendo from Selective retailing to Perfumes and Cosmetics

*LVMH*
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton is represented in Wines and Spirits by a portfolio of brands that includes Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Krug, Ruinart, Mercier, Château d'Yquem, Domaine du Clos des Lambrays, Château Cheval Blanc, Hennessy, Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Belvedere, Chandon, Cloudy Bay, Terrazas de los Andes, Cheval des Andes, Cape Mentelle, Newton, Bodega Numanthia and Ao Yun. Its Fashion and Leather Goods division includes Louis Vuitton, Céline, Loewe, Kenzo, Givenchy, Thomas Pink, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, Marc Jacobs, Berluti, Nicholas Kirkwood, Loro Piana and Rimowa. LVMH is present in the Perfumes and Cosmetics sector with Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain, Parfums Givenchy, Kenzo Parfums, Perfumes Loewe as well as other promising cosmetic companies (BeneFit Cosmetics, Make Up For Ever, Acqua di Parma and Fresh). LVMH is also active in selective retailing as well as in other activities through DFS, Sephora, Le Bon Marché, La Samaritaine, Royal Van Lent and Cheval Blanc hotels. LVMH's Watches and Jewelry division comprises Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Chaumet, Dior Watches, Zenith, Fred, Hublot and De Beers Diamond Jewellers Ltd, a joint venture created with the world's leading diamond group.

"Certain information included in this release is forward looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties and factors beyond our control or ability to predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, projected or implied. It only reflects our views as of the date of this presentation. No undue reliance should therefore be based on any such information, it being also agreed that we undertake no commitment to amend or update it after the date hereof."

*Contacts* :    
Analysts and investors: Chris Hollis
*LVMH* + 33 1.4413.2122
     
*Media* :    
France : Michel Calzaroni/Olivier Labesse/
Sonia Fellmann/Hugues Schmitt + 33 1.4070.1189
  *DGM Conseil*  
     
UK: Hugh Morrison / Charlotte McMullen +44 7921.881.800
  *Montfort Communications*  
Italy: Michele Calcaterra/ Matteo Steinbach +39 02 6249991
  *SEC and Partners*  
US: James Fingeroth/Molly Morse/
Anntal Silver +1 212.521.4800
  *Kekst & Company*  

PDF Version
--------------------This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: LVMH via GlobeNewswire

HUG#2073763 Reported by GlobeNewswire 3 hours ago.

VRANKEN-POMMERY MONOPOLE - full-year revenues for 2016: up 1.2% to €300.1 million

$
0
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*Financial press release*

*Vranken-Pommery Monopole full-year revenues for 2016:*
*up 1.2% to €300.1 million*

Reims, 26 January 2017

Vranken-Pommery Monopole is reporting €300.1 million in revenues at 31 December 2016, up 1.2% from €296.6 million in 2015.

The strong growth in sales of Provence and Camargue wines and the dynamic development of the German and Italian subsidiaries have partially offset the contraction in champagne sales in the UK and in the restaurant sector in France and Belgium.

Vranken-Pommery Monopole, which has a very strong presence in Europe, has been affected by the fallout from the Brexit on the UK market, as well as the drop in sales for the French and Belgian hotel and restaurant sectors following the terrorist attacks.

*Champagne branch*

Incorporating sales for the "Champagne Branch" under "semi-finished products and generic wines" into 2016 revenues, the overall Champagne business climbed to €243.8 million in 2016, compared with €240.9 million for 2015, up 1.2%.

Outside of Europe, the results achieved in Japan (+25%) and Australia (+29%) are very encouraging, although these markets do not yet represent a significant percentage of the business.

In France, Vranken-Pommery Monopole is consolidating its leading position in the Off-Trade sector, but still faces difficulties in On-Trade following the drop in the number of people visiting restaurants, particularly in the Paris region.

In Europe, the Pound Sterling's depreciation following the Brexit has led to a sharp reduction in the Group's sales volumes in the UK. This reduction on its own represents 2% of the Group's Champagne business, masking the very good performances achieved in Germany and Italy, where business is developing strongly, up 7% and 12% respectively.

