The company created seventeen years ago presents itself as a “digital biotech”, a sector in vogue on the American stock markets and which as a result obtains very generous valuation ratios. In fact, they are software publishers designed to help patients follow their treatments for chronic diseases, heavy treatments such as cancer.

Authorisations are required because of the impact on health, as medical devices, the risk being in the delivery of care. These schemes may be reimbursed to a greater or lesser extent depending on the country and health systems. They can only be issued on medical prescription. This is actually the only difference with a traditional publisher. The barrier to entry is not that of a conventional biotech or pharmaceutical.

The basic principle put forward by society is that prescriptions are poorly followed up due to painful side effects (in the case of cancer) or fatigue (need for continuous daily monitoring).

The company now has two software programs for type I and type II diabetes. They allow remote monitoring via a web portal allowing follow-up by the doctor to adjust the insulin dose and manage side effects. The patient sends their blood glucose levels and insulin intake frequency. The device works for all insulin brands and is authorized in France by the Haute Autorité de Santé. According to initial clinical data, 80% of patients would reach their glycated hemoglobin target at six months of treatment follow-up compared to only 40% without the software.

In France, the company has an exclusive agreement with Sanofi, which distributes it with its insulin Lantus, Sanofi’s flagship product. Voluntis will receive 30% royalties on the sales of the device. Another example of sources of income is the agreement with an American mutual insurance company, the only one at the moment, but which is rich in lessons, even if it is a small structure on an American scale with 850,000 policyholders. Insured persons using insulin on WellDyne Rx’s list will systematically be prescribed the VOluntis device. Indeed, proper compliance with diabetes treatment would result in a saving of $4,690 per year because complications would be avoided.

In addition, the company is developing similar devices for oncology to improve the monitoring of side effects that often lead to discontinuation or inadequate monitoring of therapy.

The company, which has raised more than €43 million since its creation, raises €32 million in funds for its initial public offering. In 2017, the company posted revenues of 8MM which are milestone payments by its partners and the annual loss amounts to 10M. This means that the fundraising will represent just under two years of operation at this rate. EBITDA would be in balance in 2020, or even positive. The company aims for a turnover of 50 million euros in 2021, which would allow it to achieve operational balance “from 2022”.

We are not in a position to comment on these figures, as no financial analysis has been distributed except to a few referenced persons, as is now the practice despite Europe’s desire to make progress in terms of market information and efficiency and its Mif2 text. This practice reminds us of the transactions made under the columns by the “wet feet” at the Palais Brongniart not so long ago. Except that this practice of the unregulated market is now protected by lawyers.

Apart from the absence of financial information, the following reservations lead to strong reservations about the advisability of subscribing.

First of all, this assumes that the patient is equipped with a smartphone and is able to use it.

Then, what will be the degree of adoption of the system? Once adopted, how long will the patient comply with this discipline? It is striking to note that at the time of the connected objects, the patient must read his blood sugar level and then transfer it to his smartphone. Tedious and not very modern. For example, how many people persist in transferring data to a paper document? Why should it be different with this device?

What about the doctor’s remuneration for the follow-up? In France, remuneration is based on consultations. However, it must be acknowledged that we finally have a more modern, pragmatic and professional Minister of Health who is ready to modernize a system that is based on outdated economic analysis. There are fewer and fewer general practitioners and less and less time.  Assuming that the numerus clausus is removed, the situation will not improve all at once.

The current Facebook scandal is a timely reminder of the importance of confidentiality and the value of health data. There is a real risk here.

Finally, if diabetes is THE disease of the 21st century, it is not certain that measures or new treatments will not be able to contain it. In addition, there are competing systems including the connected pump. Insulin sensors, which are currently very popular with patients, the first concerned and ultimately decision-makers, provide information on the insulin dose to be taken. Without violating data confidentiality and in a way that diabetics consider simple.

If we believe in this project, it is certainly too early to judge its potential success. Especially since the valuation is ambitious with a market capitalization of 128 M now for a turnover of 50 M targeted in 2021.

To early, too ambitious, too expensive.

1. major producing countries and production levels

Sugar is produced from sugar cane or beet. A distinction is made between brown sugar (Free On Bord side on the New York market) and white sugar (Free On Bord side on the London market). There are more than 130 sugar producing countries in the world. However, 10 countries account for about 78% of world production, including Brazil (23%), India (15%), EU-28 (9%), China (6%), Thailand (6%), the United States (5%), Mexico (4%), Russia (4%), Pakistan (3%) and Australia (3%).

>The specifications for sugar listed in London are:

• Contract size: 50 tonnes
• Quotation price: dollar and cent per tonne
• Quotation deadline March (H), May (K), August (Q), October (V), December (Z),

>The specifications of sugar listed in New York

• Tcontract size: 112,000 pounds (1 pound =0.453592kg)
• Quotation price: us dollar per pound
• Quotation deadline March (H), May (K), July (N), October (V)

The price of sugar is influenced by certain fundamentals, in particular the evolution of stocks, production forecasts, climatic conditions and any other geopolitical events that may disrupt the supply chain, in this case armed conflicts, strikes, etc.

In 2017, the price of brown sugar fell sharply (-11%). The abolition of production quotas imposed by the European Union on 1^er October 2017 has not been conducive to improving things. It has led to a massive arrival of sugar on the international market. The latter is already saturated by a sharp increase in world production, whether in Brazil, Asia or India, and the decline in agrofuels made from sugarcane.

<However, analysts continue to monitor the price of ethanol, which is a very important driver of sugar prices. Brazil is a major producer of ethanol from sugar, traders will look closely at the break point between the price of ethanol and the price of sugar. Any impact in Brazil is highly significant on the world sugar market.

1. b) Analysis of USDA bi-annual report

The production of ethanol from sugar cane in Brazil is a factor to be integrated into fundamental analysis. But the share of Brazilian production devoted to ethanol production is low, averaging 0.35 million tonnes over the last three years. The influence of this data on prices is small in a context where the expected level of production is high.

c- Technical analysis of the future sugar market quoted in London (Daily chart)

From the point of view of technical analysis, all moving averages (20, 50 and 100) are on a downward trend. There has been a downward trend since May 2017. This trend is in line with the analysis of the fundamental data related to production forecasts, which were based on lower consumption and higher production. However, there was a price change between November 2017 and January 2018 in a channel characterized by the range phase formed by price levels between $399.30 and $350.90. The next publications, particularly those to be published in May 2018, will provide a more precise market orientation by the end of the year.

Source: Zonebourse.com

Oil is the main source of energy in modern society. It is also a source of war and pollution and our dependence on black gold divides public opinion. The use of oil is very different: indeed, the more developed a country is, the more the use of oil is dedicated to transport. In addition, the oil shocks of the XX^ème siècle allowed leaders of developed countries to understand that oil should be better used where it is not possible to replace it. Oil is used everywhere. It is the foundation of consumer society. Its cost was very cheap for a fossil commodity until recently, it is present in our economy as an essential, almost irreplaceable product. It is both a source of energy and a highly prized raw material. We begin to be aware of it when its price increases, because its impact is felt in our movements, our food, our comfort, our tranquility.

>Production, consumption and reserve of oil

World oil consumption is growing rapidly. It increased by 11% between 1970 and 2000, and it is estimated that it will increase by a further 30 to 40% by 2030. This is the result of a combination of several factors:

A GALOPPING DEMOGRAPHY: the world population will increase to 9 billion between 2020 and 2050. Even if the countries with the highest population growth are not the most industrialized, this population growth will have an impact on global oil consumption.

THE EMERGENCE OF NEW INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES: Some countries, such as China and India, which together represent about a quarter of the world’s population, are in full economic development. Their expansion generates high oil consumption. By 2030, it is estimated that oil consumption in these emerging countries will account for 50% of world consumption

EXPANSION OF THE TRANSPORT SECTOR: 97% of transport depends on petroleum products. The globalisation of the economy and trade implies a significant development of the transport sector. It is estimated that transport currently accounts for 50% of oil consumption; this proportion is expected to rise to 60% by 2030. In other words, oil consumption for the transport sector alone is expected to increase by about 35% by 2030

LE LACK OF COMPARABLE ALTERNATIVES :

There are few alternatives comparable to oil. Those with the greatest potential will only be able to replace oil if there is a willingness or a need to break with oil-based traditions. This is why agrofuels are widely supported by oil companies: they allow them to maintain control over distribution networks, and from a use point of view, agrofuels represent only a technological evolution. They do not change consumer behaviour, and that is what interests those who master distribution networks.