*Rose Wine branch*

The North American continent is a key factor behind the dynamic growth achieved in Grey and Rosé wine sales, which are up 16.7%.
The conversion of over 600 hectares to organic wine production, with 100 hectares in Provence and 500 hectares in the Camargue region, will be a source of growth in future years.

*Outlook*

Vranken-Pommery Monopole plans to continue moving forward with its sales development policy for its international brands, driven by the creation of new vintages. In 2016, the following Pommery & Greno champagnes were launched:
- Pommery Cuvée Louise 2004 Brut Nature
- Pommery Royal Blue Sky "on ice".

In May 2017, sales of "Louis Pommery" Californian Sparkling Wines will be launched for the American and Japanese markets.

Sales of English Sparkling Wines will also be launched for the UK and Australian markets in 2017.

These launches of Sparkling Wines will consolidate the local image of Vranken-Pommery Monopole's US and UK subsidiaries and progressively contribute to growth in revenues for Vranken-Pommery America and Vranken-Pommery UK.

  Year ended 31 December
In millions of euros 2016 2015 Change Change as %
Champagnes 230.8 239.6 - 8.8 - 3.7%
Provence and Camargue wines 17.5 15.0 2.5 16.7%
Other 18.5 18.8 - 0.3 - 1.6%
*Subtotal for brand sales* *266.8* *273.4* *- 6.6* *- 2.4%*
Inter-industry sales (semi-finished products) and generic wines 33.3 23.2 10.1 43.5%
*Total full-year revenues* *300.1* *296.6* *3.5* *1.2%*

  Q4 (1 October - 31 December)
In millions of euros 2016 2015 Change Change as %
Champagnes 109.9 117.2 - 7.3 - 6.5%
Provence and Camargue wines 2.8 2.2 0.6 27.3%
Other 6.4 6.2 - 0.2 3.2%
*Subtotal for brand sales* *119.1* *125.6* *- 6.5* *- 5.2%*
Inter-industry sales (semi-finished products) and generic wines 26.6 16.2 10.4 64.2%
*Total Q4 revenues (1 October / 31 December)* *145.7* *141.8* * 3.9* *2.8%*

  1 January - 30 September
In millions of euros 2016 2015 Change Change as %
Champagnes 120.9 122.4 - 1.5 - 1.2%
Provence and Camargue wines 14.7 12.8 1.9 14.8%
Other 12.1 12.6 - 0.5 - 4.0%
*Subtotal for brand sales* *147.7* *147.8* *- 0.1* *- 0.1%*
Inter-industry sales (semi-finished products) and generic wines 6.7 7.0 - 0.3 - 4.3%
*Total revenues (1 January / 30 September)* *154.4* *154.8* *- 0.4* *- 0.3%*

*Next date*
Publication of 2016 full-year earnings: 30 March 2017

*About Vranken-Pommery Monopole*
Vranken-Pommery Monopole is the second largest Champagne group.
With sites in Champagne, Provence, Camargue and Douro, it is Europe's leading wine grower.
Its brand portfolio includes:

· the leading Champagne brands VRANKEN, POMMERY, HEIDSIECK & CO MONOPOLE and CHAMPAGNE CHARLES LAFITTE;
· the ROZES and SAO PEDRO ports and TERRAS DO GRIFO Douro wine brands;
· the Sable de Camargue DOMAINE ROYAL DE JARRAS rosé wines and Côtes de Provence CHATEAU LA GORDONNE.

In addition, it is the joint owner, with the Castel Group, of the LISTEL brand portfolio.

Vranken-Pommery Monopole is listed on NYSE Euronext (Paris and Brussels).
(Codes "VRAP" (Paris), and "VRAB" (Brussels); ISIN: FR0000062796).

Contacts

*Vranken-Pommery Monopole:*

Patrice Proth, General Secretary

+33 3 26 61 62 34, comfi@vrankenpommery.fr *Press*

Claire Doligez, +33 1 53 70 74 25, cdoligez@image7.fr

Caroline Simon, +33 1 53 70 74 65, caroline.simon@image7.fr

Vranken-Pommery Monopole - Turnover 2016
--------------------This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: VRANKEN-POMMERY MONOPOLE via GlobeNewswire

HUG#2073790 Reported by GlobeNewswire 1 hour ago.
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