We could mention hydrogen, in the same kind of problem of distribution networks (and production, because hydrogen is an energy carrier, just like electricity, and not a energy source).
Solutions for the production and use of decentralised energy sources, while they may be a viable alternative, are not preferred because they imply a change of habit for suppliers and consumers. If technology could offer us a new source of clean energy compatible with current uses and distribution methods today or in the near future, it would undoubtedly become the norm. But such energy sources do not exist: those that present themselves as such are only lures boasting biased qualities. It is generally “sufficient” to analyse their sectors as a whole in order to become aware of the aberrations they constitute, or the conditions under which they could really constitute (even partially) a credible alternative (and to become aware that these conditions are not respected)

> OIL-BASED ECONOMY OF COUNTRIES

When an economy is largely based on oil exports, it is certain that GDP (Gross Domestic Product) will increase or decrease according to the rise or fall in oil prices. After being stable for more than three years, around $110 oil began to fall in June 2014, reaching about $50 a barrel in December. Since the beginning of 2015, the tremors have been severe, the price is now around 60 dollars, such a variation has particularly serious consequences for the countries producing black gold.

Let us take the case of Venezuela the dependence on oil is extreme, oil represents 95% of exports and constitutes two thirds of the State’s revenues. The inexorable fall in oil prices had considerably reduced Venezuelan monetary receipts and dealt a terrible blow to imports, leading to the shortage of many essential products. All these factors have led to an uncontrolled rate of inflation, to the point that the Central Bank of Venezuela refuses to provide this year’s figures on price increases.

>OIL RUN AND WAR

The geopolitics of oil describes the impact of oil demand and supply on the policies of countries that consume and produce this essential raw material for today’s economic lifestyle. As the oil deposits are limited and their geographical location does not generally coincide with that of the consuming countries, oil resource exploitation is a source of tension. Consumer countries, generally with high power military, are then tempted to use powerful means of pressure (military or economic) to gain access to these resources. Oil, a highly strategic, has been frequently associated with international confrontations since the beginning of the xx^e century.

In Iraq and Syria, the Islamic State of “ Caliph Ibrahim has seized vast oil fields and intends to exploit them as war booty.

For the peoples of this region, oil is not a ““ manne “ but an evil that corrupts leaders and, instead of strengthening states, weakens them permanently. The Iraq war willed by Bush was first and foremost a war for control over the country’s oil resources, in order to prevent China from having access to oil fields essential for its development. It actually led to the destabilization of all the States in the Region.
In Palestine, the battle for water resources is raging. The State of Israel and the settlers suffocate Palestine by opening or closing the tap as they see fit.
In Africa, the Mali war is not – unlike the humanitarian storytelling we are told – a war without economic stakes. The proximity of Niger’s uranium sites, exploited by Areva, as well as the exploitable resources in North Mali, are at the heart of this conflict.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY (OIL) AND OTHER ENERGY

Fossil fuels are the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and therefore to the increase in temperature of the Earth’s surface that we have observed since the end of the 19th century.

In the major industrial countries, they provide most of the energy needed to manufacture consumer goods. That is to say their economic and strategic importance! The foreseeable decrease in their availability before the end of the century, first the oil, then natural gas, and finally coal, is worrying for the future of highly consuming countries.

SOUTHER A WORLD WITHOUT OIL?

Knowing that oil exploitation is a source of wealth and economic success,

But this energy is non-renewable and since its consumption continues to grow for growing needs, which could explain the increase in its production.

Oil discoveries are decreasing as they occur, even those found are in geographical areas where climatic conditions are extreme, requiring new drilling methods that are very advanced or even non-existent.

However, it is estimated that oil reserves have a finite consumption period, which already explains the presence of renewable energies, even if black gold remains irreplaceable.

Then a world without oil can put an end to our dependence on oil, which is present almost everywhere, this is our daily life. Oil companies will be or are even in the process of being confronted with this impasse, if the oil is over we will no longer be able to talk about oil companies because insurance companies do insurance, electricity companies produce electricity, and oil companies?

We must be courageous to say that they will disappear unless they diversify their activity beyond oil.

Several renewable energy companies are emerging and will multiply. The problem is that renewable energies are manufactured and their use depends only on climatic factors, such as the sun, wind etc.

Imagine a future where the means of transport have changed their operating configuration, no more turbojet engines with kerosene, no more propellant for rockets, the situation is getting more complicated. Will it be necessary to destroy any mechanical system working with black gold?

Then humanity will know a new phase, because depending on renewable energies would be eternal, and will change our habits

However, some countries whose economies depend on oil have begun to address the issue of energy alternation by directing their investment towards other activities in order to relay their economies. Profitability in oil production remains high, which is the cause of their economic boom. The question would be to know if they will then experience the same growth as they did during the black gold era?

Perhaps one thing could reassure us, since oil is often seen as the nerve of war and certain geopolitical tensions, and its absence could stabilize international relations.

Significant changes in the banking system are led by globalization. Responding to these changes, banking system is continuously expanding the choice of services offered to the customers and increasing their reliance on technology to offer such services, banks have realized the importance of investing in technology, to control cost, attract customers, and fulfill customers’ needs for convenience and technical innovation .

Accordingly, banks started to compete in expanding their branch networks and providing a variety of delivery channels such as automated teller machines (ATMs), Internet banking and m-banking.

In Egypt, there is a great opportunity to expand in E-Banking Technologies (SSTs) due to both the rapid development of telecommunications and IT networks together with the great diffusion of mobile phones .This calls the need for, understanding consumer behavior and value perceptions towards SSTs in Egypt. Thus,

the paper proposes an integrated framework to investigate consumer’s acceptance and usage or intention to usage of different SST channels, namely, ATMS, Internet banking and E-banking.

Digital modernization gives traditional banks a second chance

A smart, enterprise-wide approach positions them to deepen customer satisfaction and loyalty, driving long-term relationships and profitability. Such an approach also has the potential to meet consumers’ expectations and bring banking back to the bank.

Customer Relationships as New Sources of Value

Digital technology gives banks the opportunity to regain their relevance with customers, and the heart of that connection is data. Every consumer click, swipe, comment and search creates a unique virtual identity that we call a Business Online  Indeed, managing Business Online thinking is vital to banks’ digital transformation.

Customers Are the New Focus

Regardless of their size, profitability and growth demand that banks focus on serving customers at the right time, with the right level of service and at the right cost. Several factors are driving this customer focus. Number one, today’s customers expect personalized pricing and portfolio mixes. Banks that can’t deliver

will suffer reduced profitability. While banks, by default, sell every product to every customer, digital banking allows customization, providing the data and analytics capabilities needed to examine each customer’s profitability and offer individualized or segmented products and pricing.

Digital Banking’s Return on Investment

What is the ROI of digital banking? It’s the combination of lower channel costs, plus increased revenue for the benefit period, minus the cost of deployment amortized over its useful life, multiplied by the internal cost of funds for that period.

The new digital feature set has led to:

• Improvements in user-experience design through interactive, game-like interfaces that are starting to merge the boundaries between the real and the virtual, and bringing data to life through rich visualizations.
• Advances in mobile devices and networks, providing new services such as enhanced digital security and the ability to access the internet from anywhere (partially limited by high international roaming charges).
• The rise of social media and collaboration tools, empowering customers and employees, and moving control of the ‘brand message’ from businesses to consumers.

The growth of mobile has significant implications for banks. As mobile phones get equipped with more and better functionality, it will transform the traditional interaction model with the consumer. Wellappointed branches and slick websites will no longer be enough, ascustomers expect services on the move. Location-based offers, timely and relevant content, and interactive applications will form the basis of the mobile customer’s engagement with their banks.

While the preference for digital can be seen across all segments and markets (see Figure 2)

it is especially important for those customers who form part of Generation Y, now at the point of choosing their main banking provider. Consequently, banks need to target and acquire these customers now to lock in the future value that will be generated by this segment. Our research suggests that the extent to which a bank exploits the new digital feature set will play a very important part in this customer group’s decision-making process, much more so than traditionally important criteria such as branch location, or even brand.